Ben Brooks
@benbrooks.me
About me: benbrooks.me
My writing: brooksreview.net
CEO @ terrakata.io
Living in: Boulder, CO
My writing: brooksreview.net
CEO @ terrakata.io
Living in: Boulder, CO
Reposted by Ben Brooks
its so funny to me that serial plagiarist Benny Johnson just stole Tucker Carlson's whole schtick
November 13, 2025 at 4:57 PM
its so funny to me that serial plagiarist Benny Johnson just stole Tucker Carlson's whole schtick
iOS/iPadOS 26.1 allows you to disable swipe to open camera from the lock screen, I always hated that gesture, good riddance. (Settings > Camera)
November 4, 2025 at 3:17 PM
iOS/iPadOS 26.1 allows you to disable swipe to open camera from the lock screen, I always hated that gesture, good riddance. (Settings > Camera)
iCloud sync used to be magic. Now I spend a lot of time staring at my iPhone’s Photos app waiting for it to sync 1 photo and then staring at my iPad waiting for it to pick up that one photo.
Then I go use my open source, self-hosted, photo app and it’s synced everything before iCloud launched.
Then I go use my open source, self-hosted, photo app and it’s synced everything before iCloud launched.
November 2, 2025 at 4:04 PM
iCloud sync used to be magic. Now I spend a lot of time staring at my iPhone’s Photos app waiting for it to sync 1 photo and then staring at my iPad waiting for it to pick up that one photo.
Then I go use my open source, self-hosted, photo app and it’s synced everything before iCloud launched.
Then I go use my open source, self-hosted, photo app and it’s synced everything before iCloud launched.
This version is now Remind Me Fasterer.
Remind Me Faster 6.1 is available now. This is a quiet release. There are no new features.
I’ve re-written the startup sequence (long overdue) which should reduce the occasional loading spinners. And there are various little areas of UI that have been polished.
apps.apple.com/gb/app/remin...
I’ve re-written the startup sequence (long overdue) which should reduce the occasional loading spinners. And there are various little areas of UI that have been polished.
apps.apple.com/gb/app/remin...
Remind Me Faster
Quick-entry for Apple Reminders: Remind Me Faster gets tasks into Apple Reminders the moment they cross your mind.
Your most-used times, locations, and lists are available with a couple of taps ...
apps.apple.com
October 21, 2025 at 1:47 PM
This version is now Remind Me Fasterer.
My member intel this week includes at what elevation it’s ok to wear certain outer layers, making it perhaps one of the most CO based style guides out there.
Member Journal — 10/13/25
Thoughts on fall and winter clothing options.
Thoughts on fall and winter clothing options.
Member Journal — 10/13/25
Thoughts on fall and winter clothing options.
brooksreview.net
October 13, 2025 at 1:39 PM
My member intel this week includes at what elevation it’s ok to wear certain outer layers, making it perhaps one of the most CO based style guides out there.
Claude v. GPT-5
- GPT-5: “wow that was fast, but not really what I asked but kind of, don’t be lazy”
- Claude: “my dude, I just wanted a quick short answer, not a dissertation on it, could you chill a little”
- GPT-5: “wow that was fast, but not really what I asked but kind of, don’t be lazy”
- Claude: “my dude, I just wanted a quick short answer, not a dissertation on it, could you chill a little”
September 24, 2025 at 2:14 PM
Claude v. GPT-5
- GPT-5: “wow that was fast, but not really what I asked but kind of, don’t be lazy”
- Claude: “my dude, I just wanted a quick short answer, not a dissertation on it, could you chill a little”
- GPT-5: “wow that was fast, but not really what I asked but kind of, don’t be lazy”
- Claude: “my dude, I just wanted a quick short answer, not a dissertation on it, could you chill a little”
I love this bag.
Yoshida & Co Porter Tanker Sling Bag W zip(L)
The gold standard for a daily carry bag.
The gold standard for a daily carry bag.
Yoshida & Co Porter Tanker Sling Bag W zip(L)
The gold standard for a daily carry bag.
brooksreview.net
September 23, 2025 at 1:32 PM
I love this bag.
The profits are going to be on creating tools to connect your life to LLMs.
Member Journal — 8/25/25
Still treating AI like software and blaming it for not being software.
Still treating AI like software and blaming it for not being software.
