Shows
People vs AlgorithmsTech Bros With MicsThis week, Brian, Troy, and Alex break down how tech is quietly building its own media empire—slick, founder-led, and fully aligned with industry interests. From TBPN to Turpentine, it’s not journalism—it just looks like it. They also explore the “Chaos Economy” through Foxconn’s EV pivot and unpack why analogies beat logic in shaping how we process tech shifts. Plus, Pete Buttigieg’s appearance on Flagrant shows that even politics is adapting to the influencer era.Watch us on YouTubeTroy Young's People vs Algorithms newsletterBrian Morrissey's The Rebooting newsletterAlex Schleifer's Human ComputerFollow Alex, Brian and Troy on Twitter2025-04-251h 11People vs AlgorithmsArbitrage MediaTroy’s at “advanced” tennis camp, so Brian and Alex discuss the shifting dynamics of the newsletter and video game markets. Newsletters are entering into bubble territory, while parts of the video game market are losing ground after a long run of robust growth. Plus: an urban redevelopment good product.Watch us on YouTubeTroy Young's People vs Algorithms newsletterBrian Morrissey's The Rebooting newsletterAlex Schleifer's Human ComputerFollow Alex, Brian and Troy on Twitter2025-02-2844 minPeople vs AlgorithmsMessy MediaMedia has never been neat, but it’s getting messier. This week, Brian and Troy explore how AI is reshaping the creative process, how different personality-driven brands thrive on particular platforms, and the developing messy aesthetic of modern media that’s spreading to earnings calls and product launches. Troy shares how OpenAI’s Projects feature changed his workflow, turning AI into a true research assistant. Anonymous Banker joins to break down AI’s irrational valuations and why X’s debt selling on par means Elon’s won. We also debate whether Substack will inevitably embrace advertising and how creators are navigati...2025-02-211h 24People vs AlgorithmsTech OligarchyOur tech overlords reported for duty to Washington while Troy perused the powder at Davos. This week, we go beyond first principles to consider the second-order impact of a politicized tech elite. Plus: The Washington Post gets a BHAG and CNN plots a post-TV future. Watch us on YouTubeTroy Young's People vs Algorithms newsletterBrian Morrissey's The Rebooting newsletterAlex Schleifer's Human ComputerFollow Alex, Brian and Troy on Twitter2025-01-241h 03People vs AlgorithmsNeutering GoogleThis week on People vs. Algorithms, we unpacked London’s charm, the shifting dynamics of media and search, and why Google’s dominance feels both indispensable and fragile. Troy and I contrasted American and British publishing cultures—bigger isn’t always better, as UK publishers adapt to constraints with scrappy innovation. Search’s transformation, fueled by AI and shifts in Google’s strategy, dominated our discussion. While it offers consumers better tools, publishers are left scrambling, questioning their survival amid frictionless AI-driven content.What are the best Patagonia ski pants on a budget?Watch us on YouTubeTroy Young's People vs Al...2024-11-2251 minPeople vs AlgorithmsThe Art of Modern Persuasion & The ManosphereThe election in many ways confirmed what many had suspected: the information space has superceded and subsumed the traditional media world. Traditional media is now just one node, and perhaps more alarmingly its influence – and ability to persuade – has drastically declined. We talk in this episode about the implications of this shift, particularly with the spotlight now on what’s being called the manosphere, a chaotic loose confederation of podcasters and YouTubers who have seemingly broken through to be a key node of persuasion for young men. Plus: Is CNN fixable?Rise of the Under Toad: The Tr...2024-11-151h 00People vs AlgorithmsComplex’s Next ChapterComplex is a digital media survivor. It has lived many lives, including as a magazine, a dot-com, an ad network, Go90 (RIP) provider, YouTube showrunner, events organizer, hot sauce merchant, neglected BuzzFeed brand, and now in its latest iteration as a commerce engine. Complex President Moksha Fitzgibbons joins the show to discuss his return to Complex, where he was an integral part of the founding team going back to its Marc Ecko days, and how the youth culture brand is betting on combining its reach and engagement with the live shopping platform of NTWRK, which bought Complex for $108 