Due to the proliferation of social media, getting people to read serious journalism is harder than ever, says New York University professor Jay Rosen. Anyone with a smartphone can produce content, and Facebook doesn’t have an editor in chief -- so it’s up to consumers to be selective about their news sources. This is Rosen’s Brief But Spectacular take on journalism in today's digital world.

On November 8, multiple states legalized marijuana for medical or recreational purposes -- so Joe Dolce’s new book on the substance's history in the U.S. is timely. Dolce argues marijuana's bad reputation is a result of political demonization, including an intentional name change and association with hippies and disorder. This is his Brief but Spectacular take on the past and future of cannabis.

Steve Cohen's favorite part of managing the 2nd Avenue Deli in New York is talking to people. Cohen offers his Brief But Spectacular take on classic kosher deli food and the joy of schmoozing.

New Yorker magazine cartoon editor Bob Mankoff says he and his staff spend an extraordinary amount of time selecting and editing the cartoons that readers might not find funny. Mankoff offers his Brief But Spectacular take on the cartoons that strike the balance between amusing and poignant.