"Hello! Thanks for opening the email. I am happy to see you!"
I am getting comments on an unexpected subject.
My photo.
The Substack people allow me to put a photo banner at the top of emails that go out to people who prefer to get the blog by "home delivery," i.e. by email. There is a constraint. The photo must be horizontal and must be in a wide and narrow strip, with a five to one aspect. For years I didn't bother with a photo.
A month ago I began using one that gave what I thought was an appropriately serious look. After all, I am writing about the state of our republic -- serious business. Apparently people thought I looked startled, or angry, or sour on life generally.
I am getting comments. Apparently readers like the new photo better.
Here is the new, current one:
Here is the prior one. Heck, I thought I looked pretty good, and appropriately serious, but the comments I am getting suggest that people who paid attention didn't like my photo choice.
Here was the one before that, back in July. A bit more serious yet.
An ongoing theme of this blog, both in politics and in life generally, is the power of body language and first impressions. Denoted words matter but that isn't how people communicate. We communicate with posture, tone, and the gut-feel impressions we create. I am happy to have readers, so I realize that should be the first impression I give when people open my blog post email.
It's great to see you!
Send comments and advice to me directly at: peter.w.sage@gmail.com
Like the newest photo the best, Peter. While this is a serious blog it’s always great to know you can still look happy.
I like the new photo, Peter.