I think the desire for knowledge is as insatiable and commonplace, a curiosity still commendable ; whether it is for books newspapers and periodicals, catalogues or lists. I still read plant catalogues and cookbooks with the same irritable hunger that I read the latest book by a favourite author, or get hooked on a series by a newly discovered long dead author. Print IS addictive...perhaps the solution is to let it properly clutter a worktop or a side table or a desk or even a bookcase. Not so alarmingly free to slither around our brains. Properly heavy and solid and able to be put down or recycled.
Substack is a social media platform, no less addictive than instagram for me. And unfortunately as I’ve now subscribed to so many newsletters i had to turn off emails (so they only go to the app, which i often have deleted from my phone) and non-substack newsletters filter to a folder i read only when i choose versus passively. It’s made my digital life much quieter but the addiction lurks beneath the surface as anytime i add an app back, i am sucked back in 🤷🏼♀️
I think the desire for knowledge is as insatiable and commonplace, a curiosity still commendable ; whether it is for books newspapers and periodicals, catalogues or lists. I still read plant catalogues and cookbooks with the same irritable hunger that I read the latest book by a favourite author, or get hooked on a series by a newly discovered long dead author. Print IS addictive...perhaps the solution is to let it properly clutter a worktop or a side table or a desk or even a bookcase. Not so alarmingly free to slither around our brains. Properly heavy and solid and able to be put down or recycled.
Keep reading but maybe the analogue versions!
ooh, I like the ‘slithering around our brains’ bit, doris!
I felt the pull of Substack too Helen. I got rid of the app, a blessing. Now it’s a deliberate choice to read and write. Thanks for sharing
Substack is a social media platform, no less addictive than instagram for me. And unfortunately as I’ve now subscribed to so many newsletters i had to turn off emails (so they only go to the app, which i often have deleted from my phone) and non-substack newsletters filter to a folder i read only when i choose versus passively. It’s made my digital life much quieter but the addiction lurks beneath the surface as anytime i add an app back, i am sucked back in 🤷🏼♀️
so with you, kelly, a scroll function is a scroll function is a mind f…