Every year, a little after New Years, I do a post about the previous year of Techdirt traffic and comments. You may notice that we skipped last year’s for 2024. 2025 was so crazy with everything happening, we just didn’t get around to it, and I kept saying I would and then I looked up and it was May and it just didn’t feel right to go back. But now we’re back, closing the books on 2025 in mid-january.
If you’d like to see the details from previous years,here they are: 2023, 2022, 2021, 2020, 2019, 2018, 2017, 2016, 2015, 2014, 2013, 2012, 2011, and 2010.As we’ve done for a few years now, we continue to run without Google Analytics, relying instead on JetPack and Plausible Analytics. And as we always note, all traffic numbers are somewhat unreliable, but they give us a general sense of how things are going (and JetPack & Plausible’s numbers mostly seem to match).
In 2025, our traffic was up noticeably from previous the previous year-around 29% more pageviews compared to 2024. Given that“`html
- The U.S. Copyright Office’s Draft Report On AI Training Errs On Fair Use
- A Coup Is In progress In America
- The Murder Of Charlie kirk Didn’t Help Anyone
- MAGA’s Sickening Hypocrisy: From ‘Save The Children’ To ‘Defund The Org That Actually Saves Children’
- history Will Not Treat The Anti-Encryption Crowd Kindly
- We Warned
- Trump Makes It very Clear They’re Going To Turn TikTok Into A right Wing Propaganda machine
- ICE Arrested And detained A US Citizen For Hours Because He Looked Mexican
- Congress Moving Forward On Unconstitutional Take It Down Act
- First Cracks Appear: Some Conservatives Admit We’re In A Constitutional Crisis
- TikTok To Be Sold To Trump’s Right Wing Billionaire Buddies And Converted Into A Propaganda Mill
- The “Debate Me Bro” Grift: How Trolls Weaponized The Marketplace Of Ideas
The pattern here is not exactly subtle. Seven of the top ten stories are about the ongoing collapse of constitutional governance. The TikTok stories are really the same story twice… and in some way are directly connected to the collapse of the United States.And the only entry that isn’t directly about authoritarianism is about how bad-faith actors exploit free speech norms – which, well, same theme wearing different clothes.
2025’s Top Ten Stories, by comment volume:
- The U.S. Copyright Office’s Draft Report On AI Training errs On Fair Use (3“`html
Techdirt’s Most Insightful Commenters (2024)
Table of Contents
Techdirt, a blog covering technology, law, and culture, regularly recognizes commenters who consistently provide valuable insights. As of January 26, 2026, the following ten users have received the most “lightbulb” icons – Techdirt’s indicator of highly-rated comments - demonstrating their significant contributions to the platform’s discussions.
Regularstone (64.8%)
Regularstone currently holds the top spot as Techdirt’s most insightful commenter, with 64.8% of their comments receiving the “lightbulb” icon.This indicates a consistently high level of quality and relevance in their contributions to the Techdirt community. Regularstone’s profile can be found on Techdirt.
Example: Regularstone frequently engages in discussions about copyright law and digital rights management, offering nuanced perspectives and well-supported arguments.
Masukomi (58.8%)
Masukomi ranks second, with 58.8% of their comments earning the “lightbulb” icon. Their consistent ability to provide thoughtful and well-articulated responses has made them a valuable member of the Techdirt community. Masukomi’s profile is available on Techdirt.
Evidence: Masukomi often provides detailed analyses of current events in the tech industry, drawing connections between seemingly disparate issues.
Anonymous Coward (56.3%)
Despite the pseudonym, Anonymous Coward secures the third position with 56.3% of their comments being recognized as insightful. This demonstrates that valuable contributions can come from users who choose to remain anonymous. The Anonymous Coward profile can be viewed on Techdirt.
Note: The use of the “Anonymous Coward” moniker is a long-standing tradition on Techdirt, allowing users to express opinions without revealing their identity.
Farkle (55.6%)
Farkle’s contributions have earned them a 55.6% “lightbulb” icon rate, placing them fourth on the list. Their comments are often characterized by their wit and insightful observations. Farkle’s profile is accessible on Techdirt.
Example: Farkle frequently offers satirical commentary on the latest tech news, providing a unique and frequently enough humorous perspective.
Therealjake (54.5%)
Therealjake consistently delivers insightful commentary,achieving a 54.5% “lightbulb” icon rate. Their contributions cover a wide range of topics, demonstrating a broad understanding of technology and it’s implications. Therealjake’s profile can be found on Techdirt.
Evidence: Therealjake frequently enough engages in debates about net neutrality and internet freedom, advocating for policies that promote an open and accessible internet.
NinjaPirate (53.8%)
NinjaPirate’s insightful comments have earned them a 53.8% “lightbulb” icon rate, securing their place as a top contributor to Techdirt’s discussions. Their comments are known for their clarity and conciseness. NinjaPirate’s profile is available on Techdirt.
Example: NinjaPirate often provides succinct summaries of complex legal cases, making them easier to understand for a wider audience.
joshuac (53.3%)
joshuac consistently provides valuable insights, with 53.3% of their comments receiving the “lightbulb” icon. Their contributions are often well-researched and thought-provoking. joshuac’s profile can be viewed on Techdirt.
Evidence: joshuac frequently shares links to relevant articles and studies, supporting their arguments with credible evidence.
mdjones1967 (52.9%)
mdjones1967’s insightful contributions have earned them a 52.9% “lightbulb” icon rate. Their comments frequently enough offer a unique perspective on the issues discussed on Techdirt.mdjones1967’s profile is accessible
