I mean that literally. A social media platform that makes sense of the feed, and adds value above the social layer. Where the vast majority of folks who will "agree to agree" in order to actually accomplish things, come together (convene) to problem-solve the critical issues facing us all.
Chances are that any successful media platform becomes the next Facebook/Tiktok etc. You need to make large investments in your service and in customer acquisition. You can only do that by getting third-party funding, and that requires huge ROI. That in turn forces you to collect as much data as you can and maximize the number ads you push to your userbase.
We have to lower the cost of building services and establishing a user base for them and break the monopolizing nature of the 'network effect'.
Once we do that, new and innovative services can be developed and competition between platforms will increase.
Whew, pretty steep subscription price. I can get the whole NY Times for $48/yr. One ex columnist for $65/yr? If you can get it great, but I think you're overselling yourself there.
You're lucky, because that's not available to all of us. It was a new subscriber deal a while ago, but they wouldn't extend it to people who already had subscriptions. (I tried ...)
That's a good point. However I feel putting all of my "subscription money" into only a handful of personal opinions is not how I want to perceive the world. I struggle enough with not being in an echo chamber. While I agree traditional journalists are hemmed in on what they can say, I would rather get all those opinions than a select few who can truly speak freely.
I have no doubt that this is the future, that substack and long form podcasts are providing an unbiased look at the world that intelligent people are craving. Mass media publications and cable news will be eventually relegated to the yellow journalism bin since anyone with any talent will take the avenue of less resistance and more control. However I think this gentleman and probably others are overpricing their work. I understand that they need to maintain a lifestyle they are use to and this is the price point they need to have to make that happen. My only hope is that like all starter industries, as sales volume increase it will eventually bring the price point down to more sane levels.
Thank you for your "existential dread" statement in Washpost, June 30, 2021 A23. With a denialist population, it will take a lot to get them to realize the truth of your statement "a dystopia feels only more dystopian when everyone's trying to pretend things are fine." They should be reading Miller's "A Canticle for Leibowitz" for some perspective. All best wishes, Dave Thomas, Rockville MD USA
Looking forward to your new project! Having watched the internet grow from the heady usenet newsgroup days to the headless disinformation beast it's become today, it's especially good to hear your optimism and forward thinking spirit.
I am intrigued and hopeful for your success. I will read for a while before making a further commitment. I have been a firm believer in the dictum, that. If you give trust, you get trust in return.
Hello, Charlie Warzel. My name is Susan Warzel. I grew up in Buffalo, New York. I wonder if we are somehow related. My father was Michael Warzel. My father’s parents came from what is now Slovakia. His father was Joseph Warzel. He had 6 children. The family wasn’t that big, but we were nearly estranged from Uncle Joe’s and Uncle Steve’s families—who were half brothers of my dad.
Does any of this seem familiar to you? I enjoyed seeing you on the PBS News Hour tonight and couldn’t stop myself from reaching out to you. I know that you are very busy but a quick response would be greatly appreciated.
build a platform that facilitates consensus in the public interest
amen.
I mean that literally. A social media platform that makes sense of the feed, and adds value above the social layer. Where the vast majority of folks who will "agree to agree" in order to actually accomplish things, come together (convene) to problem-solve the critical issues facing us all.
Chances are that any successful media platform becomes the next Facebook/Tiktok etc. You need to make large investments in your service and in customer acquisition. You can only do that by getting third-party funding, and that requires huge ROI. That in turn forces you to collect as much data as you can and maximize the number ads you push to your userbase.
We have to lower the cost of building services and establishing a user base for them and break the monopolizing nature of the 'network effect'.
Once we do that, new and innovative services can be developed and competition between platforms will increase.
(and I'm trying to do that with the BYODA project: https://github.com/StevenHessing/byoda)
very cool. also, we could "let users choose how to pay for access to content" (see 2009 model at www.paycheckr.com)
Drop that discord link!
it launches a week from today. Paid subscribers will get that link then!
Glad to have joined. Looking to see your perspectives and conversations.
Glen! Thank you! I'm thrilled you're aboard!
Yay to a book club
YEs!! What's the first book, in your opinion?
How about 'Klara and the Sun's Kazuo Ishiguro? Mainly 'cause I'm reading it at mo'!
wait same this would be so good
Whew, pretty steep subscription price. I can get the whole NY Times for $48/yr. One ex columnist for $65/yr? If you can get it great, but I think you're overselling yourself there.
That's nowhere near the price of a regular NY Times subscription, which is $17 every 4 weeks. You must have an introductory offer.
I'm paying $1/week. Electronic edition. Usually it's $2/week but I held out for the deal to come back.
You're lucky, because that's not available to all of us. It was a new subscriber deal a while ago, but they wouldn't extend it to people who already had subscriptions. (I tried ...)
I wonder if you stopped your subscription and came back in? Kind of like how we play the cable and phone companies?
That's a good point. However I feel putting all of my "subscription money" into only a handful of personal opinions is not how I want to perceive the world. I struggle enough with not being in an echo chamber. While I agree traditional journalists are hemmed in on what they can say, I would rather get all those opinions than a select few who can truly speak freely.
I have no doubt that this is the future, that substack and long form podcasts are providing an unbiased look at the world that intelligent people are craving. Mass media publications and cable news will be eventually relegated to the yellow journalism bin since anyone with any talent will take the avenue of less resistance and more control. However I think this gentleman and probably others are overpricing their work. I understand that they need to maintain a lifestyle they are use to and this is the price point they need to have to make that happen. My only hope is that like all starter industries, as sales volume increase it will eventually bring the price point down to more sane levels.
Thank you for your "existential dread" statement in Washpost, June 30, 2021 A23. With a denialist population, it will take a lot to get them to realize the truth of your statement "a dystopia feels only more dystopian when everyone's trying to pretend things are fine." They should be reading Miller's "A Canticle for Leibowitz" for some perspective. All best wishes, Dave Thomas, Rockville MD USA
Looking forward to your new project! Having watched the internet grow from the heady usenet newsgroup days to the headless disinformation beast it's become today, it's especially good to hear your optimism and forward thinking spirit.
I am intrigued and hopeful for your success. I will read for a while before making a further commitment. I have been a firm believer in the dictum, that. If you give trust, you get trust in return.
I am excited to try and convert you!!
beyond in for the book club
hell yeah! What should the first book be, you think?
i suppose it depends on how tightly you want to tie the books to what you're gonna write about! just looking at my shelf, some ideas:
The Lonely Century
LikeWar
The Silence (any DeLillo novel, really -- I need to read White Noise before the film comes out)
Sophie's World
Let My People Go Surfing
exciting
thanks, lisa! i'm pumped.
yewwww
Thrilled to join your new community
Colette - I'm thrilled to have you hereeeeee!
Another Warzel!
Hello, Charlie Warzel. My name is Susan Warzel. I grew up in Buffalo, New York. I wonder if we are somehow related. My father was Michael Warzel. My father’s parents came from what is now Slovakia. His father was Joseph Warzel. He had 6 children. The family wasn’t that big, but we were nearly estranged from Uncle Joe’s and Uncle Steve’s families—who were half brothers of my dad.
Does any of this seem familiar to you? I enjoyed seeing you on the PBS News Hour tonight and couldn’t stop myself from reaching out to you. I know that you are very busy but a quick response would be greatly appreciated.
Lets try this again!!
4th Try!!
I am a paid sub to Galaxy Brain
Send me the friggin link to SideChannel/Discord!!
Looking forward to seeing what it's all about!
This was the easiest subscription decision ever. Let's get weird.