Why I Stopped Creating Content and Started Calling Myself an Author
I Stopped "Creating Content"
I realized that labeling my work as 'content' reduced my readers to mere 'traffic' and my writing to a commodity. Inspired by the timeless power of Michelangelo's David, I rejected corporate jargon like 'distribution channels' and 'lifetime value.' By reclaiming terms like 'author' and 'blogger,' I shifted my mindset from extracting value to genuinely connecting with real people who choose to spend their time with me.
"Traffic makes me feel like I'm just throwing out flypaper and measuring whatever sticks."
HN discussion
- The term 'content' treats creative works as commodities designed to fill a box for profit, whereas 'author' or 'maker' emphasizes authentic expression and artistic intent.
- Platforms prioritize unoriginal, low-durability 'slop' to maximize traffic, while true value is created by maximizing originality and durability, even if it generates less immediate engagement.
- Paying for access to digital works is a bizarre business model; rational payment should be a subsidy to encourage continued production rather than a transaction for consumption rights.
- Many creators find that shipping serious, ship-grade software or writing for free without marketing yields genuine impact, whereas seeking monetization often distorts the creative process.
- Payment and subscription fatigue is an irrational human behavior driven by emotional transaction costs rather than a rational calculation of value.