The MSM is falling apart; I hardly know whom to trust. I am a paid subscriber of your platform, Mr. Rashid, but I also have to say that I probably could not afford to subscribe to another one regularly.
I spent a long and puzzling career as an adjunct professor and you can imagine that my pension is minute. I really wish that Substack would provide "specials" such as 10 subscriptions for 10 bucks a month. I know that you need to be paid for your work, but as in everything, this kind of product is geared towards the monied. I would love to read about poetry, music, the climate, many political issues.....a luxury today.
I get the Atlantic, New Yorker, Harper's, Mother Jones, The Guardian -- most of which are well under $5.00 an issue.
And it hurts a bit, but I want to support decent journalism at a lower price point. I think journalism must be supported, but Sub-Stack reminds me of some sort of human taxonomy where most people cannot afford what the better paid, better educated, and better connected people out there can afford. When I see how unaffordable life is for the majority of people today, wouldn't it be better to send my money direct to Gaza Relief Organizations?
Grateful for your trust and support, I truly do cherish it. I also have my firm commitment to never paywall my content. So if ever you felt financially pinched, you could comfortably cancel your paid subscription and know you won't lose access to any content.
The USA is not the center of the universe. Much of the substack content has to do with foreign policies among the society of nations. BUT, my ISP is in Spain (where I live) so, if I want to donate or upgrade, then Substack forces me to pay in euros. My U.S. bank has USD connected to my debit card. Truly international .orgs allow a donor to choose the currency he wants to use...
I appreciate all who write on Substack, such accessible news and relevant articles, not to mention superb writing and thoughtfulness. Like many others have said, I wish I could pay you all. But this is a necessary news resource, the MSM has failed us with its capitiulation over and over again! Thank you all.
I call out a bit of bullshit here. YOU can have access to the leaders of Substack, not the vast majority of writers on Substack. There's really nothing you said that Substack leaders haven't already told the rest of us long ago. And, that's fine, but please don't insult our intelligence by pretenting that there is anything like equal transparency or opportunity for all on Substack, because Substack leaders, like the leaders of any big business (which is what it is now) are looking out for Number 1, so they are going to favor the big names in corporate journalism and other businesses that come to this platform with a huge headstart. Many of the rest of us struggle and also work our asses off to produce excellent work but without the help of free promos from Substack leaders. Transparency, real democracy, progress, etc., comes mostly from the bottom where foundations are laid, not from the top. It's a sacrafice we make because we love life and what we do. It's not to be noble, but just to be ourselves. I do see value in Substack over other platforms or I wouldn't have my own substack newsletters, obviously. But I'm just using what's available to do my thing, hoping that in the meantime it might soften the fall when Trump destroys our social security and takes away healthcare. I wish you luck in getting your upgraded/paid subscribers, who wouldn't want the same? But take it easy with the hype--you know, that sort of "I am your divine messenger" thing that you hint at for yourself and Substack's oh-so-great leaders.
You posted this elsewhere, and I responded to you there and you seemed to have ignored that so far, and then you've posted this again here, so i'll respond to you the same way here.
Here's my response to your comments calling "a bit of bullsh*t here."
Go for it. I’m simply sharing my experience of being here. I know when I first reached out to Substack leadership, and got a response and time to chat, I had a whopping 36 subscribers. I’m sharing my experience, and I encourage others to share their own. Likewise, if you “already knew” this stuff, good on you. You’re probably just smarter than me because you already knew this stuff and I didn’t previously know this. So, because I just learned it during my experience, I felt comfortable sharing.
Thank you, again for your response. I think I published it on notes too, but I assumed that’s what you’re supposed to do with social media, but I can't seem to find it because I'm not as smart as you think I am--just and old geezer here. Can I ask you if you’re a millionaire? I’m asking, because it seems like it would make it easier to start with 36 subscribers and end up with—how many?—with access to all kinds of leaders. Don’t misunderstand me, though, it’s fine that you worked your ass off to be a millionaire. Bernie Sanders got a million dollars from his books after the first time he ran for office, and I would still vote for him for president if we had a real revolution with new elections called and he was a candidate. Do you agree with his single-payer vision? Or is just a “medicare for all those who want it” kind of thing? Thank you.
