I enjoyed reading this. One feels more like my experience of the internet back when I was a teen (at the "advent" of the internet...or before it became totally commercialized like it is today). And the other is the side of things I'm actively working on leaving.
It's nice to hear others are experiencing and looking for something similar. To spread through word of mouth and a focus on quality over quantity. Depth over surface level. Respect and mutual discussion rather than yelling into the void or at each other.
Yes, great piece. The more I read it the more I thought of my own newsletter (I curate random interesting pieces). And no wonder it'll take ages to amass a big audience - after all, it's "whistling" πΊπ
This post was a freaking treat π¬ to read. Fueled my day and gave me plenty of new perspectives. Beautifully written! Thanks, Jakob. Looking forward to more ππΌππΌππΌ
Great post! I'm really excited about the direction Ghost is heading, especially with the addition of Newsletter and ActivityPub integration. https://activitypub.ghost.org/
What if, generally speaking, people on the Internet, and most everywhere elseβ¦.
Are idiots?
Well, ok, so the word βidiotsβ is sort of an idiot word to use in such conversations. So we might look for a more nuanced description. But however we say it, what if itβs generally true? What if we are, um, creatures of seriously limited ability?
Hereβs the quick version of my history on Substack, which in true idiot ego fashion will suggest Iβm not an idiot, even though by posting this note I will prove that I am.
My original goal upon coming here was to focus writing about nuclear weapons. You know, that huge gun in the mouth of the modern world that can go off at any moment without warning. You remember something about them, right?
I closed that blog when it became clear to me that I could fit all the people interested in nuclear weapons on Substack in the back of my van.
And so today I use AI to generate articles about hippies and make silly hippy cartoon videos in a sort of Tiktok manner. Iβm adapting to the environment.
I have some reluctance about posting this because I donβt really think ignoring nuclear weapons is an idiot thing to do. It goes deeper than that. Itβs more like a culture wide form of mental illness, a phenomena I do sincerely have some sympathy for.
Sorry folks, you arenβt the Smart Web. Neither am I. If we were, we wouldnβt be here.
Apologies for being inconvenient, and probably annoying, but well, thatβs my incurable way of being an idiot.
I enjoyed reading this. One feels more like my experience of the internet back when I was a teen (at the "advent" of the internet...or before it became totally commercialized like it is today). And the other is the side of things I'm actively working on leaving.
It's nice to hear others are experiencing and looking for something similar. To spread through word of mouth and a focus on quality over quantity. Depth over surface level. Respect and mutual discussion rather than yelling into the void or at each other.
Yes, great piece. The more I read it the more I thought of my own newsletter (I curate random interesting pieces). And no wonder it'll take ages to amass a big audience - after all, it's "whistling" πΊπ
This post was a freaking treat π¬ to read. Fueled my day and gave me plenty of new perspectives. Beautifully written! Thanks, Jakob. Looking forward to more ππΌππΌππΌ
Amazing stuff. Rarely do I go down a rabbit hole of links and feel better for it in the end. Cheers.
Yes
Jakob,
Your "Smart Web" piece resonated. Love the "outrage vs. curiosity wolves" analogy.
Finding niche gems feels like treasure hunting! How can creators collaborate & reach wider audiences? Curated directory, anyone?
Totally agree on RSS & email subscriptions!
Thanks for championing the Smart Web. I'm in - subscribing, sharing, and maybe creating my own corner someday.
Thoughts on how to strengthen the Smart Web?
Great post! I'm really excited about the direction Ghost is heading, especially with the addition of Newsletter and ActivityPub integration. https://activitypub.ghost.org/
What if, generally speaking, people on the Internet, and most everywhere elseβ¦.
Are idiots?
Well, ok, so the word βidiotsβ is sort of an idiot word to use in such conversations. So we might look for a more nuanced description. But however we say it, what if itβs generally true? What if we are, um, creatures of seriously limited ability?
Hereβs the quick version of my history on Substack, which in true idiot ego fashion will suggest Iβm not an idiot, even though by posting this note I will prove that I am.
My original goal upon coming here was to focus writing about nuclear weapons. You know, that huge gun in the mouth of the modern world that can go off at any moment without warning. You remember something about them, right?
https://www.tannytalk.com/s/nukes
I closed that blog when it became clear to me that I could fit all the people interested in nuclear weapons on Substack in the back of my van.
And so today I use AI to generate articles about hippies and make silly hippy cartoon videos in a sort of Tiktok manner. Iβm adapting to the environment.
I have some reluctance about posting this because I donβt really think ignoring nuclear weapons is an idiot thing to do. It goes deeper than that. Itβs more like a culture wide form of mental illness, a phenomena I do sincerely have some sympathy for.
Sorry folks, you arenβt the Smart Web. Neither am I. If we were, we wouldnβt be here.
Apologies for being inconvenient, and probably annoying, but well, thatβs my incurable way of being an idiot.
Your long-ass but rather funny comment deserves a reward... enjoy :)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tCbxw2VQjHk
If we want a better internet. Then we must build it.
I get so irritated when I see people on Twitter complaining about Twitter. You're helping the platform by pouring your attention into it.
Attention is the currency online. Use it wisely
This is the most encouraging thing I read all week.
Oh, this is goood!!! π€π»π Well-said!
Amen! So well said. Thank you.
I saved the post so I can explore the links over time.