Hi, I’m Eric, a journalist writing about the human relationship with newness. Welcome to the very first edition of New Things with Eric Athas.
Let’s dive into what this is all about.
Ever notice how everything these days seems to be new?
Our apps are a limitless source of new content. We have remarkable access to new stuff that can be delivered to our doorsteps at warp speed. We’re bombarded with new concepts, new memes, new trends on the internet. Products are packaged to feel newer than ever. At work, we’re assigned new tools and new processes.
I could go on. The point is that we’re overloaded by newness, often at the expense of our time, attention, money, and happiness.
This newsletter is all about explaining this onslaught of newness.
Sometimes it will take the form of an essay in which I’ll go deep into one aspect of newness. Other times, I’ll share tips to help you manage new things, like new technology and new trends.
I’ll also use this space to share tidbits from the book I’m writing about our relationship with newness.
Sound interesting?
Then you’re in the right place. Thanks for reading and I hope you’ll subscribe.
Eric
Here are five things you get by subscribing
A weekly note from me, with interesting stories, essays, and tips you can use —including thought-provoking findings from scientific papers I’ll curate for you.
Exclusive goodies from my forthcoming book about newness, like behind-the-scenes stories and access to pre-order bonuses.
The chance to be featured in this newsletter, future articles, or even my book by sharing your own experiences and thoughts on newness.
Recommendations on books, articles, and podcasts I come across.
The satisfaction of knowing that this newsletter is entirely free.
Wait, isn’t this a new thing?
The irony isn’t lost on me. This is a newsletter about the onslaught of new things in the world today. And here I am, announcing a new newsletter about how you can manage the overabundance of new things.
There will be a new one each week. When it arrives to your inbox, it will compete with other new things in your life, like other newsletters containing new information, new TikTok videos, new work assignments, and new Spotify recommendations with new songs.
In each instance, you’ll make a split-decision about which new thing deserves your time, attention, and brain energy. And that is what New Things with Eric Athas is all about: breaking down the excess of newness and helping you manage those little moments when you encounter something new, like, for instance, a new newsletters.