Thank you for the update Qasim. I've chosen wisely to publish here myself by the sounds of it :) And many of my favorite writers, including you, are here.
Thank you for telling us about this media event Qasim. I’m
glad to know your opinion and that you could give feedback and connect with other activists ! You work very hard and as a paid subscriber I wanted you to know this.Your Dad is proud of you🙏🏼. Peace
Your message is so needed this morning. I have been dragged down by fear and hatred that seem to surround me on all sides. The truth will be found everywhere. Your writing helps me see the strength of resistance. The love I feel on Substack has been a source of healing and hope.
I read several writers on Substack for different viewpoints and a variety of topics. Each writer has their own experience and expertise that I read. I’m confident there are many readers like me who also follow several writers.
I would like to support all of my favorites with a paid membership but I cannot at $50 apiece. Is there a way to offer a $5 donation.
I appreciate your work and hope you will continue.
Rosalie - Thank you for your trust and support. I never want to be a financial burden on any reader, so I keep my content free and never behind a paywall. If folks can afford to be paid subscribers, I'm all the grateful. But I never make that expectation.
So refreshing! Thank you, Qasim, and thank you Substack!
I know I love Substack, now I know why! Thanks so much for sharing these thoughts, Qasim 💛
Thanks Nicole!
The MSM is falling apart; I hardly know whom to trust. I am a paid subscriber of your platform, Mr. Rashid, but I also have to say that I probably could not afford to subscribe to another one regularly.
I spent a long and puzzling career as an adjunct professor and you can imagine that my pension is minute. I really wish that Substack would provide "specials" such as 10 subscriptions for 10 bucks a month. I know that you need to be paid for your work, but as in everything, this kind of product is geared towards the monied. I would love to read about poetry, music, the climate, many political issues.....a luxury today.
I get the Atlantic, New Yorker, Harper's, Mother Jones, The Guardian -- most of which are well under $5.00 an issue.
And it hurts a bit, but I want to support decent journalism at a lower price point. I think journalism must be supported, but Sub-Stack reminds me of some sort of human taxonomy where most people cannot afford what the better paid, better educated, and better connected people out there can afford. When I see how unaffordable life is for the majority of people today, wouldn't it be better to send my money direct to Gaza Relief Organizations?
Grateful for your trust and support, I truly do cherish it. I also have my firm commitment to never paywall my content. So if ever you felt financially pinched, you could comfortably cancel your paid subscription and know you won't lose access to any content.
The USA is not the center of the universe. Much of the substack content has to do with foreign policies among the society of nations. BUT, my ISP is in Spain (where I live) so, if I want to donate or upgrade, then Substack forces me to pay in euros. My U.S. bank has USD connected to my debit card. Truly international .orgs allow a donor to choose the currency he wants to use...
Great feedback - I'll be sure to share this with the folks I know at Substack.
I appreciate all who write on Substack, such accessible news and relevant articles, not to mention superb writing and thoughtfulness. Like many others have said, I wish I could pay you all. But this is a necessary news resource, the MSM has failed us with its capitiulation over and over again! Thank you all.
Thank you, Lisa.
Most welcome!
