My wife and I recently finished Ted Lasso. As to not spoil it for anyone I will not review it here. What I will say is it reminded me in an important way of another acclaimed comedy, Schidt’s Creek. These two shows are wonderful examples of what I see as a new era in comedy. Comedies based on kindness. Sure they are quippy and self-deprecating and establish low moments for their characters that act in selfish and sometimes mean ways, but they take the whole of the series run and bring everyone through a growth arc that largely happens because the participants care for one another. The shows are funny with a purpose and so much more real in that way.
My feeling is that this new formula for sitcoms and TV in general is related to the Cancel Culture, a movement that rooted out behavior by some that purposely hurt others for one's own personal gain.
“Purposely hurt” is a very mild way of putting actions by some such as Harvey Weinstein and Jeffrey Epstein and Bill Cosby. Those individuals and others like them are excluded from the point I am making. I want to make that abundantly clear.
I do feel that there is a recognition of our individual predilections that may have once been taboo and required hiding. And I think that the same light that uncovered monsters allowed those with seemingly marginalized proclivities to speak their truths. Especially if you put it in a podcast. Seriously, do you like consensual sex in public? Put it in a podcast. Do you microdose LSD every morning? Put it in a podcast. Do you gamble away more money than you should? Put it in a podcast! Are you gay, straight, trans, non-binary? Tell the public in a podcast. Love Jesus, follow Allah, worship the devil, practice Judaism? Do you meditate and practice yoga? FOR SURE PUT THAT IN A PODCAST! Do you despise children? Do you have 22 kids? Put that shit in a mother fucking podcast!
Everything about us is out there for everyone to see. For years many railed against this and maybe it isn’t awesome that corporations know you better than you know yourself, but there is no hiding anymore. There is no hiding from yourself and there is no hiding from others. So, why not work towards authenticity. Go see that therapist. Sit with uncomfortable feelings. Take action on that idea you have let marinate for 4 years and 2 months. And while you do all this, put yourself out there for people to see. Live your truth and let the truth set you free.
This is what your clients and others you do business with want from us! Authenticity. In a world of noise and deep fakes and AI and information, you have no choice anymore but to put yourself out there and find the people that resonate with that person and let your business be your business.
I am not suggesting that you should not subscribe to the idea that you need to fake it until you make it from a perspective of mastery of your particular skill. Though I am advocating that you should attack sharing your understanding of your craft with a “this is who I am” attitude.
Consistent effort towards better understanding your industry and consistent effort towards better understanding of oneself and consistent effort towards conveying those understandings to the public is what our world now calls for. There is no escaping it. Might as well revel in it and excel.
