
People vs Algorithms Main Character Energy
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Nov 21, 2025 Anonymous Banker, a financial analyst focused on monetization and media, joins the conversation to explore the shifting landscape of attention in media. They discuss how main-character energy impacts legacy media's relevance, using Olivia Nuzzi as a case study. The discussion includes Google's narrative resurgence, John Malone’s savvy capital allocation strategies, and the unexpected success of Apple News despite its poor UX. They also dive into the rise of chessboxing as a quirky cultural phenomenon in today's media scene.
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Main Character Energy Wins Attention
- Distribution now privileges individual 'main characters' over institutions in media.
- Aura and lore create gravity that lets personalities capture attention in today's decentralized information space.
Olivia Nuzzi As A Media Magnet
- Olivia Nuzzi's scandal shows a journalist becoming a magnet for attention and controversy.
- Vanity Fair benefits from her aura even as the industry debates journalistic ethics.
Incentives Come From The Information System
- Journalistic incentives are shaped by upstream information-system forces, not just newsroom codes.
- Personal brand and access have long been promoted, and industry shock at their excesses ring hollow.




