I needed to read this. (Just kidding lol) I think you tapped deeply into a fear I've felt a lot during my time on Substack, because there is an element of reciprocity necessary in writing communities. I also think it's really interesting how you turned that reciprocity on its head at the end by showing the narrator, too, was only engaging in service of the perpetuation of their own work. Your stories always sort of point a finger at the world and then just let it sit with the reader to resolve, which I think we need more of in fiction
It's all so depressing, isn't it? You hope someone will enjoy something you've created, only for it to fall victim to the old social media mantra, 'A follow for a follow'.
Eventually someone’s going to make an app that surfs Substack, clicking on articles that match the profile you’ve input. On each post it scrolls to the bottom and waits an appropriate amount of time—determined by the word count—before liking the post and leaving an AI-generated comment.
When I joined Substack a year ago with no particular plan, I assumed it was a social experiment. I think I was more or less right. Not saying it’s bad—I’ve learned so much and interacted with people I doubt I’d ever meet IRL. But I catch myself, finger hovering over the buttons.
Ahhhhhh AWESOME!!! (posted after 8 seconds)
What a beautifully written, powerful work! I needed to read this today, it resonates so much. Thank you for sharing!!!
By the way!! READ ME. ME! And the house of chapters hahahahha
Jokes aside: This is the opposite of what I'm doing with the House of Chapters hahah. So I don't feel attacked at all hahahaha.
On the personal publication, though.... forgot what I wanted to say, cause I found a cat picture I wanna slap a poem on... about my sub count hahahah
Looooool.
Read me.
Me.
A necessary meditation.
(lol)
You're lucky you just read. I write these!
Haha.
I needed to read this. (Just kidding lol) I think you tapped deeply into a fear I've felt a lot during my time on Substack, because there is an element of reciprocity necessary in writing communities. I also think it's really interesting how you turned that reciprocity on its head at the end by showing the narrator, too, was only engaging in service of the perpetuation of their own work. Your stories always sort of point a finger at the world and then just let it sit with the reader to resolve, which I think we need more of in fiction
This resonates
😂😂😂
Love you! ❤️🙏🏻
Me! Me! Me! (Only commenting so you read my crap work)
In all seriousness, thank you for writing this. 🤣
Ok for real, loved it. Just found this from a re-stack so I’m gonna read more. Excuse the notifications where you’ll read your name.
Oh, pls do, you're welcome.
MORE RESTACKS!
MORE ME!
ME!
😅
Really enjoyed this! ME, ME, ME.
Seriously. Awesome :)
Wow
Ugh.
Thank you for sharing this
It's all so depressing, isn't it? You hope someone will enjoy something you've created, only for it to fall victim to the old social media mantra, 'A follow for a follow'.
It’s all symptoms of the capitalist spectacle
P.S. I would argue that the capitalist spectacle is itself a symptom, but of what? I’d like to genuinely find out!
You came in full throttle, swung and hit three homeruns at once. I wish to catch this one, have user 446 sign it, and give it to the son I don’t have.
Eventually someone’s going to make an app that surfs Substack, clicking on articles that match the profile you’ve input. On each post it scrolls to the bottom and waits an appropriate amount of time—determined by the word count—before liking the post and leaving an AI-generated comment.
Read mine.
Mine.
MINE!
Me.
When I joined Substack a year ago with no particular plan, I assumed it was a social experiment. I think I was more or less right. Not saying it’s bad—I’ve learned so much and interacted with people I doubt I’d ever meet IRL. But I catch myself, finger hovering over the buttons.
Jokes on you, I dont get comments. Read the whole thing and chuckled a couple of times, take your dopamine!
Dang.