It's been amazing to see you grow into your writing, one post at a time! Super happy for you and your new publication, Richard, and I'm honoured to have taken part in it!
i'm a complete noob to philosophy, but kant is someone i'd always heard about. reading about just how dedicated he was to his craft after his "wake up call" was super inspiring haha. well done, robin. i'm a new sub, but i'm glad i found your stuff. can't wait to see what the new format brings.
Fascinating! I had no idea that the early part of Kant's life was so different from my preconception of his reclusive work style. I am so glad that you managed to find the right rhythm for your working routine. I am too my happiest when my days are floating one by one in a gentle flow of consistent work/personal projects and unwinding afterwards. All the best to you from Poland!
i'm relatively new here, and loved this week's letter. I found it informative and looked up kant to learn more. Also, the segue when you wrote 'away from the desk... back to my desk' was small detail but made me smile. Thanks!
Hi Robin, I have been a long time reader of your substack. As you are making big changes, I would like to share with you my experience regarding substack app, hope it helps you. Let's go point by point in reference to your recent post:
1. You say when you open substack app, you don't see newsletters from your inbox. If we go in substack settings, we can configure what we want to see on our home page. If you want you can only see newsletters from your subscriptions on your home page.
2. Second issue you raised is people don't receive newsletters in their inbox. Personally I never faced this issue, I receive all newsletters from different subscriptions including yours in my inbox without fail. Maybe some people facing this issue because newsletters might be going in spam folder.
3. I read all newsletters from subscriptions directly in my email inbox. I prefer reading in email app as the font is way better than substack app. That's why I rarely use substack app, so I never get distracted with reels ,etc. Btw as I said earlier we can configure substack homepage if needed, so we can avoid nuisance of reels. As I read newsletter directly from email app, for your substack open rate stats my reading will not be counted. If I read from from substack app only then it will be shown in open rate stats. That's why those stats are not useful I feel.
4. All digital platforms are designed to keep us hooked to them as long as possible, that's why they will create all sorts of distractions like reels, etc. So I feel we jumping from one platform to other won't solve the core problem. We need to configure our phones to make them dull as Kant says lol. Couple of years ago I decided to exit most of social media apps from my phone like twitter, facebook, etc. I also stopped all notifications from apps I use barring message app. Also I changed to dark theme and changed colour of app icons to monochrome. So my phone feels now less distracting.
5. Currently I am your monthly paid subscriber, but with the new changes I am worried about those who have subscribed you for full year. Will they lose money with new changes?
Good luck with your book, looking forward to read it when it gets released.Cheers.
Thank you for this thoughtful comment, and I really appreciate this comment!
All of your points above are very valid, and I'd like to build on them to fully articulate my reason for moving.
1: While it is possible to reconfigure the Substack main page, notes functions, and mutual recommendations have shifted the platform's main value proposition from delivering valuable content to selling a network. New readers who are not as tech-savvy (as yourself! Great move on reconfiguring the main page) will be pushed into accidentally subscribing to 4 other recommended publications. Some have reported that they had to unsubscribe from everything because their inbox is so overrun with newsletters from publications they accidentally subscribed to due to the recommendation function.
2 + 3: This is where I have a major problem with Substack's main metric system, and I noticed it when I uploaded a few podcast episodes. The analytics reported that the podcast had received over 100k downloads, which is completely inaccurate. I tracked the stats on another platform, Acast, and found out that the actual numbers are around 400 to 600 downloads per episode. And, without a full disclosure of what counts as a view, an open and how engagement is measured, it made tailoring content to my subscribers very difficult. All I have is a vague measure of how many likes a post gets and an inaccurate open rate (like you mentioned). Plus, I've noticed that these metrics are slowly changing how I approach my work. Instead of spending a whole week building a long, thoughtful article, my impulse from a few months ago was to write shorter pieces with provocative titles to game the recommendation engine. It took all the pleasure out of writing, and I'm slowly trying to rekindle that joy of working on one piece of good work at a time.
4: This is a great point, and I think it all comes down to what vision for a platform I'm willing to support. From a writer's point of view, Substack takes 10% of our total revenue (maybe more) to fund their platform, and despite active protests against reels and twitterfication from many people in the Substack community (also let's not forget the recent oucry against Substack's refusal to remove publications that actively endorse hate speech), the founders have turned a blind eye towards their users needs and told them to simply ignore the new features if they don't need it. This didn't sit well with me, knowing that my subscribers are paying in exchange for value, not a host of features just to boost the user base while increasing shareholder value. Ghost (the platform I'm moving to), in contrast, is an open-sourced engine where I have to pay out of pocket to fund web hosting, modify the front page with code and take care of all the back-end administrative work. But the main difference is that now I'll be able to deliver the value I promised all my subscribers with a fully customised, independent platform. Substack has unfortunately introduced more friction into reading while spending subscribers' hard-earned money.
