Seth, your piece is a refreshing reminder of the magic that only human creativity can bring. I appreciate how you emphasise the importance of creating rich, personal experiences in our work. Do you have any additional tips or practices for artists and creators to consistently tap into that unique spark and ensure their work remains authentically human?
The late night talk show analogy really resonated for me. It's about our atmospheric charge, and how we get people to lean in, towards us/the thing we're making.
When I was acting, some of the BEST advice I ever got was from a choreographer who told me, "Courtney, you're working too hard. Let the audience come to you." I leaned back, and the scene started working. I think it's a similar thing to Paul Rudd showing that clip. He didn't have to push, in fact, he let the line go a little bit slack. And then we, the audience, pick it up and actually WANT to be reeled in.
Great piece, and can't wait to read the awareness post next!
...when i coach new creatives and they ask me what should they do i tend to eventually try to work with them to determine what can they do, what do they want to do, and what specifically might they be uniquely capable of doing from a perspective that no one else has...within those three doors nearly always lies and endless stream of creative possibility...if you do something once you can do it again but if you have someone or something do it for you then you might never do it...writing with a.i. is not writing it is prompting...making music with a.i. isn’t making music it is prompting...prompting is ok, but we just beed to remember that we can prompt ourselves just as easily as the robot fax machines...
Hahahaha I love this Paul Rudd stunt. I recently made my kids watch Mac&Me. It was not well received but it made me nostalgic. What a weird movie. I love this sentiment you share. It’s easy to get caught up in how others are doing this Substack thing but if I I do it like them, I definitely will lose my magic. Caroline chambers has an insane following and newsletter. She started with something small and look at her now!
I joined Substack almost two years ago, quietly publishing an alternative version of my email newsletter.
In the last year, I moved my mailing list over from Mailchump. Then I moved my podcast. And I got rid of my web site. The URL just redirects to my Substack.
A few weeks ago, I completely abandoned IG and FB groups - knowing for too long that real engagement was at a nadir there. Everything fake. Everything held for ransom.
I qui using Spotify because they stopped paying royalties for tracks that get fewer than 1000 streams a year, and their other shenanigans.
Later this year, I'm getting rid of Streamyard - a product I actually like. I can't live stream video to Facebook because of new thresholds. Can't live stream video to Twitter anymore because the billionaire needs $3 a month for a Premium account that still shows ads.
Gee whiz this comment sure went on! Struck a nerve...
What will differentiate us as artists from AI is personality. We gain a following or readership by revealing bits of ourselves that attract others. AI has no “self” to reveal; it is soulless by definition.
From quill and ink, through nibs, carrier pigeons, horses riders, the mail service and email, the medium was only a tool. Then came social media and the medium became the message. Can we go back?
The title of this piece alone is gold! Grateful for the alternative perspective you're providing Seth!
Seth, your piece is a refreshing reminder of the magic that only human creativity can bring. I appreciate how you emphasise the importance of creating rich, personal experiences in our work. Do you have any additional tips or practices for artists and creators to consistently tap into that unique spark and ensure their work remains authentically human?
Thanks, Martin! Here are three from the archive that might resonate:
https://socialmediaescapeclub.substack.com/p/spend-time-on-good-things-and-good
This one has a full replay of ‘Social Media Support for Artists’ that I did with Beth Spencer:
https://socialmediaescapeclub.substack.com/p/three-ways-to-start-your-next-newsletter
"consider the creative energy that could be exchanged right within your own network - and slightly beyond."
https://socialmediaescapeclub.substack.com/p/always-seek-the-energy-of-creative
Thanks so much Seth - I will be nerding out on these!
Thank you so much for including me in this post!!
The late night talk show analogy really resonated for me. It's about our atmospheric charge, and how we get people to lean in, towards us/the thing we're making.
When I was acting, some of the BEST advice I ever got was from a choreographer who told me, "Courtney, you're working too hard. Let the audience come to you." I leaned back, and the scene started working. I think it's a similar thing to Paul Rudd showing that clip. He didn't have to push, in fact, he let the line go a little bit slack. And then we, the audience, pick it up and actually WANT to be reeled in.
Great piece, and can't wait to read the awareness post next!
LET THE AUDIENCE COME TO YOU. I love that so much.
...when i coach new creatives and they ask me what should they do i tend to eventually try to work with them to determine what can they do, what do they want to do, and what specifically might they be uniquely capable of doing from a perspective that no one else has...within those three doors nearly always lies and endless stream of creative possibility...if you do something once you can do it again but if you have someone or something do it for you then you might never do it...writing with a.i. is not writing it is prompting...making music with a.i. isn’t making music it is prompting...prompting is ok, but we just beed to remember that we can prompt ourselves just as easily as the robot fax machines...
Bravo on this subject line and teaser! Your strong writing voice always inspires me.
Oh shucks, thank you!
Hahahaha I love this Paul Rudd stunt. I recently made my kids watch Mac&Me. It was not well received but it made me nostalgic. What a weird movie. I love this sentiment you share. It’s easy to get caught up in how others are doing this Substack thing but if I I do it like them, I definitely will lose my magic. Caroline chambers has an insane following and newsletter. She started with something small and look at her now!
Exactly - we all start somewhere!
I joined Substack almost two years ago, quietly publishing an alternative version of my email newsletter.
In the last year, I moved my mailing list over from Mailchump. Then I moved my podcast. And I got rid of my web site. The URL just redirects to my Substack.
A few weeks ago, I completely abandoned IG and FB groups - knowing for too long that real engagement was at a nadir there. Everything fake. Everything held for ransom.
I qui using Spotify because they stopped paying royalties for tracks that get fewer than 1000 streams a year, and their other shenanigans.
Later this year, I'm getting rid of Streamyard - a product I actually like. I can't live stream video to Facebook because of new thresholds. Can't live stream video to Twitter anymore because the billionaire needs $3 a month for a Premium account that still shows ads.
Gee whiz this comment sure went on! Struck a nerve...
What will differentiate us as artists from AI is personality. We gain a following or readership by revealing bits of ourselves that attract others. AI has no “self” to reveal; it is soulless by definition.
Oh that Paul Rudd bit is fantastic. Thank you for bringing that to my attention!
RIGHT? He goes on a late night TV show, which has HUGE promotional value, and... here's a funny clip from the thing I'm not promoting! haha
From quill and ink, through nibs, carrier pigeons, horses riders, the mail service and email, the medium was only a tool. Then came social media and the medium became the message. Can we go back?
We can do anything we want!