Episode 373: The Media Meltdown

In this episode, Natalia, Neil, and Niki discuss the continued cutbacks and collapses of digital media companies. Support Past Present on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/pastpresentpodcast Here are some links and references mentioned during this week’s show:   ·      Buzzfeed is the most recent company to announce massive layoffs. Natalia cited Derek Thompson’s Atlantic newsletter, and Niki referred to media columnist Ben Smith’s new book, Traffic: Genius, Rivalry, and Delusion in the Billion-Dollar Race to Go Viral. We all drew on this New York Times article about the future of media.     In our regular closing feature, What’s Making History: ·      Natalia shared Joshua Travis Brown’s Chronicle of Higher Education essay, “The Ethical Poverty of Dorms for the Rich.” ·      Neil recommended this episode of the Slate Culture podcast and Aaliyah Wright’s Capital B article, “Once An ‘All-Black Utopia,’ Eatonville Residents Say New Development Could Erase History.” ·      Niki discussed Claire McNear’s Ringer article, “The Search for the Lost Jeopardy Tapes is Over. The Mystery Behind Them Endures.”