In the long run I think this is true! In the short term, at this rather crucial juncture, the material conditions for doing journalism are worse than they've been at any point in my lifetime.
I completely agree. The global elite has turned most journalists into courtiers and trained the audience to care only for their content. Yet precisely because of that, and despite it, the few genuine ones will endure. They’ll treat journalism as a calling, not a career, and work elsewhere simply to have something to eat.
Really appreciate this post, and all the work you’ve been doing. I swear to God, I get a lump in my throat and tears in my eyes every time you say, “Hammers up!”
I’m unemployed, and have been for almost 18 months. I’m looking at selling my house because I’m struggling to pay the mortgage. One of the great joys of finding work will be supporting new independent media and great old publications like the NYRB.
I think it’s totally legitimate to paywall - you should do whatever you need to do to support yourself and your loved ones. When you look at subscription numbers, though, don’t underestimate the number of readers who find themselves staring down the barrel of AI, agile and all the rest of it, and have fallen out of the middle class. Your reporting has been a lifeline for me, and I know I’m not alone in that.
Thank you for the risks you’re taking and the work you’re doing. Hammers up!
To the question of what I’d like to see more of, it’s posts like this! Both really interesting and somewhat personal.
To the thing about posting 1-3 times a week, it is also possible to overdo it… I unsubscribed from one that was almost daily (and sometimes more than once per day) and most of the other high-frequency newsletters that I have free subs to, I filter from the inbox (with the idea that I’ll go in and read them, or some of them, but rarely do). I bet a lot of the paying readers value quality over quantity, even if the algo doesn’t… Ideal for me would be one post every 3 weeks, +/-1.
Thanks Mike. And that's good to hear as well — I doubt I'll ever do more than 1-3 a week, but I think there's a world where the baseline feels stable enough to turn down the volume. One story every three weeks sounds like an ideal schedule to me, if money were no object!
Thank you for doing this important work! I found you here after reading the book. This historical moment needs your work, as well as the potential connections between like minded readers that your newsletter affords.
The reality is that it is not a sustainable model. When you look at the most "successful" newsletters, they are all well known names that were able to navigate leaving legacy media. There is so much competition in the blogosphere which doesn't even include podcasting. There are so many people trying to attract ears and eyes. Most are not going to make it, especially if they can't find a way to diversify. More to the point, as more and more people are squeezed financially, there will be fewer and fewer who can afford to support independent media, while recognizing the critical work it is doing. This the same issue creatives have always faced. Our culture does not support creative work.
This is true, and it's not just culture — it's policy, and our politics. We need to find ways to create real lasting foundations of support for creative work.
Well I did have a paid sub for a month th or two that I canceled, but you convinced me to pony up again. Your work is so valuable, and I appreciate you getting down to the humanity of how you do it
Lots to say. First, I like the personal notes. Second, what an S corp, and while I'm at it, what do you mean by "hammers up"? Third, I subscribe to a few blogs but BITM is the only one I pay in on. The reason is that it delivers interesting, important information that I don't get elsewhere...and you make it clear you need the bucks. A couple of other big ones are useful but I suspect they have plenty of paying subscribers and don't need me. One is by a Brit so a fair amount of the content doesn't apply here, and she paywalls so much that it doesn't feel useful. Finally, I agree with Gerba that you should be cautious about getting sucked in to The Machine. In the long run, you likely have to think about leaving LA. It's more expensive in a big city but also, they probably have no future. Of course, in the future world in which life in which life in LA is no longer viable, you won't be doing this gig--the bloody machines will be shutting down. For now, perhaps you have to live thereto do the thing you do.
I have paid subs to a handful of newsletters, and yours is by far the most valuable. The AI killed my job series is fantastic and converted me to a paid sub. Appreciate your reporting in this shitshow of a journalism landscape, and your transparency shows how deeply you care for your subscribers. Thank you for all that you do, Brian.
And if that estimable business ever needs to expand (set up?!) its board of directors, it seems you have thousands of us keen readers and supporters to recruit from!
"We need more durable solutions than hopping from one platform to another and hoping management of the next tech platform will meet certain ethical standards. Independent journalists and creators everywhere need _power._"
incredible response to the very thing I have been grappling with as a leftist growing on this platform. would love for there to be unions of some sort with creators and journalists where boycotts, strikes, and actions could have a deeper impact!
Thanks for posting this progress report, Brian. You're doing pack-leading work on your beat. I'm still struggling with the paywall question, realizing it's pretty much impossible to convince Sustain What subscribers to chip in to help keep content open to all. Keep on keeping on. And November would be a good time to have you on my show
Cheers Andy, means a lot. I know, few us with a journalism background ever want to paywall, it feels anathema to the spirit of the practice. But I think there are ways to do it effectively without cutting too deeply into the mission. And yes, let's do it.
Independent journalism will survive for the same reason AI will fail to replace it. Authentic thought doesn’t follow patterns, it breaks them.
In the long run I think this is true! In the short term, at this rather crucial juncture, the material conditions for doing journalism are worse than they've been at any point in my lifetime.
I completely agree. The global elite has turned most journalists into courtiers and trained the audience to care only for their content. Yet precisely because of that, and despite it, the few genuine ones will endure. They’ll treat journalism as a calling, not a career, and work elsewhere simply to have something to eat.
Really appreciate this post, and all the work you’ve been doing. I swear to God, I get a lump in my throat and tears in my eyes every time you say, “Hammers up!”
