I joined Substack because I like reading. Now, too many of the newsletters I follow are recordings instead of writing. There are times I am places where I can’t listen but could read. I implore anyone who records to also provide a transcript. Thank you.
Agreed! My husband and I provide a free pdf for most posts, as many readers prefer paper over pixels. We have started a series of live meetings, but they are geared to be interactive with our readers (a type of live kitchen table conversation), and will also include transcripts. This week we'll be hosting a meeting on "Reading in the Digital Age" with Joel J Miller :)
That's right. Please, Substack, fix the footnotes bug on the app... They're not clickable on the app as they are in the website. Please, don's the main original purpose of substack: a place for writers! Thank you!
I'm rather new to these threads, but it looks to be a liberal waste land, not all that much different from the conservative waste lands where I've previously commented. I guess minions are minions no matter which end of the republic you're at.
Well put Steve. I look forward to my night's, curling up to War & Peace, or any other good book that calms the mind. The rest of the day is writing, researching, and being outside as much as humanely possible. When you say you're new to these threads, do you mean you're new to Substack as well?
I already miss this being a place for writers and writing. I didn’t know the intention was to take on You Tube and other broadcasting platforms. Not how it was sold to us, and I still, in a considered and respectful way with decades of media experience, think you are making a mistake and selling us short. The many replies to my recent comment/note on this subject show me that a lot of you feel the same. It’s a shame.
Keep the Ghost platform in mind if this gets out of hand. It's a worthy alternative, although it doesn't have as good an infrastructure for promoting your newsletter as Substack has unless you're willing to dive deeply into its API.
Cheers Charles. Instead of introducing new broadcast features seemingly daily, they could be making the subscription prices and model more affordable, and less unwieldy. We can’t help feeling let down by this relentless surge towards becoming a social media / broadcasting platform. Massively disingenuous of those who set it up .
I hear you Coline, and I really hope it works out like that long term, I can’t help but feel a little tired if every new email and post about a tech innovation , when the wonderful writing on the platform isn’t being presented in a way that is truly reader-friendly and subscription-friendly. It’s a mess , and it’s absolutely what the priority should be 🙏🏼. Best wishes , Lee
ha, yes, the emails, I agree. I unsubscribed the emails and I go directly on the app to read. My time of reading is skyrocketing since I have started going to Substack, I have to say. This is such a pleasure to read long articles (no characters limitation) and polite discussions with other readers. Fresh air after Twitter…
I think that the idea is to offer long, uncut platforms to writers and creators. If I had a critic: more unknown writers should be highlighted. Because this is one of the reasons many of us we come here: to discover new authors.
UGH. Substack is my refuge from "live video" assault. A platform for thinkers and writers and thoughtful discussion. Why do we need another Reels or Youtube??? THUMBS DOWN.
I just joined a few weeks ago to get away from all the “noise” of YT, TikTok, and instagram reels 😭 I thought this was a peaceful app of reading and photos but I guess I came too late.
I think it's a still a pretty peaceful app where a lot of writers are doing great writing unbothered by stuff like this and where the true Substack community is located.
I want to hear from Rosie O'Donnell about as much as I want to have my bare testicles dragged down a 500 mile gravel road infested with fire ants and flaming liberals lining each side of the road chanting "Hands off".
Stop with the video. There's plenty of that on YouTube, TikTok, and other video-centric sites.
Also, stop with the curation process. This gives an inherent advantage to whoever it is you choose. Big, little names, doesn't matter. Let your users pick who they want to read without your interference.
I don't want to have to transfer all my subscribers to the Ghost platform if I don't have to, if you know what I mean, and I think you do.
please stop adding reels and videos to substack, we quite literally get that everywhere else. substack is an escape and you’re hurting more then you’re helping with these changes. it’s scary to see it turn into every other digital medium out there. I hope the changes are reversed.
I dunno, man. Substack is getting weird. A TV guide? Is this Twitch, all of a sudden? Can’t any platform do writing and JUST do writing, really well? Then give writers all the tools they’re looking for (accept tips/donations, a way to find hidden gems, better serialization options, etc). This place feels less and less like an escape from the noise and chaos of social media.
Like many here in the comments, I am not here for "live shows." I am here for the writers, I am a writer here myself. I am here for the artists and photographers, also both myself.
I joined Substack because I like reading. Now, too many of the newsletters I follow are recordings instead of writing. There are times I am places where I can’t listen but could read. I implore anyone who records to also provide a transcript. Thank you.
I also read much faster than I watch, if that makes sense. I'm talking ten times faster, not a little faster.
I agree, reading is much faster. I also retain more of what I read much better than listening to someone drone on and on.
Substack automatically generates transcripts of all live recordings!
Not for free subscribers, most of those are for paid subscribers only. 😡
Can't speak to how others operate, but all of our content on The Downballot is free, including transcripts.
I appreciate that, as I'm sure others do as well. I was just referring to transcripts overall on here.
Excellent 👋
That sure doesn’t show on the Substack newsletters I follow.
Agreed! My husband and I provide a free pdf for most posts, as many readers prefer paper over pixels. We have started a series of live meetings, but they are geared to be interactive with our readers (a type of live kitchen table conversation), and will also include transcripts. This week we'll be hosting a meeting on "Reading in the Digital Age" with Joel J Miller :)
Same here Ginni - writing is an artform that can never be touched with a video.
