Paywall Satire

This newsletter writer is taking a unique approach to monetization: "Pay me to NOT email you"

Getting too many newsletters? You're not alone. But rather than giving you a good reason to add another to your inbox, this newsletter writer lets you pay them and not receive any of their newsletters. Is this the future of media?

JD Shadel

31 Oct 2025

This is not the future of media, but if you want to pay ESC KEY .CO and not receive any newsletters, you can do that for $11.99/month.

How?

Simply hit "Subscribe" on the website.

Pay us money.

Unsubscribe from our emails.

There you go: You're paying to not get any emails.

You're also a better person.

Because you support independent media.

You Embrace Skeptical Curiosity.

Thank you, netizen. Thank you.

I spent 72 hours rereading every newsletter I wrote: You won't believe what happened next

Correction: I have actually been sick in bed for three days *not* reading, writing or even thinking about newsletters. Hence, I am publishing, gulps, a Best of ESC KEY .CO listicle, optimized for pity shares on social media — or something like that.

The F-List receipts are in: The agency most reliant on fossil fuel revenue represents COP30

Your TL;DR Briefing on things worth tracking — and talking about over your next power lunch. *Wink.* This time the thing is absurd: Edelman profits on fossil fuel cash while representing U.N. climate talks in Brazil, as revealed in Clean Creatives' research into Big Oil in the creative industries.

A little monster face screwed to a utility pole in Portland, Oregon, with a sunny street scene in the background and evergreen trees and blue skies in the distance.

What's going on in Portland, Oregon?! I read every poster on utility poles to get answers

The day after our resident street photographer landed in Portland, Oregon, the President of the United States declared it a "war zone," intending to send in troops following absurd occupations in D.C. and Chicago. But a long walk in Northeast revealed the vibe on the street was, well, not that.

Hand holding delicate white lace bird pin against gallery wall background.

The state of fashion week amid polycrisis: Dispatch from my anxiety attack at a catwalk show

This London Fashion Week has been a dazzling display of global design talent in the U.K. capital. Emerging designers turned heads. There was that upcycled parachute gown. And street style for days. But this recap is about an anxiety attack I had. Before the one show that, ultimately, gave me chills.

Read more

I spent 72 hours rereading every newsletter I wrote: You won't believe what happened next

The F-List receipts are in: The agency most reliant on fossil fuel revenue represents COP30

What's going on in Portland, Oregon?! I read every poster on utility poles to get answers

The state of fashion week amid polycrisis: Dispatch from my anxiety attack at a catwalk show