As you may be aware, Substack has a Nazi problem. While they say they’re dealing with it, I have been looking at other options. I am looking for your opinion: stay or leave? I know what I’m leaning towards but I want to hear from you.
I support moving off of Substack. Sure, it's a little inconvenient when everyone and their moms are on Substack (just really easy to read all my newsletters in one feed). But I am always supportive of anyone that operates their business and conducts their work aligned to their values. Still sticking around no matter what you choose!
I read the newsletter in my Gmail inbox, so the platform you use doesn't make much difference over here. Fully support you could with the platform that makes the most business and moral sense.
I also read these via email. I also have grave concerns with Substack. If you decide to move I am happy to follow to a new platform but definitely prefer something with an email feature!
Suggest staying. “It takes a village”, after all. Sure, maybe it’ll be a village full of Nazis and they chase us all into that windmill that’s burning down - but we can’t move just because it suits our sense of outrage. Substack isn’t just the worst parts of its content. Then we’d be leaving because of some of the creeps you can encounter in its forums. Nor can Substack take credit for the best parts. But it does carry some of the most impressive long-form journalism around and the spectrum of disciplines is broad and rich.
I understand your point but there's an argument to be made that staying here condones Substack's behaviour, while paying them a portion of subscriber fees. (Granted, I don't have that much to give them but still every penny count. Or five cents for us Canadians.)
I was about to subscribe to The Budgette but then I remembered Substack's Nazi problem and decided I'd wait and see if you switched platforms. So obviously I'm pro moving. Ugh, it's so annoying though. Why can't people just behave??
Thanks - those were very informative articles but as we don't live in a perfect world, where do you draw the red line? That red line might be quite different depending on where you stand politically, right or left and whether you are an Israeli or Palestinian etc.
In the long run I think we are better off with the US First Amendment as long those Freedom of Speech rights are not abused.
Thanks Daniel. I'm Canadian, so I don't hold the US's First Amendment close to heart. My line is not supporting people who platform people who would come after racialized and marginalized people.
I think you should leave. Our country, our world, is in a very bad situation coddling extremists who as soon as they get power will do a lot of harm. Don’t add fuel to the fire.
I support you going or staying--whichever ends up aligning best with your values and priorities regarding business activism. I am already practising mine by making sure that for every streaming service I subscribe to, I also subscribe to one outlet of independent journalism--including The Budgette (along with The Guardian and PBS). I was ignorant of Substack's Nazi problem until you mentioned it, because I barely know what Substack is, so I went and read two opposing opinions: one by Stephen Bush at the FT and the other by NBC News. I can see both sides. I also see, though, that 22 hours ago (as of 1:10pm Tuesday) Substack decided to move Nazi content off its platform. So...maybe there's no need for you to move?
I would rather have them expressing their views in the open rather than hiding ing the shadows. It’s my choice whether I want to read what the write or not.
I am also Canadian and we have the Charter here which presumably guarantees Freedom of Expression.I agree with your line of reasoning but as a white male I sometimes feel marginalized as well, especially if I was living in Zimbabwe.
I fully support the move, I read by email anyhow so it doesnt bother me! Cause I feel the same way, I wouldnt want to use a platform that actively does the bare minimum when it comes to Nazi's.
I support moving off of Substack. Sure, it's a little inconvenient when everyone and their moms are on Substack (just really easy to read all my newsletters in one feed). But I am always supportive of anyone that operates their business and conducts their work aligned to their values. Still sticking around no matter what you choose!
Thanks, Olivia. Appreciate it!
I read the newsletter in my Gmail inbox, so the platform you use doesn't make much difference over here. Fully support you could with the platform that makes the most business and moral sense.
Much love to you, Anne. xoxo
I also read these via email. I also have grave concerns with Substack. If you decide to move I am happy to follow to a new platform but definitely prefer something with an email feature!
Hi Abbie, thank you. I will definitely look for something that has an email feature.
Suggest staying. “It takes a village”, after all. Sure, maybe it’ll be a village full of Nazis and they chase us all into that windmill that’s burning down - but we can’t move just because it suits our sense of outrage. Substack isn’t just the worst parts of its content. Then we’d be leaving because of some of the creeps you can encounter in its forums. Nor can Substack take credit for the best parts. But it does carry some of the most impressive long-form journalism around and the spectrum of disciplines is broad and rich.
I understand your point but there's an argument to be made that staying here condones Substack's behaviour, while paying them a portion of subscriber fees. (Granted, I don't have that much to give them but still every penny count. Or five cents for us Canadians.)
I was about to subscribe to The Budgette but then I remembered Substack's Nazi problem and decided I'd wait and see if you switched platforms. So obviously I'm pro moving. Ugh, it's so annoying though. Why can't people just behave??
Can you explain what the Nazi problem is and if there I would certainly take your business elsewhere
Sure. It's best if you start with these two articles:
https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archive/2023/11/substack-extremism-nazi-white-supremacy-newsletters/676156/
https://www.ft.com/content/648ec2c0-d71b-4dc6-af15-56fedc54eb2d
Thanks - those were very informative articles but as we don't live in a perfect world, where do you draw the red line? That red line might be quite different depending on where you stand politically, right or left and whether you are an Israeli or Palestinian etc.
In the long run I think we are better off with the US First Amendment as long those Freedom of Speech rights are not abused.
Thanks Daniel. I'm Canadian, so I don't hold the US's First Amendment close to heart. My line is not supporting people who platform people who would come after racialized and marginalized people.
I think you should leave. Our country, our world, is in a very bad situation coddling extremists who as soon as they get power will do a lot of harm. Don’t add fuel to the fire.
I support you going or staying--whichever ends up aligning best with your values and priorities regarding business activism. I am already practising mine by making sure that for every streaming service I subscribe to, I also subscribe to one outlet of independent journalism--including The Budgette (along with The Guardian and PBS). I was ignorant of Substack's Nazi problem until you mentioned it, because I barely know what Substack is, so I went and read two opposing opinions: one by Stephen Bush at the FT and the other by NBC News. I can see both sides. I also see, though, that 22 hours ago (as of 1:10pm Tuesday) Substack decided to move Nazi content off its platform. So...maybe there's no need for you to move?
Only removed five, with fewer than 100 subs, none paid. https://www.cnn.com/2024/01/09/tech/substack-removes-newsletters-for-pro-nazi-content/index.html
I would rather have them expressing their views in the open rather than hiding ing the shadows. It’s my choice whether I want to read what the write or not.
Totally. I am considering removing myself from the space.
That is your choice but I enjoy the fact that the people I want to read are all in one place. I won’t be leaving Substack anytime soon.
I am also Canadian and we have the Charter here which presumably guarantees Freedom of Expression.I agree with your line of reasoning but as a white male I sometimes feel marginalized as well, especially if I was living in Zimbabwe.
I fully support the move, I read by email anyhow so it doesnt bother me! Cause I feel the same way, I wouldnt want to use a platform that actively does the bare minimum when it comes to Nazi's.
Love, a fellow Canadian 🖤