Dish poetry editor Alice Quinn writes: The jacket copy of the recent and brilliant edition of Frank O’Hara’s Selected Poems, edited and introduced by Mark Ford, describes O’Hara as “one of the most original and influential American poets of the twentieth century,” which is gloriously on the mark. He was also one of the most … Continue reading A Poem For Independence Day
“These communities, by their representatives in old Independence Hall, said to the whole world of men: ‘We hold these truths to be self evident: that all men are created equal; that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights; that among these are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.’ This was their … Continue reading Quote For Independence Day
Below are our posts regarding the Dish going independent, beginning with the launch of our new site on Feb 4, 2013. To catch up on the first Dish Independence thread, which ran from Jan 2, 2013 – Feb 3, 2013, click here. Mon Feb 4, 2013 – 12.24am: Migration Explained How a blog transitions from … Continue reading Dish Independence II
Below are our posts regarding the Dish going independent, beginning with Andrew’s original announcement on January 2 and then followed by our coverage of the resulting commentary and conversation among readers and the blogosphere. To skip to the more detailed explanation of “The Dish Model” click here. Join us as a founding member here. Another … Continue reading Dish Independence
Previous answers to reader queries here and here. Another writes: I don’t get it. I thought no adverts. But there is one on the site today – for Turbo Tax. The new ad-free site doesn’t launch until Monday (pre-subscribe here!). Another asks: Does the subscription price go up after today? Nope, still just $19.99 a … Continue reading Dish Independence: Your Questions, Ctd
Finally done reading through and responding to the few thousand emails you sent surrounding the Dish’s declaration of independence. A big thanks again to everyone who wrote in. Many people by now are probably tired of seeing these reader reaxes (I, II, III), but we want to try to do justice to the immense input on the new … Continue reading Dish Independence: Reader Reax IV
We have received about 4,000 emails since our declaration of independence on January 2, mostly from readers having just signed up for the new Dish. I have been trying to respond to as many as I can, while the Dish staff has been helping to compile all of your constructive feedback regarding our new experiment. … Continue reading Dish Independence: Reader Reax III
A reader writes:
In 19 years of heavy Internet use, I have never – not once – paid money for original written online content. Until now.
Another:
My partner always jokes that we don't pay for anything except food and our mortgage because I pirate everything else – movies, magazines, music, e-books. But you hooked me this time. I subscribed and did so happily.
Another isn't onboard:
I'm a reader since 2003 who won't be paying. I realize 20 dollars a year is not much. To me it's the principle. For better or worse I like my Internet free. Friends come and go. I'll miss you but with so many other free sites available that void shall be filled elsewhere. Best of luck.
A reminder to our reader and others that the vast majority of Dish content will remain free to non-members. Another is less torn:
So, wait … Andrew moves to New York City, complains about both the cost and the environment for weeks and now wants to charge readers to subsidize him and his staff living in Manhattan? Surely the same talent could be had in DC?
I probably will join, though. I do think it’s a shame that information and good public discussion is shifting into a "pay-to-play" operation. When I was in college, most news outlets were completely free and I got such a great variety of different perspectives, helping me form a worldview. With individual accounts to pay for each of these voices, it’s going to price a lot of people out of the market.
Another tough sell:
I've been thinking about whether or not I want to subscribe all day, and, right now, I have to say that it's a no. Your blog is compelling, but there are many compelling blogs out there. I don't feel that you ever truly atoned for Betsy McCaughey, and that's pretty hard to ignore.
People can make decisions about this based on whatever they like. But I hope the criterion is not some sin I have committed in the past or some outrageously dumb thing I will inevitably say in the future. Those can either not be undone or are integral to this blog. Another:
I was pissed when I first saw that you would charge for content. I'm 100% sure there's a way around it – I've gotten around pretty much every paywall on the Internet. So why treat your future one differently? Well, firstly, I knew an intern of yours from last year and I knew that he was treated fantastically well. This seemed encouraging. But more importantly, I've been a Dish-head for years. I'm probably to the far-left of most readers, and I'm constantly telling my Republican family that if they want to make intelligent right-of-center arguments, to read your blog. I don't particularly like a lot of your politics, but I respect the hell out of them, 98% of the time anyway.
Next, I've had letters put on the blog twice. It was really cool to feel like a part of the team, if only for a fleeting second. A highlight of my week, both times. But lastly, the real conundrum, if not for very long, is the cost. I'm working for a year, in the middle of law school, so I can pay for my last year of law school. I'll graduate with $180K in student loans. I've pretty much maxed out my credit, came up $8000 short for this year, and am literally saving every penny I can, because damnit, I'm going to be an awesome lawyer.
But even as I say 'no' every time friends or coworkers ask me to go out for drinks or dinner or a movie, I go home and read The Dish. I read many of the linked articles, too. I watch the videos. It's most of my entertainment and intellectual life right now. I spend WAY more than that average 17 minutes on the website every day. So what's it worth to me? A lot more than $20. But that's what I gave (sorry, I promise for more when I get a fancy career somewhere!) and I hope my little portion helps keep the blog afloat.
Another:
I just purchased your $19.99 pass. What I'm most excited about is your decision not to rely on advertising to supplement the subscription income.
Obama freaking out about Andrew Sullivan going behind a paywall: “Did Sully just throw the entire Dish away?” — delrayser (@delrayser) January 2, 2013 Heh. But it’s not a paywall. To reiterate: No one coming to the Dish home-page will ever be stopped. All links to individual posts will be outside the meter and as … Continue reading Dish Independence: Tweet Reax II
A reader quotes a previous one: "Please consider allowing comments in the paid site." NO! NEVER! PLEASE! In general, I HATE comment sections; they so often turn into cesspools, despite everyone's good intentions. But your "curated comment section" is one of the best things about your blog. I've already signed up for the paid site, but … Continue reading Dish Independence: Your Questions, Ctd
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