Hi Josh - just want to say how startling I found this essay - it focused a number of things for me, in particular, the difference between contact and networking. Plus, the reference to Samuel R. Delany, whose Dhalgren I read many years ago, and loved, but whom I haven't read since - that was a delight. I've followed you on Twitter for some months - and now I'm glad you've got a substack going. I suppose we can consider that one of the good things coming out of the Twitter crash.
I think Mastodon does offer this randomness and meeting new people. What I can’t get from Mastodon is the algorithm that knows who I want to see before others. Which is why I think Substack or similar from folks with large followings is so important. I’ve noticed in the past 10 days that my time on social media has gone down significantly. I obtained much of my political education from whom I met on Twitter over the past 10 years. And I hope others can find similar somehow if Twitter goes down. A positive of Mastodon (besides no ads or other crap) is that people are engaging more than I ever experienced on Twitter, as someone with no following. So it feels more like a community.
Hi Josh - just want to say how startling I found this essay - it focused a number of things for me, in particular, the difference between contact and networking. Plus, the reference to Samuel R. Delany, whose Dhalgren I read many years ago, and loved, but whom I haven't read since - that was a delight. I've followed you on Twitter for some months - and now I'm glad you've got a substack going. I suppose we can consider that one of the good things coming out of the Twitter crash.
Wow thank you. So glad this helped focus contact vs. networking for you!
Connecting that classic Graeber article with Delaney sparked some stuff in my brain. THANKS!
Ah i love to hear that!!
I think Mastodon does offer this randomness and meeting new people. What I can’t get from Mastodon is the algorithm that knows who I want to see before others. Which is why I think Substack or similar from folks with large followings is so important. I’ve noticed in the past 10 days that my time on social media has gone down significantly. I obtained much of my political education from whom I met on Twitter over the past 10 years. And I hope others can find similar somehow if Twitter goes down. A positive of Mastodon (besides no ads or other crap) is that people are engaging more than I ever experienced on Twitter, as someone with no following. So it feels more like a community.