I consider myself a creative thinker, but writing is awkward. Still, the chance to engage with a powerful idea (or idea set) can be so rewarding--both for clarity and transmission. As you already know, I'm a huge fan of Thomas Paine and Common Sense, so the first paragraph of this essay immediately hooked me. But the best part of this essay was the elegant and succinct "Instead of" section. In just five short statements, you flashed your brand, you sparked my curiosity, and you allowed the way you frame your thinking to influence my perspective. Now, that's cool.
And yes, I will think consciously about funding independent writers.
Keep up the great work on The Elysian! I'm glad to be a paid subscriber!!
Thank you Joe, I really appreciate that!!! You are definitely one of the thinkers using your writing for good and I’m so grateful to be thinking alongside you!!!!
That is really so kind Yannis. I cannot even tell you how much your comment made my day today. Thank you so so much! I will be back next summer, and hopefully you'll be doing much better!!!!
“If we want to build a better future, we need writers to imagine it. Who engage in intellectual inquiry and spend their leisure, not as journalists documenting the problems but as thinkers coming up with solutions”
I think one story can change the future, too. I couldn’t write if I didn’t think that. Planting seeds of possibility by painting a picture of how it might look, how it might work, my writing is more imagineering than intellectual, (but on the same trajectory)
I'm definitely onboard and have learnt so much from you already. Not just in the way you shape your essays and give practical ideas and suggested solutions to many of the world's biggest issues, but in your generous outreach, and now the travel too. Will happily renew my subscription and would contribute the occasional edit if you find it helpful. 🖤🤍
Oh! I'm so sorry! It's only because of my eccentric reading habits. I recently unsubscribed from several writers and followed them on notes instead so I could have fewer posts in my inbox but pull new writing into my inbox as I see them on notes. It's just a way for me to reduce my newsletter overwhelm.
Also, I don't think I will post the book chapters to notes. I trumpeted about it when I started, but it's too depressing and time consuming. Will just focus on writing and sending to my 78 loyal fans (or the 50-odd% who open the emails 🤣). Turned off all notifications too.
I think you should still post book chapters to notes, or at least your index so we can binge when you have new chapters! Nowadays I just keep the indexes in my inbox and catch up on fiction when I have time, rather then getting all of the chapters weekly in my inbox. And yeah, I have all notifications off too, people like to read in different ways so it doesn't make sense to monitor that way I think.
Yeah I've had to do the same. I get it. I'm not upset or anything (aside from the regular "why doesn't everyone in the whole world love my stuff??" vibe, which I try to ignore/let go), just hope to learn from it.
Hi Elle -- What you are calling for is what I am -- uniquely-- writing about: what we can do to get us from where we are to where we need to be. I was a paying subscriber and left comments that you usually responded to with something like, "Interesting, I will look into it," but that always was the end of the line, so I didn't renew as a paying subscriber.
Maybe this time take a look and see if what I'm saying contributes some value to you and your readers. This was my last post, with a new one coming tomorrow: "Let's do something already to turn the world around/How about the Beloved Community?" https://suzannetaylor.substack.com/p/lets-do-something-already-to-turn.
Hi Suzanne, I do think you are doing incredible work, and I did always take a look at your writing, I'm sorry if you didn't think our discussions about it were enough. As I mentioned in our last conversation, after reading all of the posts that you sent me, I find your work more esoteric than I'm used to. Which is not a bad thing at all, but it's why I usually read your work and I'm not sure what else I can add to the conversation. For instance, in the post you shared today, your solution is to get people to join a "beloved community." Or to get sales people to sell "life" instead. I know that your work is beneficial to many, and those are probably a helpful ideas to those who subscribe to you, but I'm much more interested in social development than self-development and that's what I focus my work on here.
Elle, this essay really hits home. Your observations on writing's role in inspiring historical movements are insightful and so spot-on. While writing often feels solitary, it's remarkable how words can both foresee and fuel change.
Your piece connects with themes I've been exploring in my own work. I'm eager to see more of your writing and continue this valuable discussion.
The effect writing has, even years into the future, cannot be understated. I'm so glad you are exploring that in your work as well, and thank you so much for being here and for supporting mine!
