253 Comments

Best thing I ever did was change my settings in the app so I didn’t open to Notes

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Ohhhh I did not know you could do that. That’s a game changer

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Yes I also did not know. If we can now terminate the word “substacker” we’ll be ok. I prefer hand-jobber. Or note-wacker. Anything but Substacker, seriously.

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"notestacker" perhaps? 😁

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Not only did I not know that the app could open in something other than Notes, but I didn't know what "Notes" were. I went back to the Home Page and nada. If you click the orange pull-down menu, the two choices are Home Page and Following. No "Notes." So. I came back to Carlos' self-described "humor column" and kept reading the *Comments* (not "Notes"). The more I read, the more I became convinced it was also some giant inside joke that I just didn't get because I am new to Substack. Gave up, went to the few authors that I am following (so far), then back to the Home Page. Oh, I wonder what this plus sign is in the orange circle on the lower right [iOS or iPadOS].... A choice: create a Note or a Post. OK, so now I get it -- all those items on the Home Page are Notes. Maybe someone could actually say that somewhere OBVIOUS. But it won't be me, because I now have the opening set to the people I'm actually following. No offense to the rest of you.

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I did this a while ago but then realised I could no longer fritter away my days reading Notes I hadn't planned on reading. I switched back to notes and now I get to feel frustrated and angry at the random people who appear in my feed to talk about how many hours they spent writing today.

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Right, Tom, as soon as I've typed this reply thanking you for this advice, I'm off to do just that. Thank you.

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I've been so much happier with it this way. I like the app, but I don't want to get sucked in to Notes every time I open it and this helps.

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Why did you not want to open in Notes? Thx, Tom.

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I wanted the first thing I saw when I opened Substack was the ‘Stacks I subscribe to … the things that I’ve chosen. I’m not anti-Notes, but a lot of it is what I would consider “trash”: performative nonsense, self-promotional (or friend-circle promotional) posts, and then stuff that the Substack algorithm chooses for me to see. I’m much happier when I only see this if I choose to go there.

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But then how will you follow me and never look at my work again

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You could do that?!

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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.

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Agreed, promoting other people’s work is the way to go — it feels better and is just a nice thing to do, win-win. Glad you found me in the frenzy!

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Fine. I'll let you promote my work.

God.

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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!

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author

Agreed. Notes is generally much more civil and more interesting than other places, so if I had to choose a social media to be on, it would definitely be Notes.

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I have noticed “notes” is a “nicer” platform than especially x\twitter which can be down right brutal.

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Stephen, I agree regarding Twitter. I was briefly on there many years ago and it never "took" with me. Of course, Twitter is not specifically a writing site but I still did not feel comfortable on there. Substack Notes seems more kind, more cordial and supportive to fellow writers. One can always block comments that are hurtful or disrespectful. Free speech definitely needed but insults are not necessary. Good luck with your writing!

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Yesssssss. This. The lack of hostility and criticism is so refreshing!

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I cut all the socials out of my life as well.

Gives me more time for Notes. Which is NOT a social media platform

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Jonathan, I agree that Notes is NOT a social media platform. I avoid Social Media, too gnarly and snappy, even for this recovering sharp tongue. I am on Pinterest but that is not Social Media for me but rather a place I can go to enjoy beautiful photos of things I love, like garments, nature and animal friends. I seldom communicate much on Pinterest, it is for me alone. Notes is truly amazing and getting more so. I actually pray for Substack to continue, as it has become very dear to me. Blessings to you, Jonathan, may you thrive on here! Wendy

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Mat, I had a long thread of reply to you last night but somehow it did not " take", one of my ARGH ARGH ARGH moments. Anyway, there are two things I have currently learned from Notes. One is the mutual support and encouragement I have received from several writers on here including Christopher Cook and Andrew " Dad explains ". To be encouraged by total strangers is amazing! As the Bible says, " iron sharpens iron". Also, the fellowship I have experienced here us also a magical and yet grounding thing! This is not competition not one-upmanship, this is basic courtesy and dignity toward other writers. Even if you do not resonate with someone's writing, that is OK, as you can still be courteous. Anyway, those are my Sunday morning thoughts on Substack Notes! When you join with others who also love and craft words, that is a special place! I am up preparing for church so I will offer you a blessing for the day! May God bless your writing and presence here. Wendy

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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.

