

New Creative Era
Joshua Citarella and Yancey Strickler
A podcast exploring how creative people develop their practices and the worlds we live and operate in. metalabel.substack.com
Episodes
Mentioned books

6 snips
Jan 27, 2026 • 51min
The internet has been building to this
They unpack teleology and how tools drift toward outcomes embedded in their design. They explore cloud platforms taking on state-like roles and competing visions for a privatized internet. They compare a stack built on social democracy with a dystopian stack of surveillance, gated culture, and privatized welfare. They warn how platform features get repurposed in unexpected political ways.

27 snips
Jan 20, 2026 • 30min
The politics of withdrawal
Exploring the concept of 'dark forests,' the hosts tackle how private spaces can foster hidden understanding while potentially evading civic duty. They delve into Adam Curtis's critique of 1970s communes as inward-focused retreats. The discussion raises questions about the balance between sharing valuable ideas publicly and protecting them from misuse. With references to communities on platforms like Discord, they connect dark foresting to social dynamics. Ultimately, they view this phenomenon as a complex response to modern technology and cultural shifts.

21 snips
Jan 13, 2026 • 34min
Ingroups and outgroups
Dive into the intriguing world of curation and exclusion, exploring how Web2's promise of open platforms has ironically led to new forms of gatekeeping. The hosts discuss the value disparities and cultural protections that emerge from those exclusions. They examine how humans naturally gravitate towards in-groups, the ideologies that develop within them, and the role of memes and jargon in shaping subcultures. They also tackle governance issues in creative communities and the implications of resource-sharing dynamics. It's a thought-provoking look at belonging and boundaries!

30 snips
Dec 17, 2025 • 31min
Dark forests and antimemetics
Explore the hidden world of dark forests and antimemetics, where ideas resist visibility. Discover how bureaucratic structures obscure information and how niche audiences can powerfully outshine mass media. The conversation highlights the allure of elusive groups, shared rules, and anonymity in fostering genuine creative interactions. Delve into the contrast between quick viral hits and enduring, impactful work, and uncover how these secret spaces serve as vibrant hubs for collaboration and innovation.

23 snips
Dec 10, 2025 • 40min
Do dark forests live forever?
Josh and Yancey dive into the intriguing lifecycles of Dark Forest communities. They discuss how these online spaces begin, evolve, and sometimes decay. Key topics include the importance of consistent output and quality curation to prevent entropic decline. They highlight factionalism's role in community dynamics and explore how reputational roles retain talent. The conversation also touches on cultural legacies, revealing how ideas can endure long after groups have disbanded. Tune in for insights on fostering lasting connections in digital spaces!

23 snips
Dec 3, 2025 • 33min
The philosophy of dark forests
Explore the intriguing philosophy of dark forests, where the line between threat and sanctuary blurs. These spaces foster privacy, enabling dissent and collective action away from prying eyes. Discover how social isolation drives people into communal enclaves, and how deplatforming can energize group formation. Delve into the balance of public and private, and the dangers of echo chambers. The conversation culminates in reflections on how transient groups can evolve into lasting institutions.

20 snips
Nov 26, 2025 • 43min
The economics of the dark forest
Dive into the intriguing world of Dark Forest spaces and their self-supporting economies. Explore the technical mechanics that fuel these online-native proto-institutions. Discover the balance between shared membership roles and privacy concerns within communities. Unpack how crypto and community tokens play a vital role in governance and economics. The hosts debate the implications of rewarding early contributors while preventing speculation. Get ready for a lively discussion on the future of collaborative publishing and online institutions.

61 snips
Nov 18, 2025 • 34min
What's a Dark Forest?
Dive into the intriguing concept of Dark Forests, where private, non-indexed spaces like invite-only chats foster genuine conversation. Discover the origins of the term and why people are retreating into these gated communities, escaping the chaos of public feeds. Explore how Dark Forests can both shield sensitive information and pose risks like radicalization. The hosts discuss the balance between privacy and the responsibility to share ideas, while also addressing how these spaces shape power dynamics and influence in society.

11 snips
Nov 14, 2025 • 33min
The return
Get ready to explore the intriguing world of dark forests—private online spaces shrouded in mystery. The hosts discuss their struggles with productivity amidst a content treadmill and reflect on the risks of publishing unconventional ideas. There’s a dive into public benefit corporations and how institutions influence creative careers. They also introduce a new concept: Dark Forest Operating System, aimed at building cooperative tools for communities. Tune in for a captivating journey into uncharted digital territories!

21 snips
Jun 24, 2025 • 51min
Artist Corporations: new podcast and early traction
The conversation dives deep into the innovative concept of Artist Corporations, exploring how they can reshape the landscape for creative individuals. Listeners learn about the various legal structures artists can utilize and the potential benefits of a unified A-Corp. There's discussion on the evolving value of art in today's culture and the impact of collectives that are currently paving the way for collaboration. The dialogue emphasizes the need for community input in crafting supportive systems, aiming to empower artists in navigating financial challenges.


