Daniel Paleka’s exhortation to write more in public has been living rent-free in my head.
Regular back-and-forths that take place in public — e.g. with Xavi on X, Celeste on here, others on Discord — are quite wonderful.
Anyone can join the conversation! This has always been a blessing and never a nuisance. ‘Self-selection’ is enough of a filter.
I minimize private correspondence. If something is interesting, I point it out on Discord / Substack / X / Curius. Of course, I still message people privately to coordinate meeting and ascertain how best we can keep up with each other. But over time, I find it is too difficult and taxing to keep up with people not on Discord / Substack / X / Curius, unless we live together.
I am sad that some friends live offline. It means they disappear between rare IRL events. For continuity, a newsletter/blog is essential. Before the internet, were we really living, or moving from place to place like the person who dies every time they sleep and wakes up reborn? The internet offered amortality; a minority said yes. I’m glad you are here with me.
one (unclear if real) downside i'm struggling with is that i've done this enough times that i've already written about most of what i talk to people about. suffering from success LMAO
i consider switching from safari everyday just so i can use curius