I became a paid subscriber because $8.30 per month is nothing compared to the value Roberts reporting provides. I would ask if the retirees on this thread have cut back on avocado toast, bit-oh-honey, Starbucks and other frivolous expenses 😏
Robert, you provide a lot of good information in your posts on Substack. I have found that usually the better ones are posted for free elsewhere. I would like to become a paying member and can afford to do so, however I have found that you do not engage in the comments section. One of the ways I judge the value of becoming a paid subscriber is whether the author engages with subscribers through the members comments pages. Some authors, Roger Pielke Jr. for one, regularly engage with commenters. I see that you are planning to "cleanup and improve the comments section". I think that's great. I am going to sign up as a paid subscriber and will consider going to the turbo charge level pending your promised improvements and engagement.
Yes, I will be engaging with subscribers after I go paid. It's one of the reasons I'm making the switch. I want the comments section to be richer and more interactive.
On another note, I understand that many readers are disappointed that I'm going to a paid model. But I'm an independent reporter. My only source of income at the moment is speaking engagements. Going paid here on Substack, I hope, will provide some reliable income and allow me to spend more time writing, researching, and, in doing so, engage more with readers.
After providing low cost energy to boost the global economy (and the expansion of the renewables industry) for the last decade, we're nearing the point where US oil and gas will need much higher prices to keep production flat, much less growing. What is our Plan B for energy?
Totally understand why you'd go behind a paywall; but for readers it's just heartbreaking. Who can afford to pay $100 for 10 or 20 different substacks? Not me! I wish Substack offered a pay $1/per article and/or a discount subscription for 10 or some number of substacks aggregated by the reader. It's just not affordable for regular people to pay to read a bunch of different substacks. :(
Anyway, I will miss your informative posts. Thank you for the posts you've already made, for free! They have been much appreciated.
I first discovered Robert's work through his "Power Hungry Podcast" series. I worked my way through the 100-plus podcasts. The guests were often experienced and important people in their fields whose ideas are often not heard in depth by a general audience.
I was disappointed when Robert decided to terminate what I thought was a unique podcast series. His written material is interesting and can be thought-provoking. However, there are a lot of articles available here on Substack, in the general press and elsewhere on the subject of energy and climate. For this reason, I'm afraid, I won't be continuing as a paid subscriber.
How about a senior discount? I agree with the comments below. Everybody wants to go to subscription. Even Toyota wanted us to subscribe to be able to use a remote key feature. I can't afford to subscribe. A package deal would help.
There are many substacks with good content but I don't subscribe to any. They should implement some kind of package deal.
Another option for Robert is to provide some mixed subscriber and open content. I don't have enough specific interest in this niche topic to subscribe and pay $10/month. I agree 100% with what Robert says, so it's preaching to the choir. I did buy Robert's book Gusher of Lies circa 2007 at a CATO presentation, which is why I know of him, and stumbled across his substack recently.
Thought about this all day before commenting. It is incredible wonderful that there are so many brilliant and worthy substack writers. I wish I could pay them all. Unfortunately not all of the writings interest me, nor can I afford to subscribe to them all, so I cherish those who I can read free. I had hoped that more writers would add a 'buy me a coffee' so when a really pertinent article is read, the reader can 'buy you a coffee. It's one of those growing pains though........I too am retired, pension cut by 25% as well. I spend too much time reading substack posts so perhaps this will slow me down and make me more tuned to 'what are important, significant or pertinent to me and the rest will just have to go.....Thanks Robert pls keep my email in case you revert to 'free but please if you love this post, buy me a coffee", I want to know. Cheers from Canada.
Also retired and living on a fixed income that is not substantial by the standards of most substackers here. A discount or package deal would be welcome.
While interesting, I have to be economical to pay for entertainment. $10/mo gets me access to a satellite and every live sports event, movie or TV broadcast on the planet. $12/mo and I can support all the musicians I like. Otherwise, I pay $100s for content and tools that give me a return on investment. I would pay $10/mo for Substack but to try and pay that for every single content provider is just not doable especially when it’s the magnitude and topic you produce. I’m sure you’ll do well as $10/mo per subscriber will pile up quick but I don’t think you’ll be as impactful by definition. Your choice is made, I get it.
In for Gigawatt tier to support great thought provoking content as well as your time. Those things don't come free. PS - I hope the power hungry podcast returns in some shape or form
While I enjoy your articles and understand you need to make a living, $100 is on the high side compared to (most) other Substack authors.
Too, most other Substack authors I read have a grunch or articles available to all, with from a few to many others behind a paywall. Every so often, I'll start reading a really interesting article that then terminates mid stream. Sometimes get the offer to signup for free for a week, sometimes not. If not, I will take a month's subscription if really interested. But not at $10 a month.
I found your site valuable but I decided I can't afford it. Best wishes and good luck. I already left two other subscriptions within the last hour. I will miss you.
I became a paid subscriber because $8.30 per month is nothing compared to the value Roberts reporting provides. I would ask if the retirees on this thread have cut back on avocado toast, bit-oh-honey, Starbucks and other frivolous expenses 😏
Thanks, my friend.
Robert, you provide a lot of good information in your posts on Substack. I have found that usually the better ones are posted for free elsewhere. I would like to become a paying member and can afford to do so, however I have found that you do not engage in the comments section. One of the ways I judge the value of becoming a paid subscriber is whether the author engages with subscribers through the members comments pages. Some authors, Roger Pielke Jr. for one, regularly engage with commenters. I see that you are planning to "cleanup and improve the comments section". I think that's great. I am going to sign up as a paid subscriber and will consider going to the turbo charge level pending your promised improvements and engagement.
