In this cycle, entertainment content that is "meme-able" survives. Content that is too serious or slow to clip often dies, regardless of its artistic merit. This has forced creators to write for the "clip" as much as for the narrative arc.
Perhaps the most significant change in the last five years is the merger of social media and popular media. A Netflix show is no longer evaluated solely by its viewership numbers but by how many TikTok edits it generates. TonightsGirlfriend.24.03.29.Angel.Youngs.XXX.72...
The economics of streaming are opaque. Unlike the old model (box office tickets or CD sales), streaming royalties are based on a complex pro-rata system. Musicians and actors argue they are not being fairly compensated for the perpetual license of their work on digital platforms. In this cycle, entertainment content that is "meme-able"
Looking ahead to the next decade, entertainment content and popular media will be defined by generative AI. Perhaps the most significant change in the last