The Art of the Zag

Substack scans for AI. LinkedIn added a slop button. Anthropic watermarked Claude. A $2.4M novel collapsed. Joe and Shane break down five stories defining the AI writing vibe shift.

(00:00) Ravers live the longest
(05:10) Super Skill predictions come true
(06:50) Substack, Pangram, Claudefishing
(13:55) Shane's AI detector test backfired
(19:32) The ESL defense, and a bad manuscript
(24:47) LinkedIn's "Seems Like AI Slop" button
(29:56) Why the word "slop" hits a nerve
(36:43) Claude's invisible watermark
(43:23) The $2.4M novel deal collapse
(58:04) Clay and Buffer reverse course

What is The Art of the Zag?

Best-selling authors and long-time buddies Shane Snow and Joe Lazer explore how to win by zagging when everyone else is zigging—in business and in life. Learn breakthrough strategies for building trust, telling better stories, and winning the AI Age from the world's most innovative founders, authors, and icons. Have an idea for a guest? Email guest@joelazer.com.

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