I really enjoyed this essay (and your newsletter in general) -- and this is from someone who focuses on longer-form work that doesn’t translate well to TikTok. I admit I’ve watched the growth of digital-first storytelling with admiration and hesitation.
You’re correct that short-form content can be unfairly criticized by folks who forget they were also rode the wave of some previous version of “new media” -- maybe digital publications, podcasting, or social media. There’s no doubt that the energy and skills needed to make something worthwhile in 30 or 60 seconds are significant.
All that said, I also want to put in a word for the kind of ideas that just can’t be compressed into a short clip -- like your essay itself. I still think there’s a place and a real need for writing that takes its time, that makes space for contradiction, history, subtlety, and slow-burn persuasion.
I’m not worried that short-form content is thriving. But I do worry about the algorithms secretly nudging everyone toward shorter and shinier output.
Eric, I just saw your comment today—thank you! I appreciate your take and agree with much of what you said. I’m a lover of all types of content and mediums, and I wholeheartedly believe there’s space for both long-form and short-form work.
One of the things I love most about digital spaces is how they constantly evolve to meet the needs of people who are tired of the status quo (RIP, MySpace). Substack is still new territory for me, and I completely missed the wave of blogging—I mostly missed the rise of TikTok too, since I didn’t start posting until 2023. But I’m excited to see what new formats and platforms creative minds dream up next to help us share whatever it is we’re all collectively craving.
I really enjoyed this essay (and your newsletter in general) -- and this is from someone who focuses on longer-form work that doesn’t translate well to TikTok. I admit I’ve watched the growth of digital-first storytelling with admiration and hesitation.
You’re correct that short-form content can be unfairly criticized by folks who forget they were also rode the wave of some previous version of “new media” -- maybe digital publications, podcasting, or social media. There’s no doubt that the energy and skills needed to make something worthwhile in 30 or 60 seconds are significant.
All that said, I also want to put in a word for the kind of ideas that just can’t be compressed into a short clip -- like your essay itself. I still think there’s a place and a real need for writing that takes its time, that makes space for contradiction, history, subtlety, and slow-burn persuasion.
I’m not worried that short-form content is thriving. But I do worry about the algorithms secretly nudging everyone toward shorter and shinier output.
Eric, I just saw your comment today—thank you! I appreciate your take and agree with much of what you said. I’m a lover of all types of content and mediums, and I wholeheartedly believe there’s space for both long-form and short-form work.
One of the things I love most about digital spaces is how they constantly evolve to meet the needs of people who are tired of the status quo (RIP, MySpace). Substack is still new territory for me, and I completely missed the wave of blogging—I mostly missed the rise of TikTok too, since I didn’t start posting until 2023. But I’m excited to see what new formats and platforms creative minds dream up next to help us share whatever it is we’re all collectively craving.
I’m with you. Was myself about to write In Defence of the Instagramati. (But the pub won.)
Enough of the intellectual snobbery!
Here here!
PREACH! 🙌