Welcome to People vs Algorithms #54.
I look for patterns in media, business and culture. My POV is informed by 30 years of leadership in media and advertising businesses, most recently as global President of Hearst Magazines, one of the largest publishers in the world.
If you are anywhere near where I am (NYC), it is colder than a polar bear’s toenails out there so bundle up…
A brief note this frigid Xmas eve to wish all a safe and happy Holiday. Thank you for spending a little time with this newsletter over the past year. It’s been a gratifying project... I appreciate your time and attention very much.
This week on the podcast: 2023 Expectation Reset
I am taking some time off, but we managed to publish a podcast. Brian, Alex, and I continue to look ahead to 2023. This week we talk about reset expectations in media, advertising, and tech businesses. It's another good episode. I hope you find time to tune in.
AI emerged late in ‘22 as the tech story of the year. The biggest reset of ‘23 and beyond will be the way AI forces us to reconsider what it means to be uniquely human as more of our existence becomes augmented by frighteningly human-like machines. The topic will dominate the dialog next year as AI-powered applications creep into every aspect of our lives, with immediate and profound consequences in education and media. The second-order consequences of this technology will make social media’s ripple effects seem trivial by comparison.
"Westworld Is Here and the Bodies Are Piling Up" by David Friedman is a fun read to prepare yourselves.
I remain optimistic.
Have a great weekend.../ Troy
RIP Terry Hall. I loved the Specials. A brief compilation from the Guardian.