4 Comments

Wow this post was so interesting! I never considered this... I wonder how many of these changes are inevitable and how many are avoidable. You're concerns about creators playing the algorithms and exploiting Substack with volume/quantity makes me think of what businesses face, like when BlockBuster used to drive out mom & pop video stores.

When I first read your post I was worried. But after reading it over again and looking at your profile, I think I found something positive. While we can fret about people playing the quantity game, why not instead (like you do so well) counter with the quality game?

Quite rapidly, quantity is easier to produce. However, I wonder if the same is true for quality? I'm sure in short time AI will be adept at imitating our nuances, but until then, our best bet is to double down on quality, detail, and intention.

This being said, I can't help but think that eventually, the machines/bigger creators can artificially beat us at that. Maybe they won't, maybe they will. I don't know. I worry about this now like I used to worry about the weather on my birthday as a young boy. It seems in both cases, my worry won't change anything. Something else is going to have the last word on whether it rains or shines. Perhaps the answer isn't in worrying. At the expense of sounding like the corniest guy out there, maybe the solution is just to focus on what we can control (I'm sure Ryan Holiday would smile if he read this).

I don't know what the answer is. I guess it all just depends on what kind of questions we're asking. If writing on Substack is a game to be won, then who knows what the future will look like. But if it's a place to exercise thought, I can't help but think that earnest work will win out in the end.

Thank you for bringing up this topic and putting together a thought provoking article! I'm definitely subscribing!

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Hey Thomas - thanks for the thoughtful comment. Yes, I do think earnest work and quality always win. Quality work at a high quantity is probably the best approach, but that's so hard to do!

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Rising tides tho…& if fluffier content attracts people to Substack where they then discover more thoughtful literary/journalistic voices - that feels like a good deal for everyone? Exhibit A: I came here for fashion and found Heather Cox Richardson 🤷🏼‍♀️

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Welcome Jennifer! I'll happily consider anyone part of the original Substack mission if they are writing with and responding to comments with attention and care, no matter the topic. Glad you've been discovering neat and different voices on the platform. I've found so many great writers on here too.

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