I needed to read this today… Been using my Substack as basically a personal sketchbook and note book with almost 0 engagement… having to reassess my relationship with being visible and invisible at the same time! Artist dancing with ego! It’s all growth but I have felt lots of what’s the point? Moments
I’m happy if we all know who Todd is. But the answer is probably different for each of us. I’m not calling out anyone in particular. Todd is more like the Shadow archetype of the creator economy.
Nice one. I would guess that most of those folks that make less than 1000 USD per month actually make 0 USD. I am working on a project to connect living artists with sources of income. Sales, commissions, exhibitions, markets, physical things. Folks might find this contrary to what they want to believe but hanging work in cafes, restaurants, hotels, and such, is much better than posting a bunch online. The problem comes in that most folks would rather be an online cosplayer, (Excuse me, I mean "influencer") than an actual artist. And the problem with hanging work in physical spaces is that one must maintain a presence around those places to actually sell things. And most folks invent excuses for almost anything that requires actual physical work, even if that work just means going around and saying "hi" to the folks who own/run the spaces where their work is on exhibition. And, whether the artist likes it or not, it is on exhibition when it is hanging in the local coffee shop. The likelihood of it selling there is higher if the artist is will to pop in for a minute or two from time to time. Most places I have worked with were more than happy to recommend me to other spaces and feature my work at their events...But it hasn't come without a cost. I had to invest time and money in them. Just like folks do online...But unlike my online experience, a real presence has given me real resullts...Sales. Am I a millionaire? Not yet. And I am not against the idea at all and I also like taking my daughter to lunch, and having dinner with the family and...Hit me up if you want to join my pyramid scheme. But I have to tell you, it is a little bit flat. You have to build your own pyramid with your own work if you want one of them. PEACE
Thanks for sharing this story Ron. That’s very unique and interesting. I would love to connect more with artists in the real world.
And you are probably right, most people make closer to zero money here. It’s not because of a lack of skills or discipline. It’s mostly because we are using the system in the wrong way.
That line "There is nothing really special about Todd. He is just very articulate" says a lot.
We’ve reached a point where, every time we feel uncomfortable, if we can afford it, we reach for a system and steps. We try to buy our way out of the friction, even though the work we actually need to do costs us nothing except being uncomfortable and patient.
Now, not only are we lost in the complexity of someone else's system, trying to implement something before we're even in the right stage for that, but we’re also perfectly sidetracked from the very thing that was supposed to be done.
Thanks for your thoughtful comment Klara. This line says indeed a lot. I think it also has to do with how our capitalistic system work. I don’t really have a solution, but as you pointed out, we need to be patient and do the best we can.
Reading about hooking the system to your Substack with 42 subscribers feels odd when you’re the guy who’s at exactly 42.
It reads like a horoscope where the only deviation and the reason I’m not completely creeped out by it is the sandwich.
I usually don’t shameless plug but this time I feel it’s worth it because I fell for it too and I’m not proud of it. Not Todd of course, I have no idea who you’re talking about at all.
Stellar piece. Without delusion, no economy works. This is why lies are essential to humanity, unfortunately. As an exception, I and a few others write exclusively for the AI singularity. Don’t care about fame or money one bit.
This was beautiful. It was written extremely well. With a lot of thought and care. I appreciate you and your words.
Becoming is where the magic lies. Knowing yourself to your core is where your creativity cracks wide open. Doors will open you never imagined. Never stop becoming 🫶🏼
This is why i don't understand why anyone would want to use AI to produce art. It just doesn't make sense. It is the opposite of why you would do art. This needs to be said louder
My key takeaway from this one is this part "Instead of submitting to consistency you submit to devotion."
Coincidentally I was thinking on the same lines yesterday - how to sustain motivation or consistency when reliable external signals are absent. And the answer I arrived on is devotion as well.
My focus is now building devotion - to craft, to the process, and to removal of ego from the process.
I really like how you flipped the usual productivity script and walked straight into the uncomfortable truths most people only hint at.
I needed to read this today… Been using my Substack as basically a personal sketchbook and note book with almost 0 engagement… having to reassess my relationship with being visible and invisible at the same time! Artist dancing with ego! It’s all growth but I have felt lots of what’s the point? Moments
Give it 6 months and the engagement changes.
I have no idea who you are man, but this is some good stuff.
And I think we all know who Todd is 😅 (though I do like him)
Thanks Alex.
I’m happy if we all know who Todd is. But the answer is probably different for each of us. I’m not calling out anyone in particular. Todd is more like the Shadow archetype of the creator economy.
Well said, Philipp.
