This week the Honorary Unsubscribe marks the first time that I know that the “honoree” was indeed a This is True reader (it’s called “honorary” for a reason!) But in this case, Jerry was, in fact, one of my best friends — and a Premium subscriber.
I flew out to California last week to deliver his eulogy. While I was in California, I got a rather nifty message from Chip in Minnesota. The point of presenting it here is not to show you what a “great deal” True upgrades are, but rather to show what one reader is doing with his subscription:
I have been a paid subscriber for over a year. I have a 13-year-old son in 7th grade and most Tuesday nights when the new edition arrives I make a point of lying on his bed at night and I read the stories out loud. We have come to look forward to this little ritual each week. We usually get a very good laugh at some of the insane behavior of our fellow travelers on planet earth. I find it comforting to point out some of the bonehead behaviors and hope he learns what not to do…. Some of the stuff is a bit risque, but I’ve come to use it as a means of sex education: meaning I can see what he knows already. But we also enjoy the honorary unsubscribe. I always look forward to seeing who you have picked and like your idea of celebrating lesser-knowns who have done great things or were just good people. But this is a way of sharing some of the true human goodness with my son too. So, net, thanks for your service. Your price is too low. I expect continued great things from you. And I look forward to many years of sharing this with my son, even when he reads his own copy at college or whatever. Keep up the good work. –Chip, Minnesota
Of course I love making a living at being a professional smartass, but letters like that are an even better reward, and it arrived right when I needed it. Thanks, Chip.
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Q: Why would I want to pay more than the minimum rate?
A: To support the publication to help it thrive and stay online: this kind of support means less future need for price increases (and smaller increases when they do happen), which enables more people to upgrade. This option was requested by existing Premium subscribers.