What is Pop Cultural Precursors?

A newsletter dedicated to tracing the origin stories of the latest trends in the zeitgeist.

Who makes Pop Cultural Precursors?

My name is Chris Baker and I'm a writer and editor in the Bay Area of California. I've covered innovation, technology, and the entertainment industry for outlets like Slate, Wired, Rolling Stone, Vulture, Entertainment Weekly, Giant Robot, and California Sunday. I also dabble in speculative fiction and humor writing, which you can find here.

One thread running through my work is an obsession with the history of popular culture. When I read about a new trend, it usually puts me in mind of some predecessor phenomenon, and I disappear down a research rabbit hole for days.

I created this newsletter as a place to continue exploring this topic, and to share some of my previously published writing. (It’s not rehashing—it’s upcycling!) I aim to post a new piece every month or two, so keep checking back. Smash that subscribe button, as they say, to keep up with the latest pop cultural precursors.

Drop me a line

The email address is the Substack address at gmail.

Why subscribe?

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