Journalism
The Observer, The Salt Path and the secret roots of attention
There are untold thousands of memoirs based on lies. So why did this one catch such widespread attention?
attention
Why we need new gatekeepers to counter AI slop
In less than two years, AI content is polluting search results and social networks. We need a new wave of curators to counter this.
By-catch from the attention trawlers
While the MailOnline puts out vast nets of attention, the Telegraph is making audio agile. And what can we learn from dead podcasts?
newsletters
Grabbing a newsletter reader’s attention
How do you get them to stop triaging and start reading?
substack
Why Substack's evolution is beginning to worry me
Is the newsletter platform a boon for independent journalism — or the beginnings of another attention gatekeeper that we'll all regret supporting?
newsletters
The two reasons why most newsletters will fail
Like any good gold rush, people aren't paying enough attention to the details of what makes newsletters work. And that will lead to many flaming out. Here's why.
attention
When less journalism is more
The shift to digital unleashed the floodgates on a tidal wave of journalism of often variable content. And, finally, publishers are discovering that smaller amounts of more valuable work can be better.
attention
The other impact of Covid-19 on journalism: more competition for attention
Lockdown is trapping people at home, and pushing everything online. And that means a while range of organisations have suddenly become publishers.
attention
Engaged Reading Digest: who won the attention election?
A quick round-up of useful digital publishing reading from around the web, including the Beeb on the Dark Web, and journalism LIVE.
attention
If you don’t understand attention, you don’t understand digital publishing
Producing less content can be more profitable than creating more - and the reasons why hark back to the fundamental structure of the internet.
attention
Why completion matters to digital journalism
There's a psychological impact of completion we ignore at our peril
The World Record Egg: hacking attention for mental health?
We now know who was behind the World Record Egg - and what they plan on doing with the account. But what does this tell us about today's attention economy?