Substack Reads is designed to showcase the remarkable work and fascinatingly varied perspectives that have found a home on the platform. We welcome thoughtful criticism and conversation, but comments that are off-topic, rude, disparaging, or derogatory will be removed. In other words: If you can’t say something kind, at least say something interesting.
Good piece that I found informative but could have done without your gratuitous slur toward people over a certain age. I doubt that you would make such a remark about people of a gender, or race that differs from yours and I wonder why you think ageism is ok ?
Hear, hear! The ubiquity of ‘isms just got normalized. Ageism 1, credibility 0.
I can fall asleep to whatever TV program I wish and typically do without brandy. The content of 99% of all network programming is pathetic and banal. If it’s on, I’m asleep or in a coma.
At my age, I’m unable to get over much *except* grievances. Even some of them are insurmountable. I’m glad you think when all the boomers are gone things will be idyllic. I never used the term MSM, you conflated and interjected that acronym.
My sentiments about his slur toward people of over a certain age. For many it is easy to belittle ‘those over a certain age’. Whilst younger generations are too busy with their eyelashes false nails and arses we are reading, joining political groups and being pro-active. I’m a septuagenarian read avidly, walk around 10 miles a day. Travel around in my beaten old camper with my two dogs, see places and people have intelligent conversations.
"..., the worn-sole executive editors of Hearst, or the TV anchors who serve as white noise for septuagenarians to fall asleep to after their 8 p.m. brandy."
I don't know anyone who watches news on TV; not for more than a decade. I don't know anyone who has ever sipped brandy in the evening. I don't know anyone who falls asleep in front of the TV at 8pm.
Tina Brown is 70 years old (maybe Hamish doesn't know that), and made the Substack list without yet having a Substack.
Being old means you didn't die young. I always wonder why that's subject to so much derision.
It's not the average age of viewers that makes network news tedious. It's the worn out formula, simplistic point of view and the non-stop drug ads. Oh My G_D! The drug ads!
Younger generation should definitely celebrate and take advantage of the enthusiastic and intellectually vital support of half or more of us boomers. When we die off, you'll be forced to contend with our children, the Reagan era babies who are a pretty grasping and materialistic bunch.
Snarky Agist remarks are all the rage these days. It's a sign of cultural decline and youthful arrogance...John Lennon did it famously "never trust anyone over 30".
The problem with the growing Protests at Tesla here in Marin County CA, is that we don’t see many people under 40…and that very few of us are willing to actually start going to city counsel or County supervisors meetings, where a lot of things happen without much thought, about facing the coup against democratic government, that is going to defund a lot of local programs…
Thank you. I was just going to say that. No falling asleep drinking brandy (I’ve never even tasted brandy) reading this ultra intelligent, hard working historian. She makes history relevant. Check out her paid subscriber numbers!
It is The New Yorker so the list purposely excluded anyone without traditional left of center views - Taibbi, Shellenberger, Attkisson, Herridge, and Prasad. The first four are proponents of unbridled free speech but that is a value that The New Yorker no longer espouses.
Tucker is a well paid hack and a complete hypocrite... Talk about snarky; his performance is just nauseating; but he got $20,000,000/yr at Fox and a $1,000,000 Christmas bonus from Harlin Crow, the Nazi billionaire so like George Washington said "human can resist the highest bidder"...
Precisely! Authors whose insights provoke turmoil & thought are not on any MSM list. Conversely, the censored doctors that opposed plandemic madness,—Kory, McCullough, Malone, Mercola, ...—were precisely targeted & placed on the White House's "dirty dozen list."
Laugher, at the attempts by FaucistBook, the USG, Pfeizer, et al., to pro• des• pre• sub• -scribe truth in their Empire of Lies, is at times heart's only recourse [recall "safe & effective," "Russia Gate," "6 Jan Insurrection," "Hunter's laptop," etc.]; for mirth lightens the heart as we trundle forward into a darkening Technological Age.
