People vs Algorithms

Best/Worst of Times

74 snips
Feb 20, 2026
They explore the orality thesis and how a shift toward spoken, performative communication reshapes persuasion and politics. They map what’s actually working in media today: audience-first brands, B2B pivots, expert newsletters, and creator monetization. They also dig into AI’s rise on YouTube and the tension between disposable algorithmic content and craft-driven, durable media.
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INSIGHT

Orality Is Reshaping Thought

  • Joe Biden's "orality thesis" argues culture is shifting from written, analytical thought to spoken, memetic communication.
  • Troy warns this favors performative, memorable language over abstract reasoning and deep analysis.
INSIGHT

Doom Narratives Dominate Feeds

  • Andrew Yang predicts rapid white‑collar displacement from AI, sparking doom narratives online.
  • Brian frames these extremes as winning attention and competing to be the "main thing" in feeds.
ADVICE

Build A Coordinated AI Policy Response

  • Coordinate policy responses to AI risks: taxes, safety nets, retraining, provenance and liability frameworks.
  • Troy urges international cooperation and a future‑work task force to prepare for displacement.
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