David joined Katie Couric’s Substack Live to discuss his new book, Pay Attention, and how algorithms and the changing media landscape are reshaping the way we consume information. They talk about the growth of independent media, the increasing presence of traditional outlets on digital platforms, and the double-edged nature of giving virtually anyone the ability to build an audience. David explains how platforms designed to maximize engagement often reward outrage, fear, and division. And further, what constant exposure to algorithm-driven content is doing to our attention and the way we interact with each other.
The conversation also turns to AI and how it could make an already messy information environment even harder to navigate. David shares the recent experience of discovering a YouTube channel using an AI clone of his voice, prompting a discussion about impersonation, misinformation, and what happens when people can no longer easily tell what’s real. Throughout the conversation, Katie and David dig into many of the ideas at the heart of Pay Attention, from who is competing for our attention to how that competition is changing us and what it means for the future of media and politics.
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