I enjoy your work and learn from you. I just upgraded to paid and took the survey.
I subscribe to 4-6 substacks as my budget allows. Unfortunately I can not subscribe to all the stacks that I read ($$$$), so I cycle through my favorites after several months of paying to support more writers and spread my meager budget around.
That’s what I do. I switch them up sometimes based on paywall access for an article I MUST READ. I pay for two to support the writer, the rest to access paywall. There are some excellent writers who are liberal but cancelled by their own party (Tiabbi eg) who I’d like to read but aren’t as entertaining as yourself so I’m canceling one today who writes good stuff but less frequently (it’s an MD who is still practicing and heavily researches his work so I get it but the qty isn’t worth the $). Count me in!
I just cancelled Tiabbi because you can not even read a few for free, so I have no idea if he is worth the money. Paying are mostly memes, the best medicine available! Got a few doctors too, and a couple scientists, and a few with just interesting stuff like Latypova, Bailiwick, Iceni, and you
I do the same! I move my paid subscriptions around because they are just too many I want to support but I try to do my best and support them all as I can.
Thanks for pointing out that oversight. I was trying to keep the survey short to 10 questions. My assumption is that the people who read this substack are having children in wedlock and staying married.
Just out of curiosity, but why do you assume that?
I ask, mostly, because although I don't believe I fit a demographic here, I did have my 2 kids in wedlock and would have stayed married until death, but got out on a technicality. She did kill me, so I was able to get out of it with honor by not staying dead...
I will say, I wish Substack would put together a "package" where you could pay a flat fee and receive up to x number of substacks. Most of the stacks I read aren't expensive individually, but once you start collecting things to read, it can become cost prohibitive.
I totally support that idea. It would save me money and I would probably subscribe to at least 20 more. That is what medium did, but I quit them because they blocked a few I liked
I love your posts. Unfortunately I have neither the time to read or money to support all the deserving writers among whom you are certainly one. I have not read many of your posts but will review them starting with your link above why you write and see if I can add you to my budget. Thank you.
I have SEVERAL authors I'd like to support, and a few that I already do.
But the pricing, per author, makes no sense.
While I'd hate for Substack to become Spotify, there's got to be a better way to "subscribe" through using credits, or a limited # of articles outside your core subscription stable of authors for a fixed monthly or annual fee.
I'd sign up for that in a heartbeat.
Otoh, the incentives need to be architected carefully, lest this platform turn into what MSM has.
Not something I've given a LOT of thought to beyond identifying the problem, but with some focused thinking and some creativity, this feels like a solvable problem.
Solvable in a way that works for the authors, the readers, and the platform.
Without inevitably riding the well-worn path into the Enshittification Syndrome identified by Cory Doctorow:
"Here is how platforms die: first, they are good to their users; then they abuse their users to make things better for their business customers; finally, they abuse those business customers to claw back all the value for themselves. Then, they die.
I call this enshittification, and it is a seemingly inevitable consequence arising from the combination of the ease of changing how a platform allocates value, combined with the nature of a “two sided market,” where a platform sits between buyers and sellers, holding each hostage to the other, raking off an ever-larger share of the value that passes between them."
Important Factor on Upgrading to Paid: For me, it is that the writer is doing real work to help people understand what is really going on in the world today, everything that has happened since 2016 to undermine Americans. Is the writer all in on this vital project, it is a full time job for them? If so, and they are doing a good job, I want to support someone like that.
For education, I chose high school but I actually have an associates degree (yes, I know it's useless). Surveys never include those of us who only went to community colleges and then didn't continue on to get the batchelors.
I would love to pay for all my substacks but I guess it's just way too expensive. I'm still looking for some alternative payment method introduced by substack
I'm probably like a lot of people. It's not that I don't want to pay for a sub. I juts don't have the spare cash to pay for one. It's shit but that's life. When my finances (and probably the worlds finances improve) then I would pick a few Stacks to sub to.
The one answer in the subscription question I would have used. That is not there. Is I have no extra money because the Economy sucks!! But I enjoy the articles.
From the BasedGod himself Lil B: “Based means being yourself. Not being scared of what people think about you. Not being afraid to do what you wanna do. Being positive.”
I’m sincerely happy/glad for you that your positive attitude (which probably includes seeing yourself as worthy of dignity and respect) allows you to be apathetic about what others think of you and allows you to fearlessly follow your heart’s desires and your dreams.
First, I accidentally registered as a male, I’m female (#AdultHumanFemale), so sorry to screw your numbers. Secondly, I really your your posts but am waiting for another subscription to expire before I upgrade to a paid subscription. There is so much content out there, I can’t keep up. And I would like to read the occasional book. Thank you so much for your posts and notes, they are very informative and entertaining!
I enjoy your work and learn from you. I just upgraded to paid and took the survey.
I subscribe to 4-6 substacks as my budget allows. Unfortunately I can not subscribe to all the stacks that I read ($$$$), so I cycle through my favorites after several months of paying to support more writers and spread my meager budget around.
Much appreciated. Love is when comrades become commissars!
That’s what I do. I switch them up sometimes based on paywall access for an article I MUST READ. I pay for two to support the writer, the rest to access paywall. There are some excellent writers who are liberal but cancelled by their own party (Tiabbi eg) who I’d like to read but aren’t as entertaining as yourself so I’m canceling one today who writes good stuff but less frequently (it’s an MD who is still practicing and heavily researches his work so I get it but the qty isn’t worth the $). Count me in!
