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Last time I posted on how it was hard to deal with there being so much “stuff” out there, which Serdar has commented on. In turn, he also provides this link on how books are still dominated by a few megablockbusters. So yes, there’s problems with “so much stuff” as well as “big stuff over all of us.”
Think of it this way. We also have a lot of new stuff on Netflix and giant blockbusters dominating everything else. We can publish anything but there’s also huge books firmly lodged in popular culture It’s easy to get lost in obscurity or be overshadowed.
This doesn’t change my take on writing or creating your thing – do what you want and what works for you. But it does lead to another question.
What do I think a healthy media-culture ecosystem is? Admittedly not this one, but what is my ideal that I think is, you know, good for people (and thus creators).
Before answering that, let me turn to my ideas on a healthy society.
Steve’s Ideas on a Healthy Society (Duh)
So first, what do I think a Healthy society is like? I view it in a very organic sense – a healthy society maintains itself, grows, and evolves.
Thus I think of a healthy society as one that contains “interlinked independence” across all levels. People and organizations, states and government offices, are highly connected in ways that support each other. Think of it this way – an individual supported/supporting a strong union, working at a local business, voting at all levels, and working with an NGO dealign with climate change is closely tied with the world and closely supported. Everyone’s got your back with connection – but also you have the ability to “firewall” away from negative influences.
Or in short, a society needs people to have each other’s backs on all levels, while having the ability to survive the conflict among various factions and elements that will doubtlessly occur.
So that’s my ideal of a society in an abstract form. Now how does that apply to media?
A Healthy Media Ecosystem
In a healthy culture, I see media interest and creation as “scaled” much as I see a healthy society, a series of linked interests and enthusiasms on various levels. People would not just indulge, however, they would advocate.
- You may do your own creative work, and and advocate for it. Your friends and connections would assist you, and perhaps you get wider views.
- You enjoy local authors or niche authors. You advocate for them, promote them. Perhaps they get wider views.
- You enjoy your various media tastes. Obviously you advocate for them, small or large.
Thus you’re independent and evaluating your own tastes – while also promoting them and taking feedback. You connect with media on various levels, from local to extended. You advocate and promote work.
New things get found, people evaluate, work gets elevated – and you never get dependent on one media strain or theme. Plus, of course, its hard for any one media company or source to dominate.
Needless to say this works best in a world of strong monopolgy laws.
So Is This Actionable?
So in our current world, is this actionable? Beyond a dream of mine based on my ideals can we do anything?
Well, yess.
First, KEEP CREATING. As I noted, do it for your own reasons.
Secondly, PROMOTE YOURSELF and tell people what you do.
Third, CONNECT with writer groups as well as other social institutions.
Fourth, PROMOTE other people you meet, help them out, help them get noticed.
Fifth, SELECT your media consumption to keep your life diverse and interesting.
Sixth, POLITICALLY be aware of the way our politics affects media.
This is an obnoxiously short list. Maybe it can be a point of discussion.
So, everyone . . .
. . . start talking.
Steven Savage