Jessica - another post that really resonates! I give thanks every day (although I'm sure not enough) that my wife and I are in a good place, literally (France) and figuratively (able to do things we enjoy), but it's been incredibly hard watching the "energetic disassembly" of pretty much everything in the States, especially after spending most of my adult life in service (Army and DOD civilian). I think so many people must be where you are now, but you have the good fortune of being very talented. Someone else observed that people are still making money writing and selling books; that's what I've gone back to (on top of my paltry retirement income and my wife's business, which thankfully is doing well).
But something else your post made me think of was what I can only call a dissolution of community that's been going on for at least the last year or so. The right seems to be able to hold things together, even using "red on red" assassinations to bolster their cause. But everyone to the left of the Nazis, liberals onward to anarchists, just seem intent on clawing one another to pieces, both across that part of the spectrum and within their respective groups. Like what you said about subscribers liking most of your stuff, but then tossing you off because you said one thing they didn't like. It reminds me of the "COVID-conscious community," where for at least the last couple/few years people have been shredding one another, usually at the behest of a relatively small group of bad-faith actors and a$$holes. And thus far there's no leadership, either in a social or political context, that can bring people up out of his ever-deepening morass.
Anyway, sorry for the rambling (early morning here and I haven't had enough coffee!), but I believe you'll find your footing again soon. You're smart, talented, and determined, which counts for a great deal, even in this effed-up world!
This is really sad. You’re a great writer and an inspiration for me and many others. I’ll follow you to Ghost. I don’t have a lot of support money anymore, but you’re on the list. I hear so much now that haunting feeling of having no idea what to do next. As you note, highly intelligent, motivated, savvy people are running out of options. My car is too old to deliver groceries. Anyway, you are reaching and teaching people.
I’ll keep reading on whatever platform you choose. I’m paying for both ghost and Substack. You sound defeated. I hope you’re not. I am rooting for something to change to keep you going!
I can't say anything constructive except that we do what we do not because it matters in the world, but because it matters to us personally. Bakers gonna bake. Creators gonna create.
No one knows where we are going, and what to do. It’s everyone and the lack of sound footing is causing health, mental illness, and a real big debt problems.
Jessica, thank you for your honest appraisal of how things are going in your life. You've had too much adversity. You must be feeling frustrated.
Your Substack work is outstanding. I noticed it right away, and I especially value your researched pieces. Yours is the only Substack I pay for. I will continue to support you, wherever you publish.
The rich did this. It's (very) tempting to blame the fascists, who have been plotting this since at least the civil rights era, but the rich were the only ones who could have stopped them. They chose not to, either because they agreed with it, or because they feared democratic socialists more, and decided they were immune to the actions of the fascists.
People still write and read books. I don’t know anything about book publishers or book publishing, but if it’s anything like music publishing then you may need another side gig of some sort. There must be someone someplace who values thoughtfulness’s products. Perhaps they will serve as benefactors?
A friend from my crit group has just signed a publishing contract. She’s written a really fantastic book, for which she is getting paid a grand total of 4K. They won’t market it either. Because how much they market a book is directly connected to how much advance they pay you. I’d say self publishing at this point would’ve become worth doing and more lucrative instead, but with the new tariffs, kickstarter is looking less and less viable. There’s no paid work for creatives anymore and it’s absolutely terrifying. Humanity is merrily stripping itself of its soul.
I’m sorry this has happened to you, I think it’s happening to many creative people right now. And likely will happen to most of us.
I appreciate your work because it’s timely and real!!
I will follow you to whatever platform you choose to publish on. I may need guidance for accessing Ghost, but I will keep subscribing.
You seem like a survivor to me. Your PTSD has given you lifesaving tools others don’t have. Like hyper vigilance, which gives you the ability to discover what’s happening “ out there” and then write about it for us, your readers.
Thank you, you are helping us!
Have you read the book “At Work In The Ruins” by Dougal Hine? He tackles this exact idea of what will be useful for people in community during and after the collapse of this current system. He talks about basic human connections like simply sitting around a table sharing a meal. He is British and lives in Sweden with his family in a small village. They have started an in person and online community learning circle, a”School Called Home”, I think is the name of it. I think they are helping folks who feel “at loose ends” during this time of great upheaval to ground and reconnect. Maybe check him out.
Please do what you need to do to stay safe, to replenish yourself and be healthy. Your voice matters!
We could start our own magazine, but that ship may have sailed. Maybe a paper magazine, typed on a manual typewriter, printed on an old Xerox machine and sold on street corners, at least the tech bros couldn't get their paws on that.
Hey Jessica, thankyou for all you do, your insights and information. I appreciate your work and will continue to subscribe. Alison.
Hi Jessica. I really appreciate your work and will continue to support you. I’m renewing my subscription here.
I'm going to keep supporting you wherever you end up. Thanks for your unflagging honesty and consistency over the years.
