It makes me incredibly sad to read this. It also makes me furious that your right to free expression is being curtailed by the current political and business climate. I completely understand your decision. I have enjoyed your writing for, oh, maybe about the past year or so? I can’t recall exactly when I subscribed. I have appreciated reading from a voice of reason at a time when I feel like I’ve been taking crazy pills. At least thanks to you and other writers I follow, I realize I’m not alone in navigating this new, unfriendly world.
Your writing is excellent, and I will miss your being here. I wasn’t always able to read every weekly post, but it was good to know that you were there.
If you decide to continue to write but not on Substack, I’d be thrilled to get your words in my inbox at acleverhound@gmail.com.
Wishing you all the best. Hope to “see” you around again soon - in some form or fashion.
So sorry to read this. Your work is valued even if people don't comment; most of us are not accustomed to having the opportunity to comment, and I don't want to comment if I don't have something important to say. But this reminds me that readers should provide feedback as encouragement. So best of luck to you in finding what you need.
We'll miss you. I'm an irregular reader, and non-paying subscriber, but I always found your writing to be thoughtful, valuable, and well-researched. You have a place here among nature writers. I understand your situation, though; my own personal writing has sometimes conflicted with my previous (Federal) employers position. As an academician I had more freedom, but decided that publicity was only valuable if it helped me secure more funding (which it didn't). As a retiree, I tried writing for news outlets but was frustrated by editors' desires to reshape my thoughts along their own lines. That led me to Substack where I can write whatever I want without concerns about it affecting my livelihood. I hope you'll find your way back.
I am sorry this community is losing your voice. Your writing is still here and it HAS been heard. I hope you know this and that it gives you some comfort during this painful time. Please take care of yourself and maybe one day we will meet here again.
Dear Eric, I too am very sad to see this post. I've followed your writing as long as I've been writing on SS (since last June) and (as a retired psychology professor) have appreciated your thoughts about science, higher education, funding, and related topics. I'm so sorry you need to shift gears, but I do understand - and of course, you need to set priorities. I hope that your new / future job will provide you with more opportunities to write your heart out for the benefit of the public!! You are a gifted communicator. You have my very best wishes, and I hope you find just the right niche that allows you to use your many skills to do good.
For what it's worth, even though the Colorado ballot initiative passed, I know for certain that your writing did cause some people to vote against it. I have many friends and relatives in Colorado whom I sent your articles who told me they would have voted for the referendum, not really knowing much about the topic, but voted against it because of what you had written about it.
I have really appreciated your insights. Thank you for those, and I hope the future is kinder to you than this past has been.
Thank you for sharing that, it does make me glad to hear my writing influenced some voters, even if the ultimate result did not go our way. I hope the AVMA and other state VMAs push back harder against other MLP/VPA initiatives as they crop up around the country...
Your honest, unbiased evaluation of digital pathology caught my attention. I've followed you ever since. Let me pass on the advice my Dad gave me: "Never let the bastards get you down."
Thank you, James! Digital pathology is the first of two seismic changes hitting veterinary cytology at about the same time (the other being fast-approaching AI automation). What the future of this profession looks like depends on what these companies do and how we adapt. Like the (probably apocryphal) Chinese curse/proverb says: "May you live in interesting times..."
Infuriating on so many levels, but also entirely understandable on your part. I have enjoyed learning from you. I wish you all the best as we all navigate this hellscape.
I wish you the best of luck in your new professional life, and I hope you can find a way to come back to writing. You have a wealth of knowledge about health matters, something we surely need in this time of trouble. Informed, sensible about public health is getting more and more hard to come by. You are needed here.
I am a conservative who obviously has disagreed with a lot that you have written. Still, I have found your opinions well thought out and I have learned a lot from your essays. I also appreciate the ethics that underlie your thoughts. It is a pity that an innovative and creative writer cannot make a good living doing what you do so well. It also bothers me that your ideas have hurt your employment opportunities. Even though we are not on the same sides politically, we do need your voice. I do hope you can return. Robert W. Dunstan, DVM, MS, DACVP
I am sorry to read this, although I understand the need to take at least a temporary (and possibly permanent) break from your Substack writing. I don’t think I have commented on any of your articles before, but I have read and enjoyed all of them. Your voice will be missed!
Didn't feel right clicking the like button. While I don't share your situation, I have been thinking a break for a while. Some days it's just seems like too much. You've been honest and forthright in your writings. Do take care of yourself.
It makes me incredibly sad to read this. It also makes me furious that your right to free expression is being curtailed by the current political and business climate. I completely understand your decision. I have enjoyed your writing for, oh, maybe about the past year or so? I can’t recall exactly when I subscribed. I have appreciated reading from a voice of reason at a time when I feel like I’ve been taking crazy pills. At least thanks to you and other writers I follow, I realize I’m not alone in navigating this new, unfriendly world.
