They can't sue everyone
Editor's Note: As will become clear, I wrote all this last evening, and intended to send it contemporaneously. But the problem with using independent software made by good people is that they, too, might be hanging out watching the Super Bowl and not responding to support inquiries at the drop of a hat. Which is entirely reasonable. Anyway. There was a snafu, now we're here. You might not have read this email until today anyway. Stay golden, valentine, and read on.
Hello friend,
First of all, hey, hi, it’s your boy Scott. At some point in the last five years you joined my personal mailing list. When and how I decide to send anything to this list remains a mystery, even to me. I’ve re-platformed every three editions or so, which is to say, uh, every year. Ridiculous. But here we go again! I’m back on Buttondown — trying to reduce my reliance on slimy tech that primarily profits from tracking people and attention-jacking. I’m also on my own again (translation: not employed) and feeling like I really need to send you this much overdue letter.
Second of all, I know it’s been a bit. You might not even remember subscribing. So I’ll try not to take instant unsubscribes personally. However, I am writing this on my birthday. So if you’re inclined to unsubscribe, I mean, geez … on my birthday? Rude, honestly.
In addition to being the anniversary of the day of my birth, it’s also Super Bowl Sunday. I don’t have any legal relationship with the National Football League, and have not received personal clearance to use the phrase “Super Bowl”, but I’ll be god-damned if I’m going to call it “the big game”. I cringe at every advertiser’s use of the phrase and find the preemptive deference nauseating. They can’t sue everyone you stupid weenies. Their best lawyers are all tied up making sure they can still profit from objectifying women and excluding gay people and not having to hire Black people with the audacity to suggest “hey maybe stop killing us, if you don’t mind, please”. Like honestly imagine having an enterprise that won’t employ Colin Kaepernick, will spend decades using naked racial slurs to market their products, but also still gets their legal panties in a bunch when someone dares market $1 wings at their dying dive bar in their dying small town using their utterly-fucking-generic “trademark”. It’s embarrassing and obscene. Count your blood money and leave well enough alone.
I don’t know why I said all that. I guess I wanted to say that I know I’m sending you this letter on a day when your attention is likely elsewhere. I mean, I’m still going to watch the game. And all the bullshit before the game! (I’m currently suffering through some “music” from two human red flags who go by The Chainsmokers.)
Anyway, yes, I’m non-employed again. This time I quit. Long story. I’ll get into it someday, but not today. I told my coworkers the truth of the moment when I put in my notice, which was that I was utterly exhausted, wanted to spend some time doing nothing, and hoped to reconnect with my passions … I’ve found the “do nothing” part extremely difficult. I feel the clock ticking. I see my peers advancing. People I’ve mentored are making way more money than me. I see the industry moving forward. I feel like there’s some shit I need to do, now, in this moment. So I’m actually busier than ever, for better or worse. But goddamn if it doesn’t feel good to just do the work without doing the dance. It’s just me, now. When I want to move, I move. When I want to rest, I rest. Not knowing where my next check is coming from is scary, yes, but if you asked me right now I’d tell you that I’m never going back. I hope I’m never going back.
I don’t even know when I sent the last one of these, so I’m just going to assume that anything I’ve done in the past year, or am about to do shortly, is worth mentioning. So, allow me to highlight some of my goings-on:
- I’ve launched a new program called The Content Career Accelerator. It’s a six-week curriculum of live workshops, group activities, take-home exercises, and 1-on-1 coaching to help people get unstuck and moving forward in their content careers. I’ve never done anything like this before, and am very excited and scared, but I think it could be the start of something new and different for me. It feels right. Applications are open now.
- I’ve brought back my UX Content Office Hours, with a greater emphasis on helping folks in the early stages of their careers. The sessions are small group this time. I was repeating myself a lot when I hosted these 1-on-1, so I’m hoping we can all learn faster together and build more connections in small groups. The first 70+ spots(!) have already been taken. New spots will open on a rolling basis every week, and also if there are last-minute cancelations. Free, as always.
- I killed the membership option on my Buy Me a Coffee page as I wasn’t really using it. Thanks to everyone who took part; I see you fam. Spot donations are still very much welcome if you’d like to help me keep this newsletter, UX Writing Events, the aforementioned UX Content Office Hours, and all of my other writings and projects going. More people than you’d think donate. It surprises and delights me every time. Thank you.
- I’ve said yes to an awful lot of upcoming workshops and speaking engagements. Coming up very soon are OOUX Happy Hour, Utterly Content, and my content strategy fundamentals course through SVC.
And if you’ll allow me a spot of further self-promotion, here are some decent things I’ve written of late:
- The Elephant in the Glovebox - On why you can’t fit content into product.
- Writing rules are made to be chosen - Rules are the choice to make the same choice over and over again.
- Hire Product People Who Already Understand Content - Self-explanatory, really.
- Two attributes that shape every content role - A diagram to make everyonemad.
- Fighting Against Feature Names - You don’t need to use proper nouns to talk about your product features.
- Cuddle the Muddle: Paths into UX Content - On why “UX Writer” probably won’t be your first content job.
Enough about me. How are you? What’s going on? Has this pandemic made you into a fellow apocalyptic weirdo? Have you done a lot of puzzles? I did a lot of puzzles. I’ve watched a lot of TV. Too much TV. My whole brain is TV now. I need people, actual people, not just Frasier and Marty and Niles. Those scamps. How are you? Write back, friend. Just hit reply.
Until next time,
Scott