I think I look for a lot of the same features in apps as I do in live events. I like things that take me to new things that I appreciate. Things. Granted they are but a small piece of what I look for but things are a good start. Not being a material sort, my things might be different than yours. My things are generally events, live or not. Beyond those my eternal search often breaks down. Why? The problem is that “I contain multitudes”. No algorithm can suss out what I really want. They fall far short of my identity, be it public or private. This true, thankfully, for most people — even if those motivated by the sale wish it weren’t so.
Curators struggle with it too. But I go to festivals with the same hope I have when I look at twitter: show me that thing I did not yet know of that I will later cushion softly with fond nostalgia and invigorate later with aspiration for the future. Can those qualities be defined? Yup. At least a bit. They are the qualities we look for and hope to discover. They are the qualities we appreciate and keep us coming back for more. They are the qualities you want to have in your work, the presentation of it, the marketing.
Authenticity. Serendipity. Authority. Context. Artistry. A.S.A.C.A. I like the acronym because it helps me remember. A.S.A.C.A. Authenticity. Serendipity. Authority. Context. Artistry. I say it three times to lodge it into my brain. Authenticity. Serendipity. Authority. Context. Artistry. A.S.A.C.A I don’t want to forget them because all work and presentation need them.
It may not be profound, but I do hear these requests when people tell me what they want from a film festival. Or what they want from a recommendation engine. Or the next app. Or when they complain that Netflix is only recommending them “Foreign Films with Strong Female Protagonists”. Or from whom they want recommendations from. Or why a live event works or doesn’t; does it check all the boxes? I think it also helps to think through these things when thinking about how an audience or community may come across your work. ASACA.
Are there other qualities that drive discovery or appreciation? Do Novelty and Personality chart, or are they redundant, pale knockoffs? Did Authenticity cover Novelty but with a purer heart and clearer intent? Does Authenticity swamp Personality crushing the showoff with it’s honesty? Yeah, I think so. Maybe Uniqueness should be on the list. I know it is something I want in any film I am going to trade my time for. Any way let me know if you think I am missing something… Thanks.
More importantly, please share where we can find ASACA. I would also like to know where you might have found worthy efforts to help provide ASACA.
