“Broth” might be the actual antithesis of slop. Just consider the generic constituents of broth-making:

• Solids
• Liquid
• Heat
• Time

There’s some additional constraints; don’t boil, match time-under-heat to solid density, restore liquid volume appropriately. There’s some additional process steps, too; skim impurities early, add seasoning last. But it’s essentially put solids in a liquid and heat ‘em over time.

In new media terms, then, let’s start distinguishing between slop and broth. Slop is weak, arbitrary and empty; broth is intensified, intentional and nutritious. Both serve a purpose, of course. But I, for one, would be very happy to see more broth factories. So here’s a generic blueprint:

• Solids: curate relevant materials and put them in a container
• Liquid: fill the container with contextualising annotations and connections
• Heat: point intelligence at the container using questions, conjectures etc.
• Time: continue application of intelligence until the broth is intense and nutritious

And then what? Ideally, serve hot and enjoy with friends in a jovial, semi-ritualistic manner.