I LOVEEEE reading these essays— am so so happy that your substack is growing!! I actually look forward to every second Wednesday now and treat your articles like a favorite snack/prize I get to read for a great end to the day hahahaha. So thank you for that. Honestly lowkey a bit sad that we won’t get an article this coming 29th 🥲🥲 But I wish you a happy holiday and I CANNOT WAIT for this coming 2022 content (it already sounds super cool)!!!
Thank you so much Mia! That means a great deal to me to hear that! I went back and forth on taking a break but decided that there's plenty of time in the future for these, as I'm going to be writing them for years. And I figured 2022 Erik would wish he had one more essay up his sleeve at some point - always gotta be thinking about that guy.
It's one that I am always glad to read, and love you for writing them. And yes, the illustrations is something I struggle with and yours (or Alexander's rather) are beautiful!
Thank you Rohit! I'm actually collecting a galley of Alexander's art as prints that will eventually take up a wall space in my house. At some point I'll share some photos of it - perhaps a bit pompous, but it very much gives this whole endeavor some physicality to me.
As an extension of your point regarding quality over quantity, I would also add that you seem to get relatively high-quality engagement in your comment section. While there's more to that, I think, than just the newsletter's own quality (with its nuance, especially, also playing a large role), I have definitely noticed that the more carefully crafted newsletters seem to possess the highest-quality comment sections. And that's an additional draw for those of us who occasionally enjoy online discussion, provided that it's not the typical dumpster fire -- a good comment thread can really support an already enjoyable reading experience.
A good point, and I've been quite lucky in this. I've found Substack comments to be good in general though - something about the siloing of audiences means that outright insult-fests are rare. I always felt like it said something really deep about where the internet was going when most outlets got rid of their comments sections, maybe back in 2012-2015.
I came here courtesy of Scott Alexander's Substack, where the comments are also good. There are problems with the Substack implementation of comment threads (like lack of edit ability), which have been discussed there. Maybe you and Scott could pressure the Substack managers to improve their UI.
That's true. Somehow, it didn't strike me about it at the time. I was just kinda bewildered by the shift away and assumed, then, that it was because moderation was too much trouble. Hindsight says you had the right of it, though. While I think many of us were, at some point, much more idealistic about the internet's possibilities than we are now, the darker aspects of human nature -- especially human nature as it intersects with commerce -- prove hard to surmount.
"Growth came from people being kind enough to share links." As Isaac Bashevis Singer once said: “Kindness, I’ve discovered, is everything in life.”
If anyone would like some practice 😉, consider reading about movies like Klaus (2019), a humorous animated fantasy and an enchanting film that has you believing in the power of kindness to change the world for the better.
It's one of 20 Great Movies Each Written & Directed By The Same Person:
It's wild how virtually all of us get pressured into the capitalist ideal in one way or another, always seeking growth. Bigger, better, faster, more! I feel like your approach offers me peace and reminds me to love what I am doing as writer, and not feel pressured. Thanks for sharing, Erik.
Just came across this—hugely helpful, and reassuring! I had people subscribing at a fairly steady rate, then a small spike, and now…crickets?? I’m only in my second month on here with ‘Page By Page’ so still figuring it out!
Re: "I had a middling platform, which was, in retrospect, basically the minimum one necessary[.]"
Erik, you are greatly underestimating the power of these platforms. I deliberately did not leverage my existing network – to be willing to take more risks – so I started with 0 followers on Twitter and 0 subscribers. I haven't had viral success, but after 7 posts I have 126 subscribers, of whom 12 are people who's work and thinking I used to admire at a distance. That audience, in turn, has made it much easier for me to become more competent as a writer/researcher, and to find people to discuss my work with. With your quality and persistence, I suspect you'd only be 6-12 months behind on the growth curve had you started from zero.
Hi Erik, I am really enjoying your writing, and thank you for this article. Lots of really lovely ideas and thoughts. It's such a great idea that you are working with an artist like Alexander. I was wondering, do you pay him for the artwork, or how does this work, since there is no pay wall on your newsletter? Genuinely interested as I would love to be able to do something similar, but am struggling with how to go about it from a financial perspective. Thanks, Cúán.
