Jerks on Substack
Have you seen the dark side of the 'Stack?
This will be a full-on negative non-fictin rant! If you rather enjoy my fiction, you have been warned!
This is a tale of horror about what happens when you’re an opinionated Substacker, who does not comply to the mainstream narrative, who has thoughts, a big mouth, and no filter. Especially at 3:00 a.m.
Her name is Kathrine, and she likes to rant. You can accuse her of many things, but in her defence - she usually tries to keep her responses polite (some have still called her aggressive, go figure!). She is annoying as fuck, that’s true, because who likes a grumpy old ‘nay-sayer-pseudo-intellectual’?! Once in a while the dark creatures of Substack creep from their sooty, web-covered corners to haunt her…
There are many reasons why people attack others on the ‘Stack. But often I’ve noticed some patterns or early indications of the person’s violent inner state, just waiting for that reason to unleash the darkness.
When they don’t get the attention they seek - boom! Aggressive notes slandering pretty much anything; politicians, ungrateful passive subscribers, etc. I know I shouldn’t react, because it only feeds their need for attention, but sometimes I can’t keep my mouth shut.
Since I’m naturally chaotic, I tend to categorize things, to give my thinking process some kind of an order (or at least an illusion of it). Finally, the categories of jerks on Substack have crystalized in my head, and I am able to put them into separate jerk-stacks:
The Disappointed Aggressors - they started off good, but the success wasn’t as quick as they anticipated. On with the new strategy - bitter, petty Notes, screaming at the supposed void. Often involving politics or beliefs. In worst cases, slandering other Stackers. Even worse when it’s a deliberate tactic to get more attention.
The Brutes - immature souls, unable to keep up a civil debate. In the case of defeat will use their rich cuss vocabulary and slander the opponent for any reason - from their profile pic to grammar. They have a tendency to use cowardice as the last resort. Which is funny - they’re the ones acting aggressive, and they block you in the end. WTF?!
The Substackinators - using aggressive tactics to get free or paid subscribers. Pushing their demands on Notes (more than their actual work!). Until the tone of their Notes definitely isn’t a friendly one anymore. Nobody owes you a paid subscription, mate!
The Biachezzz - this one goes out to you, lovely jerkettes! All the Karens, girlbosses, vengeful little souls, clickbait hunters. How does it feel to be so inclusive, yet exclude the ones you personally dislike? I have met some biatches in my life, but I did not expect to encounter them here. Also, as petty as I am, I know how to separate the personal from the professional.
The whiny men. Maybe it’s just a personal quirk of mine, but I can’t.stand.whiny.men. Always complaining about how hard they have it, right up till threatening to commit suicide. It’s not endearing, it’s pathetic and scary. Social media is not the best place to find help. The funny thing is it might be just a facade to cover up greed for subscribers. When I didn’t agree on something with such a guy, oh boy, no sign of the whiny poet! Turned into an aggressor just like that!
The Silent Avengers. When there once was a friend or at least a good acquaintance, now a silent ghoul stands indifferently. It’s unfair to keep a proud silent stance, when the other person hasn’t got a clue of what they did wrong! Also, it’s childish. Adults speak up and solve problems, not play games of pretend! If I don’t see you, puff the problem is gone? Grow the fuck up!
The Backstabbers. I consider it a back-stabbing move when somebody takes my words out of context and restacks them with their own rude Note on the top. My respect is lost after such a move.
Don’t get me wrong. Substack is an excellent platform. Way better than FB. I’ve never been on Medium, Wattpad, Twitter X, so I wouldn’t know (hey, does that make me a TwitterX virgin?!). But even here there are folks who think that it’s normal and acceptable to slander somebody rudely, just because they happen to have a different opinion. Even if it’s put politely. No, it’s not normal. It’s not acceptable. It only shows the lack of communicating skills and the immature nature of the offender.
The funny thing is many of these brave souls can’t take being disagreed with or objected to. Even a polite objection they take as an attack. Sometimes they have the nerve to play out the victim card – all of a sudden they list their multiple physical and mental conditions to appear like the poor dears being attacked, although it was the other way around.
To all the trolls, hateful, spiteful, arrogant, narcissistic, attention seeking Substackers - you are seen. But maybe not in the way you wanted. Internet doesn’t forget anything. So, the next time you’re spitting your venom onto the screen - think twice. Think carefully. Any tech stupid dimwit (like me!) can take a screenshot. It’s easy to slander somebody. The hard part is taking the responsibility for your words because there will always be consequences. No matter how you hide, a pen name or fake profile will not conceal you. Oh, no, I won’t be the one to judge you! One day your own words will find you and repay in full.
You might ask - why did you write this, Kathrine? Why do you spread the negativity? Because it’s not right to put up with rude behaviour. Because words have consequences. Words leave a trace. And that we cannot erase.
P.s. One of the jerks who was rude to me and even slandered me behind my back, has deleted his old Substack profile and created a new one. I suppose I wasn’t the only one he had been rude to. Obviously wanted to start anew. I used to read his work once in a while, and this new profile posted his old work (very specific, that’s why I remembered it). It only shows the consequences of words. A living example.
P.p.s. Of course, I’m no angel. I might even be considered quite unlikable. I make mistakes, but at least I have the guts to apologize and sort things out. So, please! Don’t hide in your dark corners. Come straight at my face and tell me what I did wrong! But if you don’t, I understand. Darkness is always afraid of clearing things in the light.
The worst ones are the ones who vent their political spleens. They don't realize that this isn't an exclusively American platform and those outside of the U.S. openly dislike their biased bullshit.
I think all platforms have such which is why I have only really limited myself to the stack. As a downside, I tend to get surprised with some behaviour. But being civil, I chose to not engage unless they get to a point. It's easy for many to act this way when you sit behind a screen after all.
Besides, there is more to life than the stack.