Aaron Severson has been writing extremely high quality in-depth automotive histories at his site Ate Up With Motor for some 15 years or so. AUWM was an inspiration to me when I started writing Curbside Classics at the other site, although I took a somewhat different approach than he has. I’ve rather avoided competing directly against him, for a number of reasons. His work has won awards and he has delved into subjects that have never been properly researched and written up. I have enjoyed reading his articles for years, and of course always without cost or even ads.
Perhaps more importantly, Aaron has been an excellent friend of CC, often commenting in great detail to help further the understanding and insights that our posts have covered. He has given me access to this incredible library and online sources. He has suggested subjects and we’ve had some terrific conversations on issues. The depth of his knowledge and insight is absolutely astounding. And he has generously helped my with several site technical issues.
Now it’s time to help Aaron, and yes he really needs it.
I’ve been aware of Aaron’s financial challenges for some years now. His site does not generate any revenue, and his other writing gigs have dried up, a consequence of the decline in the automotive history/journalism business. He has come close to shutting down the site several times. He has also suffered several personal losses and setbacks. It’s time to extend a hand of support.
Aaron has set up an Ate Up With Motor Patreon account, which gives exclusive access to certain material. I think he’s underpriced it at $5/month, but it’s better than nothing. And a friend has set up a Go Fund Me account with a goal to raise $5,250 to cover three months of outstanding rent, a new pair of glasses and mobile phone repair. I did not realize his situation was so dire.
Whether you’re a regular reader or not, AUWM has been a critical resource, inspiration and just enjoyable reading. If you value what Aaron has done without essentially any compensation all these years, I strongly encourage you to help. This is not about putting some extra money in his pocket; it’s pure survival.
I have long pondered how CC and AUWM could work together in ways that would support Aaron better and expose him to a wider audience. Now that I’m “retired” and there’s somewhat fewer in-depth posts here at CC, this is more important than ever. But it’s easier said than done, as Aaron has exceptional standards and is naturally devoted to his excellent site. I will explore it with him again; in any case, I have shared a bit of our financial success with him and will do so in the future. I hope some of you will too.
Here’s the links again:
GoFundMe Page for Aaron Severson
Hi, I’m the friend of Aaron’s running the GoFundMe (and the one who convinced him to let us set it up). Thank you so much for putting the word out! I’m not connected in automotive history circles but I’m so happy and grateful to see people in Aaron’s field come together to support him — it speaks volumes about the strength and generosity of this community, and the respect you all have for his work.
I’ve seen first hand the toll that the last few years have taken on Aaron and being able to give him a break means just so much to me. In addition to being a gifted writer and researcher with an unmatched knowledge of automotive history, Aaron is also a gentle, funny, kind, and deeply thoughtful friend who deserves so much more than the series of hardships that the last several years have been for him.
Your help promoting this really has made a difference; within minutes of this post going up we got multiple donations, and are closer and closer to our goal! I’m truly in awe. You’re all rock stars to me!! Thank you again ❤️
Even before I discovered CC and about 14 years ago or so, once I found the AUWM site, I couldn’t read each article fast enough. There were times when I deferred my normal bedtime just to finish reading one of his excellent articles. I learned so much and still refer back to the site from time to time. I really hope things improve for Aaron.
Laura, thanks for doing this.
I’m pretty sure I originally found Curbside Classic through AUWM, if that’s possible. It’s a dim memory at best, but more than enough to make me want to chuck in a couple sawbucks for Aaron. Good luck to you, brother.
I have been blessed to be able to write articles here. And with poor health, it really helps me stay positive.
I’m definitely look into giving into his go fund me.
Also Paul, thank you for creating this environment where even those of us without extensive knowledge or writing skills can participate
Sad to hear about Aaron’s situation. I spent many hours going over AUWM’s posts again and again. I’ll check the links and see how I can help.
I too will have to check the links. As for eyeglasses well that is right up my alley being an OD for 43 years now. I handle a few of them each week besides medical issues.
Never heard of the site!
Just enjoyed the AR 164 article.
Let’s see if we can pull Aaron straight again.
Thanks for posting this, Paul.
Paul — Thank you for the update (and also for your exceptionally generous donation to Aaron’s GoFundMe).
Ate Up With Motor is a terrific site, and this is obviously a very worthy cause to support.
Thanks for supporting AUWM Paul! His articles are incredible. Glad to support him!
The following is from some personal correspondence I had with Aaron a few years ago. I don’t think he’ll mind my mentioning it.
