Congrats, Erik! I just hit that "upgrade" button. Your essays are part of what inspired me to start a Substack in the first place, and many of what I now consider best practices (cadence, aesthetic) I learned from you. I'm proud to support you.
There are two reasons in particular I'm excited you're taking this leap. First, academia melts people's brains, and we need more people thinking outside of it. The ceiling for even the greatest scientists is pretty low inside academia because they'll spend most of their time getting grants and figuring out how to get papers into journals. And many great scientists won't succeed because success requires near-Machiavellian levels of careerism and will to power. I want to see what smart people like you do when they're free of those structural constraints.
And second, I find something very wholesome about the mini-Medici patronage model of Substack. Most of us have very little power over anything beyond our immediate spheres, and most of the money we spend is basically extracted from us by force. I don't *want* to support my landlord, but I must, because the apartment next door is even worse. But supporting someone on Substack is different: this person does more of what I think is good because I choose to give them a couple bucks. In a just society, I think all commerce would feel more like that.
Anyway, I wish you the very best. I think you'll have massive success, and it will be a huge inspiration to other writers like me.
This will be the first Substack publication I buy a paid subscription for. Partly because it’s extremely aligned with my interests, but mostly because I think it’s *worth* paying for.
I’m excited about this genre too, and you have been a true inspiration to me. For what it’s worth I think you are doing an excellent job at creating valuable essays and sharing important, thought provoking ideas.
My question for you is: what do you think about the outlook on the science of consciousness? I see this as THE problem of our era, and a true tragedy if there are not sufficient incentives for the relatively small number of scientists actually interested in working on it.
(Also, just so you know: in real life, I am a data scientist / consultant. Feel free to hit me up about doing some data analysis for TIP -- I think that would be extremely fun ;))
For the science of consciousness, I'm not super confident there won't be another "consciousness winter" like during behaviorism. I think it needs really big thinking, which is hard to do in academia right now. However, there's a secret project I've been helping out with that might make a meaningful impact on helping ambitious ideas like that get funding. We'll have to see.
Oh, and I'll do a call for that research assistant position at first, not sure when exactly but you'll see it here.
A compelling post. I have upgraded to paid. I strongly identify with the point that an academic's career path can be so determined by the particular politics they espouse. I'm a leftish-liberal but I'm increasingly distressed by the leftish-liberal book world where a fiction writer's expressed and active politics have become more important than the quality of their work on the page. I'm still going to publish books—there is no other job I want—but Substack has become an increasingly successful place for me to also publish. So, yes, I dig your words and I'll help support your solo journey.
Amen to that! I just posted this myself. By the way: I saw you speak perhaps eight years ago at Stanford and my LORD you were hilarious. Funniest contemporary American writer I can think of :)
Thank you, Michael. Coincidentally, I Zoom-visited a high school class today and the students commented on how funny I was being during our discussion. And I replied, "Yeah, it's not always my plan to go for the comedy. Sometimes, halfway through a performance, I'll think, 'Wait, I'm a novelist.'"
I’m in. I wish there was a way to do bench biology without needing 100K worth of equipment. But if there’s a way to do “bench philosophy”, then I’m all in
Congratulations Erik, I know the feeling. The mainstream media demands loyalty, likewise in the field of science, but 19 years ago I broke away from the system and became an independent news provider with my National News Network in Hungary.
Today, this is the way forward and Substack helps many excellent revolutionary spirits to do this, helping to fight against the fake state media's overreach for the truth.
This is great news, Erik! I enjoy reading all of your pieces, and particularly those in the Aristocratic Tutoring series. I'm wondering if you have any thoughts about organizing a community for those who are interested in further exploring or implementing a tutoring approach for their children?
Thanks so much Lori! Great questions. What I will probably do is, within Substack's new chat feature on its app, create a number of threads that paid subcribers can participate in on different topics, including many of the returning themes here (AI, aristocratic tutoring, publishing, etc). The aristocratic tutoring one will likely involve people looking to implement some version of it for their own kids. But I will wait a few weeks to start these chats so people can filter in.
One should invite Prof. Bryan Caplan to it. He is on substack, now. "Bet on it". His twin-sons must be the most aristocratic tutored kids on this globe. https://www.econlib.org/our-homeschooling-odyssey/ - they got an excellent article published in their teens. (schism among Mormons in Mexico)
Congratulations, I was actually reviewing your work yesterday and wondered why you hadn't gone paid yet.
The paragraph explaining academia immediately reminded me of Samuel's experience in The Citadel from GoT. I felt his experience there was a criticism of all the fluff that goes into academia, may you continue to do good as he did!
A few months ago I was looking for an option to go paid on your Substack. I couldn't find it. I thought to myself "surely with writing this good, there is a paid option", so I chalked it up to my inability to properly navigate to the pay wall.
And now, I realize I was wrong all along. And that's great! I appreciate your Substack and writing, and I am happy to contribute. Cheers my friend.
Congrats, Erik! I just hit that "upgrade" button. Your essays are part of what inspired me to start a Substack in the first place, and many of what I now consider best practices (cadence, aesthetic) I learned from you. I'm proud to support you.
There are two reasons in particular I'm excited you're taking this leap. First, academia melts people's brains, and we need more people thinking outside of it. The ceiling for even the greatest scientists is pretty low inside academia because they'll spend most of their time getting grants and figuring out how to get papers into journals. And many great scientists won't succeed because success requires near-Machiavellian levels of careerism and will to power. I want to see what smart people like you do when they're free of those structural constraints.
