You’re reading The Steady Beat, a weekly-ish round-up of hand-picked articles and resources for people who make software products: designers, engineers, product managers, and organizational leaders.
By the Numbers - The Disappearing Internet
- 50 million - The number of music files lost by Myspace in 2019, highlighting the fragility of internet data.
- 2018 - The year Facebook introduced a feature allowing users to download all their personal information, aimed at giving users a greater sense of control over their online presence.
- 2020 - The year the first ‘Remember the Internet’ book was published, a personal history of Tumblr porn, depicting the diversity lost when the platform banned one of its most loyal communities.
- 8000 - The size of the “Glass Explorers” community, a group dedicated to the innovative but ridiculed Google Glass, who bonded over shared mockery and a now-defunct social network, Google Plus.
- 2006 - The year writer Noor Al-Sibai began participating in the MySpace scene-queen community, the first internet subculture in the ‘Remember the Internet’ book series to touch on the dawn of social media and Web 2.0.
— The Atlantic, 17m, #internet-history, #digital-archiving, #online-communities
The Art of Meetings (1976)
Meetings continue to be seen as an organization’s necessary evil, with their efficacy commonly put into question. But the problem isn’t the concept of meetings, but rather how they’re conducted. Antony Jay’s 1976 article, “How to Run a Meeting,” serves as a timeless guide to making meetings productive. Jay points out that meetings can easily veer off course due to human interaction and errors in leadership. The solution? Clearly defining objectives, adequate preparation, and a chairman’s skillful guidance. The chairman must navigate the human crosscurrents and steer the discussion towards its intended goal. Jay also emphasizes considering the necessity of a meeting; sometimes, a simple conversation or memo might serve the purpose more effectively.
— Harvard Business Review, 12m, #business-communication, #meeting-management, #leadership
UX in 2025
UX design in late 2024 feels like a fading memory of its peak in the late 2010s. The craft has increasingly become a byproduct of business objectives, with AI tools and growth teams taking the reins. Designers are trading empathy for A/B tests, clarity for clicks, and meaningful user experiences for engagement traps. The industry’s shift toward organizational politics, half-baked products, and algorithm-driven decisions has left many grappling with their role and relevance. Yet, amidst the chaos, opportunities for reinvention remain—whether by embracing strategy, doubling down on craft, or even charting entirely new paths. Change is inevitable, and for designers, it might just be the chance to rediscover what matters most.
— UX Trends, 9m, #ux-design, #design-trends, #business-objectives
Keeping the MVPs in the Game
High performers aren’t just team players—they shape the playbook. But managing them requires finesse. From offering specific praise that cuts through their inner critic to crafting stretch assignments aligned with their career goals, thoughtful leadership keeps them engaged and growing. Let them lead, celebrate their wins, and (crucially) make them take a breather. High performers thrive when they’re supported, challenged, and occasionally told to chill.
— Meg Adams, 7m, #leadership, #management
Why Tech Talent is Banking on Banks
The tech industry isn’t the only game in town for top-tier engineers anymore—big banks are stepping up as serious contenders for AI and tech talent. Financial giants like JPMorgan and Morgan Stanley are attracting grads with cutting-edge AI projects, research opportunities, and patent-worthy innovation. Job security, competitive pay, and prestige sweeten the deal, especially as tech startups scale back perks and headcount. With roles spanning neural networks to generative AI, the banking sector is proving it’s not just about crunching numbers—it’s about rewriting the tech playbook.
— WSJ 🎁, 7m, #engineering, #development, #talent, #ai
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