279 Comments

You know what’s cooler than 4 million subscribers? 4 billion. We are the media now.

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That's what I tell all my friends who haven't found Substack yet - The BEST media source out there, just by sharing each individuals truth; My 'go too'. Thank you!

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If any of your friends are interested in finding out more about Substack, I have made a 20 minute video with an introduction to Substack explaining what it is, why they might be interested, how to get started and how to get help. You will find it on my website www.annrichardson.co.uk for the low price of $4 which goes to charity.

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Excellent - Thank you, Ann!

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Nice one Yuri! Also please DM me

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Solid nod, for sure.

In all seriousness, if Substackers are going to portray themselves as citizen journalists we really need to determine a code of journalistic ethics.

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What's wrong with the current one?

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You said that as if that is a good thing... villanising the news, fact checking, personally reported news and journalists writing before 2016, is part of moving folk toward social media and "influencers". Yes, there's great transformative writers here... Support their work not their fame on Substack!

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I beg to differ. It is a success for the many people who are publishing creative, material, political, material, and opinion and collecting monthly income on Substack. And I don’t begrudge them. BUT, We have to make sustainable alternative media.

I have many subscriptions that I’ve just added up, and it’s about $100 a month. I can’t afford that. I need a Network. My most recent subscription is to Meidas network, because they are the only people who are even paying lip service to developing a network. Maintaining several $5 and $10 subscriptions for people who are retired or work for low wages is simply not sustainable for those of us who pay. There has to be a better way.

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I agree, I’d love to subscribe to everyone that had provided me value, but cannot afford to do so. It would not be sustainable. Nonetheless, I’m so appreciative of this platform.

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I agree even though it keeps cutting me off when I criticise the inequity of its "new" funding model started just before the US election!

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It no longer allows comment editing. It "likes" what suits its model and drives up subscriptions from those who better afford them!!!!

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Thank you. I have several unpaid subscriptions and I'm trying to decide which ones to pay for because I am retired and I can't afford to pay for them all.

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I can’t afford the fees. I appreciate everyone and their generous time and insight. I understand the model of avoiding sponsors. However, I don’t have the funds. I will resort to the library if needed.

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I also am a freeloader. Living on Social Security doesn't allow for any subscriptions, so I'll stay as long as they'll let me. I just hope greed doesn't take over, cause I like it here.

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Have you heard about "Every" ? It's a newsletter network like the one you describe. I think the website is every.to

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At a first glance, they are too pro-AI. AI is just probabilities and "hallucinations" abound.

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I do not read a poem created by AI. Why would I?

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This is one time the "continue thread" off screen is not used to limit chat. This response is emblematic of the problem. Few are aware they are all reading AI generated 'news'.

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On substack, or…?

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Or talking with people directly who share your awareness and vision of what is now unfolding...Substack is becoming social media

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talking with people directly...#community I made a note the other day in substack around the irony that is Audible - millions of people listening.. yet "echo echo echoooo" silence when it comes to actually hey why not sit and listen to your family or people who live in your street - or friends - they too have stories unpodacsted unposted / unwritten that you can do so for free

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Its not, and some I sure won't be able to renew. Plus elections brought passion, so with the future will come less subscribers until it all ramps back up in four years.... We need a network, but how?

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Build our own

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I have a solution. Offer us a subscription based on articles read regardless of author. Sometimes I run across authors with a single interesting article but feel no need to subscribe to every post.

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not sure how the logistics would play out, but I really like the idea!

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Like some others, I appreciate what Substack started off doing. It encouraged me to start a personally rooted journal dedicated to a Resonant Earth. Then came the subscription stuff.. at first mild, like the warm water about to boil frogs. Then Substack started starring or prioritising those most supported.. Who did they get to brainstorm that? AI..., Elon Musk... some algorithm t

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I have really enjoyed the Substack's that I have subscribed to, but finding myself on the short leash of economic sanctions, I have no other choice but to use the "free" option since my $300.00 a month income barely allows me to communicate. I wanted to start writing about another of those subjects that I thought might be of human interest, but after spending over an hour reading through SubStacks Publisher Agreement, and knowing that if I published "Official Records" to support my arguments, I have some reluctance about anything that can be the subject of lawfare, even when a malicious persecution/prosecution should be easily exposed.

When the autocracy can cancel all rights, Constitutional, Parental, Human with the violence of extreme prejudice and all deliberate speed, and remain unchallenged by those families who have found themselves subjected to the hostile corporate takeover of the family (The natural parents cannot object or debate if we lock them up for months) in a rush to judgment. Where is the lawful protection of the poorest people in this country in all actuality? Competent courts and Judges, is not necessarily a matter of "Public Opinion" so much as Private opinion.

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Nov 18Liked by Substack

Thank you!! I spend a lot of time reading Substack authors. I appreciate the honesty I’ve found here.

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Honesty and depth.

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4 million! Insane! Proud of y'all!

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Almost said hi and bugged you at invisible dog but you were busy signing books and I decided not to disturb your flow ❤️

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aw man, i wish you had!!! next time!!

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Nov 18Liked by Hamish McKenzie, Substack

Substack has changed my life. I don't think I'd be a novelist today if I hadn't opened a substack account. Well done. You're making the internet a better, more productive place.

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So don't mess that up with funding algorhythms that prioritise who draws funding, who you Substack "like" and ask us the wealthier of those 4 million, to fund that?

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Substack is on track to shift our culture for the better.

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If its "on track" I worry who is building it and for whose wellbeing! Remember the railroads...

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We're on the verge of hitting 10,000 subscribers and are earning more money than we ever did from any of our books except one.

We might not be the biggest Substack success story but we are incredibly grateful for the success we've found here

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What do you reckon is the reason for your support numbers?

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Nov 18Liked by Hamish McKenzie, Substack

Just excellent, Hamish. You guys have come a long way from the living room. Wonderful success for so many. Continued blessings.

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author

That was a nice living room, though

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Haha. Yup. Dog and all.

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Nov 18Liked by Hamish McKenzie, Substack

Thanks for all you do to improve this platform. I’m about to hit 4,000 subscribers, and am grateful.

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Nov 18Liked by Substack, Hamish McKenzie

Wow wow wow!! And yahoo to Substack-grown food stars

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Thank you for developing it!

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Nov 18Liked by Substack

I found Substack because I was looking for Bari Weiss and her essays. After the Times fired her I subscribed immediately and to several other writers as well. Thank you!

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Nov 18Liked by Substack, Hamish McKenzie

This makes me so incredibly happy to read. Good on ya Hamish.

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Nov 18Liked by Substack

Thank you for making this platform possible. I really appreciate and enjoy reading the thoughts of so many people and I’m glad to hear that it has led to the success of many.

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No other platform even compares to Substack. So glad I decided to start posting here. Here’s to the next big milestone 🥂

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Nov 18Liked by Substack, Hamish McKenzie

Couldn’t love this more. That bookstore story ❤️

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