19 Comments

I also prefer reading you comments rather than video

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I sure enjoy listening to you as much as reading your thoughts and insights but video does not do much for me when I really read or listen more than watch and listen. I listen to ted talks without watching them most times. On poem a day, I read the poem while I listen to someone else read it- really nice approach to taking it all in. Did like your office tho!

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I agree with the majority below. Text, especially when thought-provoking, works better than video

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I much prefer reading your newsletters. Unless you want to start doing cooking demonstrations ... now that would be something to watch! ;)

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I struggle to consume video, as many have said. My son and wife do much better at it I note. Meanwhile, your voice is so fabulous, it must be used... I've been thinking about the podcast feature for my substack.... I've also got the video option, but it seems like so much more work to produce videos than have words running off my finger tips....

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I prefer reading to video.

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I'm rather new to your insights and must say I thoroughly enjoy reading them. Thank you!

With respect to videos, I echo what most of the other comments have already said. I would watch a brief video or listen to a brief podcast as an accompaniment to the newsletter but not one for the other.

I think we like to see words on a page that we can either ingest all at once or read more slowly or like you, pause and consider the content before moving on. You can't do that with a spoken pre-recorded speech. I too don't want to consider one for the other, they are too different from each other.

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I love the video! I also read your wonderful posts but sometimes watching or listening is all I can do...Please consider keeping them no longer than 15 mins (TED talk style). Thanks for asking!

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There's a difference for me in intent when I consume video vs. a newsletter. For me, newsletters tend to be very passive consumption. I scan for topics of relevance and breeze through content to get the gist of the entry. That's not something I can do with video. Video tends to be a more active consumption. It's not something I can do while on a conference call or at a glance. I need to have the time to sit and listen. I actively engage with content when I'm looking for answers or entertainment. I'm more willing, and able, to breeze through a newsletter in a busy day. Whereas, I may, or may not, have time to click on a video and listen in real time, to determine if a video is relevant. That said, if it is a topic that I'm trying to learn, I want (concise) video with experience and insight. So, there is room for both, but I don't consider one a trade-off for the other.

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Congrats on getting into the pilot, Scott. I’m a fan of your writing, and I’m sure you can produce a great video, but I’ll wind up sticking with the text. The closest video series to what I think you could wind up doing is Dan Pink’s 90-120 second takeaways on some skill or tip, so I’d watch those if you haven’t yet.

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Scott, thanks for including your readers in the process. Video is the shallow rabbit hole of the lazy and I admit to crawling around from one link to the next but never going deeper. Your writing makes me think in a way that I am not sure the distraction of your image and voice would allow me to do. I watched the 90 seconds but 90 seconds later all I recall is the bow tie and library setting.

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Building on John's comment...video is visual. I almost never have the sound on when I watch, always the subtitles. (I would make an exception here!) All the stuff in the background, what a treasure trouve. I bet everything has a story or could add to one you've already told. Scott's Library. Other options, take us places you have access to we don't. Your favorite place at The Henry Ford. The Glass House. Excited to see where you take this.

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Feb 21, 2022·edited Feb 21, 2022

Great idea, I would just make sure to keep those for specific elements of your production. Not replicate what you write in another format which would be a waste of time, but rather embrace the format for what it can add (pace, pause, motion, etc.) and what it loses (reflexions, cross-references, calm). I believe the two can really add to the overall experience of your work. See, read and hear you on the Internet

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Hi Scott, I think this is great! I do enjoy your writing, and I'm glad to see that you will continue that. I agree with others who suggest unpacking some of your posts would be helpful. Still, I can't help to think that video could be used for something else, video book reviews, culture reviews (bourbon, bow-ties, etc.), or even something like a 1-minute lesson on something... I hope that helps and good luck! I can't wait to see where you take this.

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In addition to summing up individual posts, I would love to see you connecting dots across them over time.

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Love it! Always good to see and hear you! For those not caring for the music, it's also very on-brand for you. With the weather warming up, I'd also enjoy catching up on posts while outside.

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