million...2024-11-011h 22People vs AlgorithmsThe New Media ConsensusThere’s a new consensus about the media business that is emerging. The past is not coming back, that much is for certain. The challenges are well known, and the bright spots — and they exist — tend to be smaller and harder to scale.Watch us on YouTubeTroy Young's People vs Algorithms newsletterBrian Morrissey's The Rebooting newsletterAlex Schleifer's Human ComputerFollow Alex, Brian and Troy on Twitter2024-10-2553 minPeople vs AlgorithmsThe End of TextMass media’s extinction event has come first for text content. Text is increasingly being "pushed down the stack" and commoditized due to AI's ability to generate, manipulate, and reformat text content. This shift is forcing media companies that primarily deal in text to adapt or risk becoming obsolete. While text isn't disappearing entirely, its role is changing. It's becoming more of an input for other forms of media rather than the primary output. Meanwhile, other parts of media are gaining in influence. This will turn out to be the podcast election, as Kamala Harris prepares to make her cl...2024-10-181h 10People vs AlgorithmsBad BetsThis week, we take a look at making bets that go wrong, and how it’s often difficult to tell if a bet is a bad one in the short term. Was Meta’s bet on VR a bad bet? Maybe in the short term, but perhaps not in the long term. Media companies have made their fair share of bad bets over the years, although there weren’t many options available. Will the parade of AI deals join the pile of bad bets? Plus… Good Product with a VERY special guest Steve Katelman.Donald Trump says he’s ‘basical...2024-10-111h 06People vs AlgorithmsAbove-the-Line MediaThis week, we discuss a new framework for the media industry that separates content into two distinct categories: "above the line" and "below the line" media. The line in question represents the threshold of human uniqueness in content creation. Above it lies the territory where human creativity, insight, and expertise still reign supreme. Below it, we find the realm increasingly dominated by AI-driven processes and automation. Plus: Taylor Lorenz and the question of whether packaged media can retain talent; AI dwindling the value of curation; synthetic social networks; and praise for bullshitters. Watch us on YouTubeTroy Young's People...2024-10-0451 minPeople vs AlgorithmsProductive TensionThe heart of organizations is tension, which when productive can lead to great outcomes. If it goes to extremes, disaster. This week, we discuss tension at OpenAI between its non-profit mission and massive ambitions, the tensions of hacking attention to sell products, the Trump tension between the truth and making a valid a point, and the tension between tech changing consumer expectations and media business models.Episode links:NotebookLM from Google.Seb Young's music project, Chronically Offline.Eating the pets video.Channel 5, Aurora Migrant Gang 'Takeover'Elsewhere:Watch us on YouTubeTroy Young's People...2024-09-271h 11People vs AlgorithmsParasitic Ad TechWe discuss the Department of Justice’s antitrust case against Google as a classic case of fighting the last war. And even if Google’s monopoly is dismantled, history shows to be careful of what you wish for because what comes next could be worse. Plus: Airmail’s weird business, the struggles at Food52 and why chicken parm is a great American product.Watch us on YouTubeTroy Young's People vs Algorithms newsletterBrian Morrissey's The Rebooting newsletterAlex Schleifer's Universal EntitiesFollow Alex, Brian and Troy on Twitter2024-09-201h 08People vs Algorithms100th Episode with Emily SundbergThis week we’re joined by Emily Sundberg and celebrate our 100th episode, talking about classic topics like X vs Threads and is Silence the best product.Troy Young's People vs Algorithms newsletterBrian Morrissey's The Rebooting newsletterAlex Schleifer's Universal EntitiesFollow Alex, Brian and Troy on Twitter2024-09-131h 13People vs AlgorithmsFounder ModeFounders can force change that managers (call them operators) can’t, at least as efficiently. Plus: AI land grab update, Gannett’s commerce play goes away, and the Sicilian tonnara and summer books. Troy Young's People vs Algorithms newsletterBrian Morrissey's The Rebooting newsletterAlex Schleifer's Universal EntitiesFollow Alex, Brian and Troy on Twitter2024-09-051h 00People vs AlgorithmsThe