Tasteland

Francis is out of town this week and Daisy is joined by Tove Danovich, a journalist and writer who has featured in the New York Times, the Washington Post, The Ringer, and Dirt. She is the author of the 'Under the Henfluence: Inside the World of Backyard Chickens and the People Who Love Them', an immersive blend of chicken-keeping memoir and animal welfare reporting.--ToveWebsiteSubstackInstagramBluesky--Links & ReferencesDirt x Boys Club: clone.fyiTove's book list: Nine amazing books about animalsTove's climate change piece: On hope and hopelessnessDaisy's essay: Attention is what makes us human__Timestamps00:00 Introducing Tove01:50 Curiosity is the topic of life06:49 Our relationship with urban wildlife12:33 Impactful responses from Tove's readers17:56 Chicken's in culture through the ages22:04 The political power of the egg27:00 The deeply feminist story of chickens and egg-money31:32 Beekeeping and pollination myths36:00 Nine amazing books about animals41:17 The challenges of writing about climate and nature__Our intro song, Night Life, is written by Nakisso Peralta and performed by Chillers.

This week Daisy and Francis are joined by Sarah Leonard, editor in chief of Lux Magazine, a feminist magazine of politics and culture founded in 2021. Sarah is also a contributing editor to Dissent and The Nation, and her writing has been published in The New York Times, The Guardian, The New Republic, and elsewhere.__Lux MagazineWebsiteTwitter/XInstagramReferencesInterview with Sarah: Creative Independent__Timestamps00:00 American tourists irritate American tourist09:10 The joys and difficulties of print media12:33 Designing a website that feels like a magazine15:02 Customizable databased for your personal life17:18 Fundraising for a politically opinionated media business19:27 The versatility of an editor23:19 Who is the Lux reader?32:13 Helping young writers43:21 Highlights from Lux50:15 Don't fall into the clout trap56:56 How the internet works__ Our intro song, Night Life, is written by Nakisso Peralta and performed by Chillers.

Deana Burke and Natasha Hoskins, co-founders of Boys Club and hosts of the Dumb B!tch Hour podcast, dive into the wild world of internet culture. They explore the intricacies of the creator economy and share vivid anecdotes about internet addiction, highlighting its impact on millennials. The duo discusses the notion of a 'cozy internet' and personal experiences with memory loss linked to tech use. Their humorous take on AI companionship also questions its reliability compared to real human connections, adding depth to their conversation.

This week Daisy and Francis are joined by versatile writer and editor, Paula Mejía. Paula specializes in arts and culture journalism and is currently a leading contributor at Dirt.__PaulaInstagramTwitter/XWebsite__Other referencesFrancis' brand sillage piecePaula's Barnes and Noble piece__Timestamps00:00 Introducing Paula Mejía00:28 Festival experiences03:40 Coachella emergency dental07:15 The best and worst of Coachella12:16 Flower crowns out, assless chaps in14:36 Spa day festival hack18:15 Hot Topic and the evolution of subculture25:58 Embrace the spoilers30:48 The power in mischief in brand collabs36:26 The revival of the bookstore43:46 Facebook marketplace is the place45:30 The role of festivals in social connections50:06 County fair community nostalgia53:09 The corporatization of modern life__Our intro song, Night Life, is written by Nakisso Peralta and performed by Chillers.

This week Daisy and Francis talk to travel and hospitality writer, Colin Nagy. Colin is also the co-creator of the newsletter 'Why is this interesting?'Colin: https://x.com/CJNWhy is this interesting?: https://www.interesting.us00:00:00 Long live the girl moss00:04:08 The podcast mic and illusion of authority00:06:20 Credibility laundering: How to industry plant yourself00:11:01 Blockchain taste formalization00:13:51 Abstract theories applied to the blockchain00:16:43 Who gets to decide how we remember?00:27:10 Language, Culture, and Their Role in Shaping LLMs00:33:01 Media literacy and factchecking LLMs00:42:32 New money's impact on hospitality and experiences00:48:00 Memorable and personal hospitality experiences00:52:55 The social contract is broken: Degrading manners in society__Our intro song, Night Life, is written by Nakisso Peralta and performed by Chillers.

