Great article- tension between Eros and agape… that’s a great way of putting it. My feed has been hitting me hard with these ‘get rich on substack’ - I didn’t turn up for that… thank you for honest and profound reflections.
'The gurus tell you exactly what you would like to believe. They do it in an almost seductive way. You might subconsciously sense there is something wrong but their vision sounds too appealing.'
Jeez.
I'm in the meditation space. Reminds me of the teachers who tell you that meditating for 5 minutes per day is enough. Even heard one say that if you don't have time for 5 minutes, one mindful breath is enough. Is this what the world has come to?! Ridiculous. Of course, he has millions of followers, none of whom I imagine have achieved any kind of meditative depth.
So true. While a good starting point in developing a consistent practice, it’s merely a springboard into the depth required to building a meaningful one.
Not long ago I was subscribed to the newsletter of an influential gooroo who built huge on X when it was still Twitter, and is now in Substack.
His content was useful in the beginning, even though it contained a lot of what you quote here.
But over time I notice that he is repeating himself, that the great revelation you are expecting in the next post is not coming, because he's repackaging a handful of principles that keep you in the hope-buy loop.
This is an excellent piece. I spent the last 15+ years chasing money and following all the different gurus., ranging from crypto to ecommerce to marketing agencies, etc. I started writing on Substack last month, and I'm treating this as my art and creative pursuit by writing what I care about. It's a great way to develop my voice and articulate my thoughts and ideas. At some point, I'll turn it into a business, but I'm in no rush for that.
What I find most interesting here is the paradox: many people enter the creator economy because they want freedom, but then immediately search for a blueprint. They want to stand out, but not stand alone. Maybe the real product being sold is not strategy, but relief from the anxiety of having to build your own path.
Hear! Hear! I fear that most online gurus are nothing but glorified marketeers. That is their true skill. In Dutch, we have a saying for people who have no real depth of understanding. They heard the bell ring, but have no idea where to find the clapper. Meanwhile, I just keep sharpening my saw. Thanks for sharing! I much appreciated reading it.
I have learned you have to care about what you are creating and be ok with the fact that it may never go anywhere! What matters most is knowing it is still something you would do even if nothing ever came out of it! I enjoyed the read!
Loved everything about this essay, I could have restacked multiple quotes, so it was hard to choose just one. We are very much aligned in our philosophy around guru culture, self expression, and creativity 🙏
This is great, and I truly resonately with this. What you have written is true not just for writing, but for any other forms of art. This read was a good reminder to myself too, that self-doubt is a necessary part of the process.
Philip you just spat out the truth and guess what you gave it for free.
I think I am going to make the hardest decision of my life today.
Unfollowing and unsubscribing to these creators.
I think it's time to stand on my own.
I support your courages decision.
Great article- tension between Eros and agape… that’s a great way of putting it. My feed has been hitting me hard with these ‘get rich on substack’ - I didn’t turn up for that… thank you for honest and profound reflections.
The mute and block function can help with keeping our feed clean.
'The gurus tell you exactly what you would like to believe. They do it in an almost seductive way. You might subconsciously sense there is something wrong but their vision sounds too appealing.'
Jeez.
I'm in the meditation space. Reminds me of the teachers who tell you that meditating for 5 minutes per day is enough. Even heard one say that if you don't have time for 5 minutes, one mindful breath is enough. Is this what the world has come to?! Ridiculous. Of course, he has millions of followers, none of whom I imagine have achieved any kind of meditative depth.
Ridiculous is the right word. I don’t think that these gurus necessarily have bad intention, but they are not helping in the way they think.
So true. While a good starting point in developing a consistent practice, it’s merely a springboard into the depth required to building a meaningful one.
I was reading intently anticipating your offering at the end. Thank you for not disappointing.
My pleasure.
Not long ago I was subscribed to the newsletter of an influential gooroo who built huge on X when it was still Twitter, and is now in Substack.
His content was useful in the beginning, even though it contained a lot of what you quote here.
But over time I notice that he is repeating himself, that the great revelation you are expecting in the next post is not coming, because he's repackaging a handful of principles that keep you in the hope-buy loop.
That’s the sad story of many of these “gurus”
They're a good starting point, but the ideal teacher gets you to think independently.
This is the most honest text about writing on Substack I've read so far. And surprisingly, it doesn't discourage me — quite the opposite.
I’m glad you get the right takeaway.
"Go make art.” - I’m taking this with me. So simple. Thank u 🤍
This is an excellent piece. I spent the last 15+ years chasing money and following all the different gurus., ranging from crypto to ecommerce to marketing agencies, etc. I started writing on Substack last month, and I'm treating this as my art and creative pursuit by writing what I care about. It's a great way to develop my voice and articulate my thoughts and ideas. At some point, I'll turn it into a business, but I'm in no rush for that.
What I find most interesting here is the paradox: many people enter the creator economy because they want freedom, but then immediately search for a blueprint. They want to stand out, but not stand alone. Maybe the real product being sold is not strategy, but relief from the anxiety of having to build your own path.
You hit the nail on its head.
The minute I got a part-time job to pay the bills, my energy towards Substack got better.
I could suddenly afford the time to comment when I read something slowly and savoured the words,
I didn't need to rush the reading or the response to the author. Relationships started to form and
natural curiosity became the norm.
Writing became easier and more pleasurable. Don't get me wrong there are still days when I spend two hours writing absolute drivel,
but what follows, is generally the gem of a paragraph or two.
Take the side-job or main job and release the pressure of your writing to make your income.
It's a lot less scary that way.
Hear! Hear! I fear that most online gurus are nothing but glorified marketeers. That is their true skill. In Dutch, we have a saying for people who have no real depth of understanding. They heard the bell ring, but have no idea where to find the clapper. Meanwhile, I just keep sharpening my saw. Thanks for sharing! I much appreciated reading it.
What a great piece
I M a painter and sculptor at heart distracted by Raindance Film Festival which I started in 1993
Lately I have been giving away my artwork in the hope that one will catch the eye of patron - as Picasso, Matisse et al did a 100 years ago
Meanwhile, I still have the dull and boring day job - meaning I can eat - and I have a precious 2 hours a day to create
Those 2 precious hours might be everything you need. Since your basics are covered your art has room to breathe.
Why thank you ☺️
I have learned you have to care about what you are creating and be ok with the fact that it may never go anywhere! What matters most is knowing it is still something you would do even if nothing ever came out of it! I enjoyed the read!
Loved everything about this essay, I could have restacked multiple quotes, so it was hard to choose just one. We are very much aligned in our philosophy around guru culture, self expression, and creativity 🙏
This is great, and I truly resonately with this. What you have written is true not just for writing, but for any other forms of art. This read was a good reminder to myself too, that self-doubt is a necessary part of the process.
Yes, it is written for art and art is really about life.