Year of troubles, season of hatchetmen. As of several weeks back, Substack has been under a massive seemingly coordinated attack from subversive forces seeking to create a viral exodus from the site by reputationally damaging it. Unfortunately, it seems the program is of such wide scope as to even target individual high volume accounts, of which I appear to be one—as I too have now come under the hatchetmen’s blade of deplatformization.
Simplicius was kind enough not to forbid me to post a comment that's not too relevant while still dealing with censorship. Amazon cut off advertisement of my book, 'As America Crumbles... : A Grim Chronicle Exploring the Evil Source of America’s Catastrophic Decline,' because it, I kid you not, “contains content revolving around highly debated social topics.”
There are times in history, when one looks back, when tide of free speech, free thinking raises... unique moments. It is not a process, otherwise humanity would already have reached perfection, and clearly it had not.
More like Wizzard of Oz moment of truth, and then back. Back to reality, back to the future.
When I first started using the internet there where no platforms. I had to learn HTML and CSS and build my own websites. People seem to have forgotten that you still can build your own website. No third party rules, no censorship or other anti free speech measures. Then they have to go after your internet service provider.
Just ago Ursula held a 20 minute speech claiming biggest treat is mis- and disinformation. It was a 20 minutes of mis- and disinformation. You know it's bad when they believe their own lies. Are there journalist who dare to expose these groups going after people for deplatforming? We can bet they're paid by the EU and US and other supranational organisations.
This is what happens when your domain name and host is based in the West.
Another thing is you and your family resides in the West and you are an easy target for ala Bolton threats to kill your family unless you behave as told.
Personally I think a combination of these forced The Saker to retire.
Your best bet is move to a ironcast host located in a country that's strong enough to resist obvious sanction threats.
If you can find a safe haven I have no problem following and paying a sub that's reasonable.
> The only other possible explanation I can think of, is that perhaps the targeted campaign against me hit Stripe with so many random false accusations, they were covering their bases for all the different claims.
I think any large enough platform automates customer service currently. The larger they are the more automation there is. I can't prove it but I have a feeling that no humans were involved in that affair apart from NAFO trolls flooding the abuse system with reports. From that point on everything else was automatically triggered, and badly. There might have been one single human that terminated the process after reviewing that nothing actually happened. Get used to it, guys, you've seen nothing yet. You can be 100% sure that quite soon there won't be any humans dealing with small problems like that in web services.
> For the record, Substack was the only service to even respond semi-reassuringly to my urgent alert about a mass attack on my accounts.
I've found out that all small companies tend to have actual humans on support and it looks like Substack is still primarily human-operated. That might change in the future if they continue to grow, of course.
> I also realized that if Stripe were to deplatform me, that would have no effect on the Substack account.
You do not need Stripe to receive money from BuyMeACoffee, I've recently researched that. They allow Payoneer and direct bank transfers. Gumroad, OTOH, is a Stripe-only service. So in theory you could add a BMC link to every post or lock the post content there if you want. Which would likely cut into your profits.
Terrible times for the truth seekers , I really enjoy your articles , you might want to try Markethive.com , it is a new platform , the CEO is absolutely against censoring , and it is crypto friendly .
Simplicius, your work have become impactful enough for "establishment" to notice. You know, Substack is being pressured to clamp down on what they describe as "disinformation". So far Substack has refused but they are a San Francisco based American corp after all, it won't be shrewd to rely on them entirely.
I'd like to offer a friendly suggestion: Perhaps it's worth exploring the idea of launching your own website. Take a look at John Helmer's Dancing with Bears; it could provide a convincing model for you. You can rent server and infrastructure from Russian or Chinese providers. Given the size of your audience, relying solely on Substack may not be necessary. You could maintain it concurrently while gradually establishing your independent platform.
Wishing you the best of luck, and thank you for the excellent analysis you put out.
You are probably the most prolific writer I have ever encountered on this platform. So, yes, I will support you wherever you go--without exemptions. (Obviously, that is a signal that I would have to put my money where my mouth is.)
