But such vibe shifts (vibe shocks?) are not narrative bridges in a “pill” sense. They are primitive emotional key shifts. Meaningless without narrative structure. So you’re shocked about what Russia is doing. What next? Fold it into “software eats world” theory? Not even wrong.
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“Software eats world” is a good example since it was a powerful grand narrative for 2000-15. In part because it accommodated the emotional and moral valence ranges of world events. But it feels mismatched to post 2016. It’s now just a subplot with limited explanatory power.
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Plausible for a certain messed-up personality type, but I think humans who’ve once had their consciousness expanded by a global perspective can never be truly “local” ever again. Tbf I think there’s something wrong with frogs who climb back into wells after learning about ocean.
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I suspect this is part of the drive towards local/YIMBY style organizing. Much easier to care about your neighborhood than what goes on in DC.
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This is an unresolved problem with “city state” futures. Historically, city-state eras (Italy, hanseatic league) still had coherent global sensibilities. They weren’t frogs in wells trying to run culture larps in bubbkes.
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This is a good example for this thread. It is a good insight. 10 years ago, you could have spun a 4000 word feature out of this that would have gone viral, because it would have made meaning out of the ML moment. Now it just sits there.
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The next iteration of "bicycle for the mind", decoupling artistic skill from artistic expression and unlocking the creative potential of folks who haven't spent a lifetime honing their skills. You won't have to be a highly skilled (painter/musician/dancer/etc.) to make great art.
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hmmm.
I always thought that an isolated idea like that "shouldn't" ever have gotten so much credit as insightful.
No shit, a tool that automates art creation will enable more people to generate art! That's not a Thing.
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I think there was a time when it was. Peak Clay Shirky era when it was not in fact as obvious as it is now.
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I think I agree. Sort of.
Clearly "social media enables everyone to be their own publisher" was a new idea once.
But Clay Shirky &co were saying it long after it was obvious. I assume you say such things to create a sort of banner to rally behind? "We the online creators"?
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Back then I think it unblocked learned helplessness for many. It was news to most people that you could just set up a website and start publishing, you didn’t need permission from publishing industry. I imagine there are similar unblockings possible now, just not universal ones.
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plain "go confidently in the direction of your dreams" encouragement (without specifics as to which direction) doesn't seem like the kind of thing that would be more useful in one decade than another.
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It doesn’t seem useful in any decade, so I suspect it’s mostly useful because of who says it not the content. As in validation from an admired senpai or something.



