Jared Kaltwasser

I write about culture—media, AI, film, customer service reps—over on Substack. Please read and consider subscribing.

Now is the time for public schools to show our work, too. https://curiousteaching.substack.com/p/why-public-schools-must-show-our

“Mr. Nobody Against Putin,” then, is ultimately a story about human connection. https://www.jaredkalt.com/p/an-insider-looks-out-mr-nobody-finds

When we talk about classroom expectations, we’re almost always thinking about what we, the teachers, can and should expect from our students. But what if the key to classroom management is the opposite? https://curiousteaching.substack.com/p/the-secret-to-classroom-expectations

We live in a world where the effects of de-humanizing language are impossible to ignore. https://www.jaredkalt.com/p/screaming-into-the-void

The logic of the market indicates that one should have one exclusive aim: to make money. https://www.jaredkalt.com/p/with-big-tech-the-addiction-is-the

Three years ago, Sinclair Inc., the third-largest local TV station owner in the United States, dropped local news programming in several markets, including my own market of Sioux City, Iowa. https://www.jaredkalt.com/p/sinclair-ignores-sioux-city-the-fcc

But the movie doesn’t have a happy ending. https://www.jaredkalt.com/p/the-feel-good-movie-with-an-unhappy

That’s, um, the wrong question to ask. https://www.jaredkalt.com/p/asking-the-wrong-question-about-fifas

Just watched "Junk" on Mubi. It's very good. Not great. But a perfect Mubi movie. Worth a watch.

The End of Agency is not here. https://www.jaredkalt.com/p/reading-is-still-here-but-is-agency

Reach’s business is struggling. The company’s half-year revenues were down significantly in 2026 compared to the first half of 2025 (9% year over year, including an 11% drop in digital revenue). https://www.jaredkalt.com/p/can-quality-over-quantity-save-a

Kids can do hard things, and we should have the fortitude and patients to push kids to achieve hard goals. https://curiousteaching.substack.com/p/on-rigor

"It’s only local newspapers — those family-run, shoestring-budget, don’t-even-have-a-website dinosaurs — that have the local presence, neighborhood know-how, and downright gumption to spot corruption and expose it." open.substack.com/pub/jaredkal...

On rigor. My latest post for Curious Teaching.

If we want to have serious conversations about AI and its role in society, we need to start naming what it is (and isn't).

A British publisher's decision to switch from quantity to quality could answer the question of whether it is possible to profitably operate a network of high-quality local news outlets. If not, it raises another question: Is it worth operating them at all? open.substack.com/pub/jaredkal...

I thought the Atlantic's piece on "The End of Reading" was interesting. However, I also think it slipped into the trap of acting like we are passive victims of technology. We don't have to be. www.jaredkalt.com/p/reading-is...

We live in an age when we increasingly are being told that if something is possible, it is inevitable. If we can deploy AI for a given use case, then we must. Of course, that’s not true. Some thoughts on the Atlantic's "End of Reading" piece. open.substack.com/pub/jaredkal...

Yeah, the Leagues Cup kicks off August 4, but… WHY?

ATTENTION: There's a new skill available on LinkedIn. It's called "Puzzle Solving." I just wanted to let you know, since it's apparently big news (judging by the 20,000 emails LinkedIn has sent me about it).

Shari Ballard stepping aside as chief executive of @mnufc.com at year's end. She'll be replaced by longtime Target Corp. executive Christina Hennington. www.mnufc.com/news/minneso...

Philly should get to host every Home Run Derby. Just sayin’.

Correct.

"Argentina* do it again!"*

I just don’t understand you can suddenly recite a yellow card with VAR if you simply call it “mistaken identity.”

Honestly, though, why can’t we even get a replay of the controversial part of the play?

It was a spectacular game, but it’s very hard not to consider it marred by VAR.

I can't help but feel that the NYT Styles section after turning rage at its "Greatest Living American Songwriters" list into ENGAGEMENT is now trying to make lightning strike twice with it's "most stylish" list that includes Clavicular, Nicolas Maduro, and RFK Jr. among others. Geez.

THIS IS AN EXCITING FOOTBALL MATCH.

I spent the day torn because I wanted to win but also I hated the idea of winning and the win being seen as illegitimate. But this… This was far worse than I had imagined.

This is getting nervy… nerviER

Belgium says its appeal of the Balogun decision was denied, with FIFA saying Belgium lacks standing to appeal. Belgium says it still has not received an explanation of the original decision. nypost.com/2026/07/06/s...

Just saw the Sepp Blatter comment. When you're too corrupt for Sepp Blatter...

open.substack.com/pub/jaredkal...

Here’s a much more serious treatment of the issue from The Athletic. www.nytimes.com/athletic/742...

What a bizarre article from The Athletic. There are plenty of interesting questions about how various actors—including the USMNT—should respond to the Balogun reversal. This… is not one of them.

I can't believe England stole Wonderwall from Minnesota United!

Truth.

Not certain Keir Starmer can pull this one off

CENTRAL CONFERENCE CHAMPIONS 🏆 Next stop: National Semifinals.

Not so subtle from the New York Post…

NYT now reporting it: www.nytimes.com/2026/07/05/u...

Fox is now now calling the Hydration Break a “Match Break.” I’m not sure if I like it because it’s more transparent or hate it because they no longer have enough shame to lie to us.

Correct take.