—«I've Got a Little List», The Mikado - Gilbert & Sullivan, is.gd/bWnyQT
I would argue that the media moguls did this to themselves, when they started using the News Room as a profit center and then as part of the entertainment lineup.
I am not sure what constitutes “influential” anymore
I’ve never heard of this author and they currently have 132 likes on substack- which is frankly about as many readers as a good reporter would have writing an article for a small market daily newspaper in the heyday of print journalism. Social media floods the opinion market with a lot of who cares pieces about issues the writer is experiencing from the comfort of their second bedroom office conversion or moms basement. Someone trying to get information out from a war zone or a flood ravaged Appalachian hamlet is going up against Zoey and her latest mascara hack, or this guy who thinks humble bragging is adequate fodder for their daily post
I don't know if I agree with your particular list or not however look where I am. Right here with you. I agree wholeheartedly that television and paper news can't keep up with online independent journalists, content creators and influencers. You still have to be careful about to trust but everyone I follow shows their work which means they are giving me the context I need and the proof I need what they are saying is true. And I get exactly what I need to know in almost real time, with a follow-up in a day or two that verifies new information or updates.
One of the first novels I read was, "Les Miserables." Unfortunately, that novel influenced my writing style for TOO LONG. (Some of his sentences go on for more than one page) Anyway, it took a while, but I am now more interested in conveying a message than in admiring my style. Shorter is better.
Your comment is so ridiculous that I suspect that you don't know the meaning of "hubris." My suggestion for you is to stick to words that you are familiar with.
What’s interesting and rather sad is that this question would have never been posed to Murrow or Cronkite. They were journalists with integrity not power. I suppose those with opinions are now the power brokers.
Agreed. And Cronkite and the others on TV and in daily newspapers had editors! They were fact-checked and knew history, in part because they lived it in the field. I was a reporter for 20 years before going back to school to become a teacher. The publishing and airing of unsubstantiated claims, rumor mongering, and conspiracy theory nonsense that passes for “news” today is a disservice to the public. If I had made these kinds of lazy “mistakes”I would have been fired. But outlandish BS and sensational headlines get clicks, and too often, that’s all that matters now.
No. My wife and I had young kids. I volunteered in my son’s 2nd grade classroom and found the seven-year-olds much more honest and mature than the Congress critters I was covering at the time, so the decision to switch was pretty easy. Plus, when I left in 2000 it was already becoming apparent that the business model for traditional newspapers and magazines wasn’t going to work in the digital age. Veteran reporters, with relatively high salaries, were the first to get the axe. I saw the handwriting on the wall. Taught for 22 years. Never regretted the decision, though I still enjoy writing, hence my Substack page.
Substack Reads is designed to showcase the remarkable work and fascinatingly varied perspectives that have found a home on the platform. We welcome thoughtful criticism and conversation, but comments that are off-topic, rude, disparaging, or derogatory will be removed. In other words: If you can’t say something kind, at least say something interesting.
Good piece that I found informative but could have done without your gratuitous slur toward people over a certain age. I doubt that you would make such a remark about people of a gender, or race that differs from yours and I wonder why you think ageism is ok ?
Hear, hear! The ubiquity of ‘isms just got normalized. Ageism 1, credibility 0.
I can fall asleep to whatever TV program I wish and typically do without brandy. The content of 99% of all network programming is pathetic and banal. If it’s on, I’m asleep or in a coma.
Getting a little touchy there, Sir.
This not the first time I've seen a disparaging 'boomer' reference from a writer. Don't throw the boomer out with the bathwater, bro.
"Pathetic and banal" is why the MSM is defeating itself.
Get over your age grievance and realize what age demographic is still most likely to trust and be influenced by what you rightly called the MSM.
At my age, I’m unable to get over much *except* grievances. Even some of them are insurmountable. I’m glad you think when all the boomers are gone things will be idyllic. I never used the term MSM, you conflated and interjected that acronym.
I was about to say that but you did it fare more eloquently than I would have. I'm one of those 78 year olds!
