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Substack is trying to generate returns for venture capitalists. That they agree with one piece of your politics at this particular moment in their company's gr

Substack is trying to generate returns for venture capitalists. That they agree with one piece of your politics at this particular moment in their company's growth and at this particular point in the evolution of your political beliefs is a massive red herring. Let me repeat. Substack is trying to generate returns for venture capitalists.

ksdale 5y ago
Just because their interests are opposed to mine doesn't mean I can't trust them. Teacher's unions can use their poor performance as a justification for increasing their own pay which comes straight out of my pocket and yet I'm able to trust them. I'm evaluating their deeds, not their motivations. Calling something a non-profit doesn't magically make it pure. The Red Cross and Goodwill have plenty of problems, as do governments around the world.
- throwawaygh 5y ago
  You asked what substack is trying to do, and I think I gave the only accurate answer. That said, your point is well-taken. I think one of my other comments already captures my thoughts on the point your making; let's move there to discuss: https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=30093683 https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=30093683
  - suslik 5y ago
    While accurate, it isn't a full answer. Substack does provide profits for venture capitalists, but it does so by fulfilling a particular market demand - demand for a censorhsip-free (or censorship-lite) platform. It is a somewhat niche demand, obviously - but it is the only aspect that differentiates them from facebooks of the world.
    - throwawaygh 5y ago
      No, it is the full answer. The other stuff is their market position. That can change on a dime. (It also does nothing about to dual problem of stoking social division to generate more profit.)
naasking 5y ago
> Substack is trying to generate returns for venture capitalists. Yes, but they're doing this by countering the heavily editorialized and censored mainstream print media with a more free speech-oriented platform. This is exactly how we should exploit markets to produce good social ends.

ksdale 5y ago

Just because their interests are opposed to mine doesn't mean I can't trust them. Teacher's unions can use their poor performance as a justification for increasing their own pay which comes straight out of my pocket and yet I'm able to trust them. I'm evaluating their deeds, not their motivations. Calling something a non-profit doesn't magically make it pure. The Red Cross and Goodwill have plenty of problems, as do governments around the world.

throwawaygh 5y ago
You asked what substack is trying to do, and I think I gave the only accurate answer. That said, your point is well-taken. I think one of my other comments already captures my thoughts on the point your making; let's move there to discuss: https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=30093683 https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=30093683
- suslik 5y ago
  While accurate, it isn't a full answer. Substack does provide profits for venture capitalists, but it does so by fulfilling a particular market demand - demand for a censorhsip-free (or censorship-lite) platform. It is a somewhat niche demand, obviously - but it is the only aspect that differentiates them from facebooks of the world.
  - throwawaygh 5y ago
    No, it is the full answer. The other stuff is their market position. That can change on a dime. (It also does nothing about to dual problem of stoking social division to generate more profit.)

naasking 5y ago

> Substack is trying to generate returns for venture capitalists. Yes, but they're doing this by countering the heavily editorialized and censored mainstream print media with a more free speech-oriented platform. This is exactly how we should exploit markets to produce good social ends.