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Salutations, Olio aficionados! 👋 |
Happy Hump Day and welcome to the 102nd edition of Weekly Olio - your trusted source for giggles, wisdom, and a dash of intrigue, courtesy of our tantalizing thought piece (yes, buckle up for Publisher's Parmesan). 🧀 |
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The Quote 💭 |
"Hell is truth seen too late." | | | | ― Thomas Hobbes |
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 | Bryan Johnson /dd @bryan_johnson |  |
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As we age, the brain responds to declining metabolic efficiency by cutting energy to organs, including muscles and even itself. This leads to fatigue, muscle wasting, and cognitive decline. To preserve brain health, optimize metabolism through sleep, nutrition, exercise, stress… x.com/i/web/status/1… | |  | | | 6:36 PM • Oct 23, 2024 | | | | | | 1.55K Likes 129 Retweets | 38 Replies |
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As we age, our brain conserves energy by reducing supply to organs, leading to fatigue, muscle loss, and cognitive decline. To maintain brain health, prioritize good sleep, nutrition, exercise, stress management, and social connections. |
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The Infographic 💹 |
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South Korea overtook Japan's GDP per capita in 2024 for the first time in history. |
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The Short Read 📝 |
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Viola Zhou is a senior reporter at Rest of World covering China. She has reported on Chinese tech, business, and internet culture for more than 10 years. Viola previously covered Chinese politics and society for Vice World News, and reported for the South China Morning Post from Hong Kong. |
Peiyue Wu is a freelance journalist based in New York City. She writes about China's technology and business, with a keen interest in how they are reshaping labor relations, social norms, and the humanities. |
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TikTok Shop allows businesses to work with many small influencers more easily. Creators with about 1,000 followers can earn money by selling items like noodles, toys, and Christmas trees. With a looming TikTok ban and a shortage of big brands on the platform, TikTok is still far from a mainstream shopping destination. Read more… |
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The Long Read 📜 |
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Nabeel S. Qureshi is a Visiting Scholar at the Mercatus Center. He is a technologist, software engineer, and writer, currently focused on developing an optimistic vision for AI, supported by Emergent Ventures. |
Previously, Nabeel led various engagements with US federal agencies as an Enterprise Lead at Palantir Technologies. He was also a founding employee and Vice President of Business Development at GoCardless, a Y Combinator funded company headquartered in London, now one of Europe's biggest financial technology unicorns. |
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Palantir is currently very popular, having recently joined the S&P 500 and nearing a $100 billion valuation. Its stock is performing well, and venture capitalists are keen to invest in startups by former employees. This is surprising to long-time employees, as between 2016 and 2020, Palantir was associated with spying and government surveillance, often facing protests. Many viewed it as merely a consulting firm or a clever use of talent. Read more… |
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Publisher's Parmesan 🧀 |
How ultrashort dramas are reshaping entertainment |
In the fast-paced world of digital media, where attention is the new currency, a revolutionary trend is emerging that's capturing the imagination of viewers and investors alike. Ultrashort dramas, epitomized by apps like ReelShort, are not just another fleeting digital fad—they represent a fundamental shift in how we consume and create content. |
VCs who have ridden the waves of numerous tech revolutions, have seen their share of innovations come and go. But the meteoric rise of these bite-sized, plot-twist-packed narratives has the potential to disrupt the entire entertainment industry, offering a unique blend of storytelling efficiency and addictive engagement that's perfectly attuned to our increasingly fragmented attention spans. |
In this article, we'll dive deep into this phenomenon, exploring its origins, its current impact, and most importantly, its implications for the future of both entertainment and investment. |
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ReelShort, a Chinese-backed short video app, has exploded onto the scene, knocking even the behemoth TikTok off its perch in the App Store's entertainment category. With over 30 million downloads worldwide, 40% of which are from the United States, ReelShort is not just another flash in the pan—it's a glimpse into the future of entertainment. |
What sets ReelShort apart is its laser focus on a specific niche: ultrashort dramas. These are not your grandfather's soap operas. These are high-octane, plot-twist-packed snippets of drama that unfold in mere minutes. Take "Snatched a Billionaire to Be My Husband," for instance. In just 90 seconds, viewers are treated to a rollercoaster of emotions, complete with family bankruptcy, broken engagements, and a steamy encounter with a billionaire uncle. It's content tailor-made for the TikTok generation, where attention spans are measured in seconds, not hours. |
