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JAREDKALT | Substack
A blog. Click to read JAREDKALT, by Jared Kaltwasser, a Substack publication.
jaredkalt.com
I write about culture—media, AI, film, customer service reps—over on Substack. Please read and consider subscribing.
If we want to have serious conversations about AI and its role in society, we need to start naming what it is (and isn't).
Putting AI in its Place
The best way to put Big Tech in its place is to treat large language models as what they actually are: decent(ish) tools.
open.substack.com
September 15, 2026 at 12:36 AM
If we want to have serious conversations about AI and its role in society, we need to start naming what it is (and isn't).
A British publisher's decision to switch from quantity to quality could answer the question of whether it is possible to profitably operate a network of high-quality local news outlets.
If not, it raises another question: Is it worth operating them at all?
open.substack.com/pub/jaredkal...
If not, it raises another question: Is it worth operating them at all?
open.substack.com/pub/jaredkal...
Can Quality Over Quantity Save a Media Giant?
A British media giant’s decision to overhaul its content philosophy could provide answers to some important questions hanging over the media industry.
open.substack.com
August 5, 2026 at 8:59 PM
A British publisher's decision to switch from quantity to quality could answer the question of whether it is possible to profitably operate a network of high-quality local news outlets.
If not, it raises another question: Is it worth operating them at all?
open.substack.com/pub/jaredkal...
If not, it raises another question: Is it worth operating them at all?
open.substack.com/pub/jaredkal...
I thought the Atlantic's piece on "The End of Reading" was interesting. However, I also think it slipped into the trap of acting like we are passive victims of technology. We don't have to be.
www.jaredkalt.com/p/reading-is...
www.jaredkalt.com/p/reading-is...
Reading is Still Here. But is Agency?
The Atlantic's August cover story raises provocative questions about what we lose if we stop reading. But we can only 'lose' reading if we choose to.
www.jaredkalt.com
July 29, 2026 at 3:04 PM
I thought the Atlantic's piece on "The End of Reading" was interesting. However, I also think it slipped into the trap of acting like we are passive victims of technology. We don't have to be.
www.jaredkalt.com/p/reading-is...
www.jaredkalt.com/p/reading-is...
We live in an age when we increasingly are being told that if something is possible, it is inevitable. If we can deploy AI for a given use case, then we must. Of course, that’s not true.
Some thoughts on the Atlantic's "End of Reading" piece.
open.substack.com/pub/jaredkal...
Some thoughts on the Atlantic's "End of Reading" piece.
open.substack.com/pub/jaredkal...
Reading is Still Here. But is Agency?
The Atlantic's August cover story raises provocative questions about what we lose if we stop reading. But we can only 'lose' reading if we choose to.
open.substack.com
July 28, 2026 at 6:09 PM
We live in an age when we increasingly are being told that if something is possible, it is inevitable. If we can deploy AI for a given use case, then we must. Of course, that’s not true.
Some thoughts on the Atlantic's "End of Reading" piece.
open.substack.com/pub/jaredkal...
Some thoughts on the Atlantic's "End of Reading" piece.
open.substack.com/pub/jaredkal...
Yeah, the Leagues Cup kicks off August 4, but… WHY?
July 23, 2026 at 2:22 AM
Yeah, the Leagues Cup kicks off August 4, but… WHY?
ATTENTION:
There's a new skill available on LinkedIn. It's called "Puzzle Solving."
I just wanted to let you know, since it's apparently big news (judging by the 20,000 emails LinkedIn has sent me about it).
There's a new skill available on LinkedIn. It's called "Puzzle Solving."
I just wanted to let you know, since it's apparently big news (judging by the 20,000 emails LinkedIn has sent me about it).
July 14, 2026 at 11:56 PM
ATTENTION:
There's a new skill available on LinkedIn. It's called "Puzzle Solving."
I just wanted to let you know, since it's apparently big news (judging by the 20,000 emails LinkedIn has sent me about it).
There's a new skill available on LinkedIn. It's called "Puzzle Solving."
I just wanted to let you know, since it's apparently big news (judging by the 20,000 emails LinkedIn has sent me about it).
Shari Ballard stepping aside as chief executive of @mnufc.com at year's end. She'll be replaced by longtime Target Corp. executive Christina Hennington.
www.mnufc.com/news/minneso...
www.mnufc.com/news/minneso...
Minnesota United FC Names Christina Hennington Chief Executive Officer | Minnesota United FC
Shari Ballard to retire following end of 2026 season; club welcomes Christina Hennington
www.mnufc.com
July 14, 2026 at 4:46 PM
Shari Ballard stepping aside as chief executive of @mnufc.com at year's end. She'll be replaced by longtime Target Corp. executive Christina Hennington.
www.mnufc.com/news/minneso...
www.mnufc.com/news/minneso...
