Another comment from a retired Anglican priest, via email. I will offer some commentary....
I read your request for feedback on the video. I found it informative, but I believe several improvements would be helpful for viewers.
The video would benefit from more post production editing. The preliminary material which oriented to the specific parish should have been edited out.>>
Well, it's the parish's YouTube channel. I have zero technical ability -- outside of print medium.
<<The use of more than a stationary camera with a single frame would make the visuals more interesting. Here I think closeup framing of you speaking may assist to create a better connection with viewers.>>
Again, that's a tech issue. You are talking about rather expensive additions to the situation. Right?
Here is a thoughtful comment from a former CCCU.org colleague, posted with her permission.
The time stamps suggestion is very helpful. I will suggest that to the producer of this particular video. Maybe we can add that!
The content looked interesting—and hits right at the things on parents’ minds, and planning for life in the new year, etc.
For me as a working parent w a 7yr old and 5yr old, life during Christmas (yes the 12 days:D) = hosting relatives + kiddos at home so it was a hard week to turn around an unexpected piece of long form video content—especially as we are de-emphasizing screen time for kids and adults!
Giving “previews” or a high-level outline of the content—even w time stamps for where to skip ahead on the video can help people know it is worth their time/prioritize.
I could see a situation where one longform a month could be a good rhythm combined with maybe 10 minute food for thought that fleshes out the topic more— leading up to the long form or following up from it.
Audio-only podcasts are where I consume most parenting/life improvement nonfiction content.
This will be an honest but unsatisfactory response from someone who greatly enjoys your writing (going back to pre-Substack): When I'm on Substack I'm normally in "reading" mode. Which is weird, because I'll go from Substack in one tab to YouTube in another. But, for some reason, when I see a long video in Substack I think, "Perhaps I'll watch that sometime." But if I see the same content in written form, I'm likely to read it. Chalk it up to different rooms in the mind palace (or, in my case, the mind hovel).
Like I said, you can scan when reading. You also have the ability to look ahead....
Video? Nope. You have to want that person's voice and point of view. This raises the question: Why are podcasts booming? It's an interesting commentary on time and people's interests.
I should have mentioned this: People by the millions listen to POLITICAL podcasts
Two p's: Passive and peripatetic. You can exercise, drive, and/or mow the lawn while listening. And we learn well while in motion - cf Socrates walking with his students vs. modern industrial-revolution-inspired education with students sitting down in nice neat rows.
Video, for most people, is an impossible format to pull off. I know that all the big podcasters now include video, but I'd bet even those are typically consumed as audio. For example I'll have a youtube playing in the background listening while working on something else at my desk. And to justify the attention that actual video demands, the production values are off the charts.
Personally, I love your podcast you do with Todd Wilken. The articles are almost always read through. I'd bet money that an audio form of the interviews you do to prepare for your articles would be fascinating. I know it isn't the finished product, which probably wouldn't feel right. But I think the substack/audio medium is about open process as invitation to ongoing conversation as it is final product. Anyway.
You have already hit upon the time factor. For me, the Christmas season has always been a challenge. As an accountant, end of year work has always been so demanding that I have felt “I must find a way to stop Christmas!” I don’t really want to stop Christmas, just the stress of the season. Added work and Christmas stress, plus a desire to share your video very soon with family, is why I have only glimpsed the video at this point.
I retire at the end of this month. So, while I am a bit shy, and not as intellectual as most, I should have time to participate in an audio format.
Speaking of shy, I had written a comment for your previous post, but bailed on posting because of my ideation on the subject. I was thinking of limits. God limited humanity with language barriers at Babel. So, what are we to limit in our lives when the internet has opened this huge world that is overwhelming attractive to those with a “lust to know”? In the Divine Liturgy the priest says, “The doors, the doors — in wisdom let us attend!” What do we let into our own hearts and lives? How do we limit what comes our way so we can focus on things that matter?
