Dan -- Apart from luck (which you acknowledge played a role and without which all is lost), your meteoric rise on this platform can be explained by two other broad dynamics. One is real talent, a fresh perspective, something important and timely to say and the ability to say it; the other is energy, ambition, the mental (and physical, in the broad sense) means to match your material. Doesn't always happen. As a corollary, I also marvel at the clarity with which you discuss complex ideas, knowing first-hand that this is much harder to do than it seems. Complex ideas expressed in a way that is (relatively) easy to understand means that the writer has done their part. If you can do this quickly, then more power to you. Few can. Congratulations, and do keep it up. Alexis
I heard the same idea expressed more succinctly in a book I am reading and felt suddenly embarrassed by my prolixity. “The perfect alignment between ability and ambition.” It can be painful to behold misalignment. The opposite holds in your case.
I’m very grateful for your success and only slightly jealous. As your first paid subscriber let me explain my motivation and my perspective. I did so to encourage you to create a new kind of Substack in which an academic philosopher — of my approximate worldview (liberal in the dynamist sense per Acton, Hayek, Smith, Klein, Postrel, etc.), and disposition (humble), and with much greater knowledge than myself with respect to epistemology, dogma, propaganda, and human interdependence — was being paid directly by students. This insight I learned from Adam Smith who was critical of university endowments.
You have since removed the post that I considered “groundbreaking,” have you not? I don’t see this second earliest post outlining your philosophy of science class. Perhaps you were embarrassed by my enthusiasm or possibly the post conflicted with your university rules?
In addition to the reasons you’ve given for your blog being successful, I will add the following reason:
Your reading choices seem to be excellent and your magnitude of reading is very high — this puts you far ahead of other bloggers. You have a large reserve of important reading already completed. You can synthesize what you’ve read and get it down more quickly than other people who have read less well. Advice to myself and others: read more, write less.
My hope is that you and other academics leave academia — as it exists today — with its poor, perverse and distorting incentives — where professors are less responsive and less sensitive to the needs and wants of the community, especially students; and come to places like Substack, where you have to earn your students by producing valuable content. Of course this isn’t going to be a mode in which the-customer-is-always-right; no, but it probably will be a mode in which the incentives are aligned to listening to student feedback. And not just through teacher evaluations, easily set to the side. Each and every thing you say will be evaluated!
There is a pent up demand for better modes of education. Discourse platforms like Substack will likely play a huge role in the future of higher education, as well as primary and secondary education. I’m glad that people like you are at the forefront.
With all this said, let me say that 11,000 subscribers is only decent. You can do much better. You can improve this number by an order of magnitude with the right adjustments.
Good luck. I’ll be watching, and might even read your posts if they’re “good enough.”
And, congrats and thanks again for your contributions.
You are a very clear balanced writer on tricky topics.
I would add that you also have a perspective that embrace a broad range of influences so it's not excessively narrowly technical. The latter of course has its place but some topics require a broader perspective.
I subscribed to this blog on Jan. 8th, almost a year ago, so I guess that makes me an early adopter 😂. I discovered it through your Tw account and was curious because you address topics I’m currently working on. What keeps me coming back is that I truly enjoy your writing (though I wouldn’t mind if the posts were a bit shorter!). It's a great balance between being thought-provoking and educational, while also sparking ideas on a range of subjects. Thank you for the effort you put into this, and here’s wishing you a fantastic 2025!
Thank you, Dan! Your blog has been one of the best new finds of the year for sure. Excited to see some of those subjects you plan to explore this year.
I think you’re pretty concise actually. When I read your posts, every sentence seems to have a definite purpose that is highly relevant to your overarching thesis. Don’t try to use fewer words than you need to do that!
What self-defense techniques have you found most effective when combating attacks on your person? Are you trained in ji-jitsu or some other martial art, for instance?
Dan -- Apart from luck (which you acknowledge played a role and without which all is lost), your meteoric rise on this platform can be explained by two other broad dynamics. One is real talent, a fresh perspective, something important and timely to say and the ability to say it; the other is energy, ambition, the mental (and physical, in the broad sense) means to match your material. Doesn't always happen. As a corollary, I also marvel at the clarity with which you discuss complex ideas, knowing first-hand that this is much harder to do than it seems. Complex ideas expressed in a way that is (relatively) easy to understand means that the writer has done their part. If you can do this quickly, then more power to you. Few can. Congratulations, and do keep it up. Alexis
I heard the same idea expressed more succinctly in a book I am reading and felt suddenly embarrassed by my prolixity. “The perfect alignment between ability and ambition.” It can be painful to behold misalignment. The opposite holds in your case.
