Well said, I have been wondering lately if it was just me thinking that. I agree, not anti-growth, but more Pro writing what you are living or observing. If I grow fine, if not Im fine with that too.
I’ve been really liking your content as I try to hold on to my values while writing on a platform like this. This came up a lot in the work I’ve done on building authority online and the language analysis on what makes LinkedIn so cringe-worthy. I appreciate the voices that help us remember there are choices, and the harder one doesn’t get the recognition is deserves
Agreed, I'm so tired of PUSH culture. I'm not anti-growth either, but I'll stick to my 40 subscribers and continue sharing more personal essays less frequently. At least they're authentic, and timed for receptivity, real hearts, and actual life matters, instead of optimization algorithms.
Well said Ben, I’m starting to notice that while being on this platform. People who focus on growth strategies tend to come from business backgrounds. On the other side some people are learning how to write better articles.
I have a mix of psychology and business background. I've rewritten the opening of this week's letter four times. Every version kept turning into a tip. I agree with Ben it’s very hard to centre yourself but it’s an important and difficult work. Having studied business made use of Instagram unbearable for me cause the growth mechanisms and hacks it forces are so obvious now.
I am personally driven and focused on personal growth. I want to live life and communicate the highest quality I can, not quantity. This may explain my 17 subscribers....No worries, I'm happy I get to speak and not be censored (as far as I am aware).
Thank you for this wonderful article, encouraging everyone to consider quality as a priority.
Great piece Benjamin! I think about this a lot and I end generally where you do. I think it really comes down to whether people treat this platform as a funnel or a way to create a body of work. Neither is right or wrong. But they are different tracks and the trajectories are very different.
I think it definitely changes the culture, although I'm not sure it necessarily destroys it. Every platform evolves as it grows, especially once scale becomes part of the equation. That's one of the reasons I'm trying to build a body of work that ultimately lives beyond any single platform. I want people to discover my writing here, but I don't want my writing to depend on the long-term trajectory of one company. Platforms come and go. The work is the part I'm trying to build to last. I suspect the challenge moving forward will be finding ways for both approaches to coexist without one crowding out the other.
I usually cringe when I read "economic" and "culture" in the same sentence but here and for me that's perhaps the point of what you're saying. I've never been a social media "user", Substack (next to Medium maybe) just seems like a good place to get in touch with people whom I wouldn't have met otherwise and share my work/thoughts. I can't and won't turn this into a business. "Growth" is a fickle thing, and Substack is no exception.
These growth gurus treat followers not as readers but as a resource - a number to convert into something. That’s why you, a person writing genuine thoughts for the people, have this weird feeling.
I remember gamers hated crypto in games because it ruined the meaning of the game as a process that you’re doing just for enjoyment. Same here. You write to share thoughts and want to read real thoughts of others, discuss them, learn from them. And you’re facing people who are trying to extract external profits from you or trying to teach you how to do it. It confuses.
Actually, I believe that SubStack (same with all major social networks) is, unfortunately, guilty of that. If there is any kind of karma or algorithms, the environment for abusers emerges. If there won’t be a mechanism to “hack the system”, if there won’t be a system, there won’t be hackers. Of course, there’s no real choice for them. They also care about numbers and treat users as a resource - they are a business. More posts, more activity - the better their number-oriented stats.
However, I love Substack. Here are people who think deeply and write meaningful longreads. Thanks for sharing your thoughts!
No it doesn't, that's just marketing. Anything that focuses on economics is the same old repackaged marketing of ideology. It means 3.5 billion people aren't included because Ameribus and Eurotrash haven't figured out that a biological brain state existed before their religion was forced on all of us. Only one culture is celebrated on Substack, the obsession of one's own intellect.
Well said, I have been wondering lately if it was just me thinking that. I agree, not anti-growth, but more Pro writing what you are living or observing. If I grow fine, if not Im fine with that too.
I’ve been really liking your content as I try to hold on to my values while writing on a platform like this. This came up a lot in the work I’ve done on building authority online and the language analysis on what makes LinkedIn so cringe-worthy. I appreciate the voices that help us remember there are choices, and the harder one doesn’t get the recognition is deserves
I read a report the other day that found that linked-in is the platform with the most AI generated content…
Agreed, I'm so tired of PUSH culture. I'm not anti-growth either, but I'll stick to my 40 subscribers and continue sharing more personal essays less frequently. At least they're authentic, and timed for receptivity, real hearts, and actual life matters, instead of optimization algorithms.
