Derek Thompson

Derek Thompson, journalist and economic analyst, and Cal Newport, computer science professor known for work on attention and deep work. They debate AI weakening sustained attention and writing. They warn AI-created summaries can erode deep reading. They discuss classroom fixes like removing phones and oral exams. They link cognitive decline to broader economic risks.

Zach Weinberg, Co-Founder and CEO at Curie.Bio, joins Derek Thompson, a writer at The Atlantic, for a riveting discussion on U.S. healthcare. They delve into the successes and failures of COVID-19 vaccine policies, addressing public distrust towards mRNA technology. The duo also tackles the contentious NIH budget cuts, exploring how they impact scientific research. With insights on drug pricing, they highlight the economic incentives in medical innovation and the future of drug development amid growing regulatory challenges.

Ezra Klein, a journalist and New York Times columnist, joins Derek Thompson from The Atlantic and author Michael Pollan for a thought-provoking dialogue. They explore the shift from a scarcity to an abundance mindset in politics, particularly after Trump's election. The trio advocates for rediscovering speed in governance to improve efficiency and accountability. They also tackle the housing crisis, urging a balance between community needs and individual interests, while scrutinizing the influence of power on societal progress.

Derek Thompson, Atlantic writer and author of Abundance, offers sharp takes on AI and its societal ripples. He explores why AI scares us differently than past tech. He weighs models of automation—permanent displacement versus augmentation. He probes rapid advances, where AI actually helps, and who might end up holding power and profit.

Derek Thompson, Senior Editor at The Atlantic and NPR analyst, delves into the secrets behind what makes something a hit. He explains that there's no formula for success, asserting that 'distribution beats content.' Discussing the viral rise of Simon Sinek’s TED Talk and Bumble, he highlights how familiarity paired with surprise captivates audiences. Thompson draws parallels between speechwriting and music, emphasizing the power of repetition. His insights reveal that we cherish familiarity, making us more receptive to emotional connections in art.