Cal Newport: The Rise of the Internet’s Creative Middle Class

Perhaps Dixon is right that Web 3.0 will play a role in the future of online creative careers, but it’s also clear that Ball and Enjeti, Hilton Carter, Maria Popova, and any number of successful podcasters didn’t depend on a technological breakthrough of this magnitude to put Kelly’s theory into practice right now. The key to their success seems instead to be the willingness of their audiences to step outside of the algorithmically controlled streams and interact with creators directly, using more varied and independent tools. If you subscribe to “Breaking Points,” for example, your payments are processed through a small company called SuperCast, which will install a plug-in for your podcast player to give you easy access to premium episodes.

This is an interesting read on the rise of the "1,000 true fans" idea, it's fall, and it's second rise. I of course quote the bit about crypto not being necessary (or even helpful) here, but it gets into how the "creator economy" has evolved over time, which I found fascinating.