Recalibration to NormalThis is shaping up to be a TikTok election where relatability is at a premium. The successful rollout of the Harris-Walz ticket is moving authenticity from loudly telling the truths others dare not to something softer and more familiar. Plus: the recalibration of remote work, AI backlash and the difficulty of deciding level of spending on content as the weight of many publisher models shifts to indirect monetization paths.Troy Young's People vs Algorithms newsletterBrian Morrissey's The Rebooting newsletterAlex Schleifer's Universal EntitiesFollow Alex, Brian and Troy on TwitterSkip to topic:04:18 Political Campaign Strategies13:00 Generational Shift...2024-08-221h 03People vs AlgorithmsThe Olympics and the Future of TVThis week, we discuss conversations vs interviews, why social networking has been replaced by algorithmic content, YouTube’s pivotal role in the emerging media space, and why the Olympics were a great media product.Troy Young's People vs Algorithms newsletterBrian Morrissey's The Rebooting newsletterAlex Schleifer's Universal EntitiesFollow Alex, Brian and Troy on TwitterSkip to topic:00:59 Introduction04:22 Diving into the Elon Musk and Donald Trump Conversation11:59 Bias in Media and Algorithms19:33 Mr. Beast Controversy23:35 YouTube's Role in Content Regulation25:38 The Evolution of Social Networks31:06 The Future of Media and Streaming38:17 Good Product2024-08-1543 minPeople vs AlgorithmsMonopolies and MemesA federal judge has ruled Google a monopoly for locking up distribution with Apple. We discuss the percent and likely impact. Also, memes as the media format of the moment, as they become how big events like the Olympics and presidential election become participatory. Meanwhile, YouTube is becoming modern TV.Troy Young's People vs Algorithms newsletterBrian Morrissey's The Rebooting newsletterAlex Schleifer's Universal EntitiesFollow Alex, Brian and Troy on TwitterSkip to topic:01:13 Google Declared a Monopoly02:08 Historical Parallels with Microsoft05:00 Apple's Role and Strategic Decisions06:47 Google's Financial Strategies10:55 The Evolution of Paid Search19:39 The Role of Me...2024-08-081h 02People vs AlgorithmsThe Future of SearchOpenAI is readying a new search engine, Meta is pushing further into search with Llama, Perplexity is cutting deals with publishers. This week, we look to what the future of search looks like. Plus: why Nike ended up in Wall Street’s doghouse, why Tucker Carlson is a podcast star, and why Pulp Fiction still works.Nike: An Epic Saga of Value DestructionTroy Young's People vs Algorithms newsletterBrian Morrissey's The Rebooting newsletterAlex Schleifer's Universal EntitiesFollow Alex, Brian and Troy on TwitterSkip to topic:01:07 Discussing the Future of Search04:05 Challenges and Opportunities in Search09:03 Vertical Search...2024-08-0148 minPeople vs AlgorithmsThe Dark Side of PerformanceThis week, we’re joined by Joe Marchese, operating and build partner at Human Ventures and veteran media exec. We discuss why the obsession with performance marketing has created incentives for many intermediaries to focus on giving the appearance of being responsible for a sale rather than actually contributing to the sale, and how that’s led to short-term approaches that skips the basics of building lasting brands. Plus: What the meting of Kamala Harris says about the direction of news and political campaigns, why Netflix points to a shrinking TV ad market and the perils of operating content and...2024-07-251h 11People vs AlgorithmsThe Network is the MediaThe assassination attempt on Donald Trump was a stress test for the Information Space, and a reminder of just how much the media has changed. You had mainstream news outlets jockeying with individuals holding forth with a collection of expertise, conspiracies, jokes, memes and partisan potshots. Some of it was informative, some of it was hilarious, some of it was infuriating, and much of it was… entertaining? We unpack yet another crazy plot twist and look forward to what it means as the media business girds for what looks very likely to be a return to power of Donald Tr...2024-07-181h 10People vs AlgorithmsRules of The Information SpaceThe tidal wave of crap is a reality in the Information Space. This week, we discuss the rules of winning in the Information Space, including why it helps to get into fights, present as authoritative and authentic, and