Sam Liebeskind

Participants report that talking to the system’s chatbots is “freeing” and rewarding. In one example, a student who interacts with a “teacher” chatbot is asked to share their stories or memories of interacting with teachers. Based on what the student shares, the “teacher” bot might respond, “Sometimes I don’t effectively listen to what my students... See more

In 2019, 21% of Americans had ever met a local reporter, down from 26% in 2016. That’s not surprising given that the number of reporters per 100,000 has dropped a staggering 62% since 2004. That will lead to local news being less trusted.

Benjamin’s library was a personal monument, the same kind that we all construct of things we like or identify with. Its importance was dependent on permanence — collections are made up of things that we own, that don’t go away unless we decide they should. “Ownership is the most intimate relationship that one can have to objects,” Benjamin wrote.... See more

Society is increasingly cutting the nourishing ties that attach us, and calling it innovation. I worry about how encouraged we are to do things efficiently, i.e. alone. Ordering from Amazon harms workers, but it also deprives you of the handful of interactions you may’ve had taking the subway to a store, asking for help navigating the aisles, or... See more

While Americans in polls report historically low levels of trust in the media, it could be in large part because much of the press hasn’t been speaking to the concerns of their everyday lives. It would mean incorporating the knowledge and skills of reporters like Heather Bryant, who grew up in rural Missouri, where her lower-income family would buy... See more