Longform
AI Panic: A Writer’s Eye-Roll
I write, and honestly, I think I write pretty well. I’ve written five novels (all available, for free, via the ‘My Writing’ button at the top of my website.) I am specifically commenting here on AI as a writing support tool.
AI has been a hot topic for a while now among creatives, hobbyists, opinionated internet dwellers, and news outlets. There’s absolutely an AI debate going on, and as with any transformative new technology, it’ll take time to figure things out. I think it’s been so high-profile partly because—for the first time since the internet arrived—we’re seeing a tech shift that could genuinely reshape a huge number of jobs in a way that most people understand with ease. I am not in any way against talking about interesting and probably important topics such as this.
But I’m not here to sell you on how amazing AI is, how bad it is.
There’s just one thing I want to say. There’s a lot of online noise right now in writing spaces—people loudly dismissing AI’s usefulness or demonising it in ways that are, frankly, a bit silly.
Recently, I’ve been trialling the Ulysses writing app (in fact, I’m writing this very post in Ulysses.) Whenever I try a new tool, I like to poke around and read up on it. That curious mood inevitably sends me down the rabbit hole of checking out other writing tools too. Which, of course, leads me to forums. And that’s where, today, I found myself growling at my screen.
I must’ve read a dozen posts where people ask if a given writing app has “AI baked in” like that’s a dealbreaker.
Now, remember—I’m a writer. I say that not as someone who wants to write a book someday, or who calls themselves an “aspiring writer.” I’ve written books. Plural. So I speak from an actual experience of spending thousands of hours using writing tools and software.
And let me tell you: I have never—not once—seen a writing tool force AI on a user. That would be ridiculous. Most writing apps don’t even enforce spell checking! Why on earth would they force AI on you?
Yet, every one of these forum posts is followed by comment after comment from people moaning about AI and declaring that they want nothing to do with it. And hey—fair enough. I would rather not read AI-written books, or AI-edited ones, or anything AI-outlined either. I want human voices telling human stories. But…
AI is a fantastic spelling and grammar assistant. It can proofread and suggest corrections in a way that’s really no different to Grammarly, LanguageTool or ProWritingAid—but it also allows conversational feedback, and it explains the reasoning behind its suggestions. Used sensibly, it’s no worse than the proofreading tools that have been baked into Word for decades.
So let’s stop pretending that avoiding it is some kind of noble statement. Plenty of writers don’t use spelling or grammar checkers—or only use them at the very end of a draft. I respect that. What I don’t respect is when people claim that “all good writers turn off grammar tools.” That’s just nonsense.
Personally, I welcome a bit of support when I make a typo or mangle a sentence like I’ve forgotten how English works. I use ProWriting Aid, rather than Apple Intelligence, but that will likely change one day.
Most software that offers writing support will gradually start to use LLMs. ChatGPT might become a universal spell checker. Apple Intelligence might finally start doing something useful. And if you’re unwilling to coexist with these tools, you may well be making life harder for yourself. Though, I agree it’s important to do so in a way which does not erase your voice as a writer.
You don’t need to check whether a tool has AI “baked in.” Just don’t use the AI features. Turn them off.
If, for some mad reason, AI ever does become mandatory, you can always go full George R. R. Martin and fire up WordStar 4.0. No one’s coming to insert Grok into the past on you!
Use it or don’t. But please — stop shouting into forums about how evil AI is. You’re not changing anyone’s mind, and you’re just irritating the people who are actually getting on with writing.
Edit: To be clear. I am talking about using AI as an editing/writing support tool. Not people who use AI to write scenes and entire posts. screw those people.
Living with Stage Manager: Accidental Clarity
Since the advent of the modern desktop paradigm in the mid-90s, not a great deal has changed in how we interact with desktop computing interfaces. Sure, the tiling desktop interface has gained popularity in the Linux world over the past decade — DWM, for instance, has been around for about 18 years now. But for the vast majority of computer users, the desktop experience remains largely the same, whether you’re on Linux, Windows, or macOS. Even mobile operating systems have settled into a familiar design language: a swipe-accessible app launcher, and that little pill at the bottom of the screen for multitasking.
macOS has always leaned on a more formal virtual desktop system for handling full-screen applications — something that often confuses new users. But aside from that, it’s not drastically different from the well-established Windows standard that most people have grown familiar with.
That is, until 2022, when macOS Ventura introduced Stage Manager — a baffling, seemingly underbaked feature that’s remained largely unchanged since its debut.
Since owning a MacBook, I’ve found myself regularly toggling Stage Manager on and off, trying to understand the reason for its existence. It always seemed a bit of a mystery to me. On iPadOS, though, it makes perfect sense — it offers a way to multitask that sidesteps some of the platform’s limitations, allowing you to switch between apps more fluidly with a pointer.
One use case that’s worked well for me is when I’m using my iPad (a 13-inch M2 Air) on the Magic Keyboard - Stage Manager lets me have my notes app open alongside a floating PDF window — perfect for academic work — and with a quick tap on the sidebar, I can jump straight into an almost full-screen browser window. While Stage Manager does support more than two apps on-screen at once, I think its primary strength is in offering a more desktop-like way of switching between tasks. It just feels more natural when you’re working with a pointer. Personally, I rarely use it when my iPad is off the keyboard, but it’s definitely come in handy whenever I’ve needed that flexibility.
