Changing algorithms, non-stop advertising, and the dissemination of misinformation all contribute to declining trust in social media giants. Enter the passion economy: online community platforms built around niche passions. What does this mean for the state of social play?

Only Fans is a social platform that normalizes sex work, fuels hustle culture, and uses a subscription model to turn social currency into cash. It empowers creators to be in charge of their brand and is part of a growing number of platforms that contribute to The Passion Economy.

Mobile app Endlesss is giving musicians the chance to collaborate while practicing safe social distancing. By offering a creative and, for an extended period, free outlet to ease the boredom of isolation during the COVID-19 pandemic, it's helping people have inventive fun at home.

With the majority of live performance still out of the question due to social distancing measures, creators and fans have been looking for new ways to connect. Subscription platform Patreon, which lets fans pay artists directly for content, has grown to a billion-dollar company as a result.