Ten Year Town

The Engagement Trap: Why Great Art Doesn't Chase Attention

July 21, 2026·11 min
Episode Description from the Publisher

What happens when a company—or an artist—starts optimizing for engagement instead of trust? In this solo episode, I unpack why Netflix's biggest competitive advantage isn't its algorithms or its catalog, but the relationship it has with its audience. That same tension exists in music, where creators are constantly tempted to simplify, explain, and optimize their work for platforms that reward attention over originality. We talk about the difference between commodities and premium brands, why ...

Podzilla Summary coming soon

Sign up to get notified when the full AI-powered summary is ready.

Get Free Summaries →

Free forever for up to 3 podcasts. No credit card required.

Listen to This Episode

Get summaries like this every morning.

Free AI-powered recaps of Ten Year Town and your other favorite podcasts, delivered to your inbox.

Get Free Summaries →

Free forever for up to 3 podcasts. No credit card required.