Good luck with your future endeavors. One must do what they have to do. Your Substack All Facts Matter was quite good, so I have no doubt that you will continue to do well with your life's journey and that you will continue to be a positive voice for change in a misguided world!!
I've noticed that plateau for quite some time as well personally. I think Substack is reaching that certain point of saturation and so it either is costing readers too much to be subscribed to so many writers or only the top writers are the ones who are garnering attention. Likely a combination of both. It'd be interesting to see what comes of Substack in the future- it seems like most people have slowed down regardless, which makes it curious what will happen with this arena.
In any case, hopefully your future pursuits prove fruitful if not for others at least for yourself!
The one criticism I have of Substack is that they have proven too willing to promote "names"--people with established social media followers--at the expense of those of us who are not "names".
Substack can, of course, do as it wishes in this regard, but I have said more than once that Substack would be a truly awesome plaftorm for writers of all kind if they would not favor "names" over everyone else, if their algorithms would give unknown writers the same exposure as the "names". People might not get rich off their content, but a few more might be able to eke out a living, or at least do well enough to allow them to devote their full attention to their craft.
Truth be told, were I able to support myself by writing All Facts Matter, I might not have come to this crossroads.
But I will say All Facts Matter was in many ways extremely fruitful for me. It was an education both in the craft of writing and communicating as well as in the myriad aspects of economics, law, science, and politics. It compelled me to think seriously about serious subjects, and that is never a bad thing. That I was able to earn a little coin from the endeavor allowed me to keep doing it over pursuing other means of earning extra income, and that allowed me to keep learning. That's no small benefit.
My challenge now, as always, will be to take all that I have learned here and to apply it elsewhere.
It really does seem like Substack is now mostly for those who have a larger prior audience or people who are more audacious and willing to engage in clickbait. It doesn't seem like many earnest, authentic approaches to Substack get rewarded in turn.
I usually don't have time to read your articles and for the ones I skim it's a reminder there's a lot regarding the economy that I need to learn about. It's at least earnest in trying to display what's going on with the market, jobs, etc and at least seems to inform readers. Unfortunately I don't think this is the direction many people are taking.
Engaging with emotions, fear porn, and all that seems to garner more attention and more financial incentives to move in that direction. The fact that Substack is moving towards more gamification doesn't help much of anything, and it's a shame that it sometimes doesn't feel any different than Twitter.
I certainly understand the crossroads predicament. You can only put in so much work with the hope that it will turn around in the end, but reality comes up and you have to sit down and think things through. Going back to work meant that I didn't have much time for Substack research and writing anymore, but it also meant that I at least had stable income. There's many people who are putting their hopes into making do on Substack that are likely paying more into being paid subscribers to other people's Substacks than they are actually making money.
It is good to hear that you're looking at things from an optimistic perspective! Certainly irrespective of what comes from this Substack the fact that a lot of effort was put in is reflective of learning and growing. I wouldn't be as big of a critic of studies if not for COVID, and that certainly has made me skeptical of anything that gets published as "good science" and especially with how such science gets reported. At the end of the day writing allowed us to learn more and gain different perspectives.
It's a pursuit very few people are willing to attempt these days!
👏👏👏👏👏👏😊 Bravo!! Thank you for rising to the courage of your call.
Too many cannot recognise the signs of when it is time to grow, especially when it may mean stepping away or letting go of something they poured much energy into.🎩🎩
Your insights will be missed, but I know you will have far more profound effects and far reaching impacts in your new endeavour. The local level is the ONLY level that each of us can really effect change and make a true difference. It also the only level worth living in because its connected directly to the present.😉 its been a pleasure and i look forward to popping in to visit your adventures in your other stack, from time to time. Be well.😊🙏
Peter, You have a unique and compelling voice and you will be missed. You have to do what you have to do, but I think you underestimate your impact on the community that has followed you, some of us from the beginning. We wish you nothing but success and satisfaction in what you do next, but we will all be the poorer for it. Thanks for everything.
Thank you! I am truly honored by all the good wishes.
I don't want to overuse the word "calling" here, but over the past few months I have felt exactly that--"called". Making this change has not been an easy decision to make, nor has it been one I have made casually. This is the path I believe God has laid out for me and so this is the path I must walk.
