I'm not sure I want this to become a place for my opinions; there are already so many people sharing theirs, and I don’t want to become the "Nobody" meme. Frankly, I’ve long since realized my opinions to be no better or more unique compared to the many pros out there—and they’re often wrong too—so I don’t pretend to understand the world, as hard as I may try. And I do try. That’s why I read so damn much, and my thinking behind this newsletter is that maybe curation is one creative service I can offer.
Anyway, I had planned to send this out before Election Day with minimal commentary, letting my little themed playlist speak for itself as usual and, in a somewhat cowardly fashion, giving myself a full month to process potentially upsetting results. Unfortunately, I came down with double pneumonia and couldn’t manage even the simplest tasks, like pressing send.
Now that the election is over and I’m making my way through this truly nasty illness, there’s an odd comfort in slipping back into the familiar nothing matters mindset of 2016-2020.
*Record scratch.*
No, that’s not right.
Here’s my simple message to you: These can be some of the most productive and impactful years of your life. I did my life’s most important work to date during 2016-2020, in the heart-of-darkness north-central Florida swamp, building something to provide perpetual support for our first freedom—the press.
I know it may take some time to dust ourselves off, and everyone is different. But once we do, we must resume the fight, and through it, support our communities. Many are in deep trouble. They can’t survive on slop and politics alone.
So go forth. Resolve to do good. If you need a partner, you know I’m always here.
Lenfest Institute initiatives
Publications
A new guide to measuring impact: News organizations want to make an impact, but it’s not always straightforward to identify all the downstream effects of an outlet’s journalism. This guide by researcher Danny Hayes documents one approach to measuring the type of community impact that is harder to see.
Beyond Print toolkit: A highly comprehensive step-by-step guide for newspaper operators to reimagine the role of print and build sustainable long-term success.
Grants
$10 million AI collaborative: The Lenfest Institute announced a major new collaboration with OpenAI and Microsoft Corp. to help newsrooms explore and implement ways in which artificial intelligence can help drive business sustainability and innovation in local journalism.
Engaged Cities catalyst grant: (no deadline, but must be a member The Lenfest Institute’s Engaged Cities Community of Practice)
Interesting quotes
AI
Worth looking into: “Researchers at New York University’s Center on Technology Policy found that people rated candidates “less trustworthy and less appealing” when their ads featured AI disclaimers.” Cristiano Lima-Strong
We’ll be hearing a lot about slop: “If we can't separate AI-made content from human-created material, governments and businesses will find themselves increasingly vulnerable … Bad actors succeed when the public believes it's impossible to know what's true and what isn't.” Megan Morrone
Journalism and media
How do we get people to want what we’re selling? “I feel like nobody in mainstream media is trying to create a product that will pierce through to the people who don’t believe mainstream media.” Neel Dhanesha
Resource for creators: A “unique open-access e-book … offers best practices for journalists and content creators who want to ethically and successfully share the news in an age of digital media.” Knight Center for Journalism in the Americas
Never pass on an Erin Lee Carr feature: “As Carr and Tegan try to figure out who the perpetrator is, they also discuss the origins of fan and ‘stan’ culture, and the ways that communities built around common interests can turn vicious and manipulative.” (Alissa Wilkinson)
Kevin Malone recorded a Cameo shilling for Russia: “US actor Brian Baumgartner, who played Kevin in the US remake of The Office, recorded a message in broken Russian on Cameo earlier this year calling for the removal of pro-Western Moldovan President Maia Sandu: ‘We, Hollywood stars, support the people of Moldova in their desire to overthrow you, Sandu.’” Tom Chivers (Update: the campaign was not successful)
Life
Navajo code talker and WWII hero John Kinsel Sr. died at 107: “‘He prayed for me and performed a night ceremony,’ he said, speaking in Navajo to The Republic. ‘Then I returned to being a Navajo, we were given back to the Navajo.’” Alexandra E. Petri
At least there are bagels: “Absolute Bagels … was opened by the Thai immigrant Sam Thongkrieng, who learned the craft at New York establishments like Ess-A-Bagel. His hand-rolled bagels are near perfect for devotees of a chewy crust, and worth both waiting in the omnipresent line a nd taking out cash for.” Becky Hughes
Tech & product
A first use of Meta glasses was always going to be for men to doxx strangers: “‘Just put the glasses on, and then as you walk by people, the glasses will detect when somebody’s face is in frame,’ the video says. ‘After a few seconds, their personal information pops up on your phone.’” Joseph Cox
Matt Mullenweg’s public meltdown: “‘He clearly has no clue what people care about or how the community has contributed to the success of WordPress. It very clearly shows how out of touch he is with everyday reality.’” Samantha Cole
Work
Leadership = connecting: “Good leaders will help you find the correct person to land a specific idea with.” ProcucTea with Leah
Connecting = caring: “I think of people I know in my own life, the ones I speed text when I need a doctor for my kid. I feel so grateful, like they’re these life buoys that help keep me afloat. I wonder: Can the rest of us do that?” Rachel Feintzeig
Bots hiring bots: “We now live in a world where people are using AI-generated resumes and cover letters to automatically apply for jobs, many of which will be reviewed by automated AI software (and where people are sometimes interviewed by AI), creating a bizarre loop where humans have essentially been removed from the job application and hiring process.” Jason Koebler
Last month’s shuffle
Each month for over a year I’ve put together a Spotify playlist of the songs that caught my ear. Some are familiar to me, some aren’t. Some are new, some are old. The playlist tends to span eras, genres, and sounds. It’s probably not for everyone but here it is!