I call out a bit of bullshit here. YOU can have access to the leaders of Substack, not the vast majority of writers on Substack. There's really nothing you said that Substack leaders haven't already told the rest of us long ago. And, that's fine, but please don't insult our intelligence by pretenting that there is anything like equal transparency or opportunity for all on Substack, because Substack leaders, like the leaders of any big business (which is what it is now) are looking out for Number 1, so they are going to favor the big names in corporate journalism and other businesses that come to this platform with a huge headstart. Many of the rest of us struggle and also work our asses off to produce excellent work but without the help of free promos from Substack leaders. Transparency, real democracy, progress, etc., comes mostly from the bottom where foundations are laid, not from the top. It's a sacrafice we make because we love life and what we do. It's not to be noble, but just to be ourselves. I do see value in Substack over other platforms or I wouldn't have my own substack newsletters, obviously. But I'm just using what's available to do my thing, hoping that in the meantime it might soften the fall when Trump destroys our social security and takes away healthcare. I wish you luck in getting your upgraded/paid subscribers, who wouldn't want the same? But take it easy with the hype--you know, that sort of "I am your divine messenger" thing that you hint at for yourself and Substack's oh-so-great leaders.
You posted this elsewhere, and I responded to you there and you seemed to have ignored that so far, and then you've posted this again here, so i'll respond to you the same way here.
Here's my response to your comments calling "a bit of bullsh*t here."
Go for it. I’m simply sharing my experience of being here. I know when I first reached out to Substack leadership, and got a response and time to chat, I had a whopping 36 subscribers. I’m sharing my experience, and I encourage others to share their own. Likewise, if you “already knew” this stuff, good on you. You’re probably just smarter than me because you already knew this stuff and I didn’t previously know this. So, because I just learned it during my experience, I felt comfortable sharing.
Thank you, again for your response. I think I published it on notes too, but I assumed that’s what you’re supposed to do with social media, but I can't seem to find it because I'm not as smart as you think I am--just and old geezer here. Can I ask you if you’re a millionaire? I’m asking, because it seems like it would make it easier to start with 36 subscribers and end up with—how many?—with access to all kinds of leaders. Don’t misunderstand me, though, it’s fine that you worked your ass off to be a millionaire. Bernie Sanders got a million dollars from his books after the first time he ran for office, and I would still vote for him for president if we had a real revolution with new elections called and he was a candidate. Do you agree with his single-payer vision? Or is just a “medicare for all those who want it” kind of thing? Thank you.
We need this platform to ensure our future!
It was so nice seeing you!! Such an honor to share the space with you and make a difference🎉
Likewise, Ariana!
This is fantastic news! I got my first payout as a Substack writer & historian today!
Amazing! Congrats! Onwards!
Thanks so much; and I read you every day!
Honored ❤️✊🏽
Thank you for the update Qasim. I've chosen wisely to publish here myself by the sounds of it :) And many of my favorite writers, including you, are here.
Indeed! And thank you.
Thank you for telling us about this media event Qasim. I’m
glad to know your opinion and that you could give feedback and connect with other activists ! You work very hard and as a paid subscriber I wanted you to know this.Your Dad is proud of you🙏🏼. Peace
Sarah
Thank you for the gracious support, and the heartwarming note, Sarah. Truly grateful ❤️✊🏽
Your message is so needed this morning. I have been dragged down by fear and hatred that seem to surround me on all sides. The truth will be found everywhere. Your writing helps me see the strength of resistance. The love I feel on Substack has been a source of healing and hope.
Thank you Susan ❤️✊🏽
Great job thanks.
My experience from the readers end has been equally gratifying. Substack, its writers and readers, is keeping democracy alive.
Yes, well said, Becky.
I had a lot of great conversations regarding collaborations. So much potential in this space!
Absolutely. I'm excited to see this platform continue to grow.
I read several writers on Substack for different viewpoints and a variety of topics. Each writer has their own experience and expertise that I read. I’m confident there are many readers like me who also follow several writers.
I would like to support all of my favorites with a paid membership but I cannot at $50 apiece. Is there a way to offer a $5 donation.
I appreciate your work and hope you will continue.
Rosalie Kramer
Rosalie - Thank you for your trust and support. I never want to be a financial burden on any reader, so I keep my content free and never behind a paywall. If folks can afford to be paid subscribers, I'm all the grateful. But I never make that expectation.
Some authors have a “Buy me a coffee” button, or one time donation, I’d like to see it more often.