In a world where ever day people are becoming millionaires from putting their lives in the hands of the media, will Substack be the next landing place for this reality star phenomena?
Well done Rebecca. For me should this change take place I would sign off Substack. I came to read , breathe in the creatives. My brain is not a balance sheet. So careful I am where I point it . However your concerns are REAL. Prefer a good conversation , shape wear be damned ! Money over substance ...hoping substance stays.
I’m hoping that I am paranoid, I am hoping that my disillusionment in the sanctity of safe spaces and community will be proved wrong. I am hoping that my fear of neoliberalism and is pernicious reach is over exaggerated. But I was hoping that Trump didn’t get in. Look where that got me.
I think its a generational thing. I struggle understanding who is famous now and what for. The children of some talented and well known people are now 'famous' for no other reason than their parent's talent. My daughter's seem to accept that someone is an 'influencer' or 'brand ambassador' - I am not even sure what that means and if someone is 'qualified' to influence anyone else.
IMHO… There are some influences that should be allowed to fade away… jeans with ripped knees, clothing that slips aside to show a bra strap, floods, drooping pants showing skivvies… younger the idea.
Thanks |Mary. I would hope that she would not get a lot of negative comments and I would love an insight into her mind, not her merch though, shapewear kills me!
The fact that she is a woman should not prevent people commenting freely. If what she posts is valueless tosh people should be able to say so.
Your explanation of 'what a Kardashian is'… a question l too asked back then, does not encourage me to think her contributions might raise the tone, or encourage participation by others, similar, who will, but democracy and free speech are what we are all fighting for. That means she can post but we are free to respond accordingly, and if she abuses her position by trying to sell the vacuous rubbish put out on her tv programme we will, I hope, put her straight.
With luck she and hers will seek other, more suitable outlets.
No Sue, I’m literally paranoid! I plan for eventualities that may never happen, it’s a coping mechanism which has been heightened in this time of global uncertainty. This is all purely hypothetical and the ramblings of an unquiet mind!
Thanks so much Maria. Sometimes the volume is too much even for me but I have always been like that. Lately I have been able to express some of the noise on Substack. Thanks for listening. 😊
Thanks Sue. My concern (unwarranted or not) is that Substack will become one of those outlets. I am losing faith in any institution that exists for the people and not for the soul reason of hoarding cash.
Kim is just an example, I have no idea if she would like to join
Substack and everyone has something valuable to offer. I worry though that life (post Trump) has not become about offering but more about exploiting and taking. I think the post is a reflection of that.
In my experience nothing remains unsullied. Sadly. I'm not very informed on what is happening on Substack…is there danger of people 'buying' positions on here?
In fairness to her, I have no idea if she wants to join and no-one has the right to stop her. She could bring an amazing amount of readers and give us an insight into her rather extraordinary life. I suppose, through writing this post, I was wondering just how long we can keep Substack about authors and their opinions before it becomes about selling merch or advertising a brand that has nothing to with writing? I have been here less than a year (and I don't understand social media well at all) but I am seeing posts about how much Substack is changing... the debate about reels ( which I think are videos but I don't know how to access them). I love it here but I wonder how long it will stay this amazing corner of the internet?
What strikes me is the suggested cost for special access to content.. when you add up multiple subscriptions, as we face the tariffs, how does one justify that?
Not something I can afford to do. Any membership free will not change. Free ideas, not free açess becomes counter-intuative.
Same here. The moment I hear "influencer," my spine goes rigid. So many seem narcissistic and only live for the "clicks" they generate, hiding behind layers of artificial glam and superficiality.
On reflection, I think influencers have more influence on me than I would like to think… if only for the crap my daughters have made me buy in the past!
Thought I was the only person who had never seen an episode! My daughters talk about the family a lot, they seem to know so much about their lives, which is odd as we have never had the program on at home. You would think we live next door to them, the level of info my daughters have on them.
Thanks Micheal, in fairness I have no idea if any of the Kardashians want to join, I just wonder how long it will before Substack goes the way of other social media, a platform for selling and not savouring - I hope I am just worrying too much ( I swear Trump has done that to me).
