I read a lot of Substacks and subscribe to only a few. (Budgets as they are.) I chose to subscribe to yours precisely because you keep it free and open to everyone. It also stems from a conscious effort to resist my own desire to be among those who are gate-kept. Good and true writing, like every art, is a public good. I also have found that your articulation of the importance of labor to "what is happening in America" has helped add an additional lens to my understanding of our situation.
It might be interesting to host / interview labor leaders or union members from other countries where labor is a much more powerful actor. (I currently live in France and despite all the grumbling and inconvenience associated with les grèves, the contrast with the US is stark and I'm very grateful to live in a place where labor has power and can be collectively mobilized.). Understanding in a very tangible way what a labor movement with a actual political power can do and how it acts might help stir the American imagination.
Hard agree on this. My decision to support was also heavily influenced by the fact that this is free. I believe that if you have to actually say something that you think is worthwhile, there is a moral duty to keep it as accessible as possible in every way.
Ditto. There is a bit of a tautology going on I think. The types of people who are interested in these things and really care about what's happening, are the types of people that would reward this act of good faith, keeping the content free, with money if they can. My only bottleneck is the number of sites I can subscribe to. I would have to ditch a current one in order to justify becoming a paid subscriber to another one. But Hamilton doesn't have anything to worry about on that score. LOL.
As a member of a teacher’s union, I think reporting about the internal diversity of large unions would be valuable. How national unions vs state unions vs individual bargaining units work, have different priorities, and sometimes have opposing interests
You rule, this newsletter rules, and unless I become destitute I'm giving you money forever. I'd buy some stickers or a tote bag with the gator logo if you had one.
As for hare-brained ideas, I think it'd be cool to put together some writing for a "Unionizing Your Workplace For Dummies" package. (alternately: "So You Want To Start A Union"). I've shared the newsletter with a coworker but a lot of your stuff is timeless and the newsletter format makes it a little hard to know where to start with the back catalog. Just an idea. Thanks!
Why is the AFLCIO seemingly so moribund? What’s the real story? Is it lack of leadership or too much bureaucracy why do most workers even union workers feel disconnected from this organization? What would change that?
Another kind of people's media is noncommercial radio, especially stations like Atlanta's WRFG (89.3) which does not receive any federal funds and just small amounts from local governments - survives on listener donations, plus fundraising events, T-shirt sales etc. - and anyone can listen for free.
Your "How to Think About Politics Without Wanting to Kill Yourself" got sent to just about everyone i know in the leadup to the election (sob). And I still quote "Everyone Into the Grinder", probably too much. So I guess that's a way to say I love it when you give me a new way to frame things, so more of that? And stickers?
I’ve followed your writing since Gawker and l, like many others, subscribed because you are trying to live by the principles you espouse, and you offer a steady, ethical, informed voice in a sea of nonsense and panic. I would love to know more about what/who you are reading, including books, other newsletters , and journalists. Thank you for all you do.
Thank you Lara. There is a list of recommended Substacks on my site that includes a lot of other good writers if you're looking for other people to read. We do in fact do those recommendations ourselves, they aren't generated by an algorithm.
Glad the model is working and glad to subscribe. You took a risk to do this the way you have. I always enjoy getting details about subscribers and popular content of newsletters - for me, subscribing is as much about being a supporter of a newsletter as getting access to it.
Chris Geidner will often start a newsletter with a note like “more than N people have subscribed since I launched this newsletter” with a link to subscribe and thanks to existing subscribers. I always notice that and it’s been very cool to see that subscriber number go up over time. These days we can use every opportunity to root for the good guys.
Hahahaha. I wholeheartedly agree and as a sign of good-will and shared solidarity I just wanted to subscribe to your newsletter and then saw what was written on your page. :D
So: I'll tell you here - yes. It's good to see that the numbers of the good guys are also going up, not always just the infamous line.
Everyone should read How Things Work! Congrats on a great two years.
One idea: add audio to posts and cross list on Spotify / Apple Podcasts. Would help you reach a whole audience outside substack-world.
The Hammer audiobook is awesome - you’re a great reader and this would be a much smaller lift! And you could make the bonus of listening to audio on another platform a paid subscriber benefit to make it worthwhile.
Former freeloader here. I won't shame anyone who doesn't pay to read, for the reasons Hamilton articulated so well. But after injecting so much excellent journalism into my brain, my conscience could no longer allow me to not purchase something that is less expensive than a fast food burger - and is much better for me, as well! I have shared many of these pieces with friends, family and coworkers and encouraged them to subscribe. Great work deserves compensation!
Hamilton, I've just found you and this is actually the first post of yours I'm reading. I'm new to Substack myself (as a writer) and really appreciate your honesty about your business model and your reasons for maintaining it.
I’m a bit overwhelmed by subscriptions, so thanks for providing me the option of sending some cash your way through Donorbox. Glad to be able to send a little support.
Your newsletter is fantastic, and I have recommended it to others. As folks have mentioned elsewhere here, I think some reporting on the “state of the art” of unions elsewhere in the world could be super helpful. I was actually a manager at a German company where my team members were part of a works council, and that was a great education for me. But I would love to learn more about sector level CBAs and other innovations in the “modern” union world outside the US.
I read a lot of Substacks and subscribe to only a few. (Budgets as they are.) I chose to subscribe to yours precisely because you keep it free and open to everyone. It also stems from a conscious effort to resist my own desire to be among those who are gate-kept. Good and true writing, like every art, is a public good. I also have found that your articulation of the importance of labor to "what is happening in America" has helped add an additional lens to my understanding of our situation.
