New feature for The Present Age subscribers: group chat
New feature for The Present Age subscribers: group chat
A subscriber-only space (yes, free subscribers, too) where we can chat about what's happening in the world.
Substack just gave me access to a new chat feature they’re rolling out for writers. Right now, it’s only available in the Substack iOS app, but I believe the plan is to expand it out to Android and desktop in the near-ish future. Without further ado, here’s how Substack describes this new feature:
It’s a conversation space in the Substack app set up exclusively for TPA subscribers, similar to group chats/hangouts/etc. It’ll be where I share stray thoughts that aren’t necessarily sit-down-and-write-a-whole-newsletter worthy, solicit feedback from readers, and chat with those of you who’ve signed up! It seems pretty neat. As far as new features go, this is one I’ve got a good feeling about.
I’ve already started my first chat thread here! It’s an introduction post, so feel free to pop by, tell me a bit about yourself, and promote cool things you’re working on (if you drop a link to your own newsletter in there, I’ll sign up for it.) And, in case you don’t find the idea of chatting interesting, that’s cool, too. The newsletter will still be the same newsletter as it’s always been, comments on posts will remain as open (or closed) as they’ve always been.
Chat will be open to subscribers (free or paid).
How to get started
Download the app by clicking this link or the button below. Chat is only on iOS for now, but chat is coming to the Android app soon.
Open the app and tap the Chat icon. It looks like two bubbles in the bottom bar, and you’ll see a row for my chat inside.
That’s it! Jump into my thread to say hi, and if you have any issues, check out Substack’s FAQ.
As soon as it's active on Android I'll check it out (it's not yet, though, as others have noted, it lets you install the app). Meantime, if you're looking for a Twitter alternative, I suggest Mastodon. I'd love to see more journos over there. I give Twitter another 6 months, tops. So much aggregrated news I read right now is just links to Twitter. Journalism is going to change drastically once Musk finishes his destruction of that platform. I am hopeful that a platform like Mastodon (doesn't have to be Mastodon!) can pick up some of the pieces.
Aw heck I'm Android and it doesn't look like they let you reply on the web either. So if it's okay I'll introduce here (if you'd rather not feel free to delete)
This is fun timing because I just today got back from my naturalization interview (and passed so all that's left is the oath ceremony!) I am Canadian born and raised but have lived the US since 2016. Even before then I had an unhealthy obsession with American politics. At first it was funny, then it became more and more heartbreaking. Now I may have a vote only after it's too late to matter. We'll see!
I have a newsletter I try to update once or twice a month, Welcome to Elle - https://welcometoelle.substack.com/ - where my target areas are American and Canadian politics, critical thinking, and tech. I like sources so you'll usually find a healthy dose of them in each post. For me I have to believe facts and reality still matter, so I do my best to rely on that in my writing.
It hasn't made it into my newsletter but I'm also a lifelong baseball fan both watching and playing (though I'm old enough now that co-ed slowpitch is exciting enough for me). So I appreciate when it pops into Parker's writing and feed.
Thank you for the space and I'm excited for once I'm able to actually be part of the chat.