I can’t seem to find our original emails, but long story short, California passed legislation regarding freelance work. The intention was to get a better deal for people working for Uber, DoorDash, and the like. If you engage someone to do more than X amount of work, you have to treat them as employees, not contractors. But in Aaron’s case, the law of unintended consequences kicked in, and California law doesn’t do freelancers like him any favors. That’s one reason why his freelance writing gigs have dried up.
Just one more example of why CA is going the tubes in my opinion.
Naturally coming from someone who has extensive experience living in California and still the 5th largest economy in the world. Sometimes, laws with good consequences, as the one here, has some loopholes that can be exploited. Happens everywhere and all the time since no legislature rep is an expert in writing any legislation which means a revisit to close them.
Not to distract from Aaron, but thank you for saying this.
It is very gratifying to see that many of you have already donated generously to Aaron’s fundraiser. Thank you, on his behalf.
Thanks Paul for making us all aware of the situation. It would be terrible to loose such a fantastic reasource. Happy to help Aaron.
Immediately sub’d to Aaron’s Patreon. AAWM is ridiculously high quality, some of the best automotive writing anywhere. Thanks for grtting the word out, Paul!
Done.
Paul did a very good thing by posting this here, as evidenced by the number of donations over the last 24 hours. A big thanks to Paul for recognizing that there’s a lot of help out here on this website.
I hope Aaron gets past this pinch point, I’ve been there too and am never far enough from it to be able to help $ wise .
As mentioned his knowledge is priceless and he’s also a humble and nice guy .
-Nate
Aaron is also making author’s notes for some of his articles available at $8 a throw (so far):
https://www.patreon.com/AteUpWithMotor/shop
I bought the notes on the rope-drive Pontiac Tempest and the Oldsmobile F-85 Jetfire. They were well worth it on their own merits, aside from helping Aaron.
In spite of what mainstream media is saying, millions of people around the world are hurting badly. Terribly sad, to see someone with Aaron’s talent and motivation struggling. Why I am so outspoken for the rights of workers, and the disappearing middle class.
I recall about fifteen years ago, the Canadian government went after Alcatel for employing many contractors at their Kanata, Ontario, Canada location. Including me. Demanding, they offer full time employment for full time hourly workers. Not surprisingly, Alcatel chose to reduce worker hours, to maintain their non-fulltime employee status. Many workers are being marginalized, to unacceptable levels.
A living wage here in Ottawa is considered $21.95. When many (most?) working class jobs, pay well below this. A gig economy is bad for workers.
Aaron’s situation is not unique at all, unfortunately.
You are correct in what you say and Uber tried to exploit their workers by calling them independent contractors. Only problem is that they failed the test as to whether they are independent vs employee.Years ago, when I first got out of school to practice I was hired in an office as an independent contractor. When the owner Doc heard from his lawyer that the state was looking into this exact situation, and fining people, I was made an employee post haste.
I’ve mentioned this here before. Worker productivity has improved immensely since the 1980s. However, salaries in many professions have fully stagnated, or dropped. As necessary qualifications, and competition for work, increases regularly.
Newsweek magazine (and others) reported, there has been a wealth transfer of near $50 trillion dollars upwards, since 1980. As I said, workers everywhere are been marginalized, to an extent not seen in many decades. As AI, is set to replace a third of all jobs. These people will no longer have any value, or protection.
I just wanted to say that I am really moved by the response. The GoFundMe campaign was my friends’ idea, and I had to be strong-armed into it. I figured that it would be miraculous if it made even one-third of the goal by the end of May. I did not expect that it would meet (and exceed) its goal in a day.
Thank you to Paul, and thanks to all of you.
Happy to help, and I’m glad that your friends and Paul brought this to folks’ attention. I’ve enjoyed – and benefited from – your research quite a bit over the years.
I’ve always been astounded at the breadth of your knowledge and the quality of your work Aaron – especially with niche subjects like your Japanese hardtop sedan article I contributed to (in a tiny way!) a few years ago. Very happy to contribute to the GoFundMe as we need more folks like you. And a big thank you to Paul for sharing this.
Aaron’s articles about various Studebakers some years back are still references I use today. His work has been among the best I’ve read. Thanks.
Thank you Paul for the appeal on Aaron’s behalf. I love Ate Up with Motor. Aaron’s writing is superlative. He even did the rope drive Pontiac article that I so hoped to see. I will become, for the first time ever a patreon member (?) and support the illustrious writer and researcher that is Aaron Severson. It would be awful if his good writing were to disappear and for him to not continue to be a wonderful automotive writer. Please do join in supporting him.