THE LATEST ARTICLES
MEDIA
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April 21, 2022
How Twitter Became Twitter
Twitter, which was once a peer with Facebook, is now 1/15th its size, and its most fastidious user is trying to take it private, while everyone—Democrats, Republicans, mom-fluencers, journalists—hates the damn thing despite their own contrary addictions. Herewith, an anatomy of a social media tragedy.
MEDIA
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March 31, 2022
See You in the Metaverse
My recent trip to Austin for SXSW offered a number of startling realizations. First off, web3 is going to be bigger than we ever imagined. It may also, finally, be the internet platform that makes the world a better place.
HOLLYWOOD
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March 28, 2022
Will Smith’s Tragic Lesson
During the peak of his powers, Will Smith submitted to the worst possible instincts, allowing what should have been his brightest moment to reveal his own shadow through an act of violence. Smith’s meandering and pained Oscars acceptance speech was couched in the language of abuse.
WASHINGTON
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March 11, 2022
Ukraine, Racism, and the Wars We Ignore
War shatters lives, but also reveals what binds us together. I’m clinging to a hope that this war will bring out the best in us, both in Ukraine and beyond.
SILICON VALLEY
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February 15, 2022
My Joe Rogan Playlist
Nine thoughts on Spotify, “free speech,” deplatforming, and what the Rogan crisis really means.
SILICON VALLEY
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February 2, 2022
Crypto’s Colorblind Promise
For so much of U.S. history, Black people were not allowed to build wealth. But as I explore experiments in web3 and blockchain, I’m seeing a lot more Black people than I used to see in Web 1.0 and 2.0. Is the prospect of “generational wealth” the real deal?
MEDIA
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January 27, 2022
Fauci Fatigue and Maddow in the Metaverse
Notes on Jack Dorsey's successor, the stratification of digital media, and Omicron-era information overload.
SILICON VALLEY
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December 27, 2021
The Politics of 2022: Insurrection Amnesia, Blockchain, & More
Reflections on the Capitol insurrection, cable news myopia, Web3 scammers, bitcoin democracy, and the regenerative technology that gives me hope.
SILICON VALLEY
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December 2, 2021
Rittenhouse in the Zuckerverse
Reflections on our gun violence epidemic, blockchain democracy, buying the Constitution, and rebuilding America in the metaverse.
WASHINGTON
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November 11, 2021
After the Tide: Critical Race Theory in 2021
White backlashes against racial progress are as American as genetically-modified apple pie. But critical race theory has unleashed a new torrent of grievances. I can’t solve everyone’s problems, but I think I can suggest a more useful way to frame the debate.