Jessica - another post that really resonates! I give thanks every day (although I'm sure not enough) that my wife and I are in a good place, literally (France) and figuratively (able to do things we enjoy), but it's been incredibly hard watching the "energetic disassembly" of pretty much everything in the States, especially after spending most of my adult life in service (Army and DOD civilian). I think so many people must be where you are now, but you have the good fortune of being very talented. Someone else observed that people are still making money writing and selling books; that's what I've gone back to (on top of my paltry retirement income and my wife's business, which thankfully is doing well).
But something else your post made me think of was what I can only call a dissolution of community that's been going on for at least the last year or so. The right seems to be able to hold things together, even using "red on red" assassinations to bolster their cause. But everyone to the left of the Nazis, liberals onward to anarchists, just seem intent on clawing one another to pieces, both across that part of the spectrum and within their respective groups. Like what you said about subscribers liking most of your stuff, but then tossing you off because you said one thing they didn't like. It reminds me of the "COVID-conscious community," where for at least the last couple/few years people have been shredding one another, usually at the behest of a relatively small group of bad-faith actors and a$$holes. And thus far there's no leadership, either in a social or political context, that can bring people up out of his ever-deepening morass.
Anyway, sorry for the rambling (early morning here and I haven't had enough coffee!), but I believe you'll find your footing again soon. You're smart, talented, and determined, which counts for a great deal, even in this effed-up world!
This is really sad. You’re a great writer and an inspiration for me and many others. I’ll follow you to Ghost. I don’t have a lot of support money anymore, but you’re on the list. I hear so much now that haunting feeling of having no idea what to do next. As you note, highly intelligent, motivated, savvy people are running out of options. My car is too old to deliver groceries. Anyway, you are reaching and teaching people.
I’ll keep reading on whatever platform you choose. I’m paying for both ghost and Substack. You sound defeated. I hope you’re not. I am rooting for something to change to keep you going!
I can't say anything constructive except that we do what we do not because it matters in the world, but because it matters to us personally. Bakers gonna bake. Creators gonna create.
No one knows where we are going, and what to do. It’s everyone and the lack of sound footing is causing health, mental illness, and a real big debt problems.
Thank you for your work and I'm sorry for how impossible everything is. ❤️
Jessica, thank you for your honest appraisal of how things are going in your life. You've had too much adversity. You must be feeling frustrated.
Your Substack work is outstanding. I noticed it right away, and I especially value your researched pieces. Yours is the only Substack I pay for. I will continue to support you, wherever you publish.
The rich did this. It's (very) tempting to blame the fascists, who have been plotting this since at least the civil rights era, but the rich were the only ones who could have stopped them. They chose not to, either because they agreed with it, or because they feared democratic socialists more, and decided they were immune to the actions of the fascists.
So after buying OpenAI, Larry Ellison bought TikTok? I can add 2 and 2, but I know I'm not going to like the result.
People still write and read books. I don’t know anything about book publishers or book publishing, but if it’s anything like music publishing then you may need another side gig of some sort. There must be someone someplace who values thoughtfulness’s products. Perhaps they will serve as benefactors?
A friend from my crit group has just signed a publishing contract. She’s written a really fantastic book, for which she is getting paid a grand total of 4K. They won’t market it either. Because how much they market a book is directly connected to how much advance they pay you. I’d say self publishing at this point would’ve become worth doing and more lucrative instead, but with the new tariffs, kickstarter is looking less and less viable. There’s no paid work for creatives anymore and it’s absolutely terrifying. Humanity is merrily stripping itself of its soul.
I’m sorry this has happened to you, I think it’s happening to many creative people right now. And likely will happen to most of us.
I appreciate your work because it’s timely and real!!
I will follow you to whatever platform you choose to publish on. I may need guidance for accessing Ghost, but I will keep subscribing.
You seem like a survivor to me. Your PTSD has given you lifesaving tools others don’t have. Like hyper vigilance, which gives you the ability to discover what’s happening “ out there” and then write about it for us, your readers.
Thank you, you are helping us!
Have you read the book “At Work In The Ruins” by Dougal Hine? He tackles this exact idea of what will be useful for people in community during and after the collapse of this current system. He talks about basic human connections like simply sitting around a table sharing a meal. He is British and lives in Sweden with his family in a small village. They have started an in person and online community learning circle, a”School Called Home”, I think is the name of it. I think they are helping folks who feel “at loose ends” during this time of great upheaval to ground and reconnect. Maybe check him out.
Please do what you need to do to stay safe, to replenish yourself and be healthy. Your voice matters!
We could start our own magazine, but that ship may have sailed. Maybe a paper magazine, typed on a manual typewriter, printed on an old Xerox machine and sold on street corners, at least the tech bros couldn't get their paws on that.
"some dude with no actual understanding of the climate crisis telling us China is going to save the world with solar panels."
.... lemme guess, Noahpinion? Noahthoughtsinmyhead isn't nearly as catchy but far more honest.