It's so cathartic to see this problem captured so eloquently. On one hand, I feel like short-form content platforms have disincentivized having Something to Say, so I really appreciate the thoughtful interactions Substack has been able to foster. At the same time, many of the notes feed conversations around being a writer are frustrating and slightly eye roll-inducing – sometimes it all feels more like LinkedIn than anything else.
God you put so well into words the way I feel about this website and publishing as a whole and it’s nice to see I’m not alone. The statistics are addicting and I’ve never thought of considering posting as something gamified but you’re totally right.
So many thoughts on this! In my country this competition and commodification of the self feels very much different: we are a minorized language, writing feels very political in itself, and I do think our system is also narcissistic (we have to bd, and we have to create, otherwise who else will do so?) but I feel very seen by your words and how, sometimes, I am left wondering why did I even start writing at all. My way of navigating the writing industry has always worked by creating an identity and a voice that I need to keep nurturing. But honestly, sometimes I wish I would just go back to the days I wrote for my fun: no publishing in the internet whatsoever. Even though, for my 30s, I only spent two years that way (from my 12 to my 14) before I fell into the narcissistic pool of self-publishing🥲
Your thoughts and your words are something that I needed to hear today -- I just pressed publish on my first Substack post! With every social media platform I've been quick to focus on the statistics, and my self worth has been intimately entangled with likes, comments and follows. I've consciously come to this platform wanting to do the complete opposite. I just want to share my writing, improve my work, and inspire others to enjoy stories and reading. Your post is the most perfect reminder :)
madison! <3 i'm so glad the elite capture piece resonated w you, and obviously i totally feel you on everything you're saying here. i feel the same way about the "new free subscriber" emails lol and more and more ive noticed substack is the social media im opening to check new notifications. good to check ourselves sometimes and ask what are we doing here
It's so cathartic to see this problem captured so eloquently. On one hand, I feel like short-form content platforms have disincentivized having Something to Say, so I really appreciate the thoughtful interactions Substack has been able to foster. At the same time, many of the notes feed conversations around being a writer are frustrating and slightly eye roll-inducing – sometimes it all feels more like LinkedIn than anything else.
God you put so well into words the way I feel about this website and publishing as a whole and it’s nice to see I’m not alone. The statistics are addicting and I’ve never thought of considering posting as something gamified but you’re totally right.
So many thoughts on this! In my country this competition and commodification of the self feels very much different: we are a minorized language, writing feels very political in itself, and I do think our system is also narcissistic (we have to bd, and we have to create, otherwise who else will do so?) but I feel very seen by your words and how, sometimes, I am left wondering why did I even start writing at all. My way of navigating the writing industry has always worked by creating an identity and a voice that I need to keep nurturing. But honestly, sometimes I wish I would just go back to the days I wrote for my fun: no publishing in the internet whatsoever. Even though, for my 30s, I only spent two years that way (from my 12 to my 14) before I fell into the narcissistic pool of self-publishing🥲
Your thoughts and your words are something that I needed to hear today -- I just pressed publish on my first Substack post! With every social media platform I've been quick to focus on the statistics, and my self worth has been intimately entangled with likes, comments and follows. I've consciously come to this platform wanting to do the complete opposite. I just want to share my writing, improve my work, and inspire others to enjoy stories and reading. Your post is the most perfect reminder :)
So grateful for your writings and appreciate each one ! Thank you !
spectacular piece that captures exactly how I feel about writing online and substack in particular.
madison! <3 i'm so glad the elite capture piece resonated w you, and obviously i totally feel you on everything you're saying here. i feel the same way about the "new free subscriber" emails lol and more and more ive noticed substack is the social media im opening to check new notifications. good to check ourselves sometimes and ask what are we doing here
This us so lovely! One thing I appreciate about the writing you do here is how much more long-form it is and how it always makes me stop and think.
My life is made so much better by your brilliance! 🙌🏻🙌🏻🙌🏻 Thank you. ‘All is Vanity’!!!