Philly should get to host every Home Run Derby. Just sayin’.
July 14, 2026 at 2:17 AM
Philly should get to host every Home Run Derby. Just sayin’.
Correct.
Final four rooting interests, after much deliberation
1. France
2. Spain
3. (Gritted teeth) England
4. Argentina
1. France
2. Spain
3. (Gritted teeth) England
4. Argentina
July 12, 2026 at 9:13 PM
Correct.
"Argentina* do it again!"*
July 12, 2026 at 3:33 AM
"Argentina* do it again!"*
I just don’t understand you can suddenly recite a yellow card with VAR if you simply call it “mistaken identity.”
July 12, 2026 at 2:47 AM
I just don’t understand you can suddenly recite a yellow card with VAR if you simply call it “mistaken identity.”
Honestly, though, why can’t we even get a replay of the controversial part of the play?
July 9, 2026 at 9:26 PM
Honestly, though, why can’t we even get a replay of the controversial part of the play?
It was a spectacular game, but it’s very hard not to consider it marred by VAR.
July 7, 2026 at 6:06 PM
It was a spectacular game, but it’s very hard not to consider it marred by VAR.
I can't help but feel that the NYT Styles section after turning rage at its "Greatest Living American Songwriters" list into ENGAGEMENT is now trying to make lightning strike twice with it's "most stylish" list that includes Clavicular, Nicolas Maduro, and RFK Jr. among others.
Geez.
Geez.
July 7, 2026 at 4:54 PM
I can't help but feel that the NYT Styles section after turning rage at its "Greatest Living American Songwriters" list into ENGAGEMENT is now trying to make lightning strike twice with it's "most stylish" list that includes Clavicular, Nicolas Maduro, and RFK Jr. among others.
Geez.
Geez.
THIS IS AN EXCITING FOOTBALL MATCH.
July 7, 2026 at 4:22 PM
THIS IS AN EXCITING FOOTBALL MATCH.
I spent the day torn because I wanted to win but also I hated the idea of winning and the win being seen as illegitimate.
But this…
This was far worse than I had imagined.
But this…
This was far worse than I had imagined.
July 7, 2026 at 2:04 AM
I spent the day torn because I wanted to win but also I hated the idea of winning and the win being seen as illegitimate.
But this…
This was far worse than I had imagined.
But this…
This was far worse than I had imagined.
This is getting nervy… nerviER
July 7, 2026 at 12:43 AM
This is getting nervy… nerviER
Belgium says its appeal of the Balogun decision was denied, with FIFA saying Belgium lacks standing to appeal.
Belgium says it still has not received an explanation of the original decision.
nypost.com/2026/07/06/s...
Belgium says it still has not received an explanation of the original decision.
nypost.com/2026/07/06/s...
Folarin Balogun cleared to play for USMNT as desperate Belgium appeal fails
Belgium’s appealed FIFA’s decision on Folarin Balogun’s red card.
nypost.com
July 6, 2026 at 5:07 PM
Belgium says its appeal of the Balogun decision was denied, with FIFA saying Belgium lacks standing to appeal.
Belgium says it still has not received an explanation of the original decision.
nypost.com/2026/07/06/s...
Belgium says it still has not received an explanation of the original decision.
nypost.com/2026/07/06/s...
Just saw the Sepp Blatter comment. When you're too corrupt for Sepp Blatter...
July 6, 2026 at 4:58 PM
Just saw the Sepp Blatter comment. When you're too corrupt for Sepp Blatter...
Here’s a much more serious treatment of the issue from The Athletic.
www.nytimes.com/athletic/742...
www.nytimes.com/athletic/742...
FIFA's decision to suspend Folarin Balogun’s ban damages the integrity of this World Cup
www.nytimes.com
July 6, 2026 at 12:37 PM
Here’s a much more serious treatment of the issue from The Athletic.
www.nytimes.com/athletic/742...
www.nytimes.com/athletic/742...
What a bizarre article from The Athletic. There are plenty of interesting questions about how various actors—including the USMNT—should respond to the Balogun reversal. This… is not one of them.
July 6, 2026 at 12:29 PM
What a bizarre article from The Athletic. There are plenty of interesting questions about how various actors—including the USMNT—should respond to the Balogun reversal. This… is not one of them.
Reposted by Jared Kaltwasser
I can't believe England stole Wonderwall from Minnesota United!
July 6, 2026 at 3:10 AM
I can't believe England stole Wonderwall from Minnesota United!
Truth.
Harry Kane looks like a man whose name could only ever have been Harry Kane
July 6, 2026 at 2:35 AM
Truth.