You asked for it again, allegedly, so here it is. Recommendation Week: October. A few weeks ago I wrote about curation. The gist was simple. Be the source of valuable information for your people. This is me taking my own advice.
Media
There is a lot of pessimism about the state of media. In all honesty I’m usually a glass half empty guy, and the glass is more like a paper cup. Still, I’m feeling contrarian about the “media is dead” narrative. The shift from legacy providers to independent platforms like Substack and YouTube is creating new ways for trusted voices to reach their audience. Lower costs, fewer gatekeepers, better content for niche interests.
We are already seeing the mainstream take notice. When it is cheaper to license or partner than build from scratch, the big companies will want in.
Netflix is clearly experimenting around podcasts and adjacent formats. See recent coverage in The Verge if you want the industry tea.
The Free Press
A good example of indie media going mainstream: The Free Press (not my cup of tea), the Substack-based outfit, has been bought by Paramount Skydance for an eye-watering $150 million. That is not just a headline, it is a signal. Independent media can build trust and audience, then command serious value when the big players come calling.
If you want inside baseball, the Substack founders, Hamish McKenzie and Chris Best, have a video podcast breaking down the Free Press story. You can find it here Free Press Bought- New Media Era Begins
Not The News
One of the best things about the independent ecosystem is space for process. Paula Penfold, a widely respected New Zealand journalist, has started a newsletter called Not The News. It is a behind-the-scenes look at how real journalism gets made, warts and all. Smart, honest, human.
Podcast
Prof G Markets. Old head meets new face. Scott Galloway and Ed Elson riff on financial markets, what matters in business, and the occasional terrible joke from Prof G. They manage to educate while they entertain, which is exactly what most of us are looking for on a commute or in my case dof walk.
Book
If you do not know who Bob Mortimer is, start with this clip from Would I Lie To You: Youtube - Bob.
Bob is one of the UK’s favourite comedians, if not one of its favourite people. He has written a couple of books, and his latest is The Long Shoe. It is an easy, funny read. I listened to the audiobook because Bob reads it himself, and it lands even better in his voice.
Travel
My eldest daughter is currently in North Africa and sent a picture from the Sahara. That looks like a recommendation to me.
Music
Lazy music recommendation this month. I stole this from Tim Miller, host of The Bulwark podcast. They have the best music outros going. Geese are an American indie rock band. Have a listen to Au Pays du Cocaine: Geese Au Pays du Cocaine
That’s a wrap
That is all for this month. A quick run-through of what caught my attention. Tell me what you want more of next time, and if you found this useful, forward it to one person who would appreciate a smarter feed.