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42The Fun Factory
This article provides an inside look at the culture and creative process at Pixar Animation Studios. It explores the company's unique approach to filmmaking and its commitment to creating innovative and emotionally resonant stories.
Can A.I. Be Pro-Worker?
John Cassidy explores how the development of A.I. could potentially benefit workers instead of leading to job displacement. He examines various routes for A.I. to augment human capabilities and improve working conditions.
Buckle Up for Bumpier Skies
Climate change is increasing turbulence in the skies, raising concerns about aircraft safety, according to Burkhard Bilger in The New Yorker. The article explores whether current aircraft designs can adequately handle the growing intensity of air turbulence.
How High-Powered Lasers Became Part of Donald Trump’s Border-Security Complex
Garrett M. Graff reports on the Trump Administration's increased militarization of Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and the related surge in profitable contracts for security, construction, and technology firms. These contracts involved high-powered lasers becoming a part of the border security complex.
Life Inside a Singular Artists' Enclave in Brooklyn
This New Yorker video explores "The Candy Factory," a unique Brooklyn artists' enclave. The video showcases the creative lives of artists living and working within this vibrant and collaborative community.
The Unlikely Success of a Strange Alabama Bookstore
Casey Cep profiles the Alabama Booksmith, an independent bookstore that exclusively sells hardcover, first printings, signed copies, primarily at regular retail prices. The store has found unlikely success through this unusual business model, attracting a dedicated clientele who value the experience and collectibility of books.
The Russians Turning to Google Maps in Search of Missing Soldiers
The New Yorker reports that families of missing Russian soldiers are using Google Maps to search for their loved ones, often without official information from the Russian government. Around a million Russian soldiers have been killed or wounded since the full-scale invasion of Ukraine began, four years ago.
“TBPN” and the Rise of the Tech-Friendly Talk Show
Diego Lasarte writes about "TBPN," a tech-world web show created by Jordi Hays and John Coogan. The show focuses on topics such as A.I., startups, and the stock market.
Konrad Kay and Mickey Down, the Finance Bros Behind HBO’s “Industry”
The New Yorker profiles Konrad Kay and Mickey Down, the creators of the HBO series "Industry." The article details how the Oxford graduates' experiences as failed bankers informed the show's narrative and characters, featuring actors like Marisa Abela and Kit Harington.
Gay Figure Skaters Pave Their Own Way in “Icebreakers”
Emily Nussbaum reviews "Icebreakers," a short documentary by Marlo Poras and Jocelyn Glatzer. The film explores the legacy of the Gay Games and the experiences of queer ice dancers, highlighting issues of representation and acceptance in figure skating.
Trump Is Still Deporting People Wherever He Wants
Ahilan Arulanantham, a U.C.L.A. law professor, discusses with Isaac Chotiner the Trump Administration's use of a third-country loophole to deport immigrants in the U.S., questioning the legality of these deportations.
The Trial of Gisèle Pelicot’s Rapists United France and Fractured Her Family
Rachel Aviv profiles Gisèle Pelicot, a French feminist hero. The piece covers the trial of Pelicot's husband, Dominique, for rape, its impact on her family (children David, Caroline, and Florian), and her new book, “A Hymn to Life.”
Unsung - Waxy.org
This blog post from Waxy.org provides a collection of various news, cultural observations, and internet ephemera from the past week. It covers a wide range of topics, including AI, sports, media, business, and various cultural trends.
Why Some People Thrive on Four Hours of Sleep
Shayla Love explores the science behind "short sleepers," people who require significantly less sleep than the average person. The article delves into genetic variations and the potential mechanisms that enable these individuals to function optimally on just four hours of sleep.
Peter Strausfeld, the Movie-Poster Master
Anthony Lane's article in The New Yorker profiles Peter Strausfeld, a master of movie poster design, and discusses the art form itself. It also provides information on where to purchase these posters in New York.