My sentiments about his slur toward people of over a certain age. For many it is easy to belittle ‘those over a certain age’. Whilst younger generations are too busy with their eyelashes false nails and arses we are reading, joining political groups and being pro-active. I’m a septuagenarian read avidly, walk around 10 miles a day. Travel around in my beaten old camper with my two dogs, see places and people have intelligent conversations.
That's pretty awesome Cathy. We'll try to keep up as we approach that grand old age.
And no sense of humor. You must be a riot.
I'm 80. The best part of the article was,
"..., the worn-sole executive editors of Hearst, or the TV anchors who serve as white noise for septuagenarians to fall asleep to after their 8 p.m. brandy."
It's ignorance and arrogance.
I don't know anyone who watches news on TV; not for more than a decade. I don't know anyone who has ever sipped brandy in the evening. I don't know anyone who falls asleep in front of the TV at 8pm.
Tina Brown is 70 years old (maybe Hamish doesn't know that), and made the Substack list without yet having a Substack.
Being old means you didn't die young. I always wonder why that's subject to so much derision.
It's not the average age of viewers that makes network news tedious. It's the worn out formula, simplistic point of view and the non-stop drug ads. Oh My G_D! The drug ads!
Younger generation should definitely celebrate and take advantage of the enthusiastic and intellectually vital support of half or more of us boomers. When we die off, you'll be forced to contend with our children, the Reagan era babies who are a pretty grasping and materialistic bunch.
Hahaha....who do you think watches the MSM? It ain't the millennials.
Snarky Agist remarks are all the rage these days. It's a sign of cultural decline and youthful arrogance...John Lennon did it famously "never trust anyone over 30".
Right! The millennials are never ignorantly belittled by us older and wiser folks.
The problem with the growing Protests at Tesla here in Marin County CA, is that we don’t see many people under 40…and that very few of us are willing to actually start going to city counsel or County supervisors meetings, where a lot of things happen without much thought, about facing the coup against democratic government, that is going to defund a lot of local programs…
Substack is fine without curated reads.
Heather Cox Richardson should be on your list.
Came here to say that. Heather Cox Richardson and Joy Vance.
Absolutely, don’t know why I didn’t think of Joyce. Kind of annoying that most of the women on this list are fashion/entertainment writers.
And Robert Reich.
On top of the list
Heather Cox Richardson
Thank you. I was just going to say that. No falling asleep drinking brandy (I’ve never even tasted brandy) reading this ultra intelligent, hard working historian. She makes history relevant. Check out her paid subscriber numbers!
This is in reference to substack publisher Heather Cox Richardson since replies don’t fall under specified comment.
The list unfortunately left off one of the most consequential and informative writers today; Racket News, written by Matt Taibbi.
And Public - Michael Shellenberger. People outside the Overton window are mysteriously missing
It is The New Yorker so the list purposely excluded anyone without traditional left of center views - Taibbi, Shellenberger, Attkisson, Herridge, and Prasad. The first four are proponents of unbridled free speech but that is a value that The New Yorker no longer espouses.
I’m sure a lot of these kind of lists are done by subscriber numbers and Matt Taibbi can chalk up 470,000 on Substack.
I bet it’s a petty omission by the paper. Based on their style of journalism, I wouldn’t be surprised.
Oh good mention!
Where is Tucker, Alex Jones, Katherine Austin Fitz, David Icke, Joe Rogan, many more. This list means nothing
Hear, Here, so correct. Wish I thought of them in my reply. Greg Hunter too USA Watchdog.com He has incredible guests.
Tucker is a well paid hack and a complete hypocrite... Talk about snarky; his performance is just nauseating; but he got $20,000,000/yr at Fox and a $1,000,000 Christmas bonus from Harlin Crow, the Nazi billionaire so like George Washington said "human can resist the highest bidder"...
"Few men can resist the highest bidder" George Washington
damn voice typing needs work...
Joe Rogan is toxic. Sorry to see you mention him.
Precisely! Authors whose insights provoke turmoil & thought are not on any MSM list. Conversely, the censored doctors that opposed plandemic madness,—Kory, McCullough, Malone, Mercola, ...—were precisely targeted & placed on the White House's "dirty dozen list."
