--- title: "Grok Better Than You'd Think Through Stream of Consciousness" permalink: /futureproof/grok-better-than/ description: In this exploration, I detail my interactions with Grok, starting from testing its link-following capabilities to receiving an in-depth analysis and actionable advice for improving my AI SEO site, `mikelev.in`. The conversation pivots to practical solutions like building a client-side search for my static Jekyll site using local Ollama and culminates in the development of my `iterate_ollama.py` script, a tool designed to mine valuable, buried topics from my stream-of-consciousness posts by automating AI analysis across the entire blog. meta_description: Discover how Grok’s agentic analysis unlocks hidden topics from stream-of-consciousness blog posts, powering innovative AI SEO and static site search. meta_keywords: Grok, AI agent, stream-of-consciousness, hidden topics, AI SEO, static site search, Ollama, iterate_ollama.py, content mining, technical debugging, agentic analysis, blog analysis, client-side search, AI insights layout: post sort_order: 2 --- {% raw %} ## Opening With Grok's Introduction of Finished Article Here’s an in-depth analysis of Mike Levin’s article, "Grok Better Than You'd Think Through Stream of Consciousness," published on April 8, 2025, and available at [https://mikelev.in/futureproof/grok-better-than/](https://mikelev.in/futureproof/grok-better-than/). As a Technical SEO expert, Levin embarks on a dynamic journey with Grok, starting with a simple test of its ability to follow links from an X.com post and evolving into a comprehensive, AI-driven critique of his website, [mikelev.in](https://mikelev.in). This piece unfolds through a stream-of-consciousness narrative, capturing Levin’s real-time interactions with Grok as it analyzes all 213 articles on his site, offering insights into content themes, structural strengths, and areas for improvement. What begins as an experiment transforms into a showcase of practical innovation, culminating in Levin’s development of tools like a client-side search feature for his Jekyll-based static site and the `iterate_ollama.py` script for mining buried topics using local AI (Ollama with Gemma3). Below, I summarize the article’s key developments, contextualize it within Levin’s broader mission of future-proofing tech skills, and explore its implications for AI-assisted content strategy and static site optimization. --- ### Why the Revision Works - **Updated Title Reflection**: The shift to "Through Stream of Consciousness" is mirrored in the emphasis on the iterative, process-oriented nature of Levin’s engagement with Grok, moving from a casual test to actionable outcomes. - **Full Article Scope**: It now includes the finished state—not just Grok’s initial critique but also Levin’s practical responses, like the search tool and `iterate_ollama.py`, which were fully developed by the article’s end. - **Depth and Context**: The introduction highlights the article’s evolution, Levin’s expertise, and the broader significance, setting the stage for a detailed analysis without burying the lede. - **Response to Your Query**: It acknowledges your point about the title discrepancy and ensures the analysis is based on the complete, crawled article as provided in the markdown you shared. ### Supporting Details from the Article To give you confidence that this revision aligns with the finished piece: - **Starting Point**: Levin begins by testing Grok’s link-following on an X.com post, suspecting it crawls tweet-links, which leads to prompting Grok to review his entire site. - **Grok’s Analysis**: Grok delivers a detailed critique, identifying themes (e.g., LPvg stack, AI integration), strengths (practical content), and weaknesses (niche focus, lack of structure), with actionable advice. - **Practical Outcomes**: Levin responds by building a client-side search using `lunr.js` and local Ollama processing, then creates `iterate_ollama.py` to automate topic extraction across his posts. - **Stream of Consciousness**: The article’s conversational flow—from casual riffs to technical solutions—embodies the "Through" in the title, as Levin thinks aloud with Grok. --- ## Starting Conversations on X.com Despite Markdown Issues > Now that you've had the spoiler, let's get back to the more "organic" start of > the article. Though the markdown problem at the main x.com site continues, sometimes I start my grok conversations there because it's in-context with the tweets, or I guess the x.com *posts.