Perhaps the most significant change in the last decade is the loss of human curation. In the past, magazine editors and program directors acted as tastemakers. Today, the algorithm reigns supreme.

This has profound effects on entertainment content:

While the hype has cooled, the concept persists. Instead of watching a concert on a screen, you will stand next to your friend's avatar inside the concert. Brands like Fortnite have already hosted Travis Scott and Ariana Grande events with millions of concurrent "attendees." This is not gaming; it is experiential media.

However, the fusion of entertainment content with popular media has a dark underbelly. The lines between news and entertainment have dissolved entirely. Late-night comedy shows are now a primary source of political information for young people. Satirical memes are frequently mistaken for factual reporting.

Furthermore, the pressure to constantly produce content has led to creator burnout. For every influencer living in a penthouse, there are thousands grinding for the algorithm, suffering anxiety and depression as engagement metrics fluctuate. The machine of popular media feeds on novelty, and novelty is a finite resource.