134 Comments
User's avatar
Pawletto's avatar

This should be a free listen if you are suggesting your paid subscribers go to another Substack to have a listen. Simpler to have the interview free on Racket (for your paid subscribers) than risk frustrating your followers.

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Kathleen McCook's avatar

I apologize. I'm new to helping and didn't realize this alert would cause that issue. It's a really good interview and I'll see what I can do.--K

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Pawletto's avatar

Until Matt addresses our concerns here, I’ll pause my auto renewal to Racket (year subscription so not a formal cancel). I think he should chime in. If he’s above all this, then oh well. I’ve little time for influencers’ myopia.

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KEITH HELLER's avatar

Agreed, want to hear Matt!

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Kelly Green's avatar

Avoid QTR. The guy's main claim to fame has been calling Tesla stock out as likely to drop, when, over the period he's been saying that, it has been up more than 10x. Then he was like "see I called it" when it dropped from 12x to 10x. I cant laugh loudly enough at this broken clock.

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Kelly Green's avatar

More detail: we got introed to him at Racket in April 2024 when Matt talked w him. He pointed to QTR's peak Tesla call in Aug 2022, made after years of the stock going up when he said it would drop. At the time he claimed victory because stock was down 40% from Aug 2022 to then. However, as of this writing stock more than doubled those levels recently and now is up 25% since Aug 2022's "peak Tesla" call by broken "broken clock" QTR.

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Lawyers Guns & Money's avatar

Do you also expect free access to Netflix if Matt is interviewed there?

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Kathleen McCook's avatar

I apologize. I'm new to helping and didn't realize this alert would cause that issue. It's a really good interview and I'll see what I can do.--K

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Tim's avatar
Feb 26Edited

Fair enough...but for consideration ...perhaps Matt could have negotiated

a transcript which he then could have posted on Racket News for his

paid up customers. Heck where is Trump when you need him?

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Kathleen McCook's avatar

I apologize. I'm new to helping and didn't realize this alert would cause that issue. It's a really good interview and I'll see what I can do.--K

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Tim's avatar

Kathleen.....Don't fuss; it's no big deal.

Cheers

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DarkSkyBest's avatar

"Like," and thanks.

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Pawletto's avatar

I don’t know Matt personally, but it seemed unlike him not to have given a heads up about the paywall, a common gesture these days. As for paying for a subscription to Netflix or any other platform just to hear Matt, nope, I pay for this Substack to follow him, and I hear free interviews with him plenty of other places.

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Kathleen McCook's avatar

I apologize. I'm new to helping and didn't realize this alert would cause that issue. It's a really good interview and I'll see what I can do.--K

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NJH6945's avatar

It cost 29.99 a month for this Quoth the Raven substack.

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Mr Seuss's avatar

It's a fantastic Substack, and I'm an avid reader. (I don't pay for it though 🤫)

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Pawletto's avatar

This interview is only for paid subscribers when I checked.

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NagsHeadLocal's avatar

Holy Mackerel - really? I thought only sites involving S-E-X cost that much.

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DarkSkyBest's avatar

This seems fair. Not saying I am entitled to it, but thought I was because of the presentation.

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- -'s avatar
Feb 26Edited

Same. The post and email from Racket make it appear like content available to paid Racket subscribers, only to be presented with a separate paywall after following the link, which seems more like an ad or marketing ploy. Bad form.

Edit to note that I don't feel entitled to free content or begrudge QTR for being subscription-based. My critique is the same as DarkSkyBest and only about the presentation.

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Kathleen McCook's avatar

My fault. I'll be more careful in the future.

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- -'s avatar

Your reply is appreciated Kathleen. Racket is doing good work, and engagement with the subscribers goes a long way towards its continued improvement. Thank you for working to present the interview without the paywall to subscribers here. Cheers!

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DarkSkyBest's avatar

Well said.

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Nick Koutsoukis's avatar

It's a little confusing but here's what happened to me: I subscribe to Matt's Substack but not to the Substack that is hosting this discussion. When I clicked on the link I got the message that I'm not subscribed. But I also wasn't logged into Matt's substack and when I DID log onto Matt's, I could listen to the discussion. I don't know why and/or if this is the way it is supposed to work.

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Pawletto's avatar

The investigative reporter in me has gotta ask: were you paid for the interview (in which case I suppose they can call the shots)?

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Vicki C.'s avatar

Matt are you able to remove the paywall for your paid subscribers? I would love to read the article but can’t access it.

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Kathleen McCook's avatar

I apologize. I'm new to helping and didn't realize this alert would cause that issue. It's a really good interview and I'll see what I can do.--K

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Vicki C.'s avatar

Thank you Ms. McCook. You response is appreciated :)

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JennyStokes's avatar

I was asked today to join a substack account:

Couldn't read it because I had to pay.

Listen and learn all you new substackers: We do not have the money to pay for a substack we know nothing about.

Every substack......should have a free read for the first time.

