The Substack App

When Things Go Sideways |

By TLS

My first introduction to Substack was as a reader. I don’t remember if I viewed the web or the app, but probably the app since it was already on my phone when I went to download it the other day. At some point I seemed to have migrated over to reading pretty much in email only. Then I started writing, but on the website, which worked well.

I have been actively writing for a few months now and I knew there was an app but I chose to stay web-based with my writing. I wanted to try that for a while, then move to the app version and see what I thought.

So, I finally decided to try the app and I went to download it and found an update available instead. This is when I realized I already had it on my phone. So I updated and logged in, or re-logged in I suppose.

I surfed a bit in the app. If there was a smile on my face at the time, I think it probably soon began to fade. I quickly saw or noticed what was floating to the top of the feed. A broken sewage pipe is what came to mind. Extremism and polarization is what I saw, and it just kept coming, just like a broken sewage pipe. I know Substack is social media just like all the rest. But from my web-based/email-based bubble, I didn’t really see the greasy social media side.

I much prefer the web-based version, especially writing. The app I guess is okay for reading only. But, considering I’ve chosen Substack to invest my time and effort in writing, I hope it doesn’t descend too deeply into the social media cesspool. I also hope the readers encourage Substack to avoid that all too likely outcome.

What do you think?

If you’re reading this on the app, I’d love to know what you see. Is your feed thoughtful and inspiring, or a digital dumpster fire like mine? Comment below or email me your experience. Maybe together we can keep Substack from becoming just another social network.

Clip art

<a href="https://www.freepik.com/free-vector/3d-social-media-icons-background_6144803.htm#fromView=search&page=1&position=31&uuid=b4ab3a8d-987b-4860-a082-069072b6774a">Image by pikisuperstar on Freepik</a>