[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
Category: Arts
Why I Started Newsletter About Audio-First Tech
Recently, I started a newsletter about tech, music, and audio that I'm calling Audio-First. Earlier this year, my thoughts on AirPods got some fanfare. And as a tech analyst by day and a guitarist & music fanatic by night, I felt like I have a lot to say about the space. So I've started a … Continue reading Why I Started Newsletter About Audio-First Tech
Thank You For Coming To My TED Talk
My friend Nikhil has written a lot about experiences. Even back in 2016, he had an insight that as tech makes everything cheap, the last thing to be commoditized will be authentic IRL experiences. And unlike many internet thinkers, he has 'walked the walk' on this thesis and has since organized a series of experimental … Continue reading Thank You For Coming To My TED Talk
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
Learnings From My First DJ Set (To A Crowd of 160!)
A few weeks ago, I was asked by some friends organizing a funk-themed New Years Eve party to do a DJ gig. I love funk and disco, and felt it could be a good excuse to dip my toes into the DJ world. I was asked to be the pre-show to warm up for a … Continue reading Learnings From My First DJ Set (To A Crowd of 160!)
Why Write a Blog? Because It All Matters
Immediately after sharing my post about Google's attention dashboard the other day, a friend asked me if I’m going to write on this blog daily. And his question brings me to a topic worthy of its own post: why I’m writing this blog. In part, I’m keeping a blog because it’s already an old habit … Continue reading Why Write a Blog? Because It All Matters
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