Oh, and I suggest you keep a detailed journal of everything you do, feel, and experience as you build Houses of Refuge. You are such an outstanding writer that - after you achieve success with this nonprofit - you could whip out a book or series of article out on how to do this well. I could easily see you on a speaking tour, and offering guidance to others.
Fifteen years ago I read a local article on how there were more than one hundred organizations in my city trying to ‘end homelessness’. Fifteen years later, and the problem is bigger than ever. I believe what’s been happening, in part, is that people have been conducting studies, holding meetings, having luncheons, giving speeches, etc. , all so that they could have impressive charitable activities to put on their corporate resumes. I’m sure that you don’t want to get mired in that hamster-wheel activity - you want to make a real difference, right? You are just the brilliant analytical genius to cut through the nonsense, figure out the productive pathways, and create real solutions. I believe you are amazing, Peter!
I have witnessed the same thing. That is part of the motivation for doing this--I want to break that cycle of "hamster-wheel activity".
My hope is to create simple, practical, reproducible solutions that do not require people with all sorts of arcane degrees and certifications. My goal is to create solutions that require only people with generous and compassionate hearts who want to step up and make a difference in their community.
I have been missing “All Facts Matter” so much, and am relieved to hear that you will still occasionally post (the Big Election coming up, and are you watching how China is trying to securitize its debt problems?)!
But yes, on to Action! You have a great idea in Houses of Refuge, you have the analytical and tech skills, so now all you need is boatloads of money. I’ve mentioned GoFundMe and Kickstarter, and there are also sites Indiegogo and Mightycause. I see today that Peter Navarro’s Legal Defense Fund has raised $1,371,320 of his $2 million-dollar goal on faith-based GiveSendGo, which might be a great fit with your ministry. I know that these sites take a percentage, but I have faith in your ability to find the best funding (and I will continue to pray for this). I think I can speak for the rest of your fans in wishing you all the best for your success in this new and admirable endeavor, Peter. God bless you!
Crowdfunding for the nonprofit space is a bit tricky. GoFundMe seems to want only 501(c)(3) nonprofits, and having that tax-deductible status is still a fair bit down the road. Kickstarter wants creative projects.
Right now I am using Donorbox, which lets me set up donation pages fairly easily--now the trick is to get those pages in front of generous people willing to donate!
I think I’ve mentioned that I used to manage (forty-some years ago, and where did THAT time go) a few rock bands.There are dozens of bands in Houston desperate to get some media attention, and who would be excited to be part of a fund-raising concert. Putting this on is a huge effort, but you take one venue (needing to get media attention and rake in revenue) ,add a promoter who has all the best local connections and a feel for whatever is ‘cool’ (so fleeting), and musicians who you can count on to show up on time and create a media-worthy event - all to raise funds for Houses of Refuge. Maybe you’d like to stuff this idea into a corner of your brain to work on later.
Here in Minneapolis around forty years ago, a local promoter named Sue McLean learned that a beautiful downtown cathedral had a serious need for tens of thousands of dollars to repair the church’s roof. She put on a big rock concert, right on the grounds of this historic church (sacrilege!), which was such an edgy idea at the time that many thousands of fans came out. This annual “Basilica Rock Party” has been a hugely successful source of revenue for this congregation ever since, so if you’re concerned that rock and faith can’t mix, well, it can, if done in the right spirit!
I understand the desire and need to be of effective service. Being of service energizes me and I am happy to see it energizes you too. By all means continue your multiple pursuits. I merely request that you consider keeping in touch with me, an individual who enjoys seeing your views and receiving teachings from you in your activities. You have lots to teach and I have much to learn. Thank you kindly for your work so far
Good luck with your future endeavors. One must do what they have to do. Your Substack All Facts Matter was quite good, so I have no doubt that you will continue to do well with your life's journey and that you will continue to be a positive voice for change in a misguided world!!
Best wishes 🍀
Good luck with your future endeavors Peter!
