Thank you for writing about this. I really appreciate your perspective and deep thinking about the subject. So much so that I decided to become a paid subscriber because you outlined something that I haven't seen any other writer share so clearly who covers social media. And that is the difference between social media that is focused on giving you access to your friends and family who you largely know IRL and social media that focuses on algorithms to decide which stranger's content it shows you. For whatever reason, I just wasn't getting it until you wrote this piece.
I follow you on IG and on here because of your former work on YouTube. I was searching for information on the Shetland Islands and YT's algorithm popped up your video. I'm really grateful it did because that led to a great trip to the Shetland Islands. Thank you for making it.
But you are right, when you build on a platform like that your business model or creative model is on shaky ground because you ultimately don't own have the control over who sees your work. And as a user of the product, I am very careful not to click on videos that will give the algorithm hints that I want to see more and more extreme views on any subject. It seems the algorithm feeds on conflict and polarization and though I don't blame social media for all the ills in the world, it certainly has amplified some of them.
I'm also a fan of Cal Newport's writing and almost gave up my smart phone completely because of him. In the end I struck a balance of turning off all notifications, which led to me pretty much forgetting to check social media at all, and now I have a habit of not being on there, which is why I had no idea IG randomly changed things this week. I still am on FB because (for now anyway) it's largely birthdays, anniversaries, deaths, and weddings of my extended network in my feed and I do appreciate seeing photos of my mother's garden, but I am acutely aware of the dark side to FB and limit my time there as well.
I'm glad Substack is offering a business model where creators can build something that is solid instead of being fixated on trying to win viewers over with an algorithm that mostly just wants to gobble up your time and attention.
Anyway, thanks for writing your newsletter and sharing your perspective from "behind the curtain" in social media. It's valuable and I'm looking forward to reading more!
Thanks so much for this detailed comment! I really appreciate you becoming a paid subscriber and I'm glad that the "behind the curtain" perspective was useful. I will continue to elaborate on this subject in coming issues of The Missive.
I am so grateful I quit Instagram a year ago. I still find Facebook very valuable but only by participating in private, moderated groups mostly immune to Facebook's meddling.
And I'm so grateful that we started our Substack more than a year ago so we don't have to worry over algorithms.
I’ve been feeling some type of way about YouTube and instagram, and your latest IG post convinced me to give Substack a try. I miss writing and creating, and I’m tired of being bombarded with mindless content. I’d be interested to see what about think about the platform Medium... and whether you think Substack is better?
The main difference between Medium and Substack is that Medium is still a "centralized" platform in that writers upload their work to Medium and an algorithm sorts what gets shown to readers. Substack is decentralized because it allows us to send our work directly to our readers. The monetization models also reflect this difference. Personally, I'm very happy with Substack for now and am not currently considering Medium as an outlet.
It’s refreshing to read that someone who has success on these Social Media platforms feels the same way as those of who don’t. Sometimes I wonder if frustration about not getting my work out there clouds my opinions, but your observations show otherwise.
I have so many thoughts to add in the comments, but they’re all in my articles.
Brave New World is great, but I have read it before. I genuinely would be interested to read about Instagram. I don't think that it will be as "quality" as Brave New World, but I think that it would still be insightful.
The creators of the various 'social media' platforms don't give a rat's baaaa (yep loving Alex in NZ too) about the people using their forums. They care about their wallet. End of story. I keep trying to explain this to Hubby... they're not your friends! While I don't use-publish the social media stuff (well, I do use Blogger) I do enjoy being on the audience side and reading some well written work. And I appreciate this new thing you are using with the paid subscriptions.
I would agree, although I really can say that the people I worked with on YouTube were very supportive. But at the same time, when it comes down it, the companies will always choose their bottom line over any relationship with an individual creator. And that decision is being made above the pay grade of the employees creators interact with. It's hard not to think they see us as expendable and replaceable... which is why I'm trying to take back a modicum of control over my career via this newsletter.
Thanks for sharing your perspective! Yes, I agree. IG has definitely lost a lot of its relevance as a social media platform... that's why I like it more here on Substack!
Thank you for writing about this. I really appreciate your perspective and deep thinking about the subject. So much so that I decided to become a paid subscriber because you outlined something that I haven't seen any other writer share so clearly who covers social media. And that is the difference between social media that is focused on giving you access to your friends and family who you largely know IRL and social media that focuses on algorithms to decide which stranger's content it shows you. For whatever reason, I just wasn't getting it until you wrote this piece.
I follow you on IG and on here because of your former work on YouTube. I was searching for information on the Shetland Islands and YT's algorithm popped up your video. I'm really grateful it did because that led to a great trip to the Shetland Islands. Thank you for making it.
