I worry about MSNBC. The idiots aren't going to do much of a deep dive into Substack since they can't read. But our favorite highly educated and brave newscasters on the channel Comcast is casting out could end up in trouble.
What idiots are you referring to? Rachel Maddow gets criticized for her deep dives. Lawrence O’Donnell often fills in background info I didn’t know even though I follow politics pretty closely. Even Joe Scarborough has been doing a great job of hammering home the facts about our strong economy in his frequent segments with Steve Rattner and, unlike most of the mainstream media, he was doing that repeatedly in the run up to the election.
Please read before you post. I clearly gave MSNBC high praise. And most people who follow what's going on will know that the current occupant of the WH and his flunkies are the illiterates who aren't going to dive into Substack.
Susan K...I have spent decades working with editing educational materials. The writer often thinks they are being clear not because their writing actually is, but because they know what they are intending to say. If you read your post with an opened mind, you can see that to whom "the idiots" referred was not crystal clear. Also, not everyone is aware of what channel "Comcast is casting out," making your meaning more obtuse. A simple clarification on your part would have been welcomed. Unfortunately, the tone of your responses is not.
MSNBC gets a B+ as does Sirius XM Progress Radio channel 127. John Fugelsang, Michelangelo Signorile, Dean Obeidallah, Thom Hartmann, Zerlina and Stephanie Miller are awesome.
Michelangelo has been on a tear since Monday and John Fugelsang is as witty and clever as anyone on the air or in print. Thom Hartmann is brilliant and writes on Substack pretty much every day.
Some parts of the US get Progress Radio on FM I believe especially on the west coast. I can't verify that however.
Their network is casting them out. Within the year they will be on their own. And they are not kowtowing to anyone. They are as brilliant and truth-telling as ever. If you no longer watch them, you are missing a lot.
Stephanie Ruhle, too. She's got the business chops we often need to understand motivations and realities. I'm also a fan of a table of experts which she and N. Wallace use so effectively.
That's generally the way Substack accounts are managed. It gives the author a broader reach, and the hope it will pay off eventually. For about 30 years I wrote letters to the editor of my local paper, which printed them. I was never paid, but I was surprised that people around the state knew my name. The editors said I had a substantial following and sometimes my writing was run among other editorials. I loved the anonymity ,and just wrote because it was fun. I trust Paul really does treat it as a job both important and enjoyable.. Also being a professional economist he has a rep to uphold.
I’m really wondering if what you’re doing (and maybe Substack generally? But I’m not holding my breath.) will be what journalism becomes - totally a la carte where money paid goes directly to the author. If so then I might not be able to afford 30 $7/month subscriptions but we shall see.
Maybe some sort of journalism package deals will emerge to replace newspapers. Who knows?
Edited to add that I’ve loved your work for years and not only because I lean Keynesian. I’m not a paid subscriber yet but you are probably next in line. Thank you for what you do and while I don’t believe capitalism works well when unfettered I certainly believe that your voice DOES.
This is my struggle too! I just can’t afford to pay every author I love here. I’m picking and choosing, and this one will probably get a few months in the rotation because I adore these brainy economic posts, but I can’t do 7-10 a month for everyone I read.
I totally agree. And most readers who want to be well informed and receive diverse news will still subscribe to economist, etc magazines. All the subscription fees are just adding up quickly. I think Substack should consider introducing a journalism package like you said. 3 subscriptions for say $X per month or per quarter that will provide incentives for both writers/authors and readers.
Or like-minded groups of authors could offer it themselves. Hell, they could do it right now. Create a collective of authors who all write for the same Sub. I think that’s actually already being done.
I like the idea presented in the comments that substack develop a collective of authors. I would like one with Krugman, Delong, Wren-Lewis, Chris Dillow , John Quiggen, and Adam Tooze. I applaud the idea of a subscription fee: these authors (and others) should certainly be rewarded for the work that they do keeping the rest of us informed.
The model could be, as Krugman said, a free version that runs along side of a paid one that had more detail. Simon Wren-Lewis's "mainly macro" is a good example an author providing detail without overwhelming the reader. Maybe a souped up version of Project Syndicate (which I also subscribe to).
To Paul, personally, I'm 78 and need you to be healthy and writing for at least another 15 years (my mother lived to 102).
Oh how I'd like to find others who are dealing with what we-the-people can do to end-run around government that isn't our friend. Lots of aint-it-awful and plenty of utopian visions, but no where-to-from-here that I can find. I don't charge, so no help from Substack to get my material seen.
