The Port Podcast: 06 – Predicting the Future

Port Magazine

The last issue of Port considered the future of the printed magazine, talking to the editors of longstanding publications like the New York Times Magazine and Vanity Fair. Magazines are coming to terms today with how print and digital complement each other, but in the online world, is the role of the editor under threat? Do we now live in an algo-world shaped by the intelligence of anonymous processes rather than the emotional decisions of humans? Will algorithms play a role in how we write and consume news? Part One: Kevin Slavin, Assistant Professor and founder of Playful Systems Group at MIT explains how, increasingly, modern life is affected by algorithms and computations that leave no signature on our conscious, and why, some writers are no longer writing with a human reader in mind… Part two: Frederick Fischer, CEO of Tame explains that social media has managed to separate content from the news brands, and how the power has shifted from editors to the developers, changing the role of the modern journalist completely. Part three: Luke Lewis, editor of Buzzfeed UK explains how the website 'predicts' what content will be popular with readers... Produced by Phil Smith Music: Artist: Jamieo Brown Track: I Said Label: Motema year: 2013 Artist: Gabriel Prokofiev & Peter Gregson Track: Tuff Strum (Louis D'Heudieres Remix) Label: Nonclassical Year: 2012 Artist: New Musik Track: Warp Label: Epic year: 1982 Artist: Hello Skinny Track: Remember Year: 2012 Artist: Thundercat Track: The Life Aquatic Label: Brainfeeder Year: 2013 Artist: Metro Area Track: Machine Vibes Label: Environ Year: 2002 Artist: Suzanne Vega Track: Tom's Diner Label: A&M Year: 1987 Artist: Laurel Halo Track: Hour Logic Label: Hippos In Tanks Year: 2011