Two things: I’m not sure if I like the regular face shot or the one with the mustache. One is lovely and one is funny and I do tend to gravitate to funny…
I just found Tidal, a music streaming service by and for artists. Do you use it for your music?
Oh this is fascinating to me because I wonder if people aren’t actually liking your face at all, I mean, yes, they are but stay with me, 😂 I wonder if they’re responding to the evidence of a human.
I spent seven years chronically online on Instagram, so by the time I arrived on Substack I was honestly relieved to be completely unknown for a while. To just be my mind and its words.
But lately I’ve been thinking a lot about whether we’re entering a period where authentic humanity itself becomes incredibly valuable again. AI can give us polished words in seconds, but it can’t replicate lived experience, vulnerability, ageing, insecurity or the strange little contradictions that make someone feel real, you know what I mean?
Maybe this semi-viral note wasn’t really about your photo at all but instead it’s showing people are just incredibly thirsty for the human behind the profile badge.
I’m still finding my own balance with showing my face again here, I mean I have occasionally and there is also an unmissable photo of me in my about page for people to stalk, but honestly, social media left me a little traumatised by the whole thing 🙃😂 This essay of yours though has given me some more context that definitely feels like something worth paying attention to.
I avoid being on camera like it's a competitive sport. In fact, I had planned to do a 30-day selfie challenge and bailed. Three separate times. Apparently, my commitment to avoiding my own face is stronger than my commitment to personal growth. 😂
I'm much better at writing from behind my keyboard than accidently becoming "the main character" for the day. Now, I'm going back to my regularly scheduled programming of hiding behind words instead of putting my face in front of the camera. 💚
Two things: I’m not sure if I like the regular face shot or the one with the mustache. One is lovely and one is funny and I do tend to gravitate to funny…
I just found Tidal, a music streaming service by and for artists. Do you use it for your music?
Hi Jenn! Thanks for reading and commenting. I’m with you on gravitating towards funny and happy to know you appreciate both lol.
Hex Appeal uses a distribution service for Spotify, Apple/iTunes, Amazon, Deezer & Pandora and we upload to Bandcamp:-)
Oh this is fascinating to me because I wonder if people aren’t actually liking your face at all, I mean, yes, they are but stay with me, 😂 I wonder if they’re responding to the evidence of a human.
I spent seven years chronically online on Instagram, so by the time I arrived on Substack I was honestly relieved to be completely unknown for a while. To just be my mind and its words.
But lately I’ve been thinking a lot about whether we’re entering a period where authentic humanity itself becomes incredibly valuable again. AI can give us polished words in seconds, but it can’t replicate lived experience, vulnerability, ageing, insecurity or the strange little contradictions that make someone feel real, you know what I mean?
Maybe this semi-viral note wasn’t really about your photo at all but instead it’s showing people are just incredibly thirsty for the human behind the profile badge.
I’m still finding my own balance with showing my face again here, I mean I have occasionally and there is also an unmissable photo of me in my about page for people to stalk, but honestly, social media left me a little traumatised by the whole thing 🙃😂 This essay of yours though has given me some more context that definitely feels like something worth paying attention to.
Thankyou ♥️✌🏻
Yes, this is exactly what I’m hoping. 🙏🏼 Thanks for reading and commenting, Leanna!
I avoid being on camera like it's a competitive sport. In fact, I had planned to do a 30-day selfie challenge and bailed. Three separate times. Apparently, my commitment to avoiding my own face is stronger than my commitment to personal growth. 😂
I'm much better at writing from behind my keyboard than accidently becoming "the main character" for the day. Now, I'm going back to my regularly scheduled programming of hiding behind words instead of putting my face in front of the camera. 💚
A 30-day selfie challenge sounds like a nightmare lol. Thanks for reading and commenting, Patty!
"Hold your head up" by Argent. (You can totally let them see you cry, though; perfectly OK!)
"And if they stare
Just let them burn their eyes on you moving
And if they shout
Don't let it change a thing that you're doing"
https://youtu.be/jvfxI9yD2dM
<3
Yes to this classic! Thank you for reading and adding to the playlist, Elizabeth. :-)