Is Sub Pub for All Substackers?

Or should there be limits?

A reader has politely objected to an aspect of my previous post, Sub Pub's Twitter Adventure. In particular, the reader pointed to an Atlantic article that described Alex Berenson as “The Pandemic's Wrongest Man.” The reader suggested that I put on my editorial cap and limit promotion of Berenson's newsletter, based on the Atlantic article and Berenson's appearances on the Tucker Carlson program.

I want Sub Pub to be a home for all Substack newsletter publishers and readers. That means a very wide range of people. Some will strongly object to others.

Some publishers have left Substack due to the presence – and arguably the promotion – of certain controversial writers. Sub Pub could face that problem in microcosm.

I can’t avoid all mention of controversial issues on Sub Pub. But I’d like to lower the tensions. I want everyone, of any background and viewpoint, to be welcome here, unless they’re violating Substack’s terms.

If you think a user is violating Substack's terms, such as its content guidelines, I hope you’ll notify Substack. If you think I should do anything about a violation – or any problem in the community – I hope you’ll let me know.

I haven’t yet encountered a problem in comments on Sub Pub. If comments seem uncivil, off-topic, or in violation of terms, I’ll try to act proportionally. I’d hope a few friendly words would suffice. Everyone can have a bad day, make a mistake, or go overboard. If the situation is out of hand, I’d contact Substack.

For me, the trickiest part is whether to exercise “editorial” control and limit “promotion” of certain newsletters. I intend to publish ads from paid subscribers. I might promote a newsletter explicitly or implicitly. I want newsletters to do well in general. But should I set limits? What are the limits?

I think that Substack’s terms, supplemented by a modicum of civility, can provide the limits. I can’t be an expert on everything that each publisher says. But if you have expertise or evidence that a publisher has violated Substack’s terms – or has harmed publishers or readers in a way you believe the terms should prohibit – let Substack know.¹ Let me know too if you think I should know.

Am I on the right track? I welcome your advice.

1. Alex Berenson calls his newsletter “Unreported Truths.” Seth Abramson calls his newsletter “Proof.” They’re not the only ones who can assert unreported truths or point to proof. We all have that power.

That’s one thing I like about Substack. We’ve all got the same text editor. We’ve all got words and ideas and a platform on which to publish them. We don’t all have the reach of a Berenson or an Abramson. But potentially we can have a powerful reach, by sending out the right words and seeking to direct the words to appropriate people.