Greetings to colleagues testing out Notes. This is just a Hello note from me, Jim Fallows.

I have a non-substantive reason to be interested in this project. Through the final years of my writing for the Atlantic’s site, it was in its own, one-writer-only, legacy blog-style section called “Notes.” Its existence is still recorded as shown below.

But the substantive appeal is even greater. I’m only 18 months into a (very enjoyable) Substack existence. But I have found it most natural for “composed” posts and dispatches — actual little essays, of between 800 and 1800 words.

As opposed to (a) the thought-drops for which many of us have used Twitter, and (b) some of the dashed-off “Here’s what I just saw!” entries from the olden days of blogging.

If Notes is a natural and productive venue, for writers and readers alike, to house those more blog-like forms of connection and engagement, it sounds very promising.

I will read, learn, and weigh in as I become more familiar. Thanks to Substack for setting this up.