I feel very much like dropping all my social accounts. And I don't even participate in that many. But it just feels exhausting right now. As for Substack, I see other writers seeming to enjoy it, and I wonder then if I'm doing something 'wrong' or if there's another way to do it that I'm not seeing. I'm trying to find 'my' way so that it can be sustainable and fun. Is that possible? I guess I'll find out. Your experience of taking the time to read more instead of bring on social media sounds delicious.
Personally, I'm just taking it all like a big game. Of course, let's be honest, there is a part of waving frantically on substack just like anywhere else. It's the nature of it, I suppose. But on a practical level, I think the reward of having a direct connection with people via the work itself is worth it. At least substack is less toxic - for now.
"ocular migraines" reminded me of a TikTok I saw recently, comparing how we typically think of angels with Ezekiel's depiction of them in the Bible: enormous glistening eyes in the sky which draw you in and are a bit eerie ~ enjoy for yourself, and see if you see what I see: the camera and blinking cursor as the annihilating angel; the internet a force that makes us larger than we are, turns us into something vast (which reminds me of a Jericho Brown poem, "Crossing")
I'm glad I found you on Substack. I joined so I could follow Joel Stein as I was crushed when his podcast was discontinued I have to be selective as I'm not getting any younger. I laughed out loud and thought a lot while reading your return to social media article.
Ok, so I just read your piece all of the way to the end. Granted, I’m in Social Media Recovery so I read a tiny bit fast in places, but I stayed with you.
You will actually make friends here. Or it is possible in a way that I never experienced before online. I, too, went cold turkey on the misery of social media, but Substack was a different doorway for me and has been deeply gratifying.
If it hasn’t hit you yet, the level of talent here is through the roof. It has me questioning traditional publishing. You certainly don’t need to join me out on this limb, but you will find intellectual peers of goodwill here.
Caveat: it has the same dopamine trap, a situation I’m starting to struggle with.
Anyway, I’m subscribing to you now. Write funny, brilliant, educational things. Definitely make me laugh, and you might have something at least directionally in the way of kindred minds or friendship.
Be real. It will keep your dopamine at a satisfying buzz.
Thanks Adam. I'm actually surprised at the level of non toxicity on substack. How is that even possible, I wonder? It is populated by human... Is it because it's mostly writers with tender hearts?
It could be the latter and I see some disappointment in that — but my read is that they care about language and ideas and, despite some of the quid pro quo, the relationships and appreciation is real. Short of film producers in your case the audience is appealing. And reads.
Happy Thanksgiving from the States. Glad to have found your work.
"Yes, Substack is, I think, the core reason for my return from the land of the forgotten. I might be wrong but it occurred to me like a social media where contemplative long-form could exist. Where people like me could thrive and actually create things of interest rather than just wave at the world frantically. Well, we all need to wave a bit, for sure, and so will I, but in general, my goal is to hone my writing, to say things I believe in etc etc." ---- I see that RB is my "follower." Hello R Bazerque! I like film! I do hope you find some interesting things through "following" me. I will look over "Settings" and see if there is a list of "followers." I don't get it. But I just want to say that I do hope you find some good things on the Substack "newsletter" articles I write. Sometimes they are short and funny and those give me a little little life myself. Sometimes they are deep economic theory----not much more to say offhand here. Sometimes I express wonder or frustration at the world we now life in where government is totally disengaged with the lives of their own people I don't even KNOW the whole of what I write here on Substack. Having so many different kinds of writing is considered bad form, and no good way to get followers and subscribers. I have 39 subscribers. As said, I need to figure out where a list of "followers" is found. THANK YOU for subscribing--er 'following.' So confusing, eh?
By the way, I felt a bit uneasy about your reference to my "deep" economic theories. Maybe I said it, but couldn't I have had a reason? After all, I am the one with the deep economic theory. What do you think economics is? What do you think theory is? I know what I meant, by saying "deep, I am just not sure what YOU meant by it? Can you please clarify, if you can, what you mean. There is also a set of questions here. What do you think an economic theory would be? Why an "economic" theory? What makes a specifically economic theory economics? Why not, call it something else? -like social, or political? What is economics? Do you know? And what would a theory of economics be? (On the other hand, maybe you just should not be so dismissive of "mere strangers" you meet on-line)
Well it certainly is the first time someone would call me dismissive for saying that I look forward to reading their work. Anyways, it seems that you know the questions and the answers, so I shall leave you to it. (Now that was dismissive)
I feel very much like dropping all my social accounts. And I don't even participate in that many. But it just feels exhausting right now. As for Substack, I see other writers seeming to enjoy it, and I wonder then if I'm doing something 'wrong' or if there's another way to do it that I'm not seeing. I'm trying to find 'my' way so that it can be sustainable and fun. Is that possible? I guess I'll find out. Your experience of taking the time to read more instead of bring on social media sounds delicious.
