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How LWN is faring in 2025

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Re: How LWN is faring in 2025

#11

Post by massysett »

Volundr wrote: post #9
wood_spirit wrote: post #7

People all around me seem to be cutting back on discretionary spending. These aren’t lwn subscribers, just normal people leading average lives, but I extrapolate that lwn subscribers are in the same boat.

I have a number of home improvement projects that I had planned on tackling this year, but I've decided I prefer those funds liquid. Same with getting a newer car. While nothings harmed my economic situation yet my confidence in pretty much everything, the stability of the job market, the economy, the country itself it at an all time low. Even here in red state territory that seems to be the general vibe.

^ This * millions of people = recession

Re: How LWN is faring in 2025

#12

Post by vlovich123 »

> Further attacks on global trade could make it more difficult for us to accept payments from outside the country, even when the buyer is willing.

Is this because of retaliatory tarrifs or is the US taxing services as part of the tarrifs? Would setting up a subsidiary help work around this?

Re: How LWN is faring in 2025

#13

Post by ModernMech »

vlovich123 wrote: post #12

> Further attacks on global trade could make it more difficult for us to accept payments from outside the country, even when the buyer is willing. Is this because of retaliatory tarrifs or is the US taxing services as part of the tarrifs? Would setting up a subsidiary help work around this?

It's probably a secondary effect of any tariffs. When people are uncertain about the future one of the first things they cut back on is entertainment subscriptions. LWN losing subs would be leading indicator of economic turmoil, so setting up subsidiaries is unlikely to help any.

Re: How LWN is faring in 2025

#14

Post by vlovich123 »

ModernMech wrote: post #13
vlovich123 wrote: post #12

> Further attacks on global trade could make it more difficult for us to accept payments from outside the country, even when the buyer is willing. Is this because of retaliatory tarrifs or is the US taxing services as part of the tarrifs? Would setting up a subsidiary help work around this?

It's probably a secondary effect of any tariffs. When people are uncertain about the future one of the first things they cut back on is entertainment subscriptions. LWN losing subs would be leading indicator of economic turmoil, so setting up subsidiaries is unlikely to help any.

That’s what the broader statement is about but this specific statement seems to be implying difficulty accepting payments.

Re: How LWN is faring in 2025

#15

Post by mongol »

nu11ptr wrote: post #2

Is this backlash against the US or indications of a recession that is starting?

It may be irrational but I cancelled a substack subscription of a US-based writer that was highly critical of Trump. On one hand, it is counter productive, but on another hand my spending is limited and I will do my utmost to support the European economy instead.

Re: How LWN is faring in 2025

#16

Post by Volundr »

massysett wrote: post #11
Volundr wrote: post #9

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I have a number of home improvement projects that I had planned on tackling this year, but I've decided I prefer those funds liquid. Same with getting a newer car. While nothings harmed my economic situation yet my confidence in pretty much everything, the stability of the job market, the economy, the country itself it at an all time low. Even here in red state territory that seems to be the general vibe.

^ This * millions of people = recession

100%, and yet I don't think I can rationally act differently. It's not like if I just keep on like everything is normal that'll save the economy. It'll just put me in a worse spot if what I'm expecting does indeed come to pass.

Re: How LWN is faring in 2025

#17

Post by KerrAvon »

Volundr wrote: post #16
massysett wrote: post #11

Earlier quoted context omitted.

^ This * millions of people = recession

100%, and yet I don't think I can rationally act differently. It's not like if I just keep on like everything is normal that'll save the economy. It'll just put me in a worse spot if what I'm expecting does indeed come to pass.

This is exactly right. If you’re old enough, you might recall George W. Bush insisting people should go shopping; the point was to encourage people to spend their way out of his recession. Didn’t work!

Re: How LWN is faring in 2025

#18

Post by dragonwriter »

KerrAvon wrote: post #17
Volundr wrote: post #16

Earlier quoted context omitted.

100%, and yet I don't think I can rationally act differently. It's not like if I just keep on like everything is normal that'll save the economy. It'll just put me in a worse spot if what I'm expecting does indeed come to pass.

This is exactly right. If you’re old enough, you might recall George W. Bush insisting people should go shopping; the point was to encourage people to spend their way out of his recession. Didn’t work!

The encouragement was mostly post-9/11 and the recession ended in November, so if it wasn't effective, it sure at least coincided with recovery.

(The recession started in March, well before 9/11, but the attempt to encourage shopping to deal with the perceived problem was a post-9/11 thing.)

The Bush recession is often perceived as longer and deeper than it was because of the poor distribution of gains (in part due to the tax burden shift of the Bush tax cuts) of the expansion that started in late 2001 and ended with the Great Recession.

Re: How LWN is faring in 2025

#20

Post by baobun »

vlovich123 wrote: post #12

> Further attacks on global trade could make it more difficult for us to accept payments from outside the country, even when the buyer is willing. Is this because of retaliatory tarrifs or is the US taxing services as part of the tarrifs? Would setting up a subsidiary help work around this?

Also sanctions and AML regulation, I would assume.
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