I agree with this 100%. The proper number of Nazi-propagandist SubStacks is ZERO. Where, exactly, the line is between “a hands-off approach and putting your thumb on the scale” via algorithm...
OK, what's the next step? Some concerned people who are part of the Substack economy endorsed and reposted this open letter. The controlling interests of Substack have now replied that no thanks, they are good with platforming Nazis and collecting their cash. Is there going to be a next action or ...?
I don't understand why this is so hard. Of course, it involves making decisions that not everyone will agree with and will require ongoing effort as "Nazis" come up with new subterfuges to circumvent their removal. It will not be perfect. There will be Type 2 errors, also. But can it really be so costly not to try?
Substack is not a university where there is positive value in exposing people to detestable ideas. It is a business selling severice to writers and it can and should decide which subset of writers it wants as its customers. Nazis have Twitter, they don't need Substack.
Off topic comment: Brad, what is your opinion of Robert Gordon's "The Rise and Fall of American Growth"? Gordon thinks the rate of progress leveled off somewhere around 1970 whereas you end your book in 2010. IMO this would make an interesting topic for your blog (unless you've alread discussed it.)
As Timothy Snyder put it, democracy didn't triumph in "the marketplace of ideas". It triumphed on the battlefield.
OK, what's the next step? Some concerned people who are part of the Substack economy endorsed and reposted this open letter. The controlling interests of Substack have now replied that no thanks, they are good with platforming Nazis and collecting their cash. Is there going to be a next action or ...?
I don't understand why this is so hard. Of course, it involves making decisions that not everyone will agree with and will require ongoing effort as "Nazis" come up with new subterfuges to circumvent their removal. It will not be perfect. There will be Type 2 errors, also. But can it really be so costly not to try?
Substack is not a university where there is positive value in exposing people to detestable ideas. It is a business selling severice to writers and it can and should decide which subset of writers it wants as its customers. Nazis have Twitter, they don't need Substack.
Thanks. I appreciate you reposting this.
Off topic comment: Brad, what is your opinion of Robert Gordon's "The Rise and Fall of American Growth"? Gordon thinks the rate of progress leveled off somewhere around 1970 whereas you end your book in 2010. IMO this would make an interesting topic for your blog (unless you've alread discussed it.)