It might be interesting to host / interview labor leaders or union members from other countries where labor is a much more powerful actor. (I currently live in France and despite all the grumbling and inconvenience associated with les grèves, the contrast with the US is stark and I'm very grateful to live in a place where labor has power and can be collectively mobilized.). Understanding in a very tangible way what a labor movement with a actual political power can do and how it acts might help stir the American imagination.
Thank you for your writing! I value it.
Hard agree on this. My decision to support was also heavily influenced by the fact that this is free. I believe that if you have to actually say something that you think is worthwhile, there is a moral duty to keep it as accessible as possible in every way.
Ditto. There is a bit of a tautology going on I think. The types of people who are interested in these things and really care about what's happening, are the types of people that would reward this act of good faith, keeping the content free, with money if they can. My only bottleneck is the number of sites I can subscribe to. I would have to ditch a current one in order to justify becoming a paid subscriber to another one. But Hamilton doesn't have anything to worry about on that score. LOL.
As a member of a teacher’s union, I think reporting about the internal diversity of large unions would be valuable. How national unions vs state unions vs individual bargaining units work, have different priorities, and sometimes have opposing interests
You rule, this newsletter rules, and unless I become destitute I'm giving you money forever. I'd buy some stickers or a tote bag with the gator logo if you had one.
As for hare-brained ideas, I think it'd be cool to put together some writing for a "Unionizing Your Workplace For Dummies" package. (alternately: "So You Want To Start A Union"). I've shared the newsletter with a coworker but a lot of your stuff is timeless and the newsletter format makes it a little hard to know where to start with the back catalog. Just an idea. Thanks!
Thank you Larry. This post is a little bit of that at least:
https://www.hamiltonnolan.com/p/what-can-i-do-to-help-the-labor-movement
Why is the AFLCIO seemingly so moribund? What’s the real story? Is it lack of leadership or too much bureaucracy why do most workers even union workers feel disconnected from this organization? What would change that?
Another kind of people's media is noncommercial radio, especially stations like Atlanta's WRFG (89.3) which does not receive any federal funds and just small amounts from local governments - survives on listener donations, plus fundraising events, T-shirt sales etc. - and anyone can listen for free.
Your "How to Think About Politics Without Wanting to Kill Yourself" got sent to just about everyone i know in the leadup to the election (sob). And I still quote "Everyone Into the Grinder", probably too much. So I guess that's a way to say I love it when you give me a new way to frame things, so more of that? And stickers?
+1 on stickers
To the good ship How Things Work. Long may she sail.
I’ve followed your writing since Gawker and l, like many others, subscribed because you are trying to live by the principles you espouse, and you offer a steady, ethical, informed voice in a sea of nonsense and panic. I would love to know more about what/who you are reading, including books, other newsletters , and journalists. Thank you for all you do.
Thank you Lara. There is a list of recommended Substacks on my site that includes a lot of other good writers if you're looking for other people to read. We do in fact do those recommendations ourselves, they aren't generated by an algorithm.
Okay, great. I’m often reading your pieces via email so this is a good reminder to check out the Substack site. Thanks again.
Glad the model is working and glad to subscribe. You took a risk to do this the way you have. I always enjoy getting details about subscribers and popular content of newsletters - for me, subscribing is as much about being a supporter of a newsletter as getting access to it.
Chris Geidner will often start a newsletter with a note like “more than N people have subscribed since I launched this newsletter” with a link to subscribe and thanks to existing subscribers. I always notice that and it’s been very cool to see that subscriber number go up over time. These days we can use every opportunity to root for the good guys.
Hahahaha. I wholeheartedly agree and as a sign of good-will and shared solidarity I just wanted to subscribe to your newsletter and then saw what was written on your page. :D
So: I'll tell you here - yes. It's good to see that the numbers of the good guys are also going up, not always just the infamous line.
Thank you for your service
Everyone should read How Things Work! Congrats on a great two years.
One idea: add audio to posts and cross list on Spotify / Apple Podcasts. Would help you reach a whole audience outside substack-world.
The Hammer audiobook is awesome - you’re a great reader and this would be a much smaller lift! And you could make the bonus of listening to audio on another platform a paid subscriber benefit to make it worthwhile.
I will look into the audio thing. I never listen to anything in audio form but I am told that some people like it.
Former freeloader here. I won't shame anyone who doesn't pay to read, for the reasons Hamilton articulated so well. But after injecting so much excellent journalism into my brain, my conscience could no longer allow me to not purchase something that is less expensive than a fast food burger - and is much better for me, as well! I have shared many of these pieces with friends, family and coworkers and encouraged them to subscribe. Great work deserves compensation!
Hamilton, I've just found you and this is actually the first post of yours I'm reading. I'm new to Substack myself (as a writer) and really appreciate your honesty about your business model and your reasons for maintaining it.
Spend a day going through rhe archives. You won't find anything better online.
Congratulation on your two year anniversary, Hamilton.
I’m a bit overwhelmed by subscriptions, so thanks for providing me the option of sending some cash your way through Donorbox. Glad to be able to send a little support.
Your newsletter is fantastic, and I have recommended it to others. As folks have mentioned elsewhere here, I think some reporting on the “state of the art” of unions elsewhere in the world could be super helpful. I was actually a manager at a German company where my team members were part of a works council, and that was a great education for me. But I would love to learn more about sector level CBAs and other innovations in the “modern” union world outside the US.