Hauntingly, often you and I have the same ideas at the same time. But, phantomly, I rarely comment. This time your "Phantom Followers" and my "The Phantom of My Blog" went live just a half hour apart. Soon after I began my blog, TheScheherazadeChronicles.org, in 2011, I discovered I had a Phantom in there rummaging around through all my stuff, but never saying a word. I never know what he's going to be up to next. He told me his name is Moriarty, I've written a forthcoming book about him, and now I've introduced him to my Substack subscriber (no, I didn't unwittingly leave off the final "s.") I always look forward to your newsletters, one of the few worthwhile emails dropped into my inbox daily. Know that even though I don't comment, I am sitting here amused, smiling, LOL-ing, enlightened. I have an elderly computer, so it takes it a half hour from clicking on "comment" in my email to arriving at your Substack comment box. As soon as I get 8000 subscribers, I can put a downpayment on a new iMac. It's the comments on my Substack that keep me going. I know how important they are. So, I pledge to anti-phantomism and to come around here more often. Thanks for these excellent posts. Keep them coming. You brighten my day.
Wow that is wild Samantha. It's crazy how we can come up with an idea we think is completely original only to find others have come up with something so similar.
Your words are making me smile as I write this response. Thank you, thank you, thank you!
Anti-phantomism is the perfect way to put it. I still need to get better at this myself.
PS - Hope you get that new lightning fast computer soon!!
Yeah, it really is crazy, Arman. This is why I'm publishing my Phantom book now, because I knew that if I had the idea, someone else soon would. Thank you for your kind words. And let's hope for that lightning fast computer soon. 😊 --Anti-phantomism does have that certain ring. You are very good with words already. Keep it up.
Ha ha, well you're doing the work of being commentable. I just find people who are enjoyable to follow around while they say worthwhile things—like phantom followers. A fun new coin I'm going to circulate (with credit to you of course), which is how it should work. Good writing/ideas get shared. Bad writing is just cryptic currency that doesn't get circulated.
One of my biggest beliefs is that the best way to become better is to build a better community, and you can't do that if you're hiding behind your screen and not communicating with anyone. People can not only help inspire you but encourage. you as well! You don't need people to succeed- but you do need community to keep going. We weren't created to be alone! Thanks for this post, I really love your works and your style of writing! ❤️
Thank you Cooki I appreciate you! You're right. Interacting with stuff people make helps foster a sense of community. There's nothing worse than in my book than someone who doesn't take the time to offer a quick little hat tip when they consumed something they enjoyed. But I'm still a work in progress.
I don't think I was ever fearful to engage. It just simply never crossed my mind. I was on the consumption hamster wheel and never took the time to show my appreciation. And I still do! It's a work in progress.
Guilty as charged — phantom follower reporting for duty (or, I guess, retirement? 🫣).
This post read like a gentle roast and an existential intervention. I’ve nodded along silently through so many of your pieces and somehow convinced myself that vibes were enough — like maybe you could just sense my appreciation through the screen. Spoiler: You cannot.
The “Walmart wall of readers” bit? Gold. But also, oddly moving. It’s wild how even a single like or comment can carry disproportionate emotional weight when you’re creating from the void. So here I am, breaking the phantom code. And I’m dragging my fellow lurkers with me.
Arman: For some reason, I skipped over this article numerous times. I gotta be careful about that. What you say here is thoughtful and true and was a lot of fun to read.
Leaving you a comment so you won't think I'm a phantom follower 😉 but you are right, since posting on the internet myself I've realised just how much it can mean to someone to leave a comment or a like.
just for the controversial-ness of it, I'd give it a 'Like.' I just don't want the state intelligence service to know it, if I like some radical ---you know?
You are an awesome anti-phamton follower! You were my very first follower when I joined substack the other week, you made my day. I am enjoying your posts 😊
Thank you Chandra! Happy to be your first follower. I remember all too well the early days when nobody followed me. But if you are making stuff for the sheer enjoyment you get out of the process, then it's still fun!
In theory, you are of course correct. In practice however, there are some factors that are out of our control. Generally, I give positive feedback to any positive, or factually true note, or post. Commenting is a bit more leaning out of the window and I have cut down on that after I received nasty responses to comments of mine that questioned whatever the topic was. Or better said: when someone alleges something to be this way or that way - without considering that there is no shade without light and no day without night.
I am pretty sure I have a bunch of phantom-followers. But those don't seem to be an issue - unless it is intentional, because if someone follows you they have access to your feed line. And to some information you don't get without following, or after that, subscribing.
Really bad are phantom-knowers that appear to have only one goal - to argue with whatever one can come up with.
Those are some good points I hadn't considered Wolfgang. Appreciate you sharing!
I may be weird but I actually enjoy when people point out other perspectives (as you have) or even flat out disagree with me. It helps open my mind and is a great reminder that I may simply have no clue what I'm talking about!
My fancy is to discuss things. I consider that the most important aspect of a human being. We can talk and should use this ability to communicate free of prejudice. Sadly though, that seems to become more difficult as totalitarianism marches on.