I’m unemployed, and have been for almost 18 months. I’m looking at selling my house because I’m struggling to pay the mortgage. One of the great joys of finding work will be supporting new independent media and great old publications like the NYRB.
I think it’s totally legitimate to paywall - you should do whatever you need to do to support yourself and your loved ones. When you look at subscription numbers, though, don’t underestimate the number of readers who find themselves staring down the barrel of AI, agile and all the rest of it, and have fallen out of the middle class. Your reporting has been a lifeline for me, and I know I’m not alone in that.
Thank you for the risks you’re taking and the work you’re doing. Hammers up!
To the question of what I’d like to see more of, it’s posts like this! Both really interesting and somewhat personal.
To the thing about posting 1-3 times a week, it is also possible to overdo it… I unsubscribed from one that was almost daily (and sometimes more than once per day) and most of the other high-frequency newsletters that I have free subs to, I filter from the inbox (with the idea that I’ll go in and read them, or some of them, but rarely do). I bet a lot of the paying readers value quality over quantity, even if the algo doesn’t… Ideal for me would be one post every 3 weeks, +/-1.
Thanks Mike. And that's good to hear as well — I doubt I'll ever do more than 1-3 a week, but I think there's a world where the baseline feels stable enough to turn down the volume. One story every three weeks sounds like an ideal schedule to me, if money were no object!
Thank you for doing this important work! I found you here after reading the book. This historical moment needs your work, as well as the potential connections between like minded readers that your newsletter affords.
Cheers Merkat, and many thanks.
The reality is that it is not a sustainable model. When you look at the most "successful" newsletters, they are all well known names that were able to navigate leaving legacy media. There is so much competition in the blogosphere which doesn't even include podcasting. There are so many people trying to attract ears and eyes. Most are not going to make it, especially if they can't find a way to diversify. More to the point, as more and more people are squeezed financially, there will be fewer and fewer who can afford to support independent media, while recognizing the critical work it is doing. This the same issue creatives have always faced. Our culture does not support creative work.
This is true, and it's not just culture — it's policy, and our politics. We need to find ways to create real lasting foundations of support for creative work.
Longtime reader, now also a paid subscriber
Cheers Frederike, many thanks.
Well I did have a paid sub for a month th or two that I canceled, but you convinced me to pony up again. Your work is so valuable, and I appreciate you getting down to the humanity of how you do it
Thanks Maren, really appreciate you as well.
Subscribed. Boom.
Cheers Joel!
Thanks for what you do! I hope you can stick with it. It sounds tough, but more power to you.
Cheers Brian, much appreciated. I'm sticking around!
Lots to say. First, I like the personal notes. Second, what an S corp, and while I'm at it, what do you mean by "hammers up"? Third, I subscribe to a few blogs but BITM is the only one I pay in on. The reason is that it delivers interesting, important information that I don't get elsewhere...and you make it clear you need the bucks. A couple of other big ones are useful but I suspect they have plenty of paying subscribers and don't need me. One is by a Brit so a fair amount of the content doesn't apply here, and she paywalls so much that it doesn't feel useful. Finally, I agree with Gerba that you should be cautious about getting sucked in to The Machine. In the long run, you likely have to think about leaving LA. It's more expensive in a big city but also, they probably have no future. Of course, in the future world in which life in which life in LA is no longer viable, you won't be doing this gig--the bloody machines will be shutting down. For now, perhaps you have to live thereto do the thing you do.
Re. “Hammers up” search on Enoch’s hammer (or read Brian’s book of the same name as the blog)
I have paid subs to a handful of newsletters, and yours is by far the most valuable. The AI killed my job series is fantastic and converted me to a paid sub. Appreciate your reporting in this shitshow of a journalism landscape, and your transparency shows how deeply you care for your subscribers. Thank you for all that you do, Brian.
That really means a lot, Bri — and thank *you*!
Such a great article and really informative and touching about the inside workings of Ned Ludd, Inc. Thank you for that look under the hood.
I have to say, I did chuckle at "I’ve discussed my Blood work on shows..."
Oh yeah? How's your cholesterol? 😄
Ha, couldn't help myself. A lot of blood puns seem to work their way into these posts somehow....
Yay for Ned Ludd, Inc. 🤖🔨🤗
And if that estimable business ever needs to expand (set up?!) its board of directors, it seems you have thousands of us keen readers and supporters to recruit from!
TIRED: A board made up of CEOs and VCs
WIRED: A board made up of Ned Ludd's Army
"We need more durable solutions than hopping from one platform to another and hoping management of the next tech platform will meet certain ethical standards. Independent journalists and creators everywhere need _power._"
incredible response to the very thing I have been grappling with as a leftist growing on this platform. would love for there to be unions of some sort with creators and journalists where boycotts, strikes, and actions could have a deeper impact!
Terrific read. Honest, helpful and hopeful.
I’m in. ✌️
Diane.
Thanks for posting this progress report, Brian. You're doing pack-leading work on your beat. I'm still struggling with the paywall question, realizing it's pretty much impossible to convince Sustain What subscribers to chip in to help keep content open to all. Keep on keeping on. And November would be a good time to have you on my show
Cheers Andy, means a lot. I know, few us with a journalism background ever want to paywall, it feels anathema to the spirit of the practice. But I think there are ways to do it effectively without cutting too deeply into the mission. And yes, let's do it.