# So, I started a Substack **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Tags:** books-writing-myths\ **Created:** [June 3, 2021, 3:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-i-started-a-substack/943518 "2021-06-03T03:09:36Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 18\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![JohnT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnt/32/15048_2.png) [@JohnT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JohnT)\ **Post date:** [June 3, 2021, 3:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-i-started-a-substack/943518/1 "2021-06-03T03:09:36Z")
Decided I’ve been told that I should be a writer by enough people that I started a Substack, _The Way Things Ought 2 B_, so I can go ahead and practice this craft on a platform which allows one to eventually monetize their audience. If you can build an audience, that is. Right now I’m at 6, so a bit of a ways to go. 😉 My newsletter is @asahi lite - American politics, culture, and economics, all with a dash of catastrophic thinking. The theme effectively is that I don’t expect an easy time for America in the next 30-40 years… the rest of my life, effectively… and this will be reflected in many of the pieces written. For now. It’s an evolving idea. “2 B” will have one long-form article (1,500+ words) every two-three weeks, with 3-6 short takes (150-450 words) in between. In addition, I’m still working on the [phone book project](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-family-business-market-distribution-specialists-inc-1984-2012/923289), which will… in time… also be Substacked. More details in that thread. Subscriptions are free, and right now I don’t care if you subscribe using your spam email ( 😛 ). Feel free to offer constructive criticism (and encouragement) because the idea is to get good enough to build an audience and eventually be paid for this. Homepage: > **[The Way Things Ought 2 B](https://thewaythingsought2b.substack.com/)** > > American Culture, Economics, and Politics, seasoned with a dash of catastrophic thinking. Click to read The Way Things Ought 2 B, by John Thornton, a Substack publication with hundreds of readers. My first article: > **[The Threat of Denialism](https://thewaythingsought2b.substack.com/p/the-threat-of-denialism-114)** > > How a self-inflicted psychological condition has become a civilization-threatening mass hysteria, and what we can do about it. This would not have been possible without the SDMB, that I am quite certain, so I want to thank every single one of you for reading my stuff and, at times, reacting positively to it. JT ---
**Author:** ![Dr.Strangelove](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dr.strangelove/32/6613_2.png) [@Dr.Strangelove](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr.Strangelove)\ **Post date:** [June 3, 2021, 3:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-i-started-a-substack/943518/2 "2021-06-03T03:25:35Z")
HIPAA, not HIPPA. ---
**Author:** ![Eyebrows\_0f\_Doom](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eyebrows_0f_doom/32/3119_2.png) [@Eyebrows\_0f\_Doom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eyebrows_0f_Doom)\ **Post date:** [June 3, 2021, 3:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-i-started-a-substack/943518/3 "2021-06-03T03:28:48Z")
Why “2 B” instead of “To Be”? That doesn’t really give me the impression it’ll be an intelligently written article. ---
**Author:** ![asahi](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/asahi/32/8693_2.png) [@asahi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/asahi)\ **Post date:** [June 3, 2021, 3:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-i-started-a-substack/943518/4 "2021-06-03T03:37:26Z")
HIPPO, not HIPOO ---
**Author:** ![asahi](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/asahi/32/8693_2.png) [@asahi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/asahi)\ **Post date:** [June 3, 2021, 3:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-i-started-a-substack/943518/5 "2021-06-03T03:47:19Z")
Get your Chicken Little on, JT! I approve…because it’s probably based in reality. ---
**Author:** ![JohnT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnt/32/15048_2.png) [@JohnT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JohnT)\ **Post date:** [June 3, 2021, 3:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-i-started-a-substack/943518/6 "2021-06-03T03:47:55Z")
> [@Eyebrows\_0f\_Doom](#): > > Why “2 B” instead of “To Be”? That doesn’t really give me the impression it’ll be an intelligently written article. Marketing purposes. “2 B” makes a great linguistic shorthand for the newsletter (not article) and “2 B” will likely work better in a logo than TWTOTB. I’m perfectly fine with the construction. ---
**Author:** ![TheGunIsMightierThanThePen](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thegunismightierthanthepen/32/2981_2.png) [@TheGunIsMightierThanThePen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TheGunIsMightierThanThePen)\ **Post date:** [June 3, 2021, 6:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-i-started-a-substack/943518/7 "2021-06-03T06:18:10Z")
Good first article, thanks for the read. The world could always use more sobering doses of doom and gloom. I subscribed, and I’m pulling for you man, keep grinding away at your craft and hopefully one day you land a mega book/TV deal. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![JohnT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnt/32/15048_2.png) [@JohnT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JohnT)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2021, 9:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-i-started-a-substack/943518/8 "2021-07-21T21:38:23Z")
Still going, just dropped another article. Have _royally_ pissed off one conservative I know, but then, to the articles point, he’s pretty fragile. > **[Critical Race Theory and White Fragility](https://thewaythingsought2b.substack.com/p/critical-race-theory-and-white-fragility)** > > Imagine being so ashamed of your history you don't want it taught to your children. ---
**Author:** ![Snowboarder\_Bo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/snowboarder_bo/32/229_2.png) [@Snowboarder\_Bo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snowboarder_Bo)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2021, 9:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-i-started-a-substack/943518/9 "2021-07-21T21:43:52Z")
What is a Substack? ---
**Author:** ![JohnT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnt/32/15048_2.png) [@JohnT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JohnT)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2021, 9:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-i-started-a-substack/943518/10 "2021-07-21T21:54:35Z")
It’s an authoring website which allows the creators full copyright ownership of their creations. A number of journalists and essayists have moved to the platform and I decided to put my longer work on Substack rather than the SDMB. Since the SDMB requires both ownership of our work and anonymity of the author, it’s actually a rather poor platform to promote oneself. … but that’s another discussion. ---