Not only would multiple subscriptions in some package of pundits be good, but the pundits should go from being gadflies to talking to one another and getting some force to emerge. These are my advocacies in my Substack, and I'd love to be wrong about what as far as I can tell is a unique one.
I've seen this idea of multi-newsletter packages discussed on other Substack comment sections. And even by authors. Apparently, for now, Substack doesn't want to do it.
Pretty sure it does. The Substacks I do subscribe to that limit comments to paid subscribers have much less trolling. The occasional troll slips through but they are well policed.
Substack is different from journalism. Journalism reports what’s going on, and Substack tells me how to interpret it. I happily still pay for the NYTimes for their excellent journalism (and super fun games), but I find myself just scanning most of the opinion pieces now.
Substack doesn’t HAVE TO BE different than journalism though. Actually, in the literal sense it’s still journalism anyway.
But it could definitely ALSO do what you’re talking about - reporting current events. There’s no reason it can’t. That’s how newspapers started - people deciding to independently report on what’s going on.
I’ve recommended “subscription bundles” so I can follow people I can really get behind without breaking the bank. At the moment, I’ve met my maximum limit on paid subscriptions at $100.00/month. I really can’t do more than that.
Alas, as a retiree, and not having been good enough to command a big salary at any time, I'll be leaching at the free level. So I'm very, very grateful that Prof. Krugman is keeping this substack open for people of lesser means, like me.
I’m in the same boat and appreciate being able to read Paul’s writing without having to have a paid subscription. I may be old, but I want to be informed.
Thank you says a senior couple (semi-retired former self employed NYC artists who did art for NYT back in the day) our fixed income is supporting a local newspaper, not affiliated with a billionaire and that is about affordable. A one time tip jar feature that could be used as people like us are able to donate might be good.
Love reading these every morning !! I also admire you're humble approach, you know so much and yet there is no conjecturing on here and it really feels knowledgeable so I trust it, so thank you 💙💙
I love your wonkiness. I'm learning so much from you and I greatly enjoy your skilled writing and dry humor. I'd like to suggest that Substack (or a group of contributors) find a way to bundle subscriptions. I can't afford to pay for everyone I'd like to follow (retired, fixed income, etc.) and I'm fearful life will become very much more expensive very soon. Anyway, thanks so much for what I can access for free. Your writing contributes a lot to my understanding of what is happening in this vastly crazy world we find ourselves in.
Thank you for your writing and the music references. Right now I am giving my small amount of spending money to NRDC, ACLU and the Center for Biodiversity. I will reevaluation my priorities in a few months.
I am a retired professional in my 70s and when I retired I discovered the sad truth that everyone wanted me to work for free, even my former US government employer thought it would be great if I could volunteer 32 hours a week for free doing exactly what I did before. The same holds for most of my friends. It seems we are sharp enough to work but too old to be paid. Reality sucks.
Well you nailed it with that comment. Even part-time jobs -- they love your experience but when they find out that you want to be paid -- then -- not so much.
I used to read you all the time in the NYT, and now I am a subscriber to your Substack. I treasure your insights! And you are a cook? I’ll pay for your cooking videos!😁
Yes!!! I want to see you cooking, Paul Krugman! I am a paid subscriber and also subscribe to several others but I agree that it is great to have a free version for those who cannot afford to support everything they would like to.
First, thank Ms. Wells for her editing. Second, many substances will not allow any commenting. Unless you are a paid subscriber. I would love to see some slightly lower subscription rates for those of us who live in lower cost areas where incomes average under $40k a year. Yes, we exist, and even thrive (and think!) but not at DC, LA, or NYC prices.
Mr. Krugman if there’s a way to share that word amongst your fellow Substack writers, please ask them to remember us. We too want to subscribe and we want to support you all, but I used to get WAPO digital for $4/month and Get the NYT for $11/month. A few Substacks and I’m way, way beyond that and my entire media budget.
Deep thanks to you for allowing us to still be inspired and educated by both you and your insightful commenters.
This is a very good point. There are many Substacks that I’d love to support, at £50 a time I just can’t do it and so pay to no one. And I feel guilty about that.
I can’t help but think that Substack are being unrealistic about average payment. Surely 1000 people at 10 a year is better than 20 at 50 a year.
Lose one person from the latter and it’s a bigger %age hit.
