Today’s guest is Jacob Silverman, who is an independent journalist and co-author of the New York Times bestseller Easy Money: Cryptocurrency, Casino Capitalism, and the Golden Age of Fraud. He writes often about the politics of technology, the media, and is a contributing editor for The Baffler and The New Republic. Jacob and I compare notes on how we saw the 2024 election unfold (including predictions and assumptions we—and most journalists—made), and some of the myriad things that are different with Trump 2.0. One particular topic we go deep on is the unsettling, recent development of MAGA-supporting tech oligarchs, and how that money and influence has virtually reshaped our culture. We also take a crack at a personal obsession, which is why—and how—the Democrats have historically been so inept at crafting compelling or effective messaging. We also cover the ways technology is impacting everything from politics and academia to the arts. Jacob also has long been an astute observer of social media (in general) and the ways it at once connects and disrupts a global audience. Check out why I’ve been a big fan of Jacob, and see why you should begin following him, and look forward to his next book, coming later in 2025!

You can learn more about Jacob at https://www.jacobsilverman.com

Award-winning author Sean Murphy in conversation with creative thinkers, spanning the literary, music, art, politics, and tech industries. As a cultural critic, professor, founder of a literary non-profit, Sean is always looking to explore and celebrate the ways Story is integral to how we define ourselves, as artists and human beings. This Substack newsletter and weekly podcast peels back the layers of how creativity works, why it matters, how our most brilliant minds achieve mastery. Join us to explore how our most successful and inspired storytellers engage by discussing craft, routines, brand, and mostly through authentic and honest expression.

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