For Context
The Viral Spiral
Artists and civilians alike chafe at the pressures of presenting themselves online.
By John Herrman
John Herrman
John Herrman covers tech and media for Styles and the Magazine, and was one of the first three recipients of The Times’s David Carr Fellowship. Previously, he was a reporter for the Business section.
Before joining The Times, Mr. Herrman as a co-editor of The Awl and covered the Internet and technology at Gizmodo, Popular Mechanics and BuzzFeed.
A native of Cary, N.C., Mr. Herrman received his Master of Arts degree in English literature and philosophy from The University of Edinburgh, Scotland.
Latest
For ContextThey Did Their Own ‘Research.’ Now What?
In spheres as disparate as medicine and cryptocurrencies, “do your own research,” or DYOR, can quickly shift from rallying cry to scold.
By John Herrman
Before Massacre Began, Suspect Invited Others to Review His Plan
The man accused of killing 10 people at a Buffalo supermarket permitted a small group to join his private chatroom about 30 minutes before the massacre.
By Jonah E. Bromwich
The suspect recorded months’ worth of preparation in an online chat log.
The messages posted on Discord lay out in excruciating detail the racist and violent ideology that drove the young man who now stands accused of the massacre at a grocery store in Buffalo.
By Jonah E. Bromwich, Matthew Haag, Michael Levenson and Kellen Browning
For ContextThis New Social App Is Boring, in a Good Way
Once a day, at an unpredictable time, BeReal notifies its users that they have two minutes to post a pair of pictures. The feed is mundane, but also fun — for now at least.
By John Herrman
For ContextHe Always Tweeted Like He Owned the Place
And in some ways he did.
By John Herrman
A Short History of Predicting the Future
Futurology has long been a risky business.
By John Herrman
For ContextThe Secret to a Better Internet? Post Less, Chat More.
One of the web’s oldest functions remains one of its most powerful and promising.
By John Herrman
For ContextAre You Missing Out on the Metaverse?
Pitches for the future of the internet are banking on an old trick: FOMO.
By John Herrman
For ContextQuitting Your Job Never Looked So Fun
Workers across social media are enjoying the vicarious thrill of chewing out a terrible boss. Some are even doing it.
By John Herrman
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