John B. Dutton
@johnbdutton.bsky.social
Writer, author, and Head of Creative Services at the National Film Board of Canada
Read my books: https://www.amazon.com/author/johnbdutton
Read my newsletter: https://johnbdutton.substack.com/
Read my articles: https://medium.com
Read my books: https://www.amazon.com/author/johnbdutton
Read my newsletter: https://johnbdutton.substack.com/
Read my articles: https://medium.com
Pinned
John B. Dutton
@johnbdutton.bsky.social
· Nov 21
I'm off X
We all know that the buffest Roman-era jocks were chosen to be gladiators but history has tended to ignore the emo kids who performed in front of much smaller crowds as sadiators.
February 9, 2025 at 3:11 AM
We all know that the buffest Roman-era jocks were chosen to be gladiators but history has tended to ignore the emo kids who performed in front of much smaller crowds as sadiators.
Wow, what a crazy year that was. Thank goodness it's over!
January 20, 2025 at 1:05 PM
Wow, what a crazy year that was. Thank goodness it's over!
Sorry to pollute the feed with this guy, but I've written about the history behind elites wearing red hats.
Was The Original MAGA Cap a Chapeau?
Hypocritical headwear is a hit in the heartland
medium.com
December 7, 2024 at 3:03 PM
Sorry to pollute the feed with this guy, but I've written about the history behind elites wearing red hats.
My latest on Medium, my first for a while on Bluesky.
Everyone Loves a Quote, from Shakespeare to Spinal Tap
Memes are just the latest iteration of an ancient social activity
medium.com
November 21, 2024 at 5:47 PM
My latest on Medium, my first for a while on Bluesky.
Whose road are you following?
A short piece I published this weekend.
A short piece I published this weekend.
Summer’s Over. What a Relief!
How about a little alienation with that autumn breeze?
medium.com
September 9, 2024 at 1:47 PM
Whose road are you following?
A short piece I published this weekend.
A short piece I published this weekend.
Want to know what my novel, 2084, is about? I mean, beyond the marketing copy? Here’s my in-depth interview with Thomas Smith of The Generator.
Author John B. Dutton Talks About His New, AI-Inspired Novel
Will AGI create a utopia or dystopia?
medium.com
June 29, 2024 at 1:30 AM
Want to know what my novel, 2084, is about? I mean, beyond the marketing copy? Here’s my in-depth interview with Thomas Smith of The Generator.
Sharing this news item just so I can write:
olfactory philately
olfactory philately
France's La Poste celebrates baguette with bakery-scented stamp
The French post office unveiled on Thursday, the day of the patron saint of bakers and pastry chefs, a scratch-and-sniff post stamp, which costs €1.96.
www.lemonde.fr
May 22, 2024 at 6:13 PM
Sharing this news item just so I can write:
olfactory philately
olfactory philately
In the latest Discomfort Zone newsletter:
A Ukrainian spokesbot 🤖
An exclusive fruit 🍍
Robots who sculpt 🗿
And why software makes car repairs more expensive 🚗 💸
Plus an interview with Adam Morgan, who literally wrote the book on challenger brands.
Subscribe to receive the email version! 🙏
A Ukrainian spokesbot 🤖
An exclusive fruit 🍍
Robots who sculpt 🗿
And why software makes car repairs more expensive 🚗 💸
Plus an interview with Adam Morgan, who literally wrote the book on challenger brands.
Subscribe to receive the email version! 🙏
Digital representatives, robot sculptors, and luxury pineapples. (Plus my new novel!)
Will deepfakes and AI scams help us move beyond the post-truth era? This newsletter looks at trust and authenticity in the age of generative artificial intelligence.
open.substack.com
May 9, 2024 at 10:40 PM
In the latest Discomfort Zone newsletter:
A Ukrainian spokesbot 🤖
An exclusive fruit 🍍
Robots who sculpt 🗿
And why software makes car repairs more expensive 🚗 💸
Plus an interview with Adam Morgan, who literally wrote the book on challenger brands.
Subscribe to receive the email version! 🙏
A Ukrainian spokesbot 🤖
An exclusive fruit 🍍
Robots who sculpt 🗿
And why software makes car repairs more expensive 🚗 💸
Plus an interview with Adam Morgan, who literally wrote the book on challenger brands.
