Welcome to The Beat’s latest drop—a playlist of perspectives from the influencers and innovators moving the needle. Here’s what’s on repeat from the voices moving culture forward:

• Motorsports is redefining networking with high-octane access, giving founders and innovators a new kind of boardroom at 165 mph.

• AI is erasing entry-level jobs, threatening the creative pipeline, and forcing industries to rethink how to protect the next generation of innovators.

• Print media’s resurgence proves that thoughtful, tangible storytelling still matters in a culture overwhelmed by disposable content.

For the uninitiated: The Beat is a free, biweekly newsletter designed for the influencers, tastemakers, and innovators in the worlds of music, entertainment, media, food & beverage, fashion, sports, gaming, and more. Each article featured below is penned by a member of Rolling Stone Culture Council, a community of influential leaders across an array of industries.

With the lineup set, let’s turn up the volume on this week’s insights.

The Grid Is the New Boardroom: High-Octane Networking Meets Culture in Motion

Motorsports isn’t just for adrenaline junkies anymore; it's where investors, founders, and innovators are swapping strategies amidst the roar of engines. Once gritty and grassroots, American racing has become a magnet for tastemakers and business elites, offering a raw, thrilling backdrop for networking like nothing else. Forget boardrooms; the paddock is where high-value relationships ignite at 165 mph.

Here’s why motorsports is the ultimate collision of innovation and influence—and how to turn it into your next big advantage:

🏎 Lights, Cameras, Action: F1 weekends now rival red carpets, blending Michelin-star chefs and luxury hospitality with authentic behind-the-scenes access. This isn’t just spectacle; it’s connection on steroids.

🧩 Problem-Solving at High Speed: Race drivers double as entrepreneurs, thriving on cognitive escape and endless strategy as they navigate every sharp turn.

💬 Networking That Hits the Apex

• Lead with curiosity—stories trump status.

• Find shared passions for authentic collaborations.

• Offer value upfront, whether that’s insights or introductions.

Read The Full Article >

The Career Ladder Just Got Terminated: How AI Is Erasing the Path to Greatness

Forget killer robots; AI’s real “Terminator problem” is deadlier for creators. By targeting entry-level jobs across industries like entertainment, law, and journalism, AI isn’t just automating tasks; it’s crushing the ladder that turns rookies into experts.

Fewer paychecks mean fewer chances to nurture groundbreaking talent, and we risk sinking into a loop of bland, derivative content.

Hollywood provides a stark warning:

🎬 The AI Hitlist: Tasks like compositing, background fills, and rough edits are vanishing. Visual effects layoffs are rising, and entry-level jobs aren’t bouncing back.

📉 The Shrinking Pie: Streaming flops, studio consolidations, and strikes already slashed opportunities before AI fast-tracked the decline.

✨ Live Is the Last Frontier: From live sports to juggling acts, human creativity thrives where algorithms fall short, making live performance a rare apprenticeship safe zone.

Read The Full Article >

The Print Resurgence: Why Ink Leaves a Mark in a Digital-First World

Digital media didn’t kill print; it just pushed it to evolve. In an era of infinite scrolling and content fatigue, print is experiencing a revival—not as mass media, but as a luxury experience that values depth, quality, and credibility over speed and clicks.

Here’s what’s fueling print’s powerful comeback:

📱 The Digital Hangover: Algorithms turned platforms into overwhelming echo chambers, leaving audiences craving grounded, tangible media that feels real.

📖 Power in Permanence: The weight of a page and the smell of ink is a sensory experience screens can’t replicate. Print demands your focus and signals intentionality and craft.

✔️ Credibility Check: In a world of clickbait and misinformation, print stands as a beacon of trust. It’s vetted, thoughtful, and built for connection, not instant engagement.

🎨 Niche Appeal Meets Luxury: Today’s print is about creating collectible, coffee-table-worthy publications for passionate communities.

Read The Full Article >

Wrapping Up

If these articles sparked your interest, we have a network that you will love: Rolling Stone Culture Council.

This exclusive, vetted community brings together influential leaders and innovators in art, media, gaming, theater, social impact, fashion, film, hospitality, sports, and more.

Put yourself at the forefront of innovation with access to publishing opportunities on RollingStone.com, a personalized, SEO-friendly Executive Profile, and the chance to network with other respected leaders in the field.

Join Rolling Stone Culture Council today and become part of a group driving innovation in entertainment.