This really resonates with me. I’ve been writing on here since 2021 and have wondered if it’s a waste and if I’m not really a good writer. This was great morning inspiration. That’s why you’re a voice that needs even more subscribers! 😀
I found this newsletter by typing "Why is everything awful " into the search bar if I remember correctly. Lol.
When I realized that I'd already been reading your work in Public Notice I subscribed. That will tickle me forever though , how delighted I was to see any result at all.
Substack has an abundance of very good writing, but fewer distinctive voices with unique insights. Yours is one. It’s unsurprising that this doesn’t translate neatly into commercial success. The market wants predictability and more of what made money before. A computer can measure only the interactions of humans with its interface. It can’t measure the human experience created by a writer.
Writing has never been a meritocracy. If it were, why only privileged white men for centuries? People, not computer logic, can make it more meritocratic. Every writer here should be the reader of others that they want for themselves: generous, sharing, validating.
Thanks for writing this. You've mentioned this before, but it's a good story to tell (and that is how I discovered you -- right around the time I joined notes I saw a lot of your posts, and your name was vaguely familiar -- because it had shown up in Public Notice, which I don't read regularly, but I knew Aaron's name from Vox).
I do want to promote my own post on meritocracy, which just makes the point that once people spot the flaws in supposedly meritocratic systems there are two very different critiques. One is to say, "we should figure out how to make this more meritocratic" and the other is to say, "we should be suspicious of meritocratic narratives." They are both valid but, to some extent, contradictory: https://earnestnessisunderrated.substack.com/p/meritocracy
As a fellow lucky person, I congratulate you. To be able to make a living from writing what you want is incredible. Long may it last. I too have been in the right place at the right time, more than once.
I don't remember how I got here, maybe it was Public Notice.
Agree there is a large dose of luck, and that you're also a good writer. One thing I would add is that I reckon people writing mostly about American politics and culture have a leg up on Substack. Americans seem to be drawn mostly to their own....
Some people I know who are hooked on the meritocracy myth are also very hooked on the Hard Work Got Me Here myth, to the point where their self-esteem really depends on it. They would sooner die than admit that hard work without connections, luck, privilege, and/or family seed money often just does not get people anywhere in our current system.
Right. I read Aaron Rupar in Vox and found him again in Public Notice. There I found you and I am became an engaged reader. What caused me to subscribe was emotive: you mentioned Wilkes-Barre, PA and I have ties to that region. I subscribed and am a fan, but my reason for putting money down? Random.
I am all for your blend of political insights, history lessons, poetry discussions, humor, and love of cult films. Because you write about so many topics, it’s easier for readers to stay engaged. New concepts and topics means new conversation multiple times a week. Some authors focus heavily on one topic which can get repetitive and boring. There’s only so many ways you can say I believe 1 + 1 = 2.
Luck is a huge part of success. The vast majority of hugely successful content creators will tell you they have no idea why *that* post in particular blew up vs any of their other posts.
If it's of interest in your calculations, I came to Substack when I found HCR in the middle of DJT's first term. Since the 2024 campaign, I've discovered the "rest of you." Now I'm hooked--tho I occasionally have to cut off all of it and wash my brain in some mindless, apolitical, spicy HEA rom coms to preserve what sanity I have left.
I wonder how many others have traveled that path. HCR to Substack, I mean, not Substack to rom com escapism.
I have a general rule: I can take credit for what I've done with the opportunities I've gotten. I cannot take credit for the opportunities.
This doesn't seem terribly complicated to me, but it does seem to really bother people who are super into meritocracy.
This really resonates with me. I’ve been writing on here since 2021 and have wondered if it’s a waste and if I’m not really a good writer. This was great morning inspiration. That’s why you’re a voice that needs even more subscribers! 😀
I found this newsletter by typing "Why is everything awful " into the search bar if I remember correctly. Lol.
When I realized that I'd already been reading your work in Public Notice I subscribed. That will tickle me forever though , how delighted I was to see any result at all.
hah! a marketing coup!
An oddly specific coup!
Substack has an abundance of very good writing, but fewer distinctive voices with unique insights. Yours is one. It’s unsurprising that this doesn’t translate neatly into commercial success. The market wants predictability and more of what made money before. A computer can measure only the interactions of humans with its interface. It can’t measure the human experience created by a writer.