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author

I think we both need to start shilling for brands and get some of that sweet spon con money. Seems to be the only paying gig in town.

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This is the way.

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And I wish the management could introduce a sub-menu under Like and include a laughing emoji.

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Before notes, nobody read anything I wrote.

Now, with Notes, nobody reads anything I write and NEVER will!

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Maybe you should write a book! Oh, wait...

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If I didn't laugh, I'd cry. Here's hoping!

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Mar 19Liked by Carlos Greaves

It definitely feels self-congratulatory. But congratulations! You have won the approval of some random woman in Oregon.

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Only fourteen hours?

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Those are rookie numbers. He’s going to have to get that number higher.

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author

Hahahaha, I’ll work on it

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Who needs sleep? Actually, I Substack in my sleep.

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I can do 14 hours once a month 😊

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This post was sponsored by Instagram. Just admit it.

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author

Shhhh. I have to pay the bills somehow 🙊

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#AllHustlesMatter

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They do indeed!

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Shhh.

Elon Musk will hear you.

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Bring it on! I’d love to meet all those rich people face-to-face and ask them who’s day they’ve made better today.

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Why are you wasting an hour writing when it could be used on Notes???

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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.

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author

Agreed, it’s generally pretty pleasant, I’m just a curmudgeon who likes to point out the bad stuff

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I love that I (or anyone) can ask a question and get interesting responses. Which sounds obvious, but that doesn't tend to happen on other social platforms, at least in my experience. For example, a while back I wasn't happy with the front cover of my self-published book, and I shared a link to it on Notes, asking for feedback. I received a ton of really insightful, intelligent responses, which directly contributed to me redesigning the book. Again - made me think of taking my book to a writing meet-up and showing it to the group.

Endlessly satisfying!

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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.

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Mar 20Liked by Carlos Greaves

I'm pretty sure Tom Cox is my Ted Gioia, and I'm not entirely sure how that happened.

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author

Yep! I actually debated between Tom Cox and Ted Gioia because I see his posts all the time too.

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Mar 20Liked by Carlos Greaves

I smell a conspiracy

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I was thinking the exact same thing.

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Mine is Tim Denning

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I had never seen a post by or even heard of Tom Cox prior to reading this. Now I'm seeing him in Notes at least five times a day.

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It's the Tom Cox Curse. Or blessing, of course, but it's less fun without the alliteration

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"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

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My favorite part as well.

Sometimes you just need someone to call it out for what it is.

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Absolutely. I try often to hit that sort of note in conversations with friends and colleagues, but I need to set a lower bar. Mr Greaves is an like an elite athlete in this area.

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“I’m just here to point stuff out and make fun of it” 😂 this is why I watch Jon Stewart and read you Carlos.

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author

Me and Jon Stewart in the same sentence? Day made!

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Your newsletter is a really badass way of teaching others how to pronounce your name.

10/10

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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. 🙂

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I love this comment.

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Exactly! Whether conscious consumption is an oxymoron at this point or not, it's worth a try. 🩵

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Everything you have said speaks to me in ways I cannot express. I too have successfully given up social media! I also now spend all my waking moments reading Notes from the same 6 people (plus a load of random people I don't follow). I too have been excited to gain a handful of followers only to realise they are not subscribers and I don't know how to contact them or take them with me if I leave. (And I am now confused if this is what is happening when I click to follow someone when I thought I was subscribing). My only complaint about your post was the disclaimer which panders to people who cannot separate opinion from insult (but which I would also totally have included). Please enjoy this FOLLOW I am about to give you, despite not knowing what it means.

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Thankfully I have broken the addiction by changing the home page (again - I switched it back once already due to fomo but now I’m satisfied this is no Mo to Fo.)

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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 😂😂😂😂

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Now, I should restack this. Then comment on all the comments above….

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But I'm too busy writing my novel, Mat ;-)

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