For people who aren’t able (or willing) to go for a full paid subscription, how about a digital tip jar, so they could show appreciation for what they’re getting for free? Bet it would generate a surprising boost in revenue.
love this - I have always learned so much from your columns here and when you were writing for the NY Times - wish I could afford to be a paid subscriber to every substack column I read. an unfortunate consequence of the decline of mainstream media is the fracturing of information. how about a column on the economics of fractured news. keep writing! I will keep reading
Thank you. I'm a LOL(little old lady) living on minimal social security and SNAP, but I still have an insatiable appetite for truth and intelligent commentary. 👍
I'm counting on your humor to act like a "hope salve" during these dark times. Thank you for that and the best take on economics out there - always has been.
Paid subs are now the budget we used to spend on msnbc and now I only follow unbought truth tellers .congratulations ! Keep going
But MSNBC IS a truth teller. The resistance is on Substack -- and on MSNBC.
I worry about MSNBC. The idiots aren't going to do much of a deep dive into Substack since they can't read. But our favorite highly educated and brave newscasters on the channel Comcast is casting out could end up in trouble.
What idiots are you referring to? Rachel Maddow gets criticized for her deep dives. Lawrence O’Donnell often fills in background info I didn’t know even though I follow politics pretty closely. Even Joe Scarborough has been doing a great job of hammering home the facts about our strong economy in his frequent segments with Steve Rattner and, unlike most of the mainstream media, he was doing that repeatedly in the run up to the election.
Please read before you post. I clearly gave MSNBC high praise. And most people who follow what's going on will know that the current occupant of the WH and his flunkies are the illiterates who aren't going to dive into Substack.
The "idiots" don't refer to Maddow and O'Donnell and others on MSNBC, it refers to the MAGA cultists. They are the people who don't read.
Obviously. I was totally supporting MSNBC. Seems Theodora30 was so eager to criticize what I wrote that she didn't actually read my post first.
Susan K...I have spent decades working with editing educational materials. The writer often thinks they are being clear not because their writing actually is, but because they know what they are intending to say. If you read your post with an opened mind, you can see that to whom "the idiots" referred was not crystal clear. Also, not everyone is aware of what channel "Comcast is casting out," making your meaning more obtuse. A simple clarification on your part would have been welcomed. Unfortunately, the tone of your responses is not.
My suggestion is you be clearer. I don't know what you're talking about and your snarky responses are you being out of line.
MSNBC gets a B+ as does Sirius XM Progress Radio channel 127. John Fugelsang, Michelangelo Signorile, Dean Obeidallah, Thom Hartmann, Zerlina and Stephanie Miller are awesome.
Michelangelo has been on a tear since Monday and John Fugelsang is as witty and clever as anyone on the air or in print. Thom Hartmann is brilliant and writes on Substack pretty much every day.
Some parts of the US get Progress Radio on FM I believe especially on the west coast. I can't verify that however.
Thank you so much!
Exactly as long as they think it profitable. And no longer. It’s a business.
And to clarify . I am a giant Rachel Lawrence Nicole joy fan .
They didn’t lie and cover things up
But their network is not our freind anymore
They have contracts , they gotta keep them
We understand . I just don’t watch anymore
I read .
Their network is casting them out. Within the year they will be on their own. And they are not kowtowing to anyone. They are as brilliant and truth-telling as ever. If you no longer watch them, you are missing a lot.
Stephanie Ruhle, too. She's got the business chops we often need to understand motivations and realities. I'm also a fan of a table of experts which she and N. Wallace use so effectively.
Stephanie Rhule had “business chops”???
They never were our friend. Remember when they fired Phil Donahue during the Iraq War?
Uh, which war? And remember that MSNBC wasn’t around for the first one.
You kinda answered that question for yourself.
Adding a paid subscription tier while not reducing your free posting frequency sounds very honest.
(and time consuming!)
Agree!
Phyllius
That's generally the way Substack accounts are managed. It gives the author a broader reach, and the hope it will pay off eventually. For about 30 years I wrote letters to the editor of my local paper, which printed them. I was never paid, but I was surprised that people around the state knew my name. The editors said I had a substantial following and sometimes my writing was run among other editorials. I loved the anonymity ,and just wrote because it was fun. I trust Paul really does treat it as a job both important and enjoyable.. Also being a professional economist he has a rep to uphold.
I’m really wondering if what you’re doing (and maybe Substack generally? But I’m not holding my breath.) will be what journalism becomes - totally a la carte where money paid goes directly to the author. If so then I might not be able to afford 30 $7/month subscriptions but we shall see.