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The Economics of Attention |
From a VC perspective, what's truly fascinating about ReelShort is its economic model. While Netflix pours millions into each episode of prestige TV, ReelShort is taking the opposite approach. According to Joey Jia, CEO of Crazy Maple Studio (the company behind ReelShort), an entire series can be produced for less than $300,000. This lean production model allows for rapid iteration and risk-taking, crucial elements in the fast-paced world of digital content. |
The target demographic? Busy, middle-aged American women looking for a quick escape into romance and fantasy. It's a brilliant play on the part of Crazy Maple Studio, tapping into an underserved market with disposable income and a hunger for content that fits into their hectic lives. |
The China Connection |
The rise of ReelShort is part of a larger trend of Chinese tech companies looking to expand globally. With the Chinese government's increasing scrutiny of the domestic tech industry, companies are hedging their bets by seeking international audiences. This global expansion strategy is not without its challenges, particularly when it comes to data privacy concerns and potential regulatory hurdles in markets like the U.S. |
However, ReelShort seems to have learned from the tribulations of its predecessors. By emphasizing its California headquarters and lack of a Chinese audience, ReelShort is positioning itself as a global player rather than a Chinese export. This strategic move could prove crucial in navigating the complex geopolitical landscape that has tripped up other Chinese-backed apps. |
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The Bigger Picture: Redefining Content Creation |
What truly excites us is the potential for ultrashort dramas to completely reshape the content creation landscape. In China, where this trend has already taken root, we're seeing a fundamental shift in how stories are told. Screenwriters are being asked to pack three plot twists into every minute of screen time. Production crews in Hengdian, China's Hollywood, are churning out 100-episode series in a single week. |
This isn't just a change in format; it's a paradigm shift in storytelling itself. The traditional rules of character development and narrative arc are being rewritten to fit this new medium. It's reminiscent of the early days of social media, when the constraints of platforms like Twitter forced users to become more creative and concise in their communication. |
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The Investment Opportunity |
For VCs, the ultrashort drama trend represents a unique investment opportunity. Here's why: |
Low Production Costs: The ability to produce content at a fraction of the cost of traditional TV or film means higher potential returns and lower risk. Rapid Iteration: The quick production cycle allows for fast testing and adaptation to audience preferences. Global Scalability: As ReelShort has shown, there's a hunger for this content beyond China's borders. Untapped Markets: The focus on underserved demographics like middle-aged women opens up new revenue streams. Tech Integration: The potential for AI-driven personalization and recommendation algorithms could further enhance user engagement and monetization.
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Challenges and Risks |
Of course, no investment is without risk. The ultrashort drama trend faces several challenges: |
Regulatory Scrutiny: As with any Chinese-backed tech company, there's always the risk of increased government scrutiny, particularly in the U.S. Quality Concerns: While the current focus is on quantity over quality, there's a question of how long viewers will tolerate subpar production values. Market Saturation: As more players enter the space, standing out will become increasingly difficult. Evolving Consumer Tastes: The fickle nature of entertainment trends means today's hot new thing could be tomorrow's old news.
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The Bottom Line |
Despite these challenges, we believe the ultrashort drama trend, exemplified by ReelShort, represents a significant shift in the entertainment landscape. It's not just about shorter attention spans; it's about creating a new form of storytelling that fits seamlessly into the lives of modern consumers. |
For investors willing to take the plunge, the potential rewards are substantial. We're looking at a market that could easily surpass the $5 billion valuation seen in China. More importantly, we're witnessing the birth of a new content format that could redefine how stories are told in the digital age. |
In the world of venture capital, we're always looking for the next big disruptor. ReelShort and the ultrashort drama trend have all the hallmarks of a game-changer. It's time to pay attention—even if it's just for a minute and a half. |
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That's all for this week. If you enjoyed this edition, we'd really appreciate if you shared it with a friend, family member or colleague. |
We'll be back in your inbox 2 PM IST next Wednesday. Till then, have a productive week! |
Peeyush and Mohit |
Disclaimer: The views, thoughts, and opinions expressed in the text belong solely to the author, and not necessarily to the author's employer, organization, committee or other group or individual. |
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