I love this, Ava. When I'm shopping, I often find myself asking, "What would wearing *this* say about me?" Yet another example of trying to bring the outside world inside instead of the other way around. Really appreciate all your writing!
i think a lot about taste too. one thing i realised for myself, is that my taste in things is what propels me to create often times. the pieces of art that i consume that motivate me to create, is ultimately what i believe my taste boils down to.
This reminds me a lot of how the original figures in an art movement are often very different from those who end up following in their footsteps. Joining an existing movement can be quite different from charting a course of your own. We need both types of artists, but the “next SOPHIE Xeon” is likely not making hyperpop at all but something totally new.
And SOPHIE obv wasn’t listening to hyperpop for inspiration because it didn’t yet exist. She would have had to arrive through types of music that a lot of her current fans have likely never heard. I’d be interested to see people comb through their favorite artist’s favorite artists and try to reverse engineer their taste!
Starting an essay effectively is crucial to engage readers from the beginning. Here are several strategies to begin your essay:
1. **Start with a Hook**:
- Begin with a captivating hook that grabs the reader's attention. This could be a question, a quote, a surprising fact, or a compelling anecdote related to your topic.
2. **Provide Context**:
- Offer some background information or context about the topic to set the stage for your discussion. This helps orient the reader and establish the relevance of your essay.
3. **Thesis Statement**:
- Clearly state your thesis statement in the introduction. This sentence should outline the main point or argument of your essay, providing a roadmap for what will be discussed.
4. **Outline the Structure**:
- Briefly mention how the essay will unfold. Outline the main points or arguments that will be covered in the body paragraphs to give the reader an overview of what to expect.
5. **Engage the Reader**:
- Make sure your introduction is engaging and sets the tone for the rest of the essay. Consider using descriptive language, imagery, or a thought-provoking statement to draw the reader in.
6. **Be Concise**:
- Keep your introduction concise and to the point. Avoid unnecessary information or long-winded explanations. Get straight to the main idea of your essay.
7. **Revise and Polish**:
- After drafting your introduction, revise it to ensure clarity and coherence. Make sure it seamlessly leads into the body of your essay and aligns with the overall tone and purpose of your writing.
Remember, the introduction serves as the gateway to your essay, so make it engaging, informative, and reflective of the content that follows. A strong introduction can set the stage for a compelling and well-structured essay.
I think taste is an expression of identity and it's about paying attention to things that make you feel more 'you'. This is why it's hard to machinate or overthink it.
Because telling yourself to 'be yourself' is a confusing statement:
1. The self we want to be -> and consequently buy things that represent the pedestal we want to stand on
2. The self we hate but is part of us -> and in turn hate by association without any thought
3. The 'true' self whatever that means that makes you think you are being yourself (but not really, it's just another framing)
Who is 'yourself'? This takes time and space to notice, something most people don't (aside from artists) even consider a priority. We live in an age of abundance and constant need to consume consumer consume and think this is a 'good' thing. Cluttered minds and calendars are a badge of honor.
Love this. Have been obsessed with mimetic desire lately and how invasive it is with social media. To see this interior view as the anti-thesis captured so succinctly is beautiful!
A comment on the Sunday survey stories. Wanting to read the friendship breakup post is what finally put me over the fence to subscribing. And tbh was planning to unsub soon after. (Not as a commentary on my support of bookbear but as a personal cost control: I only allow myself the same number of paid subscriptions as my own substack receives.)
I just call this out as feedback that the Sunday sourced share is a good monetization/user-value move. (I am product manager. 🙃)
This was so poignant and points to a bigger truth I myself am contemplating a lot recently… thank you for this!! Really enjoyed it.
thank you nathaniel!
as they say: walk away and do your thang
This is haunting to think about. Wow
💖
I love this, Ava. When I'm shopping, I often find myself asking, "What would wearing *this* say about me?" Yet another example of trying to bring the outside world inside instead of the other way around. Really appreciate all your writing!
thank you kells!!
i think a lot about taste too. one thing i realised for myself, is that my taste in things is what propels me to create often times. the pieces of art that i consume that motivate me to create, is ultimately what i believe my taste boils down to.
This reminds me a lot of how the original figures in an art movement are often very different from those who end up following in their footsteps. Joining an existing movement can be quite different from charting a course of your own. We need both types of artists, but the “next SOPHIE Xeon” is likely not making hyperpop at all but something totally new.
And SOPHIE obv wasn’t listening to hyperpop for inspiration because it didn’t yet exist. She would have had to arrive through types of music that a lot of her current fans have likely never heard. I’d be interested to see people comb through their favorite artist’s favorite artists and try to reverse engineer their taste!
I love this so much 🙏.
In case it helps anyone else, I wrote about my process of finding my interior life (and self) here https://open.substack.com/pub/louiseireland/p/i-love-lou?r=1z10e&utm_medium=ios
thank you for sharing lou! this is so cool
Starting an essay effectively is crucial to engage readers from the beginning. Here are several strategies to begin your essay:
1. **Start with a Hook**:
- Begin with a captivating hook that grabs the reader's attention. This could be a question, a quote, a surprising fact, or a compelling anecdote related to your topic.
2. **Provide Context**:
- Offer some background information or context about the topic to set the stage for your discussion. This helps orient the reader and establish the relevance of your essay.
3. **Thesis Statement**:
- Clearly state your thesis statement in the introduction. This sentence should outline the main point or argument of your essay, providing a roadmap for what will be discussed.
4. **Outline the Structure**:
- Briefly mention how the essay will unfold. Outline the main points or arguments that will be covered in the body paragraphs to give the reader an overview of what to expect.
5. **Engage the Reader**:
- Make sure your introduction is engaging and sets the tone for the rest of the essay. Consider using descriptive language, imagery, or a thought-provoking statement to draw the reader in.
6. **Be Concise**:
- Keep your introduction concise and to the point. Avoid unnecessary information or long-winded explanations. Get straight to the main idea of your essay.
7. **Revise and Polish**:
- After drafting your introduction, revise it to ensure clarity and coherence. Make sure it seamlessly leads into the body of your essay and aligns with the overall tone and purpose of your writing.
Remember, the introduction serves as the gateway to your essay, so make it engaging, informative, and reflective of the content that follows. A strong introduction can set the stage for a compelling and well-structured essay.
I think taste is an expression of identity and it's about paying attention to things that make you feel more 'you'. This is why it's hard to machinate or overthink it.
Because telling yourself to 'be yourself' is a confusing statement:
1. The self we want to be -> and consequently buy things that represent the pedestal we want to stand on
2. The self we hate but is part of us -> and in turn hate by association without any thought
3. The 'true' self whatever that means that makes you think you are being yourself (but not really, it's just another framing)
Who is 'yourself'? This takes time and space to notice, something most people don't (aside from artists) even consider a priority. We live in an age of abundance and constant need to consume consumer consume and think this is a 'good' thing. Cluttered minds and calendars are a badge of honor.
But cluttered minds block your view.
Love this. Have been obsessed with mimetic desire lately and how invasive it is with social media. To see this interior view as the anti-thesis captured so succinctly is beautiful!
A comment on the Sunday survey stories. Wanting to read the friendship breakup post is what finally put me over the fence to subscribing. And tbh was planning to unsub soon after. (Not as a commentary on my support of bookbear but as a personal cost control: I only allow myself the same number of paid subscriptions as my own substack receives.)
I just call this out as feedback that the Sunday sourced share is a good monetization/user-value move. (I am product manager. 🙃)