Craig’s Cabinet of Meagre Offerings

Craig's Cabinet of Meagre Offerings explores the nuances of internet culture, content creation, and personal development through a blend of iconoclastic fiction and essays. It delves into the challenges of engaging online content, work ethic, creativity, the impact of niching down, and the quest for authenticity amidst digital trends.

Internet Culture Content Creation Personal Development Digital Trends Creativity and Inspiration Work Ethic Fiction and Storytelling Social Media Impact Critique of Online Hustle Culture Authenticity in Digital Spaces

The hottest Substack posts of Craig’s Cabinet of Meagre Offerings

And their main takeaways

Eye Deers

1 implied HN point • 06 Oct 23
🎨 Art & Illustration Visual art Creativity Imagination
  1. Eye Deers are creatures that inspire creativity and appear when you least expect them
  2. Many people don't believe in Eye Deers and underestimate their own creative potential
  3. When you encounter an Eye Deer, embrace it, nurture it, and use it as a source of inspiration

Drowning in The How

3 implied HN points • 19 Nov 22
  1. Many people consume 'How-to' content without taking action on it.
  2. The abundance of 'How-to' content can be distracting and overwhelming.
  3. It's important to balance consuming information with taking action and gaining real experiences.

The Working Class Work Ethic

4 implied HN points • 25 Jun 22
  1. Work ethic is vital - from hand-built to online content.
  2. Value hard work, not just glamourized version of it.
  3. Success takes time, effort, and a strong work ethic.
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The dumb idea of dumbing down

2 HN points • 26 Jul 22
  1. Writing should not be dumbed down to cater to digital trends.
  2. Labels like 'Digital Writer' can limit creativity and quality of writing.
  3. Audiences deserve more thoughtful and complex content, not just simplistic 'digital' formats.

Beaches

2 implied HN points • 11 Jul 22
  1. The author doesn't like beaches due to past traumatic experiences.
  2. The author struggles with imposter syndrome and doesn't see themselves as a 'writer'.
  3. Despite the struggles, the author is starting to find their voice and embrace writing.

This Is Not Value

2 implied HN points • 19 Jun 22
  1. Value in content creation is not solely about providing useful information.
  2. Being yourself and creating art can be more impactful than rigidly focusing on providing value.
  3. Focusing on creating genuine, enjoyable content can be more fulfilling than solely aiming to provide value.

Obssessive Niche Disorder

1 implied HN point • 17 Aug 22
  1. Compartmentalizing our interests to segment our audiences can limit our potential and make us boring.
  2. Focusing on becoming known online without a clear purpose can lead to superficial fame and irrelevant niches.
  3. Becoming obsessed with niching down for content marketing can sometimes prioritize ego over creating meaningful content.

nuffink

1 implied HN point • 19 Jul 22
  1. People talk about doing nothing but it's actually hard work.
  2. Influencers avoid admitting they do nothing to maintain their image.
  3. The idea of doing nothing to achieve success challenges societal norms.

Scatology

1 implied HN point • 03 Jul 22
  1. People are reading less, turning to social media for information instead of books.
  2. Short attention spans from social media may contribute to the decline in reading.
  3. The shift towards self-centric content creation has changed the focus of online interactions.

The Number

1 implied HN point • 20 Jun 22
  1. The number doesn't go up faster when you watch it.
  2. The number doesn't care about your obsession with it.
  3. The number increases when you make progress.

What is content?

1 implied HN point • 18 Jun 22
  1. Content is more than just words, it's about context and intent.
  2. Not all content is harmless, words have power to hurt, influence, or manipulate.
  3. Be wary of creating 'bad' content - work with intent and avoid common pitfalls.

One Fifth Famous, Four Fifths Broken

0 implied HN points • 18 Jun 22
  1. Building an audience can be an escape from mundane routines and a way to turn expertise into profit.
  2. Desperation to build an audience can lead to pursuing engagement tricks and pseudo-content, which can feel empty and unfulfilling.
  3. The pursuit of a large audience can result in being four fifths broken, with the illusion that audience is the end goal.

A sleight of hand

0 implied HN points • 18 Jun 22
  1. Two friends, a magician and a comedian, both successful in their own ways.
  2. The magician has a highly choreographed show, while the comedian relies on natural storytelling.
  3. Using fewer tricks and focusing on genuine storytelling can be more impactful in the long run.

280 Characters

0 implied HN points • 18 Jun 22
  1. Compressing ideas into 280 characters for sharing can be a challenge.
  2. Writing in 280 characters limits depth and nuance in conveying complex ideas.
  3. Short-form content like 280 characters can remove understanding and reinforce biases.

The Expert's Curse

0 implied HN points • 21 May 22
  1. The Expert's Curse can make it hard for experts to market themselves
  2. Experts often struggle with selling their own creative work
  3. Believe in the value of your own creative work and don't be afraid to promote it

Destroy your audience

0 implied HN points • 18 Jun 22
  1. Reconsider the concept of having an audience
  2. Create content for yourself, not for an audience
  3. Challenge your audience with complex and nuanced content

Hit, Smash, Like, Subscribe

0 implied HN points • 18 Jun 22
  1. Engage readers with interesting content, not cheap tactics
  2. Beware of losing the essence and structure in online content creation
  3. Seek out independent voices and content with real meaning and thoughtfulness

I question things (because that’s what we should all do)

0 implied HN points • 22 Mar 22
  1. Questioning things is essential for seeking truth and personal growth.
  2. Online hustle culture can lead to addiction and shallow content creation.
  3. Criticism should be disciplined, systematic, and backed by reasoning, not just reaction.

And Online But Online

0 implied HN points • 19 Apr 22
  1. Being online has become a fundamental part of life for many, especially for those who grew up with it.
  2. There are both positive and negative impacts of living in an online world, such as easier access to information but also a loss of attention span and patience.
  3. The concept of being 'online' has drastically changed how we interact, develop, and perceive reality.

Coming soon

0 implied HN points • 18 Jun 22
  1. Craig Burgess is launching a newsletter called 'Craig's Cabinet of Meagre Offerings'.
  2. The newsletter is about being yourself in a world focused on providing value and niching down.
  3. Visit thisisnotvalue.substack.com to subscribe.

Zero words, white pages

0 implied HN points • 14 May 22
  1. Struggling to find the right words can feel frustrating and paralyzing.
  2. External distractions can make it challenging to focus and be creative.
  3. The struggle with writer's block can be like temporary memory loss, with the words just out of reach.

Contentalife

0 implied HN points • 18 Jun 22
  1. Herbalife functions like a pyramid scheme where the focus is on recruiting rather than selling products.
  2. The Content Pyramid Scheme involves creating and promoting content as a way to build a following and make money.
  3. Success in the Content Pyramid Scheme can lead to a realization that the business is built on a scam, lacking authenticity and originality.

The Number Kidnap

0 implied HN points • 18 Jun 22
  1. The Number you focus on tends to increase in importance
  2. Don't let chasing numbers overshadow your original fun and enjoyment
  3. Remember why you started creating in the first place

In the room

0 implied HN points • 07 May 22
  1. The room is filled with people pursuing different definitions of beauty, both inward and outward.
  2. Some individuals escape to the room to lift weights as a simple pleasure and an interval from daily madness.
  3. Each person in the room is on their unique journey of pursuing beauty, whether physical or internal.