Apps Archives • INGO VOGELMANN

Are We Consuming Too Much Low-Effort Content?

20 March 20239 March 2023Leave a comment

There was a time when video footage of hilarious mishaps was a rare and valuable commodity. It was 1987, and every week on German television, viewers tuned in to “Pleiten, Pech und Pannen” (“Disasters, Bad Luck and Breakdowns”) hosted by a not-so-funny, but charmingly coiffed Max Schautzer. This was a show dedicated to sharing amateur footage of people’s embarrassing moments and mishaps. The audience then voted on the “funniest video of the week” and the winner walked away with the coveted “Golden Raven” trophy and some cold hard cash.

Back then, capturing these moments on video was like striking gold. Camcorders were an expensive luxury item, and it was rare to catch these moments on camera. Having a compilation of the best camcorder clips in one place was something special. But now, things are different.

Thanks to smartphones and social media, we can watch videos of people slipping on banana peels all day long. There’s an endless stream of videos on TikTok and Instagram, and we can scroll through them for hours on end. We’ve gone from limited supply to a never-ending stream of content.

But why are we so obsessed with these videos? Some might argue that our desire for this type of content has grown to ridiculous proportions, especially since March 2020. When the pandemic hit, millions of people found themselves stuck at home, bored, and unhappy. They turned to low-effort, easily consumable content to pass the time. Even with billions of people posting videos online, only a few are actually good enough to satisfy our insatiable appetite for entertainment.

As someone born in 1973, I remember a time when real life was the primary source of entertainment. I watched the world around me, not just on TV, but in the flesh. I knew how people reacted to real situations because I lived through them, not just watched them. But today’s young people might not be so lucky.

With so much content being created and consumed, what happens when reality becomes a distant memory? When the majority of our experiences come from consuming cultural content, what does that do to our perception of reality? Will we eventually lose touch with what’s truly important in life?

I guess consuming low-effort content in moderation can be a harmless source of entertainment — and I do it, too. Consuming too much of it can have negative impacts on an individual’s productivity, creativity, attention span, mental health, and empathy. We need to find a balance and prioritize consuming content that is meaningful and enriching.

So, next time you find yourself mindlessly scrolling through TikTok or Instagram, take a moment to think about what you’re consuming. Is it a reflection of reality or just another manufactured form of entertainment?

Scam Alert Letting Text on Black Background

“Free Download” Scam

17 March 20232 March 2023Leave a comment

Ugh, those “free download” apps that turn out to be nothing but scams. Infuriating! These sneaky software companies lure you in with promises of a “free download,” only to reveal later on that it’s just a limited or trial version. And the kicker? Once you want to continue using it, they hit you with a demand to buy a license or subscription.

It’s not only misleading, but also downright dishonest. These companies are preying on unsuspecting users who think they get a free app. They should be upfront about the limitations of the “free” version and the costs associated with the full working version.

They’re using our time and attention to market their product, only to hit us with a paywall later. It’s disrespectful and shows a complete lack of consideration for other people.

Do yourself a favor and read the fine print before you hit that download button. Don’t let scammers take advantage of you and your time and energy.

graffiti on a wall that says hate it or love it

Spotify: My Love-Hate Relationship with the World’s No. 1 Streaming Service

13 March 20237 March 2023Leave a comment

As an artist, I have my fair share of frustrations with Spotify, believe it or not, as much as I promote my music on the platform. I do it because it’s the easiest and shortest route for fans to access my music. For no other reason.

Spotify

Spotify is a streaming service that has taken the world by storm. It offers millions of songs, podcasts, and other audio content to users around the globe. On the surface, it seems like a great service that provides a lot of value to its users. However, if you scratch beneath the surface, you’ll find that Spotify is far from perfect. In fact, there are several reasons why Spotify should be criticized.

First of all, let’s talk about the way Spotify treats artists. As a musician myself, I know firsthand how difficult it can be to make a living from your art. Spotify pays artists a fraction of a penny per stream. In other words, if you’re a musician on Spotify, you’re most likely not going to make much money. You might get a lot of streams, but those streams aren’t going to pay the bills.