On the desktop, though, application switching already feels pretty intuitive without Stage Manager. I’ve long held the theory that it’s mainly useful for iPad-first users who want something familiar when they’re on a Mac — and I still think that’s a solid benefit for some.
However, I have to admit- I turned Stage Manager on by accident over two months ago… and I haven’t looked back.
Once I stopped thinking of Stage Manager as an experiment and simply started using it as my default setup, I noticed my workflow became cleaner. I no longer had to contend with multiple windows from unrelated applications cluttering the screen. Minimising or hiding apps isn’t exactly hard work — but with Stage Manager, it’s handled for you. It’s one less thing to think about.
The ability to group multiple apps together in a single “stage.” This has allowed me to keep related applications side by side in more intentional, focused ways.
For example, I might have Scrivener open next to a Safari window with a research topic open, or a few dictionary tabs, in one stage. Meanwhile, another stage might contain a Safari tab with my online banking open, paired with my Notes and a financial spreadsheet. Each stage ends up being defined by a kind of “TV channel” logic — each one focused on a specific topic or task — letting me stay in the flow without closing down or rearranging things I’ll need later.
I’ve found it interesting that all the benefits I’ve gained from using Stage Manager have been psychological rather than technological. There’s no task I’m doing now with Stage Manager that I couldn’t technically do without it — even without minimising apps or entering full-screen mode. macOS has always been excellent for multitasking. But with Stage Manager turned on, I’ve found myself operating under this “TV channel” logic: choosing a stage isn’t just picking a set of apps — it’s picking a mental mode. When I switch to a stage, I’m also switching into the frame of mind I need to use it effectively.
It’s something I now find incredibly useful — and, increasingly, something I think about less and less. Earlier today, I tried turning Stage Manager off just to see if I was still enjoying it or had simply developed a habit. I missed it almost immediately. That separation of topic, of mental space — it’s become second nature. I rely on it without even realising.
That said, it’s not all positive. One downside I’ve noticed is that I’m now less likely to properly close unused applications. If they’re not part of a stage, I tend to just leave them running. It’s not a major issue — macOS handles memory well, and background apps without active windows don’t really hog resources — but it’s still a shift in behaviour. To counter this, I’ve been using an app called MagicQuit, which automatically closes apps after they’ve been idle for a set time. It’s been a handy way to manage a minor task.
It’s interesting how Stage Manager shifts the focus — not just away from windows, but from the management of applications. It changes what I think about and how I interact with the system. Technically, good habits become things I just don’t consider.
There’s also a bit of a learning curve. It’s not steep, but it does require some rethinking. At first, I was only using one app per stage — which defeats the point, really. It was only after some time (and a bit of experimenting) that I started dragging related apps into the same stage and began building stages based on tasks or topics rather than applications.
It’s worth noting that Stage Manager hasn’t replaced my use of full-screen mode. I still fullscreen apps — Scrivener, for example — when I want a distraction-free, dedicated space. But generally, I’m now less prone to having lots of apps in fullscreen, which I suspect may be worse from a resource point of view.
It even has me wondering whether I should dedicate some time to using it more consistently on my iPad — to give myself the same chance to adjust, and maybe make it feel more natural there too. That would fulfil the expectation I originally had for Stage Manager: a unified interface across my two main Apple devices.
But the truth is, it still feels less useful on the iPad, where I’m usually focused on a single app at a time. It doesn’t quite fit the way I use the iPad, at least not at the moment.
While I wouldn’t recommend Stage Manager to everyone, I do think it’s easy to recommend to people like me — people who tend to have multiple things on the go at once. And even then, I have to admit: it’s taken me quite literally a year of experimenting before I reached a point where it clicked, and I saw real value in it. So suggesting someone “just try it” feels a bit odd — like saying, “Give this a year of casual fiddling and eventually you’ll agree with me!”
That said, Stage Manager can be a meaningful improvement. But you have to let go of overthinking it. As long as you’re actively considering Stage Manager, it remains a topic — something separate from your workflow. Once it simply becomes a feature — something you use without thinking — that’s when it starts to show its worth.
I’ve also noticed that Stage Manager doesn’t seem to be widely used — or at least, it’s not often visible in the wild. It’s rare, for instance, to see a Reddit screenshot with Stage Manager active. And when it does appear, it tends to become a talking point in its own right. That tells me it’s probably not a particularly popular feature — which raises a question about its future. Will Apple keep supporting it long-term? Or will it quietly vanish in a few macOS versions’ time?
It’s something to consider. And perhaps yet another reason why putting time and energy into learning to use it might not appeal to everyone.
Regardless of all that, I do think Stage Manager is something worth trying — at the very least. You might find yourself reaping the same benefits I have. And ultimately, that’s been the point of this post: to highlight the value of a feature that’s easy to dismiss without giving it a proper chance. t
The Subscription Trap: Why I’m Abandoning My Favourite Productivity Apps
Recent changes to products I use have left me suspicious of application pricing. This, coupled with the capitalistic obsession of locking users into services, has led me to overhaul almost all of the software I rely on for productivity. I’m mad as all heck about it, and I hope the following paragraphs serve as a warning to those who haven’t yet noticed this creeping trend.
