I defs understand you stepping away from Substack, and am grateful you will make it not too hard to transition to wherever you want to set up. I value your journalism so hugely and want to keep supporting you wherever you are.
The ideological, political and financial neutrality of any writing / reading platform will be at risk of taint and distortion during this grubby, greedy phase of domination by the very few over the very many.
The migration of activity and support from X to Substack, and now from Substack to... whatever is next, is inevitable and is akin to a virtual Whack-a-Mole. The risk here is in the fragmentation of the writing community. The very thing that unites a community platform is also the very thing that can be it's undoing.
However, Truth and it's Tellers will always attract a kindred audience wherever and whenever a new Town Square is formed. That much is evident in these adjacent comments alone. Tui - your thought leadership and literary contributions are of great value to this nation at this time. Your integrity evidenced by the platform switch. Absolutely admirable. Keep going. Thank you for your work, courage and determination to shine a light into the gathering murk.
Good for you MT, someone who lives and stands by their principles and values 💚
Extremely disappointing and sad that SUBSTACK, cofounded by Hamish McKenzie, a young Kiwi from Alexandra, has allowed itself to succumb to the “wicked” ways of profiteering at any cost.
It’s good for everyone to reflect and revisit their original dreams, goals, hopes and visions.
Here’s a couple of excerpts from a 2022 Otago University interview with Hamish McKenzie …
“Q. What was behind the motivation to create Substack? Who does it cater for in terms of writers and readers?
A. It started off as just Chris (the CEO) and me.
I was very concerned about helping writers, since career options for writers were looking dismal given the state of the media economy.
Chris was focused on the system incentives that had given rise to all the bad-faith discourse that dominated social media.
Q. Writer, publisher, entrepreneur – how do you describe yourself? What do you like best about what you do?
A. I still consider myself a writer, even though I guess technically I'm a tech executive.
I recently changed my title from Chief Operating Officer to Chief Writing Officer, which means I represent the interests of writers for and on behalf of Substack.
I spend a lot of time writing blog posts for the company and the outside world, showing what Substack cares about and why we are doing what we're doing, and I host a podcast, The Active Voice, which features conversations with great writers.”
And, Polymarket is yet another sickening indication of where society is heading 🤦🏻♀️
They knew everyone would be outraged, which is why they turned comments off on that post. Hamish also turned comments off on his book announcement. I notice he's stopped talking about 'building a house on land you own' LOL. I feel for Hamish actually. He's a nice guy
He's not super young, couldn't really speculate about the rest, he's pretty laidback & funny, guess he must be ambitious to be doing what he's doing. But he's only one of three bosses here, & then there's the funders, who are the real drivers of the recent shift I reckon. Who can say
Started this post in horror, and now as per usual feel better informed. Will organise a paid subscription as soon as things are settled as I realise how much I depend on your posts and analysis. Thanks for your mahi MT
You’re the ONLY reason I decided to subscribe to Substack.
Not being on Facebook or any other social media platform, your writing for me has been a beacon of light in our ever darkening world.
‘Following’ some American writers on Substack, I was slowly becoming aware that bad things were beginning to surface. And those bad things appeared to be connected to huge amounts of money being collected by those who ‘know’.
To me, Mountain Tui, you’re a person of gritty integrity and I thank you so much for that.
Keep well, stay safe and above all, keep on being Mountain Tui.
I migrated away from X when it went Musk or whatever his real name is. Completely stopped buying anything NZME, such as the Auckland Herald, but I still look when I'm at the public library . Big ups 👍 Tuuii - hope the migration goes well
I will migrate everyone over - I hate admin and tech but it will probably be Ghost - but you don't need to do a thing and I will update you all as it happens.
I moved from Typepad (an ancient blogging platform that closed down last year) to Ghost and have been happy with it. I had no paid subscribers to move but their support was great with a couple of migration issues. They weren't Ghost problems; due to the age of the platform I migrated from and amount of content 21 years of blogging had amassed!
There's a bit about how I got to Ghost on my About page, but in short Wordpress was too much 'platform' to manage. Hosted Ghost was complete enough, simple to manage, and the editor limitations mean you forget about mucking around with complex formatting and just write.
Ah MT I just had this conversation about the best writers leaving Substack with someone yesterday. The reason I started in Oct 2024 resonate with some of your thoughts. My brain also needed public accountability to keep up the regular rhythm and I knew the platform could not be ones I already resent. Substack wasn't perfect but seemed to tick several boxes at the time. Every single time you and others quote or restack my writing, I know I have come far from where I was and where I want to be. It was honestly was a life-giving event I met you here so like you say, Substack gave me the writers and readers I am lucky to have met. I may not be far behind you (it really is the prospect of admin that I dread). See you on the other side.
