Slate Daily Feed ICYMI | The Funniest Guy on Slate's Slack
Sep 17, 2025
Ben Mathis-Lilley, Slate's senior writer and acclaimed humorist, shares insights from his eleven years at the publication. He reflects on how humor can serve as a coping mechanism in today's politically charged environment. The conversation touches on the cultural shift towards supportive male friendships and digital detox strategies, including leaving platforms like Twitter for healthier online communities. With a lighthearted approach to navigating virality and online discourse, Ben's wit shines through as he bids farewell to his audience.
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Early AOL Chatroom Memory
- Ben's first internet memory was using AOL chat rooms as a teen to talk about basketball.
- He believes he likely chatted with a young Vince Carter before Carter was famous, illustrating early online stranger interactions.
Leaving Twitter For BlueSky And Discord
- Ben deleted Twitter after the Nazi-salute controversy and now uses BlueSky and a Michigan football Discord.
- He relies on Discord for energetic, younger-person conversations and to replace some Twitter functions.
Curate Trusted News Sources
- Curate a small trusted list (10–20 people) on social platforms to shortcut news discovery.
- Use that group as your signal to find broader reporting on events efficiently.
