The hottest Content Moderation Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
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Top News Topics

substack f***'d up and now we have to talk about it

astrology for writers • 9512 implied HN points • 19 Jan 24
🕹 Technology Tech Ethics Content Moderation Online Communities Digital Publishing
  1. There are Nazis on Substack, and the platform's founders shirk responsibility for content moderation.
  2. The issue of ethical consumerism is complex and challenging, with no pure choices under capitalism.
  3. Supporting marginalized artists may involve navigating difficult choices between audience support and distribution channels, like Substack.

Marshall McLuhan on Why Content Moderation is a Red Herring

After Babel • 2883 implied HN points • 22 Feb 24
🕹 Technology Social media Childhood Content Moderation Online safety Tech Ethics
  1. Content moderation is essential, but focusing solely on it overlooks larger issues related to the harmful effects of platforms on kids
  2. The harmful impact of social media on children is not just about the content they consume, but also about the changes in childhood due to excessive screen time
  3. Implementing norms like delaying smartphones until high school could help in restoring a healthier, play-based childhood for kids

Gemini: how did we end up here?

lcamtuf’s thing • 2166 implied HN points • 02 Mar 24
🕹 Technology AI Ethics Language Models Big Tech Content Moderation
  1. The development of large language models (LLMs) like Gemini involves mechanisms like reinforcement learning from human feedback, which can lead to biases and quirky responses.
  2. Concerns arise about the use of LLMs for automated content moderation and the potential impact on historical and political education for children.
  3. The shift within Big Tech towards paternalistic content moderation reflects a move away from the libertarian culture predominant until the mid-2010s, highlighting evolving perspectives on regulating information online.
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A housekeeping note about Substack and Nazis

Read Max • 3350 implied HN points • 19 Jan 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Content Moderation Network Effects Free speech
  1. Controversy around Nazis on Substack led to some writers considering leaving, but network effects and practical reasons keep others on the platform.
  2. Substack's decision not to moderate content like Nazi blogs sparked debates over content guidelines and platform responsibilities.
  3. Subscription newsletters on platforms like Substack offer a sense of independence for writers, but also come with challenges and complexities.

The internet's "town square" is dead

The Intrinsic Perspective • 18314 implied HN points • 09 Jul 23
🕹 Technology Social media Online Platforms Content Moderation Power Dynamics
  1. The internet's idea of a centralized 'town square' is no longer feasible due to fundamental differences in people's worldviews.
  2. When individuals have too much control over speech without oversight, it often leads to corruption and abuse of power.
  3. The rise of new platforms like Threads and shifts in social media dynamics reflect a fragmentation of the 'town square' into multiple platforms with differing moderation policies and user bases.

goodbye, substack

the wiczipedia weekly • 491 implied HN points • 21 Jan 24
🕹 Technology Content Moderation Online Publishing
  1. The author is leaving Substack due to concerns about how the platform handles extremist content.
  2. The author's newsletter will be migrated to a new platform where they can continue sharing their writing.
  3. The author redesigned their website, migrated it to Squarespace, and set up a new newsletter platform there.

Meta unspools Threads

Platformer • 3518 implied HN points • 05 Jul 23
🕹 Technology Social media Apps Decentralization Content Moderation Data Privacy
  1. Meta released Threads, a new app challenging Twitter, with a focus on content moderation and decentralization.
  2. Threads is a text-based messaging app similar to Twitter, allowing easy following of Instagram users with limited features.
  3. The success of Threads will depend on cultivating a vibrant community and continuous improvements to user experience.

BIG OOF: Patreon is enabling an insane stalking campaign

Natalia Mitigates The Apocalypse • 353 implied HN points • 29 Jan 24
🕹 Technology Social media Online Harassment Tech Platforms Content Moderation Digital ethics
  1. Stalking can happen to anyone, not just famous people, and tech companies like Patreon can inadvertently enable stalkers.
  2. Documenting and calling out instances of stalking and harassment can help raise awareness and hold tech companies accountable for their role.
  3. Coping strategies against online harassment include setting boundaries, exercising, practicing meditation, and using creativity to tell your story.

