The spiritual death of the creator economy

Hey there, it’s Darius Foroux. You’re receiving this Short Take piece because you signed up for my Medium newsletter.

I’m publishing it here on Medium and on Substack (where these pieces will appear first).

The creator economy, which refers to the ecosystem where individuals monetize their content creation through various digital platforms, has seen significant growth since 2020.

During the Covid lockdowns, millions of people turned to content creation as a career path. Stuck at home, many discovered talents or interests they hadn’t explored before.

Platforms like YouTube, TikTok, Substack, and Patreon gave people the tools to build an audience and monetize their creativity. At first, it felt like a revolution.

For many, the promise was freedom. No more bosses. No more commuting. No more working on someone else’s dream.

The allure of building your own thing while reaching an audience on your terms was powerful. But as the economy grew, so did its expectations.

From freedom to shackles

Some estimates placed the industry’s value at over $100 billion. Creators weren’t just YouTubers or Instagram influencers anymore.

They became corporations.

What I’m seeing now is that creators have boxed themselves in a cage of their own making.

The same creators who once sought independence now find themselves shackled to their own audience’s expectations.

They’re not just making content — they’re meeting quotas. Chasing trends. Battling algorithms.

Every post, video, or podcast must perform. Views, likes, comments, shares — it’s all meticulously tracked, not just by platforms, but by creators themselves.

The quest for creative freedom has become a relentless pursuit of validation.

It’s easy to blame the platforms. Algorithms are designed to prioritize engagement, and if creators want to grow, they have to play by the rules.

But the platforms didn’t create the cage. They just handed creators the blueprint.

The pressure to constantly produce content, engage with followers, and stay relevant has turned creators into 24/7 workers.

But here’s the thing: the work is never done. The internet doesn’t sleep, and neither do creators. Taking a break often feels like a risk. What if you lose momentum? What if the algorithm forgets you?

And so, the cycle continues. More content. More engagement. More burnout.

The spiritual death

The spiritual death of the creator economy isn’t just about money. Financially speaking, the creator economy is alive and well. In fact, everyone who tracks the industry says it’s growing.

This is about meaning, purpose, freedom. Creators are going through a spiritual death.

Many creators start with the intention to share their passion, inspire others, or make a difference. But as the stakes rise, the focus shifts.

A heartfelt blog post or meaningful video feels like a failure if it doesn’t get enough clicks.

Creators begin to prioritize what will sell over what truly matters to them.

Over time, this eats away at the soul of the creator. The joy of creating is replaced by the pressure to monetize. The connection with the audience becomes transactional.

Creativity becomes a job, not a calling.

And the audience feels it too. They sense when a creator’s work is driven by passion — and when it’s driven by the need to hit a sales target.

The authenticity that once made the creator economy special starts to fade. All this is good.

The creator economy is dead. Long live the creator economy.

There’s a French phrase, “Le roi est mort, vive le roi!”

It’s about the seamless transition of power when one king dies and a new one immediately ascends the throne.

One period ends. And immediately, another period begins.

The creator economy is dead. Long live the creator economy.