What is 421

We live in strange times. That can be paralyzing for some and a motivator for others. 421 belongs to the latter.

This publication exists out of a very specific need: to write about things that matter without the pressure of immediacy or the chase for clicks.

We cover subjects like our personal relationship with technology and the political consequences of new technologies emerging. Things tied to leisure — card games, board games, video games. We also talk about music, and about the life that doesn't happen through screens.

We try to build a landscape with a definition of culture that matches that founding strangeness: of the project and of its readers. "Culture" seems trapped between the hype of press agents and the (few) culture supplements whose references run almost exclusively through literature and/or music. We want to expand that menu.

After many years of working self-managed, independent and on the margins of the creative industry, we found a way to do this professionally. That's why we have paid subscriptions, advertising and support from investors.

There's no other way to sustain it over the long run with the impact we're after. Every monthly subscriber's contribution is essential so that each article and collaboration on the site gets paid. The more subscribers, the more and better articles we can have.

This is the era and the moment for the weird to turn pro.

Time to make some magic.