Hey, it’s me. Twenty-one of you subscribed to (NDistinct Chatter) since I wrote the last one of these newsletters/blogs/columns/I don’t know what the hell to call them. And I know what you’re thinking: A WHOLE 21 SUBSCRIBERS?!
Damn right! This marks probably the fourth- or fifth-biggest success story of my life. Behind the birth of my two kids, finding a lady who actually agreed to marry me, and Complimentary Apple Day at my one and only government job I’ve ever held.
So, to celebrate, I created a logo.
Since I used to write a column for my hometown newspaper, The Highly Esteemed Tribune of Bismarck, North Dakota, on Fridays of every week, that will be my new goal. Write one of these things to send out on Fridays.
Let’s see how long that lasts. I’m not great on follow-through.
As it happens, there was an item of news this past week that eerily paralleled my own new adventure in communications. Donald Trump (remember him?) launched a new blog that he’s calling a new social media platform (it’s not), then tried to start a new Twitter account to replace the one that got shut down (and failed almost immediately) and also got his ban from Facebook affirmed by some sort of military tribunal. All in the course of a couple days.
Who am I to compare my 21 subscribers on this here Substack to the millions of totally real people who make up his base of support? I’m not in his league, I admit. He’s a billionaire (kind of). He won election for U.S. President (sort of). The neighbors aren’t flying a flag to says “Hagen 2020: No More Bullshit,” admittedly.
What I do have, though, is access to both Facebook and Twitter accounts. And a full head of hair. So I’m not complaining.
I get it, though. All Trump wants is an audience. He’s a born entertainer and leader of men. Facebook and Twitter took that audience away from him after the whole insurrection thing, and now he wants it back. Can’t fault him for that.
We all want to be heard. We want to be visible. And the more people who know your name and follow you on social media, the more important you feel. Someday, Donny. You’ll be back to where you were.
Probably. Maybe 50-50 odds. Life’s pretty unpredictable.
Thank you to all of you subscribers to this here NDchatter substack deal. All 21 of you. When we get to 30, I’m going to design a cover photo for this page.
Please, try to contain yourselves. And I’ll see you back here again next week.