The View from RSS
carolinecrampton.com
March 4, 2026
7 min read
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54/100
Summary
RSS readers allow users to consume online content without directly visiting websites. The shift towards AI in information organization impacts how content is presented and experienced by users.
Key Takeaways
- The author has been using an RSS reader since the mid-2000s to curate online content, preferring it over traditional website browsing.
- The author manages a collection of nearly 2,000 RSS feeds, which includes major media outlets and niche publications, to compile a daily newsletter for The Browser.
- The RSS reading experience is described as minimalist, often lacking images and embeds, with content presented in a chronological, unordered fashion.
- The author selects articles for the newsletter based on initial scanning, allowing for a broad overview of thousands of new publications each day.
Community Sentiment
Positives
- NetNewsWire's continued development showcases the resilience of RSS, empowering users to curate their own feeds and combat algorithm-driven content.
- The ability to embed videos from channels into RSS readers offers a way to enjoy content without the frustrations of recommendation algorithms.
Concerns
- The lack of customizable online RSS readers remains a significant barrier, limiting user satisfaction and engagement with the platform.
- Generating RSS feeds for websites that don't offer them is a pain point, with existing solutions often being proprietary and costly.
