Thanks for all the feedback. I posted and then had a busy weekend with the family and forgot about this until I saw a bunch of new tuhat sign ups this morning. Someone said it was an ad for tuhat. Sure, but not for a commercial product, but for a different way of organizing ourselves. For not relying entirely on a handful of VC backed companies that represent a single world view. I run a bunch of services, all aimed at helping small businesses in South Africa, its a small sustainable lifestyle business that is entirely bootstrapped. tuhat on the other hand is just scratching my own itch for a pleasant place to read and write. If other people benefit, I’m delighted, both for them and for the example each user represents. That an alternative is possible to big tech dominating all of our lives.
I get it. I quickly realised that this a social media platform like any other, but with less crap and lots of short form writing that I really enjoy. It's interesting that your post appeared in my feed. Looking back, I don't recognise your previous posts. As a reader, with no aspirations to write, I'll stick with this. All the luck in the world to you.
I am still figuring out what I like about Substack, but I think one thing I like is the variety here. There is short form stuff, long form stuff; images, artwork; videos; even music and podcasts.
Same here. I never followed Sascha and never put a like to his works as well his photography is really not my kind. So how it became such a popular thing?
You know those AI detectors are utter bollocks? I can copy and paste writing in with various percentages. I tested it and put in a book I wrote by myself without any AI because it didn’t exist in my world then. I had a copy editor and my husband proofreading. It detects AI. Now Don, if you can explain that to me? Also ofc this is an ad for his own product, he wrote that it was an add for a world he’d like to create
I had never heard of him and his style does have AI elements, I agree. I am an AI detector too. What I liked (which is why I restacked and subscribed just now) was the idea of every article having to have 1000 words. We can follow that rule here if we want.
Actually Not everyone has 1000 words for each post. And most of these who wtite here these long posts about finally nothing sure add some water to the texts with the goal to reach these 1000 (or whatever) words linit. Its all about the empty CONTENT which is the big problem on every platform these days - texts about nothing, long videos with zero information and endless bad photography taken with phones. And AI perfectly helps for this prosess. Just point of view.
It’s only social media if you make it social media. I write for less than 200 avid readers and have no subscription for money. I don’t pay attention to algorithms or catch phrases or anything that begs for likes. Knowing that 160-175 people read every week is enough for me. However I get that people want more than that and they can.
This really struck a chord with me. Just yesterday I was thinking how writing on Substack is as much preparing and promoting content as it is producing work. I want to write. Not perform, not parse, not distill. Substack feels at the surface like it has better intentions but it is social media not a library. I am glad your post came across my feed and I look forward to learning more about Tuhat and your writing.
On a separate note heading to Cape Town next month for the first time! Can’t wait.
That’s really well written. Your reasoning is spot on. I too joined Substack because of long-form articles and the occasional audio-only podcasts. I love seeing photos too, since Instagram has killed the photo star a long time ago. Then notes and videos just came to violate my experience. It felt forced to write one-liners just because everyone does them. I’ve never learnt anything of value by reading 173 characters. Then, there are fundamental bugs on the platform that could end someone - I’ve have my DMs set to OFF and people still absolutely can and do message me just to meet with silence. No it wouldn’t end me but it may end someone in need given the nature of what I write about. I’m sorry that you are leaving, the photos of your family are precious and I would have wanted to observe life in Cape Town through these lens. I’ve been here for 2 weeks only. I don’t want to have one day to write the goodbye note. Wishing you best of luck.
100% agree - I’ve only been reading Substack for a bit but when Notes appeared it became clear the direction they are taking and it’s not a good one. Someone said Substack is what you make of it but that is not true. My feed is bombarded by a 1000 Notes of people having a glass of wine with a sunset in the background… just like any mainstream social media platform…. So how do I randomly “find” new articles / writers? You sort through all the crap… just like Facebook, Instagram, TikTok …. Substack just hasn’t gotten to peak enshitification yet… but it is headed directly there. Gross and not why I am here.
This had made the decision to not publish here easy. As someone else mentioned, I’ll spin up a blog like and cross post for some views for a bit…. Or maybe not
What algorithm? I just write what I want to write. I also rarely ever look at my subscriber count. I have no idea how many I have right now. So, I think there is flexibility with Substack. I’m not a techhead so I just write when and how it suits me and no rules as to word count .
I understand that, but the algorithm has direct impact on your growth and reach. I post and I leave, but that is not how you grow. If I wanted to grow on this platform, I'd have to act differently. No interest or time. It’s a billboard for me.
I understand. This seek for more quiet place. I tried ia few times, but later I learned I miss to have a feedback. I learned, that my place was so quiet that nobody was coming. How will you make people come to your site? Here I can give you feedback, but on your site I would not be abl to. I know it is on purpose. I did similat thing, but just on Wordpress blog, and after short time I stopped creating.