The newsletter actually has a sponsor/patron, which is SciArt Initiative - a nonprofit that funds collaborative work between artists and scientists. SciArt provides The Intrinsic Perspective with a monthly budget, which gets distributed. Obviously this isn't possible for everyone, but it's kind of a perennial problem: most people have to self-invest in their businesses (some even taking out loans) or get VC money or grants or nonprofit sponsors or patrons. But yes, there's a deeply unfair financial burden in getting something off the ground. In fact, it's even worse than not just having a budget and running on zero. A lot of people basically, imo, go paid too early, which limits their growth. But in many cases they are forced to.
That's very interesting thank you. I must agree with you! I'm dyslexic, so to ensure quality and consistency I felt it was necessary to have an editor, which is why I set up a paywall from the beginning.
I’m sorry Benjamin, I realized I somehow never replied to this question, must have missed it. I don’t think of myself as very consistent as a writer, I write in bursts. I just have many many drafts going at any one time, and bounce around between them. In fact, if I were only doing one essay every two weeks exactly, I’d be a mess, and would have to force myself to work. But this way I can work on whatever I like of a good number of options, and slowly roll out those that are done.
Ah. Good to know (this is also Ben Talarico — just using my Substack account). I always imagine someone rising at dawn each morning to write 1000 words!
I LOVEEEE reading these essays— am so so happy that your substack is growing!! I actually look forward to every second Wednesday now and treat your articles like a favorite snack/prize I get to read for a great end to the day hahahaha. So thank you for that. Honestly lowkey a bit sad that we won’t get an article this coming 29th 🥲🥲 But I wish you a happy holiday and I CANNOT WAIT for this coming 2022 content (it already sounds super cool)!!!
Thank you so much Mia! That means a great deal to me to hear that! I went back and forth on taking a break but decided that there's plenty of time in the future for these, as I'm going to be writing them for years. And I figured 2022 Erik would wish he had one more essay up his sleeve at some point - always gotta be thinking about that guy.
It's one that I am always glad to read, and love you for writing them. And yes, the illustrations is something I struggle with and yours (or Alexander's rather) are beautiful!
Thank you Rohit! I'm actually collecting a galley of Alexander's art as prints that will eventually take up a wall space in my house. At some point I'll share some photos of it - perhaps a bit pompous, but it very much gives this whole endeavor some physicality to me.
Physicality is important! Trafficking in words and thoughts makes us all too prone to undervalue the physical.
As an extension of your point regarding quality over quantity, I would also add that you seem to get relatively high-quality engagement in your comment section. While there's more to that, I think, than just the newsletter's own quality (with its nuance, especially, also playing a large role), I have definitely noticed that the more carefully crafted newsletters seem to possess the highest-quality comment sections. And that's an additional draw for those of us who occasionally enjoy online discussion, provided that it's not the typical dumpster fire -- a good comment thread can really support an already enjoyable reading experience.
A good point, and I've been quite lucky in this. I've found Substack comments to be good in general though - something about the siloing of audiences means that outright insult-fests are rare. I always felt like it said something really deep about where the internet was going when most outlets got rid of their comments sections, maybe back in 2012-2015.
I came here courtesy of Scott Alexander's Substack, where the comments are also good. There are problems with the Substack implementation of comment threads (like lack of edit ability), which have been discussed there. Maybe you and Scott could pressure the Substack managers to improve their UI.
Agreed - it's a major problem for the larger comments threads (like Scott's). I'll try to bring it up next time I talk to them.
That's true. Somehow, it didn't strike me about it at the time. I was just kinda bewildered by the shift away and assumed, then, that it was because moderation was too much trouble. Hindsight says you had the right of it, though. While I think many of us were, at some point, much more idealistic about the internet's possibilities than we are now, the darker aspects of human nature -- especially human nature as it intersects with commerce -- prove hard to surmount.