As Gurwinder said recently, writing is thinking. A carefully written essay or book or speech can lay out a path that we can think about and choose to follow. (But we need to see the text of the speech, to really sit with it, and think about it). Writers have always envisaged future possibilities; the problem is that society appears to have taken dystopias as the playbook! My aim is the same: to use writing to start sculpting a better world. In my case, one where we understand the importance of post-traumatic growth, and use this to steer humanity towards less destructive behaviours (since so much destructive behaviour arises out of unprocessed traumas). Though of course I am also writing a utopian novel on the side!
It could happen. But I think there’s something about having it written down that sticks. Today’s builders are still referencing essays, books, and novels, and communicating ideas through text. Think of Andreessen Horowitz’ techno-optimist manifesto or Balaji’s Network State or any book in the Silicon Valley canon. https://x.com/patrickc/status/1825618450837885036
Can you think of YouTube videos that have had the same influence?
Writers do have an amazing power to silently guide society like an undersea current.
I also write fiction but not apocalypses but of people encountering new problems and coming up with ways to solve them.
I find it harder to end stories on a good note because it's harder for people to believe it. People are quick to believe sad endings because "that's life" and quicker to shoot down happy endings because "they don't last."
Glad you're talking on the positive side in both nonfiction and fiction terms
I actually think the enduring and massive popularity of shows like Friends and Ted Lasso and Schitt’s Creek and every Hallmark Christmas movie ever are proof people crave a happy ending. You have to have a story along the way, of course, but I don’t think we’re necessarily quick to believe sad endings over happy!
Excellent! Love this! Your premise is true.
I consider myself a creative thinker, but writing is awkward. Still, the chance to engage with a powerful idea (or idea set) can be so rewarding--both for clarity and transmission. As you already know, I'm a huge fan of Thomas Paine and Common Sense, so the first paragraph of this essay immediately hooked me. But the best part of this essay was the elegant and succinct "Instead of" section. In just five short statements, you flashed your brand, you sparked my curiosity, and you allowed the way you frame your thinking to influence my perspective. Now, that's cool.
And yes, I will think consciously about funding independent writers.
Keep up the great work on The Elysian! I'm glad to be a paid subscriber!!
Thank you Joe, I really appreciate that!!! You are definitely one of the thinkers using your writing for good and I’m so grateful to be thinking alongside you!!!!
“No other medium asks that we sit quietly and pay attention. That we read and think. That we are moved to action.”
Oh the transformative power of writing 🌟
good message
Hi Elle,
I paid to support you because you are an out of the box thinker.
You stood out from what I was usually reading. I learn from you a lot.
I regret that I didn't meet you in person last summer.
I was at one of my worst moments.
I wish more people would see the world like you see it and I'm sure more people will appreciate what you are writing and support in some way.
I love the design of those prints you are publishing.
Those geometrical designs are great.
Take care
Yannis
That is really so kind Yannis. I cannot even tell you how much your comment made my day today. Thank you so so much! I will be back next summer, and hopefully you'll be doing much better!!!!
Love this!
“If we want to build a better future, we need writers to imagine it. Who engage in intellectual inquiry and spend their leisure, not as journalists documenting the problems but as thinkers coming up with solutions”
I think one story can change the future, too. I couldn’t write if I didn’t think that. Planting seeds of possibility by painting a picture of how it might look, how it might work, my writing is more imagineering than intellectual, (but on the same trajectory)
Yes!!! Imagineering is so important. And I so love that word.
I'm definitely onboard and have learnt so much from you already. Not just in the way you shape your essays and give practical ideas and suggested solutions to many of the world's biggest issues, but in your generous outreach, and now the travel too. Will happily renew my subscription and would contribute the occasional edit if you find it helpful. 🖤🤍
You are the best, thank you so much Shoni, I can't tell you how much I appreciate your support. And especially your editing support!
No worries at all. I enjoy it. Saw you unsubscribed from mine. Can you give any feedback why it didn't vibe for you at all?
Oh! I'm so sorry! It's only because of my eccentric reading habits. I recently unsubscribed from several writers and followed them on notes instead so I could have fewer posts in my inbox but pull new writing into my inbox as I see them on notes. It's just a way for me to reduce my newsletter overwhelm.
