Just Stop

Cover art for the "Just Stop" CD single. Image via. Reprise Records. "No man should judge unless he asks himself in absolute honesty whether in a similar situation he might not have done the same. What is to give light must endure burning." -Viktor Frankl "Just Stop" was the third single released from Disturbed's Ten … Continue reading Just Stop →

The Image

The Image: A Guide to Pseudo-Events in America by Daniel J. Boorstin Vintage (1 September 1992) Amazon One of the best books I've read on media, ever. The Image examines how modern life became dominated by manufactured realities. Events, people, and experiences are created to be reported, promoted, and consumed. Author Daniel Boorstin argues that … Continue reading The Image →

On Charli XCX and “The Death of Cool”

Charli XCX. Image from Gilbert Flores/Variety via Getty Images. I don't listen to Charli XCX, and I think the majority of Substacks are worthless boomerslop. Both of these factors should make it fairly obvious that I am not an ally to the British singer and songwriter. However, I do respect artists who dare to explore … Continue reading On Charli XCX and “The Death of Cool” →

Technopoly

Technopoly: The Surrender of Culture to Technology by Neil Postman Knopf (1 June 1993) Amazon First published in 1992, Technopoly is an essential text on media, describing a society in which technology is deified. That is, "the culture seeks its authorisation in technology, finds its satisfactions in technology, and takes its orders from technology." Prior … Continue reading Technopoly →

The Filter Bubble

The Filter Bubble: What the Internet Is Hiding from You by Eli Pariser Penguin (16 April 2012) Amazon The Filter Bubble explores how personalisation algorithms shape what information we see online. All the major tech companies do this -- Google, Facebook, Amazon. Author Eli Pariser argues that while personalisation can make user experiences more convenient, … Continue reading The Filter Bubble →

Public Opinion

Public Opinion by Walter Lippmann Wilder Publications (4 September 2022) Amazon First published in 1922, Public Opinion is a foundational work in media studies, politics, and sociology. Walter Lippmann examines how public opinion is formed and manipulated in democratic societies, with a particular focus on mass media and modern institutions. It has been praised as … Continue reading Public Opinion →

You Are Not a Gadget

You Are Not a Gadget: A Manifesto by Jaron Lanier Vintage (8 February 2011) Amazon First published in 2010, You Are Not a Gadget is not only one of the best books on media in existence, but also one of my favourite books in general. Like, if I ever had a top one-hundred, this would … Continue reading You Are Not a Gadget →

Guarded

"It's time you realised that you have something in you more powerful and miraculous than the things that affect you and make you dance like a puppet." -Marcus Aurelius "Guarded" was a promotional single from Disturbed's third album, Ten Thousand Fists. More of a teaser than a proper single, it was released on 28 June … Continue reading Guarded →