Substack isn't solving anti-intellectualism
Complaints and recommendations
I see a lot of notes on this app about how incredible Substack is, how people have quit social media and come here to be with all of the ‘thought daughters’. There’s a sense of pretentiousness that seems to come with that move. The idea that this is where the intelligent people come. This is the side of the internet that doesn’t rot your brain.
That can be true, if you’re intentional with it.
The idea that you’re resisting anti-intellectualism by downloading substack is actually just as performative as reading The Bell Jar on the bus. The little orange icon on your screen is doing nothing for you unless you do it too.
Substack is a social media, just like
discussed in their post Substack is a social media you cunt. Just like Instagram and Tiktok, engagement matters. Views and Likes and comments and shares. It’s a currency that we all want to earn. The only difference is the slowburn engagement we get on substack. It’s less embarrassing than the dreaded <11 likes on Instagram. Things happen slowly here when you’re committing to reading a post instead of liking a photo.Regardless, the coding is the same. Substack is a social media. You post notes like tweets and check your number of subscribers more than you should, and that’s fine.
The part that’s not so fine is when people post notes gushing about Substack and how safe it is in this corner of the internet, where all of the thinkers are. Thank god you deleted Instagram and downloaded Substack, it changed your life. First of all, aim higher. Second, there’s nothing wrong with Instagram and Tiktok. When it comes to the ‘thought daughter’ agenda, all are very valuable. The difference is your engagement.
Everything is a tool if you know how to use it right, and the same goes for social media.
Tiktok in particular has a reputation for doom scrolling, for brain rotting and mindless content of no particular value, which is definitely true in more ways than one. Does it contribute to my sickening screen time? Yes. Do I have way too much tiktok jargon in my vocabulary? Yes. But I have also learnt SO MUCH from scrolling on the app. It is such a font of knowledge and is so easily accessible. There is honestly no greater resource for personal advice and experience. Laundry life hacks, personal anecdotes, product recommendations. It’s all right in the palm of your hand. It’s actually quite difficult to learn nothing from tiktok. Without even trying, I come across life hacks and uses for things I had never considered before.
And then there’s the longform content. Videos recorded on tiktok can be up to 10 minutes long, which has opened up a whole influx of video essays and explainers. They’re so easily accessible and the more you engage with them, the more you’ll find. The tiktok algorithm is so malleable. If all you’re getting is ‘brainrot’ content, that might be on you.
The idea of being intelligent might have evolved from the pejorative ‘nerd’ to the more ameliorative ‘thought daughter’, but the blueprint is the same. It’s neatly packaged and tied with a bow so that you can wear it like a badge instead of embodying it. Even Substack is guilty of it. There’s more to the human experience than being the oldest daughter. (That was a dig at myself too, don’t worry)
It’s common knowledge that anti-intellectualism is on the rise, but it seems like a lot of us just want to put a plaster over it and move on. Say they read some Joan Didion or they have a substack and eliminate themselves from the shame pile that’s looming over us. Have one analogy tucked up their sleeve for when they need to pluck it out. Bonus points if it’s the fig tree.
It’s just not fooling anyone anymore. It’s becoming more and more obvious that there are such inauthentic portrayals of intellectualism at the expense of more genuine people you might believe to be below you because they have a 3 hour screen time on tiktok and not on substack. It doesn’t matter that they’re watching video essays analysing the US Political system, the theory of consciousness, or anything adjacent.
Let me reiterate; I don’t care what you do with your screentime, truly. If you want to watch slime videos on tiktok for two hours, own it. What you do on the internet is your choice. But if you’re writing on substack notes (not even longform!) about how much better it is here where all the thinkers are, you’re missing the mark.
It doesn’t matter what social media you’re on. One is not necessarily better than the other if you’re using it in the right way.
Substack is not the answer to anti-intellectualism. Not remotely. It’s an incredible space and I love it here, but it is far from flawless, like anything. Downloading the app and making an account will not open your third eye to a world of knowledge beyond the reach of the people over on tiktok. You haven’t opened the gate to an exclusive club where everyone uses more than the average part of our brain. It’s a social media app.
I also feel the need to mention the difference between intelligence and intellectualism. I know people who get good grades at university but joke about not having read a book since primary school. A strange brag, in my opinion, but real nonetheless. The value of intelligence as a commodity is a great enemy to intellectualism.
Everyone knows right now that the job market is brutal (it’s why I’ve been able to be so active on substack). Thousands of graduates apply for one job, and the only difference they can quantify on a piece of paper proving their suitability is a grade. A numerical value for the way their brain works. It’s the reason students are clinging desperately to ChatGPT. University is no longer for expanding your brain, for learning for the sake of learning. It’s a stepping stone which is required to dig yourself out of the depths of unemployment.