Also, I don't think I will post the book chapters to notes. I trumpeted about it when I started, but it's too depressing and time consuming. Will just focus on writing and sending to my 78 loyal fans (or the 50-odd% who open the emails 🤣). Turned off all notifications too.
I think you should still post book chapters to notes, or at least your index so we can binge when you have new chapters! Nowadays I just keep the indexes in my inbox and catch up on fiction when I have time, rather then getting all of the chapters weekly in my inbox. And yeah, I have all notifications off too, people like to read in different ways so it doesn't make sense to monitor that way I think.
That's a good idea. I'll create an index and post that every so often. Thank you!
Yeah I've had to do the same. I get it. I'm not upset or anything (aside from the regular "why doesn't everyone in the whole world love my stuff??" vibe, which I try to ignore/let go), just hope to learn from it.
Hi Elle -- What you are calling for is what I am -- uniquely-- writing about: what we can do to get us from where we are to where we need to be. I was a paying subscriber and left comments that you usually responded to with something like, "Interesting, I will look into it," but that always was the end of the line, so I didn't renew as a paying subscriber.
Maybe this time take a look and see if what I'm saying contributes some value to you and your readers. This was my last post, with a new one coming tomorrow: "Let's do something already to turn the world around/How about the Beloved Community?" https://suzannetaylor.substack.com/p/lets-do-something-already-to-turn.
Hi Suzanne, I do think you are doing incredible work, and I did always take a look at your writing, I'm sorry if you didn't think our discussions about it were enough. As I mentioned in our last conversation, after reading all of the posts that you sent me, I find your work more esoteric than I'm used to. Which is not a bad thing at all, but it's why I usually read your work and I'm not sure what else I can add to the conversation. For instance, in the post you shared today, your solution is to get people to join a "beloved community." Or to get sales people to sell "life" instead. I know that your work is beneficial to many, and those are probably a helpful ideas to those who subscribe to you, but I'm much more interested in social development than self-development and that's what I focus my work on here.
Go Elle!
This is SUCH a a good piece and an amazing point/perspective. Thank you so much for writing this
Thanks Shelby!
Elle, this essay really hits home. Your observations on writing's role in inspiring historical movements are insightful and so spot-on. While writing often feels solitary, it's remarkable how words can both foresee and fuel change.
Your piece connects with themes I've been exploring in my own work. I'm eager to see more of your writing and continue this valuable discussion.
The effect writing has, even years into the future, cannot be understated. I'm so glad you are exploring that in your work as well, and thank you so much for being here and for supporting mine!
As Gurwinder said recently, writing is thinking. A carefully written essay or book or speech can lay out a path that we can think about and choose to follow. (But we need to see the text of the speech, to really sit with it, and think about it). Writers have always envisaged future possibilities; the problem is that society appears to have taken dystopias as the playbook! My aim is the same: to use writing to start sculpting a better world. In my case, one where we understand the importance of post-traumatic growth, and use this to steer humanity towards less destructive behaviours (since so much destructive behaviour arises out of unprocessed traumas). Though of course I am also writing a utopian novel on the side!
Yes! Preach!!! 🙌🏻🙌🏻🙌🏻🙌🏻 You’re amazing Ros!
Not sure about that. Today it might be some other form of media that inspires the next generation.
It could happen. But I think there’s something about having it written down that sticks. Today’s builders are still referencing essays, books, and novels, and communicating ideas through text. Think of Andreessen Horowitz’ techno-optimist manifesto or Balaji’s Network State or any book in the Silicon Valley canon. https://x.com/patrickc/status/1825618450837885036
Can you think of YouTube videos that have had the same influence?
Writers do have an amazing power to silently guide society like an undersea current.
I also write fiction but not apocalypses but of people encountering new problems and coming up with ways to solve them.
I find it harder to end stories on a good note because it's harder for people to believe it. People are quick to believe sad endings because "that's life" and quicker to shoot down happy endings because "they don't last."
Glad you're talking on the positive side in both nonfiction and fiction terms
I actually think the enduring and massive popularity of shows like Friends and Ted Lasso and Schitt’s Creek and every Hallmark Christmas movie ever are proof people crave a happy ending. You have to have a story along the way, of course, but I don’t think we’re necessarily quick to believe sad endings over happy!