**Author:** ![TheGunIsMightierThanThePen](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thegunismightierthanthepen/32/2981_2.png) [@TheGunIsMightierThanThePen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TheGunIsMightierThanThePen)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2021, 10:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-i-started-a-substack/943518/11 "2021-07-21T22:44:37Z")
> [@JohnT](#): > > Have _royally_ pissed off one conservative I know, but then, to the articles point, he’s pretty fragile. [![](https://i.imgur.com/R8jg8hR.png) ](https://i.imgur.com/R8jg8hR.png) Keep fighting the good fight! 😁 ---
**Author:** ![Snowboarder\_Bo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/snowboarder_bo/32/229_2.png) [@Snowboarder\_Bo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snowboarder_Bo)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2021, 10:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-i-started-a-substack/943518/12 "2021-07-21T22:52:24Z")
Thanks. This is the first I’ve heard of it and I appreciate the explanation. May the road rise to meet you. ---
**Author:** ![asahi](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/asahi/32/8693_2.png) [@asahi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/asahi)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2021, 10:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-i-started-a-substack/943518/13 "2021-07-21T22:58:42Z")
Just wanted to add some encouragement. You write well and would like to see it take off. ---
**Author:** ![JohnT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnt/32/15048_2.png) [@JohnT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JohnT)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2021, 8:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-i-started-a-substack/943518/14 "2021-10-29T20:17:45Z")
Some of y’all helped me develop some of the ideas and writing contained in this one so a shout out to @Martin_Hyde, @Temporary_Name, @tripthicket, @Sherrerd, @Max_S, and others. Thanks! > **[410,000,000,000](https://thewaythingsought2b.substack.com/p/410000000?r=iqxu&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&utm_source=)** > > A number which should be \*taught\* to every American citizen. ---
**Author:** ![BippityBoppityBoo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bippityboppityboo/32/5745_2.png) [@BippityBoppityBoo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BippityBoppityBoo)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2021, 9:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-i-started-a-substack/943518/15 "2021-10-29T21:05:57Z")
> [@JohnT](#): > > and others Went and read it. Tried to post this comment~didn’t want to create yet another account, so here it is: ——The two most important concepts ….”We want the credit? We take the blame……” It’s up to us to claim our souls back.”. And yes, I read that far~~~——- ---
**Author:** ![JohnT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnt/32/15048_2.png) [@JohnT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JohnT)\ **Post date:** [December 1, 2021, 5:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-i-started-a-substack/943518/16 "2021-12-01T17:09:33Z")
Just wanted to pop in here to, frankly, brag just a bit as my writings on CRT and income inequality earned me a Twitter follow from the leader of _ **The 1619 Project** _, Nikole Hannah-Jones _and_ a subscription to the Substack: [![Imgur](https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51718310184_5349311be4_b.jpg "Nikole Hannah-Jones follow") ](https://www.flickr.com/photos/68782016@N08/51718310184/) (No, you don’t get to see the subscription confirmation, sorry - it has her email address.) ---
**Author:** ![JohnT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnt/32/15048_2.png) [@JohnT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JohnT)\ **Post date:** [January 16, 2022, 5:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-i-started-a-substack/943518/17 "2022-01-16T17:58:53Z")
A few more articles since my last update to this thread. The first was me throwing some data into a spreadsheet and telling y’all the narrative which unfolded: > **[What Party is better at Managing the American Economy?](https://thewaythingsought2b.substack.com/p/what-party-is-better-at-managing?r=iqxu&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web)** > > This question is not only answerable, the difference is rather stark. The next was inspired from the Nahployment thread. Also was in a bit of a pissy mood the day I wrote this, causing one friend to call it ‘bitter’: > **[They're Not Coming Back](https://thewaythingsought2b.substack.com/p/theyre-not-coming-back?r=iqxu&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web)** > > Something to read while sitting in the drive thru line at Starbucks This third article was a personal challenge to myself: Can I make an unpalatable argument “Sometimes it’s OK for a person to give up and do what society tells her” palatable? The fact that the subject was a female genius who was forced to marry made crafting the argument difficult… but not a one of my feminist friends batted an eye when complimenting this one: > **[Mozargyny](https://thewaythingsought2b.substack.com/p/mozargyny?r=iqxu&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web)** > > As talented as her brother (possibly), she was forbidden from music at the age of 18. How Marianne Mozart reacted to this, however, is the stuff of legend. And my first article done upon request. Was with a friend and went on one of my 5 minute monologs, this time about why everyone hated each other, and he said I should write this one down. So I did: > **[Why Does Everyone Hate Each Other?](https://thewaythingsought2b.substack.com/p/why-does-everyone-hate-each-other?r=iqxu&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web)** > > A Journey Through the Past to Explain our Present. ---
**Author:** ![GreenWyvern](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/greenwyvern/32/2834_2.png) [@GreenWyvern](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GreenWyvern)\ **Post date:** [January 16, 2022, 7:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-i-started-a-substack/943518/18 "2022-01-16T19:24:08Z")
I read your essay ’ Why Does Everyone Hate Each Other?’ 🙄   🙄   🙄   Sorry, but I was literally rolling my eyes many times as I read through it. Let’s just say that your knowledge of history is extremely simplistic and inaccurate, to a degree I wasn’t expecting. And your conclusions are flat wrong. And, no, I have neither the time, nor the energy, nor the inclination to write a detailed critique of it, which would need to be as least as long. All I can say is, please read some serious history before you launch into glib nonsense like this again.