Mr. Garrett: thank you for this. I'm not a writer so I can't explain why except I would follow you to the ends of the earth, your words mean so much to me.
I too, was almost broken by the pandemic. After 61 years of being alone, at the beginning of the "new times" I invited a homeless man to share my small one bedroom becaluse I didn't want him exposed and dying alone. I sort of knew him, we had mutual friends and he would do odd jobs around the apartments. I had selfish reasons. I took unearned pride in being a "nice" person but had I ever done something truly selfless to earn that distinction? No.
Little did I know that I would bond with the nicest, kindest, hardest working musician(!) I have ever known. I truly believe he saved me from losing my mind during the pandemic. Yes, he had slight mental issues but they were harmless. Sadly, on September 23, 2022, I lost him to cancer. I always used my autism to keep people away (they can't hurt me) but I learned everyone needs community, even a community of one. This is why your writing touches me so. Even if your publisher was Satan (The Daily Flame-or as it's known topside-The New York Post) I will be reading your words. I have been doubly blessed. First by Michael and now by your writing. I an disabled, daily calories are a challenge, otherwise I would be a paid subscriber. Thank you so very, very much for what you do!
Thank you for taking the time and energy to make an incredibly thoughtful and careful decision and then sharing that process with us. “exposing your logic” is such a fantastic learning/teaching moment. Standing together is powerful.
I’m reflexively anti-woke ex-lefty who is especially hard right when it comes to race issues. I can honestly say that Substack is where I read in depth what the other side is thinking. I learn a lot and often end up very confused and unsure of myself. You are one of my favorite wokesters. You’re a decent and respectful human being.
Garrett, if you have plans to gather folks on what it means to stay and do so in collective action, I'm here for it. I'm also here to think and scheme if you'd like a (woefully limited) thought partner. (nathan.alan.hunt@gmail.com)
Writer collectivity is something I care an awful lot about, as you know. I can get very jazzed about thinking about that broader frame you've offered to this whole debate so much more than the narrowness of "free speech" or whatever. Thanks for helping me see it differently.
Thank you for this - so much resonated, a lot of your thoughts + experiences are ones I’ve had but haven’t gathered the energy to collect & write about (feeling conflicted about supporting a morally indifferent platform vs. continuing to gather audience momentum; being privileged to consider moving/not needing the income; also a teacher who, like your friend, finally had to quit last year, feeling marginally hopeless about the state of our country). It’s a lot but also not, because of the societal advantages we share...I appreciate you articulating it all here.
Love this. Received as intended: like a warm, supportive hug. Needed it. Might even help get through stuff and writing. But this collective, support - friends, even? - yes, that.
I appreciate this so much! I am glad to see you explain why you are staying. A lot of it resonated with me.
I am glad that most of my favorite writers are sticking around. The community of writers I have found through Substack has meant so much to me. As a writer, I wouldn’t even know where to start to find someplace else like this. As a single mother, and person who doesn’t have much time, I just can’t fathom leaving, especially if I would need to pay on another platform. I don’t have enough subscribers to justify that. But, also wouldn’t be able to afford anything that had a monthly fee. Over the past year, the community of writers I follow, read, and comment here has grown substantially. It’s also convenient and time saving to have them all on one platform like this.
Mr. Garrett: thank you for this. I'm not a writer so I can't explain why except I would follow you to the ends of the earth, your words mean so much to me.
I too, was almost broken by the pandemic. After 61 years of being alone, at the beginning of the "new times" I invited a homeless man to share my small one bedroom becaluse I didn't want him exposed and dying alone. I sort of knew him, we had mutual friends and he would do odd jobs around the apartments. I had selfish reasons. I took unearned pride in being a "nice" person but had I ever done something truly selfless to earn that distinction? No.
Little did I know that I would bond with the nicest, kindest, hardest working musician(!) I have ever known. I truly believe he saved me from losing my mind during the pandemic. Yes, he had slight mental issues but they were harmless. Sadly, on September 23, 2022, I lost him to cancer. I always used my autism to keep people away (they can't hurt me) but I learned everyone needs community, even a community of one. This is why your writing touches me so. Even if your publisher was Satan (The Daily Flame-or as it's known topside-The New York Post) I will be reading your words. I have been doubly blessed. First by Michael and now by your writing. I an disabled, daily calories are a challenge, otherwise I would be a paid subscriber. Thank you so very, very much for what you do!
Thank you for taking the time and energy to make an incredibly thoughtful and careful decision and then sharing that process with us. “exposing your logic” is such a fantastic learning/teaching moment. Standing together is powerful.
I’m reflexively anti-woke ex-lefty who is especially hard right when it comes to race issues. I can honestly say that Substack is where I read in depth what the other side is thinking. I learn a lot and often end up very confused and unsure of myself. You are one of my favorite wokesters. You’re a decent and respectful human being.
Garrett, if you have plans to gather folks on what it means to stay and do so in collective action, I'm here for it. I'm also here to think and scheme if you'd like a (woefully limited) thought partner. (nathan.alan.hunt@gmail.com)
Writer collectivity is something I care an awful lot about, as you know. I can get very jazzed about thinking about that broader frame you've offered to this whole debate so much more than the narrowness of "free speech" or whatever. Thanks for helping me see it differently.
Thanks for your honesty
"I care about the fascists, yes. But I care so much more about an organized, loving, powerful collective of anti-fascists. "
This is why I stay with you.
Thank you for this - so much resonated, a lot of your thoughts + experiences are ones I’ve had but haven’t gathered the energy to collect & write about (feeling conflicted about supporting a morally indifferent platform vs. continuing to gather audience momentum; being privileged to consider moving/not needing the income; also a teacher who, like your friend, finally had to quit last year, feeling marginally hopeless about the state of our country). It’s a lot but also not, because of the societal advantages we share...I appreciate you articulating it all here.
Love this. Received as intended: like a warm, supportive hug. Needed it. Might even help get through stuff and writing. But this collective, support - friends, even? - yes, that.
I love you. That is all.
I appreciate this so much! I am glad to see you explain why you are staying. A lot of it resonated with me.
I am glad that most of my favorite writers are sticking around. The community of writers I have found through Substack has meant so much to me. As a writer, I wouldn’t even know where to start to find someplace else like this. As a single mother, and person who doesn’t have much time, I just can’t fathom leaving, especially if I would need to pay on another platform. I don’t have enough subscribers to justify that. But, also wouldn’t be able to afford anything that had a monthly fee. Over the past year, the community of writers I follow, read, and comment here has grown substantially. It’s also convenient and time saving to have them all on one platform like this.
Thank you so for articulating your thoughts and choices so clearly. I truly appreciate it, as a Substack writer and community member.
i appreciate you, Garrett, and this piece, much more than i can say!