above all else to be willing to be shameless.Troy Young's People vs Algorithms newsletterBrian Morrissey's The Rebooting newsletterAlex Schleifer's Universal EntitiesFollow Alex, Brian and Troy on TwitterSkip to topic:00:00 Introduction03:00 Threads and Social Media Dynamics06:16 The Rise of Authenticity11:17 Traditional Media's Role16:19 AI and Productivity32:41 The Role of Hyperbole and Conspiracy Theories34:20 The New Rules of th...2024-07-111h 00People vs Algorithms"Embrace The Chaos"In this July 4th episode, Alex, Brian and Troy chat about whether life will ever get back to 'normal,' Threads vs. X, gamer saints and AI dogs.Troy Young's People vs Algorithms newsletterBrian Morrissey's The Rebooting newsletterAlex Schleifer's Universal EntitiesFollow Alex, Brian and Troy on TwitterSkip to topic:00:00 Holiday Podcast Kickoff00:59 Media Industry: Past, Present, and Future02:55 The Canonized Gamer Boy04:20 The Rise of Viral Fame05:54 Threads vs. X: The Social Media Debate07:41 The Future of Social Media09:08 AI and Surveillance in Everyday Life19:56 The Changing Landscape of War22:16 FigmaCon and the Future of De...2024-07-0451 minPeople vs AlgorithmsBanana In the SmoothieTroy and Brian discuss the realist mood in Cannes, the key to good brand events, why hotels need a good playlist and Perplexity serving as an AI boogeyman.Troy Young's People vs Algorithms newsletterBrian Morrissey's The Rebooting newsletterAlex Schleifer's Universal EntitiesFollow Alex, Brian and Troy on TwitterSkip to topic:00:00 Introduction04:17 Media Memberships and Loyalty06:48 Hospitality and Technology12:22 Events and Differentiation14:55 Cannes Observations and Reflections18:01 Media Industry Dynamics27:15 Exploring with AI in Paris and London32:30 The Rise of Perplexity and Content Theft36:33 Publishers vs. AI Crawlers41:27 The Future of Media and Distribution46:24 Good Product2024-06-2749 minPeople vs AlgorithmsWar on FrictionApple has entered the AI fray with a compelling view of using it to remove friction that gets in the way of people want to get things done. The issue arises for those who create that friction by serving as intermediaries.Troy Young's People vs Algorithms newsletterBrian Morrissey's The Rebooting newsletterAlex Schleifer's Universal EntitiesFollow Alex, Brian and Troy on TwitterSkip to topic:00:39 Introduction to People vs. Algorithms04:23 Apple's WWDC Highlights10:29 Privacy and Trust in Tech27:30 Microsoft's Rewind Feature Controversy33:33 The Enduring Relevance of the Phone38:45 Advertising Trends and Challenges48:11 The War on the Inbox53:57 Sleep...2024-06-1358 minPeople vs AlgorithmsCompressionTechnology acts as a compressor. AI is the latest pressure point. This week, we look at compression in software development, marketing and publishing. We then go into the difficult challenge of change management at the Washington Post and The Wall Street Journal. Troy Young's People vs Algorithms newsletterBrian Morrissey's The Rebooting newsletterAlex Schleifer's Universal EntitiesFollow Alex, Brian and Troy on TwitterSkip to topic:00:53 Mailbag02:41 The Decline of Blockbuster and Rise of Netflix05:14 The Future of Software and AI's Impact10:29 AI in Marketing and Customer Support28:26 Navigating Change in Media Organizations32:05 Digital Transformation in Media35:34 The D...2024-06-0657 minPeople vs AlgorithmsEveryone is HallucinatingIn this episode Brian, Troy, and Alex talk about AI hallucinations, and how they mirror human misperceptions. Troy believes the open web and traditional media will still hold value, while Alex thinks AI and platforms like Google and social media will take over. They also touch on the future of ad-supported AI services and SEO, Vivek Ramaswamy’s anti-BuzzFeed campaign and a genius idea about electing presidents.Troy Young's People vs Algorithms newsletterBrian Morrissey's The Rebooting newsletterAlex Schleifer's Universal EntitiesFollow Alex, Brian and Troy on TwitterSkip to topic:00:00 Spicy Takes00:54 AI Hallucinations: The Human Aspect0...2024-05-3053 minPeople vs AlgorithmsAI Time MachineWhat do tech and media look like in five years? Plus: Sam Altman as slippery character and AI comes to search and devices.Troy Young's People vs Algorithms newsletterBrian Morrissey's The Rebooting newsletterAlex Schleifer's Universal EntitiesFollow Alex, Brian and Troy on TwitterSkip to topic:00:00 Introduction01:28 Sam Altman and Scarlett