iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Simon Peng @simonpeng.net · 04/05/2026

Patreon really can’t stop trying to enshittify. I love the IDEA of improving discoverability, but the shape it’s taking really makes me feel like one day you’ll struggle to see posts from people you follow (remember how YouTube subscriptions used to work?)

Screenshot of a Patreon product announcement for some reason sharing “a feed for just your memberships” as a feature and not the entire point of Patreon.

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Simon Peng @simonpeng.net · 02/05/2026

I really wonder how effective these @ndp.ca fundraising emails are. The fake “your name here” format, the immediate jump to donations. @avilewis.ca is saying lots of great new things but this feels right out of the traditional NDP playbook. Not very inspiring to me, so I hope they have other ideas.

Screenshot of part of an NDP fundraising email. It reads: “Simon, A couple of weeks ago, Avi Lewis and the NDP put forward a ban on surveillance pricing, and it's been making national headlines:” and shows a screenshot of a National Observer article about NDP Surveillance Pricing policy.

Screenshot of part of an NDP fundraising email. After the article screenshot is reads: “Simon, this is making noise because people know it's a real threat if not addressed.” And is immediate followed by a call-to-actions button that’s says “I want to donate”

Screenshot of an NDP fundraising email. It reads: “And that's why we need your help.
Can you donate $75 or whatever works for you to help put pressure on the Liberals to ban surveillance pricing?
If we act now, we can stop these kinds of predatory practices from taking over and becoming the norm.
Thank you,
Canada's NDP”

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Simon Peng @simonpeng.net · 30/04/2026

I’ve been tinkering with an old soviet “AGAT 18” half-frame film camera. The first roll had some issues, mostly with me not understanding how to focus properly, but one of the best pictures I got out of it was of the moon through my telescope!

Photo of the moon, partially in shadow, shot on film. Pretty grainy and not framed fully and with a slightly orange hue.

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Simon Peng @simonpeng.net · 24/04/2026

Artemis II was amazing!!! But most of us (most of everyone ever) will never have the chance to see what they saw with our own eyes. But you actually can see the moon in an amazing amount of detail with a pretty cheap telescope, and it is more impactful than just looking at pictures.

Photo of the moon taken through a 8" dobsonian telescope. Moon is almost exactly half-illuminated, with sharp shadows cast on the craters along the terminator line. The photo was taken on my iPhone 13 mini against the telescope eyepiece.

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Simon Peng @simonpeng.net · 04/04/2026

I don’t often feel simple patriotism. It’s not something I really understand. But I’ll be honest, seeing a Canadian on his way to the moon fills me with a really simple kind of pride. 🇨🇦🚀🌕

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Simon Peng @simonpeng.net · 03/04/2026

Finished reading: There Is No Antimemetics Division by qntm 📚 This book was a real blast. It was a fun mix of heady, sci-fi thought experiments and some more pulpy fun. It helped that it didn’t overstay its welcome, too. A differ... simonpeng.net/2026/04/03/finished-r…

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Simon Peng @simonpeng.net · 17/03/2026

I think by this point we’re used to any and all AI features being opt-out or impossible to disable. So imagine my surprise when I looked at Microsoft’s privacy settings to see the one feature they make opt-in is making AI slop more easily identifiable! Devious, nasty design all the way down.

Screenshot of microsoft privacy setting for turning on AI watermarking, which is disabled by default.

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Simon Peng @simonpeng.net · 05/03/2026

Just finished reading: Empire of AI: Dreams and Nightmares in Sam Altman’s OpenAI by Karen Hao. This book is so dense and leaves me with so many different thoughts about the AI industry. My biggest takeaways right now: OpenAI ... simonpeng.net/2026/03/05/just-finis…

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Simon Peng @simonpeng.net · 28/02/2026

Picture from a quick trip outside last night. It’s amazing to me how the moon is so constant and highly photographed, and yet it’s still so awe inspiring to observe. I don’t think I’ll ever get tired of looking at this guy, through a telescope or with the naked eye. Puts things in perspective. 🔭

Photo of the moon, nearly full with a shadow cast across the top-left of its face. Taken with my iPhone 13 Mini through an Orion SkyQuest XT8 (8" dobsonian) telescope with a 25mm eyepiece.

