On Good Trouble day, I’m been thinking about communities and talking to my friend Cliff Schecter about ways we can work together to boost the voices on our side and share the “Good Trouble” we have done. He has set up a new program, The Soundcheck Fund (TSF) to boost and distribute independent media. I’m working on a a bunch of ways to help. Here’s the deal.
Blue Amp just launched The Soundcheck Fund (TSF) to elevate independent media voices—by donating five figures out of our own pockets. We ask that you help us grow the fund by simply getting a paid subscription to Blue Amp for .26 per day.
We’ve waited for liberal billionaires. ENOUGH. We’ll build an ecosystem of bold, truth-tellers—commentators, journalists, etc—with grants and promotion.
There’s a link to the app on our main page. Tired of being gaslit, silenced, misinformed? Get A Paid Subscription, join a movement that won’t be stopped.
🎤 The Soundcheck Fund – Micro Grants for Independent Creators
- Welcome to the Soundcheck Fund by Blue Amp Action, where we’re giving creators early-stage support to test the mic and fine-tune your message.
- The Soundcheck Fund is offering $500-$1,000 micro grants to creators, storytellers, and digital voices who are pushing back against extremism, disinformation, and corporate media failure. If you’re producing original content that informs, agitates, or inspires—especially on the issues that define our democracy—we want to help amplify your voice!
- This fund is built for people creating TikToks, Reels, Substacks, memes, podcasts, rants, essays, animations, or any format that breaks through the noise and speaks directly to the moment.
We’re not here to direct the message—we just want to turn up the volume. You’ll retain full creative control. All we ask is that you:
- Include a short “Funded by Blue Amp” disclosure + link to this grant application for 6 weeks
- Let us feature your work on our Substack (if selected for amplification)
No strings. No scripts. Just support.
If you’re ready to speak up, we’re ready to back you!
Behind the scenes I’ve been talking to a lot of people about all the ways that messages to everybody have been changed by right wing media and social media. I’ve been around long enough to see how it is done. I developed methods to use financial pressure on them. ( Spocko Takes On The Mouse – CBS News, January 24, 2007
Right now Substack is hot and they want to grow, so we use that. But Cliff and I both know they will get enshittified, especially when there is money to be made and algorithms to exploit. I’m working with some people to figure out how to use Substack’s live video events to boost our people as a rapid response on news events.
I’ve also learned that the second a platform or method to reach people works, the right will want to take over. They’ll use AI tools, bots and collaborations with anyone, including Russian propagandists.
If I was talking to some rich people on the left who want to help, I’d say, “We HAVE the content. Help us with distribution!” Because I saw RW funders dump millions on the YouTube algorithm to feed us Ben Shapiro, Matt Walsh, Jordan Peterson, Stephen Crowder and “The Manosphere.”
Whatever we create, we need to do it from the grass roots by boosting and supporting each other. Communities carry on, even when other platforms become distorted by greed and power. My Eschaton community recently lost a beloved member, I mourn him. Facebook still exists, but they have purposefully worked to suppress “political” content. We have to think about how to share stuff created in one area with another platform, but most platforms want to lock people in. Bluesky has grown but I remain a HUGE fan of Mastodon. I love dances on TikTok, but did you know people get their news there? People in the media still use Twitter (X) but also email exists! Blogs exist! Live protests outside Tesla dealerships and at town halls happen. I’ve met people on Signal.
The right uses social media for their rapid spread of disinformation. I’ve been reading and following Jim Stewartson and have learned how it’s done. In the process I’ve met some AMAZING people in his community. We talk everyday about what we can do. Our efforts to boost our voices are small now, but I’ve found just being in community helps with the feeling of being overwhelmed.
So sign up. I know what communities I want to be part of.
Cross posted to Digby’s Hullabaloo blog
