The Need For Unified Social Contagion

This conversation explores the changing dynamics of social contagion in the context of entertainment choices. It discusses the impact of streaming services on the collective viewing experience and the fragmentation of social currency. The need for unified social contagion is highlighted, drawing comparisons to past television phenomena like MASH and Who shot JR?. The conversation also touches on the cadence of broadcast television and the challenges of maintaining social currency in a fractured media landscape.

takeaways

• Streaming services have changed the dynamics of social contagion in entertainment, leading to a more fragmented viewing experience.
• In the past, shows like MASH and Who shot JR? created a unified social contagion, with large groups of people following along and discussing the episodes.
• The cadence of broadcast television, with its seasons and breaks, allowed for anticipation and collective viewing experiences.
• Finding common ground and social currency in a fractured media landscape requires alternative ways of connecting beyond traditional topics like sports.

 

Chapters

00:00Setting up the microphone

00:45The need for unified social contagion

04:00Who shot JR?

04:19The pits

05:23Fractured social currency

06:18Breaking Bad and climactic breaks

07:18Recapturing social currency

09:20The horse may be out of the barn

10:01Finding other ways to connect

10:17Thirsty for more