Is Digital Writing the New Oil? Oil ignited the Industrial Revolution like digital writing lubricates the Information Age
Could digital writing be as transformational as oil, or, is this hype, hyperbole and pipe dreams?
In a recent webinar, a big online influencer suggested digital writing is the new oil. It left me thinking and I came up with some comparisons.
Oil ignited the Industrial Revolution transforming the world and now digital writing and Artificial Intelligence are fuelling the Information Age — fundamentally altering the way we communicate, connect, and do business.
This thought has been rolling around in my head and I find it a curious comparison.
Added to this, I was watching a rocketing investment this week as well. The microchip manufacturer Nvidia. Its stock price was blasting into the ✅ as it leads microchip battles to handle rapid AI expansion — and the chip capacity required to support this. Ultimately, AI in many cases is word production — digital writing.
I started these thoughts with an Atomic Essay on Twitter (250 words).
Then expanded that post on LinkedIn. I then took feedback and incorporated it into this story [originally published on Medium] with 6 reflections comparing oil and digital writing.
6 thoughts on how digital writing drives ‘engines’ like oil fuels traffic.
1. Both are resources.
Oil and digital writing are resources that have transformed the way we live and work. Oil has been the backbone of the modern economy for over a century, while digital writing has become an increasingly vital means of communication in the Information Age.
Now with platforms like ChatGPT and other AI tools, writing and words are becoming more powerful by the day. Stop and think for a moment about how frequently you interface with words throughout an average day.
If you grew up in the Analog generations, as I did (e.g. pre-Internet), you can probably recall times when we weren’t constantly bombarded by words — such as social media and smartphones.
2. Digital writing is everywhere
From social media to blog posts, to mass media, to most things on your smartphone.
Digital writing is the combustion for business communication with customers, how influencers build brands, and how ideas spread around the world — like cargo 🚛 and viruses 💉.
In today’s Information Age, digital writing is a must-have skill. There’s little question that writing is fuel. For example, In a few weeks, I’m leading a seminar with students at a university in Thailand on content creation and social media. I live in western Canada.
3. Content pipelines
There are almost 5 billion people online and AI is only going to fill more information pipelines. Thus, also the rapid requirements and innovation in microchip technology. This follows the boom of microchip technology for gaming and online multiplayer games — starting in the early 2000s. Then more recently, the cryptocurrency booms and demands of mining crypto.
As much as AI-generated content is going to explore, it’s still critical to create high-quality, engaging content that stands out from AI-generated blandness and mimicry. Digital writing creates revenue ignition through content that captures attention, generates leads, educates, and, like oil, lubricates traffic and revenues.
4. Search engine optimization (SEO)
By creating content optimized for search engines, individuals and companies can increase website and content visibility and attract more traffic- just like oil drives global transportation. In many ways, SEO is the fuel that drives the growth of businesses online. Without it, even the most well-crafted website can be lost in the digital abyss.
Without SEO, businesses can easily get lost in the vast expanse of the internet, just as factories without oil couldn’t operate effectively in the past. Digital writers who have a firm grasp of SEO principles can help businesses achieve higher rankings on search engine results pages, resulting in increased website traffic and potential conversions.
Like the extraction of oil, SEO must be done carefully and with some understanding of the environment in which it operates. The best digital writers are able to balance the technical aspects of SEO with the art of crafting content that resonates with readers, much like oil drillers balance the technical aspects of extraction with various impacts.
Just as oil made it possible for businesses to expand their reach and influence, SEO and digital writing are essential for businesses that want to succeed and grow in the modern era.
5. Flexibility and remote work
The rise of digital writing and remote work can be compared to oil booms through the opportunities and flexibility it provides for individuals and businesses. Digital writers can collaborate with clients from anywhere in the world, expanding their professional networks and gaining exposure to different industries and cultures.
This flexibility allows solopreneurs to build a business on their own terms, with the freedom and flexibility to choose clients and projects that align with their values and interests.
Digital writing requires a unique combination of technical and creative skills that can help businesses grow and thrive in the digital age. As the world becomes more connected and digital, the demand for skilled digital writers is set to increase.
6. Oil and digital writing have both come under scrutiny
The use of fossil fuels has contributed to climate change and urbanization while digital writing can impact mental health, privacy, and political dialogue (e.g. fake news). Digital writing, like oil, is a powerful tool that can transform individuals, businesses and communities — for good and bad.
If you are a digital writer or an aspiring one, there will be times when you need to consider using your skills in a responsible and ethical way. Being mindful of content and its effects, digital writers can ensure that their work continues to contribute to positive growth and development. Whether you’re an entrepreneur, marketer, or content creator, developing digital writing could transform your life and others. This carries some comparison to oil and its transformative qualities.
What do you think of this idea of comparing oil to digital writing?
Could digital writing be as transformational as oil, or, is this hype, hyperbole and pipe dreams?
What have you got in your content pipeline?
Interested in learning more about how digital writing can fuel a business?
I cross-posted this story on Subtstack and on Medium.
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