Member Journal — 8/25/25
Still treating AI like software and blaming it for not being software.
brooksreview.net
August 25, 2025 at 2:44 PM
The profits are going to be on creating tools to connect your life to LLMs.
Will be telling about so much when the next board next hires Yaccarino.
July 9, 2025 at 10:18 PM
Will be telling about so much when the next board next hires Yaccarino.
Reposted by Ben Brooks
After media reports & experts warned for months that drastic & sudden cuts at the Nat Weather Service by Trump could impair their forecasting ability & endanger lives during the storm season, TX officials blame an inaccurate forecast by NWS for the deadly results of the flood.
July 5, 2025 at 10:19 AM
After media reports & experts warned for months that drastic & sudden cuts at the Nat Weather Service by Trump could impair their forecasting ability & endanger lives during the storm season, TX officials blame an inaccurate forecast by NWS for the deadly results of the flood.
Reposted by Ben Brooks
Flooding in Central Texas has killed at least 24 people and at least 20 girls attending a summer camp are missing, officials said.
Live updates: Search and rescue underway after 24 killed and at least 20 girls missing in Texas flooding
The flooding in Kerr County, Texas, killed at least two dozen, while Camp Mystic on the banks of the Guadalupe River had several girls unaccounted for.
www.washingtonpost.com
July 5, 2025 at 2:17 PM
Flooding in Central Texas has killed at least 24 people and at least 20 girls attending a summer camp are missing, officials said.
I am sorry to tell you folks…
June 24, 2025 at 2:50 PM
I am sorry to tell you folks…
I got angry enough to write about why you should never let the sales team run the app strategy.
Downward Fall of Shop Pay & App
When a product and design team makes something great for you, don’t let the sales and marketing folks take over.
When a product and design team makes something great for you, don’t let the sales and marketing folks take over.
Downward Fall of Shop Pay & App
When a product and design team makes something great for you, don’t let the sales and marketing folks take over.
brooksreview.net
June 24, 2025 at 2:50 PM
I got angry enough to write about why you should never let the sales team run the app strategy.
I heard this went out of stock and I think the brand might be on a well deserved vacation. But, I stand by the fact that you can’t spend any amount of money to get something better than this for the office. And some would say I’ve *tested* way too many backpacks.
Alpha One Niner Whitley (v1)
This is the best office backpack I’ve ever used.
This is the best office backpack I’ve ever used.
Alpha One Niner Whitley (v1)
This is the best office backpack I’ve ever used.
brooksreview.net
June 20, 2025 at 3:04 PM
I heard this went out of stock and I think the brand might be on a well deserved vacation. But, I stand by the fact that you can’t spend any amount of money to get something better than this for the office. And some would say I’ve *tested* way too many backpacks.
Reposted by Ben Brooks
Chief executives are giving employees an AI fright — warning them the new technology could make many workers obsolete.
Why CEOs are using AI to scare workers
CEOs warn the new technology could make many workers obsolete, while urging them to start using it right away.
www.axios.com
June 20, 2025 at 12:58 PM
Chief executives are giving employees an AI fright — warning them the new technology could make many workers obsolete.
Reposted by Ben Brooks
Apple Proved Nothing at WWDC, And That’s Interesting af
Apple is looking like the Blackberry of AI.
Apple is looking like the Blackberry of AI.
Apple Proved Nothing at WWDC, And That’s Interesting af
Apple is looking like the Blackberry of AI.
brooksreview.net
June 18, 2025 at 11:15 AM
Apple Proved Nothing at WWDC, And That’s Interesting af
Apple is looking like the Blackberry of AI.
Apple is looking like the Blackberry of AI.
Reposted by Ben Brooks
Installed macOS 26 and iOS 26. Current rating is YIKES out of five stars for the design. Hoping this changes quite a bit before September, because otherwise this is not going to be fun times.
And, yes, I know. Feedback. Beta. Etc. But I fear at this stage, it’ll be tweaks, not an overhaul.
And, yes, I know. Feedback. Beta. Etc. But I fear at this stage, it’ll be tweaks, not an overhaul.
June 10, 2025 at 7:57 PM
Installed macOS 26 and iOS 26. Current rating is YIKES out of five stars for the design. Hoping this changes quite a bit before September, because otherwise this is not going to be fun times.
