Let's Talk About Fridays
Some early poll returns from the Reader Survey to muse on, plus "Sibling Meals."
Thanks so much to everyone who has completed the Reader Survey already! We got over 300 responses in just two days. I’d like to get at least 1,000 before I start really crunching the data at the end of this month so please do fill it out if you haven’t already. (And remember, you’ll be entered in our Burnt Toast Turns Two Giveaway!)
But one early theme that’s getting repeated enough to go ahead and talk about now is: A lot of mixed feelings about these Friday emails. Some of you just aren’t into Threads. (I get it, online community is not everyone’s jam!) Some of you find the links and recs overwhelming and want to go back to shorter Friday emails (just the thread prompt). Some of you (less of you, ha) like the current set-up!
The backstory on links & recs is that I read so many interesting things during the week and they don’t all rate a full newsletter on their own, but I still want to pass them along so we can discuss or ponder in some way. I also didn’t want the Friday emails to feel completely pointless for the free list who aren’t going to join the thread discussion, so thought adding a few good links would ensure everyone gets something tasty. But I get that it makes for a longer newsletter (and more work for me)!
I didn’t include a specific question in the survey about this format, so I’m popping a poll in here:
And, I’m opening up comments to everyone today so you can share any further thoughts you have about the Friday format, or the newsletter in general. No matter how obsessively I craft the survey, there are always comments like “I didn’t see a place to talk about XYZ…” so here you go! Discuss away! (Be nice but honest. I trust you.)
And Here is a Very Short Link List Because I Cannot Resist
My goodness. This piece from Roxane Gay:
Absolutely stealing this siblings meal idea from Cup of Jo:
This twitter thread is the best review I have read of FAT TALK.
I am very deliberately NOT linking to the Washington Post ozempic piece that you all sent me to rant about and instead will link to this interview I did with CNN, getting into everything that’s concerning about the current Ozempic discourse.
I actually like the threads and links together.
It feels like either way there’s something of interest for me--like, maybe I don’t have time or energy for a thread discussion on a particular Friday, but on that day I will enjoy a quick look (or even a deep dive) into some links. Or maybe the links don’t grab me, but the discussion does. And if for some reason neither does, that’s OK too, every post can’t speak to everyone.
That said, if you need to split them up, I’m here for it any which way that works for you.
My only issue with links, (and I've made this comment in other newsletters) is if you could name the publication before the link, so I know if I am using up one of my 'free' links or if it's to a publication I already subscribe to. Some newsletters just say 'oh you've got to read this', with not much explanation, and it turns out to be my last free link and sometimes it wasn't worth it, if that makes sense. I subscribe to a lot of media, but can't afford everything, so rationing is a choice I need to make!