That's exactly it - it's not wrong to want to keep that bar high. Having standards these days is seen as offensive to those who don't want to meet them.
People really need to ask themselves if their writing is worth paying for. Because, as with any other endeavor on earth, the answer for most people is no.
And the whole "am I a writer" thing is subjective, but is also amenable to common sense. If you play the piano ten minutes a week, and you don't take it seriously, and you don't know any more than 2 songs, can you call yourself a pianist? I mean sure, technically. But it seems pretty disingenuous.
None of this is about elitism. It's about the commodification of being a creative person. Everyone on earth now thinks they can be a creator or a writer - and they want all of the titles and affection and paychecks that come with it.
And for anyone who's serious about it, that's a little confusing and disappointing. The same way a plumber would be disappointed if everyone in their city opened a plumbing business after only 3 months of practice. It's just... weird.
We bemoan the enshittification of internet spaces - but it's not just AI slop, Linkedin thought leaders, Twitter blue-checks, IG influencers, it's also the overwhelming sameness of tastes, outputs, and ideas that makes C-Suites/Consultant classes think we can just replace everyone with something.
It's also funny to bemoan gatekeeping/elitism here - time spent writing on the internet is a luxury afforded to few, and the demographics are largely the same. Which also might be why a lot of the content tends to blur together.
Thank you for writing this, and thank you for the kind words. What you said about my writing means more than you could know. I've been a fan of yours since the Textbook days. The real delight coming out of all of this is finding your Substack!
I think that this is the more nuanced piece many of us were hoping for when we opened up Emily's letter. Because like you, in theory, I agree with a lot of what she wrote. YES to standards, YES to keeping the bar high. YES to working to constantly improve. And maybe, no to paywalling shitty content (but really, who are any of us to say what should and should not be paywalled, if people are paying, they must be getting some sort of value?). I also believe that (like with Instagram), a LOT of this falls on Substack and their algorithm vs. the writers on the platform.
It is funny because on that same day (before reading Emily's post, it was pre-scheduled), I wrote about talent vs. taste and what I was doing to grow my own talent, specifically writing. And then I opened up Emily's letter and just felt a little bit crushed. I think (actually, I know, based on the replies to a few notes I posted) that a lot of younger, newer voices just felt really downtrodden reading her letter. Like they weren't good enough, like they should quit. Though she didn't say "leave," I think a lot of people took it as such, as opposed to. the challenge that you propose.
Putting myself in Emily's shoes, I also think she is stiIl quite young + came up at The Cut, where rage-bait wins. She has a huge platform (deserved, I remain a fan!) and probably didn't realize how many young writers here likely idolize her and felt very badly after her piece. To me, it feels like a lot of what was said would have been better suited for a group text with her other "serious, masterful" writers. :)
That's my take. Again, thank you for writing this. And all of that said, I hope you are doing great and I look forward to reading more!
I love this! If you do something, just try to do it well or at least, authentically. I’ll read 10000 diary entries if it sounds like a phone call from a friend. They’re my favorite. Give me your weird roundups!! I want to know how they connect.
It kinda reminds me of Thought Catalog and Medium - they started out (if I remember right) with an intention for writers, but the attention economy and its incentives eventually diluted so much of that original purpose.
An angle that I haven’t seen much of — but a bit here, so thanks! — is that the path to being a great writer includes being a pretty mediocre writer at first. I hope the ones who genuinely want to improve keep going. And if I/we post a link to a denim jacket along that path….whelp 🤷🏼♀️ maybe we can’t escape ourselves. 💙
Immediately after sending I was like oh I should’ve said more about how you have to be bad to be good, that journey etc. and posting links isn’t a bad thing as long as it’s part of a genuine thought. ✨🖤☺️
As someone new to writing and SubStack, after reading this most interesting perspective, I found myself asking if I’m good enough to be here. But then, I’ve been asking myself that question since I was 5 years old. I suspect I’ll be writing about that a lot..
So, what qualifications should I have? English lit degree, check. Point of view, check. I’m happy to do the toiling part. All I need now is the scrutiny and criticism. If anyone here would oblige and read my Substack I’d be grateful.
That's exactly it - it's not wrong to want to keep that bar high. Having standards these days is seen as offensive to those who don't want to meet them.
People really need to ask themselves if their writing is worth paying for. Because, as with any other endeavor on earth, the answer for most people is no.
And the whole "am I a writer" thing is subjective, but is also amenable to common sense. If you play the piano ten minutes a week, and you don't take it seriously, and you don't know any more than 2 songs, can you call yourself a pianist? I mean sure, technically. But it seems pretty disingenuous.
None of this is about elitism. It's about the commodification of being a creative person. Everyone on earth now thinks they can be a creator or a writer - and they want all of the titles and affection and paychecks that come with it.