Hi Mark. Thanks.
Yes, I will be engaging with subscribers after I go paid. It's one of the reasons I'm making the switch. I want the comments section to be richer and more interactive.
On another note, I understand that many readers are disappointed that I'm going to a paid model. But I'm an independent reporter. My only source of income at the moment is speaking engagements. Going paid here on Substack, I hope, will provide some reliable income and allow me to spend more time writing, researching, and, in doing so, engage more with readers.
Thanks again.
Before you turn your site into a paywall, here is some content for you to consider incorporating in your analysis:
The Permian's Watershed Moment - YouTube Video on the biggest obstacle to continued oil and gas development https://youtu.be/E0WImM0l3rA
And, followup comments by Mike Shellenberg, who's been in the oil business for over 60 years:
https://www.oilystuff.com/forumstuff/forum-stuff/the-permian-s-watershed-moment
After providing low cost energy to boost the global economy (and the expansion of the renewables industry) for the last decade, we're nearing the point where US oil and gas will need much higher prices to keep production flat, much less growing. What is our Plan B for energy?
Totally understand why you'd go behind a paywall; but for readers it's just heartbreaking. Who can afford to pay $100 for 10 or 20 different substacks? Not me! I wish Substack offered a pay $1/per article and/or a discount subscription for 10 or some number of substacks aggregated by the reader. It's just not affordable for regular people to pay to read a bunch of different substacks. :(
Anyway, I will miss your informative posts. Thank you for the posts you've already made, for free! They have been much appreciated.
Yes, they could capture more income with tier pricing
I first discovered Robert's work through his "Power Hungry Podcast" series. I worked my way through the 100-plus podcasts. The guests were often experienced and important people in their fields whose ideas are often not heard in depth by a general audience.
I was disappointed when Robert decided to terminate what I thought was a unique podcast series. His written material is interesting and can be thought-provoking. However, there are a lot of articles available here on Substack, in the general press and elsewhere on the subject of energy and climate. For this reason, I'm afraid, I won't be continuing as a paid subscriber.
How about a senior discount? I agree with the comments below. Everybody wants to go to subscription. Even Toyota wanted us to subscribe to be able to use a remote key feature. I can't afford to subscribe. A package deal would help.
Most of us follow a number of writers and adding it all up makes it unaffordable. $30 would be tempting, but not $100.
It was a mistake to spend $99 for a one year subscription to the Epoch Times. I find it difficult to login notwithstanding the subscription.
I agree that $100 a year should be for a package of Substack authors. Alternatively $100 should be for more than one year.
There are many substacks with good content but I don't subscribe to any. They should implement some kind of package deal.
Another option for Robert is to provide some mixed subscriber and open content. I don't have enough specific interest in this niche topic to subscribe and pay $10/month. I agree 100% with what Robert says, so it's preaching to the choir. I did buy Robert's book Gusher of Lies circa 2007 at a CATO presentation, which is why I know of him, and stumbled across his substack recently.
Congrats David, just subscribed. Keep up the excellent writing!
Thought about this all day before commenting. It is incredible wonderful that there are so many brilliant and worthy substack writers. I wish I could pay them all. Unfortunately not all of the writings interest me, nor can I afford to subscribe to them all, so I cherish those who I can read free. I had hoped that more writers would add a 'buy me a coffee' so when a really pertinent article is read, the reader can 'buy you a coffee. It's one of those growing pains though........I too am retired, pension cut by 25% as well. I spend too much time reading substack posts so perhaps this will slow me down and make me more tuned to 'what are important, significant or pertinent to me and the rest will just have to go.....Thanks Robert pls keep my email in case you revert to 'free but please if you love this post, buy me a coffee", I want to know. Cheers from Canada.
Retired and living in the land of Oz. Assuming $100 is in USA pesos that makes it about $145 for me. I’m out though didn’t want to be.
Also retired and living on a fixed income that is not substantial by the standards of most substackers here. A discount or package deal would be welcome.
While interesting, I have to be economical to pay for entertainment. $10/mo gets me access to a satellite and every live sports event, movie or TV broadcast on the planet. $12/mo and I can support all the musicians I like. Otherwise, I pay $100s for content and tools that give me a return on investment. I would pay $10/mo for Substack but to try and pay that for every single content provider is just not doable especially when it’s the magnitude and topic you produce. I’m sure you’ll do well as $10/mo per subscriber will pile up quick but I don’t think you’ll be as impactful by definition. Your choice is made, I get it.
I have been writing this for months. Eventually it will sink in. I wish they would have a donate or buy me a coffee button. So many good posters do.
In for Gigawatt tier to support great thought provoking content as well as your time. Those things don't come free. PS - I hope the power hungry podcast returns in some shape or form
While I enjoy your articles and understand you need to make a living, $100 is on the high side compared to (most) other Substack authors.
Too, most other Substack authors I read have a grunch or articles available to all, with from a few to many others behind a paywall. Every so often, I'll start reading a really interesting article that then terminates mid stream. Sometimes get the offer to signup for free for a week, sometimes not. If not, I will take a month's subscription if really interested. But not at $10 a month.
I found your site valuable but I decided I can't afford it. Best wishes and good luck. I already left two other subscriptions within the last hour. I will miss you.