Make Art, Not Content
Overcoming Enshittification II
In a New York Times Opinion Video, Patreon CEO Jack Conte argues that platforms like his have a moral imperative to resist internet enshittification.
Instead of algorithms engineered to maximize ad revenue by pushing attention-draining clickbait, Conte contends that big tech firms should focus on creativity and community (human connection) with algorithms designed to fund art and artists.
Conte abides by three principles to prevent internet enshittification on his creator-monetization platform, Patreon:
Prioritize long-term relationship building between creators and their fans
Tune algorithms to fund art, not ads, and
Keep humans in control and fund human content curators.
Jack Conte, co-founder and CEO of Patreon, created “a platform for creators to monetize their art and content [by putting] people, not ad revenues, first.”
“Societies that value artists are better for it. Artists take risks. They say what we’re all thinking but are too afraid to speak out loud.
They bring us together and remind us why it’s good to be alive. They blow our minds with new ideas and get us to shake our asses on the dance floor.
They make us nostalgic and rethink our perspectives and are unapologetic about believing in ideals.
It is possible for the internet to to be a place for that, and it is possible for algorithms to serve people, instead of people serving algorithms.”
Societies thrive when they value artists. Artists challenge our thinking, build communities, entertain, and change how we view the world. As long as platforms and businesses prioritize people and human connection, there is still hope that the internet can be a place that supports these worthwhile endeavors.
Digital platforms that once helped small businesses thrive have become cluttered, noisy, and profit-driven — or what Cory Doctorow calls ‘enshittified.’ But small business owners who give a damn aren’t powerless. Discover practical digital strategies to cut through the noise and keep your marketing authentic, sustainable, and human.