To approach Kyle's question - one of my other favourite journalists Robert Evans has a great BTB podcast episode about "Elite Panic" which goes into how wealth affects behaviour. Basically, there is a body of research that shows that as wealth goes up, so does a sense of entitlement and self-interest, while compassion and empathy go down. (Warning: not an easy listen, lots of death, but a very good one). If we look at the types of media wealthy people choose to fund, we see ideologies which continue to enrich them and preserve their positions of power. While I'm sure there are exceptions, the elite in general are much less willing to risk their own resources for the common good, but happy to spend on their own interests. So rich people are much less likely to be left-wing, and even if they are they are less willing to spend their money on non-profit things like public interest journalism.
I think about that episode a lot. Not only about how the rich and powerful will always look out for themselves, but how that is the antithesis of normal human nature - that the natural instinct of people is compassion and collective action. I think that's what Webworm readers represent.
Interesting. I was thinking about this the other day as I was reading a book about finances by Hannah McQueen. She raised the question about whether some people might have a problem envisioning themselves as rich and may not like rich people. I certainly don't like rich people who flaunt their wealth and act like they're above others or generally act like wankers, which made me wonder if I was to suddenly become rich (I wish!) would I change. I like to think not but maybe I'd have to actively fight to maintain the same values I have now (I hope not!).
PS Cute puppy! Cut dog and cat photos/videos are great for my soul!
I don't know what we do about these people, but I hope that you are seeing the 'Desperate Dave' label as a compliment; yes, you and the rest of us here in this space are desperate to see change, desperately hoping that others will too, and desperately sick of money and power providing a platform which allows misinformation to continue. Thanks for doing what you do!
First, and MOST IMPORTANT ⁉️ I will NEVER get sick of this adorable pup appearing on my screen (Substack Chat, BlueSky & now Substack proper 🫂) Hint hint hint (although it doesn't need to be the same one 😁) Instant engagement 👍
Second, I know this is basically non-serious as to the mega-rich being KNOWN to pay you like Sean Plunket's tosser, but your power is in your independence - people like the Plastic Billionaire can't devalue your work by linking you to "George Soros" or whatever benevolent humanitarian rich person who is supposedly funding/influencing your opinions. Besides, your army of Worms is more formidable than anything above ground - quietly fertilising good ideas & spreading the word about bad people/ideas below the radar - so to speak 👀😂
Of course if they want to sponsor & keep it on the QT, then 🤷
It’s genuinely very hard tbh. I feel endlessly grateful for the hundreds of people who support me to keep writing but when Sean Plunket or Damien Grant or Brian Tamaki send weeks and weeks of death threats my way from their unhinged supporters I think Jesus Fuck how does anyone cope with this? They’re so protected and leftie writers (particularly women who write) are so vulnerable. I have to pay out of pocket for increased security and then hope someone will pay $8 NZ a month to help fund that while right wing dickheads desperate to be cancelled barely work and have endless funding. Subscriptions for my newsletter also fund community work - theirs just inflates their already stacked wallets and they never give back. It’s really exhausting tbh. I feel hopeless about it a lot of the time. And I resent so-called “legacy media” holding out their cap constantly then sucking up to right wing interests while freelance writers are covering the tough shit people actually want to read. Sorry that was a big whinge 😅
I think its easier for right-wing to fund these projects because it's less actual journalism and more public relations and lobbying. They regurgitate half-sourced stories that advance their agenda. Actual facts can be omitted or changed to best fit their needs. And you don't have to worry about lawsuits when your deep pockets can grind the legal system to a halt. Why bother paying for journalism when the truth will just get in the way of your political goals?
And apologies if I'm overstepping David, but have you ever considered applying for a journalism grant? They don't pay as much as a billionaire would obviously, but they're not nothing and I believe there are a couple out there for independent journalists such as yourself.
My tendency is to leave that money for others, just because I have a system here on Webworm that *does* work. I have the income I need to do the work I do here.
I guess this was more musing on, "Why haven't I seen some lunatic leftie millionaire contributing some massive lump sum, does that even exist?"
I know ProPublica was founded by Herbert Sandler, who was a billionaire. And NPR receives some of its funding from non-profits set up by billionaires like the MacArthur Foundation. So they do exist, but there’s no entrenched left wing media ecosystem blasting it in your face 24/7.
But so much of right wing media is based on grievance politics, I’m not sure left wing media could ever be successful in the same way.
