An online writer I’m currently obsessed with
There are some writers on the internet who are like a pair of tinted spectacles – they help you see the world more clearly while adding a tint of their choice. Alex Danco is one of those writers. His work spans a range of topics – from Tech to Culture, History, Philosophy, and Sociology. The tint uses across all of them? Systems Thinking.
For me, his prose sits in the sweet spot between being too dumbed down and too esoteric to grasp. I’m a fan. If you’re interested in exploring the world of his ideas, here are 3 beautifully designed entry points:
The Michael Scott Theory of Social Class (https://alexdanco.com/2021/01/22/the-michael-scott-theory-of-social-class/)
If interestingness is the X axis, and entertainment is the Y axis, this article sits in the top-right corner. Status games. Language. Class divides. It’s got it all. Also, a weird conclusion that’ll make perfect sense after you read the piece – The higher you ascend the Educated Gentry ladder, the more you become Michael Scott.Internet Crowds and Personal Space (https://alexdanco.com/2019/11/15/internet-crowds-and-personal-space/)
A piece that explores a common aspect of human behaviour IRL and online – our need for personal space and the consequences of protecting it. Why do we dunk on people on Twitter? How can we design spaces that prevent that?Cooking as a service (https://alexdanco.com/2019/05/09/cooking-as-a-service/)
Will cooking become a niche activity by 2040? It looks likely. As abundance becomes common, we prefer consuming services instead of owning assets. Can UberEats do to home kitchens what Uber did to private cars?
If you’re looking for a new writer to follow, I recommend Alex (https://danco.substack.com). He doesn’t publish very often anymore, but when he does, it’s always worth it.