For me I have only a select few Substack subscriptions. Rod Dreher and yours! There is also a young man from India that I enjoy reading as well, The Book of Ptah, because India is in one sense why I am Orthodox. But that is a long story for perhaps another time. Suffice it to say, I think your posts are very relevant and because of your Baptist background and experience, I can relate to much of what you say. Thank you!
The thing about audio chats, for me, is that anyone can ask an honest question. The question is whether the host actually wants to talk. I sincerely want to talk to folks about these issues. I hope to see ya online then!
You give good advice. Could you do some interviews that show your advice as actionable to the risk or conflict adverse?
Interviews with different pastors who have succeeded to at least a degree, even if it's less than you would personally prefer. Also to include the transcript because perhaps you've already done this and I've missed it as a reader.
There is a story underneath all this about the changing landscape of Protestantism. Can you cast your net to find a different range of unexpected success stories of moderating and considering technology? If you could find three different examples, one megachurch, one nondenominational church, and one mainline adjacent church that had recently been through hard and divisive times, those would be three compelling stories that would speak to a lot of people.
Or, that you go and try to find that Protestant story and it's just not there, and that gives it's own starkness and urgency about people considering conversion to Orthodoxy or Catholicism. But curiosity and a belief in America make me think that there are Protestant pockets where people have carefully considered technology. I think that's the next step in the broader story you are telling.
The implication is that someone is researching and even ranking these "success stories." Most of the time, when people approach me with claims to have found these examples, it's the TECH COMPANIES themselves -- the folks who do the speakers, video screens etc. -- who want coverage of their own work. There are a few folks that I would consider authorities on these topics. I'll have a think piece about one encounter in a few days
Totally agree that most media coverage is about selling some technology. My belief in the possible existence of moderation or limiting success stories is more about faith in America than any evidence that I can offer.
Maybe some readers can write in. I'm personally on team convert. Where is team low tech but growing Protestant?
Another comment from a retired Anglican priest, via email. I will offer some commentary....
I read your request for feedback on the video. I found it informative, but I believe several improvements would be helpful for viewers.
The video would benefit from more post production editing. The preliminary material which oriented to the specific parish should have been edited out.>>
Well, it's the parish's YouTube channel. I have zero technical ability -- outside of print medium.
<<The use of more than a stationary camera with a single frame would make the visuals more interesting. Here I think closeup framing of you speaking may assist to create a better connection with viewers.>>
Again, that's a tech issue. You are talking about rather expensive additions to the situation. Right?
Here is a thoughtful comment from a former CCCU.org colleague, posted with her permission.
The time stamps suggestion is very helpful. I will suggest that to the producer of this particular video. Maybe we can add that!
The content looked interesting—and hits right at the things on parents’ minds, and planning for life in the new year, etc.
For me as a working parent w a 7yr old and 5yr old, life during Christmas (yes the 12 days:D) = hosting relatives + kiddos at home so it was a hard week to turn around an unexpected piece of long form video content—especially as we are de-emphasizing screen time for kids and adults!
Giving “previews” or a high-level outline of the content—even w time stamps for where to skip ahead on the video can help people know it is worth their time/prioritize.
I could see a situation where one longform a month could be a good rhythm combined with maybe 10 minute food for thought that fleshes out the topic more— leading up to the long form or following up from it.
Audio-only podcasts are where I consume most parenting/life improvement nonfiction content.
Wishing you a happy new year!
Abigail Linsner Zhang
This will be an honest but unsatisfactory response from someone who greatly enjoys your writing (going back to pre-Substack): When I'm on Substack I'm normally in "reading" mode. Which is weird, because I'll go from Substack in one tab to YouTube in another. But, for some reason, when I see a long video in Substack I think, "Perhaps I'll watch that sometime." But if I see the same content in written form, I'm likely to read it. Chalk it up to different rooms in the mind palace (or, in my case, the mind hovel).
Like I said, you can scan when reading. You also have the ability to look ahead....
Video? Nope. You have to want that person's voice and point of view. This raises the question: Why are podcasts booming? It's an interesting commentary on time and people's interests.
