Hot on the heels of Vincent’s post about the future of Gluon, there are now 3 separate nationwide strikes centered around one key aspect he highlighted: income. SAG-AFTRA, WGA, and UAW are underlining that we all live in a transformative moment in human history.
I’ll let you come to your own conclusions about the intersectional urgency between AI, corporate oligopolies, and the stagnated dollar. However, it is clear to me that those on strike wish to give consent to creating a new paradigm; one that does not exploit the artist, whether that be a film writer or working class vehicle assemblyman/woman. I, for one, believe in this moment, what I will call this age of consent where the person is no longer needing to grovel, but instead act on their right to price their own labour.
As co-authors of a script called Annual Revenue, writers, actors and manufacturers have co-ownership in the things they produce and as such should retain a fair value for it. That value, of course, is called a wage. A “fair enough” wage, or what has been called a “livable wage” in the past is a soft touch that has had mixed results. It’s progress but does not fully address a power imbalanced economy. We need to turn the dial up.
I believe those who create are ready to write a new story, one that is much different from 100 years ago when the personal vehicle was introduced and the silver screen was a twinkle in someone’s eye. As consumers, the ethical view and practice here should be taking is to help them create this story that will ultimately be a more equitable world for all.
I stand with each of the strikers and with the OP: Gluon is a worthwhile product and its author, its manufacturer, deserves fair value for his labor. 📝🎨