Laugher, at the attempts by FaucistBook, the USG, Pfeizer, et al., to pro• des• pre• sub• -scribe truth in their Empire of Lies, is at times heart's only recourse [recall "safe & effective," "Russia Gate," "6 Jan Insurrection," "Hunter's laptop," etc.]; for mirth lightens the heart as we trundle forward into a darkening Technological Age.
—«I've Got a Little List», The Mikado - Gilbert & Sullivan, is.gd/bWnyQT
On the way to unemployment checks?
Please include Matt Taibbi.
I would argue that the media moguls did this to themselves, when they started using the News Room as a profit center and then as part of the entertainment lineup.
Consolidation of traditional 'journalism' under around 4 collaborating corporate umbrellas is a reminder why antitrust laws exist, too.
Ignoring the difference between facts and opinions when reporting is another cause for the profession's reputation decline.
I am not sure what constitutes “influential” anymore
I’ve never heard of this author and they currently have 132 likes on substack- which is frankly about as many readers as a good reporter would have writing an article for a small market daily newspaper in the heyday of print journalism. Social media floods the opinion market with a lot of who cares pieces about issues the writer is experiencing from the comfort of their second bedroom office conversion or moms basement. Someone trying to get information out from a war zone or a flood ravaged Appalachian hamlet is going up against Zoey and her latest mascara hack, or this guy who thinks humble bragging is adequate fodder for their daily post
Beat me to it.
The far left list!
I don't know if I agree with your particular list or not however look where I am. Right here with you. I agree wholeheartedly that television and paper news can't keep up with online independent journalists, content creators and influencers. You still have to be careful about to trust but everyone I follow shows their work which means they are giving me the context I need and the proof I need what they are saying is true. And I get exactly what I need to know in almost real time, with a follow-up in a day or two that verifies new information or updates.
Think about using shorter sentences.
So sorry. Didn't realize I was on X. I'll try harder next time.
One of the first novels I read was, "Les Miserables." Unfortunately, that novel influenced my writing style for TOO LONG. (Some of his sentences go on for more than one page) Anyway, it took a while, but I am now more interested in conveying a message than in admiring my style. Shorter is better.
Warren, your hubris is unmatched. Felicitations!
Your comment is so ridiculous that I suspect that you don't know the meaning of "hubris." My suggestion for you is to stick to words that you are familiar with.
Definitely hubris. You nailed that.
lol good comeback
Thanks for the mention! Had no idea I made this list lol so much for being tapped in...
How did you know about my brandy? And, I sip it an hour earlier.
I’m still going with Scotch.
You forgot Thom Hartman
The photographer for a piece in “The New York Magazine” had to be shipped in from The Netherlands? Rich irony there.
Lame list
Injured reserve.
What’s interesting and rather sad is that this question would have never been posed to Murrow or Cronkite. They were journalists with integrity not power. I suppose those with opinions are now the power brokers.
Agreed. And Cronkite and the others on TV and in daily newspapers had editors! They were fact-checked and knew history, in part because they lived it in the field. I was a reporter for 20 years before going back to school to become a teacher. The publishing and airing of unsubstantiated claims, rumor mongering, and conspiracy theory nonsense that passes for “news” today is a disservice to the public. If I had made these kinds of lazy “mistakes”I would have been fired. But outlandish BS and sensational headlines get clicks, and too often, that’s all that matters now.
So true. Is that why you left reporting?
No. My wife and I had young kids. I volunteered in my son’s 2nd grade classroom and found the seven-year-olds much more honest and mature than the Congress critters I was covering at the time, so the decision to switch was pretty easy. Plus, when I left in 2000 it was already becoming apparent that the business model for traditional newspapers and magazines wasn’t going to work in the digital age. Veteran reporters, with relatively high salaries, were the first to get the axe. I saw the handwriting on the wall. Taught for 22 years. Never regretted the decision, though I still enjoy writing, hence my Substack page.
How about Noami Wolf - she’ll give you a different perspective