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Support the Daily Grail

A few weeks ago I suggested an annual ‘voluntary subscription’ to The Daily Grail to help keep the site running, evolving, and independent. As the month comes to an end, I thought it worth posting one more time for those that missed it.

I don’t do this frivolously. I can only say, as a guy with the experience of running a website almost non-stop for 12 years, that this sort of crowd-funding model is either the future of the internet, or the independent internet will soon be dead. The time and expense involved is considerable, and cannot be absorbed by a guy with a wife and three kids forever. If you can’t afford a $5 donation for a year of daily updates (seriously?), you can do other things to help the site. Support any of the sponsors who purchase banner space by checking out their wares if they are of interest. Put links to The Daily Grail or our articles on your site, email them to your friends, or post them to Facebook or Twitter.

Here’s the link through which you can send a secure, voluntary subscription to The Daily Grail via PayPal (either using a PayPal account, or using credit card/bank account details):

(edit 11th May 2011: the button has now been removed due to a change in PayPal account)

Apathy sucks. Show some passion and support the good things in the world.

Editor
  1. Never let it die!
    I really have no problem supporting this site, but I don’t have a PayPal account or card, in fact I have no credit cards at all (I know you won’t believe me but it’s true). It was the only way to keep out of debt while I was in school, I had enough money troubles. I will try to support the site in the future.

    1. Support
      [quote=LastLoup]I really have no problem supporting this site, but I don’t have a PayPal account or card, in fact I have no credit cards at all (I know you won’t believe me but it’s true). It was the only way to keep out of debt while I was in school, I had enough money troubles. I will try to support the site in the future.[/quote]

      Hi LL,

      Thanks, I understand many people can’t use the PayPal function and appreciate your note. In many ways, just a ‘thanks’ is good enough for me and the admins. As mentioned in my post, just spreading word about the site, bringing in a new reader or two, can make a difference in terms of advertising revenue and future growth.

      1. Thanks!
        [quote=Greg][quote=LastLoup]I really have no problem supporting this site, but I don’t have a PayPal account or card, in fact I have no credit cards at all (I know you won’t believe me but it’s true). It was the only way to keep out of debt while I was in school, I had enough money troubles. I will try to support the site in the future.[/quote]

        Hi LL,

        Thanks, I understand many people can’t use the PayPal function and appreciate your note. In many ways, just a ‘thanks’ is good enough for me and the admins. As mentioned in my post, just spreading word about the site, bringing in a new reader or two, can make a difference in terms of advertising revenue and future growth.[/quote]

        I am a admin on another blog I belong to but it’s a completely different type of site. Whenever I make appearances at festivals or whatever, I hand out business cards that advertise the site and encourage new members to join. I know how hard it is to run a blog, or for that matter any website. I had to shut down my own site because the host dropped me, and on the other blog I am working with it’s creator to make it less of a costly venture. Unfortunately I have no friends that I know of that enjoy the types of subjects on this site. But without question I would mention this site to someone in conversation. Thank you Greg, really this site has helped me discover so many things and helped me countless times in research.

  2. About time…
    I’ve been reading The Daily Grail weekly for years now so I guess it’s time I gave something back. $20US isn’t much for all the value I’ve had out of this site. Dig deep people, you’ll feel better about yourself 🙂

    1. Cheers!
      [quote=bassius]I’ve been reading The Daily Grail weekly for years now so I guess it’s time I gave something back. $20US isn’t much for all the value I’ve had out of this site. Dig deep people, you’ll feel better about yourself :)[/quote]

      Thanks Bassius, much appreciated! Now that I know your username, I’ve added it to the ‘trusted user’ list and hopefully it should avoid the need for filling out spam captchas.

  3. made my donation
    Greg,

    happily sent you $25 bucks. putting my money where my mouth is (or where my eyes are?)

    I read TDG about every day. well worth the price of admission.

    1. Thanks!
      [quote=The Cancer Man]Greg,

      happily sent you $25 bucks. putting my money where my mouth is (or where my eyes are?)

