How the ‘Creator Economy’ Pigeonholes You (And Why It's a Good Thing)

The Riches are in the Niches, Bitches

“Pigeonhole…” by Will Bullas

Remember when the word artist carried a certain gravitas—a suggestion of tortured genius, bohemian chic, and the distinct possibility of an affair with a poet who only eats oranges?

Respect for the arts has followed attention spans to its grave. Once upon a time, artists were revered—or at least feared. They might hex you, seduce your spouse, or convince you to bankroll their werewolf movie. Creators? No one’s worried about being seduced by a Millennial unboxing artisanal bitters.

The “creator” is what happens when art and capitalism swipe right on each other. Michelangelo had patrons; creators have Patreon. Warhol had the Factory; creators have Fiverr. But this isn’t just about platforms. It’s about what happens when the algorithm dictates the art.

In the Before Times, artists roamed free, exploring the infinite. Now, every creator has a “niche”—or no audience.

How Did We Get Here?

Once, the internet was a free and open space. Then, the tech oligarchs came. The…