We talk about how fandom now powers news, why comedians have turned into pundits, and how combat dynamics are incentivized by the feed. We also explore the blurring of media and politics, from Charlie Kirk’s rise as both activist and media brand to Sam Altman’s combative interview with Tucker Carlson. Along the way, we debate whether niche formats like link dumps and newsletters offer an antidote, and what happens to publishing economics as Google admits the open web is in decline.* Watch us on YouTube* Troy Young's People vs Algorithms newsletter* Brian Morrissey's The Rebooting newsletter* Alex Schleifer's Human Computer* Follow Alex, Brian and Troy on TwitterChapters:* 00:00 Open* 00:46 Welcome* 02:43 Charlie Kirk Killing* 12:54 The Great Media Singularity* 30:25 Google Says Open Web Is Dying* 40:00 Publishers Getting Paid* 48:21 Apple Announcement* 55:48 Rupert Got What He Wanted* 58:15 Good Product* 01:00:03 Good Conversation* 01:02:43 Outro This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.peoplevsalgorithms.com
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1:03:21
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1:03:21
Everything is Fine (Really)
Troy surveys the media landscape and finds a rich buffet of options and many admittedly smaller models that are working just fine, notwithstanding the gloom that shrouds large swathes of institutional media. Perhaps a sign of the times: renewed interest in niche print titles, particularly ones that cater to the affluent and can play a convening role. Alex laments Google's great escape from a structural antitrust remedy. Anonymous Banker weighs in on the logic behind Paramount buying The Free Press and why other Substack deals are coming. Plus: The case for $100 chicken nuggets topped with caviar box at the US Open, padel's rise and AI creativity's ick factor.* Watch us on YouTube* Troy Young's People vs Algorithms newsletter* Brian Morrissey's The Rebooting newsletter* Alex Schleifer's Human Computer* Follow Alex, Brian and Troy on TwitterChapters:* 00:00 Open* 00:32 Welcome* 02:19 Everything is Fine* 22:45 Vogue* 28:21 Google* 40:12 J.Crew AI Models* 42:57 US Open With AB* 55:34 Paddle vs Pickle* 01:00:07 Where's the money going AB?* 01:05:55 Good Product* 01:11:12 Outro This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.peoplevsalgorithms.com
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1:11:40
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1:11:40
The Trough of Disillusionment
Plus: the demise of cultural criticism, publishers embracing apps again, and an activist investor taking on The New York Times.* Watch us on YouTube* Troy Young's People vs Algorithms newsletter* Brian Morrissey's The Rebooting newsletter* Alex Schleifer's Human Computer* Follow Alex, Brian and Troy on TwitterChapters:* 00:00 Open* 00:33 Welcome* 01:02 AI & Coffee* 19:39 Re-brands* 28:13 Decline Of Cultural Criticism* 36:39 Apps Are Back* 50:54 NYT Activist Investor* 55:54 Good Product* 01:04:29 Outro This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.peoplevsalgorithms.com
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1:05:23
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1:05:23
Getting Mad At Toasters
We start with Charlie Warzel’s essay in The Atlantic, “AI Is a Mass-Delusion Event”, a sober reframing of where we are with AI right now. Pablos insists LLMs are “average engines,” not wisdom machines—good at language, terrible at judgment. Stop anthropomorphizing. These are tools that make daily processes cheaper, faster, or more efficient. Drop illusions of creativity or sentience. From there, we shift to the next disruption wave: hard tech. Pablos sketches self‑sailing wind cargo ships, space‑based solar that beams power down, and small borehole nuclear reactors. He argues hyperscalers’ compute demands will inadvertently fast‑track clean energy. We finish on media. Why Michael Wolff’s perfectly framed summertime Amagansett Instagram missives find beautiful tension reframing sharp political commentary as a kind of lifestyle content. Good media always finds new intersectionality. Enjoy these last wonderful weeks of summer.* Watch us on YouTube* Troy Young's People vs Algorithms newsletter* Brian Morrissey's The Rebooting newsletter* Alex Schleifer's Human Computer* Follow Alex, Brian and Troy on TwitterChapters:* 00:00 Open* 00:36 Welcome* 03:48 AI, what is it good for?* 21:16 Is AI conscious or not?* 25:14 What's next in tech innovation?* 35:24 Is it worth the investment?* 39:52 Exciting or Scary Tech* 42:44 The Force of Media* 55:47 Good Product This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.peoplevsalgorithms.com
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1:08:00
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1:08:00
AI Is Not Your Friend
Plus: the case for media cooperatives and aperitivo, and why running agencies inside publishers is tough.* Watch us on YouTube* Troy Young's People vs Algorithms newsletter* Brian Morrissey's The Rebooting newsletter* Alex Schleifer's Human Computer* Follow Alex, Brian and Troy on TwitterChapters:* 00:00 Open* 00:31 Welcome* 01:41 Summer Stories* 02:30 Food 52* 13:17 Newsette* 15:46 GenZ vs AOL* 18:07 GPT 5* 20:16 Chatbots vs Loneliness* 32:30 Travel Log: Italy* 35:41 Media Co-ops* 42:28 Good Product* 46:26 Outro This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.peoplevsalgorithms.com
Uncovering patterns of change in media, culture, and technology, each week media veterans Brian Morrissey, Alex Schleifer and Troy Young break down stuff that matters.
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