188 Comments

Isn't this killing the golden goose in a way? Substack readers are just that - readers. That's the reason I get quality engagement on a controversial topic like 5G, which often gets trolled on Facebook.

Thank you for your creative endeavors - not trying to bash it, only afraid that it will take away from the true source of Substack's value.

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Many writers are already doing video on Substack. These new tools help them do that. They simultaneously open the door for people who would love to be on Substack but don't consider themselves writers.

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And people read also watch videos and listen to podcasts and enjoy illustrations in books and articles use photos to further tell the story and visually accompany text. I call Substack a multi media magazine or publication. But with my smartphone video and film festival and new documentary on art I plan to bring more here for online showcasing (pay-per-view would rock!) instead of YouTube and other social media. Looking for the scissors to promote, not showing up for me. Thanks for making video better! Feature films? Woohoo!

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If they aren't writers -- they can go to the 4 billion other video sites.

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Turn off autoplay.

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My knee-jerk reaction was just that as well. But it will be nice to do videos natively if we want to. Not have to.

Also, hopefully livestreams are next. Can’t wait to chat with paid subscribers live about the articles I write.

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Absolutely this. Live chat and the ability for stories would be a game changer. I would completely leave Instagram

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Thanks for sharing your perspective Roscoe - appreciate the moral support (:

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People are capable of both things and some folks consume information more effectively from watching or hearing it vs. reading. And the basis of much of our content begins in some way with the written word. I'm super excited to explore how I can use Substack in all the ways.

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I read and watch videos too.

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Good to know - thank you for sharing that Longtrail.

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“Quality engagement?” You’re a huckster promoting quack “science.”

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Thanks for the name-calling Paul. Why is it quack science?

https://romanshapoval.substack.com/p/safetymyth

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I think it will allow creators to be more interesting and offer different products, but I doubt many authors will do both. Videos are insanely time consuming, so I don't think the average Substacker could manage both.

I am a journalist and was working in newsrooms when corporations all decided to pivot to video. It mostly failed for the orgs that made a major push, with a few notable successes. But yeah I think most media outlets would say it was a waste of resources.

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I was in newspapers as well. Trying to force a lot of reporters to suddenly become news anchors was a hideous failure -- as was trying to force TV news anchors to write. Most people are better at one or the other. Being able to do both doesn't mean you're really talented at both, either -- often it means you're mediocre at both. I am all in on writing. I've dedicated my life to learning this craft. It's a distinctly different skill than producing videos. And an awful lot of the video people who think they can write are god-awful at it.

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Yes. I completely agree with you. I'm worried that this is going to devolve into just another video site, and all of us who are looking for good writing will have to pick up and find the next big thing.

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I have concerns. I started substack because social media was ruining my nervous system and I wanted a platform where I could read and write longer form content.

Since the introduction of notes, the platform has already started to become less and less what I came on here for. If I have an endless scroll with auto playing videos in my feed... Can we at least have some digital well-being options where we can control what appears in our feed?

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I would like to turn it off, if possible, please.

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This opens up a whole world of new possibilities and opportunities for creators!

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Absolutely - if used strategically. Do you have any tips or free workshops showing how to do mandala paintings?

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Hi Roman, I haven’t done mandalas in a long time but I know there are some nice classes in Skillshare from Jane Snedden Peever. I got this one from YouTube that is quite nice, if you want to check it out https://youtu.be/OiSzGBguPm0?si=NbvUY72geN_F5hHx

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Thank you so much Citlaflor for sharing this resource! I will check it out now.

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I'll keep this short. Not a fan of this idea. If I want video, there's YouTube. Just my 2 cents.

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While all the new features are awesome, building a ‘media system’ but as we have seen in the past, every small media company that began small was cool, but as soon it became too big, then it lost its purpose. From writing to podcast to video to what? And sooner or later, Meta or Google or Microsoft will takeover and then destroy it like Elon Musk destroyed Twitter. I understand startup founders are in a difficult position to keep growing and introducing new features to raise funds and to keep investors happier and show user growth as these numbers help raise more funds and eventually attract larger investor, but in doing so, founders become slaves to VCs and investors. I hope Substack doesn’t end up like the rest.

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Amazing how Substack just keeps getting better and better! As a filmmaker I'm very excited about the possibilities of publishing video here.

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Do you do promo videos? I'm designing an EMF Wireless Health & Safety Course and looking for a 30 second promo to be done. I have a small budget of about $200.

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Hi yes I do promo videos. We can talk more about this if you reach out via the contact page or email on my website. You can see my work here: https://www.zacharytannar.com/commercialservices.html

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Ok thank you so much for your reply Zachary. I'll be in touch most likely in January, but hope it's sooner, because that means I'm ready to launch the course! (:

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January is good! I've got one more big project that I will be finishing in December and then I will be taking a break for the holidays. Look forward to hearing from you in January.

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I am a reader

I am not a watcher

I am not a listener

I am a reader

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Same. I never watch videos. They're such a waste of time!

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Clearly, they do not read... The Atlantic. And they have yet to answer anyone’s concerns about profiting off of hate speech on Substack.

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CRAP, what are you thinking?? This is a disaster. If I wanted to be forced to watch videos I'd never have joined Substack in the first place.

Please tell me it will be possible to pre-empt videos on here from launching. Otherwise, sadly, I'm gone.

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Omg this is amazing ! Congratulations for the lunch.

Can't wait to post my first videos

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Are you going to give us the option to turn off autoplay? I come here to read and it’s hard to do that with video / visual distraction over notes

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Could you please address yesterday’s article in The Atlantic about Substack and Nazi infiltration? You are not following your Terms of Service by allowing hate speech on your platform.

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Not interested in watching videos. Not time efficient.

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Actually, Substack is for Nazis...

https://tcinla757.substack.com/p/substack-has-a-nazi-problem/comments

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Zero Nazis objected to this post.

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The problem is who says someone is a nazi...as "hate speech" can often be a slippery slope to ban anyone who dissents against a tyrannical structure.

Ex: look at the kulaks of the holodomor / Duranty of NY Times / jews and traditions being stripped away as they were viewed as a "virus" or blamed for all of society's problems.

What happens when you have something important to say, that may be life-saving, and a social media executive can erase your comment or profile?

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It is evident that you did not read the Substack link. These Nazis call themselves Nazis. They are proud of it and their bigotry, hidden in plain sight, and without any concerns that the mainstream media and their defenders will replay their worn out Both Sides Fallacy Card until they play the Who Could Have Known Card or the Mission Accomplished Card.

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Hi John - for that I do apologize. I will read the link when I get a chance this weekend.

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Just read your bio. Conspiracy much? Full disclosure, my response was sent with 5G.

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Thank you for your response John. Why do you think it's a conspiracy?

Did you know that the limits for non-ionizing radiation do not consider biological effects?

https://romanshapoval.substack.com/p/safetymyth

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I just read an article (The Atlantic?) about the increasing number of Nazi posts on Substack (not those associated with Bulwark). How will Substack be policing Nazi content and Nazi symbols in their postings?

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I'm *really* excited about this, and that was a FAB promo video! Well done, Substack - I'm in!

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Maybe just maybe you might realize that those of us with a brain, a good functioning brain, would prefer reading. It’s still a thing amongst the intelligent. The idea that I would want to watch someone talk to someone else, discussing my needs, my fears, my concerns, is actually a really bad joke. Those of you with any power over this at all,I beseech you. And I insult you. None of you are that good looking, or interesting at all. So write down your thoughts so we can read them. Leave your appearance, mannerisms, and tics to our imagination. Trust me on this.

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Whole heartedly agree!

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