Fear the new, resent the old! That’s what our brains tell us. Creators often want to give the audience what they need and want, but it’s confusing. Folks want the newest, latest thing; but also are afraid of anything completely new. Even though it varies from person to person, every audience member has this inner conflict.
- How do we give people enough newness that doesn’t trigger their neophobia?
- How do we keep things familiar without them seeming stale?
These are not questions to answer. These are questions to ask while making. There is no balance to strike. There is no all-or-nothing choice. We can’t be motivated by fear or by resentment to make something truly fulfilling.