I'm probably not representative, but the substacks that I subscribe to are voices I want in the general conversation. They tend to be writers who follow subjects that for various reasons never get funding or space in the corporate press. For the substacks that I subscribe to closed posts are usually a lost opportunity. A good closed post is an occasional update on how the writer thinks their self-assigned beat or mission is going, or an occasional zoom.
Very helpful. Here’s a problem: doing paid reader Zooms and chats sort of depend on having a sizable flock with which to do these things. What do you think this would look like with my topics?
You've got this beat of "faith, family and screens." (I read screens as the impact of technology on the institutions of faith and family.) A quarterly or occasional chat of: these are what I think are the big upcoming events, what I think I will be covering, and things that are in process to look out for. Stitch it together at 20k feet what you think the beat looks like and where it is heading. As a largely powerless practitioner at the convergence of those things, what should I be prepared to react to? Or what things must I start preparing my flock for three years ago? I think I get those out of the reporting itself. But maybe I haven't pieced it together right. You've been covering some of these long enough you can probably see around corners at this point.
You asked for feedback. I read free posts from a few writers who have stacks: you, Bari Weiss, Joe Posnanski, Steve Sailer, ... some more. I haven't subscribed to any Substacks [yet]. The temptation for me to subscribe is I appreciate these writers and I'd like to support them so they continue writing. But speaking of Huxley, I realize that I could happily distract myself completely with Substack articles, and I've got too much other work to do. I don't want a subscription that lets me read everything they write, because I would want to. I feel I can commit a paragraph's worth on Twitter or email and understand the general nature of the article without spending more time.
Except. Posnanski tempts me the most. I'm on his email list, and he sends the opening few paragraphs every time he posts something (for him, I think it's on his own website and not Substack). And every now and then, I'd like to read the entire article. I feel if there were an easy way to pay fifty cents or a dollar or whatever to read the rest of an article, I would do it. And once I reach the point where I find myself paying over and over again, well, then I imagine I would cross over and subscribe.
"I feel I can commit a paragraph's worth on Twitter or email and understand the general nature of the article without spending more time."
Dare I ask what Postman would say about that sentiment?
I know that the time factor is real. That's why I support X writers and Substackers who I believe point me to the information that I need on the issues that I CARE MOST ABOUT. Thus, my question in this post: How many people want to support writing on faith, family and screens culture and, most importantly, want to get this information to other parents, pastors, teachers and counselors.
I'm probably not representative, but the substacks that I subscribe to are voices I want in the general conversation. They tend to be writers who follow subjects that for various reasons never get funding or space in the corporate press. For the substacks that I subscribe to closed posts are usually a lost opportunity. A good closed post is an occasional update on how the writer thinks their self-assigned beat or mission is going, or an occasional zoom.
Very helpful. Here’s a problem: doing paid reader Zooms and chats sort of depend on having a sizable flock with which to do these things. What do you think this would look like with my topics?
You've got this beat of "faith, family and screens." (I read screens as the impact of technology on the institutions of faith and family.) A quarterly or occasional chat of: these are what I think are the big upcoming events, what I think I will be covering, and things that are in process to look out for. Stitch it together at 20k feet what you think the beat looks like and where it is heading. As a largely powerless practitioner at the convergence of those things, what should I be prepared to react to? Or what things must I start preparing my flock for three years ago? I think I get those out of the reporting itself. But maybe I haven't pieced it together right. You've been covering some of these long enough you can probably see around corners at this point.
You asked for feedback. I read free posts from a few writers who have stacks: you, Bari Weiss, Joe Posnanski, Steve Sailer, ... some more. I haven't subscribed to any Substacks [yet]. The temptation for me to subscribe is I appreciate these writers and I'd like to support them so they continue writing. But speaking of Huxley, I realize that I could happily distract myself completely with Substack articles, and I've got too much other work to do. I don't want a subscription that lets me read everything they write, because I would want to. I feel I can commit a paragraph's worth on Twitter or email and understand the general nature of the article without spending more time.
Except. Posnanski tempts me the most. I'm on his email list, and he sends the opening few paragraphs every time he posts something (for him, I think it's on his own website and not Substack). And every now and then, I'd like to read the entire article. I feel if there were an easy way to pay fifty cents or a dollar or whatever to read the rest of an article, I would do it. And once I reach the point where I find myself paying over and over again, well, then I imagine I would cross over and subscribe.
"I feel I can commit a paragraph's worth on Twitter or email and understand the general nature of the article without spending more time."
Dare I ask what Postman would say about that sentiment?
I know that the time factor is real. That's why I support X writers and Substackers who I believe point me to the information that I need on the issues that I CARE MOST ABOUT. Thus, my question in this post: How many people want to support writing on faith, family and screens culture and, most importantly, want to get this information to other parents, pastors, teachers and counselors.