Why I Do Not Subscribe to Other Writers on Vocal

I sometimes get requests to subscribe to writers on Vocal or to like or follow others on various writing platforms. For a very long time, basically since I first started publishing regularly online way back in the day on Medium when it first began, I have had an informal policy of not doing it. I recognized from those very early days that such a stance was ultimately self defeating. If everyone thought and acted as I did, there would be no need for people like myself or platforms like Vocal or Medium or countless others. However, much like in life in general, when it comes to my contributions to the written world, I very much consider myself almost exclusively a content provider and not a content consumer. There are, and always will be, a plethora of content consumers as there are consumers of just about anything and everything. Being a consumer of something requires very little to no effort or skill, it does require some committment and sometimes access to financial or other resources, but beyond that anyone can do it. Yes, many consumers are very much dedicated to consuming quality content only, and they put much effort into trying to ensure that the content they do consume is in fact of a high quality (according to them). However, they are probably only a minority of consumers overall, and they still must admit that it does not take any particular skill or specific, unattainable knowledge, to do what they do. It just takes patience and effort and dedication. It is for these people that I do what I do and I am so very grateful for their support when I do get it which is very rarely. This might mean the quality of the content I provide is not nearly as high as I hope and believe, or it might support my contention that there are not that many of that type of consumer. It really doesn't matter in the end because it does not alter my commitment to targeting that audience, nor does it change my belief in the importance of creating and providing high quality content (from my perspective).

Moreover, these days at least, being a content provider also requires very little skill or knowledge and just about anyone can do it. If you need any examples of that one can look to the pages of this very publication for a countless number. However, creating high quality content does take much skill and it does (sometimes) require specific, unique knowledge. In all cases it benefits from specific, unique knowledge. And, in all cases it requires skill and some talent. The skill and talent required is not possessed by everyone, though I happen to think, almost anyone can acquire it, with enough practice, dedication, and commitment. It will be easier for some than others to be sure, but it is not impossible for anyone. Without a base of consumers willing to seek out such content there is less and less motivation for anyone to invest the time and effort required to create it, and thus, as I stated at the beginning, my stance of not supporting such efforts by subscribing or liking or following specific writers who I believe do this, is ultimately self defeating. And yet I still stand by my informal policy. How do I justify it then?

For justification I would say the following. First, and I know this is going to sound like a very dickhead thing to say, but it is the case that I am not all that interested for the most part in what other people have to say about anything. Maybe it is because I find most of it a large waste of time, or ignorant, or misinformed, or boring, or maybe I am really just an asshole. The reasons do not actually matter, but it is the case. Second, I just don't have the necessary time required to seek out and find quality content to consume. Occasionally I stumble across it and I am thankful when I do, but it is rare. I am just too busy living my life, and doing my work, and creating quality content, to have much time to spare consuming it. Any time spent consuming content is less time I have to create it, which is already in short supply. Finally, and probably most importantly to me, I worry about the corrosive effect on my own self of being exposed to so much garbage that would surely occur if I were to spend more time consuming content. It would be impossible to avoid entirely and over time it would begin to wear on me. It would take a large negative toll on my psyche and it is already constantly on the edge of falling into a pit of despair over just about everything. I am humble enough to recognize that one of my many weaknesses is the inability to harden myself to horror and hatred and ignorance. It effects me deeply every time I encounter it. It makes me question my belief in the goodness of humanity and I just can't afford to question it any more than I already do.

I would close with an apology to all the creators of quality content here on Vocal and everywhere in life. You do have my support, of that you can be certain. I choose not to subscribe to you or follow you or whatever not because I don't believe in you, nor because I question your skills or talent or commitment to the cause, but instead for the reasons stated above. You are free to reject those reasons, as you are free to do the same and not subscribe or follow or like myself and the content I create. I would suggest that would be a mistake, but I would say that wouldn't I. I am an asshole after all. lol!