It has become crystal clear that today's conservatives are so fearful of independent voices (i.e., TN state legislature as a recent example) that they use their power (technical as well as verbal, emotional and physical violence) to try to control anyone who disagrees with them. They believe these tactics will work and they don't care who they hurt. I subscribe to numerous Substack newsletters because I'm interested in what writers have to write, I want to expose myself to various points of view (except for conservatives since they only insult and lie) and I want to support writers. But, people can access these newsletters without paying. I have a couple that I haven't yet decided if I want to pay for, but most are paid subscriptions. I'm a 70 year old retired woman and I've had a lifetime of people (mostly men) telling me how to behave and what I'm allowed, or not allowed to do. I have never listed to these people and there are always work-arounds. I was married twice, divorced twice, to two abusive men (abusive in different ways) and they are both dead because of their own behaviors and I'm still here. I believe there are a lot of people like me and we all fight back in different ways. We are survivors.
Yes and no. Twitter’s greatest utility for me has always been engaging in something *right now* (reactions to a new GOT episode, elation when the MN Vikings actually won a playoff episode, learning about the leaked Dobbs decision and feeling the collective grief and outrage). It’s hard to see how the immediacy of Twitter and the depth of Substack coexist on the same platform. I’m cautiously optimistic about Notes.
So very interesting that we were all fighting about the dangers of TikTok two weeks ago when a petulant billionaire man child now runs twitter and that’s okay...
My prayer is that they have overreached, big, big time. And heaven knows, they continue to do so. More and more folks are saying ‘enough is enough.’ Thank goodness.
I don't know what it would take to create a Twitter alternative, but since Musk has turned Twitter into Truth Social Lite, something else is going to be necessary.
I stopped using Twitter two months ago and overall don't miss any of it. I know I'm missing out on information, and I know I don't know where else to find it, but I no longer care. I simply don't need the dopamine rushes.
Actually there are a few alternatives but none are as user friendly and everyone I want to continue following is divided between them- a real pain in the butt.
I wonder if it has anything to do with the bitcoin doge image that was showing up on my twitter website feed a few days ago. I love this newsletter, and I regularly read Lyz Lenz's "Men Yell At Me" because she is a great writer and she is really funny. Especially of note is her "Dingus of the Week" posting. Yes, Elon has been featured.
There's also an anti-trust angle to this. Using control of a dominant platform to snuff out competition and promote an alternative (e.g., Micosoft vs. Netscape).
Dan do you have any plans to just quit Twitter and take your cookies over to Post.news or Mastodon? Like Lovett, I took it off my phone which reduced my engagement by a lot, though I still look at it from time to time and it is just terrible - so many ads, and bad ads. The "Following" tab has very limited content and the "For You" tab is basically Mos Eisley. But the promised exodus by journos and blue checks has not come to pass, and Post and Mastodon are just not as interesting as a result.
Hey, Dan--just so you know, I didn't subscribe to Message Box thru Twitter. I don't use it and never have. I don't actually remember how I *did* find and subscribe to you, but likely thru one of the many Crooked pods. You do great and valuable work, and I have recommended you to many folks thru my very limited means -- I pretty much eschew social media, so it's down to those old fashioned ways of talking to people! Hopefully, all your subscribers will use all their avenues to support you and other independent thinkers.
I only wish the the CEO of Substack cared as much about his readers as he does about creating content for his readers. The “back of house” is horrible by my experience. One day I am paid subscriber and another I am not. According to my AmEx bill I am paid on 8 different writers but Substack just says, it my problem that I cannot even get one of my paid accounts to even show up in my inbox. Even in the app it is not correct. On one account I miss out on stuff that is only for paid subscribers and I paid twice in one month but Nada. So it is far from perfect.
It has become crystal clear that today's conservatives are so fearful of independent voices (i.e., TN state legislature as a recent example) that they use their power (technical as well as verbal, emotional and physical violence) to try to control anyone who disagrees with them. They believe these tactics will work and they don't care who they hurt. I subscribe to numerous Substack newsletters because I'm interested in what writers have to write, I want to expose myself to various points of view (except for conservatives since they only insult and lie) and I want to support writers. But, people can access these newsletters without paying. I have a couple that I haven't yet decided if I want to pay for, but most are paid subscriptions. I'm a 70 year old retired woman and I've had a lifetime of people (mostly men) telling me how to behave and what I'm allowed, or not allowed to do. I have never listed to these people and there are always work-arounds. I was married twice, divorced twice, to two abusive men (abusive in different ways) and they are both dead because of their own behaviors and I'm still here. I believe there are a lot of people like me and we all fight back in different ways. We are survivors.