Well said Ben, I’m starting to notice that while being on this platform. People who focus on growth strategies tend to come from business backgrounds. On the other side some people are learning how to write better articles.
Right. It’s a mixed bag
I have a mix of psychology and business background. I've rewritten the opening of this week's letter four times. Every version kept turning into a tip. I agree with Ben it’s very hard to centre yourself but it’s an important and difficult work. Having studied business made use of Instagram unbearable for me cause the growth mechanisms and hacks it forces are so obvious now.
This kind of reflection is a reason I write here. To practice this art of expression, but also to share ideas and experiences.
We enrich one another's lives this way, with a potential noble act, which is unique to humanity.
What a great way of putting it
Last year, when I started my Substack, one of the things I noticed immediately is the amount of users promising to reach the secrets of Substack.
I already knew what I was going to publish, but it seemed like 1/3 ‘get Substack rich quick,’ another 1/3 were enthusiastic, but burned out.
So, I felt fairly safe being in with the lunies in the final third. 👊🏼😉.
Great work.
Here’s to the loonies
Cheers! 🥂
This is amazing! I agree with you on so many different levels here. I really enjoy reading your work.
Glad to hear it Bethany. Thank you for reading
I am personally driven and focused on personal growth. I want to live life and communicate the highest quality I can, not quantity. This may explain my 17 subscribers....No worries, I'm happy I get to speak and not be censored (as far as I am aware).
Thank you for this wonderful article, encouraging everyone to consider quality as a priority.
Great piece Benjamin
Great piece Benjamin! I think about this a lot and I end generally where you do. I think it really comes down to whether people treat this platform as a funnel or a way to create a body of work. Neither is right or wrong. But they are different tracks and the trajectories are very different.
Yes for sure. There are different angles you can take but I think if the Funnel spinners grow too large in number it will destroy the culture
I think it definitely changes the culture, although I'm not sure it necessarily destroys it. Every platform evolves as it grows, especially once scale becomes part of the equation. That's one of the reasons I'm trying to build a body of work that ultimately lives beyond any single platform. I want people to discover my writing here, but I don't want my writing to depend on the long-term trajectory of one company. Platforms come and go. The work is the part I'm trying to build to last. I suspect the challenge moving forward will be finding ways for both approaches to coexist without one crowding out the other.
Beautifully thought/felt through and expressed. Thank you for being a lighthouse in this space. Xx
Thanks Bryanna. I appreciate your support
I usually cringe when I read "economic" and "culture" in the same sentence but here and for me that's perhaps the point of what you're saying. I've never been a social media "user", Substack (next to Medium maybe) just seems like a good place to get in touch with people whom I wouldn't have met otherwise and share my work/thoughts. I can't and won't turn this into a business. "Growth" is a fickle thing, and Substack is no exception.
It’s all about finding the right balance
This is a good way of looking at it. I want to keep writing what I like and growth will come.
These growth gurus treat followers not as readers but as a resource - a number to convert into something. That’s why you, a person writing genuine thoughts for the people, have this weird feeling.
I remember gamers hated crypto in games because it ruined the meaning of the game as a process that you’re doing just for enjoyment. Same here. You write to share thoughts and want to read real thoughts of others, discuss them, learn from them. And you’re facing people who are trying to extract external profits from you or trying to teach you how to do it. It confuses.
Actually, I believe that SubStack (same with all major social networks) is, unfortunately, guilty of that. If there is any kind of karma or algorithms, the environment for abusers emerges. If there won’t be a mechanism to “hack the system”, if there won’t be a system, there won’t be hackers. Of course, there’s no real choice for them. They also care about numbers and treat users as a resource - they are a business. More posts, more activity - the better their number-oriented stats.
However, I love Substack. Here are people who think deeply and write meaningful longreads. Thanks for sharing your thoughts!
I agree, BUT there is absolutely no reason one can't live in both worlds at the same time. One need not choose one or the other.
Taylor Swift is incredibly talented. Her voice is unique and unmistakable.
She is also REALLY good at attracting growth, so much so that she is now a billionaire.
The two are not different worlds. Unless you believe they are, and in that case you will make it true for YOU.
“the new economic engine of culture.”
No it doesn't, that's just marketing. Anything that focuses on economics is the same old repackaged marketing of ideology. It means 3.5 billion people aren't included because Ameribus and Eurotrash haven't figured out that a biological brain state existed before their religion was forced on all of us. Only one culture is celebrated on Substack, the obsession of one's own intellect.