To drill into the tension between the lower and the higher while continuing with the example: the former activity has values embedded in it, which, if left unexamined, can dispirit the overall project or bend one out of integrity.

For example, the conversations around optimizing for the lower-level things you list (SEO, AEO, AI search, etc.) carry the core value of reach, a value tethered to the activity itself and bolstered by the culture surrounding optimization, which often pairs reach with attention-capture.

The solution of subordinating reach to a higher-order value — one incompatible with attention-capture — still presents a challenge: the former remains readily quantitative, hence easier to measure, while the latter remains qualitative, mainly relational, hence harder to attune to in online environments like YouTube. This challenge can be mitigated by holding regular, communal gatherings with one’s audience. A content creator who arrives this far in the inquiry then wrestles with an additional question: whom am I called to commune with?

Your careful reasoning through such matters evidently accounts for how you’ve maintained integrity with your channel.

Thank you, Chris! It would be great to have you in the seminar. By around September 20, we’ll know if we have enough people to run it. The minimum enrollment is five, and once that’s met, we can also accommodate “maybe” participants (similar to the Reading Group). The maximum enrollment is twelve, but in all honesty, I don’t anticipate reaching that number this year.

Thank you very much, Jeremy! I appreciate your encouraging comment. Sharing the announcement with others who may be interested would be a great help. And if you later have any ideas, suggestions, criticisms for me I’m always open to receiving them. Hope all is well with you.

Thank you, Patrick! It’s great to hear that you’re interested. The format will share some similarities, except that each session will begin with a presentation by me. Regarding writing, I added a note about the option to present a paper to the group toward the end of the course – Thanks for taking note of that. Otherwise, let me follow up via email.

Is the format like the Saturday group? Assigned readings, discussion, or will there be some writing involved?

Thanks for the opportunity,

Patrick

That’s good to hear. Check out the information on the website (https://dgozli.com/reading-group-schedule) and let me know if you have any questions.