Audio, Evolution, and Memes: Why TikTok Is The First YouTube Challenger

And how memetics will guide future tech products Full audio version https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/1276418907968925696 "Who controls the memes controls the universe" tweeted Elon Musk, referencing a line from Dune. Somehow it feels both trollish and profound. If you live on the internet, you know it when you see it. Memes are everywhere. More importantly, it feels like … Continue reading Audio, Evolution, and Memes: Why TikTok Is The First YouTube Challenger →

The Metaverse: A Grand Unifying Theory of Media

[this first appeared in Audio-First, a newsletter focused on audio] I'm slowly stumbling towards a Grand Unifying Theory of Media. I’m not there yet, but I previously reduced it to “mind control.” That’s effectively the game for creators: how desirable was your mind control? As the neuroeconomist Paul Zak notes, “A good story’s a good … Continue reading The Metaverse: A Grand Unifying Theory of Media →

YouTube Is The World’s Largest Radio Station

And why I'm 'long' distracted consumption [This first appeared on Audio-First, my newsletter tracking the audio space.] With over 2 billion monthly users, it’s no secret that Youtube is the world’s largest video platform. But could it also be the #1 audio platform as well? In one of my favorite summaries of the audio space, Alex Danco highlighted how … Continue reading YouTube Is The World’s Largest Radio Station →

Gilder, Gold, And The Information Theory Of Money

This summer I've been really into the work of George Gilder, a Silicon Valley stock picker turned public intellectual. At age 79, Gilder is still out there writing books and doing podcasts (where he'll occasionally shill Blockstack and rag on Bitcoin's 21M hard cap). But Gilder often says insightful and incisive things, especially about tech … Continue reading Gilder, Gold, And The Information Theory Of Money →

Pop Is Now Good, Rappers Are The New (Indie) Rock Stars, And Other Reflections From Pitchfork 2019

Recently, I went home to Chicago for one of my favorite events of the summer: Pitchfork Music Festival. I love going to Pitchfork because it's a peek into the future. For the uninitiated—and it is a bit cultish—Pitchfork is an online magazine known for its music reviews that rate albums out of 10.0. And for … Continue reading Pop Is Now Good, Rappers Are The New (Indie) Rock Stars, And Other Reflections From Pitchfork 2019 →

Why I’m Closely Watching (/Listening To) The Audio Space

Right now it feels like an open secret that AirPods are more monumental than they seem. It's not another bluetooth gadget we'll forget about in 6 months. It's our first taste of transhumanism. I'll never forget showing a friend my pair for the first time. He sampled a song, shook his head like a madman, … Continue reading Why I’m Closely Watching (/Listening To) The Audio Space →

How to Pursue A Career In Technology With A Liberal Arts Background

[Note: I originally wrote this article for an audience of liberal arts students at Hamilton College, my alma mater] Like many others I know in the industry, I had a very circuitous route into technology. For most of my Hamilton education, I was pretty determined to work in media or on Capitol Hill. That is, … Continue reading How to Pursue A Career In Technology With A Liberal Arts Background →