Essays
On the desire to live in a cabin in the woods
What does it say about modern life that I dream of escaping it?
1 19
Why do I romanticize 18th-century chores?
Was churning butter a beautiful way to spend the day or a chore to be automated away?
2
Even Christopher Nolan prefers 70mm film
With all the technology in the world, sometimes the more beautiful thing is less of it.
1
Yes, let’s abolish federal governments
And replace them with international governments we can join à la carte.
154 14
New countries should rent land—not buy it
Secession, war, and moon colonies aren't our only way to get new countries.
154 3
Fractional ownership works for Banksy paintings—not cities
Micro-sovereignties should be collectively owned by residents. Not fractionally owned by investors.
154 21
How will new countries attract (& keep) citizens?
What tomorrow's city builders are learning about equity, loyalty, and community.
154 6
You should own stock in your city
A radical idea for turning city residents into city shareholders.
154 27
I quit Spotify—now I buy albums like it's the 90s
We're renting our music and platforms instead of owning them. New internet platforms want to change that.
102 15
The case for taxing AI slop
A minuscule levy on the largest AI producers can usher in a New Deal for cultural workers in the AI Age.
102 17