Who am I?
I’m Christian Payne, or @Documentally in online places. A story making, picture taking, writer, photographer and podcaster.
If I was to summarise this dispatch in one word it would be ‘Exploration’.
Allowed more words I’d add that while I might examine how social trends shape the way people interact, connect, and share stories — I am also particularly interested in exploring how personal identity is shaped by new and unconventional ideas.
So there will be some science, technology, art, and culture. But there will also be self-reflection as I strive to find joy and fulfilment in the simple things.
Sign up is free, but why pay to support my content?
It can save you screen time.
Let me make my corner of the internet accessible to you. The links I find, reviews I write and stories I share. All in one place. Hopefully reading my carefully curated email will save you some screen time.
Invest in a credible source.
I don’t have to be some stranger on the web telling you stuff. As much as I hope you question everything you read, get to know me and my motivations. Interact and discuss these topics with me. Correct me if I err. Let’s learn and grow together.
Value
I sometimes put more content in a single dispatch that we could possible explore over a drink. Yet for the price of one decent coffee a month ($5) you get multiple instalments. Then there is the content, like audio, that’s not posted anywhere but here.
Belong
As you are supporting an independent writer and content creator, you are a part of a community of like minded individuals. Connect through the dispatch and share ideas. Occasionally we meet in other online channels. Sometimes in physical space.
Enjoy a certain style
If like me you love novelty and learning, love learning with me. I spend a lot of time curating the content I share, and I do so with a voice I hope ties everything together.
Paying to support this dispatch is like paying for a journey. A trip we can take together. And your support means a lot to me.
As a trainer and consultant, should you need to hire me, a supporting subscription gets you a discount.
If you would like to know more, email me or message @Documentally.
If a paid subscription is out of reach and you would like to access the content and archives let me know via a reply to to one of my free posts.
Here are some nice things supporting subscribers have said about this dispatch:
“I first met Christian in 2007 on Seesmic. He has always been a beacon of joy, passion and inspiration online and off, and his newsletter is no exception. It's one of the highlights of my week, a way of resetting my brain. He writes about his world and how he sees it in such a brilliant way that absolutely everything is maximally interesting. What is his newsletter about? It's about absolutely everything you love, even if you've only just now learned about it from Christian.” ~ @GiaGia
“Christian has been exploring tech for decades, and from a uniquely curious perspective. His fascination with the deeper workings of technology are contagious. In a world of algorithmic feeds serving the hottest takes, what I really value is an email like this one, full of brain candy. I look forward to reading it, to knowing what he’s thinking about and being sent down all those rabbit holes to stuff that inspires, surprises and regularly blows my mind.” ~ @WillFrancis
“One of the pleasures of the weekend (or late on Friday, if I’m in the mood) is reading Christian’s weekly newsletter, a roundup of what he’s been doing/thinking/drinking that never fails to make me muse on my own life and choices. It’s the sort of writing that feels like he’s there, whispering in your ear, and afterwards you’re not quite sure if you had a chat in a bar or were just reading about it. Worth a look.” ~ @Billt
"Why do I follow Documentally? Information. Golden nuggets of practical advice, from proper reviews on anything from hiking boots to pencil sharpeners (Honestly that pencil sharpener is brilliant!). I work predominantly in the community, and I love reading the intimate conversations that Christian has with the people he comes across. It's the curiosity and kindness that I want to see more of in the world, especially when the world is at times very grim. This beautifully curated newsletter always arrives at the right time.” ~ @CRPitt
“I thoroughly recommend it, it’s full of personality and humanity, and a whole bunch of really practical stuff too…” ~ @garethjms
“Documentally by Christian Payne – an excellent Etch-a-Sketch® swipe of perspective and inspiration that punctuates my week. Serendipitous connection, great journalism, social commentary, life experience, technological adventure, whiskey. What more do you need?” ~ @FellowCreative
“What’s the right name for the TARDIS of stories, links and interesting stuff that @Documentally posts each week? Newsletter, bulletin, digest, round up? Whatever the label, I am grateful that Christian does the hard curating work so I don’t have to. It’s a weekly treat to jump on board and travel across time, space and the Internet for the price of a coffee. It’s bigger on the inside. ~ @NetworkLouise
“Your newsletter always brightens my inbox – it never fails to be interesting – usefully orthogonal!” ~ @BenjaminEllis
“Now more than ever I want a human curator not just to sift the wheat from the chaff, but to actually choose some real gems for me. For me. What I’m looking for is a curator with an emotional intelligence and informed curiosity and they are rare as rare can be. I’ve resisted using the term Gonzo because everyone thinks that means getting wasted HST style but thank you for putting a lot of you into what you do. I’ll take your journalistic balance as a given and not just sit back and enjoy being pointed in very interesting directions, but also enjoy being encouraged to get out into the world and see, smell, taste and feel it for real.” ~ @Timleroyis
“You know the feeling when you catch up over a beer with a friend you haven’t seen for a while and you head home with your mind sparking with new ideas, information and things to investigate? That’s why I subscribe to Documentally.” ~ @Rhian_is
“It’s hard to describe the Documentally newsletter, and that’s exactly why I subscribe to it. Eclectic, thought-provoking and personal, and always stuffed with links to things that I hadn’t seen before, but am glad I have now.” ~ @iainrowan
Not just a wonderful writer, but a creative artist, speaker, tinkerer, gourmand, adventurer.... ~
I hope these informed, intelligent individuals can’t entice you into the community. ;-)
