Technology and the Super Bowl Haunted the Latest "Real Time"
Briefly

In a recent episode of Real Time With Bill Maher, MSNBC's Chris Hayes discussed his book highlighting the concept of attention as a scarce resource. He drew parallels between tech dynamics and real-world events, arguing that platforms are engineered to capture attention like ‘sugar and salt’ attract cravings. The discussion revealed tensions between short and long content formats, showcasing concerns over the post-literate state of political discourse. Despite this, both Hayes and Maher acknowledged the persistent relevance of books amid evolving media consumption habits.
In my view, the way online platforms are designed reflects a primal appeal, akin to how sugar and salt captivate our cravings.
The slot machine model of social media captivates users, often reducing content to its lowest common denominator to maximize engagement.
Despite the growth of short-form media, there remains a significant demand for books, which can coexist alongside podcasts and longer formats.
The current state of political debate could be described as post-literate, raising concerns about our engagement with deeper, more complex ideas.
Read at InsideHook
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