A newsletter about Pop Culture, Software Studies, Business Strategy, Media Platforms, Algorithmic Management, Game Design, and everything in between.

FEATURED

Essays

Retrograde

Like water, gold simply can’t tell you what it used to be.

Essays

Free money

Bankers and prophets seem to be driven by an almost poetic compulsion to push further.

  • Google’s AI model just nailed the forecast for the strongest Atlantic storm this year

    If they improve further, AI weather models may very well become the gold standard. https://arstechnica.com/science/2025/08/googles-ai-model-just-nailed-the-forecast-for-the-strongest-atlantic-storm-this-year/ more ›

  • Microsoft Asked FBI for Help With Israel-Gaza Protests

    Twenty activists urging company to sever ties with Israeli military were arrested last week. Executive Brad Smith said he welcomed discussion but not disruption. https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2025-08-26/microsoft-asked-fbi-for-help-with-israel-gaza-protests?accessToken=eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJzb3VyY2UiOiJTdWJzY3JpYmVyR2lmdGVkQXJ0aWNsZSIsImlhdCI6MTc1NjIyMDc1MCwiZXhwIjoxNzU2ODI1NTUwLCJhcnRpY2xlSWQiOiJUMUxMOEpHUFFRR1UwMCIsImJjb25uZWN0SWQiOiJGOENBMUZGREZGMEI0M0E1ODRENTk5MEQ3NDAwNDkzMCJ9.ZxRrVJ29dvRDmuie-Z8dWFKR1_o_HzD4hLa-kAzRlVc&leadSource=uverify%20wall more ›

  • Roc Marciano – Emeralds (Official Video)

    Download/Stream “Reloaded”: https://ift.tt/ldRjaW9 Tweets by rocmarci Subscribe to Mass Appeal here: http://goo.gl/LqG3wZ ————–Mass Appeal————– Website: http://massappeal.com Twitter: http://twitter.com/massappeal Instagram: https://ift.tt/AsTzW7q Facebook: https://ift.tt/Ovqbzlo What started as a humble graffiti ‘zine in 1996 would soon grow to be one of the most… more ›

  • African brutalism explored: read our guide | Wallpaper

    Discover the complex and manifold legacies of brutalist architecture in Africa with writer and curator Fabiola Büchele. Brutalism, arguably the easiest architectural language with which to have a love-hate relationship, holds a particularly complex legacy across Africa – welcome to… more ›

  • Security & Privacy in Agentic Browsing | Brave

    The Brave browser is a fast, private and secure web browser for PC, Mac and mobile. Download now to enjoy a faster ad-free browsing experience that saves data and battery life by blocking tracking software. https://brave.com/series/security-privacy-in-agentic-browsing/ more ›

  • EU countries push to abolish trade barriers with Mediterranean partners

    In the forthcoming Pact for the Mediterranean, the EU consider to relaunch an attempt at deeper integration with Mediterranean countries, amid instability in its relations with the US and China. #EuropeNews https://www.euronews.com/my-europe/2025/08/26/exclusive-eu-countries-push-to-abolish-trade-barriers-with-mediterranean-partners more ›

  • Maneuvering the Algorithm: How Chinese Women Are Hacking Censorship to Keep Female Voices Alive

    Using innocuous comments, Chinese women are helping each other speak out and stay visible in a system that’s designed to silence them. https://open.substack.com/pub/pekingquack/p/maneuvering-the-algorithm-how-chinese?utm_source=share&utm_medium=android&r=oj2p5 more ›

  • Is American capitalism still capitalism? | Ian Bremmer’s Quick Take

    In this episode of Ian Bremmer’s Quick Take, Ian explores the state of capitalism in the United States. Subscribe to GZERO’s YouTube channel and turn on notifications (🔔): http://www.youtube.com/@GZEROMedia Sign up for GZERO’s free newsletters on global politics: https://ift.tt/7EDydtz Ian… more ›

  • How Chinese Companies Weigh Risk Against Profit in Africa’s Volatile Goldfields

    Explore the Africa gold mining risks Chinese companies face amid armed attacks and high gold prices. Is it worth the gamble? https://chinaglobalsouth.com/2025/08/25/africa-gold-rush-chinese-mining-risks/ more ›

  • Singles Are Sick of Dating Apps. But There Are 2.5 Million on Raya’s Waitlist.

    The privately held company has attracted an A-list clientele and even gotten Gen Z onboard with online dating. Good luck making it past the team reviewing applications. https://www.wsj.com/style/raya-waitlist-founder-daniel-gendelman-3c64be91?st=BuJdLd&reflink=desktopwebshare_permalink more ›