Walking through JB Hi-Fi today made me lament the passing of the analogue age. A few small sad rows were dedicated to CDs, DVDs, vinyl and other knick-knacks. A tiny footprint in a cavernous space.
I couldn’t shake the sense they were all on the way out, remnants of a bygone age. But where is the new music coming to take its place? Its on Tiktok and doesn’t have quite the same longevity. What about TV and movies? There has been Game of Thrones, Stranger Things and Top Gun Maverick. Then its nothing but tumble weeds.
The younger generations can’t pay attention for that long. So all offline, real creative culture will become more sparse over time. AI will only hasten its demise, especially if people can no longer string a sentence together, or even come up with their own ideas (these are now called prompts). I try and hold on to what's left, as it disappears over the horizon.
Again I ask, what takes its place? Clicks? That’s not going to be enough.
When the disruptors first appeared before us. Their proposition appeared to be more of the same, but cheaper. Well, they were right. Their offerings are cheaper and quite literally the same. The options appear almost endless and yet all of them feel empty. All filler, no killer.
Where is the new Elvis, Led Zeppelin or the Verve? Where is the new X Files? Seinfeld or Simpsons? The new Labyrinth, Aliens or Independence Day?
The disrupted model doesn’t allow for new comers. Its pulls up the ladder. Only benefiting those who have come before, who are already established.
The prior model wasn’t perfect either. It was replete with gatekeepers. And yet, at least there were gates to keep.
I wish the disruptors would go ahead and disrupt themselves. They’ve robbed the future, to give to the present. I paid almost nothing for what they offered and yet I still feel ripped off. I want my money back.
As the shrinking stacks bear witness. Now there appears to be no way in.
Date published: 14/09/25
Writer: L Cannon