This place is becoming about money not about speech.

I will gladly pay for people I would like to hear from....not interested if I cannot have a free view!

I might remind everyone if You put a podcast on substack MAKE SURE you have subtitles. Deaf people cannot hear!

I subscribe to Matt........I would like to hear this substack!

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Kathleen McCook's avatar

I apologize. I'm new to helping and didn't realize this alert would cause that issue. It's a really good interview and I'll see what I can do.--K

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JennyStokes's avatar

Thanks.

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Bobby Lime's avatar

There should ALWAYS be a transcript, too. I can read a lot faster than I can listen, and bet you can, too.

I think that ultimately Substack is going to prove to be for eager aspirants the publishing equivalent of the old bromide about the quest for stage stardom: "For every light on Broadway, there are a thousand broken hearts."

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JennyStokes's avatar

Hello Bobby.

I don't know how long I have been on here but it's been LONG. I was so excited to be here.

Every single thing in the USA turns into a 'money oriented' enterprise!

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Tim's avatar

Jenny..America is one big hustle and always has been.

A.K.A. The American Dream...unfortunately now a nightmare

for some but you can still hustle. Take a look at Trump's new hats :>)

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JennyStokes's avatar

Aagh..............I don't want to look at anything to do with Trump!

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Animal Crackers's avatar

Old saying: Every good cause eventually turns into a racket. Enjoy while you can.

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Lawyers Guns & Money's avatar

Welcome to people earning a living. Money is required for life. So people work.

No one has any right to the output of someone else’s efforts. Pay if you want, don’t if you don’t. But don’t whine about people earning a dollar.

This is, after all, America, where we have capitalism.

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DarkSkyBest's avatar

Not whining at all. In fact, I can't believe how much content we get on Racket News. But I just thought I would be able to click onto hear talked about what the headline said. Nobody's fault. But, poor presentation.

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Kathleen McCook's avatar

I apologize. I'm new to helping and didn't realize this alert would cause that issue. It's a really good interview and I'll see what I can do.--K

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DarkSkyBest's avatar

No problemo, KM. You're "one of us, one of us . . ." Laughing emoji

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JennyStokes's avatar

As usual people don' read properly.

How does one KNOW what a new substack is like IF you can't read it without paying!

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Lawyers Guns & Money's avatar

If someone told me they KNEW I'd like James Patterson's books, I don't feel like I need to go to Barnes & Noble and read an entire book to decide if I want to buy it or others. Sometimes I take someone's advice.

And some people don' spell properly.

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JennyStokes's avatar

I am not talking about reading an 'entire book!'

I am talking about substack posters giving people ONE free post!

Of course you go AWOL

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Animal Crackers's avatar

Amen to all of this, including the need for subtitles on podcasts.

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Lawyers Guns & Money's avatar

When a person with one media organization (Matt with Racket News) is interviewed by another organization, he may note that his interview is available. It’s up to the listener whether to pay to listen, or not, if you don’t subscribe to the other.

Like if Stephen A. Smith let you know he was interviewed on Bomani Jones’s podcast. If you don’t subscribe to Bomani, you don’t get it. Like if anyone is interviewed by the NYTimes, you can’t read it unless you subscribe.

We’ve gone from “I want everything for free on the internet!” to “I subscribe to one guy, how come everything else isn’t free?”

Sorry to break it to everyone, but people need to be paid for their work. No whining.

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Gabrielle's avatar

Phew. So grateful for this rational adult response after wasting time slogging through tall children whining. Bless you.

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Kathleen McCook's avatar

Thanks, I really didn't mean to make a confusion.

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Tommy T's avatar

😂😂😂😂😂😂😂 you’re absolutely the reason people have such a LOW opinion of lawyers, GFY🖕🏻

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Lawyers Guns & Money's avatar

Actually not a lawyer.

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Billy Masterson's avatar

I am glad you are merely an arms dealer with cash! Lawyers do so take the bloom off.

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lydistan's avatar

It was never for free.

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Lawyers Guns & Money's avatar

Of course it was, and much of it still is. Content came long before paywalls.

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ElgeeR's avatar

Any chance USAID is still covering subscription fees? Is there a form to submit or something?

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PhilH's avatar

You have to ask FEMA

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John J’onzz's avatar

Nice to see Kathleen McCook joining the ranks of Racket, as resident librarian. I've been enjoying her newsletter about books, libraries and our disappearing cultural memory for a couple of years now.

Love that Matt's media hits are shared here, even if this one is behind a paywall. I read Reason's newsletter this morning, and Taibbi will be the guest on this week's "Just Asking Questions" with Liz Wolfe and Zach Weissmuller.

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Kathleen McCook's avatar

Thank you for understanding. I didn't think it through. This was my fault.