Subscribe to receive the email version! 🙏
From my latest article for The Generator: "It’s ironic that what many commentators saw as Sora's strength — the realism of its videos — may actually turn out to be less important than how unrealistic and even surrealistic the imagery that it creates is."
Sora-ealism Will Become a Defining Esthetic of this Decade
OpenAI’s video creation tool would make Salvador Dali’s mustache twirl even higher
medium.com
March 29, 2024 at 4:02 PM
From my latest article for The Generator: "It’s ironic that what many commentators saw as Sora's strength — the realism of its videos — may actually turn out to be less important than how unrealistic and even surrealistic the imagery that it creates is."
In today’s Discomfort Zone newsletter:
Sora’s surreal videos 🎥
DeepMind’s soccer tactics ⚽
AI obituary piracy 💀
And how Spotify hopes to become an education hub. 👩
Plus a 1Qi interview with DEI specialist Sonia Thompson, who shares the top 3 mistakes brands make when showcasing inclusivity.
Sora’s surreal videos 🎥
DeepMind’s soccer tactics ⚽
AI obituary piracy 💀
And how Spotify hopes to become an education hub. 👩
Plus a 1Qi interview with DEI specialist Sonia Thompson, who shares the top 3 mistakes brands make when showcasing inclusivity.
Flying pigs, flying chickens, and not realizing you’re dead
Today’s Discomfort Zone newsletter features Sora’s surreal videos, DeepMind’s soccer tactics, AI obituary piracy, and how Spotify hopes to become an education hub. Plus, the top 3 mistakes brands make...
open.substack.com
March 28, 2024 at 9:53 PM
In today’s Discomfort Zone newsletter:
Sora’s surreal videos 🎥
DeepMind’s soccer tactics ⚽
AI obituary piracy 💀
And how Spotify hopes to become an education hub. 👩
Plus a 1Qi interview with DEI specialist Sonia Thompson, who shares the top 3 mistakes brands make when showcasing inclusivity.
Sora’s surreal videos 🎥
DeepMind’s soccer tactics ⚽
AI obituary piracy 💀
And how Spotify hopes to become an education hub. 👩
Plus a 1Qi interview with DEI specialist Sonia Thompson, who shares the top 3 mistakes brands make when showcasing inclusivity.
Today's weather in England, straight from my sister's mouth: "Less muddy than it's been for some time."
March 24, 2024 at 3:36 PM
Today's weather in England, straight from my sister's mouth: "Less muddy than it's been for some time."
This is my most-read article on Medium.
Are we thinking about AI image-creation platforms the wrong way?
How should we address realism, historical accuracy, and avoiding bias?
Is AI a tool or a toy? The answer makes a big difference to how we react to its output.
Are we thinking about AI image-creation platforms the wrong way?
How should we address realism, historical accuracy, and avoiding bias?
Is AI a tool or a toy? The answer makes a big difference to how we react to its output.
Who’s To Say that the Founding Fathers Were Even Human? Don’t Blame Gemini….
It’s been less than a month since we had a female Pope and black Nazis. What a time to be alive!
medium.com
March 22, 2024 at 11:21 PM
This is my most-read article on Medium.
Are we thinking about AI image-creation platforms the wrong way?
How should we address realism, historical accuracy, and avoiding bias?
Is AI a tool or a toy? The answer makes a big difference to how we react to its output.
Are we thinking about AI image-creation platforms the wrong way?
How should we address realism, historical accuracy, and avoiding bias?
Is AI a tool or a toy? The answer makes a big difference to how we react to its output.
People like burgers, not surgers.
Why the Wendy’s Dynamic Pricing Fiasco is a Great Lesson for Marketers
We evolved to crave predictability. Negative emotions can be triggered by this craving. Too bad for one fast-food CEO…
medium.com
March 18, 2024 at 4:33 PM
People like burgers, not surgers.
