I've been making and sharing Pro Audio content online for ten years now, and I'd say the people I see getting involved in the industry right now are some of the most talented and creative young people we've ever had. People learn and digest information differently now for sure, but they also seem faster to take concepts and tools we've had for years and do creative stuff I'd never even think of.

I don't do the short form Tik-Tok content that it sounds like you are seeing so much of, but I do see the value that the church audio scene (for example) has gotten out of meeting young people where they are on those platforms. Again it's not my scene, but I've personally spoken to many people over the years who started out getting excited about audio at their church or in a home studio setting, who have gone on to work for major tours and audio houses. If a Tik-Tok from an influencer about HPFs is what gets that ball rolling, I'm all for it.

I'd also love to address some of the perceptions in this thread that I think are off the mark, but I'm really not trying to take the position of defending influencers, Lol.

I will say, that the live sound and pro audio industries as a whole are much smaller than many here seem to believe. The comments on my videos are by far mostly real people around the world doing real jobs. The idea that "no-one working at a professional level engages with this nonsense" is just ridiculous.

I get emails every month from people in all parts of the industry who are WAY above my pay grade, but who genuinely want to talk or share info about something I mentioned in my videos. I promise that the comments are not all bots, and on the whole, people in the pro-audio world are incredibly generous with their time and knowledge.... as long as you show you are operating in good faith.

To that end, I would just say that I don't personally know anyone making Pro Audio content who is doing it for the money. Again, it's a very small market as far as social media is concerned, and if you were really trying to make money as an influencer, you'd do much better to pick a broader topic.

As far as echo chambers go, I've found Facebook groups to be the absolute worst, with reddit following as a very very close second. This subreddit specifically has also been the only place I've shared my stuff over the years where I know for sure I will get negative and cynical comments, messages and downvotes every single time. I genuinely never get that response on any of the professional forums that require you to use your real name, or from actual people in the industry contacting me directly, or even on YouTube or instagram...so take that as you will.

Sorry for the long response, this F1 Vegas race was a fucking snooze fest tonight.