writing

Why we need The Static in our industry

Our industry didn't just walk away from printed products; it walked away from committing to ideas and words worth printing. What an opportunity!

Jul 2 • Omar Oakes

What is your content actually worth when the AI crawlers come for it?

There is one question every media executive is avoiding right now. Even if the AI companies are already answering it on their behalf.

Apr 14 • Omar Oakes

I’m doing my thinking about AI in public. You should hold me to it.

I got into an argument. Then I made it a podcast (not least because most takes about AI are terrible...)

Apr 13 • Omar Oakes

The truth about going freelance: more fun but much harder than a full-time job

After a year of going solo, I’ve learned that freelancing doesn’t raise your income ceiling first — it removes the floor. What you gain isn’t freedom so…

Jan 22 • Omar Oakes

Stories that matter: Why media industry prediction pieces always fail

Saying nothing about the future turns out to have real consequences.

Jan 6 • Omar Oakes

Stories that matter: The AI reckoning in Journalism

(And why this is my last post of 2025)

Dec 2, 2025 • Omar Oakes

OStack Reads: Why writing is thinking (and why AI can't do it for you)

Mark Levy's 'Accidental Genius' is an urgent reminder that the messy, private, thinking-on-paper stage of writing is essential in a world of people…

Aug 12, 2025 • Omar Oakes

We can't save journalism by jumping ship

Platforms like Substack promise freedom and reach. But without teams, editors, or legal backing, they can’t replace what journalism actually is.

Aug 7, 2025 • Omar Oakes

OStack Reads: plagiarism is lazy — stealing is essential

Most people think originality comes from genius. It doesn’t. It comes from knowing what and who to steal from. 'Steal Like an Artist' is an essential…

Aug 5, 2025 • Omar Oakes

Whoopsie! Am I helping to destroy journalism?

When it comes to journalistic standards, is Substack part of the solution or a symptom of the problem?

Jul 25, 2025 • Omar Oakes

Yes, I'm using AI to write...

…and after reading this you’ll understand: IT DOESN’T SAVE TIME AT ALL!

Jun 17, 2025 • Omar Oakes

This was supposed to be a short post...

...but here's the thing about what you're 'supposed' to do when creating 'content'

Jun 6, 2025 • Omar Oakes

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