The problem with the internet that no one is talking about

How all of human creativity got reduced to "content creation" and what to do about it: a mini documentary.

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[nunyabusiness]

Someone stopped me on the street the other day to tell me he recognized me from my painting exhibition last year; he told me one of my paintings was emotionally impactful and showed me a picture on his phone. I've never gotten a million likes on insta, so I don't know how that feels, but that interaction with one single person in real life was worth all the hours in the studio.

[RandomMimikyu]

as somebody once said, “The internet used to be an escape from the world, now it is the world”

[cringetrender]

I think it says a lot that very long form videos (two hours plus) are becoming more popular and, not only that, they're actually garnering amazing views. The amount of people that I've subscribed to because I saw ONE good, movie length video about some niche subject that I didn't even care that much about but still found interesting, and they're at 20k subs and the video has got over a million views and they've apparently only just hit that 20k milestone... I keep seeing it, and every time I subscribe again because I trust that if they put this much thought and care into one video, I don't mind if I don't see another one for like 6 months. I know the next one will be quality as well, and I'll make time for it.

[mr.pavone]

When I was a kid our version of TikTok and Youtube were shows like That's Incredible, Real People, America's Funniest Videos etc. You got just the right amount of cheaply produced stupidity in a half hour per week. After you watched your "curated content" you went on with your week and that was that. If you wanted to see that spread out over the week, Late Night with David Letterman had his segments like "stupid pet tricks" and Johnny Carson brought on acts like the Omaha Birdsong Club or Jimmy Pickle and his Knife Throwing Wife.
Now it's just an endless firehose of stupidity.

[andybaldman]

Once upon a time, the internet was full of interesting things and occasionally something would go viral. Today everything is viral, and occasionally something will be interesting.

[Hyuman]

Oh so you are telling me that the soul-wrenching void I've been feeling this last 3 years is because I've been a slave to the algorithm so I got burnt-out due to lack of self expression and the anxious thought that nobody will watch me if I make something different so I keep pushing what works in the short term because now I'm financially dependent on that? I thought I was just hungry

[Zyxdee]

The amount of amazing artists I've seen making absolutely awesome content, and yet getting no attention.. it really saddens me. Much creativity is just lost to trying to appeal to the algorithm. The internet really needs this video! Thank you!

[vesislavazheleva]

I have a bachelor's degree in art and the realisation that as an artist i had to cater to a brand was one major reason to slowly walk away from creating art. One thing that has really worked for me recent years is working alongside with other two other artist and that's how we issued one small zine book and are at the final run of printing the second issue.

[Cosplayandcoffee]

I’ve been saying this for awhile: Content creation is becoming the new 9-5 that people will come to resent

[manuchy]

we've gotten so used to the quickness of social media that we forgot the beauty of the time it takes to create a piece that actually represents you.

[WafflesssFalling]

This is genuinely so well put together and explained! It really helped me realize some of the things I’ve been trying to wrap my head around as an artist. Not only do you explain the reality of the situation and how it can makes things difficult, but you also gave a realistic solution for individuals that can be done without any huge system changes, and shows that there’s still a positive side.

I especially like how you mentioned breaks becoming more normalized in the future and having seasons rather than a constant flow. I often feel pressure to create, but because of that pressures I end up getting less done. But when I focus on doing art for my own enjoyment and hopefully others enjoyment, its a lot easier and more fun to create that art, and that’s when I’m the most productive.

Art takes time- even if you’re in a grove, it’s not something that should be rushed. Sometimes life gets in the way; I’ve had times when I’m unable to draw for weeks due to my chronic illness or whatever else may be happening. As much as I want to draw during those times, it’s better for my health to take a break until I can start again. Reasons like these are why it’s so important that breaks and slow periods are normalized.

[AmaraJordanMusic]

I think this is why I may not burn out so badly. One, I’m tiny and no one sees my stuff. 😅 Two, I’m documenting the evolution of getting my voice back after being bed bound for three years, “100% disabled, ” for about eight, and chronically ill for 18. I’m finally bouncing back, but it’s a long road to get back to the level I was at when I went to nationals.

Because I’m really just documenting how I sound on a given day, with one take, no audio adjustments, I’m going to see how my voice changes over time and can revisit songs and give them another go when I’m stronger. I can see what improves naturally and what I may need more help on.

And since it’s just plopping down, warming up, and then recording a one take of a song, it’s not like I’m expending a ton of energy on it. I may time certain songs being used to correlate with an artist releasing new music, but given how tiny my channel is, even that only results in maybe 5-10 more views on a video.

I may feel more pressure if more people actually watch, but for now, I’m just doing my thing and if people want to follow the ride, they can. If it’s not their thing, also cool with me. 😅

Since I want to see how I change and evolve over time, the only way to fail is to just stop trying and recording myself. 🤷🏻‍♀️

[avneet.]

It's weird because even though everyone is "creating", creativity is getting more and more limited. People see what's working for others and start imitating them in a way. We're all trying to tap into our creativity yet we are losing what makes us unique because of this so called "algorithm". Love conversations like this, thank you! :)

[Eichro]

I was just yesterday thinking about how much I hate the usage of that word, "content". It sounds so corporate, so lifeless and mechanical. Everytime I hear the terms "content creators", I just translate that as "cogs in the machine".

[DanielVanDyck]

There's something refreshingly wholesome about you - I hope more of this 'content' full of authenticity becomes mainstream and sustainable to produce. It's nice not to feel exploited as a viewer and to feel part of the discussion

[lizblock]

This topic makes me think about when "reality" shows invaded television. Quick and cheap to make, vapid junk food. My life is limited by a chronic medical condition and I spend hours knitting and watching youtube, searching for quality, thought provoking, educational content and when I find it, I'm a thousand fans subscriber. You tick all the boxes and are very much appreciated!

[RandomPerson-izqu]

Drew Gooden is such a good example of this. I've been a fan of his absurdist humor since Vine and I followed him onto Youtube once Vine died. He posts twice a month and they're always about whatever random thing he's passionate about that month and I LOVE IT. He's so naturally funny and creative and it shows in his account. It's so rare to find a content creator like him and I don't know what I'll do if he ever decides to stop making videos

[bravotronalpha]

The word "content" has become the replacement for "product". Artists back in the 80s and 90s used to rebel against the very idea of just creating a "product" for the masses to consume, something that corporations could use to fill their pockets with. Now, under this new term, folks have yet to realize or really even care that they've played right into the hands of the system yet again. But hey, might as well keep going, gotta make a living, keep creating more, even if it has little to no artistic soul, gotta have something for the consumers.

[ViiZedek]

As someone who got the privilege of doing creativity as a hobby, the tiktok effect just made me rethink about the length of the videos i already made, but got ignored for that. I am in a break right now because i have some personal things to resolve, and people are waiting, genuinely. I can go viral when i want, i know what great majority of the mainstream wants from me, but i also do what i want. Win win situation for me. But then again, i work in a flexible job, with good payment, so i have the privilege of being creative as a hobby

[kamerondonaldson]

its okay to fade into obscurity until you are ready to release more good music or videos or whatever it is you make. people will remember you on their own without the algorithm if your stuff was ever that good to begin with.