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AI tools (Sora, Midjourney, ChatGPT) are lowering the barrier to entry to zero. Soon, you will be able to generate a full-length movie from a text prompt. This will flood the market with even more content, making "human-made" a premium label (similar to "organic" in food). IP law will be stretched to its breaking point as AI clones the voices and styles of popular media figures.

For most of the 20th century, popular media was defined by scarcity. There were three major television networks, a handful of major film studios, and a rigid schedule of programming. This created a "monoculture"—shared moments where an entire nation tuned in to watch the same finale or the same breaking news story. The content was a "lean-back" experience; the audience was passive, receiving whatever the gatekeepers broadcast.

The digital revolution shattered this model. The rise of streaming platforms like Netflix, Spotify, and YouTube introduced the era of abundance. Suddenly, the goal was not to appeal to the lowest common denominator to capture a mass audience, but to use data to appeal to the specific tastes of the individual. This shift gave birth to the "Golden Age of Television," where complex, cinematic storytelling found a home, and it allowed niche genres to thrive. However, it also fragmented the audience. We no longer share the same cultural watercooler moments; instead, we inhabit millions of personalized bubbles, each watching a different show on our own timeline. Deeper.23.10.19.Angel.Youngs.Red.Flags.XXX.1080...

Drunk on the speed of TikTok, a counter-movement is building. Long-form newsletters, high-fidelity vinyl records, and "slow TV" (like train journeys in real time) are gaining traction. People are exhausted. They want meaningful entertainment content, not just noise. "Attention wellness" will become a market category.

In the traditional model, a network executive decided what was popular. Today, that power lies with the algorithm. Whether it is the "For You" page on TikTok or the "Top 10" list on Netflix, algorithms curate our cultural diet based on engagement metrics. AI tools (Sora, Midjourney, ChatGPT) are lowering the

This has profound implications for the type of content being made. Media is becoming increasingly optimized for retention. In film and TV, this leads to "content fatigue"—an endless stream of reboots, sequels, and franchises (IP) that offer a safe bet for investors. In short-form video, it leads to a rapid trend cycle, where sounds, jokes, and formats burn bright and vanish in a matter of days. The algorithm rewards content that elicits an immediate emotional reaction, often prioritizing outrage, shock, or heartwarming sentimentality over nuance or complexity.

For two decades, the battle for our attention was an arms race of intensity. Game of Thrones taught us that no character is safe. Breaking Bad taught us that moral decay is riveting. Succession taught us that verbal abuse is hilarious if the soundtrack is a cello. IP law will be stretched to its breaking

These are brilliant shows. But they are exhausting.

In response, the industry has silently pivoted. The new king of popular media isn't drama—it is vibes. Look at the explosion of shows like The Bear (which, ironically, is high-stress but low-stakes) or Abbott Elementary. We aren't just watching for the plot anymore; we are watching for the texture.

We want the cozy mystery, the low-conflict romance, the cooking competition where the biggest villain is a poorly set panna cotta. We have moved from "Who dies next?" to "Does anyone get a hug?"