Thank you Jason. The degree to which mainstream media and high-profile content creators continue to be the 'This is Fine' dog is stunning.

The more that folks with a larger-than-individual voice follow your model, the sooner we can all stop feeling gaslit (lighted?) and dive back in to what is good and possible when we do democracy with a passing grade.

Upping my membership amount now.

Keep it up! You are doing a good and necessary job.

Thank you for your commitment Jason. I've been reading the site for some time now, but this post convinced me it was time to become a member. What you are doing is important work and I want to express my gratitude.

This shit is hard and thank you for doing it. I miss "regular" KDO posts, of course, but agree this is capital-I Important. My membership isn't going anywhere (I wish I was in a position to increase it but that's going to have to wait a few months). 💗

As a fellow indie online publisher person—though on the small potatoes scale—who doesn't feel the available mental stability to take on this coup with similar courage, I greatly appreciate you and all you do.

Hey, Jason. This post just inspired me to finally sign up at the Patron level, because I want to financially support what you're trying to do. Hopefully more financial support will help with the emotional toll you're going to go through.

I'd like to have given you more, but I have to care for my money right now. I resigned from a 17-year career in the federal government rather than serve under these a$$holes a second time, and we're still figuring out where our money is going to come from. (Date of resignation effective January 18.)

Thank you for taking this on. I've trusted your writing and posting for years, and I know you're doing the good work.

K

Hey Jason,
we are observing this mess from Europe. And reading your post just now I realized that much of the info I have came from you.

Thanks a lot and please keep on writing. 😍

Hey,

Thanks.

Also here to say thank you. I have friends and loved ones who work for the federal government, and what they are being subject to is beyond disheartening.

These are some of the brightest, fairest, most hardworking people I know, and they deserve better. We all deserve better.

I don’t think there has ever been a moment within my lifetime when independent media has been more needed.

I concur 100%.
9/11 in NYC was overwhelming.
Covid was (is) overwhelming.
This coup is overwhelming.
But it's because they are real and true things, not just drama & noise. These things need to be witnessed, documented, and acted upon.
Keep up the good work Jason.

Been meaning to become a member for a long time. I just did.

Thanks for everything you’re doing to raise awareness. Please do continue to be just as proactive (or moreso!) about taking care of yourself. We’re mere weeks into this, we can’t burn ourselves out too early.

Thank you for your service.

I do believe this is the greatest threat to our nation since the civil war

I hope that we all find ways to rise to the occasion and contribute to wrestling our republic and constitutional bulwark back to a stable state.

Thanks for doing this, Jason. I have an incredible amount of respect for the perspective you bring into your work and I'm grateful to have you and your site as a source of reliable, often actionable updates. In some ways, it makes staying "turned towards" this moment and staying engaged much easier to do.

Thank you for this! It's been a relief to have somewhere to get this information that isn't having to dig (if they cover it at all) on the regular news sites.

Take care of yourself! That's my advice for everyone. This shit is a marathon, not a sprint.

I've been a follower of the site since... gosh. Before 9/11.

This is post that finally reminded me to put my money where my eyes are. You've got another patron.

🤗

Lunch on me if you want to drive up to Montpelier to break from the screen.

"I felt very much like I did back in March 2020, before things shut down here in the US"

This is exactly how I've been feeling the last week or two. I'm really glad to hear someone else saying this, and I support the shift in focus here on KDO. I'll be reading and engaging as much as I can

I've been trying hard to not look at the coup news. It's hard. I care deeply about our country and our democracy, as flawed as it always has been, but I also care about my own mental health and my ability to support the folks around me. I’ve been working hard since the election to make big changes in my life that keep me away from the news and get me in a better head space so I can be the father, partner, friend, and community member that I know the people around me in meatspace need me to be. (That was the first time I've ever used the word 'meatspace' in a sentence, and though I feel kind of icky, it's staying in!)

I will absolutely continue being a paying member of this site because I value the work that you do. I might eventually lose the muscle memory of command-t, k, enter, that I go through several times a day, but maybe that’s a good thing. I sometimes open up a new tab and load Kottke when I was already on the site, that’s how automatic it is!

I just can’t though. I still am not recovered from the pandemic. That experience challenged me in a way that I’m still trying to repair. I find a bit of solace in the recent Ezra Klein podcasts that reiterate the notion that Trump and his cronies are inept and will ultimately fail, though I am acutely aware of how much damage they will be able to do along the way.

You do you, but please try to make sure you take care of yourself. Thanks.

Thank you so much for all that you do, Jason.

Last night, I posted this on Bluesky:

What the events of the last few weeks and people’s personal and professional reactions to them show, to me, is that very, very few of us know how to do anything besides what we’ve always done

Posters post

Organizers organize

Normalizers normalize

We all just go on

Because change is so, so hard

We all have to do what we can, change what we can, and refuse to normalize what isn't normal. Thanks for doing this your way. And if you need any support (text/phone call, comment brigade, funny meme, etc.), you know where to find me.