Postscript: Peter Matthiessen (1927-2014)
This is a postscript on the life of author Peter Matthiessen (1927-2014), noting he had many friends across different areas of his life, including fishing, writing, and birding.
Is Good Taste a Trap?
Joshua Rothman explores the concept of "good taste" as potentially restrictive, referencing Susan Sontag and the influence of AI on taste. The essay delves into how judgments meant to elevate can inadvertently confine our lives.
Who Gets to Play in Women’s Leagues?
S. C. Cornell's New Yorker essay explores her personal experience with testosterone testing and its implications for athleticism and sex, contributing to the broader discussion surrounding intersex and trans athletes in women's sports.
A.I. Pop Culture Is Already Here
Kyle Chayka's article in *The New Yorker* explores the increasing use of AI-assisted tools like Midjourney, ElevenLabs, and D-ID in creating pop culture content. These technologies empower individuals to generate unique and engaging cultural artifacts, impacting creative expression and consumption.
The Age of Algorithmic Anxiety
Kyle Chayka's *New Yorker* article examines "algorithmic anxiety," the unease caused by recommendation systems on social-media platforms such as Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok that attempt to anticipate and shape user desires. This anxiety stems from the feeling of being subtly manipulated and the loss of control over one's own preferences.
TikTok and the Vibes Revival
Kyle Chayka's *New Yorker* article examines the internet's 'vibes revival,' particularly on TikTok, exploring how these moments of audiovisual eloquence function within social media. The piece analyzes the aesthetic and cultural significance of these online trends, considering their impact on contemporary digital expression.
The Terrible Twenties? The Assholocene? What to Call Our Chaotic Era
Kyle Chayka's *New Yorker* article discusses the difficulty in defining the current historical era, noting the somewhat paradoxical attempts to label our time with terms like "The Terrible Twenties" or "The Assholocene." The piece grapples with the uncertainties and contradictions of modern society as reflected in these naming efforts.
Why the Internet Isn’t Fun Anymore
Kyle Chayka's article in *The New Yorker* analyzes the shift in social media from a place for interaction to a space dominated by consumption and the resulting lack of online fun. It discusses how algorithms, engagement metrics, and monetization have changed the fundamental nature of the internet experience, contributing to a sense of monotony and inauthenticity.
Rethinking the Luddites in the Age of A.I.
Kyle Chayka's *New Yorker* piece discusses Brian Merchant's book, *Blood in the Machine*, which re-examines the Luddites. The article posits Luddism as an advocacy movement for workers' rights in the face of increasing automation, a theme relevant in the age of AI.
The Era-Defining Aesthetic of “In the Mood for Love”
Kyle Chayka's *The New Yorker* article examines the lasting aesthetic influence of Wong Kar Wai's 2000 film *In the Mood for Love* on contemporary culture. It identifies traces of the film's style in movies like *Everything Everywhere All at Once* and on social media platforms such as Instagram and TikTok.
The Stupefying Success of “The Super Mario Bros. Movie”
Kyle Chayka analyzes the unexpected box office triumph of “The Super Mario Bros. Movie," noting its distinction as one of the most successful video-game adaptations in Hollywood history. The film, adapted from the Nintendo franchise, stars Chris Pratt, Jack Black, and Anya Taylor-Joy.
Is A.I. Art Stealing from Artists?
Kyle Chayka's *New Yorker* article analyzes a class-action lawsuit filed by visual artists against A.I. image generators like Midjourney, Stable Diffusion, and DreamUp, alleging copyright infringement. The lawsuit raises questions about the ethical and legal implications of AI's use of artists' work to train its algorithms.
Infinite Scroll
Kyle Chayka's column, Infinite Scroll, at *The New Yorker* covers how people and platforms shape digital culture. The column provides analysis and commentary on various aspects of online life.
Ep. 595 Kyle Chayka
Kyle Chayka, a staff writer at The New Yorker, appears on the How Long Gone podcast to discuss his new book, "Filterworld: How Algorithms Flattened Culture." The conversation covers topics ranging from plain omelets to Chayka's podcast consumption.
