A new father asks if his baby will change how he writes. "Hey, Comics Dads, I'm worried," he says. "Hey, Worried, we're Comics Dads," we reply. And then Dave invites Brad to pull his finger. After they discuss the effects of parenthood on creativity, a friendly zinester writes in to take Brad to task over his dismissal of zines as "nutty."

ON TODAY'S SHOW

• How does fatherhood affect writing?
• UPDATE: Google's AI meltdown
• UPDATE: Zines are not "nutty"
• UPDATE: Dave may have been wrong about Patreon's free membership tier
• "Why is my audience so small?"

CHAPTERS

00:00 Parenthood and Writing: Impact and Misconceptions

20:24 Navigating Parenthood: Challenges and Joys

22:20 The Evolution of Humor: From Wit to Dad Jokes

25:00 The Importance of Socializing for Personal Growth

32:30 AI and Social Media: Implications for Users

38:13 Navigating Social Media Privacy and Bulk Deletion

40:27 The Impact of Government Action on Data Protection

42:05 Reconsidering Patreon's Free Membership Tier

52:22 The Value of Passionate Readership and Audience Growth

SUMMARY

The conversation covers the topic of parenthood and its impact on creativity and writing. It explores the fear of change in writing tone, the influence of life milestones on writing, and the misconceptions about parenthood. The discussion also delves into the broadening of horizons and empathy through parenthood, and the impact on character development in writing. The conversation covers various topics related to fatherhood, humor, and socialization

Then  the hosts deliver an update on the impact of AI on social media. The hosts share personal experiences and insights on these subjects, providing valuable perspectives for listeners. The conversation covers topics related to social media privacy, Patreon's free membership tier, and the growth of an audience for comics. It delves into the challenges of bulk deleting content on Instagram, the impact of government action on data protection, and the reconsideration of Patreon's free tier. The hosts also discuss the significance of passionate readership and the gradual growth of an audience.

TAKEAWAYS

• Parenthood can influence a writer's perspective and writing style, but it doesn't necessarily mean a shift to saccharine or toothless content.
• Life milestones, such as parenthood, bring about changes in a writer's approach and perspective, leading to a broader and more empathetic understanding of characters and storytelling.
• Misconceptions about parenthood, such as the fear of losing personal interests and creative pursuits, can be dispelled through a balanced approach to time management and a deeper appreciation for the human experience.
• Parenthood broadens a writer's horizons and empathy, allowing for a deeper understanding of character viewpoints and moral codes, ultimately enhancing the quality of writing and storytelling. The initial months of parenthood may be challenging, but the long-term benefits are rewarding.
• Humor evolves over time, and dad jokes are a natural expression of finding joy in everyday moments.
• Socializing is essential for maintaining wit and humor, and it contributes to personal growth.
• The impact of AI on social media platforms like Instagram raises concerns about privacy and user experience. Bulk deleting content on social media platforms can be challenging and time-consuming.
• Government action is crucial for protecting user data from exploitation by large tech companies.
• Reconsidering the value of Patreon's free membership tier can lead to a change in perspective and understanding of its potential benefits.
• Passionate readership is more valuable than audience size, and it can contribute to the gradual growth of an audience for comics and other creative content.

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Brad Guigar is the creator of Evil Inc and the author of The Webcomics Handbook. Dave Kellett is the creator of Sheldon and Drive.