In the opening days of 2026, a viral exchange on X ignited debate among creators and publishers: the resurgence of long-form articles amid widespread exhaustion from short-video overload. Dan Koe, a prominent one-person business advocate who claims to have earned $4.1 million from writing last year, declared that ‘$1 million dollar prizes aside, I think there’s been a quiet hunger for articles.’ His post, viewed nearly 477,000 times, struck a chord, tapping into growing frustration with the mental chaos of platforms like TikTok.

Koe argued that ‘the pendulum swung too far in the direction of TikTok and endless scrolling and the internet has a chance to self-correct.’ He positioned long-form content as an antidote, enabling readers to ‘focus on set of ideas’ and derive practical value, contrasting it with AI-generated ‘bullet list of actionable steps’ that lack context. This sentiment echoes across industry reports, as publishers grapple with audience shifts.

Digital Fatigue Fuels Demand Shift

A Disrupt Marketing analysis from late 2025 noted long-form’s return for ‘deeper engagement and real impact,’ driven by brands seeking differentiation from fleeting reels. Meanwhile, Koe’s thread highlighted pre-2015 books as ideal for their timeless depth, critiquing modern titles as watered-down bids for New York Times bestseller status and speaking gigs.

On X, users like @anti_mttr probed Koe: ‘why specifically pre-2015 books?’ Koe replied that while new books exist, many authors prioritize ‘attention grabbing’ over substance, turning books into ‘a lever for more influence.’ This view aligns with posts found on X decrying X’s monetization incentives, where novices pen ‘How to make money’ pieces for payouts, eroding trust.

Monetization’s Double-Edged Sword

Koe countered such concerns optimistically: ‘The good thing about X is that people are quick to call things out, much tighter feedback loop than other platforms.’ Yet, a Nieman Journalism Lab survey of news executives predicts publishers will be ‘squeezed’ in 2026 by AI and creators, prioritizing on-the-ground reporting and ‘liquid content’ adaptable across formats. X’s $1 million article prizes, launched amid this buzz, aim to elevate quality but risk amplifying grift.

Scientific output offers a cautionary parallel. A ScienceDaily report revealed AI tools boosted papers by 50%, especially for non-native English speakers, but at the cost of declining quality. Creators fear similar dilution in content, with Koe warning that short-form obsession ignores how ‘the point is to sit with it.’

AI’s Role in Content Evolution

Legal battles underscore tensions. A Reuters dispatch detailed a New York Times reporter’s lawsuit against xAI, OpenAI, Google, and others for training on copyrighted books without permission, highlighting threats to long-form incentives. Publishers are responding by building creator networks, per Digiday, to combat traffic losses as audiences flock to influencers.

Dan Koe’s own trajectory—from graphic design and failed ventures to web development and high-earning writing—exemplifies the one-person model’s potential. In a 2024 X post, he shared frameworks that propelled his success, emphasizing that payment stems from audience reach and value, not just skill. His 2026 letter, Something is different about 2026, senses cultural inflection.

Pre-2015 Wisdom in Modern Chaos

Koe’s endorsement of pre-2015 books stems from their focus on enduring insights over viral hooks. He told X followers: ‘Read books’ for superior ROI over podcasts or social snippets, investing hours for years of distilled experience. This resonates as TikTok fatigue mounts, with brains ‘ripped in a thousand different directions.’

Industry watchers predict bifurcation. A University of California roundup flags AI’s labor disruptions and deepfake risks for 2026, urging focus on verifiable depth. Publishers, per Project Multatuli, risk ethical pitfalls by chasing AI partnerships without safeguards.

Creator Networks Reshape Distribution

Traditional outlets are adapting via in-house creator alliances, as Digiday reports, to recapture audiences migrating to personalized feeds. Koe’s faith in X’s feedback mechanisms suggests platforms can self-regulate, fostering value-driven long-form amid monetization noise.

A Binjiang Substack piece draws lessons from Koe for 2026 content strategy, advocating seasonal relevance over perpetual short bursts. As AI commoditizes tips, long-form’s contextual power—evident in Koe’s viral threads—positions it for dominance.

Path Forward for Quality Creators

Optimism tempers critique. Koe wished contestants ‘good luck… may the odds be ever in your favor,’ signaling prizes as catalysts. Posts on X affirm articles’ utility, with one user noting ‘it do help us’ despite flaws. Publishers must blend creator agility with journalistic rigor to thrive.

Ultimately, this pivot rewards depth. As Crescendo.ai tracks breakthroughs, content pros eye long-form’s edge in an AI-saturated era, restoring order to fragmented attention and delivering transformative insights.