I was getting spun about Notes last month. Somehow I had managed to ignore it until it consumed me and I went metric manic. It was HARRIBLE. I decided only to promote other people here, not myself unless I’ve written something that really delights me (very rare). I feel like karma will do its thing and all will be well. Grace for the machine. And I DID find you through a note during that frenzied time. So, lucky me.
I will say that the comfort of Notes is wonderful. I have NO Instagram nor Facebook nor Twitter (will not call it “X”). I like Notes because you can actually visit in a cordial manner and learn and exhange ideas. That is a good thing!
Before Notes, I ran a cult favorite newsletter, gobbled up tons of free-loading email subscribers, and made no money. After Notes, I run a cult favorite newsletter, gobble up tons of disengaged "followers," and make no money.
It's clearly the best tool management has introduced yet.
"Do I have a better suggestion for helping Substackers get their work out there? Of course not. I’m not here to provide “solutions.” I’m just here to point out stuff and make fun of it – 0% useful, 100% catharsis."
This whole post is great, but Oh My this part is gold
Great insight. I have to say what I found most relatable though, given my brief stint so far on Substack, was the hesitation to include disclaimers. The 'should I' or 'shouldn't I?' dance has no right answers -- and that's part of what makes this all so fun.
It definitely crosses over into LinkedIn-style over-exuberance occasionally. For the most part Notes feels like attending a cosy writing meet-up. It's not vital, and doesn't require constant attention, but is pleasant when I do pop along.
I read (and loved) your piece about this, Carlos! You reminded me that consumption is consumption, regardless of the platform, and my illusory moral superiority of reading on Substack versus scrolling through short-form on IG is just that—illusion.
And Poorna made me realize that I “put down” Instagram to feel better about the fact that Instagram doesn’t make ME feel okay. 🤣
I’d rather call all of IG toxic than just stand in the fact that I personally don’t want to be on Instagram
Yet what if instead I just stood in the fact that I don’t want to be on there right now, not that it itself is devoid of value? Such fun food for thought! And yes, I also found you via Notes. 🙂
Love this, very much in the same vein as my “Growth Through Bloviation” post. If I can give a piece of friendly advice, dont ruin it with a disclaimer! We know it’s satire and it’s super effective, you dont need to qualify anything ;)
Best thing I ever did was change my settings in the app so I didn’t open to Notes
I was getting spun about Notes last month. Somehow I had managed to ignore it until it consumed me and I went metric manic. It was HARRIBLE. I decided only to promote other people here, not myself unless I’ve written something that really delights me (very rare). I feel like karma will do its thing and all will be well. Grace for the machine. And I DID find you through a note during that frenzied time. So, lucky me.
I will say that the comfort of Notes is wonderful. I have NO Instagram nor Facebook nor Twitter (will not call it “X”). I like Notes because you can actually visit in a cordial manner and learn and exhange ideas. That is a good thing!
Before Notes, I ran a cult favorite newsletter, gobbled up tons of free-loading email subscribers, and made no money. After Notes, I run a cult favorite newsletter, gobble up tons of disengaged "followers," and make no money.
It's clearly the best tool management has introduced yet.
It definitely feels self-congratulatory. But congratulations! You have won the approval of some random woman in Oregon.
Only fourteen hours?
This post was sponsored by Instagram. Just admit it.
"Do I have a better suggestion for helping Substackers get their work out there? Of course not. I’m not here to provide “solutions.” I’m just here to point out stuff and make fun of it – 0% useful, 100% catharsis."
This whole post is great, but Oh My this part is gold
“I’m just here to point stuff out and make fun of it” 😂 this is why I watch Jon Stewart and read you Carlos.
Why are you wasting an hour writing when it could be used on Notes???
Great insight. I have to say what I found most relatable though, given my brief stint so far on Substack, was the hesitation to include disclaimers. The 'should I' or 'shouldn't I?' dance has no right answers -- and that's part of what makes this all so fun.
I'm pretty sure Tom Cox is my Ted Gioia, and I'm not entirely sure how that happened.
It definitely crosses over into LinkedIn-style over-exuberance occasionally. For the most part Notes feels like attending a cosy writing meet-up. It's not vital, and doesn't require constant attention, but is pleasant when I do pop along.
I read (and loved) your piece about this, Carlos! You reminded me that consumption is consumption, regardless of the platform, and my illusory moral superiority of reading on Substack versus scrolling through short-form on IG is just that—illusion.
And Poorna made me realize that I “put down” Instagram to feel better about the fact that Instagram doesn’t make ME feel okay. 🤣
I’d rather call all of IG toxic than just stand in the fact that I personally don’t want to be on Instagram
Yet what if instead I just stood in the fact that I don’t want to be on there right now, not that it itself is devoid of value? Such fun food for thought! And yes, I also found you via Notes. 🙂
Laughing a lot over here. Also have done all the things…you know, quitting social media so I have time to be on this social media and not writing 😂😂😂😂
Love this, very much in the same vein as my “Growth Through Bloviation” post. If I can give a piece of friendly advice, dont ruin it with a disclaimer! We know it’s satire and it’s super effective, you dont need to qualify anything ;)