People You Should Know: Steven Levy
March 21st, 2008 | by Brad King |Most of the people I’ll blog about are technologists of some sort, or people who are using social media in ways that can be replicated in the news room.
This is not one of those people. This is one of the kings of technology journalism: Steven Levy.
My bias in this particular profile is the same as any tech journalist. Levy is my hero. When John and I were writing our book, Dungeons and Dreamers, we spent an inordinate amount of time reading through Hackers and Crypto (books you’ll find on my suggested reading list), trying to crack the code on how Levy was able to weave a truly human narrative throughout stories about decidedly technical areas.
We did a hackneyed job in comparison. We could see what he was doing, but we were having a hard time doing it ourselves. With writing — and maybe with anybody who masters a craft — if was both frustrating and inspiring to experience that work.
He’s that good.
He joined Newsweek in 1995 as the chief technology correspondent, which basically put him in front of one of the largest mainstream audiences in the country. It’s hard to describe if you haven’t written about technology…but mainstream is a scary word. You never know how high — or how low — to write. It’s a constant dance, but one that he pulled off all the time.The last few years, he’s been writing long profile pieces for Wired, a publication I used to read — and love — before the current regime turned the magazine into a fluffy, ego-driven farce…with the exception of Levy’s writing. Whenever his name shows up, damn the brand, I’m going to read it.
Today, on Twitter, Levy sent out a note to the world:
stevenjayl Handing in my Newsweek buyout papers. It was a fantastic experience, but I’m ready for a new chapter, and will be joining Wired.
Levy is giving up his Newsweek position for a full-time gig at Wired. Regardless of where he ends up, set up your Google Alerts for his name. Have his articles emailed to you. Read what he has to say.
If you want to understand technology and its implications on mainstream culture, he’s the guy.
Steven Levy, a Person You Should Know.
