Substack is what social media promised us it would be
The best place to connect with people and their ideas
The proliferation of Substack in 2021 has enabled wordcels to monetize their writing in ways previously unheard of. Bari Weiss makes nearly $1M from her newsletter, Ava “supports herself” from hers, Blackbird Spyplane is a six-figure business. Just recently, the cult-followed Perfectly Imperfect newsletter released their new project, PI.FYI — “Goodreads meets Myspace, but for any kind of recommendation.” As far as I know, it is the first newsletter-born-app.
Substack’s mission is to serve people building their careers on this platform.
empowering writers and creators, providing them with the tools and platform to build sustainable, independent careers and connect with their audience.
That makes Just a Thought the exception, not the rule. Of course, we’d gladly welcome revenue from our written thoughts. But that’s not why we started this. And it’s not why I keep going.
I recently had the revelation that Substack is actually the closest thing to the original promise of social media. Not because it is trying to be (see: mission) but perhaps because it’s not. And this medium best enables the original missions of our social forefathers.
Facebook:
To give people the power to share and make the world more open and connected.
Instagram:
To capture and share the world's moments.
Snapchat:
Empower people to express themselves.
Twitter:
We serve the public conversation.
The perils of traditional social media are obvious, most people know them, but the fact is that our social media feeds of today are not what they were when we first became addicted. They give us the false perception that we are informed about our friends’ lives. Knowing where someone was for the best 10 days of their year ≠ meaningfully staying in touch. Sharing your best pictures every few weeks or months, meticulously selected and edited ≠ keeping your friends up to date on your life. It’s all a trap.
So, in the 80th (my 40th) edition of this newsletter, I’ve realized that Substack is simply the most authentic social media platform we have — free of the internet norms we’ve been forced to accept: algorithmic feeds, ad saturation, and polarizing click- and rage-bait, flexes, and thirst traps (unless you’re an ardent sapiosexual).
This is the most intimate thing I post on the internet. Aside from the occasional Tweet, it’s also the only place I post on the internet. It’s where I share moments, express myself, and engage in semi-public conversation. It’s the truest look at where I am and where I’m going — literally and figuratively.
The Golem of Brooklyn
I’m not sure how this ended up in my “Prospective Books To Read” list on my Notes app, but I’m glad it did. Perhaps best known for his children’s book Go The F*ck To Sleep, Mansbach (who I found out after reading the acknowledgements was high school friends with one of my first NYC roommates) crafts a tale that is both hilariously satirical and incredibly poignant.
—Justin
Green Point Knife Truck
A foundational aspect of New Yorkerism is waxing nostalgic about shuttered establishments. Colson Whitehead has written about this far better than I. Fillmore Place, a delightful one-block street in Williamsburg with an enduring neighborhood feel that in itself is worthy of nostalgia, posts tombstones each Halloween of beloved stores and restaurants that have closed. One spots that looms large in my mind is Whisk, a kitchen supply store that used to sit on the corner of Bedford Ave and N 4th St in Williamsburg across the street from what is now Whole Foods. In addition to being a place that sold anything an established or wannabe cook could need, they also offered knife sharpening. Ever since they closed, I’ve lamented the loss of that service. But now a new hero arises, the Greenpoint Knife Truck. If you’re in the Williamsburg/Greenpoint area, there’s a good chance they’ll be near you. They do a great job, have fair prices, and are incredibly nice. The holy Trinity or retail.
—Justin
Active Interrupting | Episodes 5 & 6
link to listen wherever you get your podcasts
Not to make y’all have to work even harder for my recs, but last two episodes of our podcast is loaded with recs. Episode 5 features my Uncle Dan who watches FIVE (!!) movies in an average week, so we previewed the 2024 Oscar noms. Episode 6 we talked about two books I recommend for most of y’all and the Apple Vision Pro, among other things. Listen, watch, ignore at your leisure.
—Andrew