I used to blog. I had a great blog and presence on the web with writers and creatives. I think it’s how I came across you all those years ago. And then social media sucked me in, chewed me up, and became my Pit of Carkoon (the Star Wars geek in me is showing now) for 15+ years. All the things I craved have been pushed out the door and replaced by biased algorithms, bots, scammers, ads, and a daily witnessing of decline of humanity with the keyboard warriors & bullies spreading their malice and hatred and judgment and division.
This year I decided to get back to writing, connecting and serving. I’m reclaiming peace and joy for my life. When you live for two months with a diagnosis that says you won’t live to see this time next year... it changes your perspective. Luckily the doctors were wrong - but we never really know, do we?
And it’s worth it to me to pay monthly to enter a space of value, connection without ads and bots and all the things.
Even with all of the negative experience it’s hard letting go of something that’s been the only source of connection of any kind (online) even though it’s become a lousy source that is trying to lay claim to my soul.
I'd like to quit a lot of things. Next month I'll turn sixty. I think that means childhood is over and I have to really decide to do when I grow up. Whatever that is, it isn't this. To people where I go to work every day, I'm the data guy. Most think I don't even have a soul, just a spreadsheet. Sometimes I dream in numbers. They don't see the manuscript in the drawer. I work on it for an hour before the meter starts running. They don't see the worlds I create in miniature or the people who call on me when they want to know some detail about vintage scale furniture kits. Yes, I need to quit some things. Like commuting and changing my own oil. And I need to quit some people. Like those who think someone with forty years of experience is a liability.
Social media just has a poor return on investment. Perhaps 5% of the content is worthwhile. Where else would you invest so much time for such a poor return?
Blogging can't be entirely dead, I just launched my first one.
You have convinced me to move to Substack, Jeff. Who knew? It is nerve wracking but exciting at the same time. I will set everything up over the next few days and see what happens.
Question - when you raise the subscription amount, is that for new subscribers or does it go up for everyone? I have been looking for the answer and can’t find it. Any idea?
I used to blog. I had a great blog and presence on the web with writers and creatives. I think it’s how I came across you all those years ago. And then social media sucked me in, chewed me up, and became my Pit of Carkoon (the Star Wars geek in me is showing now) for 15+ years. All the things I craved have been pushed out the door and replaced by biased algorithms, bots, scammers, ads, and a daily witnessing of decline of humanity with the keyboard warriors & bullies spreading their malice and hatred and judgment and division.
This year I decided to get back to writing, connecting and serving. I’m reclaiming peace and joy for my life. When you live for two months with a diagnosis that says you won’t live to see this time next year... it changes your perspective. Luckily the doctors were wrong - but we never really know, do we?
And it’s worth it to me to pay monthly to enter a space of value, connection without ads and bots and all the things.
Even with all of the negative experience it’s hard letting go of something that’s been the only source of connection of any kind (online) even though it’s become a lousy source that is trying to lay claim to my soul.
I'm really excited for the writing challenges and prompts! Also, I refuse to believe that blogging is dead. I think it still has its place :)
I'd like to quit a lot of things. Next month I'll turn sixty. I think that means childhood is over and I have to really decide to do when I grow up. Whatever that is, it isn't this. To people where I go to work every day, I'm the data guy. Most think I don't even have a soul, just a spreadsheet. Sometimes I dream in numbers. They don't see the manuscript in the drawer. I work on it for an hour before the meter starts running. They don't see the worlds I create in miniature or the people who call on me when they want to know some detail about vintage scale furniture kits. Yes, I need to quit some things. Like commuting and changing my own oil. And I need to quit some people. Like those who think someone with forty years of experience is a liability.
Social media just has a poor return on investment. Perhaps 5% of the content is worthwhile. Where else would you invest so much time for such a poor return?
Blogging can't be entirely dead, I just launched my first one.
You have convinced me to move to Substack, Jeff. Who knew? It is nerve wracking but exciting at the same time. I will set everything up over the next few days and see what happens.
Question - when you raise the subscription amount, is that for new subscribers or does it go up for everyone? I have been looking for the answer and can’t find it. Any idea?