James Marriott @j_amesmarriott
Columnist at The Times Writer of Cultural Capital, a weekly newsletter about books, culture, history and ideas (link below) jmarriott.substack.com London via Newcastle upon Tyne Joined September 2016-
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@j_amesmarriott tells @TheAnnaGat about curiosity being a superpower in today’s media landscape. The Internet is a vast archive but only if you know how to seek out the good stuff.
I wrote this about the most boring and destructive trend of our time: the politicisation of everything. We are becoming incapable of seeing anything - art, TV, adverts, brands, food - through anything other than a political lens. There is more to life! comment.press/politicisation…
Very much enjoyed this podcast though a) somewhat sinisterly in the shadows because my living room light is broken and b) not sure I managed to strike the appropriate hopeful tone at the end...
Very much enjoyed this podcast though a) somewhat sinisterly in the shadows because my living room light is broken and b) not sure I managed to strike the appropriate hopeful tone at the end...
Is literature in decline? The Times columnist @j_amesmarriott joins @TheAnnaGat to discuss why reading comprehension is collapsing, publishing has grown timid, and digital media is reshaping culture and why, despite it all, young writers should keep the faith. Show Notes: 00:00…
I wrote this about the genius of Stanley Kubrick's Barry Lyndon - a film which really understands the profound strangeness of the historical past comment.press/barrylyndon
Started reading Richard Dawkins's memoir on a whim. He is such a great writer - I'd forgotten quite how good. His evocation of childhood in this book is enchanting. So sympathetic and vivid.
My latest newsletter rounding up everything interesting I read in books and online last week: the secrets of musical genius, the new dark ages, the 2008 theory of everything, the decline of Republican Yale - and more. api.omarshehata.me/substack-proxy…
I really enjoyed this conversation with Unherd about the most important issue of our time: the dawn of the post-literate society open.spotify.com/episode/6f4ujY…
'That's why print has been associated with the downfall of autocracies and the rise of democracy.' What happens when we can no longer read? UnHerd’s @freddiesayers speaks to @j_amesmarriott about literacy decline, smartphones, and democracy.
This is also why we need to switch away from smartphones sooner rather than later - we're at risk of moving towards a world where they're basically compulsory. It should be possible to opt out.
This is also why we need to switch away from smartphones sooner rather than later - we're at risk of moving towards a world where they're basically compulsory. It should be possible to opt out.
I sincerely believe the answer is a movement of people willing to live without smartphones. I'm optimistic it could happen because a) it's quite easy and b) the threat these addictive devices pose to human intelligence and flourishing is so obvious and so great.
I sincerely believe the answer is a movement of people willing to live without smartphones. I'm optimistic it could happen because a) it's quite easy and b) the threat these addictive devices pose to human intelligence and flourishing is so obvious and so great.
I'm partway through. So far, very good.
One problem with tackling this is that our culture is allergic to perceived elitism and snobbishness. But we urgently need to bring back social disapproval for inane short form video content and phone addiction.
One problem with tackling this is that our culture is allergic to perceived elitism and snobbishness. But we urgently need to bring back social disapproval for inane short form video content and phone addiction.
'In most developed countries, literacy was either declining or stagnating.' '... college graduates no longer read for pleasure.' Is this the 'Disenlightenment'? @j_amesmarriott and @jhendersonYT join @freddiesayers to discuss if declining literacy spells a coming dark age.
'Silicon Valley tech companies have set out on a war for our attention!' James Marriott @j_amesmarriott, and Jared Henderson @jhendersonYT, speak to @freddiesayers about the dawn of the 'post-literate' society — is reading in terminal decline and what dangers could it bring?
Every Friday my newsletter Cultural Capital rounds up insights and interesting facts from books, newspapers and the internet. It covers history, ideas, culture and politics. And is now at more than 9,000 subscribers - they can't all be wrong!
Every Friday my newsletter Cultural Capital rounds up insights and interesting facts from books, newspapers and the internet. It covers history, ideas, culture and politics. And is now at more than 9,000 subscribers - they can't all be wrong!
@j_amesmarriott The Panslopticon

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