Techmeme Ride Home (Bonus) @semaforben On The Golden Age Of Digital Media And His AMAZING New Book About It
May 6, 2023
Ben Smith, founder of Semaphore and former BuzzFeed News executive, dives into the fascinating evolution of digital media. He highlights the vibrant New York scene versus Silicon Valley's stagnation from 2001-2004. The conversation covers the rise of blogging, the balance between sensationalism and in-depth reporting, and the challenges of local journalism today. Smith also discusses the complexities of media ventures in a tech-dominated landscape and the innovative strategies that helped reshape storytelling through audio and newsletters.
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Early 2000s Digital Media Scene
- Ben Smith describes the early 2000s digital media scene in Lower Manhattan.
- Bloggers published using simple tools, discussed current events online, and socialized offline.
Rise of Blogs
- Post-9/11 and pre-Iraq War, mainstream media credibility declined.
- This created an opening for alternative media sources like blogs.
Bloggers' Mission
- Bloggers like Ben Smith, Nick Denton, and Josh Marshall aimed to expose truths mainstream media wouldn't.
- This "don't trust the mainstream" ethos permeated digital media.
