As May Turns Into June (Patreon)

Hey!

As May turns into June, I just wanted to thank all of you here for your continued support of Colin’s Last Stand. I value each and every person that subscribes to my YouTube channel, watches a video, and otherwise exists in this growing community. But you -- the Patrons -- are, as I’ve reminded you in the past, the fuel that makes this engine run. Without you, I’d be off doing something else. And I don’t want to do anything else. I want to do this, here, with and for you.

The fact is, I was so scared when I launched CLS. I had no idea if anyone would care. I was known for this other thing, but I really wanted to segue to something new, and I didn’t know if anyone would take the journey with me. All I wanted to do was to prove that history and politics could be fun, interesting, engaging, and worth your time. I wanted to take this negative and painful thing that happened to me, and spin it into something positive and productive. Thing is, it’s become even more positive and productive than I could have ever imagined, not only for me, but for so many of you.

Every week -- each and every week -- thousands of people leave comments on YouTube, Reddit, Twitter, Facebook, and here on Patreon. Many of them let me (and the world) know that this channel is working for them. Many people didn’t expect to like it. Others hated politics and history, and had no expectation it would be for them. And, naturally, many others find themselves right in their sweet spot with this brand of content. Some agree with me politically; many others don't. Some are still figuring out how they feel, finding their political bearings, as many of us already have.

The greatest thing about doing this is seeing the light turn on, person by person, as they become engaged with the historical and political spheres. This person is now reading Book X; that person has fallen down a documentary rabbit hole. This person bonds with his dad over CLS; that person has now registered to vote. This person now majors in history or poly-sci in college; that person intends to when he gets there.

I knew Colin’s Last Stand would be important -- at least to me -- but I didn’t realize that the greatest gratification I would receive from doing it is seeing the spreadshot of how it has affected others. Every episode is someone’s favorite; every episode has made someone into a believer, a politico, a wonk. Each episode has made people curious. People asking for book recommendations, historical places to go visit, ways to flex their intellectual muscles in a world full of absolute bullshit. It’s the very definition of heartening. I’m proud of the product; I’m even more proud of the community the product has sprouted.

Even as my Patreon’s numbers have settled (and will no doubt continue to), I’ve found so much more success here than I would have ever imagined possible. Destroying my goal more than four times over made me nervous. Ask Erin: A few hours after I launched my Patreon, and it was literally twice what my highest overall expectation was, I was jokingly screaming, “Stop! Stop! Stop!” I didn’t want people to think they were getting slickly-edited documentaries or cable news-style takedowns, or that I would “stick it” to someone or something twice a week, talking about the negativity of the PC culture that so cutely tried to take me down, but only made me stronger and more popular (all the while giving me a whole new slate of amazing allies).  Telling that Al Bundy joke and refusing to apologize to the mindless zombie horde proved that they're as fickle, useless, and laughable as we all suspected. As toothless as they are brainless.

But I didn't want Colin's Last Stand to hinge on and revolve around that moment. Note that there hasn’t been a single, solitary video dedicated to political correctness or the culture surrounding it; note that I still don't use the terms "SJW" or "snowflake" or "cuck;" note that instead of taking the easy bait time and again, I make 40 minute videos on aborted moon bases and extensive histories of presidential impeachments. If I delve into the social space, I do videos about cultural appropriation or political expediency. All of that's intentional. I could get twice as many subs, more Patrons, and bigger viewcounts by jumping wholesale into that fray, but to what end? I'd rather just be happy in my own little niche. That's the thing, after all. This really makes me happy. And I forgot that I could actually be happy dedicating my life to something. It's been great remembering that. In a way, CLS saved me. Not my life, per se, but certainly my happiness.

The overall monetary success of this Patreon wasn’t a reflection of a desire to see me take on that culture. That culture is imploding in on itself, anyway, and there are so many people out there that do that far better than I ever could. The good news is, it turns out it the frankly bonkers Patreon support I received was a reflection of the volume of people who wanted to see what it was I wanted to do. Exactly what CLS has become. Whether it lasts or not, it's an honor.

I’m not going to sweat the money. The Patreon will settle where it settles, and I will continue to work my absolute hardest to make you feel like your monthly investment is well-spent. I will, however, continue to sweat the content and the community. I hope you’ve seen me actively and eagerly engaging in the community, everywhere I can. I joke with you guys, I respond to YouTube threads, I jump into deep conversations, I solicit and respond to feedback, and, as I’m sure you Patrons especially realize, I answer pretty much every Patreon message I get, jump into every convo, and do my best to respond to as many comments as possible. I don’t take you for granted. I’m working more than I’ve ever worked, by a mile. But it’s these interactions, in between researching, writing, editing, and administrating, that truly make me happy.

Please keep the feedback coming and continue to keep my feet to the fire. I think the evolution of CLS is already quite demonstrable -- compare Episode 2 to Episode 17, as an example -- and it will continue to evolve. I’ve got plans, yet! But, as a one-man band, I have to take things slowly, and knock things out one at a time. Your patience in this regard has been extraordinary. The fact that you authentically like the content and want more of it drives me forward, and makes me feel like these many, many hours I work each week aren't only important, but vital.

Thank you so much. Let’s keep on learning, shall we? -Colin