Platformer, the tech news site, is leaving Substack. “We’ve seen this movie before — and we won’t stick around to watch it play out.” (I’m making exceptions to my no-linking-to-Substack policy for why-we’re-leaving-Substack posts.)
Advertise here with Carbon Ads
This site is made possible by member support. 💞
Big thanks to Arcustech for hosting the site and offering amazing tech support.
When you buy through links on kottke.org, I may earn an affiliate commission. Thanks for supporting the site!
kottke.org. home of fine hypertext products since 1998.
Beloved by 86.47% of the web.
Comments 5
thread
latest
popular
I was ready to launch a long-form newsletter on Substack on January 1, with several pieces formatted, scheduled, and ready to go. I canceled the launch because of this "paradox-of-Nazi-tolerance" situation. I'm still trying to figure out where to move it to. Ghost? Buttondown? My own Wordpress site (again)? It's not clear what the right next step is.
I truly wish there was a simpler and more secure WordPress with built-in email newsletter capacity that won't send you to spam quickly.
Same here. I'm glad I hemmed and hawed over my overall theme because I have yet to officially start anything beyond creating my account. My Dad fought the Nazis and as an historian I will always emphasize the evils of Nazism. So unless I can find a way to combat Nazism from within Substack, Substack is going to be an entirely unacceptable venue.
I've been running a newsletter in Buttondown for a while now, and it's a decent service and does a good job delivering emails. I enjoy writing in markdown and having posts render exactly as I expect, so that's plus in my book. Also the founder, Justin, replies to emails quickly and is quite helpful. I recommend it! (However, what it won't do is help you build out a following through algorithmic recommendations the way Substack does.)
@Jasper That's (a big) part of what I'm looking for - a built-in recommendation engine to help people find my work. I'm surprised other services aren't at least trying to do that.
I think built-in algorithmic recommendations is what opens the Pandora's box of content moderation - it's the difference between being a pure software provider (as Substack initially was) vs a social media platform (as Substack is becoming)
Hello! In order to comment or fave, you need to be a current kottke.org member. If you'd like to sign up for a membership to support the site and join the conversation, you can explore your options here.
Existing members can sign in here. If you're a former member, you can renew your membership.
Note: If you are a member and tried to log in, it didn't work, and now you're stuck in a neverending login loop of death, try disabling any ad blockers or extensions. Or try logging out and then back in. Still having trouble? Email me!
In order to comment or fave, you need to be a current kottke.org member. Check out your options for renewal.
If you feel like this comment goes against the grain of the community guidelines or is otherwise inappropriate, please let me know and I will take a look at it.
This thread is closed for new comments & replies. Thanks to everyone for participating!