Sam Adams
@samadams.bsky.social
Culture writer at Slate, published in LA Times, Rolling Stone, Entertainment Weekly, Variety, THR, and points south. Member: New York Film Critics Circle, National Society of Film Critics, WGA East
Pinned
Sam Adams
@samadams.bsky.social
· Dec 19
This was my first full year as a staff writer at Slate, and it gave me a chance to try some new things, improve some old ones, and have a lot of fun. Here are some of the things I'm proudest of.
Reposted by Sam Adams
"Starting this year the so-called 'media traffic apocalypse' caused by Google's pivot to AI search has cut our ad revenue by 70%. Prior to that, Facebook and X's deprioritization of links hurt too, but I can't downplay the brutal impact of AI Overview."
November 10, 2025 at 11:07 PM
"Starting this year the so-called 'media traffic apocalypse' caused by Google's pivot to AI search has cut our ad revenue by 70%. Prior to that, Facebook and X's deprioritization of links hurt too, but I can't downplay the brutal impact of AI Overview."
Reposted by Sam Adams
Just a quick PSA: word of mouth will forever and always be the best vessel for music discovery. Yes, algorithms can steer you towards music that aligns w/ the taste you've fed it over time, but a human literally saying "you should check this out" offers a superior layer of personalization.
The algorithm failed music
The algorithm failed music
True music discovery has suffered.
buff.ly
November 10, 2025 at 9:08 PM
Just a quick PSA: word of mouth will forever and always be the best vessel for music discovery. Yes, algorithms can steer you towards music that aligns w/ the taste you've fed it over time, but a human literally saying "you should check this out" offers a superior layer of personalization.
Reposted by Sam Adams
Hi writers! I’m looking to assign a couple of features for Slate before the end of the year. If you have anything in mind that you think would be a fit please send me a pitch! Jenée.Desmond- harris@slate.com or dm me.
RTs are appreciated so this can reach more people. Thanks!
RTs are appreciated so this can reach more people. Thanks!
November 10, 2025 at 6:06 PM
Hi writers! I’m looking to assign a couple of features for Slate before the end of the year. If you have anything in mind that you think would be a fit please send me a pitch! Jenée.Desmond- harris@slate.com or dm me.
RTs are appreciated so this can reach more people. Thanks!
RTs are appreciated so this can reach more people. Thanks!
the Democrats’ core mistake is believing there’s a version where no one gets hurt
November 10, 2025 at 2:34 PM
the Democrats’ core mistake is believing there’s a version where no one gets hurt
Reposted by Sam Adams
I heard from a bunch of federal employees last night and this morning. They aren't happy.
"I would rather be an actual pawn. At least pawn sacrifices are calculated and achieve something. All this for a fucking meaningless vote."
"I would rather be an actual pawn. At least pawn sacrifices are calculated and achieve something. All this for a fucking meaningless vote."
'A Slap in the Face': Federal Employees Feel Betrayed by Democrats' Shutdown Cave
"I would rather be an actual pawn. At least pawn sacrifices are calculated and achieve something."
www.gravityisgone.com
November 10, 2025 at 1:46 PM
I heard from a bunch of federal employees last night and this morning. They aren't happy.
"I would rather be an actual pawn. At least pawn sacrifices are calculated and achieve something. All this for a fucking meaningless vote."
"I would rather be an actual pawn. At least pawn sacrifices are calculated and achieve something. All this for a fucking meaningless vote."
Reposted by Sam Adams
I received this email about Democrats caving to end the shutdown from one of the SNAP recipients I spoke to:
November 10, 2025 at 2:17 PM
I received this email about Democrats caving to end the shutdown from one of the SNAP recipients I spoke to:
literally “we tried nothing and we’re all out of ideas”
November 10, 2025 at 2:18 PM
literally “we tried nothing and we’re all out of ideas”
Reposted by Sam Adams
Not a political consultant but I’m not sure “standing up to trump doesn’t work” is the best midterm message, even if if accurately represents senate dems position. Not much point in putting you in power then bsky.app/profile/atru...
November 10, 2025 at 2:12 PM
Not a political consultant but I’m not sure “standing up to trump doesn’t work” is the best midterm message, even if if accurately represents senate dems position. Not much point in putting you in power then bsky.app/profile/atru...
do you know how bad you have to fuck up for Jonathan Chait to think you fucked up?
"Democrats could have held the line on the shutdown, and spent weeks watching Trump’s approval ratings fall," writes @jonathanbchait.bsky.social
Instead, he argues, they're making a mistake by giving in:
www.theatlantic.com/politics/202...
Instead, he argues, they're making a mistake by giving in:
www.theatlantic.com/politics/202...
