You’ve left almost nothing for us to comment on...but still, let me try, Mark.
Every line here carries a truth we all feel but rarely admit. Your advice is absolutely actionable… yet the real issue isn’t what to do, it’s who will do it.
Some are trapped in ego, some in busyness, and some in jealousy.
My friend, where do we go when even connection demands courage?
Still, thank you for reminding us that even when the room gets quieter, the music’s still playing, we have to listen differently, and the music is my passion.
There’s always plenty to unpack in the comments section and beyond.
I’ve been diving into some really interesting things lately — Dunbar’s Numbers, social networks, and an equally fascinating idea called the *Friendship Paradox.*
The latter is a mathematical theorem that, when applied to social media, explains why most of the people you’re connected to seem to have more friends than you do.
So, I drifted a little — but for good reason — back to your great question about where to go from here.
I’d say: keep moving towards each other, and keep supporting each other as a community.
Because true strength, bonding, engagement — and even reciprocity — work best in smaller, stronger groups rather than larger, weaker ones.
It’s that thing we talked about before: it’s better to have fifty true subscribers and conversations than five hundred who just react without real engagement.
Mark, these two terms are new to me, Dunbar’s Number (the theory that humans can naturally maintain around 150 meaningful relationships) and the fascinating Friendship Paradox (which explains why, on social media, it often feels like everyone else has more friends than we do).
I’ll definitely wait for you to share more about them. Yes, we’re showing courage, but we still need more of it.
By the way, I just remembered something, I forgot the name of the person you were going to send those horoscope poems to. Did you share them with him, and what did he say?
Thanks Dawnithic and glad to introduce both of those great guys to you. A lot of things of interest there, just even from a people and engagement perspective.
I don’t remember there being someone to send the poems to — it was more a kind of chain note, with each passing the task onto three (or less / more) people
Ironically, that’s kind of where I’ve come from — and have ended up here — trying to find something beyond numbers, PowerPoint decks, and technical plans. I love that you saw that.
Everything I mentioned above is part algorithm reverse-engineering — I’ve been doing the same on LinkedIn for the last six months — and part cognitive psychology, mixed with a little sociology and anthropology too.
As for the numbers to prove it, that’s quite hard without owning the platform, but everything should work — systems need to understand our patterns in order to know what content to serve us, and our minds like to make it easy by spotting patterns all the time.
Automation for posting Notes could definitely work — people do use it — and I’ve been thinking about building something myself.
I just love sending Notes throughout my day to inspire a little, give a moment for reflection, or simply say hi (albeit usually with something cryptic).
However, my personal view would be to avoid automating engagement actions like commenting. That’s done a lot on LinkedIn, and it tends to create an echo chamber of automated comments.
Do share, please — I’m always interested in seeing how things work and happy to discuss all this stuff too. :)
You have created a poetic utility piece, and I couldn't stop reading. Your information was impeccable, your metaphor enchanting, and your efforts on our behalf deserve all the recognition that writers can give you. You certainly have mine...
Mark~ this piece felt like stepping into a dimly lit bookshop and hearing quiet music thread through the shelves. I love how you wove human rhythm into the mechanics of the feed — that reminder that algorithms don’t understand meaning, but we do. The part about presence building memory really lingered with me; it made me think of how even small gestures online — a like, a note, a quiet “I see you” — can become something enduring.
Your framing of Substack as a silent disco was perfect. We’re all listening to our own songs, but when someone nods back or sways the same way, it becomes connection. That’s what keeps the space alive — not noise, but resonance.
Reading this felt like being gently tuned back to why I’m here in the first place — not to perform, but to breathe, respond, and listen. Notes aren’t noise, like you said; they’re proof that something human is still moving quietly through the wires.
Thank you Asuka for such a wonderful reflection ~!
I'm so pleased the scenery and scene setting worked :)
You've hit on something so perfect there — the less we perform and try too hard to please the algorithm, the more we breathe, engage and communicate with people.
Because without people, this is just a platform and not a community.
Has there been a note, gesture or small action made a difference to your day recently?
Mark~ ha, I love that — waking up to words instead of an alarm. That’s the real luxury.