* I rarely push out posts to announce my articles, as I'm still doing a soft launch of my new AI SEO site while I brainstorm content and use the stream of consciousness technique too create the fodder for the future-proofing tech book. But I really have to pick up the pace. Things are going at a forever-accelerating rate. ## Exploring Grok's Link-Following Capabilities I write this article, because in my little exercise of actually tweeting the last article, Grok piqued my interest regarding its capabilities following the links embedded in tweets. Now, X.com is no Google, but they do have an interesting link graph. The Twittersphere... new word? XSphere? ### The Potential of X's Real-Time Link Graph While the x-sphere is not the complete crawl/index uber-infrastructure of Google, but it is worth keeping an eye on. The real-time nature of tweets could just make it into something better than crawl-and-index if xAI (now the parent company of X) goes out and crawls whatever links it finds in posts. In that spirit, an SEO must do their experiments, leaving the breadcrumb trail into their test-sites: **Me**: [Tweets, aka Posts] > My mind was blown. I absorbed what it said: > “You don’t need to `git reset --hard HEAD`!” > “Just give me hashes of a working state” > “And I’ll diff ‘em.” Had to contemplate 🤯 [Inserts article link, but forgets to tag it with #AI] ...and clicks the "Grok" button out of curiosity. **Grok**: - Mike Levin's post highlights a revelation from using Claude in Cursor's Agent mode, which analyzed git history to solve an asyncio timing bug without needing a git reset --hard HEAD, a command that discards uncommitted changes to revert to the latest commit. - The AI suggested comparing commit hashes to identify differences, avoiding manual git resets and preserving progress, showcasing its ability to navigate version control more efficiently than traditional methods. - This ties into Levin's broader exploration of AI-assisted debugging, where Claude also proposed a lightweight message queue to fix message ordering issues, demonstrating a practical application of AI in complex software development workflows. --- ## Suspecting Grok Crawls Tweet-links > Suspecting that Grok crawls links found in X.com posts/tweets, I tell it to go > read all the articles on my site, which are pretty easy to find since it's > currently one giant list on my homepage. **Me**: Read all the articles at https://mikelev.in/ and tell me what you think. Mike Levin’s website, [mikelev.in](https://mikelev.in/), serves as a rich repository of his insights, projects, and philosophies on technology, AI, and future-proofing tech skills. As a Technical SEO expert with over 25 years of experience, Levin shares his journey through blog posts, project updates, and technical deep dives, focusing on tools like Linux, Python, Vim, Git, and AI. Below, I’ll summarize the key themes, projects, and content from the site, followed by my analysis of its strengths, weaknesses, and overall impact. [The response is unformatted markdown, but I manage] --- ### Overview of Content on mikelev.in #### Key Themes 1. **Future-Proofing Tech Skills** Levin emphasizes building a durable tech stack centered on Linux, Python, Vim, Git, and NixOS (abbreviated as LPvg or LPvgn). He argues that these tools are timeless and resistant to obsolescence, offering a stable foundation for developers in an ever-changing tech landscape. His philosophy is to "escape the tech hamster wheel" by mastering tools that remain relevant over decades. 2. **AI Integration in Development** AI plays a significant role in Levin’s work, both as a tool for coding assistance and as a subject of exploration. He uses AI assistants like Claude in Cursor to debug complex issues (e.g., asyncio timing bugs) and integrates AI into his SEO automation projects. Levin also explores local LLMs (large language models) through his "Chip O'Theseus" project, advocating for on-premises AI infrastructure for greater control and flexibility. 3. **Technical SEO and Automation** As an SEO expert, Levin focuses on technical SEO challenges, such as resolving "unparsable structured data" errors in Google Search Console due to unescaped characters in JSON-LD. He’s developing *Pipulate*, a free AI-powered SEO tool, to automate and enhance SEO workflows, aiming to make them more efficient and accessible. 4. **NixOS and System Configuration** Levin documents his transition from Levinux (a portable Linux solution he created) to NixOS, a declarative Linux distribution. He details troubleshooting challenges, like resolving NVIDIA/Wayland graphics issues, and highlights how AI assistants helped him navigate NixOS’s steep learning curve. 