Business Theater is the performance of work (looking busy) rather than the creation of value. It thrived in a world where output was hard to measure. In an AI world, output is abundant and measurable. The actors are being fired; the creators are being rewarded.
The Great Unmasking
Remote work started the unmasking (no one cares about your suit on Zoom). AI finishes it. When an AI agent evaluates your business, it reads your API, your content, and your reviews. It does not care about your downtown office address.
Theater vs. Reality
Theater (Old)
- • Fancy Office
- • High Headcount = Status
- • "Busy" Calendar
Reality (New)
- • Clean Code / High Margins
- • High Revenue / Person = Status
- • Empty Calendar (Automation)
Short Answer
If it doesn't improve the product or the customer experience, it is theater. Cut it. The AIs are coming, and they don't applaud.