Substack Reads: Porn conventions, the art of record covers, and the truth about having it all
There is a difference between Substack saying "we are free speech folks, therefore we won't ban newsletters that celebrate and normalize porn" versus using the "Substack Reads" communication to promote these newsletters.
One is standing up for a legal principle, the other is a choice about what is worthwhile to promote. There may be Substack newsletters somewhere that celebrates drug addiction or revel in fictionalized portrayals of sadistic violence. I may say those need to be tolerated to uphold free speech principles, while still saying Substack should not look for ways to boost their readership.
Porn is essentially treating each other as slabs of meat. It harms the dignity of all involved in the "transaction." Those statements are objectively true.
And this is objectively true, too: Many of the performers involved are people who have experienced sexual trauma as minors or in young adulthood and/or have a substance abuse problem. Let's celebrate!
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