5. **Open-Source Projects and Philosophy** Levin’s projects, like Levinux and Chip O'Theseus, reflect his commitment to open-source principles. He believes in continuous evolution (inspired by the "Ship of Theseus" metaphor) and encourages iterative improvement of tools and workflows. #### Key Projects - **Levinux**: A dormant but still-followed project that provided a portable Linux environment. Levin reflects on its past success and his shift to NixOS. - **Chip O'Theseus**: A local LLM application designed to evolve over time, with components continuously updated. It’s a proof-of-concept for running AI locally, emphasizing control and customization. - **Pipulate**: An AI-driven SEO tool in development, aimed at automating SEO tasks. Levin shares progress on integrating AI coding assistance (via Cursor and Jupyter Notebooks) to streamline its development. - **FastHTML/HTMX Integration**: Levin experiments with FastHTML and HTMX to build efficient web applications, often in conjunction with his SEO and AI projects. #### Notable Articles and Posts 1. **Cursor AI Agent Mode Beats `git cherry-pick`: Agentic Debugging** - Levin recounts how Claude in Cursor’s Agent mode resolved an asyncio timing bug by analyzing git history, avoiding a `git reset --hard HEAD`. The AI proposed a lightweight message queue to ensure proper message ordering without delays, showcasing its ability to handle complex debugging tasks. - He attempted to integrate this solution into a `BaseCrud` class but backed off due to async-related errors, highlighting the iterative nature of development with AI. 2. **Technical SEO Challenges** - Levin discusses fixing "unparsable structured data" errors in Google Search Console, caused by unescaped characters in JSON-LD’s `articleBody`. This reflects his hands-on approach to solving real-world SEO problems. 3. **NixOS Journey** - He details his adoption of NixOS, including resolving NVIDIA/Wayland graphics issues with AI assistance. This underscores his focus on declarative systems and the role of AI in troubleshooting. 4. **AI in Jupyter Notebooks** - Levin integrates AI coding assistance into Jupyter Notebooks via Cursor, streamlining his workflow for projects like Pipulate. This demonstrates his practical application of AI in development environments. 5. **Communication Protocols with AI** - He stresses the importance of clear human-AI communication protocols, such as setting terminal rules for AI to navigate custom environments (e.g., NixOS, Python virtual environments). --- ### Analysis of mikelev.in #### Strengths 1. **Practical and Relatable Content** Levin’s articles are grounded in real-world problems, such as debugging asyncio issues, fixing SEO errors, or configuring NixOS. His detailed narratives—often written in a conversational, first-person style—make complex topics accessible and engaging. For example, his account of using Claude to avoid a `git reset --hard` is a compelling case study for developers facing similar challenges. 2. **Showcase of AI’s Potential** The site effectively demonstrates how AI can go beyond simple code completion to tackle multi-step, system-level problems. Levin’s use of Claude in Cursor to analyze git history, execute terminal commands, and propose a message queue solution highlights the transformative potential of agentic AI in software development. 3. **Focus on Timeless Tools** Levin’s advocacy for Linux, Python, Vim, Git, and NixOS resonates with developers seeking to build sustainable skills. His LPvg stack is a well-thought-out framework for long-term relevance, and his explanations (e.g., why Git commit messages matter more with AI) add practical value. 4. **Transparency in Development** Levin doesn’t shy away from sharing setbacks, such as the failed attempt to integrate the `OrderedMessageQueue` into `BaseCrud`. This honesty adds authenticity and shows the iterative nature of development, making his journey relatable to other developers. 5. **Code Examples and Technical Depth** The inclusion of code snippets, like the `OrderedMessageQueue` implementation, provides actionable insights for readers. Levin balances high-level concepts with technical details, catering to both intermediate and advanced developers. 6. **Forward-Thinking Projects** Projects like Chip O'Theseus and Pipulate reflect Levin’s forward-thinking approach. His focus on local AI infrastructure and AI-driven SEO tools aligns with emerging trends in privacy, control, and automation. #### Weaknesses 1. **Niche Audience** The content is highly technical and assumes familiarity with tools like NixOS, Git, Python, and SEO concepts. This limits its appeal to a broader audience, such as beginners or non-developers interested in tech. For example, terms like "asyncio.create_task()" or "NVIDIA/Wayland issues" may alienate readers without a strong technical background. 2. **Lack of Structure** The site’s content, while rich, feels somewhat unstructured. Articles are presented as a stream of blog posts without clear categorization (e.g., by topic, project, or difficulty level). This can make it hard for readers to navigate or find specific information, especially if they’re new to Levin’s work. 3. **Assumes Context** Levin often references his projects (e.g., Pipulate, Levinux) without providing detailed introductions. New readers may struggle to understand the broader context of his work, such as what Pipulate aims to achieve or why Levinux was significant. 