This week Daisy and Francis are joined by Phillip Jackson and Brian Lange from the Future Commerce podcast. What is the future of art in an AI world? Do we need more friction in our lives? Should AI feel shame?Listen to Future Commerce: https://www.futurecommerce.com/episodes00:00 Introduction to Phil and Brian01:46 Blank launch party05:52 OpenAI’s Studio Ghibli marketing ploy11:45 All that we’re left with is aura19:27 The value of the art is the creator25:00 Losing control of the environment art is observed29:29 Our shitty robot future36:14 An Industrial Revolution for the minds39:23 Online shopping can diminish creativity51:50 The future of mobility is textiles55:28 Cultural change requires calamity01:01:47 Has frictionless gone too far?__ Our intro song, Night Life, is written by Nakisso Peralta and performed by Chillers.

This week Daisy and Francis are joined by Kori Fuerst, co-founder of Retrospekt, a consumer electronics company specialising in reviving retro tech for a new generation.Retrospekt: https://retrospekt.com00:00 Introducing Kori and Restrospekt02:35 Awkward police encounters06:12 Defaulting to the classic08:09 The unique Retrospekt office space11:14 Retro collaborations and IP licensing14:53 Transitioning from hobby to business22:28 Challenges with repairing newer tech23:57 Pop cultures effect on retro tech hype27:05 The rise of digicams and the 2000's aesthetic29:22 Today's future retro tech37:27 Late 80's tech is the most accessible for refurbishment39:43 Dream retro tech collabs45:36 The natural draw to analogue and tactile interfaces51:29 The experience of film photos55:10 Balancing scale and sustainability in retro tech__Our intro song, Night Life, is written by Nakisso Peralta and performed by Chillers.

This week Daisy and Francis are joined by Trey Taylor, Gen Z consumer expert who has recently pivoted into the world of fragrances and just launched their perfume brand Serviette.Trey Taylor: https://x.com/treytylorServiette: https://serviette.nyc/pages/about?srsltid=AfmBOorQMQdp9fVeRd_vV-aXXIsRid3t8o2z9NL0ZZU19-3ZWsdFridM00:00 Introducing Trey and Serviette00:55 The symbiotic relationship between oral and written culture04:00 Serviette launch party09:08 The art and struggle of perfume creation14:07 The monopolization of fragrance22:16 Bartering and trading culture with the fragrance world25:23 The role of contrast in color and scent31:13 Selling a lifestyle: Marketing an aspiration39:10 Taste is defined by perception, not possession45:34 The challenges of online perfume shopping54:45 Using taste to create something valuableOur intro song, Night Life, is written by Nakisso Peralta and performed by Chillers.

This week Daisy and Francis are joined by Charlie Baker, editor of The Fence, a quarterly print magazine (and weekly newsletter) focused on life in the UK and Ireland.The Fence: https://www.the-fence.comCapital Letter: https://thefencecapitalletter.substack.com/00:00 Introducing Charlie Baker and The Fence01:51 The value exchange of a podcast appearance07:48 The Fence's unique and historic office space13:41 The Capital Letter: London's only newsletter20:52 Cultural exchange between the US and UK is growing23:47 Increasing London pub coverage27:54 London's entrepreneurial energy is rising29:26 Did ye hear mammy died?32:50 Defining the quintessential Fence story36:06 The most important job of an editor41:00 Publishing is an act of optimism47:39 The loneliness of leadershipOur intro song, Night Life, is written by Nakisso Peralta and performed by Chillers.

In this conversation, Edmond Lau, a cultural strategist and designer known for his 'luxury memes,' shares insights on the 'dark mode shift'—a term he coined to illustrate societal transitions in digital interaction and emotional complexity. He discusses the evolution of LinkedIn as a networking tool, blending authenticity and technology. Edmond also critiques how the definition of luxury has changed, especially in relation to personal taste and societal values. His unique cultural perspectives from observing New York add depth to the discussion of modern identity.