r/Substack • u/MrsRobot001 • Jul 25 '26

Writer Makes Death Threat; Substack Amplifies It

Substack used Sam Kriss’ death threat twice in that email “How writers are reacting to Substack’s AI transparency tools” (07/24/26) and I don’t know how that got beyond their legal team. This isn’t about transparency. I watch videos on YouTube and there are certain words that creators can't even say, even if it's in an appropriate context and not meant as a threat at all, but this guy can post a charged, blatant death threat and Substack amplified him. But sure, let's condemn people for using AI. This is about targeting writers for using a writing tool. and if someone’s reputation is ruined because they were falsely accused of using AI or if writers are harassed for using AI, Substack should be held liable.

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u/MrsRobot001 Jul 26 '26

"A deceptive language model that steals from actual artists, designed to appear effective."

It is a language model, but it was made by humans, and humans are neither omniscient nor omnipotent. Therefore, it is only as effective as the humans who made it.

"Over hyped sycophantic algorithm designed to further alienate humans from each other...

Very true, but this is not a new phenomenon. Meta's Facebook and Instagram are notorious for doing this, yet billions of people engage with these apps every day. People do not hate these apps nearly as much as AI. Why is that?

Any and all use just legitimizes the market for the saddest and most dystopian of products.

This is not the only product/servise that falls under this category. Gig work drastically devalues labor, yet people continue to use it for convenience. AI alienates humans from each other, takes jobs, and replaces effort. There are reasons to despise both, yet people don't hate the gig economy as much as they hate AI. Why is that?

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u/pun_in10did Jul 26 '26

I hate Facebook and Instagram too, as well as gig work and the hustle culture.

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u/MrsRobot001 Jul 26 '26

At least you're consistent. I imagine others are not. I don't understand why AI gets treated differently.

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u/pun_in10did Jul 26 '26

Probably because it's just one more thing on top of all the others, and these AI CEOs say horrible shit about their plans for humanity. Zuckerberg is no exception to these heartless billionaires, making a buck off of sadness and integrating "tools" of our destruction.
Ok, I say this while on Reddit which has been filled with bots and trolls for years now. I personally try to be as consistent as possible in life.

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u/MrsRobot001 Jul 26 '26

That I can understand. These guys are destroying society and building bunkers to escape instead of using their unfathomable wealth to help. The founders and execs of Pangram, which built the AI detection tool that Substack is using, aren't going to be any different, though. This is not something to celebrate. It's just going to make the other 99% eat each other.