Substack is an imperfect platform. Yes, it has social media like defects. But for in depth content, Substack is better than any social media platform.
I post book reviews here to help me better remember the book. I appreciate any engagement with my posts. But this is the open Internet. No one is ever under any obligation to engage with what anyone posts here.
Hello! I’ve never read on of your words or seen any of your photographs but I popped along to your corner and I was immediately interested because rhe RSS feed is exactly like the original format of Substack. I’m sad because I joined here at the very beginning, always looking for what Substack was to what Substack is. When I kept pausing and returning I’d realised I couldn’t keep up. The simple website wasn’t anymore. Then there was an app. Then there was notes. And then there was a clear social feed with less distraction. And the core of it wasn’t anymore. So I’ve joined your Tuhat because nothing has spoken to me as much as this space since Substack back in the day. I’ve read your words and seen your photography. You have young girls like me. The world needs small spaces like these which we intentionally choose.
I joined substack two weeks ago. First couple of sessions on the app were like "ahhh...old Twitter." By the third ... no just Facebook with more words. I hate notes. The point was long form I have to scroll five times to get the next long article. So dumb. I wish you well with tuhat.
Substack is everything you've said but also nothing like what you've said. Any platform becomes what you use it for. We have the choice to buy into the social network of it or not. Just like standalone blogs...we can either use them or not.
Reasons are general. This is reality. You can not run away from that maybe livin in a mountain alone w.o. Internet is an alternative solution. Substack is good platform.
Thanks for all the feedback. I posted and then had a busy weekend with the family and forgot about this until I saw a bunch of new tuhat sign ups this morning. Someone said it was an ad for tuhat. Sure, but not for a commercial product, but for a different way of organizing ourselves. For not relying entirely on a handful of VC backed companies that represent a single world view. I run a bunch of services, all aimed at helping small businesses in South Africa, its a small sustainable lifestyle business that is entirely bootstrapped. tuhat on the other hand is just scratching my own itch for a pleasant place to read and write. If other people benefit, I’m delighted, both for them and for the example each user represents. That an alternative is possible to big tech dominating all of our lives.
I get it. I quickly realised that this a social media platform like any other, but with less crap and lots of short form writing that I really enjoy. It's interesting that your post appeared in my feed. Looking back, I don't recognise your previous posts. As a reader, with no aspirations to write, I'll stick with this. All the luck in the world to you.
I am still figuring out what I like about Substack, but I think one thing I like is the variety here. There is short form stuff, long form stuff; images, artwork; videos; even music and podcasts.
You sound a lot like me. I’m a reader here and boy have I learned a lot.
I agree. Handshake across the ocean if you're not in the UK
Same here. I never followed Sascha and never put a like to his works as well his photography is really not my kind. So how it became such a popular thing?
It's a mystery and will probably remain so
;-)))))
OK.
Who cares.
This is an ad for Tuhat.
Written by - checks three AI detectors - AI.
So take your Chat-written ad and go already,
Bye.
See ya.
You know those AI detectors are utter bollocks? I can copy and paste writing in with various percentages. I tested it and put in a book I wrote by myself without any AI because it didn’t exist in my world then. I had a copy editor and my husband proofreading. It detects AI. Now Don, if you can explain that to me? Also ofc this is an ad for his own product, he wrote that it was an add for a world he’d like to create
AI detectors are complete bullshit for sure, but also this was definitely written by AI
Lol I also cringed at the first sign of AI. If 1000+ words of AI works better at Tuhat, then he's making the right move.
Your last posts are AI recommendations for 'creatives'
Yes, not "cut and paste" AI for creatives.
Tools not creators.
I had never heard of him and his style does have AI elements, I agree. I am an AI detector too. What I liked (which is why I restacked and subscribed just now) was the idea of every article having to have 1000 words. We can follow that rule here if we want.
Actually Not everyone has 1000 words for each post. And most of these who wtite here these long posts about finally nothing sure add some water to the texts with the goal to reach these 1000 (or whatever) words linit. Its all about the empty CONTENT which is the big problem on every platform these days - texts about nothing, long videos with zero information and endless bad photography taken with phones. And AI perfectly helps for this prosess. Just point of view.
It’s only social media if you make it social media. I write for less than 200 avid readers and have no subscription for money. I don’t pay attention to algorithms or catch phrases or anything that begs for likes. Knowing that 160-175 people read every week is enough for me. However I get that people want more than that and they can.
Your remark is spot on. Substack is what you make of it.
Similar to mine, which is fine, but I would certainly like to grow on here.
Me too!
