What a year 2019 has been. Open rebellion has erupted in many countries, terrorism and 'random atrocities' continue unabated, the weather has become more extreme than ever, government has become more corrupt and feckless than ever, anti-human social engineering madness has migrated from the universities to the workplace and into schools, and asteroids are whizzing by our little lost planet at an alarming rate.
Although it's been in the works for several years - particularly since the 'double surprise' of Trump's election and the Brexit referendum result - mass censorship took a big leap in 2019. Thanks to certain governments leaning on Big Tech companies, the very nature of the internet changed this year. Purges of dissenting voices like ours from search results and social media has substantially bleached the internet of truth and replaced it with the bullhorns of mainstream propaganda and extremist 'black or white' rhetoric.
As a result, our readership, which grew for most of the 18 year history of Sott.net, is way down again this year - by 37% over 2018. Since 2016, our unique visits have dropped by 55%! We could scream and shout about it, but we don't think that would do any good. In fact, there's too much screaming and shouting going on these days - about anything and everything - that is obviously not doing anyone any good. That's why we at Sott.net have been refocusing our efforts from 'waking people up' to deepening our connections with 'those who already see'.
In these times of monumental mendacity, surround-sound distraction, and full-on socio-political lunacy, the refuge of community is more important than ever. There is only so much 'community' you can partake in via your computer screen, of course, but no matter where you are or what predicament you find yourself in, remember always that what is important is WHO you are and what you SEE.
As far as we're concerned, they can fiddle with search results and shadow-ban us on social media all they want. As Mr. Universe says to Captain Reynolds in Firefly: Serenity, "They can't stop the signal." They can tamp down our reach, but this lighthouse is not going anywhere. Sott.net remains an independent information zone, an ad-free zone, and a free speech zone. They can shut us up 'out there', but as long as there is a global Sott.net community of editors and readers, they can't touch us 'in here'!
We are still sending out a signal in 11 languages, still publishing monthly 'Earth Changes' videos, and still broadcasting weekly radio shows. In fact, our English-language radio shows this year fully migrated to video podcast format. Replacing 'The Truth Perspective', MindMatters covers philosophical, scientific and religious issues for navigating our changing reality, while Objective:Health - which replaced 'The Health & Wellness Show' - discusses the latest research on optimal health. Our current events show NewsReal with Joe & Niall has been on hold since mid-2019, but will be back in the new year. You can find all our video discussions and interviews indexed here.
This year we've added new features to the website, including the most-requested: readers can now find their old comments and be notified of new replies. And we didn't do this by signing over your data to outsourced Israeli comments engines like Spot.im (ahem, RT!) - instead, we custom-built comments notifications, as we have done and will continue to do with the entire Sott.net architecture. Our hope is that greater interaction in the Sott.net community means you all can better keep in touch with each other, and with world events.
SOTT.net and YOUR Contribution
Over the years, we've held a number of fundraisers for specific goals, and the response has always been very positive; obviously, many people do appreciate our work. YOUR contributions - whether as direct donations or product purchases - keep us up-and-running on a daily basis, and we are immensely thankful for all the help we can get. What you have helped us accomplish over the past two decades is amazing. Thanks to you, and in spite of the Internet censors throttling our reach on Google and social media, Sott.net registered an average of 2.4 million unique visitors a month this year.
Almost uniquely these days, Sott.net refuses corporate advertising and sponsorship, achieving its objectives solely via its own resources and reader donations. This is how we manage to keep this website going, and try to provide you with as objective a picture of the global reality as possible - day in, day out, through the diligent efforts of dozens of volunteer editors around the globe. Any and all 'advertisements' you see on our sites are either ads for our own products, which directly support our work, or our non-commercial support for others engaged in the fight against lies, corruption and the general 'ponerization' of our world.
All of this highlights how important YOUR SUPPORT is. The Fight Against Lies goes on and we very much need your help to keep the lighthouse going.
And so, before the end of the fiscal year, we would just like to remind you that if you have a bit of extra income this year, donating to Sott.net, a program of Quantum Future Group, Inc., a U.S. non-profit organization, is tax-deductible in the US. Wouldn't you rather give your money to a good cause, to the fight for truth and real news, than have it funding war, corruption and fake news?
Make your (tax-deductible in the US) donation today. You can send a check or money-order by mail to:
SOTT/Quantum Future Group, Inc.Or you can donate via Credit Card or Paypal. (For direct bank transfer details, please feel free to contact us.)