      I read TDG about every day. well worth the price of admission.[/quote]

      Thanks Cancer Man. You know, for the amount of readers we have, there haven’t been a lot of contributions. But those people that have are sure generous folk. Y’all rock!

      Say hello to Mulder from me. ;P

    1. Thank you
      [quote=bladerunner]Thank You. Wish I could afford more then 6$. Love the Grail.[/quote]

      Thanks Bladerunner, and thanks also for all your positive contributions to the site over the years.

  4. Subscription option?
    Hi Greg,

    I’ve already donated by PayPal a couple of weeks ago but had an idea that you might consider. Perhaps offer some of the features (such as personal blogs) to subscribers only? I’d be happy to pay a yearly subscription of, say, $25 for the privilege of airing my peculiar views on a well-attended site such as TDG.

    Anyhow, good look with the appeal.

    Dave.

    1. Good thoughts
      [quote=kamarling]I’ve already donated by PayPal a couple of weeks ago but had an idea that you might consider. Perhaps offer some of the features (such as personal blogs) to subscribers only? I’d be happy to pay a yearly subscription of, say, $25 for the privilege of airing my peculiar views on a well-attended site such as TDG.
      [/quote]

      Thanks Dave, really appreciate the financial contribution as well as all the great thoughts you bring to the site. I’ve had a lot of thoughts about privileges that voluntary subscribers could have…it’s difficult to give ‘featured content’ privilege as, quite frankly, I get some very odd emails about things people want posted on the site. Would make it difficult to keep control of the quality of the site I think.

      Other ideas are to have an ad-free version of the site for voluntary subscribers, discounts on books, and also regular competitions with prizes just for the voluntary subscribers.

  5. No Credit Cards
    Greg,

    I have no credit cards or paypal. Australian $5 = About Japanese 400 Yen. If you mail me an invoice that I can pay at the post office or bank for 400 Yen. I will happily pay it. You can e-mail me to get my home address. However, please, don’t disclose my home address.

    To cover postage you can make the invoice out for 600 Japanese yen. I would be happy to pay you. My problem is getting the money to you.

    1. Don’t go to trouble
      [quote=cnnek]If you mail me an invoice that I can pay at the post office or bank for 400 Yen. I will happily pay it. You can e-mail me to get my home address. However, please, don’t disclose my home address. [/quote]

      Cnnek,

      Thanks, appreciate the thought, but I don’t want anyone going to lengths to make a donation. If you can spread word about the site to others, that would be great support for the site.

      1. I’ve Been Spreading The Word!
        Gregg,

        I’d be happy to go to lengths to donate. In Japan we don’t have chequeing accounts. So, I can’t send you a cheque. I can only donate with cash. But, let me think. Maybe, I can come up with something.

    1. Oops
      [quote=Kathrinn]You should have received it by now – sent last week. If not, please advise.
      [/quote]

      Hi Kathrinn,

      If you’re referring to a cheque, you must have missed the note in my original post a few weeks back:

      Also, for those that have previously noted my mailing address – it has since changed, so please do not send anything to the address you have on hand.

      It might be worth cancelling the cheque as I will not receive anything sent to the old address (unless it is returned to you). Besides which, as far as I’m concerned your contribution last year was enough to justify 10 years of reading the Grail. Thank you for the thought all the same, I appreciate it very much.

      1. Not a cheque
        Greg – I did see your note, and no, it wasn’t a cheque. I sent money by bankcard through the Donate button. Hope you got it. Sorry it wasn’t as much as last year but times have been a bit tough.

        Regards, Kathrinn

        1. Received
          [quote=Kathrinn]Greg – I did see your note, and no, it wasn’t a cheque. I sent money by bankcard through the Donate button. Hope you got it. [/quote]

          Got it, thanks Kathrinn! Glad you saw the note, and many thanks for your (multi-faceted) contribution to The Daily Grail. 🙂

  6. Thank you to all
    Thank you to everyone that has taken time to contribute a voluntary subscription, you don’t know how much I appreciate your generosity. Though the percentage of contributors (compared to site visitors) isn’t very high, the thoughtfulness of those few amazes me. I appreciate each and every one, regardless of the amount. It gives me a lot of faith that what we do here is a good thing.