Johansson Controversy06:43 Microsoft's AI Integration in Hardware13:39 Google AI and the Future of Search20:32 Speculations on AI's Long-Term Effects33:21 Five Years into the Future: A Thought Exercise40:39 AI Redefines Hardware44:50 Advertising in the AI Era50:05 Media Consumption Trends57:36 Good Product01:03:53 Podcast Reflections2024-05-231h 08People vs AlgorithmsMaybe the AI Hype is RealBrian, Alex, and Troy get into the new AI updates from OpenAI and Google. They unpack how these big changes might shake up industries like media and advertising, and what that means for our daily tech interactions.Troy Young's People vs Algorithms newsletterBrian Morrissey's The Rebooting newsletterAlex Schleifer's Universal EntitiesFollow Alex, Brian and Troy on TwitterSkip to topic:00:00 Catching Up and Studio Updates00:46 Introduction to People vs. Algorithms00:59 The AI Revolution: Predictions and Impacts03:00 Reflecting on Last Week's Episode and Media Sustainability09:16 Exploring the New Era of AI and Its Implications11:15 The Potential and Chall...2024-05-1657 minPeople vs AlgorithmsTransforming Time with Jess SibleyJess Sibley, CEO of Time, joins Brian and Troy to discuss adapting Time to today’s digital challenges. Jess shares her strategies for navigating algorithm changes and AI, shifting Time’s focus from consumer to business-oriented models, and the implications for digital content and monetization.Troy Young's People vs Algorithms newsletterBrian Morrissey's The Rebooting newsletterAlex Schleifer's Universal EntitiesFollow Alex, Brian and Troy on TwitterSkip to topic:00:00 Guest Introduction01:13 Navigating the Chaos in Search and AI's Impact on Publishing01:27 Modernizing Legacy Brands and the Shift from B2C to B2B02:42 The Evolution of Media and Googl...2024-05-091h 05People vs AlgorithmsCan the “Fediverse” Save Us?Brian, Troy, and Alex discuss the commercialization of the internet and the impact of AI on media. They explore big media-tech partnerships, the evolving role of AI in content distribution, and the potential benefits and challenges AI brings to our digital lives.Troy Young's People vs Algorithms newsletterBrian Morrissey's The Rebooting newsletterAlex Schleifer's Universal EntitiesFollow Alex, Brian and Troy on TwitterTopics:00:00 Opening Banter and Personal Updates02:46 AI Negotiations and Media Deals: A Deep Dive09:14 The Future of Media and Content Creation19:29 Navigating the World of AI Products and Market Trends26:34 Reflections on AI Device Launc...2024-05-021h 09People vs AlgorithmsOmnicom's Jonathan Nelson on Agencies & AIOmnicom digital chief Jonathan Nelson joins the show to discuss why ad agencies, forever under threat, will adapt to AI. We go into Omnicom's purchase of Flywheel Digital, a software company for digital commerce -- a further sign that the next phase of what we used to call the internet will be defined by commerce rather than advertising.Troy Young's People vs Algorithms newsletterBrian Morrissey's The Rebooting newsletterAlex Schleifer's Universal EntitiesFollow Alex, Brian and Troy on TwitterTopics:00:00 Opening Banter and Warm-Up00:31 Introduction to 'People vs. Algorithms' Podcast01:33 The Future of Magazines and Ad Agencies in th...2024-04-251h 14People vs AlgorithmsSex, AI and AdvertisingIn this episode Alex, Brian and Troy dive into topics like how AI is changing advertising, the ways tech meets human needs, and the big shifts society might see because of tech. They chat about everything from AI taking over creative jobs to why we still need a human touch in things like art.Troy Young's People vs Algorithms newsletterBrian Morrissey's The Rebooting newsletterAlex Schleifer's Universal EntitiesFollow Alex, Brian and Troy on TwitterTopics:00:00 Exploring Polycules and Regional Acceptance00:59 Welcome to People vs. Algorithms: Unpacking Media and Tech01:09 Insights from the Possible Conference: Marketing and AI's...2024-04-181h 01People vs AlgorithmsThe Power PlayIn this episode Brian, Troy, and Alex dive into AI mishaps in Teslas, muse over BuzzFeed's AI pivot, and ponder the future of creativity in tech. They chat about navigating power in the digital age, laugh at media's latest shenanigans, and champion the underdog entrepreneurs shaking things up. Troy Young's People vs Algorithms newsletterBrian Morrissey's The Rebooting newsletterAlex Schleifer's Universal EntitiesFollow Alex, Brian and Troy on