My Gripe with LeBron James
Am I the only person who feels this way?
Culture
The Honest Broker.
Ted Gioia on music, literature, and the business of culture.
Recent essays
30 of 49Predictions on the Future of Netflix (and Other Huge Platforms)
I dig more deeply into the collapse of audience capture
What Do You Have to Hide?
A conversation with Lowry Pressly on why we need privacy as part of the good life
The Collapse at Netflix Signals the End of Audience Capture
The most popular strategy in the tech world has stopped working. That's good news for all of us.
Talking About My Generation
What do I think about Boomers? Do you really want to know?
The 10 Greatest Failures of Orson Welles
Sometimes misses are as important as hits
12 YouTube Videos I'm Enjoying Right Now
Today I cover everything from fashion tips to career advice—and also lots of good music
What You Won't Learn About the Odyssey from a Movie
Christopher Nolan's film version makes its debut in London today
What Is My American Identity, Really?
And who gets to decide it?
Healing Sounds Are the Medical Miracle of the 21st Century
It sounds like sci-fi, but it's all coming true.
I Get Such Amazing Emails from Readers
Here are some of them.
The Tech Backlash Gets Nastier—and Funnier
An update on fake tech ads, data poisoning, airplane protests, and Homer Simpson as a tool in the war against slop
Spotify Stock Has Collapsed 40%—What's Going On?
It's even worse at Netflix. Have streaming platforms peaked?
Authenticity in Music
In a world of AI slop, where do we find something real?
The Great Books Are for Everyone
How Zena Hitz brings the humanities to thousands of people via the Catherine Project
A Reading List for the End of Civilization
I’m releasing this essay from behind the paywall.
I Get Duped into Buying an AI Slop Book
And updates on cancel culture, counterclockwise dances, millionaires who pay to conduct orchestras, etc.
Objective Standards Really Do Exist in Music
And the New York Times is caught in the middle of the argument
The 50 Essential Western Films
I pick the definitive movies in the genre. Here's the first (of three) installments.
Help Me Create the Ultimate Playlist of Songs about American Life
Today is Open Mic Day at The Honest Broker
Can You Run the Music Industry without Musicians?
We will now find out
Ten New Albums I'm Recommending Right Now
Warning: strange soul-stirring sounds ahead!
How to Destroy a Literary Reputation in One Move
Media companies invent a new kind of stupid
Is Spotify Vulnerable?
Rival streamer Qobuz grew more than 200% in one year—while Spotify struggles to attract new users
An Uncanny Moment for Jazz Lovers
Sonny Rollins dies the day before the Miles Davis centenary
What I'm Hearing from Readers
It’s painful to admit, but the comments emails from readers are sometimes better than my articles. Here are some recent responses.
Anti-AI Laws Now Get Unanimous Support from Left & Right
In just three years, Silicon Valley has destroyed its entire support network. It's still in denial—but that won't last.
65 of My Favorite Quotations
Ranging widely from Seneca to Ringo Starr
I'm Recommending 12 New YouTube Videos
Let's support indie voices instead of Netflix
My Warning About AI Music from 1988
Did I get it wrong or right? You tell me.