[quesera]

The real problem seems to be that Nate Silver's (and 538's) brand value exceeded the available payment from NYTimes. So he did the rational thing and tried to capture it in the open market.

But Nate's a stats guy, not a marketer. Brand dilution is a thing. I don't begrudge him for selling out. I just wish my domain-based trust filter hadn't been broken in the process.

I sure hope they put together some solid election coverage.

[dragonwriter]

> But Nate's a stats guy, not a marketer. Brand dilution is a thing. I don't begrudge him for selling out.

Incidentally, Nate didn't sell out when 538 left the NYT, he sold out when 538 was picked up by the NYT.

[quesera]

Monetarily, perhaps -- which if true makes the subsequent devaluing all the more disappointing.

But content quality was higher (and volume lower) at NYT than post. I've been a reader since well before the NYT imprint, and I don't think the quality went down significantly at NYT.