And second, I find something very wholesome about the mini-Medici patronage model of Substack. Most of us have very little power over anything beyond our immediate spheres, and most of the money we spend is basically extracted from us by force. I don't *want* to support my landlord, but I must, because the apartment next door is even worse. But supporting someone on Substack is different: this person does more of what I think is good because I choose to give them a couple bucks. In a just society, I think all commerce would feel more like that.
Anyway, I wish you the very best. I think you'll have massive success, and it will be a huge inspiration to other writers like me.
I absolutely love this Adam, thank you. I too see the potential future you do. There is a path!
Congratulations Erik.
This will be the first Substack publication I buy a paid subscription for. Partly because it’s extremely aligned with my interests, but mostly because I think it’s *worth* paying for.
I’m excited about this genre too, and you have been a true inspiration to me. For what it’s worth I think you are doing an excellent job at creating valuable essays and sharing important, thought provoking ideas.
My question for you is: what do you think about the outlook on the science of consciousness? I see this as THE problem of our era, and a true tragedy if there are not sufficient incentives for the relatively small number of scientists actually interested in working on it.
(Also, just so you know: in real life, I am a data scientist / consultant. Feel free to hit me up about doing some data analysis for TIP -- I think that would be extremely fun ;))
Love this Dawson, thank you so much!
For the science of consciousness, I'm not super confident there won't be another "consciousness winter" like during behaviorism. I think it needs really big thinking, which is hard to do in academia right now. However, there's a secret project I've been helping out with that might make a meaningful impact on helping ambitious ideas like that get funding. We'll have to see.
Oh, and I'll do a call for that research assistant position at first, not sure when exactly but you'll see it here.
A compelling post. I have upgraded to paid. I strongly identify with the point that an academic's career path can be so determined by the particular politics they espouse. I'm a leftish-liberal but I'm increasingly distressed by the leftish-liberal book world where a fiction writer's expressed and active politics have become more important than the quality of their work on the page. I'm still going to publish books—there is no other job I want—but Substack has become an increasingly successful place for me to also publish. So, yes, I dig your words and I'll help support your solo journey.
Amen to that! I just posted this myself. By the way: I saw you speak perhaps eight years ago at Stanford and my LORD you were hilarious. Funniest contemporary American writer I can think of :)
Michael Mohr
Thank you, Michael. Coincidentally, I Zoom-visited a high school class today and the students commented on how funny I was being during our discussion. And I replied, "Yeah, it's not always my plan to go for the comedy. Sometimes, halfway through a performance, I'll think, 'Wait, I'm a novelist.'"
Ha! Then again: A little humor probably softens them up for the Literary Depth!
Hahaha
I see you subscribed to mine. Well THAT'S an honor!
Just subscribed to your SS. Read your mini story about the gun just now. Powerful.
I’m in. I wish there was a way to do bench biology without needing 100K worth of equipment. But if there’s a way to do “bench philosophy”, then I’m all in
Freaking love your newsletter. Easy upgrade!
Congrats!!
Congratulations Erik, I know the feeling. The mainstream media demands loyalty, likewise in the field of science, but 19 years ago I broke away from the system and became an independent news provider with my National News Network in Hungary.
Today, this is the way forward and Substack helps many excellent revolutionary spirits to do this, helping to fight against the fake state media's overreach for the truth.
Shivers reading the last ten lines.
Very exciting stuff Erik. Subscribtions will start pouring in soon I'm sure. Can't wait to submit something for the essay competition too.
Looking forward to the journey.
Upgraded. Bon voyage!
Congratulations. This was an instant subscribe for me!
That academia fails to appreciate all you bring is further proof of how broken it is. I've found value in what you do here and I wish you success.
YES
This is great news, Erik! I enjoy reading all of your pieces, and particularly those in the Aristocratic Tutoring series. I'm wondering if you have any thoughts about organizing a community for those who are interested in further exploring or implementing a tutoring approach for their children?
Thanks so much Lori! Great questions. What I will probably do is, within Substack's new chat feature on its app, create a number of threads that paid subcribers can participate in on different topics, including many of the returning themes here (AI, aristocratic tutoring, publishing, etc). The aristocratic tutoring one will likely involve people looking to implement some version of it for their own kids. But I will wait a few weeks to start these chats so people can filter in.
One should invite Prof. Bryan Caplan to it. He is on substack, now. "Bet on it". His twin-sons must be the most aristocratic tutored kids on this globe. https://www.econlib.org/our-homeschooling-odyssey/ - they got an excellent article published in their teens. (schism among Mormons in Mexico)
Another: https://www.econlib.org/a-portrait-of-my-school/.
Congratulations, I was actually reviewing your work yesterday and wondered why you hadn't gone paid yet.
The paragraph explaining academia immediately reminded me of Samuel's experience in The Citadel from GoT. I felt his experience there was a criticism of all the fluff that goes into academia, may you continue to do good as he did!
A few months ago I was looking for an option to go paid on your Substack. I couldn't find it. I thought to myself "surely with writing this good, there is a paid option", so I chalked it up to my inability to properly navigate to the pay wall.
And now, I realize I was wrong all along. And that's great! I appreciate your Substack and writing, and I am happy to contribute. Cheers my friend.
Congratulations Erik! I upgraded to paid. Good luck, but I suspect you won’t need it. You have great stuff here already.
Congratulations, Erik! Your success on this platform is well deserved (and frankly inspirational)