The social media landscape is obsessed with immediate gratification.

“I'm obsessed with the instant gratification that is social media”

Kevin Clancy believes that it is generally ill-advised for new content creators to start a podcast because the market is oversaturated.

“for the most part, I usually tell them don't make a podcast cuz I think it's kind of too late and then it's over saturated.”

Rhett McLaughlin argues that digital platforms like YouTube should be considered on equal footing with traditional media entities for industry awards because they contribute to cultural conversations.

“So we're like, okay, what would it look like if the academy recognizes that, hey, whoever is actually contributing to the cultural conversation, those are the people that are being considered for awards.”

Digital creators scare traditional Hollywood executives because they communicate directly with audiences in real-time.

“the idea of putting something out online that's got to go directly to the viewers and they give you immediate feedback is so terrifying that it's like we know in Hollywood we couldn't do it because if we could we'd go take your money and be doing it”

Dave Portnoy claims that establishing a successful, breakout podcast is significantly harder now than it was in the past due to increased competition.

“Like, I mean, to come out with a breakout podcast now is far harder than it was before.”

Substack is a liberating medium that allows for more sophisticated and data-driven communication than traditional media gatekeepers permitted.

“The ability to show I mean that the charts I mean two or three charts can make all the difference in the world between what is just you know a bunch of words about economics and sort of here's why I think or why the profession thinks the way we do. So it's it's been enormously liberating.”

Rainn Wilson claims that digital media companies fuel division and outrage because these tactics maximize ad revenue and user engagement.

“and you see that so much of the division going on in the world right now is is this facebook model um if if they can get you outraged they get you clicking buttons more and they get more ads and they make more money so outrage and division fuels commerce”

The dominance of mainstream media gatekeepers has eroded, making it a political necessity for independent media to open up crucial conversations.

“I think getting rid of those gatekeepers is basically a political necessity to open up the conversations that we now need to have.”