I've found Substack frustrating to deal with. Proud youre leaving, and for such principled reasons. Hope the transition goes smoothly 🙏 but not holding my breath sadly. But will find you! wherever you land. Kia kaha!
I’ve been having serious doubts about Substack for a while now and am really happy to hear you’re leaving Tūī. Looking forward to following you (and continuing to subscribe) wherever you land next. Your work is so appreciated and will be a godsend throughout this election year as the propaganda networks go into overdrive.
There's no perfect world or solution anymore, that's the thing - it's always going to be choices and imperfect ones so we can only do our best
Honestly Facebook's reach is huge too... there is no longer any government will to regulate big technology either because they took over the USA.... A sad weird world so more important than ever for us to stick to internal clarity and peace even as the outer crumbles around us. Cheers Ange
I defs understand you stepping away from Substack, and am grateful you will make it not too hard to transition to wherever you want to set up. I value your journalism so hugely and want to keep supporting you wherever you are.
Thank you Matthew!
Yes, Matt, I’m with you! Go for it MT!
Me too MT. Thank you for alerting us to this perilous buy out. I just can’t even……. Will follow you wherever you go. Your work is sooooo valuable.
You were what brought me here. I can't thank you enough for your work and friendship. I'll follow you wherever you go. In solidarity.
Always with you my friend
Me too!
Here here. I just love this column.
Me too 🍃🌹🌿
The ideological, political and financial neutrality of any writing / reading platform will be at risk of taint and distortion during this grubby, greedy phase of domination by the very few over the very many.
The migration of activity and support from X to Substack, and now from Substack to... whatever is next, is inevitable and is akin to a virtual Whack-a-Mole. The risk here is in the fragmentation of the writing community. The very thing that unites a community platform is also the very thing that can be it's undoing.
However, Truth and it's Tellers will always attract a kindred audience wherever and whenever a new Town Square is formed. That much is evident in these adjacent comments alone. Tui - your thought leadership and literary contributions are of great value to this nation at this time. Your integrity evidenced by the platform switch. Absolutely admirable. Keep going. Thank you for your work, courage and determination to shine a light into the gathering murk.
Thank you so much
Well writ and thanks to M’Tui
Yeah you nailed it Darryl. Nowhere is clean
Good for you MT, someone who lives and stands by their principles and values 💚
Extremely disappointing and sad that SUBSTACK, cofounded by Hamish McKenzie, a young Kiwi from Alexandra, has allowed itself to succumb to the “wicked” ways of profiteering at any cost.
It’s good for everyone to reflect and revisit their original dreams, goals, hopes and visions.
Here’s a couple of excerpts from a 2022 Otago University interview with Hamish McKenzie …
“Q. What was behind the motivation to create Substack? Who does it cater for in terms of writers and readers?
A. It started off as just Chris (the CEO) and me.
I was very concerned about helping writers, since career options for writers were looking dismal given the state of the media economy.
Chris was focused on the system incentives that had given rise to all the bad-faith discourse that dominated social media.
Q. Writer, publisher, entrepreneur – how do you describe yourself? What do you like best about what you do?
A. I still consider myself a writer, even though I guess technically I'm a tech executive.
I recently changed my title from Chief Operating Officer to Chief Writing Officer, which means I represent the interests of writers for and on behalf of Substack.
I spend a lot of time writing blog posts for the company and the outside world, showing what Substack cares about and why we are doing what we're doing, and I host a podcast, The Active Voice, which features conversations with great writers.”
And, Polymarket is yet another sickening indication of where society is heading 🤦🏻♀️
They knew everyone would be outraged, which is why they turned comments off on that post. Hamish also turned comments off on his book announcement. I notice he's stopped talking about 'building a house on land you own' LOL. I feel for Hamish actually. He's a nice guy
Hamish won’t be the first or last ‘nice guy’ to get captured I guess?
Hamish is the reason I joined Substack, I met him at a book launch & thought he was cool
Is Hamish young, energetic, entrepreneurial and ambitious Rosie?