And for anyone who's serious about it, that's a little confusing and disappointing. The same way a plumber would be disappointed if everyone in their city opened a plumbing business after only 3 months of practice. It's just... weird.
i shoulda charged $300 for my words on toes! joan didion could never
No price too high for Liana words
Was nodding along until he came for you. Leave Britney (the vibrams) alone!
'phalangeal' is worth $300 on its own
Would've paid
We bemoan the enshittification of internet spaces - but it's not just AI slop, Linkedin thought leaders, Twitter blue-checks, IG influencers, it's also the overwhelming sameness of tastes, outputs, and ideas that makes C-Suites/Consultant classes think we can just replace everyone with something.
It's also funny to bemoan gatekeeping/elitism here - time spent writing on the internet is a luxury afforded to few, and the demographics are largely the same. Which also might be why a lot of the content tends to blur together.
I really love the word “enshittification” thank you for bringing this to my world
Thank you for writing this, and thank you for the kind words. What you said about my writing means more than you could know. I've been a fan of yours since the Textbook days. The real delight coming out of all of this is finding your Substack!
I think that this is the more nuanced piece many of us were hoping for when we opened up Emily's letter. Because like you, in theory, I agree with a lot of what she wrote. YES to standards, YES to keeping the bar high. YES to working to constantly improve. And maybe, no to paywalling shitty content (but really, who are any of us to say what should and should not be paywalled, if people are paying, they must be getting some sort of value?). I also believe that (like with Instagram), a LOT of this falls on Substack and their algorithm vs. the writers on the platform.
It is funny because on that same day (before reading Emily's post, it was pre-scheduled), I wrote about talent vs. taste and what I was doing to grow my own talent, specifically writing. And then I opened up Emily's letter and just felt a little bit crushed. I think (actually, I know, based on the replies to a few notes I posted) that a lot of younger, newer voices just felt really downtrodden reading her letter. Like they weren't good enough, like they should quit. Though she didn't say "leave," I think a lot of people took it as such, as opposed to. the challenge that you propose.
Putting myself in Emily's shoes, I also think she is stiIl quite young + came up at The Cut, where rage-bait wins. She has a huge platform (deserved, I remain a fan!) and probably didn't realize how many young writers here likely idolize her and felt very badly after her piece. To me, it feels like a lot of what was said would have been better suited for a group text with her other "serious, masterful" writers. :)
That's my take. Again, thank you for writing this. And all of that said, I hope you are doing great and I look forward to reading more!
<3
I love this! If you do something, just try to do it well or at least, authentically. I’ll read 10000 diary entries if it sounds like a phone call from a friend. They’re my favorite. Give me your weird roundups!! I want to know how they connect.
Yes this is IT!!!
I don’t understand why Emily’s post made people so angry. I didn’t completely agree but she has a point.
It kinda reminds me of Thought Catalog and Medium - they started out (if I remember right) with an intention for writers, but the attention economy and its incentives eventually diluted so much of that original purpose.
Beautifully said.
omg high praise from a fave
I love these words as signposts: “the weird, the visceral, the researched and the poignant”
Thanks, Jenna!
this was the nuanced perspective I was looking for - thank you for writing this!
Thank YOU for reading
An angle that I haven’t seen much of — but a bit here, so thanks! — is that the path to being a great writer includes being a pretty mediocre writer at first. I hope the ones who genuinely want to improve keep going. And if I/we post a link to a denim jacket along that path….whelp 🤷🏼♀️ maybe we can’t escape ourselves. 💙
Immediately after sending I was like oh I should’ve said more about how you have to be bad to be good, that journey etc. and posting links isn’t a bad thing as long as it’s part of a genuine thought. ✨🖤☺️
Gotta give one’s future self things to cringe about!
NEVER ask me to read my own writing it’s like a car off the lot losing half its value the second you hit publish
So true. dear Lord the awful shit I wrote in my 20's that remains online today... bless that child. But I got better from it! So here we are.
Gorgeous gorgeous gorgeous and perfectly said!! Ty for bringing this perspective
Thank you we are gorgeous!!!
I might go make some popcorn for this comment section if it gets half at lit as Emily's did.
Lord protect mehhhh
Also, thank you for a very nice compliment.
Just here for those pictures.
Thanks you’re my fave subscriber
As someone new to writing and SubStack, after reading this most interesting perspective, I found myself asking if I’m good enough to be here. But then, I’ve been asking myself that question since I was 5 years old. I suspect I’ll be writing about that a lot..
So, what qualifications should I have? English lit degree, check. Point of view, check. I’m happy to do the toiling part. All I need now is the scrutiny and criticism. If anyone here would oblige and read my Substack I’d be grateful.
Oh, and yes, am writing in the lifestyle space 😂
i find this commentary very funny when paired with AI generated images
Believe me that was an internal battle I wasn’t ready for