Your framing of short form as a worldview engine really resonates with my own vision. It’s not about chasing attention, but shaping a future through coherence.
The flood of information is growing exponentially, and the reaction time expected of us is getting ever shorter. This is the FAST world we live in – and no one can change it. We must learn to navigate it without harming ourselves. To support this, we need to acknowledge the staccato of the FAST world. The right approach is to deliver suggestions that are compressed yet meaningful – in short form. Only then can we perhaps spark a SLOW mindset to help us thrive in this FAST world.
‘Short form is not just a tool for distribution, it is actually a mirror.’ That line hit me. The best writing I’ve done hasn’t come from chasing attention, it’s come from testing my own clarity. Short form really does force you to see what you actually believe and whether you’re willing to stand behind it.
This was a really great read. I’m pretty comfortable with short form (I struggle with longer form because I have the attention span of a hamster) but love how you highlight the value.
Joseph Campbell once said that his yoga was simply underlining sentences. Think that somewhat sums up the entire point here. "Make your sentences worth underlining."
Interesting point. On a side note I tried reading the heroes journey and found it incredibly difficult to get through. I know a lot of people quote it but man that was not written for mass consumption
Definitely not. _The Power of Myth," a series of videos with Bill Moyers, and the companion book, are much easier to digest. Happily, PBS runs the series regularly; it's one of their best fundraiser series. He's really not that difficult once you get past orthodoxy and take him where he is. He's not an advocate for anything or an evangelist. He's more interested in religious myth as an idea. But if someone tries to get to a personal fairh rather than an academic topic, there's just no there there. 😵💫
This is really interesting Benjamin, I like this way of looking of looking at shorts. They become a way of distilling your thoughts into their most concise and impactful form
Thank you 👍🏻 I just posted a short form reflecting on my own hesitations about it, just a confidence thing really but ironic to read this article just after it. To help me I decided to handwrite and post the a photo of it - I journal a fair bit and comes easier than an actual post.
This is great Ben thank you for sharing such a well thought out perspective. I am working on something like this for solopreneurs and product leaders to be more intentional and focus on what will have the most impact. I think it is balancing your strategy/intentional voice with experimentation as experimenting in turn helps you know what your voice is. Looking forward to seeing how you turn random into intentional short form.
One of the best articles I read about short-form content.
Thank you Sir.
Thanks Matt I’ve done a bit of a U turn on it. Took me a while to come around
Your evolution and admittance adds even further credibility. Absolutely brilliant Ben. Sincere thanks for this game changing perspective.
Your framing of short form as a worldview engine really resonates with my own vision. It’s not about chasing attention, but shaping a future through coherence.
That’s exactly it. Shaping future coherence. Well put
Even in a FAST world, a short suggestion can open the door to something slower, deeper, wiser
100%
The flood of information is growing exponentially, and the reaction time expected of us is getting ever shorter. This is the FAST world we live in – and no one can change it. We must learn to navigate it without harming ourselves. To support this, we need to acknowledge the staccato of the FAST world. The right approach is to deliver suggestions that are compressed yet meaningful – in short form. Only then can we perhaps spark a SLOW mindset to help us thrive in this FAST world.
‘Short form is not just a tool for distribution, it is actually a mirror.’ That line hit me. The best writing I’ve done hasn’t come from chasing attention, it’s come from testing my own clarity. Short form really does force you to see what you actually believe and whether you’re willing to stand behind it.
This is great. Short form forces you to condense, to trim away the fat, to get to the core of things.
This was a really great read. I’m pretty comfortable with short form (I struggle with longer form because I have the attention span of a hamster) but love how you highlight the value.
Thanks Liam. I’m the opposite which is why it took me so long to undestand this
In my journal I used to highlight and keep the sentences that make to me most sense in separate pages.
Something like the best off.
I think you are right.
When at times I'm just expressing views get close to none.
When it is about something that I know it can help views are increasing.
Delving keeping into what you know and are curious about is the right path to follow
You are in the right path.
Joseph Campbell once said that his yoga was simply underlining sentences. Think that somewhat sums up the entire point here. "Make your sentences worth underlining."
Interesting point. On a side note I tried reading the heroes journey and found it incredibly difficult to get through. I know a lot of people quote it but man that was not written for mass consumption
Definitely not. _The Power of Myth," a series of videos with Bill Moyers, and the companion book, are much easier to digest. Happily, PBS runs the series regularly; it's one of their best fundraiser series. He's really not that difficult once you get past orthodoxy and take him where he is. He's not an advocate for anything or an evangelist. He's more interested in religious myth as an idea. But if someone tries to get to a personal fairh rather than an academic topic, there's just no there there. 😵💫
This is really interesting Benjamin, I like this way of looking of looking at shorts. They become a way of distilling your thoughts into their most concise and impactful form
Thanks so much Ben. This is incredibly helpful and a post I know I will return again. You've just shifted my perspective on Notes. Cheers.
Interesting article. But one writes what one feels. Feelings don't necessarily have to follow a preordained flow...
Thank you 👍🏻 I just posted a short form reflecting on my own hesitations about it, just a confidence thing really but ironic to read this article just after it. To help me I decided to handwrite and post the a photo of it - I journal a fair bit and comes easier than an actual post.
"Building a body of work that speaks for you..."
I love that, and that's what I'm trying to do.
Great article, especially how clear you articulate your argument!
Thanks. Came from a lot of trial and error.
And a lot of work, I imagine! Are you based in France?
Funny you should say be side I’m in France right now, but I’m based in Germany
Ah, I thought due to the name. I’m also based in Germany. In Freiburg to be exact. Well, have a great time in France then!
A very helpful reframe for me. Thank you.
This is great Ben thank you for sharing such a well thought out perspective. I am working on something like this for solopreneurs and product leaders to be more intentional and focus on what will have the most impact. I think it is balancing your strategy/intentional voice with experimentation as experimenting in turn helps you know what your voice is. Looking forward to seeing how you turn random into intentional short form.
Yes. It was a particular challenge for me as I really avoided short form for a long time. I’ve been working on a system that really keeps me energised