Reasonably Optimistic How the internet changed politics — and our lives — forever
22 snips
Jan 7, 2026 
Matthew Yglesias, a journalist known for co-founding Vox and his astute commentary on politics, dives into how the internet has revolutionized both media and governance. He shares his early blogging adventures and discusses the pivotal role of online organizing during Obama's campaign. Yglesias critiques the cynical shift in political fundraising influenced by digital platforms and explores the repercussions of social algorithms on newsroom culture. Despite the chaos, he remains optimistic about America's resilience and its liberal traditions.
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Blogging Launched A Career
- Matthew Yglesias recounts starting a blog in 2001 after reading about blogs in Time and having no journalism experience.
- That blog launched his media career and led him away from consulting into full-time writing about economics and policy.
Internet Dismantled Media Gatekeepers
- Matthew Yglesias and Megan McArdle note the decline of traditional media institutions and rise of podcasts and newsletters.
- The internet reshaped where candidates and voters engage, shifting influence away from legacy outlets.
From Schumer Clips To Hard‑Coded Blog
- Matthew Yglesias describes learning about early blogs while interning for Chuck Schumer and hard-coding his first site in college.
- He got a job at The American Prospect which began his two-decade career writing on the internet.