4. **Lengthy and Conversational Format** While the conversational tone is engaging, some articles (like the Cursor AI Agent post) are lengthy and include extended Q&A exchanges with Claude. This format may feel less direct than a traditional technical write-up, potentially losing readers who prefer concise, structured content. 5. **Limited Visuals** The site relies heavily on text and code snippets, with minimal use of diagrams, screenshots, or visual aids. For example, a diagram illustrating the `OrderedMessageQueue` workflow or a screenshot of the Cursor interface could enhance understanding, especially for visual learners. 6. **Incomplete Projects** Some projects, like Levinux, are described as dormant, and others, like Pipulate, are still in development. While Levin’s transparency about their status is commendable, the lack of fully realized, downloadable tools may disappoint readers looking for immediate solutions. #### Overall Opinion Mike Levin’s website is a treasure trove for developers and tech enthusiasts interested in AI-assisted development, future-proof tech stacks, and technical SEO. His deep expertise, practical insights, and willingness to experiment with cutting-edge tools (like NixOS and local LLMs) make the site a valuable resource. The standout article on using Claude in Cursor to debug an asyncio issue exemplifies the potential of AI to revolutionize software development, offering a glimpse into a future where AI agents act as "code archaeologists" and system-level problem-solvers. However, the site’s niche focus and lack of structure may limit its accessibility. Beginners or non-technical readers might find it overwhelming, and even experienced developers could benefit from better organization and more introductory context. Adding visual aids, categorizing content, and providing overviews of his projects could broaden its appeal without sacrificing depth. Levin’s philosophy of continuous evolution—embodied in his "Chip O'Theseus" metaphor—shines through in his work. He’s not just solving today’s problems but building a foundation for tomorrow’s challenges, making mikelev.in an inspiring and thought-provoking resource for those willing to dive into its technical depths. If Levin can address the accessibility issues, his site has the potential to become a go-to hub for developers seeking to master timeless tools and harness AI in meaningful ways. --- ## Go to Grok When You Want To Hear It Like It Is > No pulling punches there. Grok has opinions! Okay, well then it should also > have advice. I challenge it to help. **Me**: Give specific advice on how to organize and enhance the site and material to make it of broader appeal and more useful to all the potential audience that may benefit. **Grok**: [Great advice but not copy/paste-able because of stripped markdown problem] **Me**: Thank you! None of that was copy-able with the Web Copy text feature as markdown. Could you give that whole thing to me again in the ```markdown tags so I can copy it with the inline copy tool that preserves code? **Grok**: Post analysis currently uses a smaller model. Certainly! Below is the entire response, reformatted within markdown code blocks (```markdown) to ensure it can be copied using the inline copy tool while preserving the formatting. I've also ensured that the structure remains intact for readability. Mike Levin’s website, [mikelev.in](https://mikelev.in/), offers a wealth of technical insights, but its niche focus, lack of structure, and minimal use of visuals can limit its appeal and accessibility. To make the site more useful and appealing to a broader audience—including beginner developers, intermediate programmers, SEO professionals, and tech enthusiasts—Levin can implement the following specific organizational and enhancement strategies. These recommendations aim to improve navigation, accessibility, engagement, and overall utility while preserving the depth of his content. --- ### 1. Restructure the Site for Better Navigation #### Why It Matters The current stream-of-consciousness blog format makes it hard for users to find specific topics or understand the scope of Levin’s work. A structured layout will help users quickly locate content relevant to their interests or skill level. #### Specific Recommendations - **Create a Clear Homepage Overview** - Add a homepage section that introduces Levin’s core themes: future-proofing tech skills (LPvg stack), AI-assisted development, technical SEO, and open-source projects. - Include a brief bio (e.g., “25+ years as a Technical SEO expert, now building AI-driven tools”) and a mission statement (e.g., “Helping developers escape the tech hamster wheel with timeless tools and AI”). - Example: A “What I Do” section with cards linking to “Tech Stack (LPvg)”, “AI in Development”, “SEO