Thanks Alexis - that’s kind of you to say and extremely encouraging!
I’m very grateful for your success and only slightly jealous. As your first paid subscriber let me explain my motivation and my perspective. I did so to encourage you to create a new kind of Substack in which an academic philosopher — of my approximate worldview (liberal in the dynamist sense per Acton, Hayek, Smith, Klein, Postrel, etc.), and disposition (humble), and with much greater knowledge than myself with respect to epistemology, dogma, propaganda, and human interdependence — was being paid directly by students. This insight I learned from Adam Smith who was critical of university endowments.
https://scottgibb.substack.com/p/adam-smith-on-higher-education?utm_source=publication-search
You have since removed the post that I considered “groundbreaking,” have you not? I don’t see this second earliest post outlining your philosophy of science class. Perhaps you were embarrassed by my enthusiasm or possibly the post conflicted with your university rules?
I learned of your writing through Arnold Kling. Arnold was and still is the King of Substack in my opinion, and probably the most veteran daily blogger on the platform; perhaps the earliest daily blogger still active on the web today. We can learn a great deal from him. https://scottgibb.substack.com/p/copying-a-veteran-daily-blogger?utm_source=publication-search
In addition to the reasons you’ve given for your blog being successful, I will add the following reason:
Your reading choices seem to be excellent and your magnitude of reading is very high — this puts you far ahead of other bloggers. You have a large reserve of important reading already completed. You can synthesize what you’ve read and get it down more quickly than other people who have read less well. Advice to myself and others: read more, write less.
My hope is that you and other academics leave academia — as it exists today — with its poor, perverse and distorting incentives — where professors are less responsive and less sensitive to the needs and wants of the community, especially students; and come to places like Substack, where you have to earn your students by producing valuable content. Of course this isn’t going to be a mode in which the-customer-is-always-right; no, but it probably will be a mode in which the incentives are aligned to listening to student feedback. And not just through teacher evaluations, easily set to the side. Each and every thing you say will be evaluated!
There is a pent up demand for better modes of education. Discourse platforms like Substack will likely play a huge role in the future of higher education, as well as primary and secondary education. I’m glad that people like you are at the forefront.
With all this said, let me say that 11,000 subscribers is only decent. You can do much better. You can improve this number by an order of magnitude with the right adjustments.
Good luck. I’ll be watching, and might even read your posts if they’re “good enough.”
And, congrats and thanks again for your contributions.
Thanks a lot for the comments and support Scott. I always appreciate your thoughts. The philosophy of science post is still up: https://www.conspicuouscognition.com/p/hawking-was-wrong-philosophy-is-not
Ah, I see. Different title and slightly later than I remember. Thank you.
I second Guadalupe
You are a very clear balanced writer on tricky topics.
I would add that you also have a perspective that embrace a broad range of influences so it's not excessively narrowly technical. The latter of course has its place but some topics require a broader perspective.
Keep up the good work
)
Thanks Pete - really appreciate that, and your support more generally
I subscribed to this blog on Jan. 8th, almost a year ago, so I guess that makes me an early adopter 😂. I discovered it through your Tw account and was curious because you address topics I’m currently working on. What keeps me coming back is that I truly enjoy your writing (though I wouldn’t mind if the posts were a bit shorter!). It's a great balance between being thought-provoking and educational, while also sparking ideas on a range of subjects. Thank you for the effort you put into this, and here’s wishing you a fantastic 2025!
Thank you! That’s really great to hear!!
You asked for recommendations for your course. I recommend something by Michael Oakeshott,
Congratulations, Dan! I was unaware your blog was one year old. I find it impressive. All the best in 2025
Thank you, Dan! Your blog has been one of the best new finds of the year for sure. Excited to see some of those subjects you plan to explore this year.
Thanks Coleman - I greatly appreciate that 🙏
I think you’re pretty concise actually. When I read your posts, every sentence seems to have a definite purpose that is highly relevant to your overarching thesis. Don’t try to use fewer words than you need to do that!
Thanks Levi - that’s good to hear
Thanks Dan, this is one of my favorite newsletters, wish more philosophers tried this approach
Thanks - that’s great to hear. Yeah, it’s surprising more philosophers don’t Substack.
What self-defense techniques have you found most effective when combating attacks on your person? Are you trained in ji-jitsu or some other martial art, for instance?
Ha!
So I need to read erik hoel huh
Glad to be the #3 contributor! :) Looking forward to the second year.
Thanks Lionel - and thanks for all the support you’ve given to the blog in general. I really appreciate it!