I've noticed that plateau for quite some time as well personally. I think Substack is reaching that certain point of saturation and so it either is costing readers too much to be subscribed to so many writers or only the top writers are the ones who are garnering attention. Likely a combination of both. It'd be interesting to see what comes of Substack in the future- it seems like most people have slowed down regardless, which makes it curious what will happen with this arena.
In any case, hopefully your future pursuits prove fruitful if not for others at least for yourself!
Thank you!
The one criticism I have of Substack is that they have proven too willing to promote "names"--people with established social media followers--at the expense of those of us who are not "names".
Substack can, of course, do as it wishes in this regard, but I have said more than once that Substack would be a truly awesome plaftorm for writers of all kind if they would not favor "names" over everyone else, if their algorithms would give unknown writers the same exposure as the "names". People might not get rich off their content, but a few more might be able to eke out a living, or at least do well enough to allow them to devote their full attention to their craft.
Truth be told, were I able to support myself by writing All Facts Matter, I might not have come to this crossroads.
But I will say All Facts Matter was in many ways extremely fruitful for me. It was an education both in the craft of writing and communicating as well as in the myriad aspects of economics, law, science, and politics. It compelled me to think seriously about serious subjects, and that is never a bad thing. That I was able to earn a little coin from the endeavor allowed me to keep doing it over pursuing other means of earning extra income, and that allowed me to keep learning. That's no small benefit.
My challenge now, as always, will be to take all that I have learned here and to apply it elsewhere.
It really does seem like Substack is now mostly for those who have a larger prior audience or people who are more audacious and willing to engage in clickbait. It doesn't seem like many earnest, authentic approaches to Substack get rewarded in turn.
I usually don't have time to read your articles and for the ones I skim it's a reminder there's a lot regarding the economy that I need to learn about. It's at least earnest in trying to display what's going on with the market, jobs, etc and at least seems to inform readers. Unfortunately I don't think this is the direction many people are taking.
Engaging with emotions, fear porn, and all that seems to garner more attention and more financial incentives to move in that direction. The fact that Substack is moving towards more gamification doesn't help much of anything, and it's a shame that it sometimes doesn't feel any different than Twitter.
I certainly understand the crossroads predicament. You can only put in so much work with the hope that it will turn around in the end, but reality comes up and you have to sit down and think things through. Going back to work meant that I didn't have much time for Substack research and writing anymore, but it also meant that I at least had stable income. There's many people who are putting their hopes into making do on Substack that are likely paying more into being paid subscribers to other people's Substacks than they are actually making money.
It is good to hear that you're looking at things from an optimistic perspective! Certainly irrespective of what comes from this Substack the fact that a lot of effort was put in is reflective of learning and growing. I wouldn't be as big of a critic of studies if not for COVID, and that certainly has made me skeptical of anything that gets published as "good science" and especially with how such science gets reported. At the end of the day writing allowed us to learn more and gain different perspectives.
It's a pursuit very few people are willing to attempt these days!
👏👏👏👏👏👏😊 Bravo!! Thank you for rising to the courage of your call.
Too many cannot recognise the signs of when it is time to grow, especially when it may mean stepping away or letting go of something they poured much energy into.🎩🎩
Your insights will be missed, but I know you will have far more profound effects and far reaching impacts in your new endeavour. The local level is the ONLY level that each of us can really effect change and make a true difference. It also the only level worth living in because its connected directly to the present.😉 its been a pleasure and i look forward to popping in to visit your adventures in your other stack, from time to time. Be well.😊🙏
Good luck, Peter.
Thanks!
Peter, You have a unique and compelling voice and you will be missed. You have to do what you have to do, but I think you underestimate your impact on the community that has followed you, some of us from the beginning. We wish you nothing but success and satisfaction in what you do next, but we will all be the poorer for it. Thanks for everything.
Thank you! I am truly honored by all the good wishes.
I don't want to overuse the word "calling" here, but over the past few months I have felt exactly that--"called". Making this change has not been an easy decision to make, nor has it been one I have made casually. This is the path I believe God has laid out for me and so this is the path I must walk.
Oh, and I suggest you keep a detailed journal of everything you do, feel, and experience as you build Houses of Refuge. You are such an outstanding writer that - after you achieve success with this nonprofit - you could whip out a book or series of article out on how to do this well. I could easily see you on a speaking tour, and offering guidance to others.
