Porcupine Strategy: Why I Killed the Niche (and Got the Receipts)
TL;DR: Everyone told me to “niche down.” I refused. I built VengaDragon on a wide foundation of curiosity because I knew the algorithm was changing. A new manifesto by Gary Vaynerchuk just confirmed why that was the right call. But I didn’t just read about it today. I predicted it in November.
The Receipt
I hate saying “I told you so.” (Actually, I love it.)
About three months ago, back in October/November, I made a specific design choice for this publication. Standard advice screamed at me: “Pick a niche! Only write about AI! Or only write about Spain!”
I ignored them.
I felt the market shifting.
I knew that being hyper-niched was becoming a trap.
I posted this on Instagram back on November 30, 2025:
“They say if you try to speak to everyone, you speak to no one. They tell creators to ‘niche down’ and pick a lane. I disagree… I am not a keyword. Neither are you.”
I placed a bet that Curiosity > Expertise.
The Validation
Fast forward to today, January 2026.
I read a new piece by on December 31 that shattered the old logic.
5 Consumer Trends That Will Define 2026: What’s Next in Social Media & More
He argues we have moved from the Social Graph (who you know) to the Interest Graph (what you are curious about).
He explicitly states that “randomness” is the new asset class.
He uses the example of a golf pro.
Old World: The golf pro only posts swing tips.
New World: The golf pro posts a video about a porcupine he saw. The video gets 3 million views because people love porcupines.
Nine of those 3 million people happen to need golf lessons. They check the bio. They see the email. They buy.
The porcupine was not a distraction. The porcupine was the lead magnet.
Strategy vs. Tactics
I am showing you my “receipts” not to brag. I am showing you to prove a point about Strategy vs. Tactics.
Tactics are copying what works today. Strategy is building what will work tomorrow.
When I designed the “American Hermit” persona, the mix of high-speed AI and slow-speed Spain, it wasn’t an accident. It was a strategic wedge.
My “Slow Outside” life (the coffees, the walks, the frustrations) provides the texture. The “Fast Inside” provides the value.
If I only gave you AI prompts, I would be a commodity. You can get AI prompts anywhere. But you can only get this specific view of the world from me.
The 2026 Protocol
If you have been holding back your “weird” interests because they don’t fit your LinkedIn bio, stop.
The Interest Graph doesn’t care about your job title. It cares about your humanity.
In 2026, I am doubling down on the mess. You will get the AI. You will get the Strategy. But you are also going to get the porcupines. You are going to get the Magazine.
The niche is dead. Long live the specific, random, human mess.
The Question
Look at your last 10 posts on social media. Are you a robot, or are you a human? What is one “random” thing you are going to post this weekend?
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