Hello all, If you’ve been following the news & discourse surrounding Substack as a platform recently, you might have heard the unfortunate news regarding their unwillingness to moderate what can only be described as hate speech. I really try to live my values and I can’t in good conscience support a platform that enables this evil behavior.
With respect you’re on the wrong side on this one.
The last decade plus has made it obvious that attempts to “deplatform” do not make the internet more civil or more kind. (Unless you’d like to make the case that the world is more politically moderate than it was in 2015 or so.
The last decade plus has also made it obvious that every political ideology has an expanding definition of what should be banned that has no end.
Liberalism and pluralism REQUIRE a willingness to engage and discuss even when you think the other side is unreasonable.
The alternative of forcibly silencing your opponents is both illiberal and likely to silence you. (Unless you think that you’re more aggressive and more willing to use unreasonable force than your opponents)
It had to be a hard choice given the fact you earn part of your living on this platform. But kudos to you for making that call. It’s shitty when a companies evil mask is revealed and you once again have to go someplace new. But if people don’t walk away and reject platforms that allow hate speech (because ‘freedom’ ) and other extremist behaviour then it gives them license to remain shitty, horrible, anti-social companies.
If there is an upside to the fall of Twitter and Substack it’s that a lot of writers, video creators, etc are realizing they need to gain more independence and control over their work and where it’s available. Sure some platforms can give you a big audience quickly, but with a lot of trade offs and uncertainty. Hopefully more independent options start to emerge because right now the choices are very limited.
Well that’s disappointing to hear. I do find it surprising that you’re just finding this out now, seeing as Substack was founded as a place with the promise not to moderate content past what is illegal, or did people just think they would bow to the pressure once they got “big enough?”
Agree it's the right thing to do, not going to go into further detail because I have nothing to add that hasn't been said already without writing an entire report on the subject. Credit for doing something rather than just saying something, it's shows integrity, even taking a loss for it as well, full respect for that. I will say that recent developments are a shame because I do like this as a platform.
I fully support your decision. You’re doing the right thing by standing up against hate speech and I’m confident that you will continue to see support for your amazing work on Patreon! Thank you for what you do!
I kind of understand the freedom of expression rethoric, but the lack of heavy content warnings on articles & writers and lack of sanctions (e.g. not allowing writers to make money on subscriptions) on writers that support hate speech is despicable, and I hate to see the platform heading this way.
By going along with those who would condemn Substack, you are part of the problem. Substack is one of the few free speech platforms left, and when good writers like you abandon it, perhaps without doing enough independent research, perhaps just as a knee-jerk reaction, you are making the internet less safe and less open. You may not feel the sting of censorship today, but one day you might. As a Canadian, you should be painfully aware of how misinformation and bullying can make liberal parties and Liberal Parties feel that they can violate constitutional norms. Don't jump on that bandwagon.
With respect you’re on the wrong side on this one.
The last decade plus has made it obvious that attempts to “deplatform” do not make the internet more civil or more kind. (Unless you’d like to make the case that the world is more politically moderate than it was in 2015 or so.
The last decade plus has also made it obvious that every political ideology has an expanding definition of what should be banned that has no end.
Liberalism and pluralism REQUIRE a willingness to engage and discuss even when you think the other side is unreasonable.
The alternative of forcibly silencing your opponents is both illiberal and likely to silence you. (Unless you think that you’re more aggressive and more willing to use unreasonable force than your opponents)
It had to be a hard choice given the fact you earn part of your living on this platform. But kudos to you for making that call. It’s shitty when a companies evil mask is revealed and you once again have to go someplace new. But if people don’t walk away and reject platforms that allow hate speech (because ‘freedom’ ) and other extremist behaviour then it gives them license to remain shitty, horrible, anti-social companies.
If there is an upside to the fall of Twitter and Substack it’s that a lot of writers, video creators, etc are realizing they need to gain more independence and control over their work and where it’s available. Sure some platforms can give you a big audience quickly, but with a lot of trade offs and uncertainty. Hopefully more independent options start to emerge because right now the choices are very limited.
The return to the 20s was supposed to mean a return to cool music and art deco design, not pandemics, the rise of right wing hate groups.
I fully support your decision. Hope you’re able to also get some rest over the holidays.
Well that’s disappointing to hear. I do find it surprising that you’re just finding this out now, seeing as Substack was founded as a place with the promise not to moderate content past what is illegal, or did people just think they would bow to the pressure once they got “big enough?”
Looking forward to seeing your posts on Patreon!
Good on you! Folks on fedi seem to be boosting Buttondown as an alternative for newsletters. There's also Beehiiv and Ghost
Agree it's the right thing to do, not going to go into further detail because I have nothing to add that hasn't been said already without writing an entire report on the subject. Credit for doing something rather than just saying something, it's shows integrity, even taking a loss for it as well, full respect for that. I will say that recent developments are a shame because I do like this as a platform.
I fully support your decision. You’re doing the right thing by standing up against hate speech and I’m confident that you will continue to see support for your amazing work on Patreon! Thank you for what you do!
I kind of understand the freedom of expression rethoric, but the lack of heavy content warnings on articles & writers and lack of sanctions (e.g. not allowing writers to make money on subscriptions) on writers that support hate speech is despicable, and I hate to see the platform heading this way.
I transfer my sub to Patron
This stuff ("Substack") is visible in Europe & IS liable for criminal prosecution in most European countries, whether in the EU or not
They might be in trouble _ I certainly hope so
Reece, it looks like you've been a victim of a cruel hoax:
https://jessesingal.substack.com/p/platformers-reporting-on-substacks?
https://public.substack.com/p/with-revenues-declining-corporate?
By going along with those who would condemn Substack, you are part of the problem. Substack is one of the few free speech platforms left, and when good writers like you abandon it, perhaps without doing enough independent research, perhaps just as a knee-jerk reaction, you are making the internet less safe and less open. You may not feel the sting of censorship today, but one day you might. As a Canadian, you should be painfully aware of how misinformation and bullying can make liberal parties and Liberal Parties feel that they can violate constitutional norms. Don't jump on that bandwagon.
I respect your decision, and so I have changed over to your new feed. Happy New Year Reece!
As if being a Nazi isn't inherently a call to violence
Any way to access old posts going forward?