"Growth came from people being kind enough to share links." As Isaac Bashevis Singer once said: “Kindness, I’ve discovered, is everything in life.”
If anyone would like some practice 😉, consider reading about movies like Klaus (2019), a humorous animated fantasy and an enchanting film that has you believing in the power of kindness to change the world for the better.
It's one of 20 Great Movies Each Written & Directed By The Same Person:
https://moviewise.substack.com/p/fifteen-great-movies-each-written
Interesting, I had seen it on Netflix, never heard of it before, perhaps I'll check it out
It's really great!
Hey Eric! Congratulations for 2K Subscribers! Been reading you since quite a long now, feels good to see you grow! :D
Thank you so much for this! Very kind of you - hopefully this is a looooong journey
It's wild how virtually all of us get pressured into the capitalist ideal in one way or another, always seeking growth. Bigger, better, faster, more! I feel like your approach offers me peace and reminds me to love what I am doing as writer, and not feel pressured. Thanks for sharing, Erik.
Thanks for this oldie, but a goodie! I hope 2022 has been kind to you.
Just came across this—hugely helpful, and reassuring! I had people subscribing at a fairly steady rate, then a small spike, and now…crickets?? I’m only in my second month on here with ‘Page By Page’ so still figuring it out!
That’s my favorite quote from A Christmas Carol. You got this subscriber from a Google for “How to grow a Substack.” Thanks for the advice.
This was a good confidence booster. Thank you, Erik.
Re: "I had a middling platform, which was, in retrospect, basically the minimum one necessary[.]"
Erik, you are greatly underestimating the power of these platforms. I deliberately did not leverage my existing network – to be willing to take more risks – so I started with 0 followers on Twitter and 0 subscribers. I haven't had viral success, but after 7 posts I have 126 subscribers, of whom 12 are people who's work and thinking I used to admire at a distance. That audience, in turn, has made it much easier for me to become more competent as a writer/researcher, and to find people to discuss my work with. With your quality and persistence, I suspect you'd only be 6-12 months behind on the growth curve had you started from zero.
Hi Erik, I am really enjoying your writing, and thank you for this article. Lots of really lovely ideas and thoughts. It's such a great idea that you are working with an artist like Alexander. I was wondering, do you pay him for the artwork, or how does this work, since there is no pay wall on your newsletter? Genuinely interested as I would love to be able to do something similar, but am struggling with how to go about it from a financial perspective. Thanks, Cúán.
The newsletter actually has a sponsor/patron, which is SciArt Initiative - a nonprofit that funds collaborative work between artists and scientists. SciArt provides The Intrinsic Perspective with a monthly budget, which gets distributed. Obviously this isn't possible for everyone, but it's kind of a perennial problem: most people have to self-invest in their businesses (some even taking out loans) or get VC money or grants or nonprofit sponsors or patrons. But yes, there's a deeply unfair financial burden in getting something off the ground. In fact, it's even worse than not just having a budget and running on zero. A lot of people basically, imo, go paid too early, which limits their growth. But in many cases they are forced to.
That's very interesting thank you. I must agree with you! I'm dyslexic, so to ensure quality and consistency I felt it was necessary to have an editor, which is why I set up a paywall from the beginning.
I really enjoyed reading this - thank you so much for the insights! Very much appreciated
Fantastic insights here - thank you for sharing, and I appreciate the inclusion of a 19th century writer in the mix! Happy holidays!
How do you cultivate the focus and discipline to write with such consistency?
I’m sorry Benjamin, I realized I somehow never replied to this question, must have missed it. I don’t think of myself as very consistent as a writer, I write in bursts. I just have many many drafts going at any one time, and bounce around between them. In fact, if I were only doing one essay every two weeks exactly, I’d be a mess, and would have to force myself to work. But this way I can work on whatever I like of a good number of options, and slowly roll out those that are done.
Ah. Good to know (this is also Ben Talarico — just using my Substack account). I always imagine someone rising at dawn each morning to write 1000 words!
Thank you for your sage advice!
No, thank YOU Rachel for reading! And good luck with Clean Eating Food!
Thank you!!! :)