Senate Democrats Just Made a Huge Mistake
The shutdown was hurting Trump. Ending it helps him.
www.theatlantic.com
November 10, 2025 at 1:45 PM
do you know how bad you have to fuck up for Jonathan Chait to think you fucked up?
Reposted by Sam Adams
How about we shut down the government for this very popular and specific goal and then, hear me out, we hold out for like a month and a half and then, ok this part is important, after a watershed election where we ran the table, ONLY THEN, fold and don't get the one thing we said we wanted.
November 10, 2025 at 2:31 AM
How about we shut down the government for this very popular and specific goal and then, hear me out, we hold out for like a month and a half and then, ok this part is important, after a watershed election where we ran the table, ONLY THEN, fold and don't get the one thing we said we wanted.
If you think there is an iota of shame left among them you have been asleep since 2016.
Agree.
Sen Hassan, asked what will happen if Republicans don't carry out the deal, "Well, shame on them."
This is not what people were mobilizing for on Oct 18.
Sen Hassan, asked what will happen if Republicans don't carry out the deal, "Well, shame on them."
This is not what people were mobilizing for on Oct 18.
November 10, 2025 at 3:15 AM
If you think there is an iota of shame left among them you have been asleep since 2016.
the only thing more on-brand than Dems caving to Republican demands is Dems caving to Republican demands and still failing to end the shutdown
Sanders: That is a totally meaningless gesture. You can get 100 votes here and it won't mean anything because the House is not going to take it up.
November 10, 2025 at 1:47 AM
the only thing more on-brand than Dems caving to Republican demands is Dems caving to Republican demands and still failing to end the shutdown
Reposted by Sam Adams
It’s hard to imagine a better production with a more stacked cast than the one of THE BAKER’S WIFE now onstage at CSC. In lesser hands it might be unbearably twee, but here it is lovingly staged and performed—a joy and a gem.
November 10, 2025 at 12:17 AM
It’s hard to imagine a better production with a more stacked cast than the one of THE BAKER’S WIFE now onstage at CSC. In lesser hands it might be unbearably twee, but here it is lovingly staged and performed—a joy and a gem.
love being represented by the worst Democrat on this list. Counting the days until your primary, @fetterman.senate.gov
Call them:
Schumer (NY)
202 224-6542
Booker (NJ)
202 224-3224
King (ME)
202 224-5344
Hassan (NH)
202 224-3324
Durbin (IL)
202 224-2152
Ossoff (GA)
202 224-3521
Shaheen (NH)
202 224-2841
Gillibrand (NY)
202 224-4451
Masto (NV)
202 224-3542
Warner (VA)
202 224-2023
Fetterman (PA)
No Point
Schumer (NY)
202 224-6542
Booker (NJ)
202 224-3224
King (ME)
202 224-5344
Hassan (NH)
202 224-3324
Durbin (IL)
202 224-2152
Ossoff (GA)
202 224-3521
Shaheen (NH)
202 224-2841
Gillibrand (NY)
202 224-4451
Masto (NV)
202 224-3542
Warner (VA)
202 224-2023
Fetterman (PA)
No Point
November 9, 2025 at 11:21 PM
love being represented by the worst Democrat on this list. Counting the days until your primary, @fetterman.senate.gov
If you’re a fan of Materialists, Die My Love, or earthy, bittersweet love songs, you might want to know more about John Prine and Iris DeMent’s immortal “In Spite of Ourselves,” and I would be happy to tell you.
Why a 26-Year-Old Song Is Suddenly Everywhere
Jennifer Lawrence’s Die My Love, Celine Song’s Materialists, and Lena Dunham’s new show all commit to the same old duet, in spite of its quirkiness.
slate.com
November 9, 2025 at 8:23 PM
If you’re a fan of Materialists, Die My Love, or earthy, bittersweet love songs, you might want to know more about John Prine and Iris DeMent’s immortal “In Spite of Ourselves,” and I would be happy to tell you.
John C Reilly not only despises “How’s everything tasting?”as much as I do but uses the exact same phrase to describe how it feels to be asked. I guess I have to get really into hats now?
Servers need to stop saying “HOWS EVERYTHING TASTING?” Feat John .C Reilly #restaurant #servers #nyc
YouTube video by SubwayTakes with Kareem Rahma
youtube.com
November 9, 2025 at 5:57 PM
John C Reilly not only despises “How’s everything tasting?”as much as I do but uses the exact same phrase to describe how it feels to be asked. I guess I have to get really into hats now?