But you are right, when you build on a platform like that your business model or creative model is on shaky ground because you ultimately don't own have the control over who sees your work. And as a user of the product, I am very careful not to click on videos that will give the algorithm hints that I want to see more and more extreme views on any subject. It seems the algorithm feeds on conflict and polarization and though I don't blame social media for all the ills in the world, it certainly has amplified some of them.
I'm also a fan of Cal Newport's writing and almost gave up my smart phone completely because of him. In the end I struck a balance of turning off all notifications, which led to me pretty much forgetting to check social media at all, and now I have a habit of not being on there, which is why I had no idea IG randomly changed things this week. I still am on FB because (for now anyway) it's largely birthdays, anniversaries, deaths, and weddings of my extended network in my feed and I do appreciate seeing photos of my mother's garden, but I am acutely aware of the dark side to FB and limit my time there as well.
I'm glad Substack is offering a business model where creators can build something that is solid instead of being fixated on trying to win viewers over with an algorithm that mostly just wants to gobble up your time and attention.
Anyway, thanks for writing your newsletter and sharing your perspective from "behind the curtain" in social media. It's valuable and I'm looking forward to reading more!
Thanks so much for this detailed comment! I really appreciate you becoming a paid subscriber and I'm glad that the "behind the curtain" perspective was useful. I will continue to elaborate on this subject in coming issues of The Missive.
Current books I'm reading
The new great depression by James Rickards
The Golden revolution revised by John Butler
also books by Peter Zeihan
Thanks for the recommendations, I'll check them out!
I am so grateful I quit Instagram a year ago. I still find Facebook very valuable but only by participating in private, moderated groups mostly immune to Facebook's meddling.
And I'm so grateful that we started our Substack more than a year ago so we don't have to worry over algorithms.
I’ve been feeling some type of way about YouTube and instagram, and your latest IG post convinced me to give Substack a try. I miss writing and creating, and I’m tired of being bombarded with mindless content. I’d be interested to see what about think about the platform Medium... and whether you think Substack is better?
The main difference between Medium and Substack is that Medium is still a "centralized" platform in that writers upload their work to Medium and an algorithm sorts what gets shown to readers. Substack is decentralized because it allows us to send our work directly to our readers. The monetization models also reflect this difference. Personally, I'm very happy with Substack for now and am not currently considering Medium as an outlet.
Ohh that makes sense, thank you!
It’s refreshing to read that someone who has success on these Social Media platforms feels the same way as those of who don’t. Sometimes I wonder if frustration about not getting my work out there clouds my opinions, but your observations show otherwise.
I have so many thoughts to add in the comments, but they’re all in my articles.
https://bornwithoutborders.substack.com/p/yuval-noah-harari-hero-and-hypocrite
and
https://bornwithoutborders.substack.com/p/social-media-alternative
I know this screams “I’m commenting so you look at my work!” But I’m genuinely curious about your thoughts here.
It’s not the end of the world.
Really.
When I was doing all my traveling in my youth, they had cybernet cafes with dial up terminals you sat at. You paid by the minute.
My cat has an Instagram page. That’s all, just for fun. This would explain a lot of things.
You don’t need social media. My observation is that social media makes some anti-social.
Brave New World is great, but I have read it before. I genuinely would be interested to read about Instagram. I don't think that it will be as "quality" as Brave New World, but I think that it would still be insightful.
OKay Marko,
give us the skinny....how's Mexico? What do you like? Where is a good place to eat?
Cool stuff to see? My life is about experiences!!!!!!!!!
I will be making some content around this soon!
I only view Youtube and email, that's it.
I see my friends and family in person.
I really don't want to waste time on other platforms.
The creators of the various 'social media' platforms don't give a rat's baaaa (yep loving Alex in NZ too) about the people using their forums. They care about their wallet. End of story. I keep trying to explain this to Hubby... they're not your friends! While I don't use-publish the social media stuff (well, I do use Blogger) I do enjoy being on the audience side and reading some well written work. And I appreciate this new thing you are using with the paid subscriptions.
I would agree, although I really can say that the people I worked with on YouTube were very supportive. But at the same time, when it comes down it, the companies will always choose their bottom line over any relationship with an individual creator. And that decision is being made above the pay grade of the employees creators interact with. It's hard not to think they see us as expendable and replaceable... which is why I'm trying to take back a modicum of control over my career via this newsletter.
Thanks for sharing your perspective! Yes, I agree. IG has definitely lost a lot of its relevance as a social media platform... that's why I like it more here on Substack!