Ah but Terry, won’t you feel better … validated even … once you get that badge. At least until you starting pining for that next badge, the one that’s filled in … that’s the one! Reminds me of the John Prine song, “Your flag decal won’t get you into heaven anymore.”
Love the humor Terry 😄 I sometimes feel that you don't intend to be funny. On first impression, you come across as a proud pessimist with deep seeded optimistic tendencies ...Right! Shrink spectacles aside, I love articles that include movie ref, quotes and ratings, as I do, because I am a proud optimist with deep seeded pessimistic tendencies. This had been a long time coming but glad I am here! Oh yes, thanks for the Edit comparison, and it's nice to know we are not so bad on our own.
Agree! In tech this would fall into the bucket of a whiteboard brainstorm session idea that shouldn't have made it to a release without thorough user and use case testing for the pitfalls.
We write because we love the creative process, have something of value to say, AND are willing to put in the hours to hone our craft. The inanity of numbers and badges have no significance. You are writers. Ignore the games and just write. Writing is not a popularity contest. Sharon at 🍁Leaves
Agree, the feature will become a bug for many who will resent being part of the same things which they sought an escape from.
It eats into goodwill and imposes degrading games and signaling for one narrow vision of growth, which ignores that everybody's got a personal long-tail long game they should cultivate. Unique ideas and interests could be eclipsed by a monolithic vision of what writing success will mean on this site if they push this.
Thank you for writing this. Your thoughts about writers gaming this feature did not even occur to me, but it is certainly possible (and infuriating). Sigh.
I totally agree, Terry! Ugh. This is the first I'm hearing about the badge thing. It just sounds gross and totally inauthentic. Thanks for writing about it.
Unfortunately those of us who are independent minded are likely to be subsumed under the weight of those who stick to the party line. They had a chance to become the new NY Times but they choose to become the NY Times, lol.
Besides visibiltiy issues, I am concerned that this new direction will attract people looking for a quick buck and Substack will end up like Medium, flooded with articles like "How I got the purple badge in X months!" 🤢
When I read about the badges my heart sunk a little as I'm new to publishing my work, and consequently unknown. Plus, I don't write about hype topics, so difficult to gain significant traction.
Badges will help those already doing well, but I can't see how they help the vast majority of us. The idea plays off of group mentality, which at times can be positive, but often spirals into negative consequences. I don't even think YouTube should have likes and dislikes!
Agreed. In all honesty this particular feature seemed odd given Substack’s track record of well thought out additions. Reinstating a hierarchy based on popularity is a quick way to lose aspiring writers.
Ah but Terry, won’t you feel better … validated even … once you get that badge. At least until you starting pining for that next badge, the one that’s filled in … that’s the one! Reminds me of the John Prine song, “Your flag decal won’t get you into heaven anymore.”
Love the humor Terry 😄 I sometimes feel that you don't intend to be funny. On first impression, you come across as a proud pessimist with deep seeded optimistic tendencies ...Right! Shrink spectacles aside, I love articles that include movie ref, quotes and ratings, as I do, because I am a proud optimist with deep seeded pessimistic tendencies. This had been a long time coming but glad I am here! Oh yes, thanks for the Edit comparison, and it's nice to know we are not so bad on our own.
Agree! In tech this would fall into the bucket of a whiteboard brainstorm session idea that shouldn't have made it to a release without thorough user and use case testing for the pitfalls.
We write because we love the creative process, have something of value to say, AND are willing to put in the hours to hone our craft. The inanity of numbers and badges have no significance. You are writers. Ignore the games and just write. Writing is not a popularity contest. Sharon at 🍁Leaves
Agree, the feature will become a bug for many who will resent being part of the same things which they sought an escape from.
It eats into goodwill and imposes degrading games and signaling for one narrow vision of growth, which ignores that everybody's got a personal long-tail long game they should cultivate. Unique ideas and interests could be eclipsed by a monolithic vision of what writing success will mean on this site if they push this.
Thank you for writing this. Your thoughts about writers gaming this feature did not even occur to me, but it is certainly possible (and infuriating). Sigh.
I totally agree, Terry! Ugh. This is the first I'm hearing about the badge thing. It just sounds gross and totally inauthentic. Thanks for writing about it.
Love it, thanks!
https://youtu.be/8SjwO17gsqU
Agree. Looks like we are about to get snowed under by SubStack.
https://open.substack.com/pub/on/p/bulletin-writers-welcome-to-substack?r=boqs0&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web
Unfortunately those of us who are independent minded are likely to be subsumed under the weight of those who stick to the party line. They had a chance to become the new NY Times but they choose to become the NY Times, lol.
Besides visibiltiy issues, I am concerned that this new direction will attract people looking for a quick buck and Substack will end up like Medium, flooded with articles like "How I got the purple badge in X months!" 🤢
I completely agree. This sort of lords and peasants setup always ends in tears. Another way for introvert writers to be even more shy and unseen.
Completely agree. Badges aren't necessary for all the good points you and other commenters have made.
Agreed. I made a face when I read that update.
Hear! Hear!
Agreed.
When I read about the badges my heart sunk a little as I'm new to publishing my work, and consequently unknown. Plus, I don't write about hype topics, so difficult to gain significant traction.
Badges will help those already doing well, but I can't see how they help the vast majority of us. The idea plays off of group mentality, which at times can be positive, but often spirals into negative consequences. I don't even think YouTube should have likes and dislikes!
Agreed. In all honesty this particular feature seemed odd given Substack’s track record of well thought out additions. Reinstating a hierarchy based on popularity is a quick way to lose aspiring writers.
So much for humility. And undoubtedly, people will flock to newsletters with thousands of subscribers.