Spencer Kornhaber, a Staff writer at The Atlantic known for his insights on pop culture, dives deep into the current state of American entertainment. He discusses the stagnation in pop culture, highlighting the prevalence of sequels and nostalgia-driven media. The conversation explores the rise of 'brain rot' and consumer isolation in music, and the challenges of modern artistic expression. Kornhaber also reflects on the illusion of innovation and the cyclical nature of creativity, suggesting that these trends might not be as dire as they seem.
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insights INSIGHT
Dopamine Fuels Endless Desire
Dopamine drives wanting, not liking, so culture fuels endless desire but less satisfaction.
Pop culture feels like a virtual casino, causing consumers to crave more yet enjoy less.
insights INSIGHT
Old Music Dominates Streaming
About 75% of streamed music is old, showing a preference for nostalgia over new songs.
TikTok flattens cultural time, letting old hits compete with new music, favoring the past.
insights INSIGHT
Data Locks Art in The Past
Entertainment companies heavily invest in old music catalogs, prioritizing proven hits over new creations.
Data-driven algorithms favor familiar content, hindering innovation and encouraging repetition.
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In 'Hitmakers: How Brands Influence Culture', Ana Andjelic explores how modern brands have evolved into 'hitmakers', focusing on creating cultural hits through collaborations, merchandise, entertainment, and other cultural products. These strategies replace traditional advertising methods and can significantly boost brand popularity and sales. The book provides practical examples and tools for brand strategists to produce cultural hits.
Dopamine Nation
Finding Balance in the Age of Indulgence
Anna Lembke, MD
In 'Dopamine Nation,' Dr. Anna Lembke delves into the scientific discoveries that explain why overindulgence in high-reward, high-dopamine stimuli leads to pain. The book combines personal narratives from her clinical practice with the latest psychology research to illustrate how to find contentment and connectedness by keeping dopamine in check. Lembke discusses the impact of modern addictions, such as those related to smartphones, food, and other behaviors, and provides strategies for managing consumption and transforming lives. The book emphasizes the importance of balancing the science of desire with the wisdom of recovery[1][3][5].
In music, billion-dollar investments in old catalogues are squeezing out new music. In film, Hollywood has become addicted to the regurgitation of familiar IP. In visual art, critics bemoan the straitjacket of political correctness. On TV, as Derek told Bill Simmons, we're in a Gilded Age of television, where every prestigious show looks absolutely amazing—but that gilded veneer often covers up for dull storytelling.
What do these trends all have in common? The slow decline of modern media. This month, The Atlantic's Spencer Kornhaber published a blockbuster essay, "Is This the Worst-Ever Era of American Pop Culture?" Today, he joins Derek to answer that question. They discuss the four horsemen of the pop culture apocalypse—stagnation, cynicism, isolation, and brain rot—and the case that, maybe, things aren't quite as bad as they seem.
If you have questions, observations, or ideas for future episodes, email us at PlainEnglish@Spotify.com.
Plain English with Derek Thompson 
