Chad Aaron Hall

While some stations still do sign off, they are increasingly rare in a hyperkinetic, always-open America that has shifted fully into 24-7 mode (indeed, one promise of much-hyped digital TV is that it will allow an individual channel to subdivide itself four or more times). If the test pattern symbolized a moment of silence in the cultural process,... See more

The difference in inflection is no small matter. In an increasingly wealthy and educated society where the overwhelming majority of people have concerns about food, clothing, and shelter pretty well covered, culture takes on more and more meaning as the medium through which we articulate our identities, dreams, fears, aspirations, and values.... See more

It's the only way to bring some positive energy to politics4. Not about right or left or ideologies writ in stone, but about competence. Building something meaningful and bulldozing what's in your way to get it done5. This is a strong positive vision of what the world could be, and it needs a champion. We should embrace it.

That experiment failed. Humanity does not want to be a global hive mind. We are not rational Bayesian updaters who will eventually reach agreement; when we receive the same information, it tends to polarize us rather than unite us. Getting screamed at and insulted by people who disagree with you doesn’t take you out of your filter bubble — it makes... See more

Even in music, the days of long intros are over as songwriters try and get to the chorus as quickly as possible before impatient listeners flip to the next song (artist royalties only kick in after 30 seconds).