It's funny to have heard so many people say they won't flee Meta for Substack because there aren't enough people on here and its not a good enough substitute ... and then hear the flip side of the arguments that there are too many people on here and it's too social media like.
I definitely have found the Notes aspect, while good for discovery, a definite point where I swiftly feel overwhelmed and irritated/get that sick scrolling feeling after looking at it (though have discovered lots of good things there too). Thanks as ever for your wise perspective x
Oh that's so interesting. It's going to be fascinating to watch this develop over the next few years and see where people land and what happens to the platforms. I agree with you re Notes: I'm there if I've got something to say or I'm trying to wave at everyone and highlight my work on substack, and I accept it's a good idea to do that to draw new readers towards us. These are the best places we've got to spread the word about what we're doing. But reading Notes is as chaotic as any other social media - where we can go from someone's tragic story, to a celebration, to a rant, to a beautiful photograph in less than a minute. It's clear our brains are not designed to do well taking in umpteen disconnected pieces of info so fast, and then trying to respond accordingly (well mine definitely isn't!). And before you know it, time is disappearing. So I always try to approach with awareness and a timer! It's a practice - but I'm slowly getting better at cultivating it to suit me rather than doing the mindless scroll. Thanks for sharing your thoughts - I love your work re Meta and everything else, and it's vital we continue to share great journalism wherever we can, so we can't completely write off Notes! xx
I've definitely reached that middle ground too, Sara. I like that you can just be emailed the content you want to see, rather than scrolling. It's also been a nice easy platform to share my own work, rather than looking into website creation etc. Opening the app just read does feel very much like every other social media platform, and it's important not to lose any more time than we already do!
It's funny to have heard so many people say they won't flee Meta for Substack because there aren't enough people on here and its not a good enough substitute ... and then hear the flip side of the arguments that there are too many people on here and it's too social media like.
I definitely have found the Notes aspect, while good for discovery, a definite point where I swiftly feel overwhelmed and irritated/get that sick scrolling feeling after looking at it (though have discovered lots of good things there too). Thanks as ever for your wise perspective x
Oh that's so interesting. It's going to be fascinating to watch this develop over the next few years and see where people land and what happens to the platforms. I agree with you re Notes: I'm there if I've got something to say or I'm trying to wave at everyone and highlight my work on substack, and I accept it's a good idea to do that to draw new readers towards us. These are the best places we've got to spread the word about what we're doing. But reading Notes is as chaotic as any other social media - where we can go from someone's tragic story, to a celebration, to a rant, to a beautiful photograph in less than a minute. It's clear our brains are not designed to do well taking in umpteen disconnected pieces of info so fast, and then trying to respond accordingly (well mine definitely isn't!). And before you know it, time is disappearing. So I always try to approach with awareness and a timer! It's a practice - but I'm slowly getting better at cultivating it to suit me rather than doing the mindless scroll. Thanks for sharing your thoughts - I love your work re Meta and everything else, and it's vital we continue to share great journalism wherever we can, so we can't completely write off Notes! xx
Thank you, Sara, for this GREAT reminder that we can engage how we want! xx
Thanks Kim! Hope you're going well x
Always look forward to your newsletters, Sara.
Thanks Erica, this comment made my day!
I've definitely reached that middle ground too, Sara. I like that you can just be emailed the content you want to see, rather than scrolling. It's also been a nice easy platform to share my own work, rather than looking into website creation etc. Opening the app just read does feel very much like every other social media platform, and it's important not to lose any more time than we already do!