Gathering Around the Fire
Cinema didn't become unimportant. But platforms realized there's more money in isolating people than in creating shared experiences. Making something magical for millions is hard. Keeping everyone alone on their phones is easier.
Cinema did not become unimportant.
The feeling of being carried away by a story can never disappear. Humans will never lose the instinct of gathering around a fire to listen to stories.
But the form changes.
In our home, movies, series and even short-form random videos are of course a shared cultural ritual. We watch together as a family. Popcorn, fruit, conversation, silence. As much content as we can find, though it is extremely hard to find something you can watch together.
The problem is that big platforms realized there is more money in isolating people into smaller behavioral groups instead of creating experiences that bring everyone together.
Making something magical for millions is hard.
Keeping everyone trapped alone on their phones is easier.