And, yes, I know. Feedback. Beta. Etc. But I fear at this stage, it’ll be tweaks, not an overhaul.
And, yes, I know. Feedback. Beta. Etc. But I fear at this stage, it’ll be tweaks, not an overhaul.
I too am running the new shiny on my iPad, and I feel like I am losing my damned mind each time I read that there’s someone who thinks this looks good. This looks terrible.
iPad multi-tasking upgrades are nice though.
iPad multi-tasking upgrades are nice though.
June 10, 2025 at 2:45 PM
I too am running the new shiny on my iPad, and I feel like I am losing my damned mind each time I read that there’s someone who thinks this looks good. This looks terrible.
iPad multi-tasking upgrades are nice though.
iPad multi-tasking upgrades are nice though.
Reposted by Ben Brooks
UPDATE: Police arrested Mohamed Sabry Soliman, 45, at the scene. He shouted “free Palestine!” as he used a “makeshift flamethrower” and hurled an incendiary device at the demonstrators, said Mark D. Michalek, special agent in charge of the FBI in Denver.
bsky.app/profile/colo...
bsky.app/profile/colo...
Several people were set on fire in an “act of terror” Sunday afternoon on the Pearl Street Mall in Boulder during a gathering to raise awareness about people taken hostage during Hamas’ 2023 attack on Israel, authorities said.
coloradosun.com/2025/06/01/b...
coloradosun.com/2025/06/01/b...
“Act of terror” during Israeli hostage demonstration leaves several injured on Boulder’s Pearl Street Mall
Officers were called to an area near the intersection of 13th and Pearl streets about 2 p.m. Sunday, Boulder police department said.
coloradosun.com
June 2, 2025 at 1:16 AM
UPDATE: Police arrested Mohamed Sabry Soliman, 45, at the scene. He shouted “free Palestine!” as he used a “makeshift flamethrower” and hurled an incendiary device at the demonstrators, said Mark D. Michalek, special agent in charge of the FBI in Denver.
bsky.app/profile/colo...
bsky.app/profile/colo...
There was a point in time when it would be silly not to have the Shop mobile app. Grey little utility and all that.
Fast forward to today and you can’t even check on orders without a splash screen taking over to tell you about shop week.
App deleted.
Fast forward to today and you can’t even check on orders without a splash screen taking over to tell you about shop week.
App deleted.
May 31, 2025 at 11:49 PM
There was a point in time when it would be silly not to have the Shop mobile app. Grey little utility and all that.
Fast forward to today and you can’t even check on orders without a splash screen taking over to tell you about shop week.
App deleted.
Fast forward to today and you can’t even check on orders without a splash screen taking over to tell you about shop week.
App deleted.
Reposted by Ben Brooks
I hate LinkedIn and its ugly design and its endless privacy violations and its grifter energy so much.
May 31, 2025 at 8:56 AM
I hate LinkedIn and its ugly design and its endless privacy violations and its grifter energy so much.
I love this jacket, and it happens to be on sale today.
Filson Short Lined Tin Cloth Cruiser
This is the best waxed jacket money can buy.
This is the best waxed jacket money can buy.
Filson Short Lined Tin Cloth Cruiser
This is the best waxed jacket money can buy.
brooksreview.net
May 29, 2025 at 2:58 PM
I love this jacket, and it happens to be on sale today.
Morning web designers and developers. Reminder that date pickers are terrible choices when asking for a birthdate. That’s all.
May 20, 2025 at 3:43 PM
Morning web designers and developers. Reminder that date pickers are terrible choices when asking for a birthdate. That’s all.
Reposted by Ben Brooks
Gear Report — 5/14/25
Sometime’s it’s better to trust others on what to buy.
Sometime’s it’s better to trust others on what to buy.
Gear Report — 5/14/25
Sometime’s it’s better to trust others on what to buy.
brooksreview.net
May 14, 2025 at 11:10 AM
Gear Report — 5/14/25
Sometime’s it’s better to trust others on what to buy.
Sometime’s it’s better to trust others on what to buy.
Reposted by Ben Brooks
The $400 million jet from Qatar would be worth 100 times more than every other presidential gift from a foreign nation combined since 2001
May 14, 2025 at 11:49 AM
The $400 million jet from Qatar would be worth 100 times more than every other presidential gift from a foreign nation combined since 2001