Ep. 20: Is the internet getting better or worse? (ft. Ernie Smith of Tedium)
Jul 25, 2024
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In this conversation, Ernie Smith, an experienced writer with a decade's worth of insights from his newsletter Tedium, shares his unique journey in online content creation. He dives into the technical challenges of coding newsletters and why he prefers DIY over platforms. Ernie laments the fading personality of the internet amidst rising commercialization, while also discussing the delicate balance between creativity and structured deadlines. He contemplates the future of the creator economy, emphasizing the need for integrity and innovation in a saturated digital landscape.
Ernie Smith highlights the importance of individualized creativity in the internet landscape, advocating for personal ownership over content creation.
He stresses the need for a balanced approach to creativity, warning against overly strict deadlines that can stifle artistic expression.
Deep dives
The Value of Customization in Digital Creations
Customization in digital platforms is vital for fostering individual creativity and ownership. Ernie Smith emphasizes how limitations imposed by social media platforms can stifle artistic expression, as they prioritize engagement metrics over creative personalization. By coding his newsletter, TDM, he not only gained control over his content but also reduced costs associated with email distribution. This approach allows him to maintain his unique voice and design, which he views as essential for genuine online creativity.
Navigating the Challenges of Consistency and Creativity
Balancing creativity with the need for consistent output can be challenging for creators. Smith discusses experimenting with formats like mid-range, a project where he set strict 30-minute writing limits, ultimately finding that too much structure can suffocate creativity. He reflects on his journey and notes that while deadlines can motivate, they can also lead to rushed or uninspired work if overly confined. Smith suggests that a flexible approach, allowing for spontaneity, may yield better creative results, shifting focus from strict scheduling to organic flow.
The Impact of a Crowded Online Landscape
The online content creation landscape has become increasingly saturated, affecting both opportunities and challenges. Smith describes how he witnesses many creators pursuing growth hacking techniques for monetization instead of focusing on genuine artistic expression. This trend can obscure the path for aspiring creators who may feel pressured to conform to prevalent algorithms and patterns. Smith hopes for a resurgence of integrity in content creation, fostering an environment where creative merit prevails over mere marketability.
Navigating the Future of Newsletters and Creativity
Looking ahead, Smith envisions a landscape in which new generations of creators continue to innovate while building upon existing frameworks. He acknowledges the potential for better tools and resources to assist creators in effectively reaching their audiences, but remains cautious about the rise of trend-chasers. Smith aims to maintain a focus on creative integrity while exploring the possibility of expanding his own projects in a targeted manner without losing the essence of what makes his work unique. His aim is to cultivate an engaging space for quality storytelling, distinct from the myriad of generic content flooding the market.
Today's guest, Ernie Smith, has been writing for the internet for 15 years. He's been writing his current newsletter, Tedium, for almost 10. We spoke about his approach to newslettering, turning down money from Substack, and making cool stuff for the internet purely for the sake of it.
00:00 Who is Ernie Smith?
01:30 Why (and how) Ernie coded his newsletter himself
05:35 Has personality been stripped from the internet?
12:44 How Ernie grew his audience
15:20 UDM14 — Google without all the fluff
18:56 Ernie’s approach to side projects
31:39 Is the creator economy good for the internet?
41:28 Hopes for the future of the internet
45:10 What’s next for Ernie?
Intro music produced by J. & Doug Organ.
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