Maybe some sort of journalism package deals will emerge to replace newspapers. Who knows?
Edited to add that I’ve loved your work for years and not only because I lean Keynesian. I’m not a paid subscriber yet but you are probably next in line. Thank you for what you do and while I don’t believe capitalism works well when unfettered I certainly believe that your voice DOES.
I like the idea of a "journalism package," of several writers.
If only some famous economist could work out the details of how such a plan might work and provide those details to Substack… 🤔
This is my struggle too! I just can’t afford to pay every author I love here. I’m picking and choosing, and this one will probably get a few months in the rotation because I adore these brainy economic posts, but I can’t do 7-10 a month for everyone I read.
If everyone pays for a few of those they subscribe to, I suspect everyone will do all right.
I totally agree. And most readers who want to be well informed and receive diverse news will still subscribe to economist, etc magazines. All the subscription fees are just adding up quickly. I think Substack should consider introducing a journalism package like you said. 3 subscriptions for say $X per month or per quarter that will provide incentives for both writers/authors and readers.
Or like-minded groups of authors could offer it themselves. Hell, they could do it right now. Create a collective of authors who all write for the same Sub. I think that’s actually already being done.
I like the idea presented in the comments that substack develop a collective of authors. I would like one with Krugman, Delong, Wren-Lewis, Chris Dillow , John Quiggen, and Adam Tooze. I applaud the idea of a subscription fee: these authors (and others) should certainly be rewarded for the work that they do keeping the rest of us informed.
The model could be, as Krugman said, a free version that runs along side of a paid one that had more detail. Simon Wren-Lewis's "mainly macro" is a good example an author providing detail without overwhelming the reader. Maybe a souped up version of Project Syndicate (which I also subscribe to).
To Paul, personally, I'm 78 and need you to be healthy and writing for at least another 15 years (my mother lived to 102).
Oh how I'd like to find others who are dealing with what we-the-people can do to end-run around government that isn't our friend. Lots of aint-it-awful and plenty of utopian visions, but no where-to-from-here that I can find. I don't charge, so no help from Substack to get my material seen.
Not only would multiple subscriptions in some package of pundits be good, but the pundits should go from being gadflies to talking to one another and getting some force to emerge. These are my advocacies in my Substack, and I'd love to be wrong about what as far as I can tell is a unique one.
I've seen this idea of multi-newsletter packages discussed on other Substack comment sections. And even by authors. Apparently, for now, Substack doesn't want to do it.
Interesting. I wonder what the reasoning is.
I DO wonder if gatekeeping by a (relatively) high cost to participate ends up keeping comment threads from rapidly degrading.
Pretty sure it does. The Substacks I do subscribe to that limit comments to paid subscribers have much less trolling. The occasional troll slips through but they are well policed.
Gee, do you know of anyone?
It sounds like what The Contrarion is already doing.
The problem with a la carte journalism is that it's pretty expensive to follow more than a couple.
I really missed the opportunity to say “meal deal” up there to keep the a la carte theme but oh well.
Substack is different from journalism. Journalism reports what’s going on, and Substack tells me how to interpret it. I happily still pay for the NYTimes for their excellent journalism (and super fun games), but I find myself just scanning most of the opinion pieces now.
Substack doesn’t HAVE TO BE different than journalism though. Actually, in the literal sense it’s still journalism anyway.
But it could definitely ALSO do what you’re talking about - reporting current events. There’s no reason it can’t. That’s how newspapers started - people deciding to independently report on what’s going on.
I’ve recommended “subscription bundles” so I can follow people I can really get behind without breaking the bank. At the moment, I’ve met my maximum limit on paid subscriptions at $100.00/month. I really can’t do more than that.
Who is going to start that company (but never sell out to the tech overlords).
It might have to be done as a sort of Co-Op maybe?
Maybe a subset of Substack: several authors with a like view of the world. It gets complicated.
Good point about multiple paid subscriptions. I have thought the same.
The real win would be to have this type of writing paired with an opposing but equally honest (does that exist?) viewpoint.
Yes. They’re called “philosophers” and are widely regarded as useless. I ought to know - I have a degree in it. 😂
Alas, as a retiree, and not having been good enough to command a big salary at any time, I'll be leaching at the free level. So I'm very, very grateful that Prof. Krugman is keeping this substack open for people of lesser means, like me.
I’m in the same boat and appreciate being able to read Paul’s writing without having to have a paid subscription. I may be old, but I want to be informed.