Your writing is excellent, and I will miss your being here. I wasn’t always able to read every weekly post, but it was good to know that you were there.
If you decide to continue to write but not on Substack, I’d be thrilled to get your words in my inbox at acleverhound@gmail.com.
Wishing you all the best. Hope to “see” you around again soon - in some form or fashion.
Warm regards,
Suzanne
So sorry to read this. Your work is valued even if people don't comment; most of us are not accustomed to having the opportunity to comment, and I don't want to comment if I don't have something important to say. But this reminds me that readers should provide feedback as encouragement. So best of luck to you in finding what you need.
We'll miss you. I'm an irregular reader, and non-paying subscriber, but I always found your writing to be thoughtful, valuable, and well-researched. You have a place here among nature writers. I understand your situation, though; my own personal writing has sometimes conflicted with my previous (Federal) employers position. As an academician I had more freedom, but decided that publicity was only valuable if it helped me secure more funding (which it didn't). As a retiree, I tried writing for news outlets but was frustrated by editors' desires to reshape my thoughts along their own lines. That led me to Substack where I can write whatever I want without concerns about it affecting my livelihood. I hope you'll find your way back.
I am sorry this community is losing your voice. Your writing is still here and it HAS been heard. I hope you know this and that it gives you some comfort during this painful time. Please take care of yourself and maybe one day we will meet here again.
Dear Eric, I too am very sad to see this post. I've followed your writing as long as I've been writing on SS (since last June) and (as a retired psychology professor) have appreciated your thoughts about science, higher education, funding, and related topics. I'm so sorry you need to shift gears, but I do understand - and of course, you need to set priorities. I hope that your new / future job will provide you with more opportunities to write your heart out for the benefit of the public!! You are a gifted communicator. You have my very best wishes, and I hope you find just the right niche that allows you to use your many skills to do good.
I am sorry to see you go, though I understand.
For what it's worth, even though the Colorado ballot initiative passed, I know for certain that your writing did cause some people to vote against it. I have many friends and relatives in Colorado whom I sent your articles who told me they would have voted for the referendum, not really knowing much about the topic, but voted against it because of what you had written about it.
I have really appreciated your insights. Thank you for those, and I hope the future is kinder to you than this past has been.
Thank you for sharing that, it does make me glad to hear my writing influenced some voters, even if the ultimate result did not go our way. I hope the AVMA and other state VMAs push back harder against other MLP/VPA initiatives as they crop up around the country...
Your honest, unbiased evaluation of digital pathology caught my attention. I've followed you ever since. Let me pass on the advice my Dad gave me: "Never let the bastards get you down."
Thank you, James! Digital pathology is the first of two seismic changes hitting veterinary cytology at about the same time (the other being fast-approaching AI automation). What the future of this profession looks like depends on what these companies do and how we adapt. Like the (probably apocryphal) Chinese curse/proverb says: "May you live in interesting times..."
Infuriating on so many levels, but also entirely understandable on your part. I have enjoyed learning from you. I wish you all the best as we all navigate this hellscape.
I wish you the best of luck in your new professional life, and I hope you can find a way to come back to writing. You have a wealth of knowledge about health matters, something we surely need in this time of trouble. Informed, sensible about public health is getting more and more hard to come by. You are needed here.
Eric,
I am a conservative who obviously has disagreed with a lot that you have written. Still, I have found your opinions well thought out and I have learned a lot from your essays. I also appreciate the ethics that underlie your thoughts. It is a pity that an innovative and creative writer cannot make a good living doing what you do so well. It also bothers me that your ideas have hurt your employment opportunities. Even though we are not on the same sides politically, we do need your voice. I do hope you can return. Robert W. Dunstan, DVM, MS, DACVP
As this piece makes clear, you lead even when you consider other paths. Honored to know you and very excited to see what’s next.
Thank you Eric! Makes total sense. Thank you for laying this out. Will follow along and support whatever path makes sense for you!
I am sorry to read this, although I understand the need to take at least a temporary (and possibly permanent) break from your Substack writing. I don’t think I have commented on any of your articles before, but I have read and enjoyed all of them. Your voice will be missed!
I’ll miss you. You’re one of my favorite writers on Substack.
Well times like this opens doors! Everything is working in your favor. People like you are the perfect dose of medicine we need!!
Didn't feel right clicking the like button. While I don't share your situation, I have been thinking a break for a while. Some days it's just seems like too much. You've been honest and forthright in your writings. Do take care of yourself.