295 Scratch Branch Road
Otto, NC 28763
USA
The SOTT Calendar 2020
Thanks to the creative talents of SOTT.net editors Damian Assels and Ana Del Toro, we are excited to reveal the brand new, unique 2020 Sott.net full-size calendar, which this year features a selection of images and descriptions of major recent events that had significance, directly or indirectly, for every single person on the planet. It is designed to serve as a reminder of where we, the human race, have been and where we are today, and in that way provoke reflection on where we might be headed.
Check it out!
**** Anyone who donates 30 US dollars (or 30 EUR) or more will receive a calendar. And for other goodies, check the box below! ****
(NOTE: If you wish to receive the calendar or any of the other offered items below, please use the form below to make your donation. Click on the item(s) you wish to receive, select the quantity, enter the information required, and the products are yours!)
Another way to contribute is to visit our stores and purchase one of our many books or a DVD set for yourself or as a gift for your loved ones.
All our books and DVDs are listed on Red Pill Press's Online Store and Pilule Rouge, and are also available on Amazon.com, Amazon.fr, Amazon.de, Amazon.es, Amazon.it, and Amazon.co.uk, in paperback and electronic format.
Thank you from the bottom of our hearts, dear readers, and let's keep shining the light for as long as we can!
Merry Christmas and a very Happy New Year to all. May 2020 bring you all good health, much love and even more knowledge. Onwards and upwards!
Reader Comments
Thank you for you continued presence, and for the changes for good. Let the new year be better yet!
Thank you and Merry Christmas and happy new year to all of the SOTT staff. Why isn't this the title and lead line instead of season's greetings, which means "hello winter"?
God bless you all and everyone here!
I'm horrified by SOTT ?? I'm outraged by SOTT wishing us Merry Christmas ?? & NOT Happy Holidays ??
Delamer Duverus also guided us to Sott.net and we have been so thankful for the range of articles and general mindset of the readers and editors. Sott.net has been a blessing in our life. Thank you.
Here is our Christmas decoration now, a placard we put on the front door.
"It will be Christmas when all the Nations of the World put down their weapons of war and take care of their children,
feeding them, clothing them, sheltering them, and most of all loving them,
'"For such is the Kingdom of God.'"
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Montreal Lit Up
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Random acts of kindness: Florida man spends $4,550 to pay strangers' utilities bills before Christmas
When Mike Esmond saw that his utility bill was due on Dec. 26, he thought back to the winter he and his family spent without heat. They had fallen on hard times and weren't able to pay their bill....LOVE Gary Larson.
R.C.
To Laura & Family for this excellent site.
To all the Team for their efforts. MM/OH/NR .
To all commentators for their arguments, links and jokes.
But the truth outs.
RC
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(But, being the raised-broke and ever-since an overly practical sort, I'd say:
1) They should say they meant a $20 tip; the rest was misunderstanding. (Still a nice thing) - bill will be fixed accordingly.
2) Then she won't have to share what was meant as her GIFT, which was labeled a 'tip.' (That males the payment taxable income to all beneficiaries of same.
3) They then should pay her a $1980.00 check saying "To our dear friend, X, Merry Christmas!" THEN it's a gift, far below reporting requirements or gift tax levels.
But realize: I appreciate the entire scene as wonderfully cool. (But if I'd have been there, I'd have whispered in the givers' ears about these points.
Hell, that way, the story would even be better, as she could then get enough to offset the cost of her car repair.*
R.C.
*Which - even despite lack of details - sounds inflated. If so, the inflation is almost surely the effort of one of our MANY ScaMechanics.
RC
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(Jesting - I do a fair "Neil Young on a bad day - with pneumonia.")
R.C.
I've even forgiven him his pretty boy looks.
RC
incredible that you have been to those parts of the world lm! (not easy to find). it is nevertheless the area of my ancestors, and the area i have a need to return to at a yearly basis. (need to taste the seafood, hand-feed the eagles, trek the mountains and so on. if you plan to go there again, please let me know, and i will arrange for a trip you (and ev company) will never forget.
Volunteered on a Friendly Pig Farm in Andalsnes OMG!! ... almost walked right into an outdoor pool in Lillehammer before it became Olympic FAMOUS!
Norway is the healthiest country in the world, even beats my lovely Québec!