In Search of the “Reasonable Man”

Symposium • 432 implied HN points • 18 Jan 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Freedom of Speech Content Moderation Online Platforms Social media
  1. The debate about Substack and 'Substack Nazis' raises questions about freedom of speech and tolerance.
  2. Moderation on platforms like Substack should aim to keep out trolls and explicit Nazis while allowing for diverse discussions.
  3. A 'reasonable man' approach to content moderation could help platforms like Substack navigate difficult decisions.

Bullet Points: OpenAI looks for its FarmVille, 90s tech nostalgia, and more on the Substack drama

The Future, Now and Then • 237 implied HN points • 13 Jan 24
🕹 Technology AI Nostalgia Media Content Moderation Platform
  1. OpenAI is aiming to become a platform similar to how Facebook invited developers for apps.
  2. Nostalgia for 90s tech optimism is prevalent but may not be constructive for the present tech landscape.
  3. The Substack management issues are conflicting with their core value of empowering writers to build their own audience.

"One Weird Trick" for effective strategic political communication campaigns

The Future, Now and Then • 244 implied HN points • 09 Jan 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Communication Campaigns Policies Content Moderation Ideology
  1. Frame your communication as reasonable and your opponents as ridiculous to win in political campaigns.
  2. Effective communication matters most when your opponents are vulnerable and the issue stays on people's minds.
  3. Recognize when you're in a bad position and retreat before causing more damage to your organization.

The existential problems with Threads

Hot Takes • 471 implied HN points • 07 Jul 23
🕹 Technology Social media Privacy User Behavior Content Moderation
  1. Threads faces challenges in attracting users away from established platforms due to oversaturation and user fatigue.
  2. The lack of financial incentives for users on Threads puts it at a disadvantage in a landscape where users value their time and content.
  3. Privacy concerns, trust issues, and the risk of censorship could deter users from joining Threads, impacting its success.

The Work of Free Speech on Social Media

Oliver Bateman Does the Work • 98 implied HN points • 14 Dec 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Free speech Social media Content Moderation Public Relations
  1. The banning of certain figures on social media is often driven by public relations considerations rather than purely moral or ethical standards.
  2. Social media platforms prioritize maintaining a certain inoffensive public image to attract ad revenue and align with mainstream media-approved trends.
  3. The dynamics of speech regulation on social media platforms spark debates about freedom of speech, corporate interests, and user empowerment in the digital age.

Instagram and Threads making Politics opt-in is fine

GOOD INTERNET • 10 implied HN points • 12 Feb 24
🕹 Technology Social media Politics Algorithm Recommendations Content Moderation
  1. Meta will no longer recommend political content across its apps like Instagram and Threads, aiming to create a more apolitical social media environment.
  2. It's essential to recognize the shift towards making divisive political content opt-in rather than default on social media platforms.
  3. While this move may limit exposure to important topics like climate action, it reflects an attempt to make social media platforms more like a pub, avoiding contentious political discussions.

What's the difference between a Nazi and a pornographer?

reedmolbak • 19 implied HN points • 30 Dec 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Censorship Free speech Ideology Content Moderation First Amendment
  1. Content moderation is a complex issue for platforms like Substack, with controversies around what kind of content should or should not be allowed.
  2. Substack's moderation policies are driven by a mix of factors, including branding, promotion of free speech, and distinguishing between harmful content and open discourse of ideas.
  3. There's a fine line between allowing free speech and banning harmful content, and platforms like Substack make value judgments based on what is considered harmful or not communicating ideas.

Elon Musk is Exactly Why I Don't Want Twitter Heavily Curating Content

I Might Be Wrong • 10 implied HN points • 12 Apr 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Social media Free speech Progressives Content Moderation Corporate Influence
  1. Progressives advocate for more content curation on social media to combat hate speech and misinformation.
  2. Elon Musk's leadership of Twitter following progressive demands showcases challenges with content moderation.
  3. Having large social media companies control speech raises concerns over power and influence in our national dialogue.

Insights from Recent Prediction Markets Polls: What Users Want in a Platform

I'll Keep This Short • 0 implied HN points • 07 Nov 23
🕹 Technology Prediction Markets Artificial Intelligence Content Moderation
  1. Users are interested in both short and long-term prediction markets; platforms should support varying time horizons.
  2. There is a preference for non-curated markets, allowing users the freedom to create markets that interest them.
  3. Many users are motivated by gaming and enjoyment when using prediction markets, highlighting the importance of designing engaging experiences.