I wrote this as a comment in a media-centered article at Substack. It’s a new thought, which really should have gone here first! In any case, here’s the new thought:
The media that currently prosper are NOT descendants of newspapers and magazines. Currently thriving media are descendants of House Organs, the internal publications of corporations or organizations or hobby groups. A house organ doesn’t try to cover national news or write nationally readable features. It centers attention on the policies and practices of the organization, with features about the employees. Who’s getting married, who’s having kids, who’s been promoted, who’s involved in interesting crafts or sports.
Facebook and Substack and Tiktok and Instagram are platforms for house organs. Facebook originated as a house organ for a fraternity, then broadened into a platform.
Those Natl Assn of Mfrs films frequently showed house organs, for example:
Polistra's Mill 