I’m
Thank you says a senior couple (semi-retired former self employed NYC artists who did art for NYT back in the day) our fixed income is supporting a local newspaper, not affiliated with a billionaire and that is about affordable. A one time tip jar feature that could be used as people like us are able to donate might be good.
Love tip jars. When creators have that option and I read/view something really inspiring, I’ll buy them the equivalent of a coffee.
Like The Guardian. I am not a subscriber due to cost BUT I periodically donate to also and it appears many others do the same.
your pieces are absolutely wonderful to read, will continue to read them all!
Love reading these every morning !! I also admire you're humble approach, you know so much and yet there is no conjecturing on here and it really feels knowledgeable so I trust it, so thank you 💙💙
I love your wonkiness. I'm learning so much from you and I greatly enjoy your skilled writing and dry humor. I'd like to suggest that Substack (or a group of contributors) find a way to bundle subscriptions. I can't afford to pay for everyone I'd like to follow (retired, fixed income, etc.) and I'm fearful life will become very much more expensive very soon. Anyway, thanks so much for what I can access for free. Your writing contributes a lot to my understanding of what is happening in this vastly crazy world we find ourselves in.
Your texting voice is very sensitive, relatable and readable. We’re very appreciative that you’re here!
Thank you for your writing and the music references. Right now I am giving my small amount of spending money to NRDC, ACLU and the Center for Biodiversity. I will reevaluation my priorities in a few months.
I am a retired professional in my 70s and when I retired I discovered the sad truth that everyone wanted me to work for free, even my former US government employer thought it would be great if I could volunteer 32 hours a week for free doing exactly what I did before. The same holds for most of my friends. It seems we are sharp enough to work but too old to be paid. Reality sucks.
Well you nailed it with that comment. Even part-time jobs -- they love your experience but when they find out that you want to be paid -- then -- not so much.
Might I offer up, if not too bold, forming a one person LLC and charging high consulting rates?
Would be an idea but in my field the high consultation rates would be both against the grain of what we value and nonexistent.
I used to read you all the time in the NYT, and now I am a subscriber to your Substack. I treasure your insights! And you are a cook? I’ll pay for your cooking videos!😁
Yes!!! I want to see you cooking, Paul Krugman! I am a paid subscriber and also subscribe to several others but I agree that it is great to have a free version for those who cannot afford to support everything they would like to.
First, thank Ms. Wells for her editing. Second, many substances will not allow any commenting. Unless you are a paid subscriber. I would love to see some slightly lower subscription rates for those of us who live in lower cost areas where incomes average under $40k a year. Yes, we exist, and even thrive (and think!) but not at DC, LA, or NYC prices.
Mr. Krugman if there’s a way to share that word amongst your fellow Substack writers, please ask them to remember us. We too want to subscribe and we want to support you all, but I used to get WAPO digital for $4/month and Get the NYT for $11/month. A few Substacks and I’m way, way beyond that and my entire media budget.
Deep thanks to you for allowing us to still be inspired and educated by both you and your insightful commenters.
This is a very good point. There are many Substacks that I’d love to support, at £50 a time I just can’t do it and so pay to no one. And I feel guilty about that.
I can’t help but think that Substack are being unrealistic about average payment. Surely 1000 people at 10 a year is better than 20 at 50 a year.
Lose one person from the latter and it’s a bigger %age hit.
I just wrote something similar and sent it and was reading it and it disappeared and now am wondering where it went.
How did you manage an $11/month for NYT? I think I pay double!
I come and go as a new subscriber. Dirty, but some money from me is surely better than none, and my scrolls do click as viewer counts.
Very smart
For people who aren’t able (or willing) to go for a full paid subscription, how about a digital tip jar, so they could show appreciation for what they’re getting for free? Bet it would generate a surprising boost in revenue.
love this - I have always learned so much from your columns here and when you were writing for the NY Times - wish I could afford to be a paid subscriber to every substack column I read. an unfortunate consequence of the decline of mainstream media is the fracturing of information. how about a column on the economics of fractured news. keep writing! I will keep reading
Thank you. I'm a LOL(little old lady) living on minimal social security and SNAP, but I still have an insatiable appetite for truth and intelligent commentary. 👍
I'm counting on your humor to act like a "hope salve" during these dark times. Thank you for that and the best take on economics out there - always has been.
Other folks with free content who are salves include the Contrarian and the Hopium Chronicles.