Behind the Blog: The Attention Wars

This is Behind the Blog, where we share our behind-the-scenes thoughts about how a few of our top stories of the week came together. This week, we discuss Spencer Pratt, bricking phones, and the FTC. JASON: I have watched mostly in horror as Spencer Pratt has taken over the internet and, it feels, the physical space around me as he attempts to run for mayor of Los Angeles on what is basically a MAGA platform. For those unaware, Pratt is a former reality show star from The Hills who I was vaguely aware of at the time and then never thought about again until a few months ago. Pratt’s political origin story is that his Pacific Palisades mansion burnt down during last year’s fire; he has since railed against the government response to the fire and announced he is running for mayor as a Republican in a city that is extremely democratic.