My particular hate is "consuming music." Last time i listened to any, I'm pretty sure it didn't self immolate like the tape recording in Mission Impossible. So, not "consumed."
You make an interesting observation about the word 'consumer' and the term 'content creator'. I guess in retailer or manufactures eyes the people who buy and use their products 'consume' them but technically that would only really apply to items we buy and eat. I have never looked at Everything Electric as content I consume, for me it has been information I absorb, reflect on and then use in some cases. Video's with a purpose to inform and educate is the highest form of 'content' on YouTube and that is indeed a derogative term for such material. In particular information and education that focuses on Truth which sadly is so often no longer present in the click bait world we live in.
Many years ago I had a light bulb moment while on my 40+ year journey working in ICT. I realised we referred to our customers as 'Users'. It crossed my mind that if I wanted to define what a 'User' was the only term I could think of was someone who was consuming a drug that had been provided by their dealer, this in term made my department the drug dealer! I insisted we changed the term to colleagues from that moment onwards.
Keep ranting Robert, it brightens my day to receive your substack emails and chuckle, in a thoughtful way, when I read your 'content'.
I've always used "content" as a derogatory term. It's a way of talking about something that has been produced purely for an ulterior motive.
It's when people would rather pull out their phone and film someone in trouble, than help. It's blindly acting out some new trend. It's when there is no artistic value to what's being created, and the only purpose it to try and get likes, because their sense of self-worth is tied to those numbers.
I will continue to use it that way, but I would never describe a genuine artistic endeavour as "content". If someone makes something for its own sake, it doesn't matter if it's good or bad, it isn't just "content".
It wouldn't work, would it. But our lives are run by finance, and after their study of economics their thinking have been stunted. They only have that hammer, so everything are numbers with labels like 'content' and 'consume'.
Another take on this is that we *are* consuming a lot of worthless content made by oligarchs. Oligarcs in ancient Rome found that a circus could passify the masses and make them pliable. But it was expensive to run. Today the oligarchs do the same, but make the masses pay for their own consumption and make the oligarchs even richer. Which is brilliant (for them).
We vote with our consumption.
If you test an AI with the prompt: "How has the cost of living in the US developed from 1980 to today?" They will tell you it hasn't improved for most people. That the single person income in 1980 was sufficient for a house, a car and the rest, while today both parents working sometimes isn't enough. On the positive is Netflix etc.
Those are probably two offensive C words to me too. Plus one of my closest friends is Australian and he uses the c word c**nt often in conversation I've just gotten used to it. I hate the phrase content creator. Usually in my experience dullards who have no talent.
My particular hate is "consuming music." Last time i listened to any, I'm pretty sure it didn't self immolate like the tape recording in Mission Impossible. So, not "consumed."
Look up the Wankernomics show. I suspect you'd love it.
https://wankernomics.com/
I have booked tickets to see them in November! Good call!!
think I'll have a look at that too!
Yeah, I create content every day...
Marketeers do have a different language; all prayers to the dollar 🍻
You make an interesting observation about the word 'consumer' and the term 'content creator'. I guess in retailer or manufactures eyes the people who buy and use their products 'consume' them but technically that would only really apply to items we buy and eat. I have never looked at Everything Electric as content I consume, for me it has been information I absorb, reflect on and then use in some cases. Video's with a purpose to inform and educate is the highest form of 'content' on YouTube and that is indeed a derogative term for such material. In particular information and education that focuses on Truth which sadly is so often no longer present in the click bait world we live in.
Many years ago I had a light bulb moment while on my 40+ year journey working in ICT. I realised we referred to our customers as 'Users'. It crossed my mind that if I wanted to define what a 'User' was the only term I could think of was someone who was consuming a drug that had been provided by their dealer, this in term made my department the drug dealer! I insisted we changed the term to colleagues from that moment onwards.
Keep ranting Robert, it brightens my day to receive your substack emails and chuckle, in a thoughtful way, when I read your 'content'.
John
I enjoyed that content.
;)
I've always used "content" as a derogatory term. It's a way of talking about something that has been produced purely for an ulterior motive.
It's when people would rather pull out their phone and film someone in trouble, than help. It's blindly acting out some new trend. It's when there is no artistic value to what's being created, and the only purpose it to try and get likes, because their sense of self-worth is tied to those numbers.
I will continue to use it that way, but I would never describe a genuine artistic endeavour as "content". If someone makes something for its own sake, it doesn't matter if it's good or bad, it isn't just "content".
What about “user”? Apparently these days we are all USERS, in addition to being consumers and having to prove we’re human!
"You're sitting here consuming a sunset!
It wouldn't work, would it. But our lives are run by finance, and after their study of economics their thinking have been stunted. They only have that hammer, so everything are numbers with labels like 'content' and 'consume'.
Another take on this is that we *are* consuming a lot of worthless content made by oligarchs. Oligarcs in ancient Rome found that a circus could passify the masses and make them pliable. But it was expensive to run. Today the oligarchs do the same, but make the masses pay for their own consumption and make the oligarchs even richer. Which is brilliant (for them).
We vote with our consumption.
If you test an AI with the prompt: "How has the cost of living in the US developed from 1980 to today?" They will tell you it hasn't improved for most people. That the single person income in 1980 was sufficient for a house, a car and the rest, while today both parents working sometimes isn't enough. On the positive is Netflix etc.
I effing loathe that first C word tovo: 'People' - always yes- sometimes 'customers', sometimes 'clients'.
The 2nd C word grates as much as the I word: influencer.
Do you feel better now, Robert? ; ) xx
Dunning-Kreuger Effect. Just sayin'
Those are probably two offensive C words to me too. Plus one of my closest friends is Australian and he uses the c word c**nt often in conversation I've just gotten used to it. I hate the phrase content creator. Usually in my experience dullards who have no talent.
So, I take it you're not 'On Boarding' then? :-)
Consumed with rage
'Consumer rage'
"Pennys from heavan! Pennys from heavan!"
Love it! Your hired!
Nice rant,
Probably agree with you because I was also born in ’56
Keep up the good work
Cheers