TwitterTopics:00:00 Tesla's Autopilot Update01:02 Introducing People Vs. Algorithms05:32 BuzzFeed's AI Pivot and the Future of Media22:19 AI's Impact on Creativity and the Music Industry26:30 The New York Times Embra...2024-04-111h 06People vs AlgorithmsShifting Tides in the Media Business with Axios’s Sara FischerWith Alex still on vacation, Axios senior media reporter Sara Fischer joins Troy and Brian to break down the current state of the media business, including why TikTok is winning, the death of aggregation as a competitive advantage, why social media is a major reason women’s sports is one of the hottest segments, The New York Times as an extensible model and the future of print magazines as marketing pieces.Troy Young's People vs Algorithms newsletterBrian Morrissey's The Rebooting newsletterAlex Schleifer's Universal EntitiesFollow Alex, Brian and Troy on TwitterTopics:00:00 Brooklyn, Miami or Washington?01:10 Introdu...2024-04-0459 minPeople vs AlgorithmsThe Business of Influence with Emily SundbergEmily, Brian and Troy delve into the complex world of influencers and celebrities as they navigate public scrutiny and fame in the digital age. They explore the societal impact of extensive phone use and the rise of influencers creating their own brands. Troy Young's People vs Algorithms newsletterBrian Morrissey's The Rebooting newsletterAlex Schleifer's Universal EntitiesFollow Alex, Brian and Troy on TwitterTopics:00:00 An Unforgettable Trip to the Grenadines: The Start of an Influencer's Journey01:12 Introducing 'People vs. Algorithms': A Deep Dive into Media, Tech, and Culture01:17 Emily Sundberg's Unique Blend of Business and Culture in 'Feed...2024-03-281h 11People vs AlgorithmsAlgorithmic Sameness with Kyle ChaykaIn this episode of 'People vs. Algorithms,' hosts Brian Morrissey, Troy Young, and Alex Schleifer engage in a wide-ranging discussion on how algorithms shape our cultural landscape, the future of AI in content creation, and the consequences of a digitally dominated world. They share insights from the Game Developer Conference about the optimism among independent studios and discuss the ramifications of algorithmic sameness across media. The episode features a detailed conversation with Kyle Chayka, a writer at the New Yorker and author of 'Filterworld,' centering on how algorithms are flattening culture and what it means for creators...2024-03-211h 11People vs AlgorithmsPlatform ShiftsAs Alex says, the ground is shifting more and faster than it has in some time in the tech world, which usually means gaping craters are opened to swallow up media companies. We discuss the Reddit IPO, X apparently pivoting to video – we recorded this prior to Don Lemmon announcing he wouldn’t be launching his show on X after an apparently disastrous interview with Elon Musk pissed off Musk, go figure – and the effort to ban TikTok.We also have a guest this week. Tony Stubblebine joined us to discuss where Medium fits in the information space...2024-03-141h 17People vs AlgorithmsChange at CNN and GoogleThis week, we discuss how to turn the ship at two very different companies facing different challenges: CNN and Google. At CNN, former New York Times CEO Mark Thompson is looking to reinvent the still very profitable broadcaster into a more nimble, digitally focused operation as its viewership and cultural importance fade. Google is facing its biggest threat yet in the form of AI and signs with Gemini AI image search that there might just be something to those complaints about a “woke culture.” Plus: nostalgia for websites, invisible paywalls and Substack’s next chapter.Troy Young's People vs Alg...2024-03-071h 22People vs AlgorithmsSurvivorsThis week, we're joined by Puck fashion correspondent Lauren Sherman, who gives her view on how to build a career in journalism during what's billed as an "extinction event." Hint: persistence plays a big part. Plus: Troy gets nostalgic about Vice. Troy Young's People vs Algorithms newsletterBrian Morrissey's The Rebooting newsletterAlex Schleifer's Universal EntitiesFollow Alex, Brian and Troy on TwitterTopics: 00:00 Introduction and Personal Anecdotes01:06 Welcome to People vs. Algorithms01:36 Guest Introduction: Lauren Sherman01:49 Discussion on Media Industry Changes03:41 Reflections on Podcasting16:30 Guest Arrival: Lauren Sherman18:01 Discussion on Fashion Industry30:48 Surviving in the Journalism Industry33:35 The