I just cancelled Tiabbi because you can not even read a few for free, so I have no idea if he is worth the money. Paying are mostly memes, the best medicine available! Got a few doctors too, and a couple scientists, and a few with just interesting stuff like Latypova, Bailiwick, Iceni, and you
Ditto with this comment - I've got to pick and choose, can't subscribe to them all
I do the same! I move my paid subscriptions around because they are just too many I want to support but I try to do my best and support them all as I can.
That’s exactly what I do!
That's a good idea.
No question on marital status but there’s a question on how many children one has...🤔
Thanks for pointing out that oversight. I was trying to keep the survey short to 10 questions. My assumption is that the people who read this substack are having children in wedlock and staying married.
Just out of curiosity, but why do you assume that?
I ask, mostly, because although I don't believe I fit a demographic here, I did have my 2 kids in wedlock and would have stayed married until death, but got out on a technicality. She did kill me, so I was able to get out of it with honor by not staying dead...
I will say, I wish Substack would put together a "package" where you could pay a flat fee and receive up to x number of substacks. Most of the stacks I read aren't expensive individually, but once you start collecting things to read, it can become cost prohibitive.
I totally support that idea. It would save me money and I would probably subscribe to at least 20 more. That is what medium did, but I quit them because they blocked a few I liked
Oh you’ve been reading my diary! Hey Substack overlords, this is a great idea!
How many Boomers, or X'ers for that matter, know what based means?
i even had to look up what a boomer was LOL, I am that boomer. And indeed, I had no idea what based means
And how likely is an accurate self-assessment!
I looked it up--and I'm still not 100% sure!!!
Those who are based.
I love your posts. Unfortunately I have neither the time to read or money to support all the deserving writers among whom you are certainly one. I have not read many of your posts but will review them starting with your link above why you write and see if I can add you to my budget. Thank you.
That's a HUGE flaw with this platform.
I have SEVERAL authors I'd like to support, and a few that I already do.
But the pricing, per author, makes no sense.
While I'd hate for Substack to become Spotify, there's got to be a better way to "subscribe" through using credits, or a limited # of articles outside your core subscription stable of authors for a fixed monthly or annual fee.
I'd sign up for that in a heartbeat.
Otoh, the incentives need to be architected carefully, lest this platform turn into what MSM has.
Not something I've given a LOT of thought to beyond identifying the problem, but with some focused thinking and some creativity, this feels like a solvable problem.
Solvable in a way that works for the authors, the readers, and the platform.
Without inevitably riding the well-worn path into the Enshittification Syndrome identified by Cory Doctorow:
"Here is how platforms die: first, they are good to their users; then they abuse their users to make things better for their business customers; finally, they abuse those business customers to claw back all the value for themselves. Then, they die.
I call this enshittification, and it is a seemingly inevitable consequence arising from the combination of the ease of changing how a platform allocates value, combined with the nature of a “two sided market,” where a platform sits between buyers and sellers, holding each hostage to the other, raking off an ever-larger share of the value that passes between them."
Important Factor on Upgrading to Paid: For me, it is that the writer is doing real work to help people understand what is really going on in the world today, everything that has happened since 2016 to undermine Americans. Is the writer all in on this vital project, it is a full time job for them? If so, and they are doing a good job, I want to support someone like that.
Great framework, Richard. I am all in.
For education, I chose high school but I actually have an associates degree (yes, I know it's useless). Surveys never include those of us who only went to community colleges and then didn't continue on to get the batchelors.
You were THE first Substack I started to read regularly when I started back in late 2022 and I STILL love it!
Love early adopters like you!
It was the “How To” format which drew me in, then your very witty, yet highly informative content. 💗
I would love to pay for all my substacks but I guess it's just way too expensive. I'm still looking for some alternative payment method introduced by substack
I'm probably like a lot of people. It's not that I don't want to pay for a sub. I juts don't have the spare cash to pay for one. It's shit but that's life. When my finances (and probably the worlds finances improve) then I would pick a few Stacks to sub to.
The Truth The WHOLE TRUTH and nothing but the truth....ESPECIALLY MEMES....🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣
You and your's are always in my prayers Yuri!
The one answer in the subscription question I would have used. That is not there. Is I have no extra money because the Economy sucks!! But I enjoy the articles.
Gender: Male or Female?
Wow, just wow! I stopped right there at that binary.
I guess polls should ask YY or XY for gender if they want an accurate answer.
I don’t understand the question “How based are you?” with 5 being “AF” and 1 being “NPC”.
If you don’t understand but are reading this give yourself a 3.
This is how it was explained to me:
From the BasedGod himself Lil B: “Based means being yourself. Not being scared of what people think about you. Not being afraid to do what you wanna do. Being positive.”
oh I understood it the opposite way LOL. I gave myself a 2 and probably should have given a 4 or even 5. I could not care less what people say/
I’m sincerely happy/glad for you that your positive attitude (which probably includes seeing yourself as worthy of dignity and respect) allows you to be apathetic about what others think of you and allows you to fearlessly follow your heart’s desires and your dreams.
Believe. Cherish. Dream.
First, I accidentally registered as a male, I’m female (#AdultHumanFemale), so sorry to screw your numbers. Secondly, I really your your posts but am waiting for another subscription to expire before I upgrade to a paid subscription. There is so much content out there, I can’t keep up. And I would like to read the occasional book. Thank you so much for your posts and notes, they are very informative and entertaining!
Absolutely love your Substack and look forward to reading it.
I limit myself to 4 paid subscriptions. Dropped one recently and will add another one soon.