Substack: A Virtual Hometown
Musings on the nature of the platform...
I’ve been writing here fairly consistently for some time now. What I am noticing about Substack is that the platform has had the feeling of the early Internet - c. 1995. It’s something about the immediacy with which I feel connection with other human beings here. I’ve gradually opened up and struck up direct conversations with more than a few of the folks who are active creators here. I’m hoping I never lose this feeling as I have about other social media operations. This feels more substantial; more authentic; more immediate.
One thing that happened recently is that one of my friends attempted to boost one of my episodes of “The Passing Show” but it was clear they had just seen it and “fired from the hip” so to speak. It was a kind gesture, no doubt. However, it also reminded me of how often we just get a glimpse of something and don’t actually engage with the content. Now I’m asking myself whether that matters.
When I’m writing or filming, I’ve got in mind the work of my late father who went through primary documentation available from the 18th century. He focused on the “inarticulate” in particular; those people who were merchants, tradesmen, and farmers, as opposed to those who stood out in history. All these people wove history together. We are doing the same. I am producing primary documentation for research historians of the future. I have a kind of faith that this work will matter. If it doesn’t, no matter. I have made my attempt to transmit something of my time into the future.
If you are a reader of Harrowings, I think you will recognize my theme: “Be a good ancestor!” I was grateful today to have run across the acronym TESCREAL courtesy of my friend, Giulia Cassarà, PhD who I interviewed a few times over the past year:
Building relationships, one conversation at a time, has been a big part of what I have been doing here on Substack. One thing is certain, when two people meet, if anything happens at all, both are transformed. While in any interaction, we leave those we touch either richer or poorer for having had the experience, it is important at least to intend to leave the other richer. I know that is always my intent.
That leads me to a discussion of intent. What do you intend by your presence here on Substack? For me, it’s a place to work out my own thinking through writing. It’s a service that I am hoping to provide to the future, as mentioned. Finally, if it has any meaning for anyone here and now, that’s a bonus.
I keep on putting it out there, that’s for sure. Among my messages is that every cent we spend is a vote for the kind of world that we are co-creating. I don’t know anything for certain, but I know how things seem to me and I can share my perspective with others. We, collectively, are creating the future with every decision we make; every action has an impact on everything else. So, I let my fingers fly over the keyboard.
I’m currently listening to this:
The movement cannot be understood apart from the historical processes, it’s said. This movement too - Substacking - is a part of its own moment in history. From my perspective - as limited as it is - journalism seems to be dying or nearly dead as relates to the main-stream that used to provide perspectives on our time. Instead, we have voices here which seem to be filling that gap. As such, this platform is extremely important. It is also important that it stay free of those aspects that have destroyed other platforms like it.
Technically, I love the abilities it gives us. When I record an episode of “The Passing Show” or the Harrowings Podcast interviews, the product is “auto-magically” parsed by AI to create clips. The product is also published out to several platforms. It is almost too easy to get the voice out there. Whether it’s heard or not now is immaterial. What’s important is that it is there to be found in the future.
I don’t know too much about the future but I am hopeful that we will do what we can with what we have where we are to be good ancestors.
I had in mind to keep on writing awhile, but for now, I believe this is enough. I am hopeful that someone out there will pick up what I’m laying down and help my voice be heard by restacking or restacking with a note, better yet! There are so many ways to help each other be heard here!
Onward!
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