Thank you so much. Like others, I have to regularly step away from the news because it's so horrific -- when I'm crying at my laptop, I know it's time to watch more Star Trek. How many times can I write and call my representatives and senators (who are IDIOTS)? What you're doing is so, so important, and even though some days I can only skim your posts, I'm very grateful for all the hard work you're doing. Thank you, and please take care of yourself.

Thank you, Jason.
And thank you to all the readers that are paying attention, and talking about this, and contributing and doing even the littlest things to bring light to the situation.

It's jarring to find legacy media so distractible, pinging from one dumb thing to the next dumb thing, so I've really gravitated to your site lately, as an aggregator of what's necessary to know. Thanks for that.
I went to graduate school for public policy, and thus I have some friends in the world of USAID. One described the current situation there as "total chaos and destruction." Another said that it's "worse than anyone can imagine." A third pointed out, "The White House created a page with stories vilifying USAID and its staff"; links to their examples of the agency's "waste and abuse" are mostly from "sources" like The Daily Mail, Breitbart, The Daily Caller, etc. One example listed is "$6 million to fund tourism in Egypt," but the link—to a USAID press release—doesn't include the word 'tourism' at all; the money went to providing potable drinking water and wastewater services to hundreds of thousands of people in North Sinai.
This is all to say that the work you're doing is essential to our understanding of the level of crisis we're experiencing right now, and I appreciate it.

Bravo Jason, bravo! I commend your commitment to adding your voice and platform to this struggle.

Thank you Jason - I'm sure that this is not an easy undertaking. You provide a valuable service to your readers, and by extension those we share and tell about what we learn here.

My subscription isn't going anywhere and I'll try to increase it if I can.

We're here for you, just let us know what you need

Thank you for doing the hard work.

You have been, and continue to be, a good one. Keep it up.

Excellent work, Jason. I'm shocked at how many other media outlets seem... almost unalarmed? I even phoned my Representative earlier this week and the aide answering the phone seemed genuinely confused about why I was ringing him up in the middle of the day.

This coup didn't come as a battle... the caller was inside the house the whole time. I honestly cannot predict what is coming next for this country. Farce? Domination? Upheaval? Thanks for rising to the task of navigating this. We are grateful!

I have enjoyed your posts for some time, but your recent coverage is what finally spurred me to membership. As a Canadian, my influence on your country is limited, but I can put money where it can do some good. Take care of youself!

Thank you, Jason. I'm like so many - I'm trying to keep away from the news, as it makes it hard to sleep. But I'll continue to come here because, well, at least this is a friendly and intelligent place.

Thank you.

Thank you, Jason, for all this work and for your honesty. The site has really helped me as a place to fine sane commentary that I can easily come back to. FWIW comments turned off has been a real bonus to the experience here — plenty of that on BlueSky etc. But please put yourself first and take good care. I recomment buying a road bike, something steel and European, from the 80s. :wink:

This sums up my thoughts: 👏🏼❤️

I realized this morning that I’ll only be able to check in once a day for the headlines and not read any further. I need to know what’s going on, but I feel like I’m shutting down. But that’s what the jerks are counting on, so I’m going to figure out how to stay above water.

Thank you for treating the recent events in the US government and the attitude of the fourth estate with the urgency they demand.

I’ve been a reader and fan of KDO for over 25 years. Today I am finally a paying subscriber. Thank you, Jason.

Thank you, Jason for sharing your decision and perspective on why you've chosen this path. I, for one, will continue to read and patronize your work and wish you a better go of it this time than during Covid.

Although I don't believe that this will happen on this site, I do have one suggestion/comment/thought that I'll leave you with.

Part of this administration's strategy is to overwhelm with information velocity. To create a whiplash of sorts where we are left trying to whack-a-mole yesterday's news while dealing with the horror of today.

You're thoughtful and measured. I know you want to inform your readers and you will.

While I stay on top of the news, I'm one of your readers who come here for a "break from the horrible news of the world." Nonetheless, your focused coverage of COVID was part of what helped me prepare my family and keep them safe for the first two years before we could all get vaccinated.

You are providing an essential service for our society, and at personal sacrifice -- I am tremendously grateful and (far too belatedly) became a member today. We've all got to figure out what we're called to do in this moment.

I know it is hard, and thank you. It has actually been calming in a way to follow the people who are paying attention to see my concerns reflected in places I respect by people whose work I value. To see existential threats to our country ignored by mainstream press has been much harder for me. Take care of yourself.

