A.R. Moxon, a talented writer known for his insightful newsletter, "The Reframe," has recently shared his thoughts on his decision to transition from the platform Substack to another service called Ghost. This change, which took place a year ago, was prompted by significant ethical concerns regarding Substacks policies, particularly its handling of hate speech and extremist content.

Moxons departure from Substack was motivated largely by revelations that the platform was monetizing accounts associated with Nazi ideologies. He highlighted the lackluster response from Substacks founder to the backlash from creators, which suggested that their ongoing support for anti-trans rhetoric was not merely a lapse in judgment but indicative of a broader ideological commitment to promoting discriminatory views. The culmination of these events led Moxon to reassess his relationship with the platform, ultimately deciding it was time to move on.

In his reflective piece, Moxon noted that since moving his newsletter in January 2024, he has primarily focused on creating content for Ghost. Initially, he continued to post on Substack for the benefit of readers still using that platform. However, by March 2024, all his monetization efforts and email communications had transitioned entirely to Ghost, marking a significant change in his publishing journey. This move was not without its challenges, and Moxon admitted that it was a daunting process. He expressed his gratitude to the Ghost team for their concierge service, which facilitated a smooth transition by assisting with the migration of content and handling subscription management.

Despite his initial fears, Moxon found that the transition was more manageable than he had anticipated. Ghost, unlike Substack, operates on a flat-rate payment model rather than taking a percentage of creators earnings, which Moxon found appealing. His audience has continued to grow at a consistent pace, with engagement levels remaining stablea reassuring sign for any creator concerned about the potential fallout from such a significant platform change.

However, Moxon did express the anxiety that accompanied this move. The sense of responsibility he feels towards his readers, whether they are paid subscribers or not, weighs heavily on him. The financial aspect of his work has positively impacted his life and the lives of those close to him, making the prospect of losing that income deeply worrying. Fortunately, the worst-case scenario he feared did not come to pass, but it was a risk that many creators must carefully navigate, especially those who rely heavily on their platforms for financial stability.

One of Moxons poignant reflections is the difference in privilege that affects moral decisions about how to confront bigotry and supremacy. He acknowledged that while he had the capacity to move away from Substack, not all creators share this privilege. Many are in vulnerable positions and must consider their unique circumstances when deciding whether to leave platforms that may harbor harmful ideologies. Moxon emphasized the need for empathy and understanding as creators navigate these challenging waters, especially those from marginalized communities who face the brunt of bigotry and hate.

In his closing thoughts, Moxon reiterated the importance of recognizing the pervasive influence of extremist ideologies in the U.S., drawing attention to the normalization of Nazi rhetoric and behavior in contemporary society. He urged others to encourage a mass exodus from Substack, while also recognizing the individual challenges creators face in making such a decision. Moxons story is a testament to the struggles and risks involved in standing against supremacy while seeking to maintain a viable career as a creator.

For those considering a similar leap, Moxon reassured his fellow creators that moving away from Substack is not only feasible but may also be beneficial in the long run. His experience serves as an encouragement to others who might feel trapped within platforms that do not align with their values. In a world where ethical considerations are increasingly vital, Moxon invites creators to explore their options, as he did, and to find spaces that reflect their principles and aspirations.

A.R. Moxon is also the author of "The Revisionaries," available through various outlets. He is a co-writer of "Sugar Maple," a musical fiction podcast, further showcasing his diverse creative endeavors.