The Problem With Content Consumption

It's not just overeating…

I recoil at the phrase "consume content" in all its many variations. It brings to mind a huge trough overflowing with an undifferentiated mass of "content" surrounded by sedated pigs who couldn't care less if they're consuming fast-fashion haul videos, reality TV shows, beauty influencer reels, political misinformation, or AI-generated click bait. It's all content, and those pigs will keep eating until the trough is empty. But this is the internet; it's never empty.

Photo by elaine alex on Unsplash

Instead of consuming content, I prefer to engage with content. When I read a book, I start at the end. I read the author bio and the acknowledgements before I turn to Chapter 1. I want to know who I'm reading.

I also keep my phone nearby. When a specific place is mentioned, I look it up on Google Maps. I like to have a mental picture of the location: How close is it to a major city? What is the landscape like? Green and agricultural? Dense and urban?

The phone also comes in handy on those delightful occasions when I encounter a word I don't know. It's a gift to look up a new word and add it to my palette.

You can see why I struggle with calling myself a content creator. Part of how I earn my living is writing for digital publication, not just on Substack, but here and here. By any definition, I create content. But I don’t think of my writing as contributing to that mass in the trough. Is that snobbish? If so, fine. I’ll own it.

Photo by Nick Morrison on Unsplash

I wrote a few weeks ago about my relationship with social media, and why I prefer the Substack model. Instead of writing for anybody and everybody, I write specifically for people who are interested in what I do. You get to choose whether (or not) what I do is for you. You choose to subscribe, giving me permission to show up in your inbox each week. I never take that permission for granted.

In two weeks, I'll be attending h+h americas, the annual wholesale trade show for the yarn and sewing industries in the US. One of the events I’m registered for is the Content Creator Summit. I'll be attending workshops such as Marketing for Content Creators, and Affiliates & Better Brand Partnerships. There will also be plenty of opportunities to meet with yarn and accessory companies. I'm sure I'll come away with some new yarns to show you.

Here's where I'd like your thoughts: how do you feel about affiliate partnerships? Other than linking book recommendations to Bookshop.org, I haven't used affiliate links in this newsletter. I tell you about yarn, books, and other things that I think are worth your time and money. I do not write negative reviews; I simply don’t mention anything I wouldn't buy and use myself.

I am not interested in writing sponsored posts, where a company pays me to write nice things about their product. I want to give you my honest, untainted opinion. But if I genuinely think you'll like a yarn, and you make a purchase based on my recommendation, is it OK for me to earn a commission on that sale? Or does that damage my credibility in your eyes?

Your trust is more valuable to me than the few dollars I might make through affiliate commissions. I have no desire to become an "influencer". (My son actually says it as a joke: "My mom, the influencer," followed by belly-splitting laughter.) I want to go into h+h with a clear idea of what sort of collaborations I should consider.

Please let me know what you think by responding to this poll.

If you have more thoughts than the poll can contain, let's talk about it in the comments.

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I just finished reading Master Slave Husband Wife by Ilyon Woo.

This book tells the incredible true story of Ellen and William Craft, who escaped slavery in Georgia in 1848. Ellen, a light-skinned quadroon (her mother and grandmother were both impregnated by the white men who enslaved them), disguised herself as a young, white gentleman. William, her husband, posed as her slave. In these roles, they traveled more than 1000 miles via carriage, steamboat, and train to the free northern states.

After reaching Boston, the Crafts became popular speakers on the abolitionist lecture circuit. But the passage of the Fugitive Slave Act in 1850 put them at risk and the Crafts were forced to flee again, this time to Great Britain.

Every bit of this book is true, drawn from letters, news reports, and the Craft’s own account, published in 1860 as Running a Thousand Miles for Freedom. The author has done a brilliant job of compiling the facts into a compulsively readable narrative. Master Slave Husband Wife reads like an adventure story, not history.

This book is the perfect follow-up to James, by Percival Everett, which I wrote about last week.

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An Update on Last Week's Giveaway

It will come as no surprise that all eleven copies of Myrna Stahman's book, Stahman's Shawls and Scarves, were spoken for on the first day. Those books were mailed on Saturday, so the lucky subscribers should have them in hand shortly.

But you haven't missed out! Myrna has generously offered another batch of books for subscribers to A Good Yarn. I should have them within the next couple of weeks. Terms are the same as last week: Send me a direct message using the button below if you want a book. I'll respond asking for your shipping address and $5 via PayPal for postage. First come, first served. One book per person.

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Some things that caught my eye

• Faith Ringgold, a courageous and visionary artist, died this week at the age of 93. Here is a link to the New York Times obituary, and one to a lovely introduction to her work with lots of images.

• I enjoyed this video about the conservation of an early-20^th century evening dress. Such detailed and meticulous work!

• I stumbled across Ben Folds Presents Declassified on PBS Passport last night, and it is amazing. This is an episode of the series Next at the Kennedy Center.

As always, thanks for spending time with me this week. I'm looking forward to reading your comments on the question of the day: Can one use affiliate links and retain one's credibility? Discuss!