Only 20 years ago the common person had one source of information, if any — the local newspaper.
It would occupy maybe an hour, tops, out of their day. If not the newspaper, the nightly news on TV.
1 hour out of 16 waking hours, or 6%. The rest of the day was spent making, creating value, conversing with others — 94%.
Our desires for life were simple — work for food and housing and a way to get around, find love, raise kids, build something great, fight for justice for your peers, see the world.
Today, the common person spends 8 hours a day consuming digital media. 50% of our waking hours.
What happens to the world when people spend half their time watching other people?
When their thoughts of themselves and of the world and their desires are now shaped by taking in other’s experiences 50% of the time, up from living their own lives for 94% of their time?
I believe that’s an important question anyone building a business should ask themselves.
How do you, and I, find value and provide value in that world. Do we get in line just after the teen dancing on Tiktok and just before the comedian on YouTube Shorts?
Can we provide intimate and pointed value when they put down their pocket computer?
When attention is the goal, do we compete with everyone else trying to get a slice of that pie or can we change pies?