Stacey on IoT | Internet of Things news and analysis
Internet of Things
by 15 Comments
This article was originally published in my weekly IoT newsletter on Friday August 18, 2023. It was my last newsletter.
Most of y’all know that I am stepping back from producing the weekly Internet of Things podcast, and that I’m also stepping back from creating this newsletter focused on the internet of things. But it is not a true goodbye. I will keep posting on Bluesky and will likely send out the occasional newsletter when I feel strongly about something.
Before I say anything further about why I’m doing this, or my next steps, I want to offer a sincere thank-you to everyone who reads the newsletter or listens to the podcast. I started this business in 2016 after leaving my role as senior editor at Fortune, and many people questioned my decision to leave an established publication to create my own.
But I wanted to really dig into the issues that would arise when we added computing to everything, be it technological or social. Thousands of y’all joined me, and without you and our sponsors I would never have been able to make this work. I am exceedingly lucky to have been able to do this, and it’s all thanks to you giving me your time and your stories.
I am truly grateful.
Like I said, this isn’t necessarily goodbye. You may find a blog post or two from me over at the Consumer Reports Innovation Lab, and it’s possible I’ll freelance for other publications in the near future. But ultimately I’m trying to take a break from the life of a journalist after more than two decades spent focused on daily and immediate news, with only a bit of time to dig into the bigger picture and long-term implications of the products and innovations I so relentlessly tout.
And yet, I think often of the larger implications of IoT everywhere. Even when I started covering the smart home in 2012 I knew that those devices added complexity to a user’s life along with the potential risk of government or corporate surveillance. And as devices launched and folded, it became increasingly clear that the business model of connected items was toggling between pricey subscriptions and rampant data grabs.
Meanwhile, outside the home, new technologies were being used to monitor employees and push them to their absolute limits while optimizing mostly for the bottom line. The latest focus on environmental, social, and governance (ESG) actions by corporations has led to businesses making investments in technology for carbon reduction and efficiency, but it feels like too little, or a way to greenwash activities that we shouldn’t be doing in the first place.
I love technology. And I fundamentally believe that people who are trying to solve problems with new technological innovations can make a difference. But I’m burned out, and increasingly cynical when it comes to new startups or research. That prevents me from getting excited about the truly good ideas out there.
So I’m stepping back. With a little bit of a break, maybe I’ll get excited about technology and human ingenuity again. Maybe I’ll see stories that I cannot wait to explain and share with everyone. In the meantime, I’m working on a few personal projects, including taking on a consulting role with Consumer Reports’ Innovation Lab to focus on cybersecurity and privacy issues associated with connected devices.
So I will still be eager to hear from y’all about your experiences, and will be reaching out to many of you to talk about how we can make connected devices safer, more secure, and better for everyone. Please keep in touch by emailing me at [email protected].
Filed Under: Featured, News
Enter your email address to receive notifications of new posts by email.
says
Good luck. Thanks for your years of sharing.
Go sailing and relax.
says
Not sure TWIG will be worth listening to without your smart voice of reason. I wish you the best and thank you so much for your time served.
says
Thank you for all of your contributions to the industry!
says
Thanks for all the insight on IoT! All the best in your next endeavors.
says
Stacey – thank you for getting this going in the first place. IoT is now a part of the fabric, we need a Vivienne Westwood with it!. Can’t wait to see what engages you next! I still wish I had bought MSFT stock when you picked Satya as the new CEO of Microsoft 🙂 Again, thank you both for the years of coverage.
says
I thought it especially relevant that you noted the megatrend for Io: “devices launched and folded, it became increasingly clear that the business model of connected items was toggling between pricey subscriptions and rampant data grabs.” This was a central take-away I got from “Surveillance Capitalism” where the author talked about the evolution of a 1990s ‘smarthouse’ into what we have now. You have fought the good fight, Stacey, and I am sure your skills and drive will carry your unique tech journals forward.
says
Just a sincere thanks for some great reads and insights.
says
Stacey –
Thanks for all your hard work over the years, it has been great collaborating with you and Kevin about the new stuff we have been working on and listening to your podcast about all the great things in IoT. I am looking forward to the next insights and contributions you provide in other roles. Best of luck and I hope our paths cross again.
Thanks!
says
Thank you, I appreciate the opportunity to have been able to listen to your interviews ONIOT.
says
A really sincere thank you to both of you, i randomly found your podcast on episode 7 i think it was and have listen to all up until about 4 months ago when i too got a bit burned out by it all (hoped back on today to catch up actually)
You gave me a huge insight into the industry, and it was via you i also started listening to TWIG and all the TWIT shows.
So a big thank you for it all
Thanks
Alan
says
Love that you’ll be working with CU. Consumer advocacy is in your blood.
says
loved your podcast. thank you for sharing your lives with the listeners and best of luck to the both of you in your future endeavors
says
I’ve listened to your show for the past few years and learned a lot while enjoying it at the same time. You have a great casual speaking style that is conducive to continual listening. I wish you the best and hope you continue your work with Leo LePorte.
says
Thank you Stacey for the years of sharing!
Best of luck to both of you in your future endeavors!
Enjoy life and have fun!
says
Stacey, thank you kindly for all the sincere efforts on the world of IoT. In many ways, I feel the same cynicism on how the tech industry has played out. And it’s just that: an industry.
I’ll always have a close eye to what you write these days. It always inspires me to think deeper and analyze it more slowly and with a proper skeptical eye.
I’ve been quite behind in catching up on all the news recently, but I appreciate still the time you took to write a proper send off. I’m glad the site is still up.
I’ve made plenty of friends here in the comments and thru the podcast listeners; glad to have been part of such a wonderful community.
Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *
This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.
About The Author
More Stories
Local Infrastructure, Lower Costs: How Peering Is Moving the Needle on Internet Affordability
On Global Accessibility Awareness Day, An Internet for Everyone Must Include Everyone
An Open Fiber Data Standard to Make the Internet for Everyone