A 15-second clip of a creator reviewing a niche indie game can go viral, leading to coverage on gaming news sites, trending status on Twitter, and eventually, a surge in sales. This is the "link" in action: A creator makes something relatable.

The Taylor Swift ecosystem. To understand her album The Tortured Poets Department , fans must listen to the music (entertainment), read her interviews with TIME (popular media), watch music video clues, and follow social media breadcrumbs. She has permanently linked her art to the media that surrounds it.

: These platforms then amplify those trends, creating new catchphrases, viral challenges, and societal norms. Digital Connective Tissue