Is the reason you don't enable the audio function on posts also because you want people to take the time to read your writing ?Instead of listening to it?
Well I was hoping to read your thoughts on what’s going on, simply because I respect your independent thinking even if I don’t always agree w your take. Those are the best intellectually sound convos. Given my identity, the current climate affects me directly. Given yours, I can understand you being able to distance yourself from it. I agree we can’t control global events, but I disagree that we can’t have an effect on them. Public opinion has always driven public policies and at least once forced a change in foreign policy. And w all this said, I can also appreciate your need to turn off the distractions and return to writing. I think I’ve been driven from just writing w everything going on and I’m almost afraid to return to The Stack -- as I call it -- bc there’s too much I want to say. And I’m wary of turning this space into some sort of turf war. It seems if I have avoid Notes, I may just be able to stick around and write whatever I want in the way I can’t elsewhere. Thanks for being here. Yours is one of the few stacks I thoroughly enjoy.
Thanks. Very helpful that you describe the toxic effects I am experiencing from arguing on Quora and other commenting venues. It really affects one's mood for the worse.
Nice job, Michael. This seems like a good move for you. I found myself getting distracted by Notes for a time, too, mainly because of all the shouting past one another. But most of the time I feel I can dip in and out without it being an all or nothing. Glad you have the self-awareness to set a firmer boundary if you need it.
As someone new to Substack, I'm looking to grow my audience. As someone with an addictive personality who tends to root around social media like a truffle pig rooting for dopamine pellets, I'm scared stiff.
All the "How to Grow on Substack" posts point to Notes as a worthwhile tool for growth, and so far, I dig it! But the addictive Millennial part of my brain produces a pressure to post frequently, to restack, and to comment. I check the "also share as a note" box out of neurochemical obligation.
I've learned that I can only use social media tools, like Notes, if I'm honest and strict with myself. I feel like shit if I post to post or to simply appear active. As a Substack n00b, my pact is only to comment on or share work that makes me stop in my tracks--work that reaches me in some way. If it takes a while to get more subscribers, so be it. When I worked as a musician, chasing followers on Instagram made me incredibly cynical about my music work--that it was all a vehicle for attention. I live in fear of the same thing happening with my writing. Features like Notes stoke this fear.
[P.S. Yes, I will be first to note the irony that this was shared as a damn Note! 😵💫]
I’m pondering a similar move. My holdout is that I prefer reading in the app over email. I wish I could just opt out of seeing it in the app (and getting notifications from it!)
Yes! The Nazi article in particular has replicated some similar Twitter like hysteria onto Substack Notes (also Substack’s growing popularity). So that one watches the lousy argument’s pile on & people indulging in similar group think & strawmanning their opponents. Better to disengage!! I will though savor the brief period on Notes when people were sharing cool articles & insights.
Is the reason you don't enable the audio function on posts also because you want people to take the time to read your writing ?Instead of listening to it?
There's no audio? I think on the app there's always an audio option...?
I'll have to download the app and see, bc it's not here when I read on my chrome browser :)
Well I was hoping to read your thoughts on what’s going on, simply because I respect your independent thinking even if I don’t always agree w your take. Those are the best intellectually sound convos. Given my identity, the current climate affects me directly. Given yours, I can understand you being able to distance yourself from it. I agree we can’t control global events, but I disagree that we can’t have an effect on them. Public opinion has always driven public policies and at least once forced a change in foreign policy. And w all this said, I can also appreciate your need to turn off the distractions and return to writing. I think I’ve been driven from just writing w everything going on and I’m almost afraid to return to The Stack -- as I call it -- bc there’s too much I want to say. And I’m wary of turning this space into some sort of turf war. It seems if I have avoid Notes, I may just be able to stick around and write whatever I want in the way I can’t elsewhere. Thanks for being here. Yours is one of the few stacks I thoroughly enjoy.
Update: it's on the app! Thanks, Michael.
Sweet!!
Thanks. Very helpful that you describe the toxic effects I am experiencing from arguing on Quora and other commenting venues. It really affects one's mood for the worse.
Exactly!
Nice job, Michael. This seems like a good move for you. I found myself getting distracted by Notes for a time, too, mainly because of all the shouting past one another. But most of the time I feel I can dip in and out without it being an all or nothing. Glad you have the self-awareness to set a firmer boundary if you need it.
Yes! Many are much more balanced than I!
Good for you! I feel fortunate that I'm a boomer and technically challenged. I think in the end it works in my favor.
100%!!
As someone new to Substack, I'm looking to grow my audience. As someone with an addictive personality who tends to root around social media like a truffle pig rooting for dopamine pellets, I'm scared stiff.
All the "How to Grow on Substack" posts point to Notes as a worthwhile tool for growth, and so far, I dig it! But the addictive Millennial part of my brain produces a pressure to post frequently, to restack, and to comment. I check the "also share as a note" box out of neurochemical obligation.
I've learned that I can only use social media tools, like Notes, if I'm honest and strict with myself. I feel like shit if I post to post or to simply appear active. As a Substack n00b, my pact is only to comment on or share work that makes me stop in my tracks--work that reaches me in some way. If it takes a while to get more subscribers, so be it. When I worked as a musician, chasing followers on Instagram made me incredibly cynical about my music work--that it was all a vehicle for attention. I live in fear of the same thing happening with my writing. Features like Notes stoke this fear.
[P.S. Yes, I will be first to note the irony that this was shared as a damn Note! 😵💫]
Beautifully said, Will! Absolutely nailed it. Your stack looks intriguing. Thank you for paying!!!!
Thanks Michael! I love your substack so that means a lot coming from you! Looking forward to following along!
I’m pondering a similar move. My holdout is that I prefer reading in the app over email. I wish I could just opt out of seeing it in the app (and getting notifications from it!)
I know, I get it. That said: Do it; I double-dog dare you 🤘😳
But I read sooooo many newsletters. 😆
Yes! The Nazi article in particular has replicated some similar Twitter like hysteria onto Substack Notes (also Substack’s growing popularity). So that one watches the lousy argument’s pile on & people indulging in similar group think & strawmanning their opponents. Better to disengage!! I will though savor the brief period on Notes when people were sharing cool articles & insights.
Agreed!!
I've been pondering the same move. I left Twitter in 2016 because of what I fear that Notes is going to become.
Exactly. And man, 2024 is going to be gruesome.
Sounds like a healthy decision.
Seldom use Notes. Fine w/o.