The Press Box 25 for 25: The Future of Physical Media With Sean Fennessey
19 snips
Jul 14, 2025 
Sean Fennessey, Chief Content Officer at The Ringer and a physical media aficionado, joins Bryan to explore the future of owning tangible content. They reflect on the nostalgia of physical media like magazines and VHS tapes, sharing personal stories about classic films and favorite books. The conversation dives into the unique joys of collecting DVDs, the allure of indie bookstores, and the emotional connections people have to physical formats in a digital world. They also discuss the challenges and triumphs of navigating media as both generalists and specialists.
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Magazines Lose Physical Magic
- Magazines have lost their mystical experience due to professional knowledge of their inner workings.
- The physical experience of holding magazines has become moot for insiders like Sean Fennessey.
Magazines As Youth Medium
- Magazines serve as a young person's medium teaching tastes and fandoms.
- They exposed readers to discovery and new cultural ideas, often shaping identity.
Magazines Are Poor Collectibles
- Magazines are not very collectible due to bulk and quick degradation.
- It is hard to explain why a specific magazine mattered to future generations.