  7. Karma Donation
    Times are real tough right now; so to all the people who would like to donate to the site but *really* can’t afford it right now, I have a small suggestion: Karma Donation.

    I.e. making a small prayer wishing well-being & health To Greg and his family —and maybe to us admins if you have the inclination, God knows I could use some good vibes sent to my side of the globe 🙂

    1. *blink*
      [quote=connieswan]Thanks for asking — glad to do it. Keep up the good work![/quote]

      Thanks so much Connie, you are too generous. I have added your username to the ‘trusted users’ list, so hopefully you won’t encounter too many spam measures in future if you want to post blogs or comment. Thanks again, much appreciated!

  8. Apathy sucks.
    Here’s twenty usd, Greg.

    I have something to say to those of you out there who KNOW you love this site. For those of you who KNOW you use this site. For those who KNOW you rely on this site.

    Wanna know how to really feel good about yourself? Want to know how to do something that seems really really small, but will actually make you feel good to your core? Find 5 bucks you have laying around and give it to Greg.

    I’m going to tell you a little secret. For those of you who love this site, who continue to come to this site, but who do not give back to this site, there is a part of you that feels guilty EVERY SINGLE TIME YOU VISIT THIS SITE. Think about that. Even when Greg no longer has his “Donate” button in your face with a HUMBLE request for funding, and your conscious mind forgets entirely the fact that he runs this site for you, that part is always there. It sits in your subconscious mind and feeds on you. It pairs up with other guilts that you have and they torment you. That is why guilt exists. That guilt is YOU making sure that you are paying(one way or another) for the use of this wonderful web page. No matter how small it may be, IT IS ALWAYS THERE…and guilt no matter how small, effects EVERY PART OF YOUR LIFE.

    If you love this site yet are not willing to give up a few measly dollars…a hamburger and a soda, morning coffee for a week, a few beers, a couple of packs of gum worth of money, you are a sad sad person. Do the right thing for crying out loud.

    I don’t have a credit card either. Here’s what I did. I went to the ATM. I pulled out 20 bucks. I gave it to my friend who DOES have a credit card, SHE logged on and clicked the donate button for me.

    From the depths of my being, Greg, thank you for The Daily Grail.

    Dustin

    1. Cheers!
      [quote=dustincole]From the depths of my being, Greg, thank you for The Daily Grail. [/quote]

      Hey, thanks for being here! The site is all about bringing together people with a genuine interest in thinking deeply about the world, and alternative possibilities. Love it every time we get a new member with their own views to add to the mix.

      Appreciate your contribution, thanks so much for making the effort.

  9. Greg,
    I am working on a small

    Greg,
    I am working on a small donation, but it should be interesting to you to hear that my friends and I have a little group of Grailers out here in Fargo (yea, like the movie) that has been slowly growing over the past couple of years. Although I recently created a user profile, I have been here anonymously for quite some time. TDG is the site I visit first every day, and we are all indebted to al the hard work that you have done. Thanks for everything and keep on with the attempts to snuff out the flame of rationality, we are all here supporting ya!

    JR

  10. Thank you!
    I have been enjoying this site for years. I donated anonymously last year, and donated again today. I registered to leave this comment because I want express my appreciation for the great daily reads. This is one of my favorite websites, where I know I can come for a ‘pick-me-up’ of High Strangeness whenever I need it! Thanks for the hard work!

    1. Great to hear from you
      [quote=Os.Xiong]I have been enjoying this site for years. I donated anonymously last year, and donated again today. I registered to leave this comment because I want express my appreciation for the great daily reads.[/quote]

      Thanks Os, wonderful to hear from you – appreciate your kind comments about the site, and glad it’s offered something positive to you.

      I have added your username to the ‘trusted users’ list, so if you feel like joining in discussions in future you should avoid most of the anti-spam measures.

  11. An extra note
    I’d also like to send a massive “Thank you” to all the Admins for their tireless work bringing readers a selection of interesting news items. Also thank you to all those who post comments and take part in discussions – I read everything. Life without the Grail wouldn’t be worth living!

