Summary

Cantrill argues that LinkedIn has become a viable social network by default as competitors self-destructed, but warns that the platform is being overrun by LLM-generated content that is painfully obvious to readers. He contends that using AI to write posts destroys authenticity and causes readers to disengage entirely, unable to distinguish real insights from 'generated fanfic.' While acknowledging LLMs are useful for brainstorming and editing, he insists they make terrible writers and urges people to trust their own voice.

Key Insight

LLM-generated content is instantly recognizable and destroys the authenticity that makes someone's perspective worth reading in the first place.

Spicy Quotes (click to share)

• 8

  LinkedIn is the Gerald Ford of social networks: the normal one that was left standing as the Richard Nixons and the Spiro Agnews of social media imploded around them.

• 9

  Bluntly, your intellectual fly is open: lots of people notice—but no one is pointing it out.

• 6

  When you—person whose perspective I want to hear!—are obviously using an LLM to write posts for you, I don't know what's real and what is in fact generated fanfic.

• 5

  LLMs are also lousy writers and (most importantly!) they are not you.

• 4

  Have some confidence in your own voice—and write your own content.

Tone

satirical, admonishing, direct