Why I Will Never Refer to Myself as a Content Creator

(Before you read this riveting piece of literature, please keep in mind that this is entirely opinion-based.)

With that being said, let us begin.

Alright, content creator, the most bullshit word in the history of art itself. Social media is an ever-growing platform, in which anyone can take to its user-friendly interface and promote their business, art, or whatever the hell you feel like sharing. In today's digital world, we are given access to the world at our fingertips. This obvious fact allows millions of folks around the world to become internet celebrities overnight. Virality is a seemingly easy way to reach internet stardom, and the countless users of these platforms gobble it up as if it were their last meal. With the rise of the digital world, the market for art, music, and writing is becoming flooded with an overwhelming amount of the same ilk every day. While utilizing the internet is a blessing, it can also be a tremendous curse.

Now, being a small business owner, who is an author and an artist, I most certainly taken advantage of the internet and its many accessible outlets--not only for marketing purposes but sharing my hard work with peers alike. Thus far, it's been a joy having the opportunity to discuss common ground with the many people across the globe, willing to learn a new skill, discuss literature, or simply shoot the shit. But, as with anything, there's always a crack in the infrastructure awaiting deterioration.

The rise of the "influencer" and "content-creator."

Hearing those very words chap my ass harder than my mom's belt across my lily-white ass cheeks. The words themselves have become a choice category for anyone old enough to possess an Instagram account. I'll be 32 next month, and I feel the age gap itself widening to a ravine deep enough for Thelma and Louise to crash in. It's bullshit; it's total and utter bullshit, and when I see folks my age using the words, my soul itself wants to self-destruct. I do respect everyone and the choices they make; however, the rise of the content creator is just another way for narcissistic individuals to ride the money train into popularity and monetary gain. Don't get me wrong, I like succeeding as much as the next Tom, Dick and Harry, but it'll be a cold day in hell, before I lose my own dignity.

Art itself is a lost art. The heart and soul of the subject itself has been brushed to the median, with every discarded, broken piece another person who has given up. Content creators are leeches that prey on the unicellular minds awaiting to flock to their lures. The incessant need to constantly post something (even if it is of no value whatsoever) just to appease some stranger is a disease. Men and women both have infected the subjects we deem sacred and turned them into a watered-down version of some alien construct. The days of hard work, dedication, and valued content are long gone, and the age of instant gratification and narcissistic indulgence has usurped it. One of the most disheartening things to see as an artist myself, is watching a talented soul give up because they are not being recognized. It is our duty as artists to take control of the wheel so-to-speak, don't get me wrong, but to subject oneself to the mutiny that is becoming a pimped prostitute...fuck no. Nobody said being an artist was easy; in fact, it's one of the most difficult ways to make a living. Artists choose the life we do because the journey itself is the lesson, not the final product. Creating, learning, experiencing, making meaningful bonds that can last a lifetime is what makes your art shine. As an author myself, I have tried to distance myself from my appearance and direct it more towards my words themselves. After all, no great artist existed without heart and soul.

I'm not saying that everyone who brands themselves as such is a piece of shit, but more times than not, it's the same, generic blueprint that presents itself in all its selfish glory. I've never been one to shy away from telling anyone my opinion on things, and the influencer/content-creator era needs to flush itself down the toilet, with the rest of the shit. I think that any successful person wants others to succeed, but the influencer lot appear to be immersed in their own image.

My primary beef with the whole thing is the illusion of caring about people and creating something out of the sake of wanting to make a quick buck or gain followers. I think it's by all rights one of the most deplorable acts in this day and age, and a huge part of me wishes Skynet would just take over and maim all the assholes. I digress, but the true artist community has dwindled significantly, leaving those of us with our dignity and self-respect to ponder over how to make sales, gain traction, and make a household name, without undermining who we are in the process. Many would argue that the latter are simply envious, but truly, envious of what? If you honestly believe that real artists are jealous of that shitstorm, then you really aren't a creative.

Being successful is a by-product of being content. As I noted before, everybody wants a piece of the pie, but sometimes what we enjoy doing is not based on monetary gain. See, when I speak with other artists, the main topic of the conversation is how sad the community has become. Most artists believe that it's a cesspool of cheap imitations creating "art" that they're able to pitch to any idiot stupid enough to listen. What's worse, is that it's shoving hardworking people out of the genre and forcing them to do something they hate. It's such a shitty thing to watch, and I wish it would change. People don't need "influencers," and those that do probably haven't the mental capacity to function on their own. Of course, to a certain extent, there are a vast majority of individuals that need to be told how to act, think, and behave, and flock to the light zapper like a mosquito. Honest art is not made to make you feel that way. What we produce is made to make you feel. Content creator's primary agenda is creating content that will suck you in to their narc behavior, and that's exactly what it is, folks, it's narc behavior.

With all that's been said, I do wish for the success of everyone around me. The world is too shitty not to enjoy it but engaging in the very behavior that makes it bad is not going to do anything but perpetuate the shit cycle. I don't know, friends, maybe this is the new age of artistry, and maybe I sound like a jaded asshole. Be that as it may, I'm an asshole that knows better than to assign myself a hollow label...just to dole out sub-par "art" and pretend I care about what you think.

"Comment your favorite emoji" caption, under a picture of some homogenized, saturated image.

Do you honestly think they give a fiddler's fuck about your opinion? No, they don't, and these content creators are preying on people to better their engagement. Yeah, you could say it's a smart tactic--preying on ineptitude, but if you ask me, I can deliver a stronger, more meaningful message to people, without making it blatantly apparent I'm full of shit. Again, I'm not here to do any influencing myself, but let's be real: it's everywhere and it's not going away. While there is a breath left in my body, I will always continue to fight the good fight, and do my best to make sure talent does not succumb to the snake bites. Be good people and remember: your value is not predicated on numbers; it is predicated on the heart, soul, and how you touch people. People will remember you for who you are for the heart, mind, soul, and spirit, not what you look like or what emoji you commented.