4 Comments
User's avatar
Sung Won Chung's avatar

Smells like the attention economy is becoming synonymous for the controversy economy...and it's working! Feels like the same reason the "bad guy" on reality tv shows makes it to the top 3. It gets the people going.

Expand full comment
Benn Stancil's avatar

Yeah, I mean, I think this is basically the story of the world, for the last decade (and why I think social media is, and I mean this seriously, one of humanity's biggest mistakes). People want to go viral; virality comes from engagement; the most engaging stuff is stuff that makes you mad by telling you how you should be outraged at something or someone you already don't like.

Expand full comment
Mark Hovde's avatar

Some of the VC “differentiators” are practiced by PE investors too.

On review of Mr Penny’s case, I think he deserves a break as he was acquitted and he expressed condolences. He is like other celebrities (eg, Snoop Dogg, Ashton Kutcher) who can bring attention and deal flow and LP’s to a firm.

Expand full comment
Benn Stancil's avatar

Academically, I think the more telling question about Penny isn't "why not?" but is "why?" They're a very prestigious firm, who can hire tons of well qualified people who have a lot less baggage, to put it mildly - including some proper celebrities who have much larger followings, I suspect. In other words, there's not that much mystery on how they'd defend the hire (which they've evidently done, internally: https://www.garbageday.email/p/weekend-issue-8dcbc21090b3cab3). But I don't know how they'd explain the hire, hence my guesses here.

Expand full comment