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bradberens.bsky.social
Brad Berens
@bradberens.bsky.social
160 followers 140 following 240 posts
bradberens.substack.com and bradberens.com
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Brad Berens @bradberens.bsky.social · 19h
I love coffee more than the average bear, but even *I* balk at paying $80 for a *half* pound of Jamaica Blue Mountain.
Reposted by Brad Berens
pewresearch.org
Pew Research Center @pewresearch.org · 3d
A large majority of U.S. adults now get news digitally, but nondigital news consumers are less likely to say they extremely often or often encounter inaccurate news.

Read more on Americans’ views of information accuracy and distinguishing truth from fiction:
Many Americans say they often come across inaccurate news – and have a hard time knowing what’s true
Those who report often encountering inaccurate news are more likely than those who rarely or never do to say it’s hard to know what is true (59% vs. 31%).
www.pewresearch.org
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bradberens.bsky.social
Brad Berens @bradberens.bsky.social · 3d
The new Dispatch is out! This time, an NSFW AI Deepfake Review! Plus, I dig into why these things are disturbing. Plus, lots of goodies.
bradberens.substack.com/p/not-safe-f...
Not-Safe-For-Work AI Deepfake Review
I look at fake Pixar previews, allegedly "banned" dirty song recordings, and a disturbingly-convincing Star Trek blooper. How long can reality last? (Issue #187)
bradberens.substack.com
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bradberens.bsky.social
Brad Berens @bradberens.bsky.social · 7d
I am monumentally frustrated by email today. Why, why, why won’t people change the subject line when they change the topic? This is the hill that I will die on. Grrr. bradberens.substack.com/p/3-simple-r...
3 Simple Rules to Make Email Suck Less
Too many emails overwhelm us all the time, but we can stop the madness or at least slow it down! Here are easy ways to reduce email volume and information overload. (Issue #161)
bradberens.substack.com
bradberens.bsky.social
Brad Berens @bradberens.bsky.social · 11d
The new Dispatch is out! This time, I revisit and update my collection of killer productivity tools and how to use them. Plus entertainment news, two interesting AI stories, and a terrific, Star Wars-themed flash mob.
bradberens.substack.com/p/change-you...
“Change Your Life” Productivity Tools & How to Use Them
In our age of information overload, here—newly revised and updated—are the everyday tools I use to manage the chaos. (Issue #186)
bradberens.substack.com
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bradberens.bsky.social
Brad Berens @bradberens.bsky.social · 17d
I started experiencing profound relief every night when I powered down my smartphone. Why is that? Plus: news from the “We No Longer Know What is Real” Department, our quest to adopt a dog, and more! (Issue #185)
bradberens.substack.com/p/am-i-becom...
Am I Becoming an iPhone Recluse?
I started experiencing profound relief every night when I powered down my smartphone. Why is that? Plus: news from the “We No Longer Know What is Real” Department, our quest to adopt a dog, and more!
bradberens.substack.com
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bradberens.bsky.social
Brad Berens @bradberens.bsky.social · 22d
Justice does exist, sometimes:
www.latimes.com/world-nation...
Supreme Court rejects Alex Jones' appeal of $1.4-billion defamation judgment in Sandy Hook shooting
The Infowars host had argued that a judge was wrong to find him liable for defamation and infliction of emotional distress without holding a trial on the merits of allegations lodged by relatives of v...
www.latimes.com
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bradberens.bsky.social
Brad Berens @bradberens.bsky.social · 24d
The new Dispatch is out! This time, I continue my "Keywords" thread with "Satisficing." Plus little bits about TikTok, Sir Tim Berners-Lee, Carol Burnett, and a bizarrely named establishment.
bradberens.substack.com/p/keyword-sa...
Keyword: Satisficing
There’s a difference between making “good enough” decisions and always trying to make the best decision, which is exhausting. (Issue #184)
bradberens.substack.com
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bradberens.bsky.social
Brad Berens @bradberens.bsky.social · 28d
Today’s TERRIFYING #DontMiss:

www.washingtonpost.com/wellness/int...
How TikTok keeps its users scrolling for hours a day
Washington Post reporters analyzed data from over 800 TikTok users to learn how the app turns people into power users, some of whom spend hours per day scrolling.
www.washingtonpost.com
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bradberens.bsky.social
Brad Berens @bradberens.bsky.social · Oct 6
The new Dispatch is out! This time, can we ever really be "off the grid" in today's technological society? Plus, my take on "Gen V," a delightful profile of Judd Apatow, how many Americans get news from TikTok (scary), and more!
bradberens.substack.com/p/off-the-gr...
Off the Grid: Is it Possible?
Until recently, evading some forms of digital surveillance was as easy as leaving your phone at home. That’s no longer the case. (Issue #183)
bradberens.substack.com
bradberens.bsky.social
Brad Berens @bradberens.bsky.social · Sep 28
Trix returns! When her CEO needs to chat with a privacy-protecting board member, Trix combines detective work with drones to find a way in. Plus, more on Kimmelgate, a PowerPoint about Hamlet, and a blast from the Buffy the Vampire Slayer past. (Issue #182)
bradberens.substack.com/p/the-ride-a...
