I think this is SUCH an important topic to discuss. There's something cathartic about being vulnerable on Substack, but I think at least for me, I can only be truly vulnerable online about experiences once I have some distance from them bc whether they go viral or are completely ignored, I'm better able to deal with it when I've already largely dealt with the trauma I'm writing about. It maybe makes my writing a little more neat, a little less raw, but I've found that it works for me :) Great newsletter this week, Amanda!!
CAROLINE!! 🥹✨ i agree with you completely, all of my traumatic experiences that are shared online are things that i already feel like i’m ahead of when it comes to the healing process.. i think everyone should think carefully before sharing their experiences online because of this vulnerability problem we’re facing. Not because people might doubt your intentions, but because some people ARE going to, no matter what you feel towards your own trauma! they’ll question the validity of it and say hurtful things and that only adds to the trauma, making it way worse, so i agree completely!
Thank you for writing this and ariculating it so perfectly. The skepticism is sooooo real and I must admit that I have noticed feeling more skeptical myself about pretty much everything and everyone. I really like the part of myself that gives everyone the benefit of the doubt, but yeah, like you said, as more and more people take advantage of people's kindness or willingness to either like, comment, share, boost, or even donate!, to fake stories of trauma, etc..it's like..okay, how do I sift through all of this now? People get exposed, the shock sets in, wears off and we keep scrolling. It feels weird. Cancel culture, telling the wrong joke, not being aware ENOUGH, or doing too much of the same, or no longer feeling safe to share because it seems like it's not a 'BIG ENOUGH' problem to speak out on...omg I could go on. Anyway, thanks girl.
why am I only seeing this now?! this compliments my piece so well and I honestly think you put it better than I ever could, you should write your own perspective on this, I’d LOVE to read it omg!!!!! You just said all my thoughts exactly in such a poetic way! Loved it! Thank you so much for your comment!!!!!
somehow it took me 5ever to fully read this but i think everything about this is so true! vibes are weird on here gf and and i’m constantly asking how and why. so honored to be labeled as AWOTY 🩷🫂🌟
OMGGG!!!!! STOP I THOUGHT YOU WEREN’T GOING TO SEE THISSSS CRYING 😭🩷 i agree, vibes are SO weird lmao i had to talk about it and you’re AWOTC (Amanda’s writer of the century)
"everyone’s always saying the same things because some people are starting to understand the vulnerability = likes formula" yup. enjoyed this so heavily amanda!!
Wonderful Amanda. I loved it. You got it on every point. It's hard. You want to us see your knowledge and experience and it can be whatever the reader feels from their own. As long as we all understand and acknowledge we all have different thing in our lives some good some bad we can like it or not. It can be complicated. We just have to accept each other as we are. I loved it. You do good for me. Whether you think you are some days or don't on others, you're always good to me Ananda.🫶🥹🥹🥹🥹🥹🥹☕☕☕📖🥹🥹
This is, probably, one of the best pieces on vulnerability grifting I've read.
In gaming we have a term called meta - the most optimal way to play in order to win. For some time now, in content creation, the meta has been shifting. More and more people prefer: longer posts/videos, less editing, more depth, and... more authenticity (which implies vulnerability).
Of course, this shift has attracted the grifters who try to squeeze out as much engagement as possible by appearing authentic. Although you might not agree with me, this is somewhat normal and expected.
No matter how we wish to label it, us artists, by the very fact that we exist on the Internet, and in particular - on social media, we are subjects to some sort of meta; some sort of MO that works in this context. We are, at the end of the day, making content (yes, make content - not art, I know, and I believe in this but ...).
I think that sharing content online builds up an inevitable persona. When you're authentic for the stuff that matter, that persona becomes vague and people see you for who you are. When you're overly authentic, however, and you just share everything - I'm sorry. I'm online to educate myself or have fun, not to visit a psych ward. It really gets on the nose.
Wonderful, wonderful post, Amanda. Lots to think about!
P.S. Yes, some might say that it's stupid to moderate our beings in order to appease "an algorithm" but think about it - you won't stand more than 2 hrs on a coffee date with somebody who shares literally everything about their life and is in a constant state of panic and woe.
I think this is SUCH an important topic to discuss. There's something cathartic about being vulnerable on Substack, but I think at least for me, I can only be truly vulnerable online about experiences once I have some distance from them bc whether they go viral or are completely ignored, I'm better able to deal with it when I've already largely dealt with the trauma I'm writing about. It maybe makes my writing a little more neat, a little less raw, but I've found that it works for me :) Great newsletter this week, Amanda!!
