Recently, I've written some essays that refer to global warming and it's consequences down the line. I worried a bit about abusive trolls coming to my otherwise deservedly obscure and eccentric little newsletter. I decided that I would treat them all, no matter how nasty their verbiage, with simple kindness since that is what my religion teaches. Hope I can stay true to my intentions!
I have absolutely no objection to writers getting paid for their work. More power to them!! Writing is HARD! And very time-consuming, it deserves compensation. 🙂
Thanks Michael! Yes, I can imagine climate change being a sensitive topic. I know some of the MDs and epidemiologists I follow have to be careful when they discuss vaccines (which is a very sad state of affairs)
Well I wish you the best no matter what you decide! Yours is a wonderful voice that enriches the Substack community.
But don't let the trolls break up community by forcing everyone to make paywalled fortresses of their newsletters. In that way they exercise a subtle form of censoring valuable writers, removing them from open debate. A kind of a passive-aggressive form of SLAP suits. I refer only to the desirability of leaving the comments sections outside the paywalls.
Good question, Michael! For the paid articles, absolutely. For others I am still deciding and they will likely be a mix. Right now everyone has been cool, but as publications grow issues with trolls tend to follow, and restricting who can leave a comment (not view them) can be an effective tool to keep a community healthy and vibrant. TBH I’m still looking through all of the new options to play with as a LOT of additional settings unlock once you turn on paid subscriptions
Recently, I've written some essays that refer to global warming and it's consequences down the line. I worried a bit about abusive trolls coming to my otherwise deservedly obscure and eccentric little newsletter. I decided that I would treat them all, no matter how nasty their verbiage, with simple kindness since that is what my religion teaches. Hope I can stay true to my intentions!
I have absolutely no objection to writers getting paid for their work. More power to them!! Writing is HARD! And very time-consuming, it deserves compensation. 🙂
Thanks Michael! Yes, I can imagine climate change being a sensitive topic. I know some of the MDs and epidemiologists I follow have to be careful when they discuss vaccines (which is a very sad state of affairs)
Well I wish you the best no matter what you decide! Yours is a wonderful voice that enriches the Substack community.
But don't let the trolls break up community by forcing everyone to make paywalled fortresses of their newsletters. In that way they exercise a subtle form of censoring valuable writers, removing them from open debate. A kind of a passive-aggressive form of SLAP suits. I refer only to the desirability of leaving the comments sections outside the paywalls.
Will the comments section be only for paid subscribers?
Good question, Michael! For the paid articles, absolutely. For others I am still deciding and they will likely be a mix. Right now everyone has been cool, but as publications grow issues with trolls tend to follow, and restricting who can leave a comment (not view them) can be an effective tool to keep a community healthy and vibrant. TBH I’m still looking through all of the new options to play with as a LOT of additional settings unlock once you turn on paid subscriptions