The Engagement Trap: Why Great Art Doesn't Chase Attention

The Engagement Trap: Why Great Art Doesn't Chase Attention

July 21, 2026 · 11 min

About this episode

Troy Cartwright discusses the pitfalls of prioritizing engagement over trust in art and music.

What happens when a company—or an artist—starts optimizing for engagement instead of trust? In this solo episode, I unpack why Netflix's biggest competitive advantage isn't its algorithms or its catalog, but the relationship it has with its audience. That same tension exists in music, where creators are constantly tempted to simplify, explain, and optimize their work for platforms that reward attention over originality. We talk about the difference between commodities and premium brands, why ...

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Host: Troy Cartwright

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Organizations: Netflix

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