You know, one way to view academia in today’s economy is to see it as a platform for creators. A lot of people don’t understand this, but platforms like YouTube, Facebook, LinkedIn—they’re modeled after universities. All universities are, quote unquote, platforms. They connect people who want to create things. And that content looks different in every domain.

In mine, it’s research papers. In yours, it might be music, art, or a new idea no one’s seen before. But here’s the thing most people won’t tell you: being a creator is a miserable process. Ask anyone who’s built something—really built it. It’s mentally grueling. Socially painful. Everyone who’s done it says: don’t do it. Because it’s hard. And no one cares. Until they do.

So why do it?

Because the misery means you’re actually making something real. Because we’ve built these imperfect platforms not to remove the pain—but to share it. To give each other a shot at surviving the creative journey. And maybe even thriving.

Would I choose another path? No. Even on the worst days. Because this—this struggle—is still the only thing that feels worth doing.

And maybe, if we keep showing up, we’ll build something that matters.