16th Feb 2020

Why are we polarised? Don’t blame social media, says Ezra Klein. The Vox editor explains why there’s no chapter devoted to Facebook or Twitter in his new book about how the US is more divided than ever.

One chart from Adam&EveDDB. How Advertising Works.

This longish read from Prof Galloway is a compelling piece on the rise and rise of Amazon. ‘Amazon isn’t an ecommerce company or a cloud company, but a disruption platform that through great execution and unparalleled access to cheap capital, uses the flywheel effect to spin into completely different industries. Welcome to Bezosland. LAnd of the Undead.

Radio’s unparalleled reach. Weekly media reach in the US ; Q1 2019 (% of 18+ population).

From NESTA. Six stories of workplace automation. NESTA employees share their insights on how technology is changing jobs.

‘The curious tale of a man called Christian, the Catholic church, David Schwimmer’s wife, a secret hotel and an Airbnb scam running riot on the streets of London.’ The Airbnb scam that’s taking over London (and many other cities…)

Love this piece from The Economist. ‘Scarry’s Law, formulated over a decade ago by this newspaper and named after Richard Scarry, a children’s illustrator, states that politicians mess at their peril with groups that feature in children’s books—farmers, fishermen, train drivers and suchlike…’ (reg may be necessary)

PlayStation Gets to the Heart of Gaming in this gripping film from Romain Gavras. 

Bosses tell social media celebrities: ‘TikTok on your own time’. Some employers are not amused by viral videos shot in supermarkets, hospitals or police cars.

The “singular conducting style” of Dutch baroque specialist Pieter Jan Leusink. Here is a short video compilation. Pure joy.