How the Algorithm Warps Our Culture with Kyle Chayka - Factually!
Kyle Chayka, writer for The New Yorker, discusses how algorithms on social media platforms like TikTok and Instagram shape our culture. The conversation explores the impact of algorithmic curation on identity, trends, and artistic expression.
A Dutch Architect’s Vision of Cities That Float on Water
The New Yorker features Dutch architect Koen Olthuis, founder of Waterstudio, and his vision for floating cities as a response to rising sea levels. Olthuis believes that building on water can be safer and more sustainable than building on flood-prone land.
Author Kyle Chayka’s Grub Street Diet
This article details the week-long food diary of author Kyle Chayka, a writer for *The New Yorker*. It covers his dining experiences while traveling in Madrid and visiting friends in New York City, focusing on coffee consumption and his perception of normalcy.
The Second Trump Administration’s New Forms of Distraction
Kyle Chayka's article in *The New Yorker* examines the disengagement of Donald Trump's political opposition from online discourse as the former president's allies seek to dismantle the federal government. The article suggests this disengagement is a form of distraction.
The End of Seriousness
Lauren Michele Jackson's *New Yorker* article explores the phenomenon of laughter in an era perceived as unfunny, arguing that much contemporary humor fails to provide genuine relief. The essay implicitly critiques the pervasiveness of irony and detachment in modern culture, suggesting a disconnect between the intent of humor and its actual impact.
A.I. Is Homogenizing Our Thoughts
Kyle Chayka's article in *The New Yorker* examines studies from M.I.T., Cornell, and Santa Clara University, which suggest that AI tools like ChatGPT and Meta AI may reduce brain activity and homogenize human thought processes. The piece explores the potential societal implications of widespread AI adoption on individual creativity and cognitive function.
How to Survive Your Song Going Viral on TikTok
Kyle Chayka's *New Yorker* article explores the experience of the band Cafuné after their song “Tek It,” initially recorded in 2019, went viral on TikTok. The piece examines the band's life following their unexpected success on social media and how their lives changed.
@chaykak.bsky.social on Bluesky
The Bluesky profile belongs to Kyle Chayka, a staff writer at The New Yorker who writes a weekly column on tech and culture. He is the author of "Filterworld" (2024) and "The Longing for Less" (2020) and also shares his email for newsletter-related inquiries.
Kyle Chayka Latest Articles
This is a profile page for Kyle Chayka, a staff writer at The New Yorker covering technology and Internet culture. His work includes pieces on the Internet's changing landscape, the ethics of A.I. art, and TikTok's influence on culture.
David Remnick sounds off on the 2024 election, MAGA Media, Jeff Bezos, and more
This article summarizes an interview with David Remnick, editor of The New Yorker, where he discusses the 2024 election, MAGA media, and Jeff Bezos. Remnick also addresses Tucker Carlson and offers encouragement to the press.
Jonathan Haidt Wants You to Take Away Your Kid’s Phone
In an interview with David Remnick, Jonathan Haidt, author of "The Anxious Generation," discusses the negative effects of social media on children's mental health. He proposes strategies to reverse the trend, including delaying phone access and promoting more real-world interaction.
Tom Stoppard, Withdrawing with Style from the Chaos
Kenneth Tynan's New Yorker profile delves into the life and work of playwright Tom Stoppard, the mind behind acclaimed plays such as “Jumpers,” “Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead,” and “Dirty Linen.” The piece explores Stoppard's intellectual style and creative process.
“Impossible to approach the reporting the way I normally would”: How Rachel Aviv wrote that New Yorker story on Lucy Letby
Rachel Aviv discusses her approach to writing a New Yorker story on Lucy Letby, a nurse convicted of murdering babies. She describes pushing against the dominant narrative of Letby as inherently evil, opting instead to examine the evidence with fresh eyes.