Hi Robin, I have admired your work since past few months. My interest in the few past years has been in philosophy, and my first encounter with your contents (on Youtube) was like a fresh air to me. I am currently taking math undergrad degree at university. I love math, but tbh my interest is slowly shifting to philosophy. As someone who didn‘t have a privilege to study philosophy at uni, I just self-study philosophy through books and the internet, and particularly through your contents. You are also the one who introduces me to the wonder of literature. Thank you for the contents, and I will keep supporting you wherever you bring your contents!
My advice to your move to the website: I think it will be a good idea if you have A Mug of Insight app in the future. I don‘t expect you to create the app now since you are still developing the website xD. But someday, I hope there will be the app, so it will be easier for us to visit your MOI. I got this idea from Mark Manson. He has a website and also the app that connects to the website.
You can add a shortcut for the website to your phone’s home screen, tho. Look on the internet for the steps according to your phone and favorite browser, and you’ll be able to access it like an app
A few thoughts. First, I’m glad you’re leaving Substack. I tried it once, but hated the clunky comment system and don’t care for apps, notes, etc. And until Substack turns a profit, there’s always the chance they fold. So I stuck with my website and deliver newsletters via Flodesk. My readers thanked me.
Second, I understand the reason for the new simplified email format. People are busy, and a two-part succinct email will please some, but not me. James Clear used to send lovely essays via his newsletter, and I read them all. Then Atomic Habits became a best seller and James moved to a short little three part email. It felt formulaic and repetitive. I summarily unsubscribed. I share essays and short stories for my readers. My email includes the first few paragraphs, with a link to my site to read the rest. Engagement is good.
Adjust the “succinct” part and opted for a more extended essay section + two prompts for reflection. Thanks John! Your newsletter looks absolutely gorgeous.
i feel you--have been bouncing around the idea of moving off substack the past few weeks. i love the idea of a recurring format for each post and i love love the design of your website (big margins on desktop are really where it's at)! maybe also some weeks that go off-format? i definitely subscribe to the idea that some ideas require different forms/breathing room. in any case, i'm sure i will still love whatever your put out. just sub'd to the site--looking forward to this next chapter :)
The updated version is a good start! It's just that the word succint set off an alarm in my perhaps. And yes, I get the dilemma between getting really deep into a topic and online readability. It is the biggest analysis paralysis in my newsletter endeavours in fact.
If I have to carefully answer, I remember once you posted a video "How reason and logic almost killed philosophy" or something to that effect. Wonderful video. Reading lists are wonderful. As for the rest, I have subscribed to the beta newsletter, and I will definitely send constructive feedback along your way. And hey! If you can whenever you get time, I'd really appreciate if you can tell me where I can improve over at my newsletter. :)
Robin, I have admired your work for a long time now and I will continue to support you wherever you take the newsletter. But this 1,2 read idea honestly doesn't sit well with me. Summarising into a succint idea one aspect of literary theory? Actionable advise? That sounds more like self-help than literary theory. Not to say that self-help is bad, but the two are different for a reason. Remember how Derrida said he wrote difficult stuff on purpose so as to prevent his readers from reading him on the toilet? You have written a thesis on Byung-Chul Han. How do you think he would react to this idea?
Update: re-editing the first issue and now instead of a succinct idea, each newsletter will have a big feature piece (in-depth research and explanations) + two practical takeaways. Here's the new description:
1-2-Read.
1 stands for one big idea. Some weeks I will report on the latest articles regarding this literacy crisis while other weeks I will lean on my research experience in literary theory. The point here is to curate a substantial idea for you to think about for the next two weeks.
2 stands for two practical actions. After understanding the problem, let’s focus on the solutions. This section of the newsletter will offer you one journaling prompt to reframe your mindset regarding reading and the second prompt will give you a life experiment to put the big idea into practice.
One of your previous comments mentioned that you'd like to see more philosophy and literary theory-related content, but the truth is there's only a certain amount of obscurity the internet is willing to tolerate. I'm still trying to find a fine balance between being overly theoretical/niche and having a certain amount of practical value to my readers.
So in your opinion, what are some of the aspects of my work you particularly appreciated over the years? And do you see a middle ground between intellectual stimulation and practical advice?
Hi Robin, I have admired your work since past few months. My interest in the few past years has been in philosophy, and my first encounter with your contents (on Youtube) was like a fresh air to me. I am currently taking math undergrad degree at university. I love math, but tbh my interest is slowly shifting to philosophy. As someone who didn‘t have a privilege to study philosophy at uni, I just self-study philosophy through books and the internet, and particularly through your contents. You are also the one who introduces me to the wonder of literature. Thank you for the contents, and I will keep supporting you wherever you bring your contents!