I have been self hosting a blog for 20 years. I copy the posts to Substack and get more readers. But I still have the blog
Do you wait a certain amount of time before reposting here? Do you think it has hurt your rankings? Thank you!
best of both words.
Maybe the answer isn’t in creating another platform at all. Maybe it’s in creating a real life, in the flesh, artists’ community, like of old.
This really struck a chord with me. Just yesterday I was thinking how writing on Substack is as much preparing and promoting content as it is producing work. I want to write. Not perform, not parse, not distill. Substack feels at the surface like it has better intentions but it is social media not a library. I am glad your post came across my feed and I look forward to learning more about Tuhat and your writing.
On a separate note heading to Cape Town next month for the first time! Can’t wait.
You have to remember that these platforms are sales funnels and lead generators where content has to be tailored to algorithms to catch any traction.
Spot on!
right thats why all my articles are free
nobody is reading them anyways
That’s really well written. Your reasoning is spot on. I too joined Substack because of long-form articles and the occasional audio-only podcasts. I love seeing photos too, since Instagram has killed the photo star a long time ago. Then notes and videos just came to violate my experience. It felt forced to write one-liners just because everyone does them. I’ve never learnt anything of value by reading 173 characters. Then, there are fundamental bugs on the platform that could end someone - I’ve have my DMs set to OFF and people still absolutely can and do message me just to meet with silence. No it wouldn’t end me but it may end someone in need given the nature of what I write about. I’m sorry that you are leaving, the photos of your family are precious and I would have wanted to observe life in Cape Town through these lens. I’ve been here for 2 weeks only. I don’t want to have one day to write the goodbye note. Wishing you best of luck.
100% agree - I’ve only been reading Substack for a bit but when Notes appeared it became clear the direction they are taking and it’s not a good one. Someone said Substack is what you make of it but that is not true. My feed is bombarded by a 1000 Notes of people having a glass of wine with a sunset in the background… just like any mainstream social media platform…. So how do I randomly “find” new articles / writers? You sort through all the crap… just like Facebook, Instagram, TikTok …. Substack just hasn’t gotten to peak enshitification yet… but it is headed directly there. Gross and not why I am here.
This had made the decision to not publish here easy. As someone else mentioned, I’ll spin up a blog like and cross post for some views for a bit…. Or maybe not
Errr yes ‘Then notes and videos just came to violate my experience. It felt forced to write one-liners’
I agree.
I use Substack as a billboard only.
I just don't have the time to participate the way the algorithm requires.
What algorithm? I just write what I want to write. I also rarely ever look at my subscriber count. I have no idea how many I have right now. So, I think there is flexibility with Substack. I’m not a techhead so I just write when and how it suits me and no rules as to word count .
I understand that, but the algorithm has direct impact on your growth and reach. I post and I leave, but that is not how you grow. If I wanted to grow on this platform, I'd have to act differently. No interest or time. It’s a billboard for me.
I understand. This seek for more quiet place. I tried ia few times, but later I learned I miss to have a feedback. I learned, that my place was so quiet that nobody was coming. How will you make people come to your site? Here I can give you feedback, but on your site I would not be abl to. I know it is on purpose. I did similat thing, but just on Wordpress blog, and after short time I stopped creating.
Substack is an imperfect platform. Yes, it has social media like defects. But for in depth content, Substack is better than any social media platform.
I post book reviews here to help me better remember the book. I appreciate any engagement with my posts. But this is the open Internet. No one is ever under any obligation to engage with what anyone posts here.
Hello! I’ve never read on of your words or seen any of your photographs but I popped along to your corner and I was immediately interested because rhe RSS feed is exactly like the original format of Substack. I’m sad because I joined here at the very beginning, always looking for what Substack was to what Substack is. When I kept pausing and returning I’d realised I couldn’t keep up. The simple website wasn’t anymore. Then there was an app. Then there was notes. And then there was a clear social feed with less distraction. And the core of it wasn’t anymore. So I’ve joined your Tuhat because nothing has spoken to me as much as this space since Substack back in the day. I’ve read your words and seen your photography. You have young girls like me. The world needs small spaces like these which we intentionally choose.
I joined substack two weeks ago. First couple of sessions on the app were like "ahhh...old Twitter." By the third ... no just Facebook with more words. I hate notes. The point was long form I have to scroll five times to get the next long article. So dumb. I wish you well with tuhat.
Substack is everything you've said but also nothing like what you've said. Any platform becomes what you use it for. We have the choice to buy into the social network of it or not. Just like standalone blogs...we can either use them or not.
Enjoy your new journey!
Yay Kristi!
Reasons are general. This is reality. You can not run away from that maybe livin in a mountain alone w.o. Internet is an alternative solution. Substack is good platform.