#18 The End of Social Media

W/C 1 August

Hello and welcome to #18. Back to the previous slot of mid-week. That’s how I started this email, but then, well life. So once again I am here apologising for a Friday email. Next week. I promise. But hey, content is great and in a world where content is all we can actually rely on, that’s the only important thing.

Now, on to the #content.

1. The end of social media

I’ve been thinking about this for years. This article articulates many thoughts so much better. There is a line I read this week that Tik Tok has seen the end of social media and now it’s just media. It’s true. I genuinely think that social media platforms will become just channels and media (they are already) and the social element will be on Whatsapp, Geneva, Discord (doesn’t scale I think but you get my point).

Social Products/games though…now there’s an idea.

2. Rise of virtual influencers in South Korea

A friend of mine, Ali - he’s not a reader. Had the idea for virtual influencers about 8 years ago. He wasn’t as far ahead of the curve. You could make an argument that this has been around for awhile. But I think we’ll see more.

3. Demanding and supportive

I think a lot about the management of people. I always have found the discipline fascinating. I’ve been managed terribly (I had two of the worst managers ever, maybe 2.5) and it had such a material impact vs good managers. I think managing people and leading people are two of the biggest skills that will be needed in businesses in the future. Not every great talent should manage either. Anyway, this is a nice piece on being demanding but supportive. A fine balance.

Odds and ends, basic links. Little commentary, just pure linkage, in wine terms, low intervention links.

• Tencent buying more of Ubi

• The age of algo anxiety

• EA patent using player data to generate content

• Big Tech can’t stop obsessing about Apple and Tik Tok

• Big piece on the US and regulation in tech

• Apple and a demand side platform

Adieu.

Premier League is back. I am happy. Until 5pm on Saturday at least.

Bonus.

I have no TV. I have completed TV.

All the spelling and grammatical mistakes in this Substack are on purpose to test you, actually. Well done. You got them all. No, I don’t need to know about then, you have that kudos.