Surprise, Surprise — The Web Turns Out to Be Too Persistent
The recent “right to be forgotten” case raises a corollary issue for scholarly publishers — are you managing your archives so that users have been given the “right to ignore”?
Meet the New Economy of Letters, Same As the Old Economy of Letters
Last fall in the New Yorker, Jill Lapore bemoaned the current relationship between intellectuals and the general public, which she feels is “more vexed than ever” — in part because of a system that rewards academics for outrageousness and for lousy writing. Does she have a point?
Cascades and Volcanoes — Are the Problems of Science in Public Discourse Getting Worse?
Hysteria over a supervolcano leads to speculation about the eruptions of misinformation all around us. And, why exactly are we seeing so many recycled news stories in social media these days?
Well, That About Wraps it up for Clayton Christensen
Clayton Christensen’s theory of disruptive innovation is critically examined by Jill Lepore in the New Yorker. If he is wrong, why is the idea of disruption such a compelling one?
Book Review — "David and Goliath" by Malcolm Gladwell
Despite the feeling that the factory has turned out just another from the same template, Gladwell’s new book turns out to be refreshing, surprising, and thought-provoking.
Pickpockets, Attention, and Neuroscience — A Demonstration
Can you pay attention? Or will your attention deficits make you pay? This pickpocket knows the answer, and he’s helping people understand why their attention wanders, falters, or . . . squirrel!
Ask the Chefs: "What's the Most Important Print Subscription You Haven't Canceled?"
Even in the digital age, some print products are hard to give up. What is the allure?
Critiquing & Brainstorming — Proof That When Fools Do Either, We Have a Problem
A recent article calls brainstorming’s value into question, and asserts that critiquing is vital to more productive thinking. But what if the article is all wet?
The Battle for Control — What People Who Worry About the Internet Are Really Worried About
While sophisticated arguments about how the Internet is changing our brains continue, a look back at the history of communications systems shows we’re really arguing about something more base.
Gladwell Tackles College Rankings: The Perils of Comprehensive Heterogeneous Systems
Why do smart people continue to seek simple rank-order listings of inherently complex phenomena?
The Decline Effect Postulate Fails to Find Its Theory
The truth isn’t disintegrating, but perhaps weaker or ad hoc theoretical frameworks are dissolving more quickly these days.
The Publishing Partisans — Conservatives, Reformers, and Upstarts
Publishers today fall into 3 broad categories when discussing the role of digital media, and these categories almost have the outlines of political parties. But which party is equipped to lead?
Waiting for a Solution: When Will Subscriptions Reach the iPad?
Publishers still have to sell iPad content via single-issue apps. When will a subscription app finally be allowed?
Gladwell & Nielsen: The Fixed Costs of Fixed Ideas
Gladwell tackles Anderson, Nielsen tackles Christensen. Both provide useful insights for publishers today.
Artist + iPhone = “New Yorker” Cover
A recent “New Yorker” cover was painted using an iPhone application. This time-lapse video shows you how it happened, and ABC News explores this emerging form of art.