There’s never been a better time to quit social media.
The internet is abuzz with chatter about canceling social media accounts this week after Elon Musk’s controversial offer to buy Twitter. And declarations of quitting Facebook on principle still dot timelines. Then there are those leaving social media to regain their focus or to eschew negativity and trolls. Whether you are leaving cold turkey, simply cutting back, or maintaining the status quo, it’s a good time to evaluate how you get your news, then to fine-tune your intake stack.
There are plenty of ways to get news that may ultimately serve you better than social media, with the easiest being newsletters.
A cautionary note, though: Curate wisely. Do you often delete a particular newsletter without reading? If so, next time hit the unsubscribe link. Newsletter enthusiasm can overpower your inbox if not checked.
Here are some newsletters I’ve found particularly valuable, covering a variety of newsy topics.
Daily headlines
1440 – A friend recently recommended 1440 to me, and I really like it. In a five-minute read, it covers a wide swath of news, and each item gets a short explainer paragraph with a link to learn more. At the bottom, there’s a short list of more lifestyle-y or fun links. 1440’s impartiality makes it great for centrists or those who want news without the spin. Free.
Mailbrew – A key feature of Mailbrew is that it’s highly customizable to the topics you care about because it’s culled from the sources you select. While I’ve found the free version to be a little too limited, this is a highly reliable option to get a variety of news. Free or $5/month.
Wake-Up Call – Veteran journalist Katie Couric’s newsletter is a roundup of “the news that matters most to you.” It also includes links to articles and features (often within Couric’s news company’s work) that are softer. I find it has a slight bent towards a female audience. Free.
NextDraft – I have read this newsletter almost daily for years, but If you like your news without commentary, you’re better off with the other newsletters here. NextDraft’s writer, Dave Pell, calls himself “the managing editor of the Internet.” He scours the web for the most important stories, which may or may not be the most mainstream. I read it is for his biting voice and for the blurbs’ headlines, which range from clever to hysterically funny. Free.
What’s happening in tech
Platformer – Writer Casey Newton describes his newsletter as “news at the intersection of Silicon Valley and democracy,” and while that’s only a sliver of tech news, lately it’s a very wide and important sliver. Newton is insightful, a great reporter, and well connected. Free or $10/month.
Inside.com – Tech journalism and angel investor icon Jason Calacanis’s company offers an array of niche newsletters, on mostly techie business topics that include no-code, like VR, podcasting, and venture capital. Reporters are knowledgeable and the daily newsletters usually include a quick roundup of news on the topic. There’s also a Daily Brief newsletter for a more holistic reporting on tech. Free.
Stratechery – Ben Thompson, the mind behind this iconic tech newsletter, is highly respected and has the chops to make insightful assessments of tech company news. $120 annually.
The Information – If you’re willing to pay for a subscription, there’s no more in-depth or broad reporting of tech news than The Information. Multiple stories are posted daily, and you can subscribe to receive segments of these direct to your inbox—including a daily roundup and a weekend email with more free-ranging feature stories (still within tech). $33 and up/month.
Rounding out your news
Forbes Career – I am really liking this weekly newsletter with commentary and links to career content from Forbes and elsewhere. Free.
Age Equity Alliance – The monthly newsletter from AEA can keep you abreast of what’s happening in the DEI space, specifically concerning age. Free.
Pop Culture Mondays – I never miss reading Brooke Hammerling’s weekly newsletter. It includes all I need to know on what’s trending this week in culture, especially culture dominated by the young folks. Thanks to this newsletter, I have no need to spend hours on TikTok—yet I get to see the best memes in one place. Reading this newsletter is the highlight of my Mondays, and it keeps me cool in my kids’ eyes. Free.
Startup Decoder – Last but not least, Startup Decoder’s newsletter covers the intersection of work, tech, and age. You can subscribe weekly, or receive a monthly digest. Free.
Photo by Ono Kosuki