Jeff, the art you create to explain your criticism of "content" is brilliant. This is cogent and wise. Very well said from someone who spent years writing in an esoteric arena while trying to educate some people who weren't looking for education. While Sillycon Valley entrepeneurs may not want to learn about your hate for "content," the people who matter will get your message.
Thanks, Uncle. You do have experience writing in a very unusual context to a confused and sometimes, I would guess, hostile audience. What a strange job.
Your post takes me back to 2001 when I worked in tech in Sillycon Valley. A phrase that always came up in meetings (where everyone wants to one-up each other with the latest business acronym or word) was, “Content is king!” Oh, boy!
What that meant was all the work and love creatives put into their art (that which can be digitized) - writing, music, painting, film, photography - should be free to our users. Why? Because, in their wee brains, they’d sell more of hardware, software, and services. “And you know what? We’ll even develop the apps for creative types to use to create their “content” that we’ll give away for free on a bunch of platforms.” And that is the truth about that mindset.
In one of those meetings I made a few enemies when I asked, “when was the last time you were driving in your car and a great song came on the radio and you thought, or said aloud, “Gads, I just love that content!”
No one said a thing. And I was pretty much ostracized by a number of content believers after that. And that was fine by me.
Wow. And that was two decades ago. I wish it weren't such a prophetic flashback. Thanks for being one of the guys who stood up. If we can just get the actual creators to stop squeezing into the frame, there's still hope.
Content is definitely not the right word. Art is a better term. There are a few artists I follow on social media who refer to their work in that way. And they are not referring to art in the traditional sense of paintings, drawing, etc. Writing is art. Music is art. Podcasting and online videos are art. I prefer art over content. Side Note: the word that sends me into a blind rage for no apparent reason is irregardless. It's a double negative word that has been used way too long as a synonym to regardless.
"Irregardless" is infuriating! I like "art," too. But even, say, fitness influencers call their posts "fitness content." How about "fitness inspiration" or "fitness education?" #StopSayingContent
Currently at a coffee shop faking it as hard as I possibly can. Everyone around me is super convinced of my being very, very inspired/inspiring. Only took a month!
I agree, it’s actually art, but the word content to me is an overarching concept that includes art and many other types of media.
You’re right. It works as an umbrella term. But it’s so generic that it fails to capture any value. I find it disempowering.
You’re right. It works as an umbrella term. But it’s so generic that it fails to capture any value. I find it disempowering.
Jeff, the art you create to explain your criticism of "content" is brilliant. This is cogent and wise. Very well said from someone who spent years writing in an esoteric arena while trying to educate some people who weren't looking for education. While Sillycon Valley entrepeneurs may not want to learn about your hate for "content," the people who matter will get your message.
Thanks, Uncle. You do have experience writing in a very unusual context to a confused and sometimes, I would guess, hostile audience. What a strange job.
Your post takes me back to 2001 when I worked in tech in Sillycon Valley. A phrase that always came up in meetings (where everyone wants to one-up each other with the latest business acronym or word) was, “Content is king!” Oh, boy!
What that meant was all the work and love creatives put into their art (that which can be digitized) - writing, music, painting, film, photography - should be free to our users. Why? Because, in their wee brains, they’d sell more of hardware, software, and services. “And you know what? We’ll even develop the apps for creative types to use to create their “content” that we’ll give away for free on a bunch of platforms.” And that is the truth about that mindset.
In one of those meetings I made a few enemies when I asked, “when was the last time you were driving in your car and a great song came on the radio and you thought, or said aloud, “Gads, I just love that content!”
No one said a thing. And I was pretty much ostracized by a number of content believers after that. And that was fine by me.
Wow. And that was two decades ago. I wish it weren't such a prophetic flashback. Thanks for being one of the guys who stood up. If we can just get the actual creators to stop squeezing into the frame, there's still hope.
Content is definitely not the right word. Art is a better term. There are a few artists I follow on social media who refer to their work in that way. And they are not referring to art in the traditional sense of paintings, drawing, etc. Writing is art. Music is art. Podcasting and online videos are art. I prefer art over content. Side Note: the word that sends me into a blind rage for no apparent reason is irregardless. It's a double negative word that has been used way too long as a synonym to regardless.
"Irregardless" is infuriating! I like "art," too. But even, say, fitness influencers call their posts "fitness content." How about "fitness inspiration" or "fitness education?" #StopSayingContent
It’s been a while since I’ve been inspired. This inspires me to create my art. And reminds me why I did in the first place. Thank you!
Thank you so much for sharing. Sometimes inspiration doesn’t come until you pick up the pen or the brush and fake it for a while. Go fake it!
Currently at a coffee shop faking it as hard as I possibly can. Everyone around me is super convinced of my being very, very inspired/inspiring. Only took a month!
if you can fake it AND fool others, that is PRO level...as long as you keep letting yourself suck.