The House Always Wins

Originally shared Oct. 17, 2023 on Patreon.

They called it “social media” because the test lab said “social slot machines” didn’t score well with the focus groups. And it worked. They said “social media” and we heard “sharing pictures and words with friends.” They knew that while the ancient parts of our brains were busy riding the scarcity loop of constant new content and fluctuating likes, we would neglect to look into the the word’s etymological origin:

“media” from the Latin “medius” – “medium” – also meaning “middle.” As in, between, or intermediary.

Which is precisely where social slot machines like meta, etc. have positioned themselves since day one. Between us and the authentic human connection we really desire. And as they update the algorithms to burn even hotter, and introduce slightly new ways for us to perform our hits, these intermediaries want us to believe we depend on them. So we keep playing the game, forgetting that they actually depend on us, and in the end, the house always wins.

Until we gather. In twos or threes, or 17’s, we can season the walls of a new home with songs, fill wooden church hall chairs in front of the stage, carpool to the club and split the cab home, book two lanes, call each other on the phone - gathering creates the balm. And as we feel ourselves soften more toward one another, we remember the games we all played when we were young, and say “I can host next time!” Because the house always wins.

📷 by K. October 14, 2023 – house concert in Calmar, AB