3305
JA Westenberg
@joanwestenberg.eth #3305
I write about tech + humans + philosophy. Farcaster OG. FID 3305 founder of /theindex
https://linktr.ee/joanwestenberg
48032 Follower 1011 Following
We tell ourselves we’re above it, that we want “real content,” but our clicking and sharing habits tell a different story. The platforms might be dealing the cards, but we’re the ones choosing to play hand after hand, shoveling this shit down our own throats and asking for seconds.
https://medium.com/westenberg/want-to-make-it-as-a-creator-be-famous-go-viral-or-go-fuck-yourself-af65961c3822
https://medium.com/westenberg/want-to-make-it-as-a-creator-be-famous-go-viral-or-go-fuck-yourself-af65961c3822
This is why our critical thinking skills are dying. We’re either slack-jawed and drooling over the content of the rich and famous, or we’re buttering our brains with the viral attempts of would-be celebrities.
https://www.joanwestenberg.com/want-to-make-it-as-a-creator-be-famous-go-viral-or-go-fuck-yourself/
https://www.joanwestenberg.com/want-to-make-it-as-a-creator-be-famous-go-viral-or-go-fuck-yourself/
Sometimes you don’t find your path. You take a machete and hack through the jungle until you’ve fucking made your own.
I just created an incredible AI agent (i went on fiverr and hired someone)
if your goal is a house on the hill and a book deal and an HBO mini series — the honest truth is that the best advice for new creators in 2024 isn’t “create great content” or “show up.”
It’s “be famous for something else first.”
And if that sounds depressing… well, welcome to the attention economy.
https://www.joanwestenberg.com/want-to-make-it-as-a-creator-be-famous-go-viral-or-go-fuck-yourself/
It’s “be famous for something else first.”
And if that sounds depressing… well, welcome to the attention economy.
https://www.joanwestenberg.com/want-to-make-it-as-a-creator-be-famous-go-viral-or-go-fuck-yourself/
Even if you win a shit fight, you still wind up covered in shit.
Influence is a commodity, content is an asset.
Product Hunt is now just a shit fight to see who can wrap ChatGPT in the shiniest buzzword. ‘AI for your dog’s taxes’ coming soon
How to Create Without Permission: Stop waiting for validation.
https://joanwestenberg.gumroad.com/l/gOepf?layout=profile
https://joanwestenberg.gumroad.com/l/gOepf?layout=profile
2025 rough planning:
- Launching a new agency
- Finishing my Art of Critical Thinking course
- Self publishing my book Permissionless
- Launching a new agency
- Finishing my Art of Critical Thinking course
- Self publishing my book Permissionless
Based on my analysis all my failings as a writer could be reasonably solved by having a pipe, smoking jacket and typewriter
The problem with giving them enough rope is the noose always ends up around your neck
Comment sections are worthless. Have been for a decade and change.
What if we’re not in a permanent decline, but just on the downswing of overlapping cycles? Trust. Economy. Politics. Culture. We’ve been here before—every golden age rises from the ashes of a ‘unique collapse.’
https://www.joanwestenberg.com/everything-is-always-getting-worse-until-it-isnt/
https://www.joanwestenberg.com/everything-is-always-getting-worse-until-it-isnt/
These accounts don’t exist to keep you informed. They exist to keep you doomscrolling, anxious, scared and engaged for their own ends. And you should be asking why.
I'm going to be taking on 3 clients in 2025 who want to turn their contrarian thinking into market-moving influence. Developing their Substack / Paragraph. Refining their message. Finding ways to push their ideas around tech, politics, philosophy, values. Not for the faint of heart. DM me if you’re up for it
From the comments.
Profiteering from division is exploiting conflict for gain. Writing to bridge divides or offer reason is literally the opposite. Not everyone trying to untangle the mess is weaving it for profit. Read carefully.
Profiteering from division is exploiting conflict for gain. Writing to bridge divides or offer reason is literally the opposite. Not everyone trying to untangle the mess is weaving it for profit. Read carefully.
Every Twitter / Bluesky / Threads account calling themselves ‘The Resistance’ is basically a grift on progressives with anxiety who think Venmo donations count as direct action
I would have kicked Thoreau‘s ass at call of duty. Honestly me vs Hemingway, Fitzgerald and Thoreau all teamed up, Modern Warfare 2, I’d have kicked their asses.
The internet’s new economy:
Conflict entrepreneurs monetize your outrage. Trauma grifters weaponize suffering for cash.
The result? Toxic discourse, perpetual drama, and a business model that thrives on your rage.
https://www.joanwestenberg.com/meet-the-conflict-entrepreneurs-theyre-fucking-all-of-us/
Conflict entrepreneurs monetize your outrage. Trauma grifters weaponize suffering for cash.
The result? Toxic discourse, perpetual drama, and a business model that thrives on your rage.
https://www.joanwestenberg.com/meet-the-conflict-entrepreneurs-theyre-fucking-all-of-us/
Here’s Everything I Learned In My 30s (That I Wish I Could Teach My 21 Year Old Self)
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…a lot of people are cunts.
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…a lot of people are cunts.
I could have written 12 Rules For Life but Jordan Peterson can’t shitpost
bought a bag of chips that was 90% air. when will obama be held accountable.
The internet dragged you, and now you’ve built a shrine to the experience. Stop. You can’t heal a wound by picking at it until it festers. Build something new instead. Your future self will thank you.
https://www.joanwestenberg.com/you-got-dragged-on-the-internet-stop-building-a-shrine-to-it/
https://www.joanwestenberg.com/you-got-dragged-on-the-internet-stop-building-a-shrine-to-it/