I don't like newsletters that are recycling centers
Even James Clear's 3-2-1 newsletter recycles.
Warning: in this article Nathan complains about stuff, and possibly without convincing reasons. Read at your own risk.
Many newsletters function as the internet's recycling centers. These 'newsletters' take already existing content, repackage it into a palatable format, add their own "original style" and then hit publish. Here is a prime example from James Clear:
3-2-1 newsletter: Aug 14, 2025
Hey James—sorry if you're reading this, but is this really the type of content we are sending weekly to 3 million people? Come on. 33% of your newsletter[1] is three sentences you probably found on r/im14andthisisdeep? It's supposed to be "3 short ideas from James Clear", dude!
I shouldn't rag too much on James, because a lot of the internet does this type of stuff: publish weekly productivity or motivational content and package it into a 'newsletter'. I just genuinely do not understand why people would subscribe to such a newsletter. You need weekly platitudes about how to be more productive and motivated? Seriously, get a hold of yourself!
I suppose the other reason why I dislike 'recycling newsletters' is they clutter the internet with 'wisdom' that already exists. It is my personal opinion that this qualifies as internet pollution and should not be condoned. Also! Writers who write recycling center newsletters strike me as lazy and unmotivated. Why would I want to read your piece if you weren't very interested in writing it?
3 + 2 + 1 = 6. I and II = 2. 2/6 = 33%. ↩︎