But it’s not just the low pay that’s the problem. It’s also the fact that Spotify doesn’t give artists any control over how their music is presented on the platform. The algorithms that Spotify uses to curate playlists and recommend music are a mystery to everyone, including the artists themselves. This means that even if you’re a talented musician with a unique sound, you might never get discovered on Spotify because the algorithm doesn’t favor your style of music.

And then there’s the issue of Spotify’s business model. Spotify is a for-profit company that makes money by selling ads and subscriptions. And yet, the artists who create the content that makes Spotify valuable are paid next to nothing. It’s a classic case of exploitation, and it’s not fair to the artists who pour their hearts and souls into their music.

So, what’s the solution? Well, for starters, Spotify needs to start paying artists a fair wage for their work. It’s not enough to just give them exposure. Exposure doesn’t pay the rent. Secondly, Spotify needs to give artists more control over how their music is presented on the platform. The algorithms should be transparent, and artists should be able to opt out of them if they choose to. Finally, Spotify needs to improve its user interface and reduce the number of ads that users are exposed to. If Spotify wants to continue to be successful in the long term, it needs to start treating its artists and users with more respect.

For music fans Spotify is second to none.

But, from their abysmally low payouts to the algorithm-driven playlists that prioritize clicks over creativity, it’s clear that the platform doesn’t prioritize the interests of musicians. But how does Spotify stack up against other music streaming services and physical releases?

Apple Music?

While Apple Music offers a similar user experience to Spotify, it pays slightly more per stream, at an average of $0.006 per play. That may not sound like much, but it adds up over time, especially if you have a dedicated fanbase who listens to your music frequently. Additionally, Apple Music offers exclusive content and features for artists, such as the ability to upload their own music directly to the platform.

The problem with Apple Music? It’s way less feature rich and open as Spotify.

Tidal?

Next up is Tidal, a music streaming service that prides itself on its high-quality sound and artist-friendly policies. Tidal pays out a higher royalty rate than both Spotify and Apple Music, at an average of $0.0125 per stream. It also offers exclusive content and events for artists, such as livestreamed concerts and behind-the-scenes documentaries.

The problem with Tidal? For artists, not enough fans are on Tidal. It doesn’t really add up.

Bandcamp?

But what about Bandcamp? While it’s not a streaming service in the traditional sense, Bandcamp offers artists a way to sell their music directly to fans, with a customizable storefront and a variety of pricing options. Bandcamp takes a 15% cut of sales (which drops to 10% once you hit $5,000 in revenue), but artists can set their own prices and keep the majority of the revenue. And because fans are actually purchasing the music, rather than just streaming it, the payout per play can be much higher.

The problem with Bandcamp is the same as with Tidal: not enough fans are on Bandcamp. But more than on Tidal, and you can really make money with Bandcamp.

Physical?

And finally, we have physical releases like CDs and vinyl. While they may seem like relics of a bygone era, physical releases are still an important revenue stream for many artists. Not only do they offer a way for fans to support the artist directly, but they also provide a tangible connection to the music that can’t be replicated by digital streams. And because physical releases have a higher perceived value than digital downloads, artists can often charge more for them, leading to higher payouts per sale.

The problem with physical releases? They can be challenging for independent artists because they often require a significant upfront investment. Unlike digital distribution, physical releases require artists to have physical copies of their music in stock, which can be costly to produce and store.

Additionally, physical releases may not be as accessible to fans who prefer to consume music digitally. With the rise of streaming services and digital downloads, many music listeners no longer have CD or vinyl players, which means that physical releases may have a limited audience.

And there are distribution limitations. Independent artists may struggle to get their physical releases into brick-and-mortar stores, as these stores often prioritize major label releases over independent ones.

Conclusion

So where does that leave Spotify? While it’s still the most popular music streaming service on the planet, it’s clear that it’s far from the ideal platform for artists. If you’re looking to make a living from your music, you’re better off exploring alternative options like Apple Music, Tidal, or Bandcamp. And don’t forget about physical releases either; while they may require more upfront investment, they offer a unique opportunity to connect with fans and create something that’s truly lasting.

Whether you choose to embrace streaming services, physical releases, or a combination of both, the most important thing is to stay true to your vision and keep creating the music that you love.