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John J’onzz's avatar

There's nobody at fault here! You should post any Taibbi media hits. Yes, Quoth the Raven is behind a paywall — I think he uses theses Taibbi appearances to drive paid subscribers (he's sometimes done sales coupled with these appearances) — and Taibbi's fine to do a paywalled interview, Quoth the Raven is fine to charge for what he does, and we're all fine to pay for it, or not (which seems more likely in this case).

Nice to see you officially here, and I'm looking forward to seeing what you add to the site. I wouldn't take the complaints to heart; what is the internet besides an infinite complaint box?

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Ollo Gorog's avatar

You know what? Don't push things at me that are pay-to-read. It's insulting.

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Kathleen McCook's avatar

I apologize. I'm new to helping and didn't realize this alert would cause that issue. It's a really good interview and I'll see what I can do.--K

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Lawyers Guns & Money's avatar

And don’t whine when you can’t have free extras. It’s embarrassing.

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Ollo Gorog's avatar

Whoa! I'm just asking for it NOT TO BE PUSHED AT ME! Get it??

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Kathleen McCook's avatar

I apologize. I'm new to helping and didn't realize this alert would cause that issue. It's a really good interview and I'll see what I can do.--K

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Ollo Gorog's avatar

Thank you, Kathleen. I appreciate the reply.

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Ollo Gorog's avatar

And btw, Mr. Guns & Money - there are those of us that work very hard to keep advertising out of our lives. I am one of those. I understand that you're probably a person that is used to things you don't want being pushed at you. I get it. That's the way most people are. They're used to it. However, I'm not, so I'm a little testy on the issue.

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Lawyers Guns & Money's avatar

You're still stewing about this 3 days later? Chill. We all hate advertising. All best wishes in avoiding it.

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Ollo Gorog's avatar

Not stewing. Just thought I'd give civil discourse with you a try. So, how do you think this one went?

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Ollo Gorog's avatar

You see, Mr. Guns & Money? I've trapped you! You have no way out! That is, except to have a tantrum and just spew screed from your moniker.

You fucking hate me right now, don't you? You're trying to come up with something that'll justify your uncivilized online behavior. Go ahead. Let's hear it.

EDIT: I'm a military trained killer, and something about that training and experience gave me an insight into what constitutes liberty. Mr Guns & Money seems to me to be a freakin Karen, which is an anathema to liberty!

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Lawyers Guns & Money's avatar

You're amusing. Let's see, your questions:

1. I thought we were being civil, even with that ALL CAPS yelling at me you were doing.

2. I don't hate you. I don't know you, so how could I have an opinion? Though I have to say my first impression could be better.

Every person who served (or serves) is a militarily trained killer. How often do you trot that one out when someone ties you up in your own knot?

And I was not aware we were discussing "liberty," much less what constitutes it.

Let's recap:

1. You, among others, was bitching because you couldn't get the interview with Matt for free.

2. I asked that people not whine when they don't get free stuff.

3. You yelled that you don't like advertising PUSHED AT YOU!

4. You've been stewing for days and came back with this nonsense?

5. If anyone has been uncivil, it is obviously you. You're raising your voice, swearing at me, and tossing off your implied threat bullshit.

All I ever said was that the whining was embarrassing. And it still is, though you've outdone yourself with this fruit basket. Sayonara, self-proclaimed tough guy.

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Kelly Green's avatar

Lol. A person replying days later hasn't been stewing. They have been living life. Anyone actually thinking about an internet argument wouldn't wait to post.

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Kelly Green's avatar

Isnt it embarrassing to whine about people asking for free access when asking for it... worked, as they got access? And since when is whining about whining not simply embarassing from the start?

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Lawyers Guns & Money's avatar

In English, please?

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Kelly Green's avatar

Auf wiedersehen.

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Sam Francis's avatar

I agree with the idea that a paid Racket subscriber should at least have access to the transcript.

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Billy Masterson's avatar

Sorry, already paying for too many Substacks.

Put up a transcript and maybe a I'll reconsider.

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Diamond Boy's avatar

We can’t read it, MATT

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Kathleen McCook's avatar

I apologize. I'm new to helping and didn't realize this alert would cause that issue. It's a really good interview and I'll see what I can do.--K

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Sybil's avatar

“QTR kindly shared the video with Racket without a paywall below” Thanks, Kathleen!!!!!!!

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MelodicMethod's avatar

not happy to be sent to a paywall >:(

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Kathleen McCook's avatar

I apologize. I'm new to helping and didn't realize this alert would cause that issue. It's a really good interview and I'll see what I can do.--K

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KARENA's avatar

Thanks for opening up this interview to Racket peeps! Appreciate your efforts!

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Elmore's avatar

There's no way to listen to Matt!

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Christine Summerson's avatar

I would love to read a transcript if one becomes available.

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steven t koenig's avatar

That was a fail. You sent me an email about an interview you did, but I cant hear or even read it. C'mon, man. That was rude.

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Kathleen McCook's avatar

I apologize. I'm new to helping and didn't realize this alert would cause that issue. It's a really good interview and I'll see what I can do.--K

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