Hamish McKenzie on How Substack is Transforming Public Discourse
Mar 22, 2025
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Hamish McKenzie, co-founder of Substack and former journalist, discusses the platform's revolutionary role in transforming public discourse. He shares insights on how Substack prioritizes free speech amidst polarization and contrasts its user-controlled content model with traditional social media. Their conversation touches on the challenges of fostering meaningful dialogue and the evolving landscape of digital subscriptions. McKenzie emphasizes the importance of a diverse range of voices and the impact of business models on user engagement.
Substack transforms journalism by fostering direct relationships between writers and readers, shifting focus from advertising to reader-supported content.
The platform’s commitment to free speech empowers diverse voices while navigating pressures for stricter content moderation amid rising misinformation concerns.
Substack aims to enhance user engagement through community-focused features like live interactions and chat, enriching the overall reader experience.
Deep dives
The Value of Data Security
Data security is paramount in today’s digital landscape, where personal information is highly sought after by hackers who can profit from it. It is important to have protection measures in place, such as security software that can shield users from suspicious activities, malicious emails, and fraudulent websites. Technologies like secure VPNs also enhance browsing safety, providing an added layer of anonymity and protection. Companies that prioritize user data security, such as McAfee, offer tools like AI-powered threat detection to help individuals safeguard their information effectively.
The Emergence of Substack
Substack has emerged as a transformative platform in the journalism landscape, allowing writers to build direct relationships with their audiences. This model shifts the focus from traditional advertising-driven content to a reader-supported system, ensuring that creators are incentivized to provide quality writing that aligns with their audience’s interests. The founding principles of Substack challenge the conventional media landscape by fostering an environment where the audience's preferences dictate the content being produced. As a result, this platform presents a viable alternative to mainstream media models, particularly in the wake of growing concerns over content moderation and misinformation.
Attracting Talented Writers
One of the challenges that Substack initially faced was attracting talented writers to its platform, as many were rooted in traditional media institutions. The establishment of successful examples on Substack helped dispel skepticism about its business model and demonstrated that writers could thrive in this new ecosystem. By building personal relationships with writers and showcasing early successes, Substack was able to convince potential creators of the platform's viability and value. This approach has allowed Substack to cultivate a diverse array of voices and expertise, further enriching its content offerings.
Navigating Free Speech Issues
Substack's commitment to free speech has positioned it uniquely amidst rising concerns over content moderation in the media sphere. The platform seeks to create an environment where various voices can be heard without the fear of censorship, although it grapples with external pressures to impose stricter content controls. Upholding its core values, Substack embraces a hands-off approach to moderation, thereby reinforcing its dedication to protecting free expression. This strategy contributes to a vibrant ecosystem where writers can engage freely and audiences can access a wider spectrum of opinions.
Future Developments and Community Engagement
Looking ahead, Substack aims to enhance its platform further through community-focused features, such as live interactions and chat functionalities that foster deeper connections between writers and their audiences. The incorporation of these features encourages real-time dialogue and collaboration, adding an element of humanity that contrasts with traditional social media experiences. The evolution of Substack will prioritize not only the quality of content but also the methods by which creators engage with their subscribers. By nurturing these interactions, Substack envisions a robust digital community that supports diverse voices and fosters thoughtful conversations.
Hamish McKenzie is co-founder of Substack, a platform for online publications including Persuasion and writing like Yascha’s weekly column. He is a writer and former journalist based in San Francisco.
In this week’s conversation, Yascha Mounk and Hamish McKenzie discuss how Substack was formed, why its business model rewards different behaviors to traditional social media, and its steadfast commitment to free speech in the face of criticism.
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