That's right. Please, Substack, fix the footnotes bug on the app... They're not clickable on the app as they are in the website. Please, don's the main original purpose of substack: a place for writers! Thank you!
Books still exist.
I don’t understand what you’re saying.
What is Substack turning into?
I'm rather new to these threads, but it looks to be a liberal waste land, not all that much different from the conservative waste lands where I've previously commented. I guess minions are minions no matter which end of the republic you're at.
Well put Steve. I look forward to my night's, curling up to War & Peace, or any other good book that calms the mind. The rest of the day is writing, researching, and being outside as much as humanely possible. When you say you're new to these threads, do you mean you're new to Substack as well?
"you're new to Substack as well?"
Yes, still trying to figure it out. Too much of it is behind paywalls, most notably the comment sections.
Just another streaming TV service. With some social media stuff. McLuhan’s return to oral culture.
Hi
I already miss this being a place for writers and writing. I didn’t know the intention was to take on You Tube and other broadcasting platforms. Not how it was sold to us, and I still, in a considered and respectful way with decades of media experience, think you are making a mistake and selling us short. The many replies to my recent comment/note on this subject show me that a lot of you feel the same. It’s a shame.
100%.
Keep the Ghost platform in mind if this gets out of hand. It's a worthy alternative, although it doesn't have as good an infrastructure for promoting your newsletter as Substack has unless you're willing to dive deeply into its API.
Cheers Charles. Instead of introducing new broadcast features seemingly daily, they could be making the subscription prices and model more affordable, and less unwieldy. We can’t help feeling let down by this relentless surge towards becoming a social media / broadcasting platform. Massively disingenuous of those who set it up .
But it still a place for writers and writing. + the quality of streaming offered is must higher than standard social networks. We can enjoy both.
I hear you Coline, and I really hope it works out like that long term, I can’t help but feel a little tired if every new email and post about a tech innovation , when the wonderful writing on the platform isn’t being presented in a way that is truly reader-friendly and subscription-friendly. It’s a mess , and it’s absolutely what the priority should be 🙏🏼. Best wishes , Lee
ha, yes, the emails, I agree. I unsubscribed the emails and I go directly on the app to read. My time of reading is skyrocketing since I have started going to Substack, I have to say. This is such a pleasure to read long articles (no characters limitation) and polite discussions with other readers. Fresh air after Twitter…
Yes totally , and that sounds like a smart move on the emails I must work out how to do that !
Exactly. And you can train your feed to block the streams if you Don’t like them.
we obviously need a whole stream about how to "train your feed"! seriously, where's a clue on this!?
I think that the idea is to offer long, uncut platforms to writers and creators. If I had a critic: more unknown writers should be highlighted. Because this is one of the reasons many of us we come here: to discover new authors.
Agreed on both ends
I tend to agree.
UGH. Substack is my refuge from "live video" assault. A platform for thinkers and writers and thoughtful discussion. Why do we need another Reels or Youtube??? THUMBS DOWN.
I’d like the two forms separated into two tracks, with the option of including links from one to another.
I do enjoy the immediate access to so many thoughtful pieces.
I don’t mind links to documentation.
As an option, Bluesky does center on the written form.
Choices are good. We just like to know what we’re going to get when we make a choice.
Please get rid of the short-form video — or give us an option on the user’s end to hide it. Please.
I just joined a few weeks ago to get away from all the “noise” of YT, TikTok, and instagram reels 😭 I thought this was a peaceful app of reading and photos but I guess I came too late.
I think it's a still a pretty peaceful app where a lot of writers are doing great writing unbothered by stuff like this and where the true Substack community is located.
I hope so. As long as I’m not assaulted with sound when I’m scrolling. When instagram added the reels that’s when I bailed.
It's fairly easy to ignore, in my opinion, and currently not in your face like other social media.
I want to hear from Rosie O'Donnell about as much as I want to have my bare testicles dragged down a 500 mile gravel road infested with fire ants and flaming liberals lining each side of the road chanting "Hands off".
She gave up all credibility for me years ago.
Agreed Johhny , absolutely, haw haw haw.
That’s really specific… 😰🤭
It's my nightmare lol.
I’m so glad I don’t remember most of my dreams.
Ugh. Substack turning into the platforms I bailed on. I don’t want reels and videos. I want to READ!
Stop with the video. There's plenty of that on YouTube, TikTok, and other video-centric sites.
Also, stop with the curation process. This gives an inherent advantage to whoever it is you choose. Big, little names, doesn't matter. Let your users pick who they want to read without your interference.
I don't want to have to transfer all my subscribers to the Ghost platform if I don't have to, if you know what I mean, and I think you do.
What kind of Kool-Aid are you trying to make us drink?
We came here to read 😭
please stop adding reels and videos to substack, we quite literally get that everywhere else. substack is an escape and you’re hurting more then you’re helping with these changes. it’s scary to see it turn into every other digital medium out there. I hope the changes are reversed.
Love to see it. Bringing back the TV Guide!
I dunno, man. Substack is getting weird. A TV guide? Is this Twitch, all of a sudden? Can’t any platform do writing and JUST do writing, really well? Then give writers all the tools they’re looking for (accept tips/donations, a way to find hidden gems, better serialization options, etc). This place feels less and less like an escape from the noise and chaos of social media.
There's already Twitch and YouTube for that, I come here to read and write. Hard pass for me, thank you but no thank you.
Like many here in the comments, I am not here for "live shows." I am here for the writers, I am a writer here myself. I am here for the artists and photographers, also both myself.