He's done that to a lot of us, Rebecca. I don't know a lot about Substack's standards, but I hope there's some way we can prevent it from becoming yet another Facebook type cesspool. I also feel the same about Bluesky -- I hope it holds the line, too. As a Canadian who has just lived through a very tense Federal election, the absolute lies being spread on FB make me so angry and worried. Here, I feel that there is some still sanity and compassion. BTW, I really like the phrase "selling and not savouring."
Thanks Hope. I was talking to my teenage daughters about this post today and both were trying to reassure me that Substack is a writing app and not a breeding ground for 'influencers' and reality stars to flog their wares. They laughed it off and I want to have their faith and conviction but I have lost trust in the sanctity of any institution following November 6th. I really hope I am proved wrong and in a few years time (or less) I am not batting off 'reels' of new clothing lines or promos.
I watched a few episodes of KUWTK many years ago. I confess that it did satisfy a certain aspect of my morbid curiosity re those people. I just could not justify it for more than that. I could not explain what it was about to either my spouse, or myself. It was such a totally bizarre experience. I am now transfixed by an elderly gentleman with a bad spray tan and questionable intelligence demolish a government of the people, by the people and for the people. I have a morbid need to watch the train wreck that is the USA destruct and devolve into an unrecognizable mess. Ah so it goes. Canada, here we come, passports in hand, 2 dogs in tow, and a desire to hang out with some really nice people who say “eh” a lot. I promise to learn the words to ‘Oh Canada’. Perhaps we will make it over the pond to the Great Britain! And will learn the words to God Save The King!
You would be most welcome Susan. Let me know and I’ll put the kettle on! ☕️
🇬🇧 Britain is under attack to from Nigel Farage (Dime store Trump) and his merry band of followers. We have got to nip this in the bud over here or we will all be learning the words to ‘oh Canada’. 🇨🇦
Don't get me going about 'influencers" my dupa. all they are is marketing themselves and making big bucks for taking pictures and videos doing makeup or whatever, shills. Do they have expertise, rarely. Mostly they are pretty so of course one should listen to them, 'fraid not. So if this happens and just block them.
She is more than welcome to join substack for whatever reason she might join substack. There are a lot of individuals/organizations on substack about whom I know diddly squat. Dean Blundell would say I do not give a flying moose turd about..
This was really thoughtful. I’ve never watched any of the Kardashians. I saw about two minutes of Keeping up with the Kardashian’s years ago, thought it was mind numbing and banal and changed the channel. I don’t think I’d like it if they showed up here. But I’m on Instagram and their stuff never shows up on my feed (mostly cat videos and nursing stuff and home decor). So I would probably block and move on.
Thanks Tracy. It’s been on my mind for a while. I’m trying not to be pessimistic but we live in a society where, if a quick buck can be made, to hell with the consequences. A Trumpian mindset and economy policy based on neoliberalism are the real influencers of today. It makes me fearful for every open, thoughtful, reflective and independent space.
Rebecca you speak my mind, it seems. You’re a kindred spirit. My younger sister, a friend of ours, and I were out walking a few years back and conversation turned to the K’s. My sister found it concerning (I must live under a rock) that I had no clue about the K’s and that Bruce became Caitlin. I had never, nor would ever, watch KUWTK because it holds zero interest for me. It’s the same with The Real Housewives of Wherever, I find it superficial and 180 degrees opposite to what concerns, and is relevant to, me.
What I didn’t know before reading your article though was the OJ Simpson connection. That doesn’t endear them any closer, does it. I 100% hear you and agree with you that it would be interesting to hear what Kim has to say - should she find her way to Substack - and like you, I would hope that she would use her influence positively in activism rather than consumerism.
Hi Maria my kindred spirit! Thanks for your lovely comments.
The whole ‘OJ’ link is concerning. Bizarre how this somehow made the family suitable for a reality TV show. Oh, and a ‘sex tape’. You actually couldn’t make this stuff up. How is this relevant to anyone’s ‘reality’?
I’m facing up to the fact Substack is social media and a business not the ‘writing app’ I have been telling everyone about. It’s been a bit of a rude awakening for me. I don’t do social media (guess I do now) and I have never been into business. Not sure how I ended up here then?!
