I think there is still an appreciation for good travel writing, but it needs to be packaged and promoted by newspapers, magazines, and book publishers. I’ve heard a few mumblings that travel literature doesn’t sell, but you can’t rely on writers to sell their own work online when the social platforms are stacked against them. Short and long-form travel writing is taking a beating from “brain rot” social media algorithms (thank you, Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, etc). Plenty of academic research is out there saying social media is rewiring our brains and distracting us with dopamine cravings, and we’re still falling victim to it. Social media taps into our primal FOMO (fear of missing out). What are the beautiful, successful people doing? Social media creates the influencers and rewards those who create the slickest videos, images, and hyperbolic captions. And yet, even the “influencers” are beginning to complain about new algorithms and rules.
This is where I see a glimmer of hope: A backlash against “influencers’ is brewing on Instagram’s Threads. “Threaders” say they want community, conversation, and transparency. The tide may be changing. Let’s hope social media goes back to leveling the playing field so we can reward true talent.
I think there is still an appreciation for good travel writing, but it needs to be packaged and promoted by newspapers, magazines, and book publishers. I’ve heard a few mumblings that travel literature doesn’t sell, but you can’t rely on writers to sell their own work online when the social platforms are stacked against them. Short and long-form travel writing is taking a beating from “brain rot” social media algorithms (thank you, Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, etc). Plenty of academic research is out there saying social media is rewiring our brains and distracting us with dopamine cravings, and we’re still falling victim to it. Social media taps into our primal FOMO (fear of missing out). What are the beautiful, successful people doing? Social media creates the influencers and rewards those who create the slickest videos, images, and hyperbolic captions. And yet, even the “influencers” are beginning to complain about new algorithms and rules.
This is where I see a glimmer of hope: A backlash against “influencers’ is brewing on Instagram’s Threads. “Threaders” say they want community, conversation, and transparency. The tide may be changing. Let’s hope social media goes back to leveling the playing field so we can reward true talent.