Writing has never been a meritocracy. If it were, why only privileged white men for centuries? People, not computer logic, can make it more meritocratic. Every writer here should be the reader of others that they want for themselves: generous, sharing, validating.
Between luck and skill, pick luck, any day.
Hope is not a strategy. (Although it can be an impetuous for action or a useful mood to continue through hardship).
Good point.
I would only add that privilege can often enhance luck.
The luck of Privileged groups will benefit from systems of “ lucky “ connections — Systems which marginalized people will likely never experience.
It is amazing how lucky the wealthy and privileged are!
Thanks for writing this. You've mentioned this before, but it's a good story to tell (and that is how I discovered you -- right around the time I joined notes I saw a lot of your posts, and your name was vaguely familiar -- because it had shown up in Public Notice, which I don't read regularly, but I knew Aaron's name from Vox).
I do want to promote my own post on meritocracy, which just makes the point that once people spot the flaws in supposedly meritocratic systems there are two very different critiques. One is to say, "we should figure out how to make this more meritocratic" and the other is to say, "we should be suspicious of meritocratic narratives." They are both valid but, to some extent, contradictory: https://earnestnessisunderrated.substack.com/p/meritocracy
"people at the top don't deserve power, and people not at the top don't deserve to suffer"
Thank you Noah.
This post reminds me of this video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l_F9jxsfGCw
The fellow who made the video is a fun and entertaining speaker.
I did turn it off when he started making humor out of the aid trucks in Kuwait for the starving people in Gaza.
As a fellow lucky person, I congratulate you. To be able to make a living from writing what you want is incredible. Long may it last. I too have been in the right place at the right time, more than once.
I don't remember how I got here, maybe it was Public Notice.
Agree there is a large dose of luck, and that you're also a good writer. One thing I would add is that I reckon people writing mostly about American politics and culture have a leg up on Substack. Americans seem to be drawn mostly to their own....
Oh, that's probably true. that's part of privilege; living in a big rich country with access to a large audience is a big deal.
of course, the US is currently turning itself into a much less rich and stable country, so...
Watch this space!!
Some people I know who are hooked on the meritocracy myth are also very hooked on the Hard Work Got Me Here myth, to the point where their self-esteem really depends on it. They would sooner die than admit that hard work without connections, luck, privilege, and/or family seed money often just does not get people anywhere in our current system.
yeah. people are really invested in the idea that meritocracy is real, unfortunately. even people who aren't all that successful find it appealing.
It’s the poetry, Noah 😉
I wish.
Thank you, Noah!
You've just given me the theme of my next Post, the first in a while, I must confess.
It's been a bad year financially and personally for me, so I haven't been doing much in the way of organized writing lately.
I'm sorry to hear it's been rough. curious to see your post though!
It's finally done—today!
The link is https://drdarkeny.substack.com/p/i-judge-people-strictly-on-merit — the first part is explaining why it took so long, but then I get into it.
Right. I read Aaron Rupar in Vox and found him again in Public Notice. There I found you and I am became an engaged reader. What caused me to subscribe was emotive: you mentioned Wilkes-Barre, PA and I have ties to that region. I subscribed and am a fan, but my reason for putting money down? Random.
I am all for your blend of political insights, history lessons, poetry discussions, humor, and love of cult films. Because you write about so many topics, it’s easier for readers to stay engaged. New concepts and topics means new conversation multiple times a week. Some authors focus heavily on one topic which can get repetitive and boring. There’s only so many ways you can say I believe 1 + 1 = 2.
Luck is a huge part of success. The vast majority of hugely successful content creators will tell you they have no idea why *that* post in particular blew up vs any of their other posts.
If it's of interest in your calculations, I came to Substack when I found HCR in the middle of DJT's first term. Since the 2024 campaign, I've discovered the "rest of you." Now I'm hooked--tho I occasionally have to cut off all of it and wash my brain in some mindless, apolitical, spicy HEA rom coms to preserve what sanity I have left.
I wonder how many others have traveled that path. HCR to Substack, I mean, not Substack to rom com escapism.
probably a lot; her substack is enormous.