DeepSummary
The episode features an interview with Rebecca Jennings, a senior correspondent at Vox covering social platforms and the creator economy. They discuss Jennings' early internet memories, including creating profiles on AIM and the origins of self-branding online. Jennings shares her thoughts on Twitter being her internet home and the rules she follows for engaging online.
Jennings talks about her recent piece on everyone being a 'sellout' now, exploring how self-promotion has become necessary for artists and creators to gain visibility, but can also conflict with the artistic process. She also discusses her fascination with the New York Times' daily online game 'Connections' and the online discourse surrounding it.
The conversation covers topics like Jennings' work routine, her approach to covering internet culture, and her thoughts on how social media has democratized art while not necessarily improving artists' ability to make a living from their work. Jennings also shares some of her favorite internet memes and conspiracy theories.
Key Episodes Takeaways
- Self-promotion has become a necessary but sometimes uncomfortable part of being an artist or creator in the digital age.
- Social media has democratized art by increasing visibility, but has not necessarily improved artists' ability to earn a sustainable income.
- Online games and trends like the New York Times' 'Connections' have developed passionate fandoms and discourses.
- Rebecca Jennings takes a thoughtful, analytical approach to covering internet culture and trends.
- Jennings offers insightful perspectives on topics like conspiracy theories, online engagement, and the tension between art and commerce.
- The internet has transformed the way we interact, create, and consume content, leading to both positive and negative consequences for artists and creators.
- Online self-branding and identity curation have been a part of internet culture since the early days of platforms like AIM.
- Twitter remains a vibrant space for comedy, discourse, and community, despite concerns about its future.
Top Episodes Quotes
- “I think the kind of conspiracies that are the flashiest are also just like, well, I understand why people believe them. Cause it's sort of like a silver bullet. Like, oh, that makes so much sense. We're in reality, the conspiracies that the world is not built for human beings to flourish and be happy, that's just true.“ by Rebecca Jennings
- “Being a good artist and being a good salesperson are, in a lot of ways, fundamentally incompatible.“ by Rebecca Jennings
- “It expands the number of people who are doing that work and are able to be visible artists. But it is not expanding the number of people who are or making a living anywhere near middle class living on their art alone.“ by Rebecca Jennings
- “Be before you post anything on the Internet, think, would this be better sent to the group chat?“ by Rebecca Jennings
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Episode Information
ICYMI
Slate Podcasts
4/3/24