An excellent analysis, Ben. Even though as someone who was brought up with Captain Kangaroo, Romper Room, Rex Trailer, Salty Brine, and Big Brother Bob Emery finds iSouth Park a bit jarring, I agree with you. Now, I believe that you published this piece on this forum previously. That, or I’ve been caught in a Mandela effect.
You’re not crazy! I meant to say something about that in the little disclaimer I added. I’ve done a bit of reposting on here. The culture around that feels a little different here than on Medium, as we’re always growing our subscriber lists. Sometimes I wonder whether I should go back and repost a lot more of my catalogue since so many people still haven’t read most of it, but I hate to be a nuisance to the people who’ve been here a little longer.
Thanks for taking the time to read this one twice! And you’re not wrong that it can be pretty abrasive, but it matures a lot by season 5.
Well, Ben, it goes to show you how memorable your pieces are! I have also noticed the “Summer slump” in activity on Substack. I read your note on thinking about setting up a pay wall. And you’re right — Substack seems to have trouble focusing on what it wants to be. I would say it is clearly becoming the spot where people are getting news and commentary. I dunno.
You should have a rewind day to showcase past pieces that you want to highlight. You can look at the number of “hits” you’ve gotten for past posts and reprint with that criterion or another. Summer is s particularly good time to do that, I think.
Don’t get discouraged, Ben. Thomas Paine wrote “these are the times that try men’s souls.” I think he would repeat that sentiment in 2025. Keep plugging!
There was a little while where my trajectory on here was really encouraging, but as I’ve found myself competing against more politicians, journalists, and outright rage baiters, I’ve really seen that begin to slow. Hopefully I can turn things around in the fall, but it’s been a bit sad coming to accept that paywalling more content will be necessary.
I love the rewind idea! Maybe Rewind Wednesdays or something like that.
He just thinks the images are cute. No way in hell I am letting watch the show. He is best staying with Thomas trains, Transformers, and related content for now.
We’re our own worst critics! I see things all up and down that I want to change, but there’s still plenty that I like about it. I just have a hard time reading over my old writing sometimes 😂
I have to confess that I quit watching SOUTH PARK for the simple reason that closed captioning didn't work then, and I couldn't understand what they were saying, for the most part.
I finally got to see episode1
and was blown away. I think there are several ways to interpret it, tho.
I will now be watching every episode and understanding it with cc:)
Closed captioning is great! I use it for many shows and movies, even when I can hear them just fine lol. Glad you get to appreciate it now! I’d recommend beginning no earlier than season 5 probably. There are good moments before then, but s5 is when it really finds its identity as a show.
An excellent analysis, Ben. Even though as someone who was brought up with Captain Kangaroo, Romper Room, Rex Trailer, Salty Brine, and Big Brother Bob Emery finds iSouth Park a bit jarring, I agree with you. Now, I believe that you published this piece on this forum previously. That, or I’ve been caught in a Mandela effect.
You’re not crazy! I meant to say something about that in the little disclaimer I added. I’ve done a bit of reposting on here. The culture around that feels a little different here than on Medium, as we’re always growing our subscriber lists. Sometimes I wonder whether I should go back and repost a lot more of my catalogue since so many people still haven’t read most of it, but I hate to be a nuisance to the people who’ve been here a little longer.
Thanks for taking the time to read this one twice! And you’re not wrong that it can be pretty abrasive, but it matures a lot by season 5.
Well, Ben, it goes to show you how memorable your pieces are! I have also noticed the “Summer slump” in activity on Substack. I read your note on thinking about setting up a pay wall. And you’re right — Substack seems to have trouble focusing on what it wants to be. I would say it is clearly becoming the spot where people are getting news and commentary. I dunno.
You should have a rewind day to showcase past pieces that you want to highlight. You can look at the number of “hits” you’ve gotten for past posts and reprint with that criterion or another. Summer is s particularly good time to do that, I think.
Don’t get discouraged, Ben. Thomas Paine wrote “these are the times that try men’s souls.” I think he would repeat that sentiment in 2025. Keep plugging!
There was a little while where my trajectory on here was really encouraging, but as I’ve found myself competing against more politicians, journalists, and outright rage baiters, I’ve really seen that begin to slow. Hopefully I can turn things around in the fall, but it’s been a bit sad coming to accept that paywalling more content will be necessary.
I love the rewind idea! Maybe Rewind Wednesdays or something like that.
Rewind Wednesday is perfect.
My son likes it when I transform his pictures into South Park-style images.
Nice to know the kids still get to appreciate that. I remember doing that in like elementary school lol
He just thinks the images are cute. No way in hell I am letting watch the show. He is best staying with Thomas trains, Transformers, and related content for now.
Start em young!!
I think your pre-2024 writing skills were perfectly fine, Ben.
We’re our own worst critics! I see things all up and down that I want to change, but there’s still plenty that I like about it. I just have a hard time reading over my old writing sometimes 😂
Thanks for the kind words, Jeff!
I have to confess that I quit watching SOUTH PARK for the simple reason that closed captioning didn't work then, and I couldn't understand what they were saying, for the most part.
I finally got to see episode1
and was blown away. I think there are several ways to interpret it, tho.
I will now be watching every episode and understanding it with cc:)
Closed captioning is great! I use it for many shows and movies, even when I can hear them just fine lol. Glad you get to appreciate it now! I’d recommend beginning no earlier than season 5 probably. There are good moments before then, but s5 is when it really finds its identity as a show.