The Ride, a Microfiction
Trix returns! When her CEO needs to chat with a privacy-protecting board member, Trix combines detective work with drones to find a way in. (Issue #182)
bradberens.substack.com
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bradberens.bsky.social
Brad Berens @bradberens.bsky.social · Sep 26
Today's #DontMiss by Adam Serwer in The Atlantic: "Lower Than Cowards
The surrender of America’s elites." My favorite sentence: "As it turns out, you can’t sell your soul to Trump and keep your spine; they’re a package deal."
www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archiv...
Lower Than Cowards
The surrender of America’s elites
www.theatlantic.com
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bradberens.bsky.social
Brad Berens @bradberens.bsky.social · Sep 24
Today's #dontmiss jessica.substack.com/p/breaking-t...
BREAKING: The Trump Administration is "Reviewing" Abortion Pills
The FDA and HHS just announced their next move in the war against mifepristone
jessica.substack.com
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bradberens.bsky.social
Brad Berens @bradberens.bsky.social · Sep 22
The new Dispatch is out! This time, my quest simply to be whelmed in this crazy time. Plus lots of other goodies, including a few that should make you giggle:
bradberens.substack.com/p/my-quest-t...
My Quest to be Whelmed
It's hard to watch the news and harder to talk about it with people who might disagree. I'm overwhelmed. Are you? Plus, links to stories about AI, comedy, new scams, Star Trek, & more! (Issue #181)
bradberens.substack.com
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bradberens.bsky.social
Brad Berens @bradberens.bsky.social · Sep 12
(2) this is entirely the result of Southwest’s recent decision to abandon its longtime “your bag flies free” policy. Corporate greed translates to a far less pleasant travel experience.
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bradberens.bsky.social
Brad Berens @bradberens.bsky.social · Sep 12
Southwest Air is annoying me as I sit here waiting to board a flight. The flight attendant keeps pleading for people to gate check their bags… and threatening that involuntary gate checking will be risky because they won’t be able to track the bags as well. I’m annoyed because (next)
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bradberens.bsky.social
Brad Berens @bradberens.bsky.social · Aug 31
The new Dispatch is out! This time, I dig into what a 1985 Isaac Asimov science fiction novel has to tell us about algorithmic bias today. Plus Star Trek, AI's impact on kids, and more.
bradberens.substack.com/p/retro-futu...
Retro Futures and Who Counts as Human
What lessons does a 1985 Isaac Asimov novel have to teach us about AI and algorithmic bias today? (Issue #180)
bradberens.substack.com
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bradberens.bsky.social
Brad Berens @bradberens.bsky.social · Aug 24
The new Dispatch is out! This time, I dig into a recent NYT article about "romantasy," Harry Potter fanfic emerging into the mainstream, and how that helps to make our different Experience Stacks clear. Plus a whole lot more!
bradberens.substack.com/p/experience...
Experience Stacks, Romantasy, and Harry Potter Fanfic
A terrific NYT article explored a new genre of big books emerging from online fan fiction and missed a few things along the way. (Issue #179)
bradberens.substack.com
bradberens.bsky.social
Brad Berens @bradberens.bsky.social · Aug 17
The new Dispatch is out! This time, I explore how a VENN diagram of tariff-driven narrowing of product choice coincides with a similar narrowing driven by AI. Plus, a 40-year-old Wendy's commercial, South Park, Bigfoot, when Oreos meet Reese's, and more!
bradberens.substack.com/p/the-parado...
The Paradox of No Choice
An odd VENN diagram of tariffs and AI are narrowing our choices as customers. Will this change be permanent? What are the implications for products and retailers? (Issue #178)
bradberens.substack.com
bradberens.bsky.social
Brad Berens @bradberens.bsky.social · Aug 10
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...
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)
bradberens.substack.com
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bradberens.bsky.social
Brad Berens @bradberens.bsky.social · Aug 3
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 Distraction Button
What Sydney Sweeney and Jeffrey Epstein have in common, plus why it's time to revive the word "Ridiculous." (Issue #176)
bradberens.substack.com
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bradberens.bsky.social
Brad Berens @bradberens.bsky.social · Jul 27
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...
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bradberens.bsky.social
Brad Berens @bradberens.bsky.social · Jul 23
Today's #DontMiss jessica.substack.com/p/california...
BREAKING: Texas Targets California Abortion Provider
The wrongful death suit also asks the court to stop a woman from having another abortion
jessica.substack.com
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bradberens.bsky.social
Brad Berens @bradberens.bsky.social · Jul 13
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-...
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)
bradberens.substack.com
bradberens.bsky.social
Brad Berens @bradberens.bsky.social · Jul 6
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...
The Precipitous Decline of Brands
...and the rise of generics because of AI agents and other things. (Issue #173)
bradberens.substack.com