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Simon Peng @simonpeng.net · 19/02/2026

A lot of shit has me pretty riled up right now so let’s stop and smell the roses for once and everyone appreciate my great new (old) clock I got for my studio. ⏰

Photo of a sick old school/office style clock from the 90s with a delightful off-white body and red 24-hr numbers. Also some other things on my walls, but it’s all about the clock, baby!!!

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Simon Peng @simonpeng.net · 19/02/2026

Cool, guess I’m gonna be moving my “get the fuck off substack” to-do way up the list. This is actually very helpful motivation to finish up the transition and pull the plug.

Screenshot of the stupidest thing I’ve ever seen. A tweet from Polymarket announcing a deal with Substack so writers can integrate predatory gambling into their writing? It’s trash.

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Simon Peng @simonpeng.net · 13/02/2026

This stupid joke doesn’t work on my website because I use a font that doesn’t have ambiguous characters. Isn’t accessible design fun?! 🤷

A post reading “I have been feeling really bad for people named Al in the age of AI and ambiguous characters.” But the name Al and the term AI are clearly different because the lowercase l has a small spur at the bottom and the uppercase I has cross bars.

The same post but the name Al and term AI look the same because the L and I are indistinguishable. Isn’t explaining a joke fun?

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Simon Peng @simonpeng.net · 11/02/2026

I posted yesterday about how Adobe had randomly shoved generative AI shit into my custom workspace layout, which I promptly closed. But surprise, when I opened InDesign today this bullshit was back! Has there ever been a feature forced into people’s faces against their will as much as AI?

A screenshot of my custom InDesign workspace layout with an ugly "text to image" panel added in.

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Simon Peng @simonpeng.net · 11/02/2026

Gonna need to really try not to get a big head now… I’m assuming YouTube mails you a plaque for all milestones, right?

Screenshot from my YouTube dashboard showing a trophy and the text "New achievement: 10 subscribers!"

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Simon Peng @simonpeng.net · 10/02/2026

The best purchasing decision I made in 2025 was getting this tiny box of banana stickers. They have never let me down and there’s so much joy to be found in sticking bananas to things. 🍌

Photo of a tiny box with bananas on it and many different sizes and styles of banana stickers piled next to it.

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Simon Peng @simonpeng.net · 10/02/2026

I rarely open Adobe applications anymore, but when I do, they have added a fucking GenAI panel to my custom workspace and have also done a double attention-grab badge on the blue “share” button nobody fucking uses. Jesus Christ, Adobe is garbage.

Screenshot of part of the InDesign workspace with a new "text to image" panel added in to my personal workspace layout, and a blue "share" button that now also has a blue dot on top of it for some reason.

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Simon Peng @simonpeng.net · 07/02/2026

Finished reading: The Blade Itself by Joe Abercrombie 📚 A super enjoyable read, even if it wasn’t the most original or sophisticated fantasy novel. Tropes and cliché abound, but it was a fun and surprisingly brutal romp. I’ll probably dig into the rest of the series sooner than later.

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Simon Peng @simonpeng.net · 16/12/2025

As I tried to close the stupid AI chat box on the Zoom home screen, this tool tip popped up, summing up the AI-based enshittification of tech perfectly. Made a thing nobody want to use? No problem! Just don’t give people a choice.

Screenshot of Zoom app tool tip that says "AI Companion always shows on the home screen."

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Simon Peng @simonpeng.net · 14/11/2025

I really don’t like trucks. I think they suck. Instead of just stewing about it I wrote a bit about how artists can help shape the world for the better: www.everyonescreative.net/p/you-can…

Inverted photo of a big dumb truck on a red background. On top it says "I HATE TRUCKS" and above and below it says "I don't have a nuanced opinion about this. These are lame and for losers."

