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Larry Bone's avatar

Me too. It's just an idea.

Larry Bone's avatar

That's all up to you. But sometimes people like the personal note because they wonder what you think. And sometimes they might have thought the same. There are always the trolls but them seem to be less here or you can easily block them.

Rajiv Chopra's avatar

Oh, I will blend the personal in the history whenever possible!

Larry Bone's avatar

People often really appreciate a personal note because historians try to remain objective although how any historian looks at history is never the quite the same between two of them which helps get different viewpoints which sort of cross check each other to form a better idea of the truth. But personal notes encourage engagement which is what you want to increase or that can increase visibility by starting a conversation.

Rajiv Chopra's avatar

I may try the personal notes thingy. I have never figured out how best to use it!

Larry Bone's avatar

I haven't either. Maybe if you look through comments on your writing and when you were talking about yourself what created the most interest. I think your experience with street photography and what you decided should create interest in you Substack and photography classes. The whole thing is so random. But try different things.

Rajiv Chopra's avatar

Let me see… Street/landscape/travel stuff… And some other stuff. But I can’t do the stuff I have seen - ‘let’s all connect’ kinda stuff. Maybe I will share some details of my career also. Let’s see

Notes may be a good option

Larry Bone's avatar

Also maybe think of a note that will give the reader a reason to become a paid subscriber or purchase something from you like a class. Or particularly maybe Street photography suggestions gathered into a small book.

Rajiv Chopra's avatar

Personal notes? As in the Notes App?

Larry Bone's avatar

Thinking more of your thoughts on some aspect of post either the historical or photography ones. Posting your thoughts in notes is also good because possibly you can pick up one or two new subscribers from a good note or one with a message that engages.

Larry Bone's avatar

This is a great post about the Tawaifs and the culture they reflected. You clarify many words that are similar like ustaad and pandit. I like the poetry forms and the dance and am not surprised that the British worked at destroying them. A lot of these old traditions are kept going by a small number of stalwart, Bravehearts. Looking forward to learning more in the next post. The titles for your posts seem much more active and full of life. Onward!

Rajiv Chopra's avatar

Many thanks!! I was unsure if I should add a personal point or two, but maybe I will do that in the next post!

Larry Bone's avatar

Yes. I think you are very opinionated and relatively unfiltered and it has probably gotten you in trouble. And I think people love those stories on how you may haven been opinionated and got a slap or didn't. I heard a story where two famous Indian people got into an argument that ended when one slapped the other. And they never spoke to each other for 6 years after that. If you could get a good picture to go with it.

Rajiv Chopra's avatar

I don't know though, if it is good to be opinionated! It's gotten me into a soup quite often