Here's a hug in the form of a curated reading list
I have a question and some reading recommendations for you!
Hi, dear Creativity Under Capitalism readers!
As the title suggests, this isn’t exactly a “real” issue of the newsletter. I knew at the start of the week—when I normally sit down to work on a new issue—that I probably wouldn’t write anything super helpful or meaningful this time around. I’m very tired, physically and mentally and emotionally, and I think my brain needs a moment to catch up with the world and my increasingly busy life. (A lot has changed recently, and a lot will continue to change.)
That means I’m taking a week off from writing an official Creativity Under Capitalism issue. Instead, I’ve curated a brief list of reading recommendations that I hope will find you as you need them. I know that newsletters are full of curated lists, and we hardly need another one, but I love a good reading recommendation (heck, I took one from some graffiti recently1). Maybe you will, too.
First, though, I have a quick question for you. Writing a newsletter sometimes feels a bit unidirectional—there’s some engagement via comments and shares, but otherwise, it’s hard to know whether something resonates. I started Creativity Under Capitalism because my friends and I were constantly having questions about how the world’s socioeconomic expectations get in art’s way, but I know you likely have topical thoughts and questions of your own.
This is all to say that I’d love to know what you struggle with at the intersection of creativity and capitalism. What’s been on your mind? What conversations have you had with your own friends, family, or colleagues? If someone could investigate how something works on your behalf—and even look for insights from folks who have overcome creativity-related hurdles before—what would you ask them to look at?
There are no wrong answers here! I just want to hear from you. ⬎
Now, on to our digital library!
If you feel like you’re losing your mind at the fact that we’re expected to go on with “life as usual” while the world falls apart…
One Day, Everyone Will Have Always Been Against This by Omar El Akkad
A heartrending and poetically powerful indictment of what it’s like to live in a world full of people who turn the other cheek to injustice.
Beyond Climate Breakdown by Peter Friederici
Friederici examines how the stories we (collectively) tell ourselves get in the way of effective climate change action.
Ishmael by Daniel Quinn
A surprisingly casual fictional exploration of how humanity’s mythologies have convinced us to exploit the world instead of care for it—and how we might break free.
If you’ve felt bogged down lately and need a fun, lightweight read…
The Monk and Robot duology (novellas A Psalm for the Wild-Built and A Prayer for the Crown-Shy) by Becky Chambers
Both my partner and I consider this one of our favorite books. It’s like receiving a gentle and loving hug, but through words.
Sourdough by Robin Sloan
A rollicking story of one exhausted Silicon Valley tech worker and the sourdough starter that tries to take over the world. (Bonus points for having one of the best book covers ever.)
Automatic Noodle by Annalee Newitz
A brand-new book about robots making noodles for humans living in a near-future, post-war San Francisco.
If you’re interested in catching up on previous Creativity Under Capitalism issues…
(The latest issue that you probably forgot to read.)
(This newsletter’s most popular issue by far.)
(For those who have wondered what ThriftBooks looks like behind the curtain.)
In a few places throughout downtown Phoenix, someone has spray painted the words: “Read Ishmael by Daniel Quinn.” I had never heard of Ishmael the first time I saw this last month, but when I looked up the novel, it sounded interesting…and then I saw a second bit of graffiti with the same recommendation, and then a third. Long story short, that’s how Ishmael ended up on this list.
What I struggle with most is the expectation to make creativity “useful.” I can’t seem to create just for the sake of it anymore. Everything feels like it has to lead to money, productivity, or some kind of outcome. That mindset kills the spark before I even begin.
I’m late-diagnosed autistic and ADHD, and dealing with long-term burnout, so the constant push to turn creative work into a hustle feels especially exhausting. I'd love to see more conversation around what sustainable creativity looks like for people who don't thrive in hustle culture.
Thanks for the reading list. This still felt like a “real” issue to me.
This is very minor, but I’m struggling with the desire to support writers on Substack versus justifying including it in our family budget when I’m not bringing in an income currently. This pushed me to turn on paid subscriptions on my own newsletter, to try to earn back some of the money I’m spending on others’. But this system isn’t really working, in part because I want to support way more people than want to support me. And so I feel like I’m paying into some kind of pyramid scheme. Sorry if you’ve already explored this in your newsletter and I’ve missed it!