Dr...2024-02-291h 05People vs AlgorithmsDDM's Neil Vogel on Navigating ChangeDotdash Meredith CEO Neil Vogel joins the show to discuss how a publisher reliant on search traffic is back in growth mode, the future of the affiliate business, the impact of generative AI on traffic-dependent publishing businesses, why performance comes before premium in advertising strategies and that time Prince played the Webby Awards.Troy Young's People vs Algorithms newsletterBrian Morrissey's The Rebooting newsletterAlex Schleifer's Universal EntitiesFollow Alex, Brian and Troy on TwitterTopics:00:00 Introduction and Subscription Banter01:24 Introduction to the Show and Hosts01:38 Discussion on Media Industry and Technology02:10 Introduction to Dotdash Meredith and its CEO02...2024-02-221h 13People vs AlgorithmsThe New InternetThe arrival of AI means the paradigm of searching for information and entertainment will give way to instant delivery. This week, we discuss the implications for the media ecosystem.Troy Young's People vs Algorithms newsletterBrian Morrissey's The Rebooting newsletterAlex Schleifer's Universal EntitiesFollow Alex, Brian and Troy on TwitterSkip to topic:00:00 Introduction and Casual Conversation00:08 The Power of Virtual Reality in Work00:26 The Exhaustion of Video Calls01:12 Introduction to the Show01:57 Discussion on the Evolution of the Internet02:50 The Rise of Tech Empires03:07 Surviving in the Age of Tech Empires03:57 Super Bowl Discussion06:38 The Impact of th...2024-02-151h 01People vs AlgorithmsBlending Realities with Rafat AliIn this episode Alex, Brian, and Troy, with guest Rafat Ali, discuss the future of technology, focusing on the Apple Vision Pro's impact on work, personal life, and media consumption. They explore its potential to revolutionize how we interact with digital content and the broader implications for traditional media and AI in content creation.Troy Young's People vs Algorithms newsletterBrian Morrissey's The Rebooting newsletterAlex Schleifer's Universal EntitiesFollow Alex, Brian and Troy on TwitterSkip to topics:00:00 Introduction to the Virtual World00:16 Exploring the Avatar's Appearance00:33 Discussing the Potential of Virtual Reality00:54 Debating the Implications of Body...2024-02-081h 11People vs AlgorithmsGame OverWith an era of digital media ending in chaos, we look ahead to the challenges media companies face in fixing a product that in most instances is far behind the times.Troy Young's People vs Algorithms newsletterBrian Morrissey's The Rebooting newsletterAlex Schleifer's Universal EntitiesFollow Alex, Brian and Troy on Twitter2024-02-0159 minPeople vs AlgorithmsThe Gravity of PlatformsLayoffs at The Los Angeles Times, the end of the road for Pitchfork, and an uncertain future for Sports Illustrated illustrate how digital media is architected to collapse the middle of the media business, leaving a precious few scaled players and many scrappy outfits.Troy Young's People vs Algorithms newsletterBrian Morrissey's The Rebooting newsletterAlex Schleifer's Universal EntitiesFollow Alex, Brian and Troy on Twitter2024-01-2554 minPeople vs AlgorithmsCES, Ackman’s War, News App FailsThis week we talk CES, the ongoing silliness of the Bill Ackman-Business Insider feud, and why news aggregation apps are the obvious solution in search of a (monetizable) problem.Troy Young's People vs Algorithms newsletterBrian Morrissey's The Rebooting newsletterAlex Schleifer's Universal EntitiesFollow Alex, Brian and Troy on Twitter2024-01-181h 06People vs AlgorithmsHit Pieces, Fairness, Drugs & VRThis week, we dig into the latest front into the so-called hit piece. Last week, Business Insider published a pair of stories that dug into the academic record of Neri Oxman, a former MIT professor. Oxman happens to be the wife of Bill Ackman, a powerful activist investor who has been on a campaign against the leaders of top universities, including Harvard's Claudine Gay, who resigned a week ago after plagiarism accusations. The Wall Street Journal meanwhile continued its scrutiny of Elon Musk with a piece that looked into his drug use and whether it has negatively impacted his s...2024-01-1157 minPeople vs AlgorithmsNew Year, New OptimismThe New Year is maybe the perfect holiday. It’s celebrated by just about every culture and creed. And in a time of great division, we sorta come together around the idea of a new year meaning a new start. And we