Substack, N*zis, and Nuance

N*zis are never good, but the issue is not black & white

You’re reading life: examined, a compendium of ideas, thoughts, and questions about living a creative, intentional life—from my home in Portugal to you.

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a terrifying crybaby that has little to do with this essay

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Hi there, dear reader: 

The world is on fire; famine, war, and genocide (free Palestine) are mainstays of the headlines—unless Dronald Drumpf is making the rounds—and he always seems to be making the rounds. So, in some ways, it feels ridiculous to bring this up, but here goes:

Substack + white supremacists = big money for them. 

Have you heard? If you haven’t, this is not the first time Substack’s had controversy about its editorial policy and terms of service. From Wikipedia (because I’m too tired to look elsewhere): 

In 2020, popular platforms such as Twitter, Facebook, and YouTube began restricting or removing accounts that they claim spread COVID-19 misinformation, which violates those platforms' content policies. Some prominent authors accused of spreading misinformation have moved from those platforms to Substack. The Washington Post mentioned Joseph Mercola, whose content Imran Ahmed, CEO of the Center for Countering Digital Hate, called "so bad no one else will host it", and Steve Bannon, whom Elizabeth Dwoskin, writing for The Washington Post, accused of spreading "violent rhetoric and false claims about the election in the weeks leading up to the Capitol siege on Jan. 6", as "conspiracy theorists", who have moved their online presence to Substack.^[1]

In January 2022, the Center for Countering Digital Hate accused Substack of allowing content which could be dangerous to public health, estimating that the company earned $2.5 million per year from the top five anti-vax authors alone, who have tens of thousands of subscribers.^[1] Presumably in response to press inquiries, the three founders affirmed their commitment to minimal censorship in a blog post.^[2]

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In an attempt to make sense of this issue and rein in my usual reaction to this sort of thing (F-you, I'm outta here!), I spoke with other writers on the platform and read several posts on why people choose to leave and why others will stay. 

I left a few remarks on the topic via NOTES, Substack's Twitter/X clone. You can find it in the Notes tab on my Substack page or here for your convenience: 

Here's my first and likely last note (not sure Substack needs this feature, but I'll give it a go). 

Have you heard/read about the Nazis/white supremacists and their ilk making money via reader subscriptions and sharing their spoils via fees to Substack and Stripe (the third-party payment processor)? If not, you're even more disconnected from the web-o-sphere than I am (congrats). 

The short story: Substack stands hard and fast by their interpretation of free speech. They seem to operate under a "there are no grey areas, and no, we won't comment in any meaningful way on its policy." Many writers and creators disagree and believe in nuance—including this writer. 

Hate speech in all its forms should be disallowed, and the spewers of such bullshit be banned. However, Substack is making money from them, so they make an exception, it appears (yet they censor/ban p0rn…). 

If you're curious, 240+ writers got together and confronted the founders of Substack; it seems the founders don't like nazis, either, but they have no plans to de-platform them. I’m still waiting for the access to the document so I can sign it, too.

This quote by Substack's co-founder Hamish McKenzie shows just how much nothing they plan to do: 

I just want to make it clear that we don't like Nazis either — we wish no one held those views," the co-founder wrote. "But some people do hold those and other extreme views. Given that, we don't think that censorship (including through demonetizing publications) makes the problem go away—in fact, it makes it worse.

My question is this:

Given that the nazi problem is a problem everywhere, nazis indeed exist everywhere (schools, grocery stores, in the lingerie section at Macy's), should writers (like me) flee if they disagree/can't stand this flea-ridden group of assholes?

Here are a few things to consider for this particular writer: 

1. Substack makes writing & publishing my newsletter easy & almost fun;

2. I don't pay to use this service;

3. And more importantly, Substack makes zero dollars/euros from me or my readers. I don't use the paid subscribers feature and wouldn't likely ever do so. My readers Buy me a Coffee when they're so inclined. 

I'm unsure what to do about this dilemma—stay or go. Normally, I'd react and say: screw this place, I'm outta here, but I don't know if that's the best response for me at the moment (although I'm close).

From the do I really need to say this department: 

In NO WAY do I condone hate speech, nazis, misogynists, homophobes, dictators, fundamentalists, racists, etc. 

I hope this is clear and you take this note for what it is—a writer trying to figure out what to do while practicing restraint as she waits for the dust to settle around this issue so she can see clearly enough to make a thoughtful decision. 

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Now What?

Full disclosure: My generous readers can buy me a coffee or three when I publish a newsletter. For each issue, I earn between $5 and $50, on average. I've had some extraordinary days where I've received more than $100 in donations. 

Donations confirm that my readers understand the time and work that goes into creating these essays and that paying writers for their work is a worthy action. Unlike the big names who are making six figures + on Substack, these gifts don't help me pay my rent, but they sure do make my day— especially now that I don't have an income as a newly retired person :) 

So, what say you, dear reader?

Do I stay on a platform that has been good for me and my audience (without a genuinely viable option), or do I leave because some horrible humans are profiting from their writing on Substack? 

Would my leaving eliminate the problem or only serve to strengthen their activity (as if my little ol' newsletter could do that, but you get my point)? 

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Thank YOU!

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For More on This Topic

—> Read this via Casey Newton of Platformer who has left/is leaving Substack.

—> Also read Jeanna Kadlec’s well-reasoned piece on why she’s staying with Substack for now:

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