Changing How We Post

Introducing a new publishing schedule and a new kind of post.

For the past three years, we at Living Fossils have published a feature-length essay almost every week, usually around 3,000 words. (Waits for applause to subside.) We’re proud of that run: it helped us think carefully about many topics we consider important, and we hope readers have felt our passion for better psychology. (Feelings, of course, being evolved systems that help us measure and motivate.)

But it was also a lot of work, not only for us but for you. We’ve heard from some of you over the years that 3,000 words a week is, well, more than enough. At the same time, plenty of good ideas fell by the wayside because they didn’t have 3,000 words in them. Finally, Rob is just finishing a book—now slated for release in October of this year—and Josh is just starting one. A little extra time for those would be nice.

So, going forward, we’re making a change. Our new plan is to publish one feature-length essay each month, along with some shorter “field notes.” The longer pieces will remain what they have been; the field notes will be looser and shorter—around 500 words—drawn from everyday observations, stray thoughts, and clinical experience. We’ll do our best to keep the weekly rhythm intact, posting something every Wednesday morning.

As always, feedback is welcome. We’d like to take this opportunity to thank you—sincerely—for continuing to evolve with us.