As for small gestures… a stranger held the elevator door this morning and said, “no rush.” It was such an ordinary kindness, but it slowed the whole day down in the nicest way. Maybe that’s all community really is — people quietly keeping the door open for each other~
Thank you for sharing the gesture — proof that kind moments don't always need to live in large, grand gestures, but can be just as warming in the small ones too ~)
Oh, that was epic in length, but I found myself nodding a few times like "I'm doing this already". I brought in that LinkedIn spirit I had found last summer. Riding on waves of fun carrying me towards new horizons in (job) life...
Restacks are the tailwind we need...
And also, I notice some shift I made recently:
Away from commenting on *Hey if you have less than xyz subs, drop your substack below* onto a walk of curiosity: Today I was like: "Waaait? New name commenting on that note? What's she writing about? Looking at her last ~7 notes, I caught something I then commented on with two posts of mine. She was like "Haha, right... Thanks for sharing!"
Fantastically useful article - I hadn't even realised the algorithm had changed! As usual, careful, thought-provoking ideas that probe beneath the surface to what matters. Thanks!
Not sure which bit it was in, but I loved the distinction between the algorithm registering human emotional response and not understanding it, and the movement from a river to a mirror.
You’ve left almost nothing for us to comment on...but still, let me try, Mark.
Every line here carries a truth we all feel but rarely admit. Your advice is absolutely actionable… yet the real issue isn’t what to do, it’s who will do it.
Some are trapped in ego, some in busyness, and some in jealousy.
My friend, where do we go when even connection demands courage?
Still, thank you for reminding us that even when the room gets quieter, the music’s still playing, we have to listen differently, and the music is my passion.
Haha — and thanks, Dawnithic!
There’s always plenty to unpack in the comments section and beyond.
I’ve been diving into some really interesting things lately — Dunbar’s Numbers, social networks, and an equally fascinating idea called the *Friendship Paradox.*
The latter is a mathematical theorem that, when applied to social media, explains why most of the people you’re connected to seem to have more friends than you do.
So, I drifted a little — but for good reason — back to your great question about where to go from here.
I’d say: keep moving towards each other, and keep supporting each other as a community.
Because true strength, bonding, engagement — and even reciprocity — work best in smaller, stronger groups rather than larger, weaker ones.
It’s that thing we talked about before: it’s better to have fifty true subscribers and conversations than five hundred who just react without real engagement.
How do you see us going forwards with courage?
Mark, these two terms are new to me, Dunbar’s Number (the theory that humans can naturally maintain around 150 meaningful relationships) and the fascinating Friendship Paradox (which explains why, on social media, it often feels like everyone else has more friends than we do).
I’ll definitely wait for you to share more about them. Yes, we’re showing courage, but we still need more of it.
By the way, I just remembered something, I forgot the name of the person you were going to send those horoscope poems to. Did you share them with him, and what did he say?
Thanks Dawnithic and glad to introduce both of those great guys to you. A lot of things of interest there, just even from a people and engagement perspective.
I don’t remember there being someone to send the poems to — it was more a kind of chain note, with each passing the task onto three (or less / more) people
Apathy's a tragedy and boredom is a crime.
A little bit of everything, all of the time.
This song will always be the best description of internet
Beautifully said, Mahmoud. Thank you!
It's not mine 😅
Search for Welcome to The internet
😂😂😂
Thank you Mark, great write up. You should consider technical writing 😊 It has all the details with the touches of a sensitive writer.
I wonder if you have seen reliable growth using those methods, how many subs were created per day, or per week for example?
I've been trying similar things and I get the feeling the changes made to the alog are still in flux.
I've been thinking that some automation might help with the need to do continuous engagement. I'm happy to share with you when I have it.
Thanks, Marwa!
Ironically, that’s kind of where I’ve come from — and have ended up here — trying to find something beyond numbers, PowerPoint decks, and technical plans. I love that you saw that.
Everything I mentioned above is part algorithm reverse-engineering — I’ve been doing the same on LinkedIn for the last six months — and part cognitive psychology, mixed with a little sociology and anthropology too.
As for the numbers to prove it, that’s quite hard without owning the platform, but everything should work — systems need to understand our patterns in order to know what content to serve us, and our minds like to make it easy by spotting patterns all the time.