    Gratefully, Kathrinn

    1. Donation
      I did recently become a member of this site, but I have been reading it for several years. All the articles, news and interesting stuff I have found on The Daily Grail through these years is priceless. I remember last time you had the donation-thing going, and I really wantet to give but as a student I was low on cash.
      But now (although I’m still a student), I work for the summer at a bar/restaurant where I live in Trondheim, Norway, and I earn some money. A part of that I would gladly donate to the Grail.
      Hope my 35$ will help the site! And a great thanks to Greg and all the Admins, you are doing a great job!

      1. Thanks so much
        [quote=Mordred]Hope my 35$ will help the site! And a great thanks to Greg and all the Admins, you are doing a great job![/quote]

        Thanks so much Mordred, and appreciate your spot-on kudos for the admins as well. Have added your username to the ‘trusted users’ list, so hopefully you avoid the anti-spam measures anytime you want to post in future.

    2. Yup
      [quote=Kathrinn]I’d also like to send a massive “Thank you” to all the Admins for their tireless work bringing readers a selection of interesting news items. Also thank you to all those who post comments and take part in discussions – I read everything. Life without the Grail wouldn’t be worth living![/quote]

      Onya Kathrinn, well said!

  12. Thank you
    The Daily Grail is a wonderful site and I’ve been reading it for a long time; I start my mornings off by checking TDG me, my coffee, and TDG! Glad to contribute something, sorry it can’t be more, wish I had funds to support all the great bloggers and writers out there. Thanks for bringing us good stuff.

    1. Feel the same
      [quote=rlee]The Daily Grail is a wonderful site and I’ve been reading it for a long time; I start my mornings off by checking TDG me, my coffee, and TDG! Glad to contribute something, sorry it can’t be more, wish I had funds to support all the great bloggers and writers out there. Thanks for bringing us good stuff.[/quote]

      Thanks Regan. I feel the same way – Darklore is one of my attempts to create something that benefits all…reader, publisher and contributors, and in the latter case hopefully reward some of those reseacher-bloggers for all the good things they post to the ‘net.

      As I’ve mentioned, I really feel that the ‘voluntary subscription’ thing has to become something that all internet users think about incorporating into their budget. Once a year, setting aside some cash to donate to all the bloggers/podcasters/software designers that create good things for free. Doing so would create a whole new model of creative reward, based entirely on goodwill.

  13. Donation
    Greg,

    I’ve just instructed $100 to wing its way to you down under through cyberspace. Rather than selfishly claiming a twenty year subscription for myself (ha, ha!), I thought I’d send it to you as this year’s contribution on behalf of all my fellow “Grailers” as a heartfelt token of our appreciation for all your hard work and all the hard work of your fellow Admins.

    Cheers,
    Troglet

    1. Bewm
      [quote=troglet]I’ve just instructed $100 to wing its way to you down under through cyberspace. Rather than selfishly claiming a twenty year subscription for myself (ha, ha!), I thought I’d send it to you as this year’s contribution on behalf of all my fellow “Grailers” as a heartfelt token of our appreciation for all your hard work and all the hard work of your fellow Admins. [/quote]

      Wow! Thanks so much Troglet – and feel free to consider it a long-term ‘subscription’ if you wish, it’s certainly far more than I would expect from readers for a one year ‘subscription’.

      You have just been inducted into the Daily Grail ‘trusted user’ list, your username will now get you into the secret meetings in the basement of the town hall now. Don’t forget to wear your horned helmet.

      1. It never occurred to me…
        …that I should get my hand in my cyber-pocket and make a contribution. Consider that rectified! I’ve been reading and enjoying this site for years now and it’s a job excellently done!

        I do miss the Pravda links though 😉

        1. Bravo
          [quote=SuperTed]…that I should get my hand in my cyber-pocket and make a contribution. Consider that rectified! I’ve been reading and enjoying this site for years now and it’s a job excellently done!
          [/quote]

          You, dear user, have the best avatar I have seen on this site. Who can argue with Super Ted?
          🙂

      2. Greg,
        Firstly, I’d like to

        Greg,

        Firstly, I’d like to thank you for the site. I look forward to reading it every day and if a site like this had to shut down due to lack of funds then we may as well pack up the internet and hand the whole thing over to the paywallers.