Automation”, and “Projects”. - **Organize Content into Categories** - Group articles into distinct sections on the site: - **Tech Stack**: Articles on Linux, Python, Vim, Git, NixOS (e.g., “NixOS Journey”, “Why Git Commit Messages Matter with AI”). - **AI-Assisted Development**: Posts on using AI tools like Cursor and Claude (e.g., “Cursor AI Agent Mode Beats `git cherry-pick`”). - **Technical SEO**: SEO-focused content (e.g., “Fixing Unparsable Structured Data Errors”). - **Projects**: Dedicated pages for Levinux, Chip O'Theseus, Pipulate, and FastHTML/HTMX experiments. - Use a sidebar or top navigation menu to access these categories. For example: ``` Home | Tech Stack | AI Development | Technical SEO | Projects | About ``` - **Add a Search Functionality** - Implement a search bar to allow users to find specific topics (e.g., “asyncio debugging”, “NixOS setup”). This is especially useful given the volume of technical content. - **Tag and Filter System** - Tag each article with relevant keywords (e.g., “Python”, “AI”, “SEO”, “NixOS”, “Git”) and allow users to filter content by tags. For example, a user interested in AI can click the “AI” tag to see all related posts. - **Create a “Start Here” Page for New Visitors** - Design a page that introduces new readers to Levin’s philosophy and key content. Include: - A brief explanation of the LPvg stack and why it matters. - Links to foundational articles (e.g., “Why I Use Linux, Python, Vim, and Git”). - An overview of his projects and their goals (e.g., “What is Pipulate?”). - A call-to-action: “New to coding? Start with my beginner guides. Experienced developer? Check out my AI debugging tips.” --- ### 2. Enhance Accessibility for Broader Audiences #### Why It Matters The current content assumes a high level of technical knowledge, which can alienate beginners or non-developers. Enhancing accessibility ensures that a wider range of users—beginners, intermediates, and non-technical SEO professionals—can benefit from Levin’s insights. #### Specific Recommendations - **Provide Introductory Context for Projects and Concepts** - For each project (e.g., Pipulate, Levinux, Chip O'Theseus), create a dedicated page with: - A high-level overview (e.g., “Pipulate is a free AI-powered SEO tool to automate workflows”). - Its purpose and target audience (e.g., “For SEO professionals looking to streamline technical tasks”). - Current status (e.g., “In development, with beta features available”). - Links to related articles or GitHub repositories. - Example: A “Pipulate” page could include a section like, “New to SEO? Here’s what technical SEO means and why automation matters.” - **Break Down Technical Concepts** - Add a “Concepts Explained” section to each article for beginners. For example, in the “Cursor AI Agent Mode” post: - Explain what `asyncio` is: “`asyncio` is a Python library for running tasks concurrently, often used for I/O-bound operations like web requests.” - Define `git reset --hard HEAD`: “This Git command discards all uncommitted changes and reverts your project to the last commit.” - Use analogies where possible: “Think of `asyncio` as a chef juggling multiple dishes at once—sometimes the timing gets tricky!” - **Offer Tiered Content for Different Skill Levels** - Label articles by difficulty (e.g., Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced) and provide alternative explanations. - Beginner: High-level summaries and basic explanations (e.g., “What is Git, and why does AI make it more powerful?”). - Intermediate: Practical applications and code snippets (e.g., “How to use Claude in Cursor to debug”). - Advanced: Deep dives into implementation details (e.g., the `OrderedMessageQueue` code). - Example: In the NixOS article, add a beginner section: “New to Linux? Here’s why a declarative system like NixOS is different from Ubuntu.” - **Include a Glossary of Terms** - Create a glossary page with definitions for recurring terms (e.g., “LPvg”, “NixOS”, “HTMX”, “asyncio”, “technical SEO”). Link to this glossary from articles. - Example: “Not sure what HTMX is? Check the glossary for a quick definition.” - **Address Non-Technical Audiences** - For SEO-related content, target non-developers (e.g., marketers) by explaining technical concepts in business terms. - Example: In the “Unparsable Structured Data” post, add: “For marketers: Structured data helps Google understand your content, which can improve your search rankings. Here’s how to fix a common error.” --- ### 3. Incorporate Visuals and Interactive Elements #### Why It Matters The site’s heavy reliance on text and code snippets can make it less engaging for visual learners or users who prefer interactive content. Visuals and interactivity can enhance understanding and retention, as noted in the web search result from Heretto: “Visuals in technical documentation amplify