I had to skip last month due to unforseen circumstances but I'm back and wanted to reiterate the sharing part. It takes 2 seconds to share and it can really help keep our favorite writers going. Make a fun tiktok about it or just share to stories etc. It helps!
Related, but the announcement from Zuck about the changes at Meta is an example of the danger of putting so much of our lives in the hands of billionaires. And how important it is that we are able to retain spaces like this, where quality journalism and fact-based discourse can continue to exist.
Got a pay rise this year (not much, but my union came out swinging and I am thankful) so I jumped on to support. Honestly the way the rich support right wing media reminds me of Renaissance monarchs sponsoring artists but instead of Michelangelo we get Sean Plunkett. I'm sure there's some tortured comparison I could make about buying indulgences, but it's beyond me today.
When you get attacked by people like that you at least know you've bothered them and they're having a bit of a tanty even though that's not what they let you see. You're doing great work!
I'm gonna guess that musicians or actors (some of them) are your best for wealthy people who are willing to do something good with their money. Or maybe someone like Stephen King? He seems like a good dude.
I have a question for you all that I’ve been thinking about for a while and would love your insights. What is it about conservatives and their culture that love slogans and alliterations and portmanteaus so damn much (in the guise of cleverness). Desperate Dave. Crooked Hilary. Nobama. Or in Canada, TruDope. It boggles the mind.
To approach Kyle's question - one of my other favourite journalists Robert Evans has a great BTB podcast episode about "Elite Panic" which goes into how wealth affects behaviour. Basically, there is a body of research that shows that as wealth goes up, so does a sense of entitlement and self-interest, while compassion and empathy go down. (Warning: not an easy listen, lots of death, but a very good one). If we look at the types of media wealthy people choose to fund, we see ideologies which continue to enrich them and preserve their positions of power. While I'm sure there are exceptions, the elite in general are much less willing to risk their own resources for the common good, but happy to spend on their own interests. So rich people are much less likely to be left-wing, and even if they are they are less willing to spend their money on non-profit things like public interest journalism.
I think about that episode a lot. Not only about how the rich and powerful will always look out for themselves, but how that is the antithesis of normal human nature - that the natural instinct of people is compassion and collective action. I think that's what Webworm readers represent.
Thanks for this Rowan. Listening: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_j9L2ppuANc
Interesting. I was thinking about this the other day as I was reading a book about finances by Hannah McQueen. She raised the question about whether some people might have a problem envisioning themselves as rich and may not like rich people. I certainly don't like rich people who flaunt their wealth and act like they're above others or generally act like wankers, which made me wonder if I was to suddenly become rich (I wish!) would I change. I like to think not but maybe I'd have to actively fight to maintain the same values I have now (I hope not!).
PS Cute puppy! Cut dog and cat photos/videos are great for my soul!
It kind of reminds me of all the medieval stories of kings going mad with paranoia and killing everyone around them. It’s all the same psychosis.
This is such a good episode. Thanks for reminding me to dip back into BTB.
I'm cool zone media addicted, so many great hosts 😍
I don't know what we do about these people, but I hope that you are seeing the 'Desperate Dave' label as a compliment; yes, you and the rest of us here in this space are desperate to see change, desperately hoping that others will too, and desperately sick of money and power providing a platform which allows misinformation to continue. Thanks for doing what you do!
Amen. Thanks, Rose. I think in this case desperation is the only logical choice, right?
First, and MOST IMPORTANT ⁉️ I will NEVER get sick of this adorable pup appearing on my screen (Substack Chat, BlueSky & now Substack proper 🫂) Hint hint hint (although it doesn't need to be the same one 😁) Instant engagement 👍
Second, I know this is basically non-serious as to the mega-rich being KNOWN to pay you like Sean Plunket's tosser, but your power is in your independence - people like the Plastic Billionaire can't devalue your work by linking you to "George Soros" or whatever benevolent humanitarian rich person who is supposedly funding/influencing your opinions. Besides, your army of Worms is more formidable than anything above ground - quietly fertilising good ideas & spreading the word about bad people/ideas below the radar - so to speak 👀😂
Of course if they want to sponsor & keep it on the QT, then 🤷
Keep up the great work, Double D.
Best,
Double D reporting for duty!
Double D!!! I'm in stitches.