Automation for posting Notes could definitely work — people do use it — and I’ve been thinking about building something myself.
I just love sending Notes throughout my day to inspire a little, give a moment for reflection, or simply say hi (albeit usually with something cryptic).
However, my personal view would be to avoid automating engagement actions like commenting. That’s done a lot on LinkedIn, and it tends to create an echo chamber of automated comments.
Do share, please — I’m always interested in seeing how things work and happy to discuss all this stuff too. :)
You have created a poetic utility piece, and I couldn't stop reading. Your information was impeccable, your metaphor enchanting, and your efforts on our behalf deserve all the recognition that writers can give you. You certainly have mine...
Mark~ this piece felt like stepping into a dimly lit bookshop and hearing quiet music thread through the shelves. I love how you wove human rhythm into the mechanics of the feed — that reminder that algorithms don’t understand meaning, but we do. The part about presence building memory really lingered with me; it made me think of how even small gestures online — a like, a note, a quiet “I see you” — can become something enduring.
Your framing of Substack as a silent disco was perfect. We’re all listening to our own songs, but when someone nods back or sways the same way, it becomes connection. That’s what keeps the space alive — not noise, but resonance.
Reading this felt like being gently tuned back to why I’m here in the first place — not to perform, but to breathe, respond, and listen. Notes aren’t noise, like you said; they’re proof that something human is still moving quietly through the wires.
Ohhh and I think I need to post more, just before I go to bed, so I can wake up to comments like this in the morning. No better way to wake up ~!
Thank you Asuka for such a wonderful reflection ~!
I'm so pleased the scenery and scene setting worked :)
You've hit on something so perfect there — the less we perform and try too hard to please the algorithm, the more we breathe, engage and communicate with people.
Because without people, this is just a platform and not a community.
Has there been a note, gesture or small action made a difference to your day recently?
Mark~ ha, I love that — waking up to words instead of an alarm. That’s the real luxury.
As for small gestures… a stranger held the elevator door this morning and said, “no rush.” It was such an ordinary kindness, but it slowed the whole day down in the nicest way. Maybe that’s all community really is — people quietly keeping the door open for each other~
A luxury we'd all love I'm sure!
Thank you for sharing the gesture — proof that kind moments don't always need to live in large, grand gestures, but can be just as warming in the small ones too ~)
Oh, that was epic in length, but I found myself nodding a few times like "I'm doing this already". I brought in that LinkedIn spirit I had found last summer. Riding on waves of fun carrying me towards new horizons in (job) life...
Restacks are the tailwind we need...
And also, I notice some shift I made recently:
Away from commenting on *Hey if you have less than xyz subs, drop your substack below* onto a walk of curiosity: Today I was like: "Waaait? New name commenting on that note? What's she writing about? Looking at her last ~7 notes, I caught something I then commented on with two posts of mine. She was like "Haha, right... Thanks for sharing!"
That's all for now, my keyboard's dry,
The beer is fine, a car drove by,
To find the sofa comfort now.
Some sleep to come back, comments, wow.
Thanks for the read Daniela!
It was longer than planned but to shorten it — and I tried — seemed to lose context.
The acts of reciprocity above can and do work and help us to find new things to read and be inspired by.
However, not everyone's like that.
Restacks are quite clever, with the ability to add notes as well.
Enjoy sofa, beer and rest and thanks!
NICE - "Your comments and reactions on Notes aren’t applause — they’re tuning forks."
Thanks Keith!
Fantastically useful article - I hadn't even realised the algorithm had changed! As usual, careful, thought-provoking ideas that probe beneath the surface to what matters. Thanks!
Thank you so much Moll.
Quick Test Check:
- What were the 3 things listed in Section 4 - The Algorithm Isn’t... ?
Just kidding :)
Glad to bring something more than just poetry, coffee and a cake sometimes.
You always bring more - but also, when did I ever object to poetry and cake? (Tea for me please!)
All three being served soon ma'am!
Oh excellent, I’m in sore need of them this evening!
Not sure which bit it was in, but I loved the distinction between the algorithm registering human emotional response and not understanding it, and the movement from a river to a mirror.