Mark, I was feeling something about Notes culture wasn't a fit for me and you articulated it correctly. Thank You. The net is it creates to much wasted unproductive time in our lives. Even if I invite or willing let the beast into my world initially, it insidiously takes over in click bait and a "likes" culture in my brain. No , I do not care to be exposed to some random person’s Christmas letter describing what the poached salmon they ate in Norway was like. That is why I am not on the other social medial.
The example of the lunch was actually pretty useful for me in understanding the effect you’re describing!
I wish I could figure out how to stop notifications of “so and so you subscribe to posted a note.” Supposedly I’ve already done so but I’m still getting the notifications.
Hello Mark - I just started on Substack recently. I am glad I bumped into you, or was it that you bumped into me?, not sure. But I am glad we connected. I can see you are very thoughtful and have something insightful to say when you choose to make a connection. So please continue!
As for Notes, I am still trying to figure it out. I like what I see compared to Twitter, but mostly because I am really impressed by many talented writers I got to know through Notes that I would otherwise have a very hard time finding.
I have a lot of faith in Substack. I think they are going to listen to writers and adjust their strategy as needed. At least I hope so.
Anyway, I look forward to continue reading your stuff and engaging in a thoughtful dialog via comments.
Hi Mark, is there anything writers can do to make the Notes noise more optional for our readers? I didn't click the "Tell your readers you've joined Notes" button, because I wanted only those who actively opted in to Notes on their own to see my Notes. Is it possible to turn Notes off for yourself but leave newsletter emails on (I like Notes but am fully aware that others may not)?
Apr 20, 2023·edited Apr 21, 2023Liked by Mark Dolan
I won't "like" this post if it would upset you, but I will comment on it. My brain being what it is (very easily distracted!), I've long ago had to figure out ways to deal with the noise that comes along with the useful stuff. Basically, as rude as it may sound, I tend to ignore extraneous chatter on the internet. Ads in the margins (or even in the middle) of an on-line article are wasted on me: I scroll right on by them. I have an Instagram account, but pretty much just use it to keep in touch with people from the defunct FoodTribe network - I've stopped posting and reading Instagram stuff, but pop in once in a while to check on the occasional private message. I spent a few days each on Facebook and Twitter, and jumped ship because there was just to much going on at once. My brain has a lot of trouble filtering information, so if there's too much happening, I just bail before my synapses start frying. I avoid parties for the same reason. 😉
As far as Substack Notes go - I can see how some people might find them useful. I don't - it's too much information at once, and I can't deal with it. If I see in "Notifications" that someone I subscribe to has left a note, I just ignore it. I left one note when Notes first came out, something really clever like, "Hello, everyone," but that was it. I have nothing deep or important to pass along to everyone on Substack... comments on individual posts are more my speed.
So I guess I would advise you to keep any subscriptions you enjoy and just ignore the Notes - I doubt that it would bother many people, and it would allow you to keep your sanity.
I'll read Metadata later... hopefully it doesn't spook me off the internet! Have a good night, Mark!
Love your honesty.
Mark, I was feeling something about Notes culture wasn't a fit for me and you articulated it correctly. Thank You. The net is it creates to much wasted unproductive time in our lives. Even if I invite or willing let the beast into my world initially, it insidiously takes over in click bait and a "likes" culture in my brain. No , I do not care to be exposed to some random person’s Christmas letter describing what the poached salmon they ate in Norway was like. That is why I am not on the other social medial.
The example of the lunch was actually pretty useful for me in understanding the effect you’re describing!
I wish I could figure out how to stop notifications of “so and so you subscribe to posted a note.” Supposedly I’ve already done so but I’m still getting the notifications.
Hello Mark - I just started on Substack recently. I am glad I bumped into you, or was it that you bumped into me?, not sure. But I am glad we connected. I can see you are very thoughtful and have something insightful to say when you choose to make a connection. So please continue!
As for Notes, I am still trying to figure it out. I like what I see compared to Twitter, but mostly because I am really impressed by many talented writers I got to know through Notes that I would otherwise have a very hard time finding.
I have a lot of faith in Substack. I think they are going to listen to writers and adjust their strategy as needed. At least I hope so.
Anyway, I look forward to continue reading your stuff and engaging in a thoughtful dialog via comments.
Best
Hi Mark, is there anything writers can do to make the Notes noise more optional for our readers? I didn't click the "Tell your readers you've joined Notes" button, because I wanted only those who actively opted in to Notes on their own to see my Notes. Is it possible to turn Notes off for yourself but leave newsletter emails on (I like Notes but am fully aware that others may not)?
witnessed and understood!
I won't "like" this post if it would upset you, but I will comment on it. My brain being what it is (very easily distracted!), I've long ago had to figure out ways to deal with the noise that comes along with the useful stuff. Basically, as rude as it may sound, I tend to ignore extraneous chatter on the internet. Ads in the margins (or even in the middle) of an on-line article are wasted on me: I scroll right on by them. I have an Instagram account, but pretty much just use it to keep in touch with people from the defunct FoodTribe network - I've stopped posting and reading Instagram stuff, but pop in once in a while to check on the occasional private message. I spent a few days each on Facebook and Twitter, and jumped ship because there was just to much going on at once. My brain has a lot of trouble filtering information, so if there's too much happening, I just bail before my synapses start frying. I avoid parties for the same reason. 😉
As far as Substack Notes go - I can see how some people might find them useful. I don't - it's too much information at once, and I can't deal with it. If I see in "Notifications" that someone I subscribe to has left a note, I just ignore it. I left one note when Notes first came out, something really clever like, "Hello, everyone," but that was it. I have nothing deep or important to pass along to everyone on Substack... comments on individual posts are more my speed.
So I guess I would advise you to keep any subscriptions you enjoy and just ignore the Notes - I doubt that it would bother many people, and it would allow you to keep your sanity.
I'll read Metadata later... hopefully it doesn't spook me off the internet! Have a good night, Mark!