The Performance of Originality: Lee McCabe on LinkedIn’s Content Cycle

In a recent LinkedIn post, Lee McCabe critically examines a prevalent content trend on the platform, arguing that phrases like “Nobody talks about this” have become a substitute for genuine engagement and originality. McCabe highlights how this phrase is used to present common ideas as contrarian or brave revelations.

McCabe, writing for Enterprise Media, points out the evolution of LinkedIn post genres. He contrasts the current trend with the earlier prevalence of “I’m humbled to announce” posts, suggesting that the new format serves a similar, often performative, purpose.

“Nobody talks about this” is now LinkedIn for “please engage.”

The author contends that this linguistic shift allows ordinary advice to be repackaged as groundbreaking insight. Topics like burnout, leadership, imposter syndrome, and personal branding, which are frequently discussed, are now often introduced with this phrase to lend them an air of novelty.

The Illusion of the ‘Forbidden Truth’

According to McCabe, the phrase “Nobody talks about this” is strategically employed to make mundane topics appear as hidden truths. This technique, he suggests, provides a superficial sense of bravery and allows content creators to position themselves as thought leaders who have uncovered something profound.

McCabe elaborates on the perceived function of this trend:

It makes ordinary ideas sound contrarian.
It gives recycled advice the faint scent of bravery.
It lets people present mainstream observations as if they have just returned from the mountain with tablets.

He humorously notes that the ‘forbidden truths’ often turn out to be foundational concepts, such as the need for effective communication between managers and employees, a point he likens to a Socratic revelation.

Decoding LinkedIn’s Engagement Algorithm

The Performance of Originality Over Actual Originality

Lee McCabe argues that the LinkedIn algorithm and user engagement patterns reward the *performance* of originality more than genuine novelty. This creates an environment where content creators are incentivized to dress up common thoughts as unique discoveries.

He observes the predictable structure of these posts:

Strong opener.
Fake taboo.
Mildly dramatic personal insight.
Universal lesson.
High performing vulnerability.
Then the comments fill up with people praising the courage it took to say the single most LinkedIn thing imaginable.

This cycle, as McCabe sees it, leads to a platform filled with discussions about topics that are, in fact, constantly being discussed. The perceived silence around these issues is, ironically, the very subject of the discourse.

McCabe concludes by pointing out the meta-irony: the trend itself, the performance of originality, is something that “nobody talks about,” despite being the engine driving much of the platform’s content creation.

In essence, McCabe’s analysis suggests that LinkedIn’s current content landscape often prioritizes the *appearance* of unique insight over substantive originality, a phenomenon he unpacks with a critical yet engaging perspective.