In today’s Discomfort Zone newsletter:
Wendy’s dynamic price debacle 🍔
Kate's fake photo fiasco 👸
Cute but cringy Korean carebots 🤖
And how the CIA intends to use AI. (Maybe just change its name to CAI?) 🕵️
+ an interview with Professor Jordan LeBel who explains plant-based marketing challenges.
Wendy’s dynamic price debacle 🍔
Kate's fake photo fiasco 👸
Cute but cringy Korean carebots 🤖
And how the CIA intends to use AI. (Maybe just change its name to CAI?) 🕵️
+ an interview with Professor Jordan LeBel who explains plant-based marketing challenges.
Wendy’s woes, Kate’s no-show, and cute Korean carebots
Today’s Discomfort Zone newsletter features:
Wendy’s dynamic price debacle, Kate's fake photo fiasco, and cute Korean carebots. The 1Qi interview features professor Jordan LeBel, who explains the tou...
open.substack.com
March 14, 2024 at 9:27 PM
In today’s Discomfort Zone newsletter:
Wendy’s dynamic price debacle 🍔
Kate's fake photo fiasco 👸
Cute but cringy Korean carebots 🤖
And how the CIA intends to use AI. (Maybe just change its name to CAI?) 🕵️
+ an interview with Professor Jordan LeBel who explains plant-based marketing challenges.
Wendy’s dynamic price debacle 🍔
Kate's fake photo fiasco 👸
Cute but cringy Korean carebots 🤖
And how the CIA intends to use AI. (Maybe just change its name to CAI?) 🕵️
+ an interview with Professor Jordan LeBel who explains plant-based marketing challenges.
The latest edition of my newsletter features:
Bluesky’s bright future 🌤
Gemini’s genuine usefulness 💡
Sam Altman’s $7 trillion bluff ♠
& whether corporations should speak up on social issues.
+ an interview with songwriter Charlie Harding, who remains optimistic about the future of pop music.
Bluesky’s bright future 🌤
Gemini’s genuine usefulness 💡
Sam Altman’s $7 trillion bluff ♠
& whether corporations should speak up on social issues.
+ an interview with songwriter Charlie Harding, who remains optimistic about the future of pop music.
Blue skies, Gemini flies, and Sam Altman’s $7 trillion poker face
Is Sam Altman bluffing with his $7 trillion bet? Twitter offshoot Bluesky launches to the public. Google’s Gemini AI gets more useful. Should corporations speak up on social issues? Plus a 1Qi intervi...
open.substack.com
February 22, 2024 at 5:20 PM
The latest edition of my newsletter features:
Bluesky’s bright future 🌤
Gemini’s genuine usefulness 💡
Sam Altman’s $7 trillion bluff ♠
& whether corporations should speak up on social issues.
+ an interview with songwriter Charlie Harding, who remains optimistic about the future of pop music.
Bluesky’s bright future 🌤
Gemini’s genuine usefulness 💡
Sam Altman’s $7 trillion bluff ♠
& whether corporations should speak up on social issues.
+ an interview with songwriter Charlie Harding, who remains optimistic about the future of pop music.
Open AI’s video generation tool Sora was unveiled to the general public on Thursday. Will it (or any other AI) be used to make a movie or TV show anytime soon? No.
medium.com/the-generato...
medium.com/the-generato...
February 20, 2024 at 2:38 PM
Open AI’s video generation tool Sora was unveiled to the general public on Thursday. Will it (or any other AI) be used to make a movie or TV show anytime soon? No.
medium.com/the-generato...
medium.com/the-generato...
This very short piece is about a surprising link I discovered between Charles Dickens and Leonard Cohen.
The Surprising Link Between Charles Dickens and Leonard Cohen
Great art happens at the intersection of darkness and light
medium.com
February 18, 2024 at 7:08 PM
This very short piece is about a surprising link I discovered between Charles Dickens and Leonard Cohen.
As western monoculture splinters into what anthropologist Grant McCracken calls "gravity wells", the ability to understand context is becoming ever more valuable for marketers and anyone who wants to influence behavior.
Why Context is the Most Undervalued Aspect of Marketing
Original concepts and content creation are important but they never exist in a vacuum
medium.com
February 16, 2024 at 3:29 PM
As western monoculture splinters into what anthropologist Grant McCracken calls "gravity wells", the ability to understand context is becoming ever more valuable for marketers and anyone who wants to influence behavior.
