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There’s a phenomenon that has been troubling me for quite some time now, and I suspect I’m not alone—in fact, I know I’m not alone. It’s the baffling reality that in today’s world, genuine talent is often ignored, dismissed, or overshadowed by the mediocre. We’ve all seen it—the fleeting success of something shallow while something truly exceptional gets buried. It’s as if the world has forgotten how to recognize and appreciate real brilliance, and instead, celebrates the mundane.
It’s not just frustrating; it’s disheartening. How can it be that someone can scribble a few lines—a poem that barely scratches the surface of what poetry can be—and receive endless praise, while a meticulously crafted piece, rich with emotion and thought, barely registers? What does that say about us as a society? Are we so caught up in the race to consume that we’ve lost our ability to discern quality, to value depth?
This isn’t just about poetry. I have many talents beyond just writing poetry, even though it’s my favorite. But this issue is everywhere. In music, art, literature—talent is being sidelined in favor of what’s trending. The most popular songs often have little substance, filled with empty lyrics and repetitive beats. Yet, they top the charts, go viral, and rake in millions. Meanwhile, songs with a message, with soul, struggle to get airtime. How did we get here? And more importantly, how do we find our way back?
Let’s consider what’s at stake. When we overlook talent, we’re not just missing out on a good song or a great poem—we’re missing out on the very things that enrich our lives, that challenge us, that push us to think, to feel, to grow. We’re settling for less in a world that desperately needs more—more depth, more insight, more creativity.
I know my worth. My poems alone express my talents, and those who have truly taken the time to read them understand that. Yet, here I am, watching my subscriber numbers remain stagnant. Why aren’t they climbing as fast as others? It’s baffling. I’m not trying to whine, but when even my associates—professionals in this field—are puzzled by this, it signals a serious problem. For the amount of content I’m producing, our subscriber numbers should be much higher. This isn’t just a personal frustration; it’s a perplexing mystery that underscores a larger issue.
It’s easy to point fingers at the algorithms, the platforms, the market trends. And yes, they play a huge role, and the shadow banning is not helping either. But there’s more to it. There’s a cultural shift that’s taken place, where the quick, the easy, the sensational has become the norm. We’re inundated with content, and in the noise, the truly valuable gets drowned out. But that doesn’t mean it’s any less valuable. In fact, it’s more valuable than ever.
There’s a certain irony in all of this. The very tools that were supposed to democratize content, to give everyone a voice, have also made it harder for true talent to shine through. With so much out there, standing out has become not just a challenge but a near impossibility for many. The algorithms favor what’s already popular, creating a cycle where the mediocre is continuously elevated, and the exceptional remains unseen.
But here’s the thing—talent doesn’t disappear just because it’s ignored. It continues to exist, to create, to inspire, even if it’s not immediately recognized. And that’s where hope lies—at least, I think. Because talent, real talent, has a way of enduring. It’s not tied to trends, likes, or shares. It’s tied to something much deeper—an intrinsic quality that, no matter how buried, will eventually come to light. Well, I pray that it will, anyway.
Yet, we can’t sit back and wait for that to happen. We need to actively seek out and support talent. We need to be the ones who look beyond the surface, who dig deeper, who recognize and celebrate what truly matters. It’s not just about giving credit where it’s due; it’s about creating a culture where talent can thrive, where quality is valued over quantity, where substance is more important than style.
This is not an easy task. It requires a shift in how we think, how we consume, how we engage with the world around us. But it’s a necessary one. Because if we continue down this path—where the superficial is celebrated and the significant is ignored—we risk losing something invaluable. We risk losing the very things that make us human, that connect us, that inspire us to be better.
So, what can we do? For starters, we can choose to support real talent. We can seek it out, share it, talk about it, push the narrative, and most importantly, appreciate it. We can refuse to settle for the lowest common denominator and demand more from the content we consume. We can create spaces—both online and offline—where talent is recognized, nurtured, and celebrated.
And to those out there, creating, honing your craft, striving for excellence—don’t give up. We’re not giving up, so you can’t either—lol, just saying. Your work matters, even if it doesn’t always get the recognition it deserves. Keep pushing, keep creating, keep believing in the value of what you do. Because in the end, it’s talent like yours that will stand the test of time. It’s talent like ours that will shape the future, even if the present doesn’t always seem to appreciate it.
Between you and me, the world doesn’t make much sense anymore. But maybe that’s exactly why it’s so important that we don’t lose sight of what really matters. Talent, real talent, is too important to be ignored. It’s time we start recognizing it for what it is—a gift that enriches us all. And if we can do that, maybe, just maybe, we can start making sense of this crazy world we’re living in.
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well said , John… support and then sincere support…and then obviously the no support…it’s a juggle.
there are many people I’ve come across that are really so talented but recognition and appreciation and encouragement from others are sadly lacking.
yours are much enjoyed too, John…
thank you for sharing this…🤍
Thank you for your kind words and for understanding the reality of this juggling act. It’s true that so many talented individuals don’t receive the recognition they deserve, and it’s disheartening. But I believe that genuine talent and passion will always find a way to shine through, even if it takes time. I’m grateful that you enjoy my work—it means a lot to me. Thank you for your support and for taking the time to share your thoughts. I hope you have a great day, Destiny! 😎
thank you , John…also for reminding us to take that time ourselves to appreciate that of others…🙏
a great one your way too🤍
You’re welcome, Destiny! 😎
Well-written and factual. Thanks for sharing.
You’re welcome! 😎
Keep talking. The algorithms are listening 🤝. You know…
You’re right, it’s always good to get the message out there, whatever the algorithms might think. 😎
I manipulate them. If you watch how they respond, you get an idea of how you can wiggle your message through. It doesn’t do anything for stats, but it does shift humanity… apparently. You will see things change as you ride the algorithmic wave.
Paying attention to patterns could help in navigating the algorithms. For me, though, it’s about staying true to the message, regardless of how it plays out in the stats. And though it’s a double-edged sword, I do need the stats. I guess we’ll see where this wave takes us.
Excellent and so very truthfully written, John. Thanks for sharing your thoughts openly like this.
Thank you so much for your kind words. I believe in being open and truthful, and it’s encouraging to know that others appreciate that—especially these days, lol! Thanks again, Laura!
Anytime 😊 have a great night!
Thank you very much, Laura! You have a great night as well. 😎
It all started to go downhill when the “everyone gets a trophy mindset” became a thing.
Now, I admit, I love to clown around a lot on my blog, but I also put out some ok stuff from time to time, and seeing things that had almost zero effort put in getting 100+ likes is frustrating at times.
But, I can’t complain. I do it because I like it first and foremost, and I greatly appreciate the folks who genuinely enjoy my page. Those interactions are the real prize.
I am very fortunate, and honestly, my page has become far, far more than I ever though it would.
But, I totally get your point, and I know there are other bloggers who share that frustration at times.
I hear you, and I completely understand where you’re coming from. It’s definitely frustrating when effort doesn’t always get the recognition it deserves, but like you said, those genuine interactions with people who appreciate your work are what truly matter. It’s great to hear that your page has grown beyond your expectations—that’s a real achievement in itself. Keep doing what you love, and thanks for sharing your perspective. Thanks, Kevin.
Thanks, John and likewise to you. Keep at it! 💪💪