It's so true that a simple like, comment, or share can have an outsized impact on a creator. As someone who's dabbled in writing and creating, I know the feeling of screaming into the void. It's easy to get discouraged and feel like nobody cares. But then, out of the blue, someone takes a moment to acknowledge your work, and it's like a ray of sunshine breaking through the clouds. It reminds you that you're not alone, that someone out there sees you and appreciates what you're doing. It's incredibly motivating and can be the difference between giving up and persevering.
Beautifully put Alex. I think anyone who has made something and shared it publicly has experienced what we have (especially early on).
My favorite is when someone stumbles upon something I wrote long ago and lets me know it resonated. You never know who could eventually find your stuff.
Yes! I always find myself editing my comments…(doing that right now!) and by the time I’ve edited away and stripped all the feeling…I hit delete and don’t post at all. And the moment is lost. So in my most un-edited comment ever: I like reading your words. Plain and simple.
I'm right there with you Maria. I overthink my comments and wonder if they will sound stupid which leads me to just abandoning them entirely. A simple word or two is all it takes to brighten someone's day. As you've just done for me :)
thank you friend whom i don't know. I enjoy that substack has fed me your profile out of all profiles &now my eyes got locked on this. It both inspires me to write more post & engage more with others.
And this other one about typost is probably going to my wall . Hipp hipp
and thank you my unknown friend :) your words mean more than you know. the internet has plenty of downsides but I love the fact that it can help us discover kindred spirits!
Love the term. I came to this realization myself this year, and certainly have made a point now to like or comment as the work spoke to me. It is now great fun!
...take it one step further...don't be a phantom follower...don't even be a follower...be a community...be a communicating commenting communitating commentinist...i challenege anyone who reads these words to talk to all the words they read to day...comment on articles, and comments, and write back to the folks whose e-mails you read...there is a reason that a certain shall be named fart is called SILENT BUT DEADLY...
LOL silent but deadly should probably be my new bio. I'm still a phantom follower all too often. But you've been one of my most consistent anti-phantom-followers as well my friend. I appreciate you!
Hauntingly, often you and I have the same ideas at the same time. But, phantomly, I rarely comment. This time your "Phantom Followers" and my "The Phantom of My Blog" went live just a half hour apart. Soon after I began my blog, TheScheherazadeChronicles.org, in 2011, I discovered I had a Phantom in there rummaging around through all my stuff, but never saying a word. I never know what he's going to be up to next. He told me his name is Moriarty, I've written a forthcoming book about him, and now I've introduced him to my Substack subscriber (no, I didn't unwittingly leave off the final "s.") I always look forward to your newsletters, one of the few worthwhile emails dropped into my inbox daily. Know that even though I don't comment, I am sitting here amused, smiling, LOL-ing, enlightened. I have an elderly computer, so it takes it a half hour from clicking on "comment" in my email to arriving at your Substack comment box. As soon as I get 8000 subscribers, I can put a downpayment on a new iMac. It's the comments on my Substack that keep me going. I know how important they are. So, I pledge to anti-phantomism and to come around here more often. Thanks for these excellent posts. Keep them coming. You brighten my day.
Wow that is wild Samantha. It's crazy how we can come up with an idea we think is completely original only to find others have come up with something so similar.
Your words are making me smile as I write this response. Thank you, thank you, thank you!
Anti-phantomism is the perfect way to put it. I still need to get better at this myself.
PS - Hope you get that new lightning fast computer soon!!
Yeah, it really is crazy, Arman. This is why I'm publishing my Phantom book now, because I knew that if I had the idea, someone else soon would. Thank you for your kind words. And let's hope for that lightning fast computer soon. 😊 --Anti-phantomism does have that certain ring. You are very good with words already. Keep it up.
thank you Samantha. I really appreciate you saying that :)
Ha ha, well you're doing the work of being commentable. I just find people who are enjoyable to follow around while they say worthwhile things—like phantom followers. A fun new coin I'm going to circulate (with credit to you of course), which is how it should work. Good writing/ideas get shared. Bad writing is just cryptic currency that doesn't get circulated.
You've been the most consistent voice during my silly little writing experiment. I appreciate you more than you know!
Shoutout to you Rick!
thanks Jeff
One of my biggest beliefs is that the best way to become better is to build a better community, and you can't do that if you're hiding behind your screen and not communicating with anyone. People can not only help inspire you but encourage. you as well! You don't need people to succeed- but you do need community to keep going. We weren't created to be alone! Thanks for this post, I really love your works and your style of writing! ❤️
Thank you Cooki I appreciate you! You're right. Interacting with stuff people make helps foster a sense of community. There's nothing worse than in my book than someone who doesn't take the time to offer a quick little hat tip when they consumed something they enjoyed. But I'm still a work in progress.
They should call it anti-social media. Some seem too fearful to engage. Thank you for writing!
Glad you enjoyed it Robert!
I don't think I was ever fearful to engage. It just simply never crossed my mind. I was on the consumption hamster wheel and never took the time to show my appreciation. And I still do! It's a work in progress.