Personally, I'm just taking it all like a big game. Of course, let's be honest, there is a part of waving frantically on substack just like anywhere else. It's the nature of it, I suppose. But on a practical level, I think the reward of having a direct connection with people via the work itself is worth it. At least substack is less toxic - for now.
"ocular migraines" reminded me of a TikTok I saw recently, comparing how we typically think of angels with Ezekiel's depiction of them in the Bible: enormous glistening eyes in the sky which draw you in and are a bit eerie ~ enjoy for yourself, and see if you see what I see: the camera and blinking cursor as the annihilating angel; the internet a force that makes us larger than we are, turns us into something vast (which reminds me of a Jericho Brown poem, "Crossing")
https://www.tiktok.com/@theaibibleofficial/video/7315860464506768683
CROSSING
by Jericho Brown
The water is one thing, and one thing for miles.
The water is one thing, making this bridge
Built over the water another. Walk it
Early, walk it back when the day goes dim, everyone
Rising just to find a way toward rest again.
We work, start on one side of the day
Like a planet’s only sun, our eyes straight
Until the flame sinks. The flame sinks. Thank God
I’m different. I’ve figured and counted. I’m not crossing
To cross back. I’m set
On something vast. It reaches
Long as the sea. I’m more than a conqueror, bigger
Than bravery. I don’t march. I’m the one who leaps.
*
does the soul exist to become literature? are we born to fail to be OK on our own / without creating?
Nice poem, I enjoyed this
I'm glad I found you on Substack. I joined so I could follow Joel Stein as I was crushed when his podcast was discontinued I have to be selective as I'm not getting any younger. I laughed out loud and thought a lot while reading your return to social media article.
🙌
This is an inspiring piece. Well said, Remy.
🙌
Ok, so I just read your piece all of the way to the end. Granted, I’m in Social Media Recovery so I read a tiny bit fast in places, but I stayed with you.
You will actually make friends here. Or it is possible in a way that I never experienced before online. I, too, went cold turkey on the misery of social media, but Substack was a different doorway for me and has been deeply gratifying.
If it hasn’t hit you yet, the level of talent here is through the roof. It has me questioning traditional publishing. You certainly don’t need to join me out on this limb, but you will find intellectual peers of goodwill here.
Caveat: it has the same dopamine trap, a situation I’m starting to struggle with.
Anyway, I’m subscribing to you now. Write funny, brilliant, educational things. Definitely make me laugh, and you might have something at least directionally in the way of kindred minds or friendship.
Be real. It will keep your dopamine at a satisfying buzz.
Thanks Adam. I'm actually surprised at the level of non toxicity on substack. How is that even possible, I wonder? It is populated by human... Is it because it's mostly writers with tender hearts?
It could be the latter and I see some disappointment in that — but my read is that they care about language and ideas and, despite some of the quid pro quo, the relationships and appreciation is real. Short of film producers in your case the audience is appealing. And reads.
Happy Thanksgiving from the States. Glad to have found your work.
"Yes, Substack is, I think, the core reason for my return from the land of the forgotten. I might be wrong but it occurred to me like a social media where contemplative long-form could exist. Where people like me could thrive and actually create things of interest rather than just wave at the world frantically. Well, we all need to wave a bit, for sure, and so will I, but in general, my goal is to hone my writing, to say things I believe in etc etc." ---- I see that RB is my "follower." Hello R Bazerque! I like film! I do hope you find some interesting things through "following" me. I will look over "Settings" and see if there is a list of "followers." I don't get it. But I just want to say that I do hope you find some good things on the Substack "newsletter" articles I write. Sometimes they are short and funny and those give me a little little life myself. Sometimes they are deep economic theory----not much more to say offhand here. Sometimes I express wonder or frustration at the world we now life in where government is totally disengaged with the lives of their own people I don't even KNOW the whole of what I write here on Substack. Having so many different kinds of writing is considered bad form, and no good way to get followers and subscribers. I have 39 subscribers. As said, I need to figure out where a list of "followers" is found. THANK YOU for subscribing--er 'following.' So confusing, eh?
Well Jacob, I'm proud to be your 39th follower or subscriber or both. I shall look forward to your deep economic theories :)
Ah, but it does not work that way. Try "archive" on the newsletter page.
By the way, I felt a bit uneasy about your reference to my "deep" economic theories. Maybe I said it, but couldn't I have had a reason? After all, I am the one with the deep economic theory. What do you think economics is? What do you think theory is? I know what I meant, by saying "deep, I am just not sure what YOU meant by it? Can you please clarify, if you can, what you mean. There is also a set of questions here. What do you think an economic theory would be? Why an "economic" theory? What makes a specifically economic theory economics? Why not, call it something else? -like social, or political? What is economics? Do you know? And what would a theory of economics be? (On the other hand, maybe you just should not be so dismissive of "mere strangers" you meet on-line)
Well it certainly is the first time someone would call me dismissive for saying that I look forward to reading their work. Anyways, it seems that you know the questions and the answers, so I shall leave you to it. (Now that was dismissive)