Hey, At Least We're All Using The Wrong Tools Together

On coordination problems, technological mimesis, and the unexpected optimality of shared mistakes; or, how I learned to stop worrying and love legacy software

Years ago, I nagged about Signal, watching my friends share their crimes through Facebook's eyes.

I knew who else might be watching.

They shrugged, said "just use Messenger."

I did.

Today, my coworker handed me a Word doc, ignoring our custom software that does it better.

I opened Word.

Each time, I see it: the weight of change against the flow of habit.

They're brilliant in their own worlds.

Like scholars who once held their brushes tight, rejecting metal type in Korea.

Much later, my friends did switch to Signal.