Another truth. You’ve hit your stride with this…pun intended….niche. I love this. It’s dawning on my that the depth of this problem is bigger than I would have assumed because I’ve always been a dive and and just start person. But I’m seeing this phenomenon everywhere
The word "content" sounds to me now like profanity thanks to marketing. Sadly, I do it for a living.
Yes,your article is so correct about the problem with the increasing desire for the how and I guess it is a internet-related manifestation of our natural drive that wishes to extinguish all uncertainty by engaging in endless induction. Now that's the first problem.
The other problem is that the line dividing theory from practice is blurred in theory. However, when you apply yourself rather than sit and digest hows, you find the line again.
If you work in marketing like I do (it sounds like you do), the content word does start to become a dirty word yes. It's why I wrote an article trying to explain what I meant by c*ntent—the bad side of it.
"The other problem is that the line dividing theory from practice is blurred in theory. However, when you apply yourself rather than sit and digest hows, you find the line again."
Indeed. And that's probably a whole other article in itself: the people who are obsessed with theory and never start anything.
I dislike how-to articles unless it's something very specific like a recipe for marinating sauce, for instance. Even then, I don't need "use a spoon to take the sugar out of the sugar bowl" which seems all too common unfortunately because market study X says content must be between Y and Z words to have the most impact. Or something like that.
A little nudge in the right direction is great and I enjoy the internet for that. But once I've got the basics, I'm off the computer to go do it. Paint fumes and all.
Exactly. The web is now full of very specific tutorials about everything. When did it happen? I suspect it was when everyone wanted to become famous online.
Ten penny common. “ it” refers to the point. You didnt use a hammer. You used a nail gun. Quick and effortless /no wood split. Just pure constructive efficiency.
Now I'd like to read more about how I can stop consuming content instead of doing something. Do you have any extended sources for this or recommendable channels on this? ;-) JK
Good read, Craig. Interesting on people watching gamers. Sport is no different these days. How many people who watch actually do it anymore? Especially football. “We’ve got City at the weekend”, “We played well today”, “I can’t believe how bad we were yesterday”. All said from the comfort of an armchair in front of a screen.
Tangential yet possibly Important: I don't like getting education by YouTube video or virtually any other kind of short video. I have to suffer through advertising, catchy intro graphics and opening banter, plus I have to watch the presenter as they "entertain" me while ostensibly teaching me something important. I'd much rather read and try on my own. But short video is dominant because everyone has a phone and a short attention span and someone has to pay for it.
Another truth. You’ve hit your stride with this…pun intended….niche. I love this. It’s dawning on my that the depth of this problem is bigger than I would have assumed because I’ve always been a dive and and just start person. But I’m seeing this phenomenon everywhere
There's so many layers to it and oddities one could write about it forever and never get to the bottom...
Enjoyed this, Craig, agree, less chatter on "How" and more enjoying and doing of What-ever "takes your fancy".
Thanks Edward!
The word "content" sounds to me now like profanity thanks to marketing. Sadly, I do it for a living.
Yes,your article is so correct about the problem with the increasing desire for the how and I guess it is a internet-related manifestation of our natural drive that wishes to extinguish all uncertainty by engaging in endless induction. Now that's the first problem.
The other problem is that the line dividing theory from practice is blurred in theory. However, when you apply yourself rather than sit and digest hows, you find the line again.
Awesome article as always.
If you work in marketing like I do (it sounds like you do), the content word does start to become a dirty word yes. It's why I wrote an article trying to explain what I meant by c*ntent—the bad side of it.
"The other problem is that the line dividing theory from practice is blurred in theory. However, when you apply yourself rather than sit and digest hows, you find the line again."
Indeed. And that's probably a whole other article in itself: the people who are obsessed with theory and never start anything.
Fun read, Craig.
I dislike how-to articles unless it's something very specific like a recipe for marinating sauce, for instance. Even then, I don't need "use a spoon to take the sugar out of the sugar bowl" which seems all too common unfortunately because market study X says content must be between Y and Z words to have the most impact. Or something like that.
A little nudge in the right direction is great and I enjoy the internet for that. But once I've got the basics, I'm off the computer to go do it. Paint fumes and all.
Exactly. The web is now full of very specific tutorials about everything. When did it happen? I suspect it was when everyone wanted to become famous online.
Nailed it.
What type of nail was it?
Ten penny common. “ it” refers to the point. You didnt use a hammer. You used a nail gun. Quick and effortless /no wood split. Just pure constructive efficiency.
Completely on point - once again.
Now I'd like to read more about how I can stop consuming content instead of doing something. Do you have any extended sources for this or recommendable channels on this? ;-) JK
Queue a wild Thomas J Bevan appearing…
Good read, Craig. Interesting on people watching gamers. Sport is no different these days. How many people who watch actually do it anymore? Especially football. “We’ve got City at the weekend”, “We played well today”, “I can’t believe how bad we were yesterday”. All said from the comfort of an armchair in front of a screen.
Side note: I personally hate people who refer to their football team they chose to support as “we” 😂
Tangential yet possibly Important: I don't like getting education by YouTube video or virtually any other kind of short video. I have to suffer through advertising, catchy intro graphics and opening banter, plus I have to watch the presenter as they "entertain" me while ostensibly teaching me something important. I'd much rather read and try on my own. But short video is dominant because everyone has a phone and a short attention span and someone has to pay for it.
And I agree with your thesis.
Yes, this is 'edutainment', mostly an insufferable scourge on the otherwise delightful (?) internet.