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Joshua
Discover the journey behind the mission
Why you don't own your brand until you own your data.
Stop Renting. Start Owning.
"Beneath the gloss of likes, shares, and sponsorships lies a harsh reality: Digital Serfdom."
In an era where the creator economy has ballooned to a staggering $191 billion in 2025, millions of aspiring entrepreneurs, influencers, and content creators are chasing viral fame on platforms like Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube. But this is a precarious existence where creators pour their energy into building audiences they don't truly own.
As Joshua T. Berglan, known as the "World's Mayor," articulates in his recent work, this isn't just a glitch—it's a systemic trap designed to keep creators as renters, not owners. The solution? Media Sovereignty.
Relying on Big Tech's ecosystems is like building a castle on rented land—one policy shift, and it's gone.
In 2025, Instagram and TikTok shifted focus drastically. Updates prioritize specific engagement metrics over follower count. One day you are viral, the next day you are invisible. These shifts aren't neutral; they can demote content arbitrarily.
Influencers report sudden drops in views—sometimes to zero—due to bot-like behavior flags or forbidden hashtags. Instagram admits to "limiting visibility," leading to wasted ad spend and lost partnerships without any formal notification.
While historical cases highlight cancellation culture's toll, recent 2024-2025 examples include heightened flagging on TikTok post-U.S. ban threats. Berglan references this as "Digital Sharecropping" —where creators farm views that monetize at pennies, all while platforms harvest the real value.
Read the Full Report on Digital SharecroppingThe "renter" mindset chases fleeting virality. Earnings inequality is rampant—58% of creators struggle to monetize—as platforms pocket the lion's share.
Contrast this with the "owner" approach: building owned servers, direct mailing lists, and proprietary monetization. Berglan's pivot to self-hosted broadcasts exemplifies this, proving sovereignty through technical independence.
A three-step military-grade contingency plan for the 2025 creator economy.
Identify every platform where you are a "tenant." Assess risk levels. If Instagram disappeared tomorrow, how much revenue would you lose? If the answer is >20%, you are vulnerable.
Establish owned channels. Don't just post on YouTube; host videos on your site. Don't just tweet; capture emails. Create a "Digital Bunker" where your audience can find you if Big Tech goes dark.
Move beyond ad revenue. Implement the "Media Company in a Box" model. Sell products, services, or subscriptions directly to your audience, cutting out the algorithm entirely.
Do you know how your income will be affected? Subscribe to the World's Mayor Newsletter for 'Kill Switch' updates and specific blueprints to secure your digital legacy.
Purchase Media Company in a Box. This isn't just a book; it's your deed to digital land. It includes the step-by-step blueprint for the 4th Industrial Revolution independent media architecture.
Blueprints for a Purposeful Tomorrow