The secret to success? Get started and finish something. Rinse and repeat. You improve as you go. It's a skill like any other
Nice one. I would guess that most of those folks that make less than 1000 USD per month actually make 0 USD. I am working on a project to connect living artists with sources of income. Sales, commissions, exhibitions, markets, physical things. Folks might find this contrary to what they want to believe but hanging work in cafes, restaurants, hotels, and such, is much better than posting a bunch online. The problem comes in that most folks would rather be an online cosplayer, (Excuse me, I mean "influencer") than an actual artist. And the problem with hanging work in physical spaces is that one must maintain a presence around those places to actually sell things. And most folks invent excuses for almost anything that requires actual physical work, even if that work just means going around and saying "hi" to the folks who own/run the spaces where their work is on exhibition. And, whether the artist likes it or not, it is on exhibition when it is hanging in the local coffee shop. The likelihood of it selling there is higher if the artist is will to pop in for a minute or two from time to time. Most places I have worked with were more than happy to recommend me to other spaces and feature my work at their events...But it hasn't come without a cost. I had to invest time and money in them. Just like folks do online...But unlike my online experience, a real presence has given me real resullts...Sales. Am I a millionaire? Not yet. And I am not against the idea at all and I also like taking my daughter to lunch, and having dinner with the family and...Hit me up if you want to join my pyramid scheme. But I have to tell you, it is a little bit flat. You have to build your own pyramid with your own work if you want one of them. PEACE
Thanks for sharing this story Ron. That’s very unique and interesting. I would love to connect more with artists in the real world.
And you are probably right, most people make closer to zero money here. It’s not because of a lack of skills or discipline. It’s mostly because we are using the system in the wrong way.
That line "There is nothing really special about Todd. He is just very articulate" says a lot.
We’ve reached a point where, every time we feel uncomfortable, if we can afford it, we reach for a system and steps. We try to buy our way out of the friction, even though the work we actually need to do costs us nothing except being uncomfortable and patient.
Now, not only are we lost in the complexity of someone else's system, trying to implement something before we're even in the right stage for that, but we’re also perfectly sidetracked from the very thing that was supposed to be done.
Thanks for your thoughtful comment Klara. This line says indeed a lot. I think it also has to do with how our capitalistic system work. I don’t really have a solution, but as you pointed out, we need to be patient and do the best we can.
NO secret about it homey…. I debate it daily right now.
Reading about hooking the system to your Substack with 42 subscribers feels odd when you’re the guy who’s at exactly 42.
It reads like a horoscope where the only deviation and the reason I’m not completely creeped out by it is the sandwich.
I usually don’t shameless plug but this time I feel it’s worth it because I fell for it too and I’m not proud of it. Not Todd of course, I have no idea who you’re talking about at all.
https://theactualyan.substack.com/p/dan-koes-ideas-were-bleeding-into?r=2izagd&utm_medium=ios
The only self-promotion I ever felt was worth reading.
Thank you, means a lot.
That's the exact person I was thinking of when I read this too. (I wonder why? lol) Off to read your post...!
Isn‘t it the beauty of Substack that even a month later someone still reads your comment 😄
Yes, I’m always surprised (and sometimes delighted) by what shows up in my feed that was written a while ago.
Stellar piece. Without delusion, no economy works. This is why lies are essential to humanity, unfortunately. As an exception, I and a few others write exclusively for the AI singularity. Don’t care about fame or money one bit.
What does that mean to write exclusively for the AI singularity? Does it mean you write to educate AI for when it becomes able to act on its own?
I chuckled reading this. You set us right in the middle scene, so many parallels with my own journey
Felt like you were talking right at me
As an old timer, there's two golden sayings that I've found apply to anything - anywhere.
"If it seems too good to be true, it probably is."
"Buyer beware!"
Great and honest piece. Always love your writing. Thanks for the wisdom 🙏🏼
Todd for the W!
This was beautiful. It was written extremely well. With a lot of thought and care. I appreciate you and your words.
Becoming is where the magic lies. Knowing yourself to your core is where your creativity cracks wide open. Doors will open you never imagined. Never stop becoming 🫶🏼
This is why i don't understand why anyone would want to use AI to produce art. It just doesn't make sense. It is the opposite of why you would do art. This needs to be said louder
So razor sharp and on point, I think the screen just gave me a paper cut!
Haha you should write an article on your grief.
My key takeaway from this one is this part "Instead of submitting to consistency you submit to devotion."
Coincidentally I was thinking on the same lines yesterday - how to sustain motivation or consistency when reliable external signals are absent. And the answer I arrived on is devotion as well.
My focus is now building devotion - to craft, to the process, and to removal of ego from the process.