THE LATEST ARTICLES
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.
MEDIA
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October 22, 2021
After the Tide, Part 2: Breaking White Fear
In a country struggling with racial progress, we cannot condemn potential allies for their mistakes, but we can’t coddle them either. Instead we must acknowledge the complexity in educating the people most invested in our oppression.
MEDIA
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October 6, 2021
After The Tide: Confronting Race in America Now
It’s hard enough sometimes just living in Black skin in America. But I’ve chosen to work as a sense-maker and storyteller to help others process this often nonsensical and maddening land we share. This piece is the first in a series.