This guest post about Quick Entertainment is from Dan Cormac, a freelance financial journalist passionate about personal finance, entertainment, and dining.
How can “Quick Entertainment” be part of a solo dining experience at a restaurant?
Everyone has been bored… it’s part of life. There are different kinds of boredom too, which can range from a deep boredom to “not having anything to do, but also not wanting to do anything major”. This has been spotted by marketing teams, online game designers and even algorithms on websites like YouTube, to create shorter, more condensed versions of entertainment to create brief engagement.
Labeled “Quick Entertainment”, it has taken over platforms like TikTok, Instagram Reels and even YouTube, but why is it so popular?
What is Quick Entertainment?
As the name suggests, quick entertainment refers to easily consumable content or games that are designed to grab the attention of the person engaging with it and, of course, to deliver enjoyment.
In recent times, this has moved away from more traditional methods, like online slots or quick poker draws, to things like short videos on YouTube and even short articles.
Cultural Changes
Now, why has Quick Entertainment become so popular?
Psychologists have suggested that this trend toward shorter, easier-to-consume content has reflected a cultural shift that has been occurring over the last few years. Digital attention spans are shortening, and, noting this, platforms like YouTube had to compete for the attention of viewers who were consuming TikTok content, leading to YouTube Shorts.
Even a study by Microsoft found that people prefer shorter experiences that create instant gratification, and Quick Entertainment offers that gratifying feeling while also delivering an entertaining product or idea at the same time.
How it’s Changing Interactions
Quick Entertainment is changing the way people interact both on and offline.
Social bonds are now being formed around shared trends or videos, rather than hobbies, and people are forming friendship groups based on games that they’ve played online. This does, of course, have its benefits. People are making friends with each other in the digital realm with shared humor and interests. It has been noted, however, that this often means that online friendships are more shallow than regular ones, as they’re based more around trends and the sharing of videos, rather than real hobbies or engagement.
Engagement Increase
Fast content has changed the way algorithms work and how YouTubers rank their videos. When it comes to shorts, YouTubers are aware that they need to grab the attention of the viewer within the first two seconds, or their content won’t be watched.
Similarly, with online games, they need to create a “feel good” sensation in the person playing the game within the first few seconds, or their level of engagement will drop. For games, this can be done with loud noises, movement, and engaging colors. Indeed, this notion is even moving into education and the workplace, where short-form storytelling and Quick Entertainment are being used to teach and train.
Like it or lump it, Quick Entertainment is here to stay, and, if you’re intending to create an online game or you need to host an online class for learners, it can make the difference between a fun experience and a stressful one. Plus, it can help solo diners pass the time while they enjoy a meal or beverage alone at a restaurant.