Well, in a way, Substack does have a "Nazi" problem--it just so happens that these Nazis are not on Substack. If "anti-Nazis" burn books, figuratively, they are still Nazis.
I'm edging towards subbing, I've never felt the need but your work and attention to unbiased detail is undeniable. In these dark times of government overreach, some search lights blaze in the dark. You are one! Keep it up.
Firstly, get off X, set up another account not linked to simplicius so you can still monitor the site.
Secondly, set up a website, direct all your subscribers to it. Set up a company or register as self employed.
On your site have a pay wall, link the payment options to your own business bank account using IBAN.
Set up a core of subscribers like me who love your work and would happily pay a monthly subscription.
Do this for a year along with your substack and see if it is worthwhile.
We are living a nightmare now, that, there can be no doubt.
Before the internet we had journals and pamphlets and writers earned money off them. There are many ways to get your message out there, don't get too despondent.
Heh, if they don't like you, they damn sure ain't gonna like ME. LOL
Advocating crime, violence, and illegal hacking, as well as learning ninjutsu and tradecraft and firearms use is entirely the goal of my Substack. Along with other things, of course, but ultimately the goal is to point out "The Five Essentials" that people are going to need to survive the "cyberpunk" future that's already here, let alone coming.
But I thank Simplicius for giving me the heads up that my Substack probably won't last another year, if that, based on this "cancel" nonsense. And I'm not surprised they went after the financing because control of the money is how everyone is brought into line.
So learn to hack and steal your money directly, then hide it in crypto and offshore banks under phony corporate identities - like the "legit" real heavy hitters do. Use corporate entities to undermine the corporate state.
What's that line from the movie "Hackers"? Ah, yes: "HACK THE PLANET!"
The whiny cancel culture gits taking their ball and heading to Ghost I welcome with open arms. Hopefully they'll succeed in creating a parallel ecosystem between Ghost and Mastodon and whatever else, and the rest of us will never see them again.
Simplicius was kind enough not to forbid me to post a comment that's not too relevant while still dealing with censorship. Amazon cut off advertisement of my book, 'As America Crumbles... : A Grim Chronicle Exploring the Evil Source of America’s Catastrophic Decline,' because it, I kid you not, “contains content revolving around highly debated social topics.”
I feel the need to mention my book; otherwise, it would never be seen by anyone. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CQR71WN3/.
There are times in history, when one looks back, when tide of free speech, free thinking raises... unique moments. It is not a process, otherwise humanity would already have reached perfection, and clearly it had not.
More like Wizzard of Oz moment of truth, and then back. Back to reality, back to the future.
Thank you Simplicius, it was a pleasure.
When I first started using the internet there where no platforms. I had to learn HTML and CSS and build my own websites. People seem to have forgotten that you still can build your own website. No third party rules, no censorship or other anti free speech measures. Then they have to go after your internet service provider.
Just ago Ursula held a 20 minute speech claiming biggest treat is mis- and disinformation. It was a 20 minutes of mis- and disinformation. You know it's bad when they believe their own lies. Are there journalist who dare to expose these groups going after people for deplatforming? We can bet they're paid by the EU and US and other supranational organisations.
This is what happens when your domain name and host is based in the West.
Another thing is you and your family resides in the West and you are an easy target for ala Bolton threats to kill your family unless you behave as told.
Personally I think a combination of these forced The Saker to retire.
Your best bet is move to a ironcast host located in a country that's strong enough to resist obvious sanction threats.
If you can find a safe haven I have no problem following and paying a sub that's reasonable.
It's clear: UA doesn't have a nazi problem, Substack has a nazi problem.
Just joined last week, but yes, I would follow your work anywhere. You're that valuable! Thanks again for sharing your mind!
> The only other possible explanation I can think of, is that perhaps the targeted campaign against me hit Stripe with so many random false accusations, they were covering their bases for all the different claims.
