Dialectic with Jackson Dahl

Ep. 11 of /dialectic w/ @eugene Wei is out now.

Eugene is one of the most insightful thinkers on social media, its mechanics, and how it shapes us and culture.

He once suggested we need an update on Neil Postman’s 1985 lament of television culture, "Amusing Ourselves to Death," proposing instead: "Amusing Each Other to Death". We discuss how algorithmic, entertainment-driven social platforms are shaping society.

Topics include social networks vs. social media, TikTok, Twitter/X, technology reducing friction but weakening community, attention as currency, rising nihilism, speculative culture, NFL and Netflix catering to distracted audiences, how TV shows reflect a decline in meaning, and what it means to hold onto our humanity.

Some of this may sound pessimistic, but Eugene asks questions we all need to consider—together. By remembering genuine connection as one of our most sacred resources, perhaps we can still build a brighter future, using technology to amplify our humanity rather than diminish it.

In case you missed it: a long and winding conversation about culture, social media, and connection with the inimitable @eugene!

Talk: /dialectic Write: jdahl.substack.com
Before: Investor /paradigm, Founding team /100thieves
jacksondahl.com
/jackson

I like building crypto apps and learning new things. 

vmathur.com

Thank you for listening! I really enjoyed those parts as well

great episode! Some highlights for me:
- The whole conversation around nba vs nfl in terms of their actual product being drama vs sports betting, and why the nfl is doing a better job
- the discussion of popular tv shows over the last 50 years as a reflection of the changing realities of family/society