Say Hello to Season Two of The Message
Almost five hundred days ago, we launched a writing collective called The Message. If you’re not familiar with it, I’ll give you a clue. Here is the clue: You’re reading this story in The Message right now.
We aimed low, describing it as, oh, merely a gathering of writers and thinkers who could talk about media, culture, technology and academia and become the 21st century equivalent of Dorothy Parker’s Algonquin Round Table. No big deal.
Trying to reach that place has been so much fun: It’s allowed a group of funny, smartypants, ambitious people to explore all the weird and amazing places where culture is changing because of technology.
And that group has produced scads of amazing work. Early on there were the hows of politeness and the whats of naming and the whys of white people. More recently we discovered the truth about computer glitches and the future of TV and movie villains.
But one thing about seasons is that they change. And now it’s time for a new one, with some new voices.
So, in September we’re saying goodbye to some of the faces who have been here from the start — Joanne McNeil, Rex Sorgatz, Quinn Norton — and some of those who joined later — Tressie McMillan Cottom, Jessamyn West, Tim Carmody. They’re now part of the Message’s illustrious alumni network, which means you might see them from time to time, dropping in, making guest appearances.
Some of the regulars are sticking around, but we’re also inviting along some bright talents who have plenty to say.
We’ll be seeing a range of voices and guest stars, and adding to the cast over the next few months — just like we did with the first season. But here are some of the people joining the cast of The Message, season 2:
Alana Levinson, basically a conceptual artist disguised as a writer on the internet.
Brandi Brown, a gigantic nerd who throws shade like a champion.
Jamie Lauren Keiles, who manages to be both dangerously young and dangerously funny, which is exactly the two perfect kinds of dangerous.
Lauren Modery, who has turned Medium into a place that gets people thinking about everything from tiny houses to weed cookies.
Vikram Babu, whose unpredictability is reflected by recent posts about Slack, racism, bicycles and algorithms in journalism.
Say hi to them.
If Season One was about going deep into things you thought you knew but didn’t really know at all, then Season Two will be about spelunking down into the guts of modern life and coming back with things that you didn’t expect.
Make sure you come along with us.
