Chapter 5: The Dancing Pallbearers
There are two types of dictators:
One uses strong-arm tactics to force submission, never allowing anyone a chance to speak.
The other is absolutely self-centered: you can express your opinion, but things will be done my way.
Luke was, without a doubt, the latter.
After two months of working together, the employees had come to understand the boss’s personality. To be honest, they didn't like having this kind of boss, but countless instances had proven that the boss was always right. Over time, people had grown accustomed to following orders.
Only Zacks Borg raised a question.
"What kind of video platform are you planning to create? Traditional, like unique creation and linking? Or a new model, based on copyrights and pay-per-click?"
Luke glanced at him, speaking with arrogance.
"Don't incorporate those sunset industries into ShowMe's blueprint. They are unworthy."
"Charlie, bring in the computers."
"Yes, boss."
Several laptops were placed in front of the department heads. The software was already open. Below the videos and pictures were many never-before-seen options: Share, Repost, Follow, Comment, Like, Pin, and so on.
These functions would be familiar to netizens in the later world, but for the young people in the DC world, these were revolutionary.
After only a few interactions, everyone's expressions changed. The social capability of this platform was incredible.
A fat gamer obsessed with the online world gave a thumbs-up.
"Boss, you're truly a genius!"
"I've heard that statement 999 times. You are the one thousandth."
Luke smiled faintly. "Alright, everyone, focus your attention. Stop looking at the computers. The meeting isn't over."
"Zacks, you're the head of the Technology Department. Share your thoughts."
Zacks was speechless. He had countless ideas in his mind, but when he opened his mouth, only two words came out.
"It's... great!"
The staff in the Technology Department sneered, their disdain clearly visible.
Zacks' face flushed, feeling angry and embarrassed.
Luke continued, "Beyond being 'great,' is there nothing else?"
All eyes turned to Zacks. Having been busy with hacking, Zacks Borg suddenly felt an immense pressure he had never experienced before. After a long silence, he tentatively replied,
"I... I think attracting users can't rely solely on the software itself. We need other... other things."
Luke didn't let him off the hook. He wanted to see how much potential this young man, who shared a face with the founder of Facebook, truly possessed.
"What do you mean by 'other things'? Give me some specific suggestions."
"It's... it's just things that can generate widespread attention, like news, hot topics, and so on."
Luke snapped his fingers. "Well said. Excellent!"
"ShowMe is social software. Its essence is the interaction and communication among users. Only by guaranteeing enough engaging topics, giving users goals to pursue and discuss, can the company sustain long-term development."
"Zacks' suggestion is very forward-thinking and hits the core of the issue."
Hearing this, Zacks Borg inexplicably felt relieved. Wiping his forehead, he found a layer of fine sweat.
"So, the question is, how do we maintain the buzz and hot topics?"
Rowan rose and said, "We can start a Crime Section
"A good suggestion. After the meeting, have a few employees draft the copy for it and submit it to me before 4 PM."
"Yes, boss."
After Rowan sat down, others offered their ideas: some proposed party competition, others the presidential election, and still others suggested traditional topics like environmental pollution and gun violence...
Luke sat in his chair, listening attentively. Only after everyone had spoken did he begin.
"After hearing your answers, I feel it’s necessary to reiterate one point: 90% of ShowMe's users are young people. Your suggestions are good, but you overlook the most important issue—they don't hit the youth's 'G-spot.'"
"What do young people like? Current events? Party competition? Don't be ridiculous. They don't care about any of that. The things that make them pursue and enthusiastically discuss are nothing more than a few categories: cool, trendy, fun, and heroes."
"The first four can be grouped into one category. They only need a catalyst to spark a craze, like this..."
Luke clicked on a video file and projected it onto the large screen.
A group of Black men, dressed in neat attire, were carrying a coffin and performing a lively dance on the street. The movements were strange but rhythmic, coupled with vibrant music, giving a peculiar sense of humor.
Pfft!
The chubby guy in the Technology Department couldn't hold it in and was the first to burst out laughing.
Everyone else's cheeks twitched, their eyes filled with mirth. Only Mr. Arthur remained expressionless. Among everyone present, his skin was the only one that was Black.
Luke pressed the pause button and spoke with a stern expression.
"Do you find this funny?"
Everyone was silent. The boss's mood was written on his face; no one dared provoke him right now.
"Good. I'll ask another question: Can this video ignite the passion of young people?"
"Rowan, you answer."
"It should be no problem."
"Cindy?"
"Definitely."
The young woman replied, full of confidence.
"Zacks, what do you say?"
The latter glanced at Arthur and nodded hesitantly.
"You all think it's fine, and I agree. Entertainment, joy, satire mixed with a little bit of superiority—superficial happiness is easily accepted by the general public. But this is not what I am pursuing."
"I'm telling you, the video you just saw is not an entertainment show; it's a real event. The coffin dance is a specific funerary custom in Ghana, where they believe death is the start of a new life. They should not be sorrowful, but use an atmosphere of overflowing joy to send the deceased on their new journey."
"Using entertainment to please the masses means you will eventually be abandoned by the masses. This is a law of history."
"The ShowMe I envision is not something so shallow. It should become a window, a window connecting diverse cultures. Through this window, you can understand different countries, different cultures, and different people. It is your pair of eyes, taking you across the planet to see magical sights you've never even imagined."
"Connecting the world, shortening the distance—this is the future of ShowMe. Entertainment is merely a tool to speed up the process."
The last word fell, and the air abruptly fell silent. Everyone was stunned by his monologue. Admiration, astonishment, lamentation, and silence filled the room, only to be converted into applause a few seconds later.
Philip Arthur sighed deeply.
"Luke, you're a goddamn genius."
"Mr. Arthur, you are the one thousand and first person to say that."
Luke wore a smile, poised and calm, further highlighting his extraordinary demeanor. Once the applause died down, he spoke unhurriedly,
"Now that we're done with entertainment, let's talk about heroes. Many of you have heard rumors of vigilantes and metahumans. I have a few video clips here. Take a look."
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