I’m Aaron Ross Powell, a writer, editor, and podcast host. My work explores how we live well together in a world of deep differences—and how our habits, communities, institutions, and technologies can help us do that.
I approach liberalism as both a political philosophy and a way of relating to other people: with curiosity, openness, and an appreciation for lives unlike our own. Drawing on philosophy, Buddhist thought, and cultural criticism, I write about the character of a free society and the everyday experiences that sustain or undermine it. A growing focus of my work is how to make our digital lives more humane, interesting, and our own.
I co-host The Inner Life of Liberalism with Jason S. Canon, exploring how practices of attention, care, and openness connect a better life with a freer world.
Alongside my writing and podcasting, I develop publications and educational projects that bring serious ideas to broader audiences. I lead the editorial work of Liberalism.org at the Institute for Humane Studies, and previously conceived and launched Libertarianism.org at the Cato Institute.
Explore my essays and podcasts, or subscribe to receive new writing and Field Notes by email. If you'd like to get in touch, you can find me on Bluesky, Signal, LinkedIn, or at [email protected].
Aaron Ross Powell
Latest
My latest posts on liberalism, ethical life, culture, and the communities we build online and off. View the full archive here.
William Gibson and the Future We Didn't Get
The Bridge Trilogy’s future had something our present is largely missing: technology with character.
I Am Somehow the Ghost in NPR's Machine
The strongest interview of my life.
We Should be Optimistic About the Internet Again
So many people are building so much cool stuff, and all of it points towards a better, healthier, happier web.
Ask Me Anything
Let's talk about politics, philosophy, moral psychology, Buddhism, and, well, everything else.
All Those Metrics Bleed Your Obsessions
The internet once encouraged us to build entire identities around our weirdest, deepest fascinations. Then metrics and distribution flattened those obsessions into fungible content.
Field Notes: The Architecture of Rationalization
Marginalia on the internet turning bad, platform extraction, and existential restlessness.
Field Notes: Idoru, Incel Culture, and the Social Web
A roundup for the week of September 30
Social Media and Anti-Social Pluralism
Communities are different online and off, and pluralism that thrives in the real world can turn toxic in the digital world.
The Anti-Social Life of the Unapologetic Man
On the fantasy of masculinity without accountability.
Decentralization is Insurance
And no one's excited to buy insurance.