February 12, 2024 at 1:24 AM
Today’s edition of my Discomfort Zone newsletter features:
Toothbrush attack 😮
Airport vineyard 🍇
Digital nomads 💻
And why context is undervalued in marketing 👑
Plus a 1Qi interview with London brand innovation studio Dalziel & Pow, who share their design methodology.
Toothbrush attack 😮
Airport vineyard 🍇
Digital nomads 💻
And why context is undervalued in marketing 👑
Plus a 1Qi interview with London brand innovation studio Dalziel & Pow, who share their design methodology.
https://johnbdutton.substack.com/p/switzerlands-toothbrush-attack-italys?r=h85ec&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=true
open.substack.com
February 8, 2024 at 9:17 PM
Today’s edition of my Discomfort Zone newsletter features:
Toothbrush attack 😮
Airport vineyard 🍇
Digital nomads 💻
And why context is undervalued in marketing 👑
Plus a 1Qi interview with London brand innovation studio Dalziel & Pow, who share their design methodology.
Toothbrush attack 😮
Airport vineyard 🍇
Digital nomads 💻
And why context is undervalued in marketing 👑
Plus a 1Qi interview with London brand innovation studio Dalziel & Pow, who share their design methodology.
Video teaser for my new novel: 2084
Get release info at johnbdutton.com/2084
Please share with anyone you think might be interested in a cautionary tale about where we're headed...
And don't be shy to ask me questions right here on Bluesky!
#speculativefiction #scifi
Music: purple-planet.com
Get release info at johnbdutton.com/2084
Please share with anyone you think might be interested in a cautionary tale about where we're headed...
And don't be shy to ask me questions right here on Bluesky!
#speculativefiction #scifi
Music: purple-planet.com
https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=shared&v=gISuCZUvzuk
youtu.be
February 7, 2024 at 2:45 PM
Video teaser for my new novel: 2084
Get release info at johnbdutton.com/2084
Please share with anyone you think might be interested in a cautionary tale about where we're headed...
And don't be shy to ask me questions right here on Bluesky!
#speculativefiction #scifi
Music: purple-planet.com
Get release info at johnbdutton.com/2084
Please share with anyone you think might be interested in a cautionary tale about where we're headed...
And don't be shy to ask me questions right here on Bluesky!
#speculativefiction #scifi
Music: purple-planet.com
Today’s Discomfort Zone newsletter features:
Cuteness overload 😻
Compostable shoes 👟
And why hipster cafes all look the same ☕
Plus a 1Qi interview with public speaking coach Nausheen Chen, who explains how to balance authenticity and performance when selling an idea.
Cuteness overload 😻
Compostable shoes 👟
And why hipster cafes all look the same ☕
Plus a 1Qi interview with public speaking coach Nausheen Chen, who explains how to balance authenticity and performance when selling an idea.
3D-printed shoes, AI-fake news, and the cult of cute
This Discomfort Zone newsletter features: cuteness overload, compostable shoes, Google's GenAI, and why hipster cafes all look the same. Plus an interview with public speaking coach Nausheen Chen.
open.substack.com
January 25, 2024 at 2:56 PM
Today’s Discomfort Zone newsletter features:
Cuteness overload 😻
Compostable shoes 👟
And why hipster cafes all look the same ☕
Plus a 1Qi interview with public speaking coach Nausheen Chen, who explains how to balance authenticity and performance when selling an idea.
Cuteness overload 😻
Compostable shoes 👟
And why hipster cafes all look the same ☕
Plus a 1Qi interview with public speaking coach Nausheen Chen, who explains how to balance authenticity and performance when selling an idea.
AI-generated advertising will use personal data to produce hyper-targeted marketing. Is artificial intelligence that knows us inside-out creepy or useful?
Knock, Knock. Targeting here!
Relentless, remorseless, and now fueled by AI, hyper-targeted marketing is about to invade your life
medium.com
January 17, 2024 at 3:21 PM
AI-generated advertising will use personal data to produce hyper-targeted marketing. Is artificial intelligence that knows us inside-out creepy or useful?