Tech-Media False Dichotomy
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Sam Parr shares his frustration about journalists creating a false divide between tech and traditional media companies, particularly when they label people as "tech bros." He experienced this firsthand during a New York Times interview where the journalist tried to create an artificial distinction despite both working in digital publishing.
Key Points:
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Media-Tech False Dichotomy:
- Traditional media companies like NY Times and Vox are technically "tech companies" since most revenue comes from digital
- The "tech bro" label is often used dismissively by journalists despite working in similar industries
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Personal Experience with NY Times:
- Journalist attempted to create an "othering" narrative
- Used loaded terms like "tech bro" and made assumptions about lifestyle/interests
- Sam recorded the interview anticipating potential misrepresentation
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Balanced Media Consumption:
- Reads diverse sources daily (CNN, Fox News, HuffPo, Breitbart)
- Consumes varied content (Joe Rogan, Oprah)
- Believes in getting multiple perspectives
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Interview Dynamics:
- Journalist tried to create "gotcha" moments
- Used leading questions about "tech bro friends"
- Attempted to reinforce stereotypes rather than understand
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Response to Labeling:
- Challenged the journalist's premise of separation between tech and media
- Pointed out shared industry characteristics
- Questioned why similar digital business models are labeled differently
The core frustration centers on media professionals creating artificial divisions while working in essentially the same digital space, using labels to create narrative tension rather than acknowledging shared industry realities.
Sam Parr
Host of MFM and fitness influencer
Sam Parr is a serial entrepreneur and business media pioneer.
In 2016, he founded The Hustle, a business news media company that started in his kitchen with just $12 and grew to eight figures in revenue.
Sam led the charge in making newsletters popular when few believed in their potential.
After four successful years, he sold The Hustle to HubSpot, a publicly traded company. Now operating as HubSpot Media, The Hustle reaches 3 million readers daily, employs a team of nearly 100, and has been the launchpad for dozens of its staff to found their own media companies and newsletters.
Sam remains the host of the popular business podcast, My First Million, and continues to start and sell companies. He also co-founded Hampton, a highly vetted community for entrepreneurs, founders, and CEOs, and teaches people to write better through his platform, Copy That.