Substack is a Dangerous Game for Writers

Said differently, we try to measure what we value.

But we inevitably end up valuing what we measure.

And what can be measured tends to be…the mechanical stuff.

Not only do numbers not capture what matters, they are also extremely open to manipulation.

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But sometimes, uncharitably, I imagine that what’s at the bottom of the consumption of this kind of writing is a desire not to overcome one’s apparent helplessness in the face of “the algorithm” but to affirm it--a compulsion to wallow in one’s perceived estrangement from the motions of culture and commerce and politics in the 21st century, to have... See more

Metrics: The New Meaning of Life

One of the most insidious effects of algorithmic curation is its redefinition of success. In the pre-digital age, greatness was measured by critical acclaim, cultural impact, or historical longevity. Today, it is measured by metrics: views, likes, shares, and subscriptions.

This shift has profound implications for cre... See more