I realise that what I’m about to describe is exactly why the free software movement exists—something I learned during my decade of running Linux. Somewhere along the way, I forgot that lesson. But recent demonstrations of greed from software I once adored have reminded me in no uncertain terms.
Full Keyboard Access? More Like Full Keyboard Chaos!
While Apple Intelligence turned out to be less intelligent than we all hoped, my Magic Keyboard turned out to be more magical than I expected, once I changed a single annoying setting.
If you don’t care about the narrative and just want to know how I made my Magic Keyboard better, I respect that.
Go to: Settings > Accessibility > Keyboard, and turn off Full Keyboard Access. You’re welcome.
Right, back to the narrative…
Art: The before the last supper.
While i usually post my art on Niceferatu.net (see comic link in title bar) I had a random idea which I decided to draw last night.
Please note, this is meant to be taken as a cute (hopefully) lovingly drawn little cartoon, not theology!
Updates from the Creative Trenches.
I think I’ve said before that if asked, I wouldn’t describe myself as a creative person. Which is quite contrary to the truth when I look at the novels I’ve written, the badly drawn comic I work on almost weekly, and the years I spent making YouTube videos. I’ve never understood why I don’t feel like a creative type.
I think it’s because writing novels takes so long that sharing a finished product is infrequent — giving imposter syndrome a long time to settle in.
Despite all that, I thought I’d give my tens of followers a little update on what I’m working on. I’m hoping I can remember to make this a semi-regular thing — maybe every other month, depending on how the projects are going.
Lost in the Dark Forest of the Modern Internet
I recently stumbled across an interview with David Mitchell which opens with him declaring that the internet is as harmful to humans as nuclear weapons. Two things to note: first, this is a five-year-old video; second, he’s a comedian who often uses hyperbole to sharpen his point. But in this case, there was a sincerity to his tone that I found haunting.
We all know that at least some people want a change in the way the internet is presented and used — this is most evident in the emergence of the fediverse but the meteoric rise and sudden fall of the Gemini protocol a few years ago also exemplified the widespread desire for countercultural change. (I understand that some individuals will claim that Gemini remains popular, but those people, unfortunately, are delusional.)
From War Games to Web Gains
For many years, particularly during my teenage years, I secretly aspired to be like David Lightman. However, considering the pickle he found himself in, I can’t help but feel relieved that my efforts fell short. Besides, Cheyenne Mountain is quite far away. I suspect that WOPR has been replaced by a big ring now, which means I probably never stood a chance anyway.
This focus on grand aspirations led me to believe that WordPress would serve as the permanent home for Dandelion-Utilitarian.com. Its flexibility assured me that I could bend it into anything I envisioned without having to start from scratch, and its widespread popularity meant there were abundant guides and resources available. It represented refined maximalism and was a solid long-term choice.
I don’t naturally gravitate towards maximalism, because of this, I maintained a live mirror of the site’s posts through the Micro.Blog service on the dot net counterpart to my dot com site. Over time, I gradually realised that this straightforward mirror was the page I considered my main site. It offered the flexibility for quick, micro-blog style posts alongside full-length articles and extended musings. Despite its minimalist design, the blend of short and long-form content made it more versatile than the WordPress site.
The other day, I came to the realisation that what I truly desire isn’t flexibility; just a platform where I can post content accompanied by an RSS feed. In an almost whirlwind of activity, I decided to delete the Hetzner server that hosted my WordPress site and upgraded my Micro.blog subscription to the premium tier. This change allowed me to host multiple blogs, which was useful, as I wanted a separate feed for my ‘Niceferatu’ scribblings. The best part? By no longer paying for Hetzner, the upgrade didn’t actually cost me anything extra.
I spent many hours setting up my WordPress site, which taught me a lot about both technology and design. I don’t consider that time wasted, just a little educational project. However, I can’t help but notice that it only took me about 45 minutes in total to configure both of my Micro.blog sites to my liking. With a more minimalistic approach, greater flexibility, and less effort required, it feels like I made the right decision.
I’m excited to share my random thoughts, articles, and longer musings freely from now on. I hope you all don’t mind this change.
Unpacking the opening - For those who didn’t follow the first paragraph it was a reference to the 1983 movie ‘War Games’ which has a nerdy boy named David accidentally get involved in a global crisis with a confused chess playing computer. The computer in question was housed in Cheyenne mountain facility, which was also the setting of the 1997 TV show ‘Stargate: SG1’
Niceferatu.net
After some consideration, tinkering, and general messing about, I’m pleased to confirm that Niceferatu.net is real! It’s just a place for my comic posts. It’s not a very good comic—but hey, at least I’m trying.
This project is mainly to help me improve my drawing skills, with the hope of one day creating something more longform (like The Denouement novel, but as a comic).
Anyway, this should keep dandelion-utilitarian.com safe from being overrun by badly drawn and very dry vampire comics.