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Simon Peng @simonpeng.net · 11/11/2025

Just because I became so fascinated by the Kafkaesque absurdity of the Cavalry Terms suggesting you print a hard copy of their terms, then check back regularly for unannounced updates, I decided to reach out to their contact listed in the terms asking about it. If I hear back, I’ll update here.

Screenshot of an email to the company that makes the animation tool Cavalry. It's too long to fully include the text here, but the main question is asking if they really do expect people to print the terms, check back for unannounced updates, then print the terms again. I also ask that, if that's the case, if they think anyone has ever done that.

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Simon Peng @simonpeng.net · 11/11/2025

Screenshot of an email to the listed contact at Scene Group, the company that makes animation tool Cavalry. The text of the email follows: &10;&10;"Hi there!&10;&10;I'm taking more of an interest in the Terms, Conditions and Privacy Policies of applications and services I use. I was reviewing the Cavalry Terms and Conditions before registering and downloading your application, and have a few questions.&10;&10;Right at the top of the terms, at the end of section 1.1, you state: "We recommend that you print a copy of these Terms and Conditions for future reference."&10;&10;Only two paragraphs later, in section 1.3, you state:&10;&10;&10;> "1.3 We may make changes to these Terms and Conditions at any time. The updated version of these Terms and Conditions will be indicated by an updated "Revised" date and the updated version will be effective as soon as it is accessible. You are responsible for reviewing these Terms and Conditions to stay informed of updates. Your continued use of the Site represents that you have accepted such changes." &10;&10;&10;So, if I'm understanding correctly, is it your company's position that all your users should print their own hard-copies of these terms, then make a habit of checking back regularly in order to make themselves aware of updates to these terms and print subsequent hard-copies of the revised terms whenever your company decides to make updates to them?&10;&10;If this is the case, my follow up is to ask, does Scene Group Limited actually believe any single user has done this? I'm genuinely interested and would like to know before I decide if I will continue using your site or services.&10;&10;&10;I'd very much appreciate a response. Have a wonderful day!&10;&10;Thank you!&10;~ Simon"

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Simon Peng @simonpeng.net · 11/11/2025

Reading more of the Terms & Conditions of apps will make your head spin. Not only do Cavalry recommend you print and retain a copy of the Terms for future reference, they also get to revise the terms at any point, without notice. So, you need to come back regularly and re-print the terms?

Screenshot of Cavalry's terms and conditions, highlighting this section: "1.3 We may make changes to these Terms and Conditions at any time. The updated version of these Terms and Conditions will be indicated by an updated "Revised" date and the updated version will be effective as soon as it is accessible. You are responsible for reviewing these Terms and Conditions to stay informed of updates. Your continued use of the Site represents that you have accepted such changes."

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Simon Peng @simonpeng.net · 11/11/2025

I like learning new tools, but tech’s increasing invasions-of-privacy have made me start reading the ToS more often before I download things. When you do that, you see some hilarious stuff. Do these companies actually think people will print and retain copies of these agreements? They’re absurd.

Screenshot of Cavalry's Terms & Conditions, highlighting this line: "We recommend that you print a copy of these Terms and Conditions for future reference."

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Simon Peng @simonpeng.net · 03/11/2025

Adding to the list of reasons I’m planning on leaving Substack: They are so US-centric. I’m Canadian, as is most of my audience, and yet their dashboard offers to show me stats for “USA” and “World”. Because to US companies, that’s what exists: the USA and… oh, yeah! Everyone else.

Screenshot of Substack's dashboard for Audience Location, with the dropdown menu showing two options: USA and World.

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Simon Peng @simonpeng.net · 26/10/2025

Just finished The Trial. It’s amazing how relevant it feels, like Kafka was tuned in to something about modern society that has only become more true today. The absurdity and the mundanity of the story are incredible cathartic in a... simonpeng.net/2025/10/26/just-finis…

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Simon Peng @simonpeng.net · 06/10/2025

Substack insists they’re different from the other platforms. They say they’re a bastion for writers and artists in a world that devalues our work. And yet, even they ultimately just call it all “Content.” Slop to fill a void.

Screenshot of Substack dashboard navigation showing the "Posts" item found under the category "Content."

