Open problemMcLuhan & media theory

Can the tetrad forecast what AI turns into?

The problem

The tetrad has been little applied to the major artifacts of the present: large language models, recommender systems, the smartphone-plus-app stack, cryptocurrency, the cloud, augmented reality.

More open problems

Does talking to an AI change how you think?McLuhan & media theory Does typing weaken speaking?McLuhan & media theory Does dictation train speech?McLuhan & media theory Do screens shift the balance of the senses?McLuhan & media theory Inner speech in ADHDADHD & attention What influenced the AI's purchase?attribution Does the same basket cost more on your phone?prices & markets The infinite-scroll trial nobody ranattention & feeds Rework from unchecked hunchesAI-directed development Books kept on the publisher's sideattribution A referral that survives a remixattribution Timing antivirals to the body clockhealth A tax on money that sits stilleconomics Cash micro-incentives for task completion in adults with ADHDADHD & attention Does a daily digest beat an endless feed?Attention & feeds Does toe spacing predict skin that keeps cracking?Health & self-care Can compounds from HIV cure research wake latent herpes?Health & self-care Did the text-internet generation think differently from the video one?McLuhan & media theory Does better proof make advertisers pay more?Attribution & credit Do “save for later” flows work for creator links?Attribution & credit Do AI-voiced ad reads work as well as human ones?Attribution & credit Does a creator’s recommendation change what an AI agent recommends?AI-directed development Will an AI agent ever weigh a signed receipt?Attribution & credit Do creators want a portable record of their recommendations?Attribution & credit Does offering “keep it for later” at the click raise revenue?Attribution & credit What does an extra email step cost in clicks?Attribution & credit Does on-site AI chat actually lift sales?AI-directed development Can sound carry the story in a data documentary?Video & design Do the extras in collagen supplements add anything?Health & self-care Is RealPage-style rent software being used in Canada?Prices & markets How common is algorithmic price collusion in real markets?Prices & markets Where does speaking start to beat typing?McLuhan & media theory Does naming a feeling work the way McLuhan said language works?McLuhan & media theory Would a legal tier between a hotel and a lease lower rents?Housing Do firms that rely on temporary workers innovate less?Canadian economy & policy How do public-sector workers vote, party by party?Polling What happens to the buildings Canada pays for abroad?Canadian economy & policy Does the journalism tax credit change what outlets say?Canadian media