Nothing would make me happier than Substack replacing Twitter.
Yes and no. Twitter’s greatest utility for me has always been engaging in something *right now* (reactions to a new GOT episode, elation when the MN Vikings actually won a playoff episode, learning about the leaked Dobbs decision and feeling the collective grief and outrage). It’s hard to see how the immediacy of Twitter and the depth of Substack coexist on the same platform. I’m cautiously optimistic about Notes.
Right?!
So very interesting that we were all fighting about the dangers of TikTok two weeks ago when a petulant billionaire man child now runs twitter and that’s okay...
Robert Hubbell’s Substack called Today’s Edition is also great!
Second that. A must-read. Also Abortion Every Day by Jessica Valenti.
I second Jessica Valenti's substack.
My prayer is that they have overreached, big, big time. And heaven knows, they continue to do so. More and more folks are saying ‘enough is enough.’ Thank goodness.
I don't know what it would take to create a Twitter alternative, but since Musk has turned Twitter into Truth Social Lite, something else is going to be necessary.
I stopped using Twitter two months ago and overall don't miss any of it. I know I'm missing out on information, and I know I don't know where else to find it, but I no longer care. I simply don't need the dopamine rushes.
Actually there are a few alternatives but none are as user friendly and everyone I want to continue following is divided between them- a real pain in the butt.
He is a fascist. He meant “free speech” for himself and those who agree with him. Sad we have been unable to ween ourselves off of Twitter.
If it’s any consolation I didn’t find your newsletter on Twitter. I think the world could survive and even thrive without Twitter.
Me too. I have avoided Twitter thus far, having decided I have sufficient annoyance in my life already.
Substack is fabulous! I consider it an important valance to MSM news. And I've downloaded the app and indeed it helps me find other important voices.
FYI: I tried the link you embedded and it took me to my subscription page.
Please include Robert Hubbell’s Today’s Edition on your list.
I wonder if it has anything to do with the bitcoin doge image that was showing up on my twitter website feed a few days ago. I love this newsletter, and I regularly read Lyz Lenz's "Men Yell At Me" because she is a great writer and she is really funny. Especially of note is her "Dingus of the Week" posting. Yes, Elon has been featured.
There's also an anti-trust angle to this. Using control of a dominant platform to snuff out competition and promote an alternative (e.g., Micosoft vs. Netscape).
The Substack app also has a superb text to voice reader.
Dan do you have any plans to just quit Twitter and take your cookies over to Post.news or Mastodon? Like Lovett, I took it off my phone which reduced my engagement by a lot, though I still look at it from time to time and it is just terrible - so many ads, and bad ads. The "Following" tab has very limited content and the "For You" tab is basically Mos Eisley. But the promised exodus by journos and blue checks has not come to pass, and Post and Mastodon are just not as interesting as a result.
Hey, Dan--just so you know, I didn't subscribe to Message Box thru Twitter. I don't use it and never have. I don't actually remember how I *did* find and subscribe to you, but likely thru one of the many Crooked pods. You do great and valuable work, and I have recommended you to many folks thru my very limited means -- I pretty much eschew social media, so it's down to those old fashioned ways of talking to people! Hopefully, all your subscribers will use all their avenues to support you and other independent thinkers.
Are you planning on getting onto the Substack Notes thing Dan?
I only wish the the CEO of Substack cared as much about his readers as he does about creating content for his readers. The “back of house” is horrible by my experience. One day I am paid subscriber and another I am not. According to my AmEx bill I am paid on 8 different writers but Substack just says, it my problem that I cannot even get one of my paid accounts to even show up in my inbox. Even in the app it is not correct. On one account I miss out on stuff that is only for paid subscribers and I paid twice in one month but Nada. So it is far from perfect.