Alan Henry

@halophoenix

Author: Seen, Heard, & Paid: Now: Managing Editor, @pcmag.com Then: WIRED, NYT, Lifehacker. Forever: Yours. Recovering physicist. Always: Black. He/Him.

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Alan Henry@halophoenix· 25d

Fighting the brain worms by being a silly little guy ...and setting fire to things. Animation by @mluffee.bsky.social (thank you so much!), and I made the background vid

Alan Henry@halophoenix· 28d

It's newsletter time-and the time of year where I tell you the books I've read, am reading, and am looking forward to. It's Hot Book Summer 2026! Support the Patreon to get it tomorrow: www.patreon.com/halophoenix/ Sub here to get it in your inbox on Friday for free: buttondown.com/alanhenry

Alan Henry@halophoenix· Jun 28

In this edition of the newsletter, I'm here to offer you a little something that I think we're all in need of right now: a sliver of peace, and a shred of control. This went out on Friday to all subs, but if you missed it, you can read it here: buttondown.com/alanhenry/ar...

Hi friends, welcome back to Productivity, Without Privilege. I’m Alan Henry, and I wrote Seen, Heard, and Paid: The New Work Rules for the Marginalized. Boy, it’s rough out there, isn’t it? I don’t even really want to go into everything that’s happening right now, because odds are you’re more than aware of all of it, and if anything, I share your existential fatigue about all of it. Instead, this time I want to talk about one way that I try to keep The Voices at bay. You know, the ones that shout at me that my work is unimportant, given the state of the world, that no one cares, and no one’s listening, that I have no right to talk about my work or my personal projects when the world is burning.

You’re probably familiar with those voices, and I don’t envy you any more than I enjoy hearing them, but I will say this: Those voices aren’t you. They’re not reflective of who you are, of your worth, or even of reality. Let them pass without answering them, and, if you’re like me, go make a cup of tea. Or light some incense. Or just get up and stand in the sunlight for a little bit. Do whatever works for you to give yourself that little reset, but whatever you do, make it special.

Alan Henry@halophoenix· Jun 25

It's newsletter time! I'm here to help you de-stress from the woes of the world with a reminder of why small rituals can have big impact on our mental health. Live for Patreon subs right now: patreon.com/halophoenix Sub here to get it on Friday for free: buttondown.com/alanhenry

Alan Henry@halophoenix· Jun 22

My little Finch buddy asked me what I thought about being rich this morning and yup, he's definitely my little guy

(Fire emoji) New Discover
Strongly dislikes Billionaire

(Heart-eye emoji) Phee gained
+14.7 Compassion

Alan Henry@halophoenix· May 29

In the newsletter today I'm talking about why publications love to change headlines on stories so often, and what you can learn from the process if you're a freelancer looking to pitch a story. Read the full thing here: buttondown.com/alanhenry/ar...

Quick reality check here: there's nothing wrong with changing a headline or deck (which the account refers to as the abstract) to get more eyes on a story, or to change the framing to reflect updates to the story. It's also a common SEO strategy to change URLs or republish updated articles to capture the attention of search engines' news aggregators, such as Google Discover. I don't love it as an editorial strategy, of course. I think regurgitating old stories over and over can be good now and again, but if that's your primary approach to getting people to read your work, you should consider doing more, better work.

That said, this is just something I think more people, especially anyone interested in journalism or wider media, should take into account. As you write a story, or even as you consider pitching a story to a new outlet, think deeply about what you would headline your story. Not only does that help you set the stage for your idea, but it also proves (to yourself, and to a potential editor) that you've thought deeply enough about your idea that you know, in a single line, how you would communicate it to someone else and encourage them to read it.

Alan Henry@halophoenix· May 27

It's newsletter time! This time, I'm answering a question my friend @lordravenscraft.bsky.social raised: Why do media outlets change headlines on stories so often? Sub here to get it on Friday: buttondown.com/alanhenry Support the Patreon to read it right now: patreon.com/halophoenix

Alan Henry@halophoenix· May 16

So over at @pcmag.com we're doing a thing, so I'm doing a thing: A new video series called SecurityWatch. So I'm back in front of a camera, with security and privacy advice. Aren't you lucky? (oh, and since I didn't get to them in the vid, our AV picks are here: www.pcmag.com/picks/the-be... )

Alan Henry@halophoenix· May 3

Stylized in the 1990s "lazer" style with a synthwave triangle in the background, with three fonts on three lines, image reads:

YIKES
YIKES YIKES
YIKES YIKES YIKES YIKES

Alan Henry@halophoenix· May 3

ICYMI: This went out to all subscribers on Friday - i'm getting over my own creative block by writing about how to get over creative blocks. buttondown.com/alanhenry/ar...

If you've followed my work for this long, you know that the value I place on productivity is a bit different from most people's. To me, being productive and efficient is a means to an end: more time to live your life, be with your loved ones, and achieve your dreams. Not as a means to just process more work, more of the deluge of responsibilities that hustle culture and our up-and-to-the-right obsessed society forces on all of us. But that doesn't mean that being unable to produce hurts any less. So when you're feeling stuck or lost, it still sucks, even if you know how pointless some of it might actually be.