        I’d also like to thank you for your grace under pressure. Whether it be name calling, failing to post your comments during a discussion or wilfully misinterpreting you, the good humour you have handled these situations with is a real credit to yourself and an example to the rest of us interested in Forteana.

        ps: I sent you a donation of 50 USD on the 5th July. If you could trust my username as well that would be great. I am already wearing the horned helmet…why I am also naked is harder to explain.

          1. Hey!
            [quote=kamarling]For 50 USD I’m sure Greg is already down to his string vest.[/quote]

            You definitely don’t get the job as my street pimp. Where’s the hard sell?

        1. Trustified!
          [quote=oh_pollo]I sent you a donation of 50 USD on the 5th July. If you could trust my username as well that would be great. [/quote]

          Thanks for the kind comments, appreciated as much as the wonderful donation.

          Being the God of the Grail that I am, I have reached down into the inner-workings of this site and pressed the magic button that makes your username trustified. If you start hearing trumpets and angelic choirs, then I probably hit the wrong button.

  14. thanks for all the fish
    major thanks greg and to all of the grail team.

    i have spent, literally, days of my life (over the course of time) ingesting information you’ve helped put out there. while i’ve been a member and an avid follower/preacher of the grail for quite some time (i remember when this site was birthed out of the forum boards way back when…) i’ve not contributed once to the collective whole. no articles, no comments, no cash, etc and would love to change that. i have always felt guilty about my level of consumption and not giving anything back…

    greg, you got a snail mail address that i can send a cashiers check too? i have personal reservations about using CC’s or the central banking system and have avoided them for years. besides, the USPS needs our support! i’d love to pay the cost of running the site for a month or two.

    once again, thanks so much.

    1. Check out
      [quote=ellisdamion]greg, you got a snail mail address that i can send a cashiers check too? i have personal reservations about using CC’s or the central banking system and have avoided them for years. [/quote]

      Hiya,

      Thanks for the kind words and donation offer. I’m avoiding checks because I live in Australia, and the banks here not only gouge on the exchange rate, but also charge an exorbitant fee to cash a foreign check. I’d rather people’s contributions not end up in the bank’s pockets.

      The words of support are payment enough. 🙂

  15. regular contributions
    Greg,

    Donated back in early July, but I was wondering if it was possible to this resonably regularly. I know that PayPal allow periodic contributions to be set up because I’ve done it before, and I’d be happy to contribute $5-$10 a month to derfay costs which is a bargain for what I get out of it.

  16. Hi. Just wanted to say a big
    Hi. Just wanted to say a big thank you for summing up most of the major interests I have to TDG. I don’t have a credit card either nor can I pay with PayPal, but you do have my support otherwise and I’ve recommended TDG for many I know (and also posted links on FB). Hopefully something more concrete in the future, some day when I get that credit card. 🙂

  17. from the Primary-to-the-Primal-Dept.
    Greg,

    A shwack of thoughts on this:

    I remember the old days of BBS, and they always seemed to be a labor of love. There would tend to be a core of users who would financially support the BBS.

    You are definitely a professional writer. I am constantly in awe of your ability to come up with the material you produce. That takes both skill and passion.

    If I had a teleporter, I would put you on my ‘Friends List’ to, every so often, pop over, have some tea, learn some more aboot your culture, and hand you some coin of the realm. As it is, I am a backwards-type in a way, not having a credit card nor a cell phone. You may gasp, but that is as it is.

    I thank you for giving us all the opportunity to explore all our absurd ideas in quite a safe environment.

    Here’s to a bright future, rife with possibilities.

  18. No, I don’t believe you know “The Secret”
    Just poking fun at some of the adverts you got on this site. Anyways, here’s a $50 donation from Olympus, themselves. We do not delight in the promise of future offerings, we only offer what we have now. Life, love, and money.

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