The internet is a fickle place, where algorithms change at the flip of a dime and tech oligarchs seemingly govern based on mood swings (and maybe ketamine usage?)
The result is a media ecosystem constantly teetering on the edge of implosion: The last decade has brought one depressing instance after another of publications who built businesses off the success of search and social traffic only to then find themselves shit out of luck once the faucet went dry.
I mention this as a bit of context to explain some of our recent activity. Over the last six months or so, we’ve taken several steps with the hope of becoming less reliant on social media platforms that operate out of our control. One of those initiatives is our new daily newsletter. Another arrives today with the public launch of our official Discord channel.
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Full disclosure: I was only vaguely familiar with the inner workings of Discord when we kicked around the idea of launching a server during a recent staff meeting. And I certainly had no idea of what sort of content or features it would include. Thankfully, my colleague Liz Shannon Miller had the brilliant suggestion that we start small by inviting a small group of beta users who could take the lead in helping us build the server and crafting a vision for what we wanted to be.
The last month has been an illuminating experience as I watched an incredible group of like-minded music and pop culture lovers quite literally hold my hand and build a server from scratch. The consensus I received from them and others is that they simply wanted a place to chat about the music, movies, and shows they love. A place where they could receive new music recommendations and make their own, share their concert experiences, post photos, and maybe even connect with some fellow musicians and start a band. Most of all, however, they sought a welcoming community free of toxicity and snobbery that exists solely to celebrate art and culture. In many ways, this has always been the ethos of Consequence, and I am glad that so many others still subscribe to that mindset.
With that in mind, we formally invite you to join Consequence’s Official Discord, which launches to the public today. We hope that you check back early and often and become an engaged member of the community. And invite your friends, too!
Over the coming days and weeks, we’ll also begin rolling out live events, including artist Q&As, trivia, and more. And if there are other features you’d like to see us implement, please don’t hesitate in dropping a message in the suggestions channel.
Lastly I’d like to thank all the incredible individuals I’ve met over the last month who helped build this server and answered my many questions. The experience has really reinforced everything good that the Internet can be.
