The Risks of Going Paid

Shutting off Those That Wish to Respond to Your Comments

Today, I saw an editorial written by another author regarding the demise of critical thinking in schools.

I suppose this is also an editorial.

Bringing up that AI is causing the demise of critical thinking is as silly as saying that allowing candy in schools was a cause for the demise of critical thinking.

The fact of the matter is that there are hundreds of reasons, perhaps thousands of reasons, that critical thinking is another important aspect of education that has fallen by the wayside in the educational system. It is not “the reason” but perhaps only a reason among the many.

I have a lot to say in this editorial, but I won’t say it all because I want to return to my title and purpose for this article.

Many of the writers on Substack are critical thinkers.

You may not agree with their thinking, but together, it is essential to recognize that this is the case.

You must also realize, that if you have something significant to say, and that if you feel that it is significant, then you MUST let people respond to what you write — especially other writers here on Substack.

Whether you realize it or not, one way to restrict a conversation that takes place about something we write is to make access to your writing and subsequent conversation is to make your subscriptions paid. When a person wants to make a remark about what you have written, they are restricted from doing so.

Quite frankly, you are restricting those other writers and readers from responding when the ability to comment is guarded by a notice that says, “Paid Subscribers Only.”

I am sorry, but if you want me to take the time to read or even to scan what you have written, then you better NOT have such a restriction.

I have written before that the very fact that writers market their courses and other products in what they write is appalling to me. There is writing and then there is marketing. Everyone must make a living, but that does not consider the fact that there are many of us that cannot afford to subscribe to every bloody piece of writing on Substack when a subscription costs money. It is impossible. At least for me. Is there anyone else that would like to make remarks about articles that are restricted in this way?

The value of your writing is in what you write. I believe that the point of writing is just that.

I don’t have countless followers.

Nor do I have many FREE subscribers.

Nevertheless, I continue to write. Why? Because it is important to me to write.

If I am to make a living from writing, then that living will be in terms of the EYES I will attract to my writing. I don’t think there is any other value then that.

The fact that you, as an author, sets a price (dollars) for that value is your choice.

My choice is not to subscribe when I see a notice like “Paid Subscribers Only” can leave comments.

Building community is not about dollars. Building community is about what we offer to the community that reads our work.

Dr. Randy M. Kaplan

Closing Comments

I hope you enjoyed reading this article. I enjoyed writing it. If you did like it, please leave a comment. If you can clap for it, please do so. Even better, please subscribe to this newsletter. I am now publishing on Vocal and Substack. I am in the process of moving all of my articles to these platforms. If you have friends, please pass this article on to them. Have a wonderful day, and thanks again for reading.

You can reach me at therenguy@gmail.com.

NOTE Regarding the Use of AI to Write: My writing is done so without the use of an AI Writer.