Rumours has always been popular. But it is absolutely not true that it has always been as popular as it is right now. Same website, 20 years apart. (And while I won’t make any claims for myself, Douglas Wolk knows and has always known his shit.)
slate.com/culture/2004...
slate.com/culture/2024...
slate.com/culture/2004...
slate.com/culture/2024...
November 9, 2025 at 4:28 PM
Rumours has always been popular. But it is absolutely not true that it has always been as popular as it is right now. Same website, 20 years apart. (And while I won’t make any claims for myself, Douglas Wolk knows and has always known his shit.)
slate.com/culture/2004...
slate.com/culture/2024...
slate.com/culture/2004...
slate.com/culture/2024...
Mamdani is going to implement Sherilyn Fenn law. New Yorkers will be required to tie a knot in a cherry stem with their tongue.
Mamdani is going to implement Shari Lewis law.
Everyone will be required to stick their fist up a lamb's a
Excuse me, there's someone at the door.
Everyone will be required to stick their fist up a lamb's a
Excuse me, there's someone at the door.
Mamdani is going to implement SSHaria law. Communications will be end to end encrypted.
November 9, 2025 at 1:58 AM
Mamdani is going to implement Sherilyn Fenn law. New Yorkers will be required to tie a knot in a cherry stem with their tongue.
“Collaboration is one of the most mysterious and misunderstood aspects of art—and misunderstood not just by fans and critics, but by the artists themselves.” Or, as I sometimes put it: the creative process isn’t fantasy football.
I've been happy to see all the Meg White reconsideration, in conjunction with The White Stripes entering the RnR HoF. The very first "For Our Consideration" column in The AV Club, back in 2011, was inspired by Meg and Jack dissolving their creative partnership. www.avclub.com/why-meg-whit...
Why Meg White matters
Why Meg White matters
www.avclub.com
November 8, 2025 at 4:08 PM
“Collaboration is one of the most mysterious and misunderstood aspects of art—and misunderstood not just by fans and critics, but by the artists themselves.” Or, as I sometimes put it: the creative process isn’t fantasy football.
we have achieved Maximum Chait
November 8, 2025 at 3:30 PM
we have achieved Maximum Chait
Six people died from tampered Tylenol and the company pulled 30 million bottles off the market. ChatGPT is accused of urging seven people towards suicide, and OpenAI just assures us they’re still working out the kinks. Billions in investment, zero accountability.
OpenAI faces 7 lawsuits claiming ChatGPT drove people to suicide, delusions
OpenAI is facing seven lawsuits claiming ChatGPT drove people to suicide and harmful delusions even when they had no prior mental health issues.
apnews.com
November 8, 2025 at 2:46 PM
Six people died from tampered Tylenol and the company pulled 30 million bottles off the market. ChatGPT is accused of urging seven people towards suicide, and OpenAI just assures us they’re still working out the kinks. Billions in investment, zero accountability.
Imagine if Rhea Seehorn and Keri Russell both get nominated next year and the Emmys have to decide which ridiculous injustice to remedy first
November 8, 2025 at 1:18 PM
Imagine if Rhea Seehorn and Keri Russell both get nominated next year and the Emmys have to decide which ridiculous injustice to remedy first
lovely detail from my research that didn't fit the story: When John Prine pitched Iris DeMent "In Spite of Ourselves," she told him she couldn't record it while her mother was alive. She did, and Prine sent her a copy of the album with that song seamlessly removed so she could give it to her mom.
I wrote about Jennifer Lawrence's new movie and the unconventional love song that is genuinely Having a Moment
Why a 26-Year-Old Song Is Suddenly Everywhere
Jennifer Lawrence’s Die My Love, Celine Song’s Materialists, and Lena Dunham’s new show all commit to the same old duet, in spite of its quirkiness.
slate.com
November 7, 2025 at 8:52 PM
lovely detail from my research that didn't fit the story: When John Prine pitched Iris DeMent "In Spite of Ourselves," she told him she couldn't record it while her mother was alive. She did, and Prine sent her a copy of the album with that song seamlessly removed so she could give it to her mom.
I wrote about Jennifer Lawrence's new movie and the unconventional love song that is genuinely Having a Moment
Why a 26-Year-Old Song Is Suddenly Everywhere
Jennifer Lawrence’s Die My Love, Celine Song’s Materialists, and Lena Dunham’s new show all commit to the same old duet, in spite of its quirkiness.
slate.com
November 7, 2025 at 8:13 PM
I wrote about Jennifer Lawrence's new movie and the unconventional love song that is genuinely Having a Moment
FYI if you call the number on screen at the end of Pluribus’ first episode, you get signed up for texts like this
November 7, 2025 at 8:04 PM
FYI if you call the number on screen at the end of Pluribus’ first episode, you get signed up for texts like this