5: I'm now working overtime with Ghost's team to make sure this doesn't happen. The transition, when it's done, should give all subscribers full access to what they paid for, and I'm even contemplating comping all my paid subscribers 3 months of free access to the paid sections of the new site (including yourself!) due to their overwhelming kindness and support. So, no, they will not lose money, and if there are any technical issues, I've created a support email address where I'll resolve these issues asap.
I hope that lengthy response gave you a bit more clarity on why I'm considering migrating over to an independent platform. Then again, thank you so much for your support by being a long-time reader. You made what I do possible!
Thanks Robin for taking out time from your packed schedule for unpacking various reasons for moving to a new platform. As for me I am always ready to take knowledge from wherever it comes, so I am cool with with new platform and fully support the changes. Tc brother.
I'm a UK resident and retired. The financial situation in the UK is dire, which restricts my available cash, so reading and journaling are my passion. I have lots of books from a lifetime of reading and collecting. Since retirement I have concentrated on history, both foreign and British, classical books, and more recently philosophy. Your post reaffirmed my decision to spend my last days reading and studying.
I'm looking forward to your move, as the Substack app is somewhat flaky on my android tablet, having a tendency to open and then crash in seconds. It also seems intent on monetising substacks.
If you're even in a tricky financial situation, feel free to email me when the new site is completed! I'm considering establishing a financial aid tier where I'll provide free access to those who are in a tricky situation.
Thanks man! It was definitely a difficult decision but if it ensures a better experience for you, then it’s worth any amount of money and time. See you at the new site soon!
I was already a reader and have begun, slowly to become a writer, which is thanks to you.
It's been amazing to see you grow into your writing, one post at a time! Super happy for you and your new publication, Richard, and I'm honoured to have taken part in it!
i'm a complete noob to philosophy, but kant is someone i'd always heard about. reading about just how dedicated he was to his craft after his "wake up call" was super inspiring haha. well done, robin. i'm a new sub, but i'm glad i found your stuff. can't wait to see what the new format brings.
Thank you! And thanks for reading. Can’t wait to show you the full newsletter over at the new site.
Kant became the Übermensch. He would live the same life over and over with contentment.
Fascinating! I had no idea that the early part of Kant's life was so different from my preconception of his reclusive work style. I am so glad that you managed to find the right rhythm for your working routine. I am too my happiest when my days are floating one by one in a gentle flow of consistent work/personal projects and unwinding afterwards. All the best to you from Poland!
i'm relatively new here, and loved this week's letter. I found it informative and looked up kant to learn more. Also, the segue when you wrote 'away from the desk... back to my desk' was small detail but made me smile. Thanks!
Hi Robin, I have been a long time reader of your substack. As you are making big changes, I would like to share with you my experience regarding substack app, hope it helps you. Let's go point by point in reference to your recent post:
1. You say when you open substack app, you don't see newsletters from your inbox. If we go in substack settings, we can configure what we want to see on our home page. If you want you can only see newsletters from your subscriptions on your home page.
2. Second issue you raised is people don't receive newsletters in their inbox. Personally I never faced this issue, I receive all newsletters from different subscriptions including yours in my inbox without fail. Maybe some people facing this issue because newsletters might be going in spam folder.
3. I read all newsletters from subscriptions directly in my email inbox. I prefer reading in email app as the font is way better than substack app. That's why I rarely use substack app, so I never get distracted with reels ,etc. Btw as I said earlier we can configure substack homepage if needed, so we can avoid nuisance of reels. As I read newsletter directly from email app, for your substack open rate stats my reading will not be counted. If I read from from substack app only then it will be shown in open rate stats. That's why those stats are not useful I feel.
4. All digital platforms are designed to keep us hooked to them as long as possible, that's why they will create all sorts of distractions like reels, etc. So I feel we jumping from one platform to other won't solve the core problem. We need to configure our phones to make them dull as Kant says lol. Couple of years ago I decided to exit most of social media apps from my phone like twitter, facebook, etc. I also stopped all notifications from apps I use barring message app. Also I changed to dark theme and changed colour of app icons to monochrome. So my phone feels now less distracting.
