The Death Of Original Content

A critique on originality is not a new thing. One could make the meta argument that such complaints are a waste of time as they do nothing to remedy the situation and they simply point out the same flaws and repetitions in the media landscape while making minor cosmetic adjustments in order to bring the material up to date. Rather than complain, however, I seek to analyze what incentivizes our behavior to produce repetitive content instead of innovative content and explain why we are destined to fail any attempt of remedying our situation. If none of the following sentences made any sense to you, that's good. I'm improving at bullshit philosophy then.

This is average.

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One of the main reasons that originality is ignored is due to consistency. Several levels of consistency as a matter of fact. There are very good reasons for consistency.

1. Consistent content in terms of subject matter is easier to reproduce
2. Consistent content gives the audience a product and experience they are familiar with
3. Consistent content is more likely to make money because 1 and 2
4. Consistent content makes consistent money which creators enjoy

The cycle of thought is repeated over and over again when content is made. Let's be honest. Your content is not going to vacillate between different subject areas randomly, because that would take a lot of time and research. You stay within your area of expertise and produce content there.

The audience knows what they want to consume. They can deal with slight variations and different topics, but often time enjoy things being produced in consistent formats that they have come to enjoy and even look forward to. There are people that enjoy the Transformers movies. Imagine that.

In order to maximize cash flow and revenue, you need to push out content quickly and you need to give the people what they want. Thus, change is not necessary. Thus, change is not necessary. Thus, you get the point. Keep with the flow and make the dough.

If you follow these steps, you realize that you are producing content that makes you money and that people want more of. Congratulations, you are now a part of the entertainment industry. Just wait until you burn out and lose interest because the audience demands the same product and the economy encourages its production.

Remember: They made a 5th Transformers movie and The Simpsons is still on the air.

There. You deserve a break.

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Sure, consistency is praised and all? But people get tired of watching the same thing over and over again, right? The answer is not really. People's attention spans are growing shorter and shorter and the range of content that caters to such attention is limited in scope. Popular content nowadays is reducible to a series of gags or simple memes that permeate culture.

Imagine the last time you saw something on television that changed the way you thought about something. If thinking is too hard or if you are bored, it's because I'm not giving you those running gags, but am overloading your brain with information that it doesn't ordinarily expect. Where's that consistency you desire?

Don't worry. We're taking another break.

Wait, where's the cat?

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Some of my audience may be disappointed that I'm not giving them the content they are used to. Well guess what? In real life, you are not always entitled to having consistent pictures of cats. Sometimes, authors need to switch it up. In order to grow and discover their own creativity.

But in all honesty, such feelings of authenticity are sent to the slaughterhouse and cut into small digestible packages for the Saturday afternoon barbecue. The only real choice that the content creator has to make is whether or not they have to put mustard or ketchup on their sandwich.

I mean look at Steemit. All I see are hamburgers and hotdogs and the occasional brat. There's also that weird guy with the veggie burger that tastes awful, but at least he is doing something different. You need the recipe for cryptocurrency news? Two buns, a hamburger, and some ketchup and mustard. You want technical analysis? A hot dog with mustard. What about a Steem meta-post? That's a steak. Well-done and slightly dry.

But we not do something original? Go back to points 3 + 4 above. Money speaks. You don't like it? Enjoy being ignored by the public because nobody really likes waiting 14 hours for your mouth watering brisket that is bursting with unique flavors when they can go to McDonald's and order the death of original content with cheese in like 2 minutes.

But the food analogy is kind of weak. But at least I took your mind off of cats. Shit.

Such generic desires cannot be repressed.

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I hope that I have kept you entertained enough with the internet gags. Had this post been picture free, I probably would have lost your attention and you would have gone of to read those posts on trending. Which would have been travesty.

Now you are a little bit more enlightened about the current atmosphere and understand how truly abysmal and hopeless the entire situation is. It's so sad, that I'm crying on the inside. I remember when the internet promised so much more than rehashed memes and unfunny repetitive gags. Yet those techniques were the only way I was able to preach the truth and give you the knowledge so that one day you might be able to change the world.

So, let's change the world!

Oh, you're not a whale?

Better luck next time.

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Sources:

Cat in Sofa
Cat in Field
Cat in Disguise
Cat in Suitcase