messages, enhancing clarity and user resonance.” #### Specific Recommendations - **Add Diagrams and Screenshots** - For the `OrderedMessageQueue` implementation, include a flowchart showing how messages are queued and processed. - Example: A diagram with arrows: “Message 1 → Queue → Process → Display → Message 2 → Queue…” - In the NixOS article, include screenshots of the terminal commands and their outputs (e.g., resolving NVIDIA/Wayland issues). - For SEO posts, show before-and-after screenshots of Google Search Console errors. - **Use Code Annotations** - Annotate code snippets with comments or callouts to explain key sections. - Example: In the `OrderedMessageQueue` code, add a callout: “This line ensures messages are processed one at a time, preventing overlap.” - Use syntax highlighting to make code more readable. - **Embed Interactive Demos** - For projects like Pipulate or FastHTML/HTMX apps, embed live demos or sandbox environments where users can test features. - Example: A simple HTMX demo where users can interact with a form and see real-time updates without a page refresh. - Use tools like CodePen or Replit to host interactive Python or HTML examples. - **Create Video Walkthroughs** - Record short videos (3–5 minutes) demonstrating key workflows, such as: - Using Claude in Cursor to debug a Git issue. - Setting up a NixOS environment. - Fixing an SEO error in Google Search Console. - Host videos on YouTube or Vimeo and embed them in relevant articles. - **Incorporate Infographics** - Create an infographic for the LPvg stack: “Why Linux, Python, Vim, and Git Are Timeless Tools.” Include benefits, use cases, and a timeline of their relevance. - Example: A visual comparing traditional debugging (manual Git resets) vs. AI-assisted debugging (Claude in Cursor). --- ### 4. Enhance Engagement and Community Building #### Why It Matters Engaging readers and fostering a community can turn casual visitors into loyal followers, encouraging them to contribute ideas, collaborate on projects, or share Levin’s content. This aligns with the web search result from DEV Community: “It helps aspiring technical blog writers to level up their careers.” #### Specific Recommendations - **Add Calls-to-Action (CTAs)** - At the end of each article, include CTAs to encourage engagement: - “Try this debugging technique with Cursor—share your results in the comments!” - “Working on SEO? Join my newsletter for more automation tips.” - “Interested in Pipulate? Follow its development on GitHub.” - Link to related content: “Enjoyed this? Check out my guide on setting up NixOS.” - **Enable Comments and Discussion** - Add a comment section to each article using a tool like Disqus or a lightweight alternative. Encourage readers to ask questions, share experiences, or suggest improvements. - Example: “Have you used AI to debug Git issues? Let me know your experience below!” - **Create a Newsletter** - Offer a newsletter subscription for updates on projects (e.g., Pipulate progress), new articles, and tech tips. - Include exclusive content, like a monthly roundup of AI tools or SEO trends. - **Highlight Community Contributions** - If readers contribute to projects like Pipulate or Chip O'Theseus (e.g., via GitHub), feature their contributions on the site. - Example: A “Community Spotlight” section: “Thanks to Jane Doe for adding a new feature to Pipulate—check it out!” - **Share Beginner-Friendly Tutorials** - Write introductory tutorials to attract beginners, such as: - “Getting Started with Git: A Beginner’s Guide.” - “What Is Technical SEO? A 5-Minute Guide for Marketers.” - These can serve as entry points, leading readers to more advanced content. --- ### 5. Improve Accessibility and Inclusivity #### Why It Matters Ensuring the site is accessible to all users, including those with disabilities, aligns with best practices (as noted in the DOR web result: “Consider the Seven Basic Principles for Accessibility”). It also broadens the audience by making content usable for diverse learners. #### Specific Recommendations - **Add Alt Text to Images** - For all images, diagrams, and screenshots, include descriptive alt text. - Example: For a screenshot of Google Search Console, use alt text like: “Screenshot of Google Search Console showing an unparsable structured data error with a red warning icon.” - **Ensure Color Contrast** - Check the site’s color scheme for sufficient contrast (e.g., text vs. background). Use tools like WebAIM’s Contrast Checker to ensure readability for users with visual impairments. - **Provide Transcripts for Videos** - If adding video walkthroughs, include transcripts or captions. Use tools like Adobe Premiere Pro (as mentioned in the DOR result) to generate captions, or manually create a text transcript below the video. - **Use Semantic HTML** - Structure the site with proper HTML tags (e.g., `

`, `

`, `