FanGraphs Audio: Your Attention, Please

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September 13, 2017

Episode 766
Tim Wu argues in his book The Attention Merchants that “capturing and reselling attention has been the basic model for a large number of modern businesses.” This idea of attention is relevant to the game of baseball. Will the use of radar tracking systems allows scouts to divert more attention to the field? How do the increased responsibilities of the beat reporter remove his or her attention from the game itself? Also discussed: innovation. What if it weren’t allowed, if clubs were permitted no competitive advantages? Travis Sawchik doesn’t care for the idea. He is, nevertheless, the guest on this edition of FanGraphs Audio.

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Audio after the jump. (Approximately 1 hr 12 min play time.)

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Carson Cistulli has published a book of aphorisms called Spirited Ejaculations of a New Enthusiast.

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davels
8 years ago

Ford Fusions are the vehicles used in the Uber-Pittsburgh driverless car experiment. Last I heard, things have soured somewhat, and I’m not sure where things stand with Uber/Pittsburgh (& Ford) and the driverless cars now. I’m a car guy, but I don’t live in Pittsburgh.

https://www.engadget.com/2017/05/22/pittsburgh-out-of-love-with-uber/

I will dearly miss the native background noises of the Sawchik backyard. Even the lawnmower guy. We all pray Travis finds suitably pastoral environs at his new abode.

Also, eventually robots are going to take ALL the (work) jobs, right? Think it through. We’ll be fine (until the robots figure out they don’t need us…). Just enjoy it while it lasts.

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