5. Currently I am your monthly paid subscriber, but with the new changes I am worried about those who have subscribed you for full year. Will they lose money with new changes?
Good luck with your book, looking forward to read it when it gets released.Cheers.
Thank you for this thoughtful comment, and I really appreciate this comment!
All of your points above are very valid, and I'd like to build on them to fully articulate my reason for moving.
1: While it is possible to reconfigure the Substack main page, notes functions, and mutual recommendations have shifted the platform's main value proposition from delivering valuable content to selling a network. New readers who are not as tech-savvy (as yourself! Great move on reconfiguring the main page) will be pushed into accidentally subscribing to 4 other recommended publications. Some have reported that they had to unsubscribe from everything because their inbox is so overrun with newsletters from publications they accidentally subscribed to due to the recommendation function.
2 + 3: This is where I have a major problem with Substack's main metric system, and I noticed it when I uploaded a few podcast episodes. The analytics reported that the podcast had received over 100k downloads, which is completely inaccurate. I tracked the stats on another platform, Acast, and found out that the actual numbers are around 400 to 600 downloads per episode. And, without a full disclosure of what counts as a view, an open and how engagement is measured, it made tailoring content to my subscribers very difficult. All I have is a vague measure of how many likes a post gets and an inaccurate open rate (like you mentioned). Plus, I've noticed that these metrics are slowly changing how I approach my work. Instead of spending a whole week building a long, thoughtful article, my impulse from a few months ago was to write shorter pieces with provocative titles to game the recommendation engine. It took all the pleasure out of writing, and I'm slowly trying to rekindle that joy of working on one piece of good work at a time.
4: This is a great point, and I think it all comes down to what vision for a platform I'm willing to support. From a writer's point of view, Substack takes 10% of our total revenue (maybe more) to fund their platform, and despite active protests against reels and twitterfication from many people in the Substack community (also let's not forget the recent oucry against Substack's refusal to remove publications that actively endorse hate speech), the founders have turned a blind eye towards their users needs and told them to simply ignore the new features if they don't need it. This didn't sit well with me, knowing that my subscribers are paying in exchange for value, not a host of features just to boost the user base while increasing shareholder value. Ghost (the platform I'm moving to), in contrast, is an open-sourced engine where I have to pay out of pocket to fund web hosting, modify the front page with code and take care of all the back-end administrative work. But the main difference is that now I'll be able to deliver the value I promised all my subscribers with a fully customised, independent platform. Substack has unfortunately introduced more friction into reading while spending subscribers' hard-earned money.
5: I'm now working overtime with Ghost's team to make sure this doesn't happen. The transition, when it's done, should give all subscribers full access to what they paid for, and I'm even contemplating comping all my paid subscribers 3 months of free access to the paid sections of the new site (including yourself!) due to their overwhelming kindness and support. So, no, they will not lose money, and if there are any technical issues, I've created a support email address where I'll resolve these issues asap.
I hope that lengthy response gave you a bit more clarity on why I'm considering migrating over to an independent platform. Then again, thank you so much for your support by being a long-time reader. You made what I do possible!
Robin
Thanks Robin for taking out time from your packed schedule for unpacking various reasons for moving to a new platform. As for me I am always ready to take knowledge from wherever it comes, so I am cool with with new platform and fully support the changes. Tc brother.
Good morning from Berlin! I am looking ver much forward to your new setting, Robin, and enjoy what is already out in the meantime.
Thanks Norman! See you on the other side :)
I'm a UK resident and retired. The financial situation in the UK is dire, which restricts my available cash, so reading and journaling are my passion. I have lots of books from a lifetime of reading and collecting. Since retirement I have concentrated on history, both foreign and British, classical books, and more recently philosophy. Your post reaffirmed my decision to spend my last days reading and studying.
I'm looking forward to your move, as the Substack app is somewhat flaky on my android tablet, having a tendency to open and then crash in seconds. It also seems intent on monetising substacks.
Thanks for all you do.
If you're even in a tricky financial situation, feel free to email me when the new site is completed! I'm considering establishing a financial aid tier where I'll provide free access to those who are in a tricky situation.
I will, as I'm able to pay the Substack. I'll certainly consider it, as you are good value, and I enjoy your subject choices. Thanks for the reply.
You have helped me steel my resolve in writing again, thanks.
Excellent post as usual, Robin! And can’t wait for the new format!
Thanks man! It was definitely a difficult decision but if it ensures a better experience for you, then it’s worth any amount of money and time. See you at the new site soon!