Alan Henry@halophoenix· Apr 29

A TV televangelist with closed eyes saying (text also on the image): "Jesus, I see what you've done for other people, and I want that for me."

Alan Henry@halophoenix· Apr 28

You know what time it is. I've been fighting some pretty gnarly creative block lately, so I turned it into a newsletter about....how to put words to page and do it anyway. Sub here to get it on Friday: buttondown.com/alanhenry Or support the Patreon to get it tomorrow: patreon.com/halophoenix

Alan Henry@halophoenix· Apr 24

Look at what @alfyria.bsky.social did with my character!! Thank you so, SO much for making me gorgeous (and holy crap, check out the lighting!) I don't think she's taking commissions, but when she is, they're here: vgen.co/Alfyria (and HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!)

An illustration by @alfyria.bsky.social of my character, from the front-left side, wearing his bi pride hoodie and his headphones with a heart in the same colors. He's wearing matchinbg pants and calf high boots, also in the bi pride colors. He's sitting down looking off to the left, just beyond the viewer, with a fiery sky and clouds in the distance behind him, the glow of the light highlighting his features. He looks wistful and thoughtful.

Alan Henry@halophoenix· Apr 20

ICYMI: This is live now, including some basics about how to think like an editor, maximize the impact of your work, and of course, land your story at the pub you want to see it in. Read more: buttondown.com/alanhenry/ar...

Most of framing is all about making sure that your story appeals to the widest possible audience you can reach, so when it’s promoted to those readers, either on your own website or some other platform, they actually want to click on it, read it, share it, or otherwise engage with it. That’s a balancing act though, because another big part of framing is making sure that you package a story (packaging being the way you headline it, the way the intro and lede are written) in a way that accurately reflects the content and the topic of the story in as concise, yet interesting, way as possible, without writing checks that your story can’t cash (that, my friends, is the real definition of clickbait.)

Alan Henry@halophoenix· Apr 15

This is live now for Patreon subs, and going out for free to all subs on Friday. Inside, I'm talking about framing - and also dissecting a story as an example that also exposes something I care little for:

To add any actual context, any detail on how politics impacts real people and real communities, to explain to the reader how the actions, opinions, and policy positions of their leaders translate into real-world impact on the ground, would potentially risk characterizing those policies as “good” or “bad” in a way that many media outlets simply can’t allow themselves to do, especially when it comes to state-sanctioned actions or the effects of decisions by institutional power.

Alan Henry@halophoenix· Apr 11

I can't believe I never properly shared this, because I was staring at it today and loving how it turned out all over again. Look at me! I'm just an adorable little guy! This fantastic art is by @nebulilac.bsky.social and you should get your own right tf now: vgen.co/Nebulilac

An adorable illustration of my character, complete with his bi-pride hoodie, pants, and boots in blue, pink, purple, and black, wearing black headphones with pink earcups and a heart in the bi-pride colors around his neck. He's winking at the viewer and smiling with a mischevious grin, flashing a peace sign with his left hand. He's just an adorable little guy! Art by @nebulilac.bsky.social!

Alan Henry@halophoenix· Apr 11

this was just :chef's kiss:

the "graphic media" warning label on this post

Alan Henry@halophoenix· Apr 10

I'm a whole day late on this and I can't believe none of you told me

a screenshot of a tweet from the State of New York official account, saying "it's hole filling season." Posted at 10:02AM on April 8, 2026.

(the joke is they're referring to potholes.)

Alan Henry@halophoenix· Apr 1

IYKYK

Craig and Kit from Craig of the Creek both looking at something off to the right of the screen with squinted eyes and frowns. An image I often use to portray "staring disapprovingly in Black."

Alan Henry@halophoenix· Mar 31

I love my trans friends and family, so for TDOV today I'm going to give y'all some toys to use when dealing with idiots in your replies/mentions/spaces. Trans rights are human rights and that shouldn't be controversial in the slightest. Here are two I keep on hand at all times:

The trans pride flag is in the background, while a fluffy mocha colored cat in a cowboy hat is loafed in the middle left of the image. In a white western style font at the top and bottom and a black smaller one in the center reads: "WHOA THERE PARDNER! round these parts we don't stand for that there kind of TRANSPHOBIC NONSENSE"

Bridget from Guilty Gear is superimposed over the trans pride flag, flipping off the viewer while winking with her tongue out. White letters over the image read "SHUT THE FUCK UP TERF" with TERF larger, at the bottom of the image.

