Escaping the Pyramid Scheme-Like Trap of the Internet
How I'm Shifting Gears
A few weeks ago, the YouTube algorithm blessed me with a video everyone in the creative, marketing and social media space should watch. It’s called “YouTube Has a Pyramid Scheme Problem,” and I’ll embed it below (at the bottom of this post) so you can give it a watch. Go on. I’ll wait. 😉
This video has me rethinking my entire approach to being a creative human on the internet and reexamining how I consume content. So, let’s break it down, piece by piece because this is where things get messy—but in a good way.
The Lost Art of the Internet: RIP StumbleUpon
What I loved most about the Pyramid Scheme video is that the creator, Morgue Design, gets it. Like me, they’re deconstructing from the cult of celebrity culture, influencer culture, and the never-ending marketing machine social media has become.
But let’s be real: it’s not just social media. It feels like the entire internet has fallen into this funnel. Everywhere you go, it’s "buy my course, click my affiliate link, trust this (paid-for) review." Everything has turned into a sales pitch. And I long for the days when the internet wasn’t like this—at least, not on the scale it has become.
I feel for Gen-Z because they’ve never known the internet as a place where people pursue their hobbies and passions without trying to turn everything into a business. I miss the days when you could stumble! across a wildly creative website that felt like peeking into someone’s soul, not scrolling through an endless string of Google Ads.
The beauty of it, though? Gen-Z is starting to reclaim it. They’re canceling influencers, calling out bullshit, and reclaiming corners of the internet for genuine expression. As a Gen-Xer, it’s inspiring to witness this in IRL time.
Artist vs. Salesperson: The Eternal Struggle
I’m a designer and video editor by trade, but I identify as an artist and a storyteller. Whether it’s visual, lyrical, or literary, I’m constantly spinning some yarn. And the internet gave me the perfect outlet to explore all those stories in different forms. But as time passed, I became exasperated with everything becoming a money-making scheme. It was like watching creativity erode in the face of “entrepreneurship.”
As artists, we’re vulnerable. We want to make a living from our passion and be valued for our art, just as astronauts are for space travel. The internet has the power to do that! So many artists have turned their creativity into thriving communities and businesses, and I want that, too.
But here’s the kicker: the ones profiting off this “autonomy” we crave are selling the concept. Content Creation Gurus are the modern-day snake oil salespeople, peddling courses, mentorships, and channel memberships that claim to teach you how to make money as a creator. Spoiler: they’re selling the dream, not the reality.
Beware of Content Creation Gurus
Look, anyone who posts a video titled "How to Make $XYZ Doing XYZ" is just selling you a shovel in front of a gold mine. They’re guaranteed income because you’re buying their course, joining their B-School, and paying for their mentorships. What are you guaranteed in return? A waste of time, money, and creative energy learning how to make money as an artist but not really.
And I’m here to tell you, after years of watching these gurus, taking notes, trying the methods, the madness, the apps, and thank goodness not spending thousands like some do… they don’t know crap. Their content will mess up your algorithms, scramble your brain, and confuse you more than when you started. Trust me, I’ve been there.
It’s time to stop chasing the "magic formula" for success these so-called gurus are selling and get back to the heart of what matters: creating. Creating art that’s authentic, joyful, and meaningful to you.
Reclaiming Creativity and Autonomy
So, here’s my declaration: I’m reclaiming the internet for the creativity and community I want. I want to create wholesome, playful, magical content that lights me up. I’m refocusing my entire online presence around this, and it all starts with me stepping away from the funnel, the sales pitches, and the pyramid schemes.
This new 50 Shades of Jaye project here on Substack is about doing just that. It’s about storytelling, artistry, creativity, and even magic. But most importantly, it’s about building something genuine—free from the influencer trap. And I’ll share my journey with you in real-time, from my mistakes to the lessons I’m learning. Full disclosure: I want to earn a living from this new project. But I’m determined to prove it can be done without succumbing to The Pyramid Scheme the internet has become.
How Do You Reclaim Your Internet?
So, now it’s your turn. Are you caught up in the internet’s Pyramid Scheme and ready to get out? How are you reclaiming your little corner of the web? I’d love to hear what changes you’re making to keep things authentic, creative, and fun. Let’s chat in the comments—this is a conversation we creative types all need to have.
But first, watch the video below by the brilliant Morgue Design. It might just be the tectonic shift your creative soul has been waiting for. And if you do watch it, please let me know what you think!
With love, art, and magic,
~Jaye. 🖤✨🦄
