Brad Berens

Escape the Digital Cocoon The only way to reduce polarization is to talk with people in real life. Here's one way to do just that *and* find a seat at a coffee bar. Plus, ChatGPT 5, TikTok and the News, and more! (Issue #177)

The new Dispatch is out! This time, how to reduce polarizaiton *and* find a seat at a coffee bar. Plus, ChatGPT 5, Emily Steel's Uber coverage, TikTok and the News, "Wednesday" returning to Netflix, and more. (Issue #177)
bradberens.substack.com/p/escape-the...

The Distraction Button What Sydney Sweeney and Jeffrey Epstein have in common, plus why it's time to revive the word "Ridiculous." (Issue #176)

The new Dispatch is out! This time, I dig into how both the Sydney Sweeney imbroglio and the Jeffrey Epstein files are distractions from things that really matter. Plus, three AI stories, Fantastic Four, Spinal Tap returns, and more.
bradberens.substack.com/p/the-distra...

The Dispatch is back after a week away! This time, I dig into what folks *aren't* saying about the hilarious season premiere of "South Park." Plus, Hulk Hogan dead at 71, "Ted Lasso" returns, Amazon's acquisition of a wearables company, and much more!
bradberens.substack.com/p/what-folks...

BREAKING: Texas Targets California Abortion Provider The wrongful death suit also asks the court to stop a woman from having another abortion

Today's #DontMiss jessica.substack.com/p/california...

AI Double Agents With all the talk about Agentic AI, there's an important question that people aren't asking: who are these agents working for? (Issue #174)

The new Dispatch is out! This time, I dig into a question not many folks are asking: who will AI Agents really work for? Plus, Superman, Murderbot, why David Brooks makes me grind my molars, and more.
bradberens.substack.com/p/ai-double-...

The Precipitous Decline of Brands ...and the rise of generics because of AI agents and other things. (Issue #173)

In this week's Dispatch, I dig into how AI Agents are going to be bad for national brands. Plus, snippets about Calvin and Hobbes, a witty Atlantic piece, medical AI, and more.
bradberens.substack.com/p/the-precip...

Grab Bag AI and Brand Safety, Shoppable Videos, Coffee Mugs on the Oregon Coast, and more! (Issue #172)

The new Dispatch is out! This time a grab bag: AI and Brand Safety, Shoppable Videos, Coffee Mugs on the Oregon Coast, and more! Please check it out and let me know what you think!
bradberens.substack.com/p/grab-bag

i am BEGGING you before you pop off about paywalls to go to your local library's website and scroll through their digital resources. mine gives me access to NYT, WSJ, WaPo and if its linked with PressReader or a similar app, all the news magazines, sports, fashion, hobby etc.

FOR FREE.

A Marketing Win Since so much of the news is dyspeptic and terrifying, here’s a story about how 1-800-FLOWERS creates happiness and profit at the same time. (Issue #171)

The new Dispatch is out! This time, "A Marketing Win" about how 1-800-FLOWERS.com creates happiness for its customers and profit for itself.
open.substack.com/pub/bradbere...

Never mind, I found it. Great thing to surface!

Would you please be so kind as to share the source of the quote in the beige image where the lead scientist laughs as the trap she set in the paper?

I said what I said.

Stuff?

I don’t hesitate to admit I’m wrong when I’m wrong. My point is that you asserting that I’m wrong is not the same as a reasoned explanation of why you disagree. If you’d like to chat directly, please LMK. Or send me a counterpoint, with reasons, and I’ll link to it in my next Dispatch.

… it’s hard to engage with your posts.

Hi Elizabeth, thanks for reading. However, I don’t think that you read very closely, since I certainly do not advocate for arresting protesters. In face, I said precisely the opposite. You are entirely entitled to say that you think that I’m wrong, but without reasons for *why* you think I’m wrong…

A Scary Time Four shorter pieces this time: the so-called L.A. riots, the middle east, more on AI, and what would we call a third party? Plus, a handful of other goodies. (Issue #170)

The new Dispatch is out... a couple days later than planned. This time, I dig into four shorter piece: the so-called L.A. riots, the middle east, more on AI, and what would we call a third party? Plus, a handful of other goodies.
bradberens.substack.com/p/a-scary-time

News Sites Are Getting Crushed by Google’s New AI Tools Chatbots are replacing Google’s traditional search, devastating traffic for some publishers.

Today's #dontmiss www.wsj.com/tech/ai/goog...

Mission Implausible Tom Cruise’s new movie has amazing stunts, a ludicrous plot, and doesn’t understand Artificial Intelligence. Here’s my snarky review. (Issue #169)

The new Dispatch is out! This time, a snarky review of the new Mission Impossible movie and what it gets wrong about AI (tl;dr = everything), plus lots of other goodies. Check it out, spread the word (please!) and let me know what you think!
bradberens.substack.com/p/mission-im...

Remember, Tesla stock is still up 63% from a year ago. Don’t get distracted by a few days of volatility and the INEVITABLE end to the Musk/Trump bromance. Plus, pay attention to the jobs report coming out early tomorrow morning. If it was good news they wouldn’t be releasing it on a Friday.

Why some towns lose local news — and others don’t Research identifies five key drivers — ranging from racial disparity to market forces — that determine which towns lose their papers and which ones beat the odds.

Great read:

www.niemanlab.org/2025/06/why-...

CNN to Air Live Broadcast of George Clooney’s ‘Good Night and Good Luck’ in Broadway First The play will be broadcast live from the Winter Garden Theater.

“Good Night and Good Luck” … Broadway comes to CNN *live* on Saturday at 4pm Pacific / 7pm Eastern. I’ll sure be watching:
www.hollywoodreporter.com/lifestyle/ar...

Experience Stacks and the End of Quests My search for a 22-year-old comic book series led to a realization about where satisfaction comes from... or doesn't. (Issue #168)

After a two-week break, The Dispatch returns! This time, my search for a 22-year-old comic book series led to a realization about where satisfaction comes from... or doesn't. (Issue #168)
bradberens.substack.com/p/experience...

A Disillusioned Musk, Distanced From Trump, Says He’s Exiting Washington

A surprise to nobody. www.nytimes.com/2025/05/28/u...

It's a terrific article, so long as one a) knows how to read, 2) has the patience to read a 4,000 word (I checked) nuanced essay. Such calm focus is in short supply right now. On a whim, I asked ChatGPT to summarize the piece: here it is. (You'll have to click...)

May 22, 2025 Just before 7:00 this morning, the House of Representatives passed the Republicans’ megabill by a vote of 215 to 214.

"This bill highlights a truism: In the United States, racism has always gone hand in hand with the concentration of wealth among the very richest people." - @hcrichardson.bsky.social

A.I.-Generated Reading List in Chicago Sun-Times Recommends Nonexistent Books

www.nytimes.com/2025/05/21/b...

House chamber burst into laughter when Marjorie Taylor Greene called for
"decorum."

Thank you, Freddy.

Baby Is Healed With World’s First Personalized Gene-Editing Treatment

An amazing tale, and a vindication of Federal funding of basic research:

www.nytimes.com/2025/05/15/h...