EDIT 20251101 footnote 2 about Alex Tabarrok's crypto connection
For a long time, I have considered Marginal Revolution as the ur-social media. A blog. A lively (and moderated! but with healthy respect for difficult opposing viewpoints) comments section. A mix of original content, high-level curation, and shills. Longevity. Internet-level uptimes. Some evolution over the years, but not much -- it remains recognizable as itself, even 20 years later. Maybe the most unique feature of this internet "community" is Emergent Ventures.
It was by no means the first emergent online community, but in my mind I compare it to every new emergent online community.
For a long time, I have considered Tyler Cowen, one of the two co-founders along with Alex Tabarrok, as the paragon of a modern polymath.
When he found crypto interesting, early on, I thought that was interesting. When he walked back on world-changing aspirations for crypto, I also thought that was interesting.
When he considered AI intere...
