I have a serious hesitance in creating a space on sub-stack for the examination and exploration of ideas. I have dabbled multiple times over the years via blogs, facebook, instagram, and even LinkedIn. I have tired of each, in their own way, but through an evolutionary cynicism. However, inspired by the musings of Mr. Andy Beach and his gentle nudges, I have once again summoned enough optimism to try again. Perhaps, like the 4th industrial revolution they say we are living through, it won’t all fall apart in the end.
Why this sudden resurgence of optimism? Simple really, I am an optimist. No, really. The reason I ended up creating and driving much of the change I have over my career has been out of a naive sense of techno-optimism that things really would work out in the end. Although the warnings about the confluence of technology and humanity existed through writings by Orwell, Huxley, McLuhan, they didn’t prove sharp enough to pierce the shiny veil that the opening of possibilities presented via technology.
For years I posted thoughtful pieces, cusses & discussions if you will, trying to prompt critical thinking or just awareness on developments in domains where I had practical knowledge. Initially LinkedIn worked, somewhat. I would see fits and spurts of engagement. Content visibility became non-existent as users consumption behavior morphed from the personal computer to mobile. With mobile, a holy grail of personalization was finally realizable. Without dopamine fueled content the algorithmic systems that drive content presentation relegated my content visibility to only the most dedicated follower or randomness. Meanwhile, the platform itself began hovering up content for their own purposes.
No more do I desire to stand up the IT infrastructure, software, and interfaces necessary to platform myself. Throughout my career I have encouraged strategic discussions regarding build versus buy for these capabilities. I have been paying attention, listening, and learning, and Sub-stack seems to be the place, for now, that removes the burden while providing the benefits one would expect from a narrative platform.
Cuss ‘n discuss is one of my favorite colloquialisms which colorfully, but concisely, captures and demonstrates how differently our minds process the world around us. There is the reflexive, often emotional part, that reacts to what we hear, see, or read. The discuss part, representing our more reasoned self is not always as responsive and sometimes needs a good nudge. So, as a good friend of mine is fond of saying, I’m stepping up for another at bat to cuss & discuss. I hope you’ll join me.
Batter up!