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The paywall sometimes just affects whether you're allowed to comment or not. I can understand the reason for this but it is very much like having a mask suddenly slapped across your face. One's voice is suddenly stifled.

Blocking and the varying degrees of banning are a continuation of this. Although, again, I can understand that at times the necessity for it. But what I'm noticing is 'it' can keep the author from having to be transparent and honest with themselves or others.

It also seems to intensify the need for belonging in the group, the followers. It echoes the group dynamic of 'we need to get jabbed for the common good'. 'I need to belong and must not question' dynamic.

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The thought of having to pay for the right to speak seems pretty insidious to me, a bad precedent for things to come.

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Yeah this is the piece. People talk about cancel culture and the devastation of mask wearing on so many levels. And yet there is so much judgement and cancelling just deeply ingrained in 'us'.

Yes paying for the right to speak or paying for info about what's happening when so many have had opportunities just yanked from them.

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One thing for sure, the price of keeping some remnant of Free Speech is to speak up often and enthusiastically with truth as the target.

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Beautiful, absolutely ❤️

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That's why I decided to just request donations, although heaven knows I could use a few bucks. 😄 Part of it's just that my other obligations make posting regularly difficult, but the other is that I want people to think about what I'm saying, so I'll leave it up to them whether they think it's worth a tip.

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Polite conversation on an open forum isn't easy, but ignoring and/or warning the disruptors is part of maintaining the desired culture. I agree it's a struggle sometimes reminding myself it can't be personal if the person doesn't actually know me. 😉

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You can have paid subscribers without putting up a paywall. I think there are many who take paid subscriptions and don't post a lot.

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Exactly—that's how I set up Stronghold Too. Everything's there for the world to read, such as it is. If people want to subscribe, I'll be delighted. If they just want to drop a buck or three into the tip-jar, that's lovely, too. Otherwise, I'll settle for polite conversation. 😄

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I've been wondering about the idea of polite conversation. If I'm feeling super reactive and defensive I like to pull back and not go there. Possibly I fail at times.

But what is the appropriate etiquette for this 'moment' in time.

I know, I know... don't get reactive and defensive and never ever share feelings (that was maybe more sarcastic). If you're falling down a deep dark well and this is the tenth time today, please just do it with a smile on your face (argh... more sarcasm)

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This is an excellent summary. You saved me a lot of time that I don't really have to say the same thing.

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By the way, I have been sending notes to people that I do not respect paywall requirements for commenting or for reading "the real meat of the message."

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