Chapter 1: The Essence of Value in Production

In today’s media landscape, the notion of being a “multi-platform” values-driven production entity is prevalent yet somewhat elusive. It’s essential to stand for something; otherwise, a void emerges, leading to detrimental consequences. In this era dominated by content, both consumers and creators must strive for more than mere satisfaction.

Let’s celebrate foundational principles. It’s quite straightforward: what are your passions, and why do they matter to you? Develop your brand around these beliefs, transcending mere personal tastes, which many people mistakenly consider as unique.

When individuals think of value, they often equate it strictly with financial gain, viewing it as the primary driver. However, value should encompass much more; it ought to represent a deeper, more soulful motivation.

In a hypothetical ‘post-capitalist’ world, the creation and capture of value span numerous dimensions: cultural, social, emotional, ethical, aesthetic, reputational, relational, educational, spiritual, political, organizational, familial, ideological, environmental, communal, and more.

In the arts and culture sector, we frequently evaluate projects based on their commercial, critical, or creative merits, focusing on their potential. Alternatively, we might judge them by the vanity of their creators, a tendency that ultimately overshadows genuine artistry.

Your credits serve as your currency; they signify notional value.

After stepping back from the industry’s daily grind, the grim reality of its commercial aspects has become glaringly apparent. The financial returns and terms within today’s film and television landscape are disheartening. When analyzing viewership data—at least what is accessible publicly—the numbers paint a bleak picture.

Values seem to resemble red candlesticks, highlighting all-time lows for yet another consecutive year.

Fade to black.

While I could delve deeper into cynicism, that would not be appealing. In truth, this situation serves as a wake-up call, sparking motivation. The tides are shifting, unveiling a wealth of opportunities yet to be explored. The most compelling narratives remain untold.

Amidst the chaos, many talented individuals are lost. As the saying goes, “chaos is a ladder.” We are witnessing the dawn of reciprocal media, where resonating voices can create significant impact.

The 90–9–1 Rule illustrates this dynamic: 90% are passive observers, 9% are contributors, and a mere 1% are creators. If you can cultivate a community from that 10%, you’re in a promising position. This aligns with Dunbar’s Number, which suggests a limit to the number of active relationships one can maintain, typically around 150.

This was particularly evident in recent issues where I mentioned giving away digital assets with some monetary value and my efforts to establish a grants-based fellowship for fantasy writers and world-builders. I’ve been openly soliciting responses since my return in issue 236, and the engagement has closely mirrored the 90/9/1 distribution. Perhaps this is simply a desperate experiment.

The top 1% are akin to whales in this ecosystem—the avid participants who generate a substantial share of revenue, approximately 80%, for game publishers. This aligns with the Pareto Principle, emphasizing the importance of focusing on the vital few. Early collaboration with these individuals can help mitigate risks. Emerging industries present “healthy” economic activities that achieve this, and I am staunchly against volatility.

My focus now is on scalable and sustainable stories where creators genuinely aspire to connect with their communities and appeal to potential whales and the broader audience. Live performance-based entertainment excels in this regard, offering a real-time feedback loop for creatives.

I foresee a fractalization of our industry. More insights will follow next week. Do you agree or disagree? I invite your feedback. Prove the 1% Rule wrong. If you’re interested, feel free to join my private Telegram group for further discussions.

Remember, the purpose of all this is to have fun! :)

That’s it for now. Thank you for reading. People crave purpose. See you next week. Only nine issues to go!

Chapter 2: Trends in Tech and Media

In the video titled "Troll Hack Competition 2023 (Part 5)," SimpleFlips engages viewers with a light-hearted yet competitive atmosphere, showcasing the humorous side of hack competitions. Check it out to see how creativity blends with fun in these events.

The second video features Kitty Pilgrim discussing her journey as a best-selling author, providing insights into the world of publishing and creativity. It's a must-watch for aspiring writers and those interested in the literary field.