Fifteen years ago I read a local article on how there were more than one hundred organizations in my city trying to ‘end homelessness’. Fifteen years later, and the problem is bigger than ever. I believe what’s been happening, in part, is that people have been conducting studies, holding meetings, having luncheons, giving speeches, etc. , all so that they could have impressive charitable activities to put on their corporate resumes. I’m sure that you don’t want to get mired in that hamster-wheel activity - you want to make a real difference, right? You are just the brilliant analytical genius to cut through the nonsense, figure out the productive pathways, and create real solutions. I believe you are amazing, Peter!
I have witnessed the same thing. That is part of the motivation for doing this--I want to break that cycle of "hamster-wheel activity".
My hope is to create simple, practical, reproducible solutions that do not require people with all sorts of arcane degrees and certifications. My goal is to create solutions that require only people with generous and compassionate hearts who want to step up and make a difference in their community.
I believe God will bless this (as you wittily say it) ‘bigly’.
That's the hope and the prayer! 😁
I have been missing “All Facts Matter” so much, and am relieved to hear that you will still occasionally post (the Big Election coming up, and are you watching how China is trying to securitize its debt problems?)!
But yes, on to Action! You have a great idea in Houses of Refuge, you have the analytical and tech skills, so now all you need is boatloads of money. I’ve mentioned GoFundMe and Kickstarter, and there are also sites Indiegogo and Mightycause. I see today that Peter Navarro’s Legal Defense Fund has raised $1,371,320 of his $2 million-dollar goal on faith-based GiveSendGo, which might be a great fit with your ministry. I know that these sites take a percentage, but I have faith in your ability to find the best funding (and I will continue to pray for this). I think I can speak for the rest of your fans in wishing you all the best for your success in this new and admirable endeavor, Peter. God bless you!
You will always be Magnificent Man to me.
Crowdfunding for the nonprofit space is a bit tricky. GoFundMe seems to want only 501(c)(3) nonprofits, and having that tax-deductible status is still a fair bit down the road. Kickstarter wants creative projects.
Right now I am using Donorbox, which lets me set up donation pages fairly easily--now the trick is to get those pages in front of generous people willing to donate!
I think I’ve mentioned that I used to manage (forty-some years ago, and where did THAT time go) a few rock bands.There are dozens of bands in Houston desperate to get some media attention, and who would be excited to be part of a fund-raising concert. Putting this on is a huge effort, but you take one venue (needing to get media attention and rake in revenue) ,add a promoter who has all the best local connections and a feel for whatever is ‘cool’ (so fleeting), and musicians who you can count on to show up on time and create a media-worthy event - all to raise funds for Houses of Refuge. Maybe you’d like to stuff this idea into a corner of your brain to work on later.
Here in Minneapolis around forty years ago, a local promoter named Sue McLean learned that a beautiful downtown cathedral had a serious need for tens of thousands of dollars to repair the church’s roof. She put on a big rock concert, right on the grounds of this historic church (sacrilege!), which was such an edgy idea at the time that many thousands of fans came out. This annual “Basilica Rock Party” has been a hugely successful source of revenue for this congregation ever since, so if you’re concerned that rock and faith can’t mix, well, it can, if done in the right spirit!
Peter, you make us proud, past, present, and future.
Looking forward to reading your new stack as well.
Peter's Proverbs is not exactly a new stack. I recently turned it into a podcast as well, but I've been posting there for a couple years now.
I guess each post there has subtly tugged me away from straight data and analysis and into something more spiritual.
But thank you for your kind words and thank you for all your support!
Once again I am surprised by a new-old stack (like Caitlin Johnstone's today).
We have got to do a better job advertising these, like my Newsletter #2.
For reals. Getting noticed has been a constant challenge on Substack unless you're a "name" like Caitlin or Alex Berenson.
I understand the desire and need to be of effective service. Being of service energizes me and I am happy to see it energizes you too. By all means continue your multiple pursuits. I merely request that you consider keeping in touch with me, an individual who enjoys seeing your views and receiving teachings from you in your activities. You have lots to teach and I have much to learn. Thank you kindly for your work so far