41 Comments

Hi Bernard, it's great to read that you've extended availability to lots more readers, I hope you get a big response, especially from the under 30's. Love your work!

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Thanks Imago. Spread that link around. Seems to be working so far.

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Thanks Bernard. I support this. So long as you're getting enough paying subscribers to cover your work, I'm happy having it shared widely. Also, look after yourself! -- you're clearly capable of doing more good work faster than most people I've worked with, but high-output achievers often fail to notice their physical limits until they discover them the hard way!

One thing about making these threads open only to paying subscribers: is there any enough-is-enough threshold at which you'd consider banning people? I'm all for a diversity of views, but at a certain point Covid & climate denialism turns into outright trolling. A few times lately it's seemed as though the noise is getting louder than the signal.

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Leaflemming. You make great points about discovering the hard way. Been there a few times. Trying to avoid that again. I'm trying not to pull commenting rights away. There's only been one or two close calls and I think we've convinced them to focus on the matters at hand. But I won't hesitate to do it if it's too painful. There's one on a final, final warning.

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Nice one!

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Thanks Plague. Don't catch it!

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Awesome stuff thanks Bernard

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Good changes, very generous.

Look after yourself Bernard.

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Thanks Lance. You know how tough these startup journeys can be. Feeling good I'm at a self-sustaining point, albeit for one person.

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Was going to implore you not to slice yourself too thin as I have no desire to go back to deep thinking on my own at all.Think the health scare may have done the job for me.Hope all is well now.We need you and this particular editorial direction.

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Thanks Sharon. Or Greg. I am in danger of figuratively slicing myself too thin. I need to do it physically, rather than figuratively. (Ie I need to lose a bit of weight)

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Kia ora Bernard, like the conclusions you've drawn and openness in sharing your plans with subscribers. Bravo and here's to a good long time ahead for the Kākā. 👍

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Thanks Donald. Much appreciate your help.

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Congrats Bernard, on taking the plunge. The plan sounds great & it's also great to get some decent reporting on these very topical subjects. Let's hope it lifts everyone's game. Personally I'd like to see much more on climate change. Stay well & many thanks

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Indeed Sandy. I am often frustrated at my own lack of time. Not enough hours. But some more scale might give us a few options for more reporting by more people.

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Kia ora Bernard it’s great to read about the ways you have been thinking re the future of The Kākā. I appreciate the focus on helping access by young people. Living on a pension I don’t fit any subsidy category but even so I support the directions.

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Thanks Lynn. Give me a yell via email if you're feeling young at heart and have the bank balance of a youngster and want to remain part of the community, rather than having to leave.

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Hi Bernard, keep up the great work 👍🏼

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Thank you Bernard for the under 30s discount - I will make a conscious effort to put an extra $10 of my fortnight pay/$20 a month towards my house deposit. :)

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Good stuff! Absolutely.

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Great stuff! Will be sending those links out to friends

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Thanks Gianni.

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Hi Bernard, I do hope that the health scare was just a little one. Remember to take care of yourself, and thanks for all this.

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Thanks Carey. Hopefully little. Pulmonary embolisms that restricted my breathing and caused chest pain. On the blood thinners now and pursuing a healthier diet. Feel much better. And resting a bit more.

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Oh goodness - be careful - this getting older business is a crock.

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Thanks Bernard, really love your work.

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I wonder if it'd be worth switching to a custom domain rather than rocking the *.substack.com sub-domain. Something like `thekaka.nz` I guess.

Substack appears to be a good platform, but if for some reason you needed to switch platforms a custom domain would make it easier to take the traffic with you. Also since you're planning on opening more content up, it's more likely that content will be linked to, and you want to ensure those will continue to work long term and get directed to a site you control.

Just some thoughts from an open-web advocate :)

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Thanks Philip. Great idea and on my to-do list. I have thekaka.co.nz I just need to work out how to do it via substack. I'm told it can be done.

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Hi Bernard, love what your doing. I would like to see at some stage a deeper-dive article on the question which you have mentioned before. What size should our population in NZ be and how to control that. Look after yourself.

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Good reminder. Thanks George.

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