The Endless Spin Cycle: A Cautionary Tale for Outdoor Enthusiasts

The recent news that the French TV show “Call My Agent!” has been adapted into a successful film, reuniting its original cast and crew, is a welcome respite from the increasingly crowded entertainment landscape. However, it’s hard not to feel a sense of déjà vu when considering the proliferation of rebooted and rehashed outdoor content.

This industry trend involves taking a well-known destination or activity, injecting trendy new language, and presenting it as instant clickbait. But in doing so, we sacrifice authenticity for the sake of clicks and views. The TV show-turned-film has been praised for its clever writing and nuanced character development – qualities that are often missing from their outdoor-themed counterparts.

The Reboot Paradox

In recent years, we’ve seen an explosion of outdoor content aimed at “new” audiences. However, this relentless focus on novelty has led to a neglect of the very things that make outdoor pursuits compelling: community, tradition, and genuine connections with nature. It’s time to ask ourselves whether our pursuit of clicks and views is worth sacrificing these core values.

The proliferation of “influencer” hiking content is a prime example of this trend. While it can inspire people to get outside and explore new places, more often than not it devolves into shallow, curated snapshots that prioritize aesthetics over substance. Where’s the depth? The nuance? The real-life experience?

The Problem with Homogenization

As outdoor enthusiasts, we’re often accused of being a niche community – but what happens when our media landscape becomes as bland and homogenous as the coffee shops and chain stores along highways? When every destination is reduced to a series of Instagrammable moments, where’s the space for genuine exploration and discovery?

The French TV show-turned-film may be a rare exception to this rule. By focusing on its core characters and relationships, it manages to breathe new life into a tired narrative. Perhaps we can learn from their example – prioritize people over places, character over clickbait.

As the outdoor industry continues to evolve, we need to be mindful of our impact on the communities we’re trying to serve. Rather than churning out endless spin-offs and reboots, perhaps it’s time for us to reassess our priorities. What kind of media do we want to create? Who are we creating it for? And what values should we uphold in the process?

The answer may lie in embracing a more nuanced approach – one that prioritizes substance over style, community over clicks, and authenticity over novelty. Only then can we hope to create truly compelling outdoor content that inspires, educates, and challenges our audiences in meaningful ways.

As the old adage goes: “the only constant is change.” But perhaps it’s time for us to take a closer look at what exactly we’re changing – and whether it’s worth it.