Is Substack a Pyramid Scheme?

I’m trying to figure out its optics.

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My post was complete. I’d published it.

Then I went over to read the Notes posted by others.

“Struggling to grow on Substack?”

I scrolled. More of the same BS.

If not that format.

It would be, “Here’s what I do differently if I had to start my Stack account from zero.”

The algorithm wanted to appease me.

I was still new. The algo didn’t know me. I hadn’t begun reading within a certain niche or topic yet.

So, my suggestions featured proven generality. Best known as viral pieces.

But gold shovels aren’t it.

Personal essays are.

Let’s ignore cost-of-living motivations. For many, most of your time isn’t yours. A company or client owns it. Drained. Any energy you have left is for screened entertainment.

You’re left feeling guilty. As if when you feel energetic or productive off the clock, you’d better meal prep, self-care, spend quality time with your circle, or set a foundation to earn while you sleep.

And that’s the trouble with social media.

• Someone builds a name for themself…