Great article. I still wonder about the presence of Oligarchical contributions for the same reasons as everyone. This still seems a bit blurry due to VC.
Substack is currently a bastion of FREE SPEECH and for that I am grateful. But our the powers that conspire have clearly got their eyes on the prize, total control, that doesn't include free speech. After-all one thing a fascist hates is THE TRUTH!
I really like your idea for lower subscription amounts. Especially in hard times. I didn't want to charge as much for my subscription and it's part of the reason that, even though I offer paid subscriptions, I don't paywall anything!
And thank you, @GeckoPico for the thoughtful reply. There are some controversies about the whole 'free speech' issue: when it's the identifiable fascists who are insisting on 'free speech!' then... well it's complicated. Not a topic I feel qualified to weigh in on (thought that doesn't seem to stop most people; everybody is expert on everything with their own channel in the digital 21st century). Anyway thanks for the comment, and let's do a 'cross follow.' Nice to 'meet' you.
Like Dan Gillmore aaid today on Mastodon: “If you publish your anti-extremist, pro-democracy newsletter on Substack -- a platform that was funded in large part by Trump-loving VCs and is run by people who have no problem helping right-wing extremists spread and monetize their bile -- you are not just missing the point. You are helping the people you say you oppose.
There are excellent alternatives: Ghost (which I use), Buttondown, Beehiv, WordPress, Medium, et al.
Please consider switching to Ghost. It’s easy and you will make more money without being closed in in the Substack environment where you are in fact supporting venture capital right wing extremists. Check https://ghost.org/docs/migration/substack/
I have been on the Substack warpath for a while. I hate the model Here's my canned speech:
I appreciate your stuff, but Substack is for the elite, hence part of the problem rather than the solution.
I am trying to convince people not to use Substack. As a physician, I do not condone concierge medicine, medical care for those who can pay extra. Likewise I don't condone the idea of information and opinion for those who can pay extra-the model Substack best represents. Recently my local NPR station was doing a pledge drive. They acknowledged that many listeners don't pay but encouraged folks to pledge so that other people are not stuck behind paywalls. Substack wants people stuck behind paywalls. That's their business model. What kind of society will that produce? Isn't the answer obvious? Do we need more inequality? Surely you understand this. If you think your stuff is suitable and of interest for all I encourage you to convince Substack to have a "pay what you will" policy. Or please find another, more equitable, venue
I’ve been appalled at the hate, incitements to violence, and unhinged conspiracy theories readily available on Substack. There are avowed Nazis—swastikas and all—with spaces, spreading their unoriginal but still potent nonsense. The owners should get rid of that stuff—it’s disgusting and dangerous.
I'm guessing the VC part is the Ole cover your Ass. If it gets big they sale their Share to The Man. Then the Man--Does what he always does. So ya would be nice to buy out the VC A.S.A.P. Couldn't be that Much. IF the VC owns a little half. of the OG investment. The is 13 million. All the Other Share Holders only have to Bone up with 500,000 G that's a time share in Phoenix. Well until the Market goes.
Well done. It's important to know who we're dealing with.
I tried to buy you a cuppa, but the payment system is borked. I'll try again later.
Great article. I still wonder about the presence of Oligarchical contributions for the same reasons as everyone. This still seems a bit blurry due to VC.
Substack is currently a bastion of FREE SPEECH and for that I am grateful. But our the powers that conspire have clearly got their eyes on the prize, total control, that doesn't include free speech. After-all one thing a fascist hates is THE TRUTH!
I really like your idea for lower subscription amounts. Especially in hard times. I didn't want to charge as much for my subscription and it's part of the reason that, even though I offer paid subscriptions, I don't paywall anything!
Thanks for your article :)
And thank you, @GeckoPico for the thoughtful reply. There are some controversies about the whole 'free speech' issue: when it's the identifiable fascists who are insisting on 'free speech!' then... well it's complicated. Not a topic I feel qualified to weigh in on (thought that doesn't seem to stop most people; everybody is expert on everything with their own channel in the digital 21st century). Anyway thanks for the comment, and let's do a 'cross follow.' Nice to 'meet' you.
The NSA
Like Dan Gillmore aaid today on Mastodon: “If you publish your anti-extremist, pro-democracy newsletter on Substack -- a platform that was funded in large part by Trump-loving VCs and is run by people who have no problem helping right-wing extremists spread and monetize their bile -- you are not just missing the point. You are helping the people you say you oppose.
There are excellent alternatives: Ghost (which I use), Buttondown, Beehiv, WordPress, Medium, et al.
Please use one of those, and walk your talk.”
Please consider switching to Ghost. It’s easy and you will make more money without being closed in in the Substack environment where you are in fact supporting venture capital right wing extremists. Check https://ghost.org/docs/migration/substack/
I have been on the Substack warpath for a while. I hate the model Here's my canned speech:
I appreciate your stuff, but Substack is for the elite, hence part of the problem rather than the solution.
I am trying to convince people not to use Substack. As a physician, I do not condone concierge medicine, medical care for those who can pay extra. Likewise I don't condone the idea of information and opinion for those who can pay extra-the model Substack best represents. Recently my local NPR station was doing a pledge drive. They acknowledged that many listeners don't pay but encouraged folks to pledge so that other people are not stuck behind paywalls. Substack wants people stuck behind paywalls. That's their business model. What kind of society will that produce? Isn't the answer obvious? Do we need more inequality? Surely you understand this. If you think your stuff is suitable and of interest for all I encourage you to convince Substack to have a "pay what you will" policy. Or please find another, more equitable, venue
Thanks for listening
Mark Miller
Seattle
I’ve been appalled at the hate, incitements to violence, and unhinged conspiracy theories readily available on Substack. There are avowed Nazis—swastikas and all—with spaces, spreading their unoriginal but still potent nonsense. The owners should get rid of that stuff—it’s disgusting and dangerous.
I'm guessing the VC part is the Ole cover your Ass. If it gets big they sale their Share to The Man. Then the Man--Does what he always does. So ya would be nice to buy out the VC A.S.A.P. Couldn't be that Much. IF the VC owns a little half. of the OG investment. The is 13 million. All the Other Share Holders only have to Bone up with 500,000 G that's a time share in Phoenix. Well until the Market goes.