A really thoughtful and insightful piece Rebecca! I think anyone has the right to be here (as you very clearly point out), but similar to yourself I feel like it would be a shame if this lovely, little, peaceful corner of the internet, where people are considerate and articulate, turned into just another place for flogging crap!
For me, Substack is a place of expression, of creativity, of intelligent conversation and respectful debate. It has a calmer, more gentle feel to it than the fast paced, “post for likes”
Instagram or Facebook and I’d hate for that calmness to be disrupted.
Thanks Nadine. Great comment. My teenage daughters tell me that I am bonkers and that Substack will never take on an ‘Instagram’ ‘Tik tok’ feel. I know they understand social media far more than I do but I understand how the world works a bit more than them… these days it feels like everything is for sale if the price is right and that scares and saddens me. Fingers crossed my girls are right on this one. 🤞🏻
Well done Rebecca. For me should this change take place I would sign off Substack. I came to read , breathe in the creatives. My brain is not a balance sheet. So careful I am where I point it . However your concerns are REAL. Prefer a good conversation , shape wear be damned ! Money over substance ...hoping substance stays.
I’m hoping that I am paranoid, I am hoping that my disillusionment in the sanctity of safe spaces and community will be proved wrong. I am hoping that my fear of neoliberalism and is pernicious reach is over exaggerated. But I was hoping that Trump didn’t get in. Look where that got me.
I can mute or block. I have no interest in her life or her merch. No interest in any one in that family.
I think its a generational thing. I struggle understanding who is famous now and what for. The children of some talented and well known people are now 'famous' for no other reason than their parent's talent. My daughter's seem to accept that someone is an 'influencer' or 'brand ambassador' - I am not even sure what that means and if someone is 'qualified' to influence anyone else.
IMHO… There are some influences that should be allowed to fade away… jeans with ripped knees, clothing that slips aside to show a bra strap, floods, drooping pants showing skivvies… younger the idea.
You get the idea… dang auto correct
Thought you would appreciate this note I wrote a few days ago...
https://substack.com/@rebeccamack1/note/c-112872971
so what?if she wants to join, who’s going to stop her? If she gets a lot of negative comments, she can decide to leave. No skin off my teeth….
Thanks |Mary. I would hope that she would not get a lot of negative comments and I would love an insight into her mind, not her merch though, shapewear kills me!
The fact that she is a woman should not prevent people commenting freely. If what she posts is valueless tosh people should be able to say so.
Your explanation of 'what a Kardashian is'… a question l too asked back then, does not encourage me to think her contributions might raise the tone, or encourage participation by others, similar, who will, but democracy and free speech are what we are all fighting for. That means she can post but we are free to respond accordingly, and if she abuses her position by trying to sell the vacuous rubbish put out on her tv programme we will, I hope, put her straight.
With luck she and hers will seek other, more suitable outlets.
No Sue, I’m literally paranoid! I plan for eventualities that may never happen, it’s a coping mechanism which has been heightened in this time of global uncertainty. This is all purely hypothetical and the ramblings of an unquiet mind!
I love your unquiet mind Rebecca.
Thanks so much Maria. Sometimes the volume is too much even for me but I have always been like that. Lately I have been able to express some of the noise on Substack. Thanks for listening. 😊
Thanks Sue. My concern (unwarranted or not) is that Substack will become one of those outlets. I am losing faith in any institution that exists for the people and not for the soul reason of hoarding cash.
Kim is just an example, I have no idea if she would like to join
Substack and everyone has something valuable to offer. I worry though that life (post Trump) has not become about offering but more about exploiting and taking. I think the post is a reflection of that.
In my experience nothing remains unsullied. Sadly. I'm not very informed on what is happening on Substack…is there danger of people 'buying' positions on here?
Stubstack is for authors and their opinions~ but "Regular Folk" use this platform too.
We must seek out, now, in the absence of objectivity and knowledge, what is missing in traditional media.
Based on fact.
To decline KK's joining Substack violates Free Speech. But of what value would she bring?
Substack is not an info-mercial for her product line~ or for sharing "enhancements" she has chosen to make.