He's not super young, couldn't really speculate about the rest, he's pretty laidback & funny, guess he must be ambitious to be doing what he's doing. But he's only one of three bosses here, & then there's the funders, who are the real drivers of the recent shift I reckon. Who can say
Started this post in horror, and now as per usual feel better informed. Will organise a paid subscription as soon as things are settled as I realise how much I depend on your posts and analysis. Thanks for your mahi MT
Thank you kindly
O Mountain Tui.
You’re the ONLY reason I decided to subscribe to Substack.
Not being on Facebook or any other social media platform, your writing for me has been a beacon of light in our ever darkening world.
‘Following’ some American writers on Substack, I was slowly becoming aware that bad things were beginning to surface. And those bad things appeared to be connected to huge amounts of money being collected by those who ‘know’.
To me, Mountain Tui, you’re a person of gritty integrity and I thank you so much for that.
Keep well, stay safe and above all, keep on being Mountain Tui.
Deeply obliged, John, deeply obliged. Still here and will find a way as ever. Cheers.
Hope the transition goes smoothly MT. We need you and others like you so much, so very grateful for your mahi and kia kaha.
Thanks Helen - appreciate that!
I migrated away from X when it went Musk or whatever his real name is. Completely stopped buying anything NZME, such as the Auckland Herald, but I still look when I'm at the public library . Big ups 👍 Tuuii - hope the migration goes well
Cheers Winston
Where will you go and how can I follow you?
I will migrate everyone over - I hate admin and tech but it will probably be Ghost - but you don't need to do a thing and I will update you all as it happens.
Thank you so much Darien!
I've now followed three paid substacks to Ghost and it's been very smooth from a reader perspective
I moved from Typepad (an ancient blogging platform that closed down last year) to Ghost and have been happy with it. I had no paid subscribers to move but their support was great with a couple of migration issues. They weren't Ghost problems; due to the age of the platform I migrated from and amount of content 21 years of blogging had amassed!
21 years! Thanks Robin - that's good to hear actually. Support is so important in the entire experience.
There's a bit about how I got to Ghost on my About page, but in short Wordpress was too much 'platform' to manage. Hosted Ghost was complete enough, simple to manage, and the editor limitations mean you forget about mucking around with complex formatting and just write.
https://www.robincapper.net/about/
Awesome. Good stuff, thanks Robin, as always.
I have wondered how long you would be able to stick it out on Substack. Josh Drummond helped Emily Writes with the migration to Ghost.
I'll continue to read and support your work wherever you go.
It's been simmering for a long long time ... even before Emily left, so yes :-) Thank you.
Ah MT I just had this conversation about the best writers leaving Substack with someone yesterday. The reason I started in Oct 2024 resonate with some of your thoughts. My brain also needed public accountability to keep up the regular rhythm and I knew the platform could not be ones I already resent. Substack wasn't perfect but seemed to tick several boxes at the time. Every single time you and others quote or restack my writing, I know I have come far from where I was and where I want to be. It was honestly was a life-giving event I met you here so like you say, Substack gave me the writers and readers I am lucky to have met. I may not be far behind you (it really is the prospect of admin that I dread). See you on the other side.
Stella 🙏
I've found Substack frustrating to deal with. Proud youre leaving, and for such principled reasons. Hope the transition goes smoothly 🙏 but not holding my breath sadly. But will find you! wherever you land. Kia kaha!
Kia kaha!
I’ve been having serious doubts about Substack for a while now and am really happy to hear you’re leaving Tūī. Looking forward to following you (and continuing to subscribe) wherever you land next. Your work is so appreciated and will be a godsend throughout this election year as the propaganda networks go into overdrive.
Thank you Kerin!
Thanks MT. I would like to follow you on your new platform.
Thank you Alfred, hopefully if I get it right, you will be moved on seamlessly - appreciate you!
I totally support your decision MT.
If I had the IT know how (and money, I guess), I would love to create a platform with morals for writers like you.
I absolutely hate having to be on Facebook, but there are writers I follow there as well.
I don’t want to be supporting platforms that go against everything I believe in.
I will follow and continue to support you wherever you go. You make sense, in a world that currently has none.
There's no perfect world or solution anymore, that's the thing - it's always going to be choices and imperfect ones so we can only do our best
Honestly Facebook's reach is huge too... there is no longer any government will to regulate big technology either because they took over the USA.... A sad weird world so more important than ever for us to stick to internal clarity and peace even as the outer crumbles around us. Cheers Ange
Thank you for this informative post. I love your work, and will follow wherever you go, with a paid sub.
Thank you :-)
Me too Wendy Lee - I do read Mountain Tui's posts regularly wherever they pop up.