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Simon Peng @simonpeng.net · 11/09/2025

Look, I get that this is big, scary news, but it is wild to me that four of the top five articles on CBC right now are about an American being killed by another American in America. We say we’ll “never be the 51st state!” but sometimes we act like the U.S. is the only Country on earth…

Screenshot of CBC.ca showing the top 5 most popular posts. 1, 2, 4 and 5 are about the killing of Charlie Kirk.

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Simon Peng @simonpeng.net · 20/07/2025

You know tech is reaching a low point when this kind of message fills me with dread. I can’t get off of Substack fast enough.

Screenshot of notification that says "try the new dashboard" with an annoying little sparkle emoji.

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Simon Peng @simonpeng.net · 15/07/2025

I’m happy to have mostly moved entirely from Adobe to Affinity for work, but I still use them from time to time and they just reek of enshittification. Today’s gripe is with Adobe adding nagging blue highlights to features they want you to use because it helps market their tools. Who wants this?

The "File" menu in InDesign. Out of all the options "Export to Adobe Express" is highlighted with a blue dot for some reason.

The ever-present blue "share" button that is in the menu bar of every Adobe app. Does anyone use this?

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Simon Peng @simonpeng.net · 11/07/2025

This has got to be one of the funniest little shitty design ideas I’ve seen. Netflix is hoping I’m used to checking a box to confirm cancelling as a way to spam me with their marketing emails as I cancel? Who, as a customer, would ever want this? I can’t imagine a positive spin for this decision.

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Simon Peng @simonpeng.net · 30/06/2025

Got out to see the Moon and Mars pass by each other tonight. It was a gorgeous (until the mosquitos drove me back inside)! 🔭

Photo of a 25% crescent moon and a tiny orange dot (mars) almost directly above the moon.

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Simon Peng @simonpeng.net · 16/05/2025

I’ve been pushing myself to use more open source software, but for graphic design work I still feel very trapped with either Adobe or Affinity. That said, I’m working with Inkscape and I’m not having a horrible time. It’s clunky, but also capable (once you figure out where things are buried).

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Simon Peng @simonpeng.net · 16/05/2025

Today is a nice day to learn that old workplace safety manuals have some pretty hilarious images when you take them out of context! (source)

Old black and white photo of a man with a face shield on, next to the same man splattered in... something.

Photo of a manequin that is decorated with the same injuries occuring in the workplace.

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Simon Peng @simonpeng.net · 28/04/2025

I didn’t like any of the off-the-shelf cable management boxes for standing desks because they usually are for when your desk is against a wall. So I made this box that presses into the desk with tension and hides the nasty cables! Fun hand tool project! Still needs finishing, but I like it so far!

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Simon Peng @simonpeng.net · 28/03/2025

OH YAH WE’VE GOT CMYK RUNNING THROUGH 🎆🎇🎉🥳🎊👏👏👏 This is my PSA for everyone to just attempt fixing your broken shit before you throw it out. If it’s already broken, what’s the worst that could happen? …I should probably test the scanner that I actually use way more before I celebrate… 🤔

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Simon Peng @simonpeng.net · 28/03/2025

Slowly reviving things but Magenta has yet to reappear after I maybe destroyed something… pray for me. 🙏

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Simon Peng @simonpeng.net · 28/03/2025

The one nice thing about having to completely disassemble your printer to try to unclog it is that you can remove the horrible little speaker that chimes every time you press any button on it and that has no mute function in the settings. 😇

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Simon Peng @simonpeng.net · 28/03/2025

So far this printer repair has slightly increased the amount of black coming through and now completely ruined the colour 😂 Side note… did you know the “cleaning” mode of your printer is just it blasting a bunch of ink into sponges inside the printer? I didn’t but it seems funny for some reason.

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Simon Peng @simonpeng.net · 28/03/2025

Spending a not insignificant amount of time trying to repair a long-neglected printer and thinking about how much work this is, how nobody who is sane would do this, and how many fucking printers must be in the landfills so we can all print… what? Movie tickets? Bills?

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