GoKawiilBloggers document wave of professionals quitting social media and AI tools
A personal blog post recounts several public figures who recently announced stepping back from online life: Salma left DevRel and social media entirely for an individual-contributor role, Chad Whitacre retired to rural Pennsylvania to make a zine about religion, and Brett Codes publicly declared he is done using AI tools and video. The author frames these as a pattern of people opting out of digital-industry pressures.
GoKawiil's interpretation of the reporting above, not reported fact.
These individual decisions highlight growing fatigue among tech and media professionals with metrics-driven online personas and AI-saturated workflows, though the author notes such moves may only be financially feasible for a few. The piece suggests this could reflect a broader undercurrent of burnout in digital-first careers, even as it remains anecdotal rather than a measured trend.
- Salma left DevRel and social media, reportedly now working as an individual contributor.
- Chad Whitacre announced retirement via a typewriter letter to pursue a zine project in rural Pennsylvania.
- Brett Codes publicly stated he has stopped using AI tools and video, sparking online discussion.
Royal Epoch Manual Typewriter — If you're inspired by Chad's analog retreat into letter-writing and zine-making, a manual typewriter is the perfect tool to unplug from screens and notifications. It forces deliberate, distraction-free writing, which feels fitting for anyone seeking a break from the chase of likes and metrics described in this piece. It's a tangible way to embrace the 'Offline' lifestyle while still creating something meaningful.
See Royal Epoch Manual Typewriter on Amazon → Affiliate link — we may earn a commission on purchases, at no extra cost to you. Product picked by AI based on this article; it is not a tested recommendation.Source: daverupert.com — Dave Rupert, 2026-10-11
Published there as: “I wish you the best in the Offline”
Read the original report → The summary and analysis above are GoKawiil's own, written from reporting by the source above. Facts and quotes belong to the original publisher.