Crabs in Nature and on YouTube, Matatu Film Residency, and African Photobook Awards.

BARUA YA BARAZA: Crabs in Nature and on YouTube , Matatu Film Residency , and African Photobook Awards

From the Curator’s Desk

Greetings, friends:
Why do animals keep evolving into crabs? This is a real thing – crab-like forms are so evolutionarily favourable that they’ve evolved independently at least five times in nature, among animals that are technically not crabs. Stay with me – I promise I’m going somewhere with this.

A few days ago, my (almost) 10-year-old told me that evolution tends to favour the crab-like body shape, with its protective exoskeleton, versatile limbs, and compact form. Scientists believe that having a crab-like body is great in defending against predators, in burrowing and navigating diverse habitats. It means that multiple crustacean lineages have evolved over time into forms resembling crabs, despite having completely different ancestors. It’s a phenomenon called carcinization.

In the same way, over time you might notice a similar convergence among content creators. In the pursuit of audience engagement, creators often gravitate towards content styles, formats, or themes that have already proven successful. This trend is not driven by biological evolution, of course, but by the algorithmic and social dynamics of the platform. Videos that gain more views, likes, and shares are often promoted more by YouTube’s algorithms, leading creators to adapt their content to what performs best.

Even though it may seem we are living in an age of digital overabundance, we are at the same time living in the age of homogenization of content, where diverse creators might end up producing surprisingly similar videos. Topics that trend, video formats that engage viewers more effectively (think of how YouTube creators are always doing challenges or pranks), and even editing styles can become remarkably uniform across the platform. This is not to say that creativity is completely stifled; many creators still bring unique perspectives and innovations. However, the underlying pattern of convergence is unmistakable, driven by platforms’ inherent reward mechanisms.

Why does this even matter? In the grand scheme of things, when everyone starts to look and sound the same, we might miss out on those unique, quirky, or innovative voices that bring new perspectives to the table. In the long run, ensuring a diverse range of content is crucial because it keeps the digital landscape vibrant and interesting, preventing it from becoming a monotonous echo chamber. Crabs are great – but that shouldn’t be the only creature out there.

In the meantime, here’s:

What We’re Reading: I Know It Was The Blood, an Easter reflection by my dear friend Rev. Dr. Jeremy L. Williams. In this sermon, Dr. Williams grapples with the violence of Jesus crucifixion, and wonders, “How is state-terror against an innocent man turned into something worth singing about joyfully?”

What We’re Watching: I’m in those rare seasons in my life where I’m watching multiple shows in parallel. So, here goes – I’m bingeing on The Gentlemen and Blue Eye Samurai, both on Netflix, and Industry on Showmax. Three very different shows, but I’m loving the experience of watching them all.

What We’re Listening to: Scamfluencers, a podcast unpacking “epic stories of deception from the worlds of social media, fashion, finance, health, and wellness…These influencers claim to be everything from charismatic healers to trusted financial insiders to experts in dating. They cast spells over millions. Why do we believe them, and how does our culture allow them to thrive?” Listen, wherever you get your podcasts.

My best,
Christine Mungai.

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#RiseAfrica2024 | Photography Competition

The #RISEAfrica2024 Photography Competition is now open, with the theme “Everyday Possibilities… [from neighbourhoods to cities].” This year, they’re challenging you to capture the potential within your surroundings. Explore your city, listen to its stories, and see the possibilities waiting to be unlocked. Tell a visual story about how everyday elements of urban life can be transformed by passionate and creative people working together to build thriving African cities. The winner will receive $500, with two finalists each taking home $200.

Deadline: 7th April, 2024