We are all carefully calibrated to a degree. The goal is to recognize if it's by our own design or someone else's. When I was younger I preferred to "brand" myself based upon the influence of others, but now I question everything. But who am I without their influence? 🤔
I tried to do the author brand building thing, but I was terrible at it so I gave up. Being my awkward weirdo self might not sell as many books, but it makes me a lot more relaxed and happier overall.
Interesting thoughts. I guess the key is to hustle to carve out your own niche that will hopefully be respected by at least or few people. Or maybe start a cult.
All my creative life I have been tempted to write in accordance with the latest fashion. I like to think that I’ve been able to resist this temptation thus far and stick my guns. But, this has been amplified since coming to Substack.
Another thing that’s also been bothering me is engaging with people around here—am I being sincere? Or am I trying to push my own brand? Being a writer has always been about promoting yourself and your work one way or another. We have figures like Cormac McCarthy, but I don’t want to make my family eat canned beans for decades. I try to avoid interacting like I am selling, but the question lingers in the back of my mind.
Maybe, we can’t escape capitalism, like Mark Fisher would put it. But maybe we can try to stay human.
The older I get, the more I like beans. I am also referring to actual beans.
It’s a pleasure to engage with your thought pieces, Andy, they usually come at the right time for me. Nice to know that other creators are going through the same struggle.
I think it feels more like beat Sabre except the trends are real world basketball size ninja stars and your light sabre is a giant flaccid flump. Personal brand is just a corporate bullshit way of saying "Know thy self" nothing more... people have been paid millions of pounds simply promoting the idea that if everyone spent more time on themselves the company/government/world lizard overseers (delete as appropriate) would suddenly see us as individuals and not treat us like the ingredients for the grease that oils their lifestyles. If we could somehow convince everyone to not buy any clothes/ electronics/ or cars for 1 month unless all governments in the world agreed to shut-the fuck-up and let us be happy...then I really think we might all be very happy individuals at last.
Maybe brand, like voice, should be more about discovery than conformity.
Love that.
We are all carefully calibrated to a degree. The goal is to recognize if it's by our own design or someone else's. When I was younger I preferred to "brand" myself based upon the influence of others, but now I question everything. But who am I without their influence? 🤔
Interesting thoughts 🤔
Loving these peeks into your brain.
I tried to do the author brand building thing, but I was terrible at it so I gave up. Being my awkward weirdo self might not sell as many books, but it makes me a lot more relaxed and happier overall.
🙏
Bingo.
Interesting thoughts. I guess the key is to hustle to carve out your own niche that will hopefully be respected by at least or few people. Or maybe start a cult.
It always comes back to starting a cult.
All my creative life I have been tempted to write in accordance with the latest fashion. I like to think that I’ve been able to resist this temptation thus far and stick my guns. But, this has been amplified since coming to Substack.
Another thing that’s also been bothering me is engaging with people around here—am I being sincere? Or am I trying to push my own brand? Being a writer has always been about promoting yourself and your work one way or another. We have figures like Cormac McCarthy, but I don’t want to make my family eat canned beans for decades. I try to avoid interacting like I am selling, but the question lingers in the back of my mind.
Maybe, we can’t escape capitalism, like Mark Fisher would put it. But maybe we can try to stay human.
🙏
Thank you for reading and sharing your thoughts.
The public engagement is a real struggle and what provokes these chunks of ideation.
I guess writing really comes down to how much you like beans or not.
The older I get, the more I like beans. I am also referring to actual beans.
It’s a pleasure to engage with your thought pieces, Andy, they usually come at the right time for me. Nice to know that other creators are going through the same struggle.
I think it feels more like beat Sabre except the trends are real world basketball size ninja stars and your light sabre is a giant flaccid flump. Personal brand is just a corporate bullshit way of saying "Know thy self" nothing more... people have been paid millions of pounds simply promoting the idea that if everyone spent more time on themselves the company/government/world lizard overseers (delete as appropriate) would suddenly see us as individuals and not treat us like the ingredients for the grease that oils their lifestyles. If we could somehow convince everyone to not buy any clothes/ electronics/ or cars for 1 month unless all governments in the world agreed to shut-the fuck-up and let us be happy...then I really think we might all be very happy individuals at last.
For real.
I have some thoughts on this but I’m sick and my brain isn’t working great. Great piece, Andy!
🙏
Thank you.
I wish you a speedy convalescence.
I am now a 100% convinced you write these under a bodhi tree
Love these, by the way. I need to let it sit a bit in my head, see where it goes.
🤣
More like hunched over a laptop on the floor with a cat pawing at my eyes.
🙏
I hope there are useful ideas here. I'm trying to think in public to challenge myself.
Plenty, I love this.
"How am I not myself" - I Heart Huckabees
Be yourself. Always be yourself.