Agree with the historic importance and that a blog like one this is the best format to collect information from trusted sources, in order to process it vs try to drink from a firehose. That said - there’s a quote that goes something like: “if you look around and you see no art or artists, you are in hell.” These people want us to be in their hell and the liberal arts you are a master curator of is the glass of water, the reminder that we aren’t.

How about one day a week that is a sort of rest day/palate cleanser? I think we all could still use that in our lives. Good stuff is still happening, despite *gestures wildly*

Nothing fancy. Just a few links and short descriptions? If we're going in the tunnel together, we need a light in front of us.

I've been reading your site loooong past the point I should have become a member and this post finally got me off my ass. Thank you, Jason.

I just wanted to say that I’m here for it. Totally agree with your assessment.

I'm adding to the chorus of thank yous. If I can be helpful in keeping this one from affecting you the way Covid coverage did, you know how to reach me. If we're in the same place at some point we should definitely hang out, too. Thank you.

New member here to say a huge thank you and you’re doing the right thing. Please share thoughts or ideas on what the readers can do. I’m not a fan of hyperbole, please understand this is truth. This is not reform this is revenge and destruction. Act now.

I appreciate your thoughtful take on the situation, as always. And I applaud you being true to yourself, no matter how you decide to handle this.

As my level of concern about this situation mirrors your own I'm all in.

Thank you.

I am so thankful for my therapist today and every day.

You have my full support and appreciation.
I don’t know if I can stay fully hair on fire for the entirety of this run. I hope to play the long game and still be here to help when things start to go really wrong in a few years. I hope you will still be here too, take care.

Thanks for doing this, Jason. We need as many people like you as we can find.

Just signed up for a paid subscription, prompted by your focus on the revolutionary coup now happening.

Just in case others who would prefer to stick to the usual calmer content need to bail out.

Stay strong!

Thanks for your leadership and example, Jason.

And do what you need to do to take care of yourself.

As a "content creator" (I hate that term), it's been hard to know what is mine to do. I'm glad you are doing what's yours.

As my Quaker friends say, I'm holding you and yours in the light.

Thank you, Jason ❤️

Long time listener, first time subscriber here. Your decision shows courage, conviction and dedication and that is worth supporting. I – and many more in Europe – believe in and are thinking of you and others in these tough times.

Take care, stay strong.

Thank you, Jason. This is madness and how we respond to it makes a tremendous difference.

Thanks Jason. This is important work you're doing so please keep it up. Happy to financially support here and other news sources that are reporting which seems to be one of the few things (other than calling House and Senate reps) that I can think of to do right now

thank you, jason! we are here for you and each other through this.

Thank you, we all appreciate what you are doing.

I’m upping my membership. Keep going.

You do what you need (and feel is right) to do, I'll always support you. Personally I'll need to mark-all-as-read for a while, somewhat ironically due to post-Covid chronic fatigue meaning I need to take care of my media inputs, but will be back - a 25 year habit is hard to break!

Thank you and please keep going. What you are doing is important. Watching all this unfold from Europe is certainly not the same as being in the thick of it. But it would be unwise to ignore the ripple effects from all that is happening. Here or indeed the rest of the world.

Also, do take care of yourself. Thank you again!

I have nothing to say that hasn't already been said in this comment thread, but I wanted to add my voice anyway b/c you deserve every compliment you can get.

I can't express just how much I appreciate all you are doing to keep the rest of us informed, and how truly valuable that work is.

It would be completely understandable if you took a "we need a distraction from the horribleness" approach and continued with the fun ol' kottke.org we've all come to know and love. That you decided to take the path you're taking -- knowing all too well the personal costs of walking that path -- is nothing short of heroic (I word I do not use lightly).

If we make it through the current crisis, it will be due in no small part to folks like you who truly rose to meet the moment.

Just adding myself to the list of long time readers but first time members. Appreciate the work you are doing here!

More than happy to contribute to your efforts to cover this issue as a member. Thanks for giving it careful consideration and explaining your reasoning here. I also personally would not mind if you left the comments off your coverage of it.

Sending full on support and deep appreciation for taking this necessary path at this critical time. Big hearts to you.

Thank you Jason !!! Please continue. I am proud to be a new member as of now.

Thank you. Most of the newsletters I now read on this came from your posts. Thoughtful voices, all, but some days the news cycle is too overwhelming and I can't bring myself to read them in my inbox. I appreciate that you do, and bring out the most relevant bits. (Also, thank you for highlighting Jamelle Bouie; NYT has gotten so lightweight these days that I don't stay long there and miss his posts sometimes.)

I go back and forth on what to do. I understand the people who don't want to read the news, but I also understand that this is exactly what the coup wants. They want people to be so desensitized by the last go around that they will focus on self-care through not reading the news. I find myself in the "want to look away from the train going off the bridge but can't do it" crowd. But I have the luxury of some remove as an expat.