It’s genuinely very hard tbh. I feel endlessly grateful for the hundreds of people who support me to keep writing but when Sean Plunket or Damien Grant or Brian Tamaki send weeks and weeks of death threats my way from their unhinged supporters I think Jesus Fuck how does anyone cope with this? They’re so protected and leftie writers (particularly women who write) are so vulnerable. I have to pay out of pocket for increased security and then hope someone will pay $8 NZ a month to help fund that while right wing dickheads desperate to be cancelled barely work and have endless funding. Subscriptions for my newsletter also fund community work - theirs just inflates their already stacked wallets and they never give back. It’s really exhausting tbh. I feel hopeless about it a lot of the time. And I resent so-called “legacy media” holding out their cap constantly then sucking up to right wing interests while freelance writers are covering the tough shit people actually want to read. Sorry that was a big whinge 😅
You’re ruffling a lot of feathers for being a flightless bird there sir. Keep it up!
It's what flightless birds love best!
I think its easier for right-wing to fund these projects because it's less actual journalism and more public relations and lobbying. They regurgitate half-sourced stories that advance their agenda. Actual facts can be omitted or changed to best fit their needs. And you don't have to worry about lawsuits when your deep pockets can grind the legal system to a halt. Why bother paying for journalism when the truth will just get in the way of your political goals?
And apologies if I'm overstepping David, but have you ever considered applying for a journalism grant? They don't pay as much as a billionaire would obviously, but they're not nothing and I believe there are a couple out there for independent journalists such as yourself.
Not overstepping at all! It's a good suggestion.
My tendency is to leave that money for others, just because I have a system here on Webworm that *does* work. I have the income I need to do the work I do here.
I guess this was more musing on, "Why haven't I seen some lunatic leftie millionaire contributing some massive lump sum, does that even exist?"
I know ProPublica was founded by Herbert Sandler, who was a billionaire. And NPR receives some of its funding from non-profits set up by billionaires like the MacArthur Foundation. So they do exist, but there’s no entrenched left wing media ecosystem blasting it in your face 24/7.
But so much of right wing media is based on grievance politics, I’m not sure left wing media could ever be successful in the same way.
The only truly “good” billionaire (in terms of actions and charitable giving without strings, which is pretty much unheard of), is Mackenzie Scott. As a big bonus plus, her philanthropy pisses of the Space Nazi: https://www.ndtv.com/world-news/concerning-elon-musk-calls-out-jeff-bezos-ex-wife-mackenzie-scott-for-16-billion-donation-7359138/amp/1
I had to skip last month due to unforseen circumstances but I'm back and wanted to reiterate the sharing part. It takes 2 seconds to share and it can really help keep our favorite writers going. Make a fun tiktok about it or just share to stories etc. It helps!
Sharing is SO, SO useful. And if this is a financial burden I will comp you instantly - davidfarrier@protonmail.com
That is so nice but totally not necessary. I just take a quick pause when I need to and hop back in when I can. 💕 I love it here.
Related, but the announcement from Zuck about the changes at Meta is an example of the danger of putting so much of our lives in the hands of billionaires. And how important it is that we are able to retain spaces like this, where quality journalism and fact-based discourse can continue to exist.
I can't believe Stripe didn't refund the fees! And then again I can believe it. That customer service email is wild
Got a pay rise this year (not much, but my union came out swinging and I am thankful) so I jumped on to support. Honestly the way the rich support right wing media reminds me of Renaissance monarchs sponsoring artists but instead of Michelangelo we get Sean Plunkett. I'm sure there's some tortured comparison I could make about buying indulgences, but it's beyond me today.
Welcome. And thanks. And if ever a burden, email me and I comp you, ok?
When you get attacked by people like that you at least know you've bothered them and they're having a bit of a tanty even though that's not what they let you see. You're doing great work!
I'm gonna guess that musicians or actors (some of them) are your best for wealthy people who are willing to do something good with their money. Or maybe someone like Stephen King? He seems like a good dude.
Us worms are happy to keep supporting the solid journalism that you do. Plus pics of adorable animals. That puppy is so fluffy 😍
I have a question for you all that I’ve been thinking about for a while and would love your insights. What is it about conservatives and their culture that love slogans and alliterations and portmanteaus so damn much (in the guise of cleverness). Desperate Dave. Crooked Hilary. Nobama. Or in Canada, TruDope. It boggles the mind.
Zuru and Nestle have rough equivalence in my mind - Fuck Nestle, obviously, and also, Fuck Zuru.
Keep going David, I'm a new subscriber drumbed up by the Mowbray's disgraceful and embarrassing behaviour.