"Related" Suggested Notes
This new feature is an abomination.
So Substack has begun to suggest other writers’ notes when reading one particular note. They are tagged as “related notes” but having read a number of these, it’s clear that the notes are not, in fact, related. Don’t get me wrong, if Substack’s algorithm were capable of determining which notes were related, I would not mind that other writers who more-or-less share my values are promoted for people who like my work. (I am neither a purity pony nor selfish enough to refuse to recommend others’ good work.) However, given that it is quite obvious that Substack cannot currently, reliably determine which notes are related, I am strongly opposed to this feature and insist that authors have a method of disabling these suggestions on our own Substacks.
As anyone who has read my work for any amount of time knows, I do reporting, factual analysis, and writing which provides historical context all on the one hand, but I do write significant amounts of snark and satire on the other. In fact, the satire is most likely to crop up in notes rather than posts. Given the fact that Substack insists on platforming Nazis, it is only a matter of time before Nazi satirists are suggested to readers of my serious notes or serious Nazis are suggested to readers of my satirical notes. It is also possible that reporting work that includes substantial quotes from people with whom I disagree will be interpreted by the algorithm as my own views.
For better or worse the variety of styles employed here, including both literal and non-literal work as well as quotes from others, makes Pervert Justice extremely difficult to pigeonhole. Although I fear for all SubStack writers who do not wish to be associated with their ideological opposites, I suspect that those who defy categorization — like Pervert Justice — will be at the highest risk.
If you do not want Nazis and other writers fundamentally opposed to the values advanced here to be promoted to readers of Pervert Justice or if you are a writer who does not want Pervert Justice promoted to your readers, I hope we can all agree that until Substack’s algorithm is vastly improved, authors must have the ability to turn the misnamed “Related Notes” feature off on our own stacks.
Please sign below and restack this post if you agree.
Crip Dyke
Hi CD, I've been disgusted with Substack for many months now. Not only have they made suggestions that are abhorrent to me, I've also been exposed to easily proven fraudulent accounts- which I block and report to Substack. For example, I've been followed by Elon Musk about 4 times, some woman claiming to be an "educator and day-trader" but they used a photo of Roberta Metsola (President of the European Parliament) and countless fraudsters who have used photos that were/are profiled on fraud warning websites. I mean come on, I'm no Columbo here and even I know to double-check these accounts.
I fully agree with this message! These kinds of features are rife with opportunities for fuckery and if we wanted to interact with actual Nazi propaganda, we would intentionally seek it out. Thanks but no thanks, substack. The problem with white nationalists and the fascist presence is already becoming more notable. Please don't put any gas on that fire!