“Don't Give Them What They Want - by Julian Simpson”
https://developmenthell.substack.com/p/dont-give-them-what-they-want
> This is an existential problem, because our job as creators is to put on the show and then to learn, both from the number of ticket stubs and the reaction of the audience, how to do our job better next time. Right now, we are standing on the stage, doing our bit, but we have no way of telling if there is anyone out there in the dark, let alone whether they are laughing or gasping or applauding.