Guilty as charged — phantom follower reporting for duty (or, I guess, retirement? 🫣).
This post read like a gentle roast and an existential intervention. I’ve nodded along silently through so many of your pieces and somehow convinced myself that vibes were enough — like maybe you could just sense my appreciation through the screen. Spoiler: You cannot.
The “Walmart wall of readers” bit? Gold. But also, oddly moving. It’s wild how even a single like or comment can carry disproportionate emotional weight when you’re creating from the void. So here I am, breaking the phantom code. And I’m dragging my fellow lurkers with me.
Dude your comments alone have been so entertaining to read that I had to subscribe to you too!
I think we are cut from the same cloth.
Arman: For some reason, I skipped over this article numerous times. I gotta be careful about that. What you say here is thoughtful and true and was a lot of fun to read.
Thank you my friend. I'm so glad you enjoyed it!
Leaving you a comment so you won't think I'm a phantom follower 😉 but you are right, since posting on the internet myself I've realised just how much it can mean to someone to leave a comment or a like.
Sophie you are another prime example of an anti-phantom follower. I always smile when your comments pop up! Thank you :)
just for the controversial-ness of it, I'd give it a 'Like.' I just don't want the state intelligence service to know it, if I like some radical ---you know?
You are an awesome anti-phamton follower! You were my very first follower when I joined substack the other week, you made my day. I am enjoying your posts 😊
Thank you Chandra! Happy to be your first follower. I remember all too well the early days when nobody followed me. But if you are making stuff for the sheer enjoyment you get out of the process, then it's still fun!
In theory, you are of course correct. In practice however, there are some factors that are out of our control. Generally, I give positive feedback to any positive, or factually true note, or post. Commenting is a bit more leaning out of the window and I have cut down on that after I received nasty responses to comments of mine that questioned whatever the topic was. Or better said: when someone alleges something to be this way or that way - without considering that there is no shade without light and no day without night.
I am pretty sure I have a bunch of phantom-followers. But those don't seem to be an issue - unless it is intentional, because if someone follows you they have access to your feed line. And to some information you don't get without following, or after that, subscribing.
Really bad are phantom-knowers that appear to have only one goal - to argue with whatever one can come up with.
Those are some good points I hadn't considered Wolfgang. Appreciate you sharing!
I may be weird but I actually enjoy when people point out other perspectives (as you have) or even flat out disagree with me. It helps open my mind and is a great reminder that I may simply have no clue what I'm talking about!
My fancy is to discuss things. I consider that the most important aspect of a human being. We can talk and should use this ability to communicate free of prejudice. Sadly though, that seems to become more difficult as totalitarianism marches on.
Vice versa, I appreciate your response very much.
It's so true that a simple like, comment, or share can have an outsized impact on a creator. As someone who's dabbled in writing and creating, I know the feeling of screaming into the void. It's easy to get discouraged and feel like nobody cares. But then, out of the blue, someone takes a moment to acknowledge your work, and it's like a ray of sunshine breaking through the clouds. It reminds you that you're not alone, that someone out there sees you and appreciates what you're doing. It's incredibly motivating and can be the difference between giving up and persevering.
Beautifully put Alex. I think anyone who has made something and shared it publicly has experienced what we have (especially early on).
My favorite is when someone stumbles upon something I wrote long ago and lets me know it resonated. You never know who could eventually find your stuff.
I think that is my favorite too. Reawakening the zombie posts.
oh great name!
Yes! I always find myself editing my comments…(doing that right now!) and by the time I’ve edited away and stripped all the feeling…I hit delete and don’t post at all. And the moment is lost. So in my most un-edited comment ever: I like reading your words. Plain and simple.
I'm right there with you Maria. I overthink my comments and wonder if they will sound stupid which leads me to just abandoning them entirely. A simple word or two is all it takes to brighten someone's day. As you've just done for me :)
thank you friend whom i don't know. I enjoy that substack has fed me your profile out of all profiles &now my eyes got locked on this. It both inspires me to write more post & engage more with others.
And this other one about typost is probably going to my wall . Hipp hipp
and thank you my unknown friend :) your words mean more than you know. the internet has plenty of downsides but I love the fact that it can help us discover kindred spirits!
Love the term. I came to this realization myself this year, and certainly have made a point now to like or comment as the work spoke to me. It is now great fun!
Thanks Melissa! It's still a work in progress for me but awareness is the first step right?
Love reading your blog, Arman. Been following you for a long time. I like your book reviews.
Thank you Rose. I appreciate you more than you know! I always smile every time I see you've left a note of appreciation :)
...take it one step further...don't be a phantom follower...don't even be a follower...be a community...be a communicating commenting communitating commentinist...i challenege anyone who reads these words to talk to all the words they read to day...comment on articles, and comments, and write back to the folks whose e-mails you read...there is a reason that a certain shall be named fart is called SILENT BUT DEADLY...
LOL silent but deadly should probably be my new bio. I'm still a phantom follower all too often. But you've been one of my most consistent anti-phantom-followers as well my friend. I appreciate you!