I think any large enough platform automates customer service currently. The larger they are the more automation there is. I can't prove it but I have a feeling that no humans were involved in that affair apart from NAFO trolls flooding the abuse system with reports. From that point on everything else was automatically triggered, and badly. There might have been one single human that terminated the process after reviewing that nothing actually happened. Get used to it, guys, you've seen nothing yet. You can be 100% sure that quite soon there won't be any humans dealing with small problems like that in web services.
> For the record, Substack was the only service to even respond semi-reassuringly to my urgent alert about a mass attack on my accounts.
I've found out that all small companies tend to have actual humans on support and it looks like Substack is still primarily human-operated. That might change in the future if they continue to grow, of course.
> I also realized that if Stripe were to deplatform me, that would have no effect on the Substack account.
You do not need Stripe to receive money from BuyMeACoffee, I've recently researched that. They allow Payoneer and direct bank transfers. Gumroad, OTOH, is a Stripe-only service. So in theory you could add a BMC link to every post or lock the post content there if you want. Which would likely cut into your profits.
Terrible times for the truth seekers , I really enjoy your articles , you might want to try Markethive.com , it is a new platform , the CEO is absolutely against censoring , and it is crypto friendly .
Keep up the fantastic job
Check out blogstack.io, a decentralized blog platform over relay using nostr with lightning (btc) tips
Simplicius, your work have become impactful enough for "establishment" to notice. You know, Substack is being pressured to clamp down on what they describe as "disinformation". So far Substack has refused but they are a San Francisco based American corp after all, it won't be shrewd to rely on them entirely.
I'd like to offer a friendly suggestion: Perhaps it's worth exploring the idea of launching your own website. Take a look at John Helmer's Dancing with Bears; it could provide a convincing model for you. You can rent server and infrastructure from Russian or Chinese providers. Given the size of your audience, relying solely on Substack may not be necessary. You could maintain it concurrently while gradually establishing your independent platform.
Wishing you the best of luck, and thank you for the excellent analysis you put out.
You are probably the most prolific writer I have ever encountered on this platform. So, yes, I will support you wherever you go--without exemptions. (Obviously, that is a signal that I would have to put my money where my mouth is.)
Well, in a way, Substack does have a "Nazi" problem--it just so happens that these Nazis are not on Substack. If "anti-Nazis" burn books, figuratively, they are still Nazis.
I'm edging towards subbing, I've never felt the need but your work and attention to unbiased detail is undeniable. In these dark times of government overreach, some search lights blaze in the dark. You are one! Keep it up.
Firstly, get off X, set up another account not linked to simplicius so you can still monitor the site.
Secondly, set up a website, direct all your subscribers to it. Set up a company or register as self employed.
On your site have a pay wall, link the payment options to your own business bank account using IBAN.
Set up a core of subscribers like me who love your work and would happily pay a monthly subscription.
Do this for a year along with your substack and see if it is worthwhile.
We are living a nightmare now, that, there can be no doubt.
Before the internet we had journals and pamphlets and writers earned money off them. There are many ways to get your message out there, don't get too despondent.
Heh, if they don't like you, they damn sure ain't gonna like ME. LOL
Advocating crime, violence, and illegal hacking, as well as learning ninjutsu and tradecraft and firearms use is entirely the goal of my Substack. Along with other things, of course, but ultimately the goal is to point out "The Five Essentials" that people are going to need to survive the "cyberpunk" future that's already here, let alone coming.
But I thank Simplicius for giving me the heads up that my Substack probably won't last another year, if that, based on this "cancel" nonsense. And I'm not surprised they went after the financing because control of the money is how everyone is brought into line.
So learn to hack and steal your money directly, then hide it in crypto and offshore banks under phony corporate identities - like the "legit" real heavy hitters do. Use corporate entities to undermine the corporate state.
What's that line from the movie "Hackers"? Ah, yes: "HACK THE PLANET!"
The NAFO banhammer manipulation is vile.
The whiny cancel culture gits taking their ball and heading to Ghost I welcome with open arms. Hopefully they'll succeed in creating a parallel ecosystem between Ghost and Mastodon and whatever else, and the rest of us will never see them again.