probably need that. This week, we look at reasons for hope, what lies ahead for AI, the coming legal and regulatory battles with Big Tech, and why it's probably safer to be an electrician.Troy Young's People vs Algorithms newsletterBrian Morrissey's The Rebooting newsletterAlex Schleifer's Universal EntitiesFollow Alex, Brian and Troy on Twitter2024-01-041h 12People vs AlgorithmsThe New SERP, the New SyndicationTroy and Brian go over some of the lessons of 2023 and look ahead to 2024, starting with the end of the long era of dominance of the search engine results page and the dawn of a new SERP and promise of a new syndication paradigm that's reminiscent of the portal era.Troy Young's People vs Algorithms newsletterBrian Morrissey's The Rebooting newsletterAlex Schleifer's Universal EntitiesFollow Alex, Brian and Troy on Twitter2023-12-2158 minPeople vs AlgorithmsMinisode: Troy and Alex discuss AITroy and Alex kept the conversation going after the recording of last episode. After sharing a "transcendental" experience with Chat GPT, Alex explained why he doesn't want a Cybertruck and Troy is compelled to play GTA 6.Troy Young's People vs Algorithms newsletterBrian Morrissey's The Rebooting newsletterAlex Schleifer's Universal EntitiesFollow Alex, Brian and Troy on Twitter2023-12-1514 minPeople vs Algorithms2024 StorylinesIn news, we discuss Google's antitrust loss, the miracle of Cheddar selling for $200 million, 5-Hour Energy Guy cleaning house at SI and zombie cable TV. Next, it's onto 2024 storylines, including AI's coming specialization, and platforms and publishers breaking up.Troy Young's People vs Algorithms newsletterBrian Morrissey's The Rebooting newsletterAlex Schleifer's Universal EntitiesFollow Alex, Brian and Troy on Twitter2023-12-1450 minPeople vs AlgorithmsConspirituality, Celebrity, E-Acc vs Decels, GTAWe live in an age of cults, narratives and fleeting fame. Centralization is giving way to a fragmented culture and media landscape that is open, chaotic and not for the faint of heart. This week, we explore the fault lines of the Information Space.Troy Young's People vs Algorithms newsletterBrian Morrissey's The Rebooting newsletterAlex Schleifer's Universal EntitiesFollow Alex, Brian and Troy on Twitter2023-12-071h 12People vs AlgorithmsWhat’s Next for the Open Web?The website might be dying. How will this affect media and advertising? We cover this and other hot topics in today’s episode.Troy Young's People vs Algorithms newsletterBrian Morrissey's The Rebooting newsletterAlex Schleifer's Universal EntitiesFollow Alex, Brian and Troy on Twitter2023-11-3053 minPeople vs AlgorithmsOpenAI and the Culture of Silicon ValleyThe OpenAI drama exposed fault lines in the very unique culture of Silicon Valley, highlighting the imperfect methods used to serve as a check on the growing power of the tech industry. Troy Young's People vs Algorithms newsletterBrian Morrissey's The Rebooting newsletterAlex Schleifer's Universal EntitiesFollow Alex, Brian and Troy on Twitter2023-11-2344 minPeople vs AlgorithmsThe New InterfaceAI agents will accelerate the interface shift and change the economics of software, media and beyond. Troy Young's People vs Algorithms newsletterBrian Morrissey's The Rebooting newsletterAlex Schleifer's Universal EntitiesFollow Alex, Brian and Troy on Twitter2023-11-1655 minPeople vs AlgorithmsWill Brands Still Matter?The power of brands has eroded, particularly media brands. The path forward for legacy media brands is uncertain but almost assuredly both less glamorous and less lucrative -- and that's with the understanding that media companies usually had bigger brands than they had businesses. The arrival of AI is likely to accelerate that decline.Troy Young's People vs Algorithms newsletterBrian Morrissey's The Rebooting newsletterAlex Schleifer's Universal EntitiesFollow Alex, Brian and Troy on Twitter2023-11-091h 09People vs AlgorithmsGen Z Is Built Different9-5 Girl on TikTok sparked a debate over the outdated ideas of the 9-5 work day, which was stared by Henry Ford for the Industrial Era. Time and again, new generations have reacted against conventions and ended up pushing for change. We consider how this will accelerate change in work, politics and more.Troy Young's People vs Algorithms newsletterBrian Morrissey's The Rebooting newsletterAlex Schleifer's Universal EntitiesFollow Alex, Brian and Troy on Twitter2023-11-0251 min