CAROLINE!! 🥹✨ i agree with you completely, all of my traumatic experiences that are shared online are things that i already feel like i’m ahead of when it comes to the healing process.. i think everyone should think carefully before sharing their experiences online because of this vulnerability problem we’re facing. Not because people might doubt your intentions, but because some people ARE going to, no matter what you feel towards your own trauma! they’ll question the validity of it and say hurtful things and that only adds to the trauma, making it way worse, so i agree completely!
Thank you for writing this and ariculating it so perfectly. The skepticism is sooooo real and I must admit that I have noticed feeling more skeptical myself about pretty much everything and everyone. I really like the part of myself that gives everyone the benefit of the doubt, but yeah, like you said, as more and more people take advantage of people's kindness or willingness to either like, comment, share, boost, or even donate!, to fake stories of trauma, etc..it's like..okay, how do I sift through all of this now? People get exposed, the shock sets in, wears off and we keep scrolling. It feels weird. Cancel culture, telling the wrong joke, not being aware ENOUGH, or doing too much of the same, or no longer feeling safe to share because it seems like it's not a 'BIG ENOUGH' problem to speak out on...omg I could go on. Anyway, thanks girl.
oh my GOD!!! kathleen!!
why am I only seeing this now?! this compliments my piece so well and I honestly think you put it better than I ever could, you should write your own perspective on this, I’d LOVE to read it omg!!!!! You just said all my thoughts exactly in such a poetic way! Loved it! Thank you so much for your comment!!!!!
somehow it took me 5ever to fully read this but i think everything about this is so true! vibes are weird on here gf and and i’m constantly asking how and why. so honored to be labeled as AWOTY 🩷🫂🌟
OMGGG!!!!! STOP I THOUGHT YOU WEREN’T GOING TO SEE THISSSS CRYING 😭🩷 i agree, vibes are SO weird lmao i had to talk about it and you’re AWOTC (Amanda’s writer of the century)
"everyone’s always saying the same things because some people are starting to understand the vulnerability = likes formula" yup. enjoyed this so heavily amanda!!
AAAHH!!! i love you so much and i love that you loved this 🤭🤭🫶🏻🫶🏻🫶🏻 you mean the WORLD to me mwah
You are so back🤍🤍🤍🥹
AAAAHHH!!! WE’RE SOOO BACKKK!! 🤭🤭🤭
Wonderful Amanda. I loved it. You got it on every point. It's hard. You want to us see your knowledge and experience and it can be whatever the reader feels from their own. As long as we all understand and acknowledge we all have different thing in our lives some good some bad we can like it or not. It can be complicated. We just have to accept each other as we are. I loved it. You do good for me. Whether you think you are some days or don't on others, you're always good to me Ananda.🫶🥹🥹🥹🥹🥹🥹☕☕☕📖🥹🥹
THAT’S SO SWEET 🥹✨ THANK YOU FRIEND!! 🫶🏻🫶🏻🫶🏻🫶🏻
This is, probably, one of the best pieces on vulnerability grifting I've read.
In gaming we have a term called meta - the most optimal way to play in order to win. For some time now, in content creation, the meta has been shifting. More and more people prefer: longer posts/videos, less editing, more depth, and... more authenticity (which implies vulnerability).
Of course, this shift has attracted the grifters who try to squeeze out as much engagement as possible by appearing authentic. Although you might not agree with me, this is somewhat normal and expected.
No matter how we wish to label it, us artists, by the very fact that we exist on the Internet, and in particular - on social media, we are subjects to some sort of meta; some sort of MO that works in this context. We are, at the end of the day, making content (yes, make content - not art, I know, and I believe in this but ...).
I think that sharing content online builds up an inevitable persona. When you're authentic for the stuff that matter, that persona becomes vague and people see you for who you are. When you're overly authentic, however, and you just share everything - I'm sorry. I'm online to educate myself or have fun, not to visit a psych ward. It really gets on the nose.
Wonderful, wonderful post, Amanda. Lots to think about!
P.S. Yes, some might say that it's stupid to moderate our beings in order to appease "an algorithm" but think about it - you won't stand more than 2 hrs on a coffee date with somebody who shares literally everything about their life and is in a constant state of panic and woe.