In fairness to her, I have no idea if she wants to join and no-one has the right to stop her. She could bring an amazing amount of readers and give us an insight into her rather extraordinary life. I suppose, through writing this post, I was wondering just how long we can keep Substack about authors and their opinions before it becomes about selling merch or advertising a brand that has nothing to with writing? I have been here less than a year (and I don't understand social media well at all) but I am seeing posts about how much Substack is changing... the debate about reels ( which I think are videos but I don't know how to access them). I love it here but I wonder how long it will stay this amazing corner of the internet?
What strikes me is the suggested cost for special access to content.. when you add up multiple subscriptions, as we face the tariffs, how does one justify that?
Not something I can afford to do. Any membership free will not change. Free ideas, not free açess becomes counter-intuative.
I’ve cut back on my paid subscriptions now Julie… until groceries come down (like that’s ever going to happen!)
I’ve spent way more than I intended on Substack… and lots of content I don’t even have the time to read!
Wish I could do so!
No thanks, I try to avoid all “influencers”! I have a brain & can engage critical thinking! 🤨
But their lure is inexplicably strong (see the eye make up paragraph).. they are not called ‘influencers’ for nothing!
They have zero influence on me! I concede that they seem to be able to convince many people that they have some kind of meaning!! 😂😂
Same here. The moment I hear "influencer," my spine goes rigid. So many seem narcissistic and only live for the "clicks" they generate, hiding behind layers of artificial glam and superficiality.
On reflection, I think influencers have more influence on me than I would like to think… if only for the crap my daughters have made me buy in the past!
Ah yes, my kids are grown up now but I seem to remember buying a lot of Hannah Montana stuff at one time..!! 😬😬
Me too - including the wig! 😆
I don't have kids but would think that Hannah Montana would have been a somewhat benign presence compared to others out there now?
THIS! Agree 100%.
Nope. Have never been interested in watching any of the Kardashians.
Thought I was the only person who had never seen an episode! My daughters talk about the family a lot, they seem to know so much about their lives, which is odd as we have never had the program on at home. You would think we live next door to them, the level of info my daughters have on them.
No you’re not the only one. I’ve never 👎. I’m sorry I would block her. I don’t want to hear or see anything.
Thanks Micheal, in fairness I have no idea if any of the Kardashians want to join, I just wonder how long it will before Substack goes the way of other social media, a platform for selling and not savouring - I hope I am just worrying too much ( I swear Trump has done that to me).
He's done that to a lot of us, Rebecca. I don't know a lot about Substack's standards, but I hope there's some way we can prevent it from becoming yet another Facebook type cesspool. I also feel the same about Bluesky -- I hope it holds the line, too. As a Canadian who has just lived through a very tense Federal election, the absolute lies being spread on FB make me so angry and worried. Here, I feel that there is some still sanity and compassion. BTW, I really like the phrase "selling and not savouring."
Thanks Hope. I was talking to my teenage daughters about this post today and both were trying to reassure me that Substack is a writing app and not a breeding ground for 'influencers' and reality stars to flog their wares. They laughed it off and I want to have their faith and conviction but I have lost trust in the sanctity of any institution following November 6th. I really hope I am proved wrong and in a few years time (or less) I am not batting off 'reels' of new clothing lines or promos.
Same. A glance, eye roll, and left the room.
I watched a few episodes of KUWTK many years ago. I confess that it did satisfy a certain aspect of my morbid curiosity re those people. I just could not justify it for more than that. I could not explain what it was about to either my spouse, or myself. It was such a totally bizarre experience. I am now transfixed by an elderly gentleman with a bad spray tan and questionable intelligence demolish a government of the people, by the people and for the people. I have a morbid need to watch the train wreck that is the USA destruct and devolve into an unrecognizable mess. Ah so it goes. Canada, here we come, passports in hand, 2 dogs in tow, and a desire to hang out with some really nice people who say “eh” a lot. I promise to learn the words to ‘Oh Canada’. Perhaps we will make it over the pond to the Great Britain! And will learn the words to God Save The King!
