The More the Merrier

20 September, 201812 February, 2019 ~ John Nerst ~ 6 Comments

I use pretty pictures to illustrate how we can use many partially overlapping belief systems to get a better image of reality than any one model can offer. Read more (4 min, 1100 words).

The Eurovision Song Contest: A Meaning-Making Machine

11 May, 201811 May, 2018 ~ John Nerst ~ 2 Comments

My third yearly article about the Eurovision Song Contest, where I argue that the contest is set up in a way that maximizes return on investment in terms of meaning experienced in context vs. real world meaning out of context. Read more (17 min, 4300 words).

All the World’s a Trading Zone, and All the Languages Merely Pidgins

29 April, 20174 April, 2018 ~ John Nerst ~ 2 Comments

I take an article about the mechanics of intercultural communication and extend it, arguing most communication these days could be considered intercultural. Read more (6 min, 1500 words)