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Cameron Armstrong
@cameron
Fatter tails on upside outcomes via Internet distribution implies quantity of reps matter more than quality Quantity of reps going up implies median quality of rep going down, but it also implies improved quality of rep through repeated practice Where is the free market of human activity going to lead us?
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alex
@proxystudio.eth
what does "free market of human activity" mean exactly
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Cameron Armstrong
@cameron
left it open ended bc I genuinely think this logic applies to basically any human endeavor today but if I had to define it I’d say something like “any approximately meritocratic industry, social group, or subculture that is influenced by modern technocapitalist incentive structures”
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alex
@proxystudio.eth
I agree about quantity of reps mattering, but have little faith that most industries or groups that consider themselves meritocracies are actually meritocratic. we have a long way to go, crypto and even more so tech rely on credentialism, insular networks + superficial indicators of prestige > talent, contributions
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Cameron Armstrong
@cameron
But we already see a ton of pre-existing industries forced to acknowledge more and more winners selected by the “free market of human activity” a la internet distro Standup comedy Music Writing Even if we hate our algorithmic overlords and the proxy is imperfect, it’s a pretty bad time to stan Gatekeeping haha
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alex
@proxystudio.eth
I'm not sure I agree, industries acknowledge virality, but they seem pretty happy to own the platforms. Has the quality of music, standup comedy or writing improved with internet distribution? Is it easier for musicians, comics, or writers to sustain careers purely based on their talent?
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alex
@proxystudio.eth
Maybe a specific example will help: did X monetizing views on Twitter make for better posts from a wider range of posters? Did the good posters naturally rise to the top?
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Cameron Armstrong
@cameron
A few thoughts: -I haven’t said anything about platform monetization (platform payouts are usually the smallest % of creator revenue) bc I think the real incentives are off platform -I think X today is a laggard not leader in free market of human activity -Pre-Elon x for sure elevated a wide variety of posters
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alex
@proxystudio.eth
regardless of where the real incentives are, I just don't think that internet distribution means that quality rises to the top. It's not a defense of gatekeepers, I'm questioning applying market logic to creative fields. Producing great writing, music, 'content' ≠ distribution, the existence of new ways to share 1/2
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Cameron Armstrong
@cameron
i think everyone gets to define for themselves what quality means for them i want creatives to be able to spend more time doing what they love but i also think since we our definitions are uniquely ours, the only useful societal quality measure is what “most people like” and the internet reveals this v well imo
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alex
@proxystudio.eth
I actually totally agree with your second point here which is one of my biggest issues with the assumptions around internet distribution, meritocracy & creative economies. creatives should not have to devote so much of their time to self-promotion, creating content about pursuing their craft, to make a living
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Cameron Armstrong
@cameron
Heyyyyy you have shared exactly why i started seemore.tv 👀 We believe Creators just want to Create. All the other shit is a product of an immature ecosystem too focused on top decile creators as cash cow customers rather than the long tail who will CRUSH it w some verticalized support We’re early but adamant.
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alex
@proxystudio.eth
glad we could talk through our different ideas around these topics and land at a place of shared concern and hope! Looks awesome, will read more, sign up, and would love to hear about your vision
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Cameron Armstrong
@cameron
Likewise! This kind of convo why I’m on Farcaster in the first place. We have inherited a fucking buckwild Internet and we CAN make it better Or at least i think it’s worthwhile to try Thanks for your time and I’ll f/u in DMs 🫡
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