Proving that you can pass an exam or get a good grade, even with computer assistance, is more valued than being able to analyse the nuances of a text or the context of a translation. Intellectualism might make you a more interesting person, but it’s not paying the bills.
I get it, I do. Thinking critically is not always a priority when we’re all trying to get by and earn the money we need to live. But the second we stop thinking critically, we lose our power. It’s what gives us a voice of reason and a moral compass. It’s what separates people from machines. The difference between ChatGPT and you. The computer might be intelligent, but you’re a thinker. Use it.
In case it wasn’t clear from this article, BRING BACK INTELLECTUALISM!! bring back thinkers and feelers and people who genuinely want to learn and grow their brains. Substack is GREAT for that, if you’re actually doing it. There is no fasttrack way to being intellectual. There is no tickbox that makes you a critical thinker. PLEASE put in the work and feed your brain. It’s the only way to have a grasp on our increasingly ridiculous reality.
Now that I’ve pleaded with the masses, I thought I should offer some concrete ways to resist anti-intellectualism and feed your brain. For the record, I am not an expert, but these are the things that I’m currently trying to do to get better. They’re so simple:
Watch documentaries and listen to podcasts
I spend a lot of time with my headphones in but it’s usually music, and lately I’m trying to make a more conscious effort to listen to podcasts or even audiobooks so that I’m digesting information more often. it’s so easy to listen to 10 minutes of a podcast once a day if that’s all you want to do
I’m quite picky with documentaries, but the Blackfish one about Seaworld practices and Orcas in captive is incredible
Read something outside of your genre
Now that it’s summer and I’ve been on holiday, I’ve been reading a lot of ‘easy’ romance books and holiday reads on my kindle. They’re great and I do enjoy something easy to read instead of scrolling on my phone, but I’ve noticed it’s so much harder for me to read a physical book now. Which I MOURN!! I just finished reading I Who Have Never Known Men and I highly highly recommend it. After I finished it, I just stared at the wall. Even now when I think about it, I feel hollow.
Consider intention
It’s so easy to take media at face value, and I’m so guilty of that across the board (even in friendships..), but I’m trying to train myself out of it. When I watch a film, I try to think about the messages in it. The imagery. I treat it as if I would have to write an essay about it. Even watching love island, I’m thinking about who they’re trying to frame as the villain, who is marketed as the winner. Nothing in life is only the end product.
Form an opinion first
I saw someone on tiktok mention this (ironically) but I think we’ve been programmed to look at other people for approval. We read reviews and watch videos about media we’ve consumed to see if we’re supposed to like it or not. Instead, form an opinion on a book or a film. Decide for yourself what you thought of it before you take in the words of anyone else
Read more written language
Social media makes it so easy for us to consume media without having to read a word. Tiktok and Instagram reels are so visual and so readily available. It takes more effort to look for written media and to take the time to read a piece.
If you needed something to read, here are some of my favourite recent reads on Substack:
beautifully retells a story of her own from a new perspective. Her writing is so masterful and I always look forward to her work on Substack <3 Explores the idea of what it means to label yourself a writer, and who has the right to do so. She expertly calls into question where the integrity lies in this profession. I really loved this take on what it actually means to identify as a writer and the privilege that might come with that. discusses the construction of a trinket girl identity versus authentic collectors (labubus mentioned). Such a good piece on trends, identity and consumption. I loved it <3 discusses the dissonance on substack; the struggle with appealing to the masses with a viral post or staying authentic as a writer and being here for the art. Amanda truly never misses the mark and her writing always packs a punch. beautifully writes about the feeling of being stuck and making the wrong choices. Her writing is always so honest and tender and I feel so seen in her work. talks about the year abroad experience and what it truly means to be at home. As a fellow year abroad girlie, this was so relatable and captures the magic of living abroad so well <3
Last but certainly not least,
responds to the query ‘how to stay hopeful for romantic love?’. Her take on loving and letting go is so beautiful. This quote alone makes it a worthwhile read:“Love is trapped in the fresh fruit you bought from the market near your house, cut into its skin and feel it overwhelm you. As it drips down the corners of your mouth and runs down your fingers, you can be messy and free”
Happy reading and thinking <3
I would quote every single word of this. Like yes, when I passively use tiktok I am pretty sure braincells are shriveling and I am embarassed how often viral phrases come out of my mouth, but at the same time, I have learned so much from sourdough to knitting mittens to global politics. Like you said, if used right, social media can be incredibly powerful tool. And so glad you mentioned substack superiority complex too (if I ever come off like that please clock me immediately). Guilty as charged for the oldest daughter narrative but honestly it's time to move on from thought daughter and fig tree posts. I am so glad you "woke up grumpy"
I feel the "form an opinion first" function the most slippery slope personally. With so much opinion surrounding everywhere it is a muscle memory I need to flex and double down on more. Great piece!