My advice to your move to the website: I think it will be a good idea if you have A Mug of Insight app in the future. I don‘t expect you to create the app now since you are still developing the website xD. But someday, I hope there will be the app, so it will be easier for us to visit your MOI. I got this idea from Mark Manson. He has a website and also the app that connects to the website.
Thank you for your feedback!
You can add a shortcut for the website to your phone’s home screen, tho. Look on the internet for the steps according to your phone and favorite browser, and you’ll be able to access it like an app
Oh man I just know it. It works, thank you!
A few thoughts. First, I’m glad you’re leaving Substack. I tried it once, but hated the clunky comment system and don’t care for apps, notes, etc. And until Substack turns a profit, there’s always the chance they fold. So I stuck with my website and deliver newsletters via Flodesk. My readers thanked me.
Second, I understand the reason for the new simplified email format. People are busy, and a two-part succinct email will please some, but not me. James Clear used to send lovely essays via his newsletter, and I read them all. Then Atomic Habits became a best seller and James moved to a short little three part email. It felt formulaic and repetitive. I summarily unsubscribed. I share essays and short stories for my readers. My email includes the first few paragraphs, with a link to my site to read the rest. Engagement is good.
Best of luck moving forward.
Adjust the “succinct” part and opted for a more extended essay section + two prompts for reflection. Thanks John! Your newsletter looks absolutely gorgeous.
The site looks good. Imo, it would be nice if we could choose between a dark and a light theme and maybe different fonts.
Noted! :)
i feel you--have been bouncing around the idea of moving off substack the past few weeks. i love the idea of a recurring format for each post and i love love the design of your website (big margins on desktop are really where it's at)! maybe also some weeks that go off-format? i definitely subscribe to the idea that some ideas require different forms/breathing room. in any case, i'm sure i will still love whatever your put out. just sub'd to the site--looking forward to this next chapter :)
The updated version is a good start! It's just that the word succint set off an alarm in my perhaps. And yes, I get the dilemma between getting really deep into a topic and online readability. It is the biggest analysis paralysis in my newsletter endeavours in fact.
If I have to carefully answer, I remember once you posted a video "How reason and logic almost killed philosophy" or something to that effect. Wonderful video. Reading lists are wonderful. As for the rest, I have subscribed to the beta newsletter, and I will definitely send constructive feedback along your way. And hey! If you can whenever you get time, I'd really appreciate if you can tell me where I can improve over at my newsletter. :)
Robin, I have admired your work for a long time now and I will continue to support you wherever you take the newsletter. But this 1,2 read idea honestly doesn't sit well with me. Summarising into a succint idea one aspect of literary theory? Actionable advise? That sounds more like self-help than literary theory. Not to say that self-help is bad, but the two are different for a reason. Remember how Derrida said he wrote difficult stuff on purpose so as to prevent his readers from reading him on the toilet? You have written a thesis on Byung-Chul Han. How do you think he would react to this idea?
Update: re-editing the first issue and now instead of a succinct idea, each newsletter will have a big feature piece (in-depth research and explanations) + two practical takeaways. Here's the new description:
1-2-Read.
1 stands for one big idea. Some weeks I will report on the latest articles regarding this literacy crisis while other weeks I will lean on my research experience in literary theory. The point here is to curate a substantial idea for you to think about for the next two weeks.
2 stands for two practical actions. After understanding the problem, let’s focus on the solutions. This section of the newsletter will offer you one journaling prompt to reframe your mindset regarding reading and the second prompt will give you a life experiment to put the big idea into practice.
Appreciate the feedback, let's brainstorm this.
One of your previous comments mentioned that you'd like to see more philosophy and literary theory-related content, but the truth is there's only a certain amount of obscurity the internet is willing to tolerate. I'm still trying to find a fine balance between being overly theoretical/niche and having a certain amount of practical value to my readers.
So in your opinion, what are some of the aspects of my work you particularly appreciated over the years? And do you see a middle ground between intellectual stimulation and practical advice?
Thanks a lot!
Unpacking the works of famous authors is helpful to me. Joyce and Proust sometimes make my head hurt, and it helps to have a learned Sherpa.
Noted!
hi completely out of topic, but i really want to know how you get your thumbnails done. absolutely gorgeous.
pls :)