You would be most welcome Susan. Let me know and I’ll put the kettle on! ☕️
🇬🇧 Britain is under attack to from Nigel Farage (Dime store Trump) and his merry band of followers. We have got to nip this in the bud over here or we will all be learning the words to ‘oh Canada’. 🇨🇦
And so we fight on… together!
“Canada here we come” It’s like watching The Handmaids Tale again. 😬
Don't get me going about 'influencers" my dupa. all they are is marketing themselves and making big bucks for taking pictures and videos doing makeup or whatever, shills. Do they have expertise, rarely. Mostly they are pretty so of course one should listen to them, 'fraid not. So if this happens and just block them.
I hear you.
You should try out any element of Dean Blundell's substack. Canadian is the least of it.
I see his name a lot and I think I am subscribed - though I am subscribed to 100s! Will definitely take a look.Thanks Corlis.
She is more than welcome to join substack for whatever reason she might join substack. There are a lot of individuals/organizations on substack about whom I know diddly squat. Dean Blundell would say I do not give a flying moose turd about..
‘A flying moose turd’ 🤣…that sounds so Canadian 🇨🇦 to me (I’m British) 🇬🇧
😊 THIS is why I like substack. The comments and the replies to the comments.
Agreed… on some of my posts, the comments have been better than the post itself! 😆
This was really thoughtful. I’ve never watched any of the Kardashians. I saw about two minutes of Keeping up with the Kardashian’s years ago, thought it was mind numbing and banal and changed the channel. I don’t think I’d like it if they showed up here. But I’m on Instagram and their stuff never shows up on my feed (mostly cat videos and nursing stuff and home decor). So I would probably block and move on.
Thanks Tracy. It’s been on my mind for a while. I’m trying not to be pessimistic but we live in a society where, if a quick buck can be made, to hell with the consequences. A Trumpian mindset and economy policy based on neoliberalism are the real influencers of today. It makes me fearful for every open, thoughtful, reflective and independent space.
Rebecca this is true. The rise of influencer culture is kind of gross.
No I would not subscribe. Do not follow her anywhere but it's a free country and others might .
Rebecca you speak my mind, it seems. You’re a kindred spirit. My younger sister, a friend of ours, and I were out walking a few years back and conversation turned to the K’s. My sister found it concerning (I must live under a rock) that I had no clue about the K’s and that Bruce became Caitlin. I had never, nor would ever, watch KUWTK because it holds zero interest for me. It’s the same with The Real Housewives of Wherever, I find it superficial and 180 degrees opposite to what concerns, and is relevant to, me.
What I didn’t know before reading your article though was the OJ Simpson connection. That doesn’t endear them any closer, does it. I 100% hear you and agree with you that it would be interesting to hear what Kim has to say - should she find her way to Substack - and like you, I would hope that she would use her influence positively in activism rather than consumerism.
Hi Maria my kindred spirit! Thanks for your lovely comments.
The whole ‘OJ’ link is concerning. Bizarre how this somehow made the family suitable for a reality TV show. Oh, and a ‘sex tape’. You actually couldn’t make this stuff up. How is this relevant to anyone’s ‘reality’?
I’m facing up to the fact Substack is social media and a business not the ‘writing app’ I have been telling everyone about. It’s been a bit of a rude awakening for me. I don’t do social media (guess I do now) and I have never been into business. Not sure how I ended up here then?!
Thanks again for commenting Maria. 🌸
A really thoughtful and insightful piece Rebecca! I think anyone has the right to be here (as you very clearly point out), but similar to yourself I feel like it would be a shame if this lovely, little, peaceful corner of the internet, where people are considerate and articulate, turned into just another place for flogging crap!
For me, Substack is a place of expression, of creativity, of intelligent conversation and respectful debate. It has a calmer, more gentle feel to it than the fast paced, “post for likes”
Instagram or Facebook and I’d hate for that calmness to be disrupted.
Thanks Nadine. Great comment. My teenage daughters tell me that I am bonkers and that Substack will never take on an ‘Instagram’ ‘Tik tok’ feel. I know they understand social media far more than I do but I understand how the world works a bit more than them… these days it feels like everything is for sale if the price is right and that scares and saddens me. Fingers crossed my girls are right on this one. 🤞🏻