Alan Henry@halophoenix· Mar 4

Found this in my meme folder and laughed all over again loud enough I think my neighbors must think I'm crazy

EMOTIONAL LABOR
INVOICE
Marginalized Folks. Inc.
TO:
Potential Ally
Privileged Folks, Ltd
SERVICE PROVIDER
Marginalized Person You Know
SPECIALIZATION
Existing in Oppression
DUE DATE
DUE ON RECEIPT
DESCRIPTION
#
UNIT PRICE
LINE TOTAL
Helped you understand your racism/sexism/ableism/etc.
$ 100.00
Endured your microaggression(s)
$ 200.00
Taught you about microaggressions
$ 300.00
Endured your continued microaggression(s)
$ 600.00
Explained something about oppression you could've Googled
$ 125.00
Clarified that you are not entitled to my time
$ 250.00
Clarified that you are not entitled to my pain
$ 350.00
Listened to "not all...." and similar derailments/fragility
$ 500.00
Softened my reaction to spare your feelings
$ 750.00
Smiled when you apologized for not speaking up in the meeting
$ 1,000.00
Subtotal
Marginalization Tax Adjustment
$ 1,500.00
Amount Due:

Alan Henry@halophoenix· Feb 24

In this coming edition, I'm going back to a topic that's near and dear: The right way to give (and receive) professional feedback—and what to do when that feedback sucks. Sub here to get it for free: buttondown.com/alanhenry Or support my Patreon for early access: www.patreon.com/halophoenix

Alan Henry@halophoenix· Feb 24

Hey uh, Duolingo....what the actual living fuck is this ad I got between lessons? "The Ghost Wife's Billion Dollar Tech Comeback?" - what in the AI-generated image (and likely the story too) is this?

An AI-generated image that I was presented with via Google Books in Duolingo.

The image features a pregnant woman in some kind of nightgown lying on a bed looking towards the viewer but not at the viewer. Standing next to the bed looking at her is a topless, muscular man with tattoos on his chest and arm looking down at her. He is flanked by four additional pregnant women in various styles of lingerie. The whole image is pretty disgusting, honestly, not because of the women or the fact that all of them are pregnant, or even the man, but because of the awkward symbolism of all of them together.

The title of the story, visible at the bottom of the image (which I've cropped, as to not show the begnnings of the AI-generated "story") is "The Ghost Wife's Billion Dollar Tech Comeback."

Alan Henry@halophoenix· Feb 21

The always incredible @alfyria.bsky.social managed to capture the exact "I may be cute but I'm also that boy" vibe I was hoping for with these! Thank you! (And the rest of you, go follow and commission her immediately: vgen.co/Alfyria)

Two illustrations of my personal character, the one in the foreground to the left clad in his bi-pride hoodie, parachute pants, and tall black boots with pink laces, looking thoughtfully at the phone in his left hand with his right on his chin. On the right and slightly foreground, he is standing, blushing and looking at the viewer, with his pink and black headphones around his bicep, wearing a black tank top after having removed the hoodie. His belt is also in bi pride colors. He's gorgeous.

Alan Henry@halophoenix· Feb 11

Hey hi there was some fuckass shit on the TL today about AI hype so let me take a sec to re-up what I wrote about where that hype is actually coming from: buttondown.com/alanhenry/ar...

Here’s the thing about AI, AI boosterism, and why the people with billions of dollars are putting those billions of dollars and their entire industries into it: They all want to be part of the next big thing. But it’s not that simple: it’s not “the next big thing” the way you or I usually think about it. They’re thinking on the level of “the next internet,” as in “the next tool that’s ubiquitous, global, and indispensable to workers everywhere.”

Here’s what I mean: When you think about the current information ecosystem, most players are trying to compete in it (see: Microsoft) or maintain a lead if they have one (see: Google). If you're really farsighted, you think about things to bolt onto the existing ecosystem that no one else has done or that you can optimize in a way that makes you indispensable (see: Salesforce).

But the real money is at a higher altitude. If you want to truly transform the current media and information ecosystem, you have to acknowledge its current, messy, polluted state. A state that’s packed with misinformation, too many uncontrolled voices, and revenue that’s spread out in too many directions for the tastes of the biggest companies looking to keep their revenue numbers going up and to the right. So you need something to drop into it that won't just compete, but transform the entire ecosystem into something that also subsumes the current one, and ideally in a way that you can control and monetize.

Alan Henry@halophoenix· Feb 4

hmm

an OBS element, hidden, named "moist.png"

Alan Henry@halophoenix· Feb 1

Chill vibes this Sunday afternoon - join me for some Enshrouded (or don't, whatever, it's not like I care. stupid.) twitch.tv/halo_phoenix

One of my Twitchy emotes, showing my character in his hoodie laughing with his mouth wide open, happily.

Alan Henry@halophoenix· Jan 28

Was super bummed to read this news, opened the article, and welp. Private equity strikes again.

Text reads: "Since 2021, Native Instruments has been majority-owned by private equity firm Francisco Partners. Since then, the company has also acquired music brands including iZotope, Brainworx and Plugin Alliance."

Alan Henry@halophoenix· Jan 21

A panel from Junji Ito's horror manga, The Enigma of Amigara Fault. The panel shows a bespectacled man clamoring into a man-shaped hole in a cliffside as he says, "This is my hole! It was made for me!"

Alan Henry@halophoenix· Jan 19

ICYMI: This went out on Friday! In this edition, I'm going back to an old school Lifehacker tip - keeping a "Done" list, and why it's a great tool to keep momentum on the things you want to do, AND to stay accountable to yourself. Read the whole thing here: buttondown.com/alanhenry/ar...