{"type":"rich","version":"1.0","provider_name":"Transistor","provider_url":"https://transistor.fm","author_name":"What Works","title":"EP 460: In Defense of Gimmicks","html":"","width":"100%","height":180,"duration":1779,"description":"The proliferation of derivative nonsense on various social media platforms begs the question: Is it possible to make a TikTok video, Instagram post, or LinkedIn update that's remarkable? Is it possible for repetition to be an asset? For repetition to even be remarkable?\nIn this episode, I take a deep dive into gimmicks—the formulaic and repetitive media that can help us think in new ways. Specifically, I'm looking at Frankie's Cultural Observations. If you don't know the series, I'm delighted to share it with you today!\nThis is the 3rd in my series, What Makes This Remarkable, where I break down remarkable content I come across to give you new perspectives on your own work (creative or otherwise). Premium subscribers also get \"Remarkable Homework\"—prompts for thinking differently about your projects—and the chance to ask questions or discuss that week's lessons. Upgrade your subscription to join in!\nFootnotes:\nWhat Makes This Remarkable (60 Songs That Explain the '90s, Savior Complex)\nFrankie's Cultural Observations on YouTube\n\"Observing Frankie McNamara's Observations\" by Brandon Tauczik in Paper Magazine\nSandwiches of History on YouTube\nGirl with the Dogs on YouTube\nWorking definition for the gimmick as a medium: A gimmick is a nonsequential series of works that utilize a novel scheme, angle, or device to explore a network of ideas.\n\"Why Write In Form?\" by Rebecca Hazelton via The Poetry Foundation\nAmusing Ourselves to Death by Neil Postman\nHyperculture by Byung-Chul Han\nTed Nelson & \"intertwingularity\"\nThe Cluetrain Manifesto\n\nAll new episodes are available in written essay form at whatworks.fyi\n\n***\n\nIf you’re questioning your relationship to work but finding it difficult to make lasting changes, I’d love to help.\n\nI’m committed to helping you confront and deconstruct big assumptions that compete with your good intentions. And that’s exactly what we’re doing in my new 8-week cohort-based course, Rethink Work.\n\nWe’ll examine the beliefs, stories, and systems...","thumbnail_url":"https://img.transistorcdn.com/AmfGeDL96-fhMaeOcqmX7TK_eWrvTLco6OJj2QpZtZI/rs:fill:0:0:1/w:400/h:400/q:60/mb:500000/aHR0cHM6Ly9pbWct/dXBsb2FkLXByb2R1/Y3Rpb24udHJhbnNp/c3Rvci5mbS80NGUx/OWY5ZDg1M2E5MmU3/ZjEwOWVmNDM3MWVh/ZjZlOS5wbmc.webp","thumbnail_width":300,"thumbnail_height":300}