I should have mentioned this: People by the millions listen to POLITICAL podcasts
Two p's: Passive and peripatetic. You can exercise, drive, and/or mow the lawn while listening. And we learn well while in motion - cf Socrates walking with his students vs. modern industrial-revolution-inspired education with students sitting down in nice neat rows.
Video, for most people, is an impossible format to pull off. I know that all the big podcasters now include video, but I'd bet even those are typically consumed as audio. For example I'll have a youtube playing in the background listening while working on something else at my desk. And to justify the attention that actual video demands, the production values are off the charts.
Personally, I love your podcast you do with Todd Wilken. The articles are almost always read through. I'd bet money that an audio form of the interviews you do to prepare for your articles would be fascinating. I know it isn't the finished product, which probably wouldn't feel right. But I think the substack/audio medium is about open process as invitation to ongoing conversation as it is final product. Anyway.
I hear you. I intend to talk, pronto, with the producer of these two Nativity Lent videos to see if we can create an audio only version.
I read most of all. I listen to podcasts occasionally, usually when driving.
Yet another vote for audio versions of lectures -- or some combination of the two.
You have already hit upon the time factor. For me, the Christmas season has always been a challenge. As an accountant, end of year work has always been so demanding that I have felt “I must find a way to stop Christmas!” I don’t really want to stop Christmas, just the stress of the season. Added work and Christmas stress, plus a desire to share your video very soon with family, is why I have only glimpsed the video at this point.
I retire at the end of this month. So, while I am a bit shy, and not as intellectual as most, I should have time to participate in an audio format.
Speaking of shy, I had written a comment for your previous post, but bailed on posting because of my ideation on the subject. I was thinking of limits. God limited humanity with language barriers at Babel. So, what are we to limit in our lives when the internet has opened this huge world that is overwhelming attractive to those with a “lust to know”? In the Divine Liturgy the priest says, “The doors, the doors — in wisdom let us attend!” What do we let into our own hearts and lives? How do we limit what comes our way so we can focus on things that matter?
For me I have only a select few Substack subscriptions. Rod Dreher and yours! There is also a young man from India that I enjoy reading as well, The Book of Ptah, because India is in one sense why I am Orthodox. But that is a long story for perhaps another time. Suffice it to say, I think your posts are very relevant and because of your Baptist background and experience, I can relate to much of what you say. Thank you!
The thing about audio chats, for me, is that anyone can ask an honest question. The question is whether the host actually wants to talk. I sincerely want to talk to folks about these issues. I hope to see ya online then!
You give good advice. Could you do some interviews that show your advice as actionable to the risk or conflict adverse?
Interviews with different pastors who have succeeded to at least a degree, even if it's less than you would personally prefer. Also to include the transcript because perhaps you've already done this and I've missed it as a reader.
There is a story underneath all this about the changing landscape of Protestantism. Can you cast your net to find a different range of unexpected success stories of moderating and considering technology? If you could find three different examples, one megachurch, one nondenominational church, and one mainline adjacent church that had recently been through hard and divisive times, those would be three compelling stories that would speak to a lot of people.
Or, that you go and try to find that Protestant story and it's just not there, and that gives it's own starkness and urgency about people considering conversion to Orthodoxy or Catholicism. But curiosity and a belief in America make me think that there are Protestant pockets where people have carefully considered technology. I think that's the next step in the broader story you are telling.
The implication is that someone is researching and even ranking these "success stories." Most of the time, when people approach me with claims to have found these examples, it's the TECH COMPANIES themselves -- the folks who do the speakers, video screens etc. -- who want coverage of their own work. There are a few folks that I would consider authorities on these topics. I'll have a think piece about one encounter in a few days
Totally agree that most media coverage is about selling some technology. My belief in the possible existence of moderation or limiting success stories is more about faith in America than any evidence that I can offer.
Maybe some readers can write in. I'm personally on team convert. Where is team low tech but growing Protestant?