The lowest common denominator has been a guiding force in business.
The biggest bang for your buck.
In the space race it was the lowest bid accepted, with the expectation of not only winning the distance, but (preferably) not losing anyone in the process.
In the gig economy, it’s how you can get the most expensive looking project, without actually paying for it.
It’s an illusion really.
Like a game that both parties didn’t agree to, but are still expected to abide by the same rules.
Artists aren’t starving.
They are starved out.
Low bids.
Free favors.
Non-payments.
All because the value of the person is placed at the bottom of the barrel.
“Why should I pay for it, my cousin has a camera, they could do it if you won’t.”
Sure. You can buy the goods.
But you can’t go buy the experience that makes the goods work.
If you go buy a #2 pencil, it doesn’t make you Da Vinci…does it?
No!
It just means you’ve got a #2 in your hands…and I mean that exclusively as a #2.
It’s worse than silly.
How we treat the gig economy is community destroying.
It causes a loss of faith in humanity as a collective whole.
Art for sale isn’t appreciated until after death.
Maybe that’s what we are all after in our current race to the bottom.
Kill it.
Destroy it…along with those who make it.
Only then, will we mourn our loss…or worse, not take the time to notice at all.
I’m not sure, maybe AI will tell me.
I’ll have to ask.