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.
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! 🙌
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.