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September 2, 2019 - 7:25am
UnHerd is booming. I don’t know how many online publications have seen their traffic increase nearly *threefold* over the past twelve months, but UnHerd must be one of the fastest growing in the UK. It has become a go-to source of original and fearless thinking – and that’s more needed than ever.
Today, we are launching The Post – in “beta”, which means it’s still a work in progress. Think of it like the UnHerd fast lane. It’s a new space where our editors and contributors can highlight interesting developments in the world of ideas, and share thoughts in a more casual way. We’ll also be doing more video interviews, and experimenting with some new formats.
Why “The Post”? Well, it will consist not of our usual full-length articles but shorter posts; but more importantly, we hope it can become a crucible among key thinkers for the big idea of what comes next. Post-Liberal, post-populist, post-Brexit, post-Trump…
We’re keen to hear your feedback – both on The Post and any thoughts you have for UnHerd. Send us an email on [email protected].
Freddie Sayers is the Editor-in-Chief & CEO of UnHerd. He was previously Editor-in-Chief of YouGov, and founder of PoliticsHome.
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SubscribeInitial impressions…. why didn’t I find this site earlier? As a Half Brit / Half American I struggled to find thought provoking and interesting topics that weren’t either Far Left or Far Right, and with an intent to ‘convince’ the reader that their point of view was the only decent one. I suppose that’s why I was somehow drawn to this site which seems to have a UK focus. So far I’ve really enjoyed all the articles, and plan on exercising more free thought, instead of subtle indoctrination.
….
This is a breath of fresh air for anyone who has had more than enough of current mainstream media histrionics and (dare I use the expression?!) fake news.
How wonderfully refreshing !!! Intelligent sensitive people who don’t scream “racist” “facist” every five minutes to anyone who thinks differently. Can’t thank you enough !! Almost as good as frank field leading labour. Just thoroughly enjoyed Giles Frasers interview with Susan hill. More power to all your elbows !!! Warren
Yes I’m heartened to find this place. So far – I’m hoping it proves to be free of both political orthodoxy and conspiracy theory
It’s full of conspiracy theory for sure, of the on the defensive, right-wing, paranoid variety
I do enjoy reading articles though. It is healthy after all, to take in all shades of opinion.
I’m glad I’ve discovered UnHerd and will recommend it to my friends. Unlike other news sources I could mention, UnHerd doesn’t talk down to or morally bully its readership.
This has become my favourite source of articles. Refreshing, thought provoking, independent, looking at many different points of view and different angles. So different to self-serving biased sensationalist and sometimes quite clearly false reporting in general media.
I would also add one more thing: I think the comment section could do with less moderation. It is quite common to write an opinion that is completely respectful and articulate, only for it to vanish for hours or days while it is validated for thought crimes. I think this is off-putting for many people who like to engage in comment on the site.
I would also add one more thing: I think the comment section could do with less moderation. It is quite common to write an opinion that is completely respectful and articulate, only for it to vanish for hours or days while it is validated for thought crimes. I think this is off-putting for many people who like to engage in comment on the site.
I’d prefer Unherd and The Post had their own commenting system. I don’t trust Disqus. They’re all over the place, collecting one’s data and comments on different websites.
I particularly enjoy reading the comments below the articles which interest me. There is often an informative and polite debate, with relevant additional information. Well done to your writers/contributors and presumably a moderator in the background
Dear Freddie and Team,
I want to thank you all for your stern great work in Journalism.
I have switched off from all other media, in particular BBC, Sky, ITV, most daily newspapers etc due to their biased reporting on all issues always having a political slant or crass reporting.
Freddie, you are in my opinion one of the best interviewers in the UK today.
Balanced, great questions and you let the person speak uninterrupted which is so rare today and you let us as the audience make an informed opinion based on impartial information!!
Keep it up absolutely brilliant, the other networks and journalists should take a long look in the mirror at themselves!
Best wishes Gayer
Dear Freddie Sayers and team, my former professor who taught me Modern European History & Politics recommended UnHerd to me. I trust his suggestions to be critically considered and politically balanced. UnHerd is both. It has great articles written by smart people and engaging video interviews. Now, I am trying to share UnHerd with my postgraduate psychology peers. Lockdown TV has certainly gotten me through lockdown. Thank you!
Dear Freddie Sayers and team, my former professor who taught me Modern European History & Politics recommended UnHerd to me. I trust his suggestions to be critically considered and politically balanced. UnHerd is both. It has great articles written by smart people and engaging video interviews. Now, I am trying to share UnHerd with my postgraduate psychology peers. Lockdown TV has certainly gotten me through lockdown. Thank you!
With bright sparks like Freddie there have been several interviews where he has known more on the topic than the guest! Such discipline to not use that to humiliate them. The challenge here is finding true experts in their field, lucid and self-critical enough to present fresh data. Too often their CV looks promising but their analysis leaves one very frustrated. Good if you could find some more economically literate guests to throw some light on big current shifts that will dwarf the preoccupation with gender that are draining airtime.
With bright sparks like Freddie there have been several interviews where he has known more on the topic than the guest! Such discipline to not use that to humiliate them. The challenge here is finding true experts in their field, lucid and self-critical enough to present fresh data. Too often their CV looks promising but their analysis leaves one very frustrated. Good if you could find some more economically literate guests to throw some light on big current shifts that will dwarf the preoccupation with gender that are draining airtime.
Feeling utterly wiped out from a hectic day of dehumanising travel this morning, I half-asleep stumbled across UnHerd via Bari Weiss’ most excellent newsletter, TGIF. So far I love everything I’ve read. Fresh thoughts to revive my mind out of the annihilation of burnout. Especially relevant after being herded like a sheep with a dog through security at San Francisco yesterday. “We’re just tourists en route to Margarita-ville, not enemies of the state!” Free thinkers unite and stay strong. Thanks for being here. I’d love to contribute to the conversation.
Muchas Gracias y saludos desde México.
Feeling utterly wiped out from a hectic day of dehumanising travel this morning, I half-asleep stumbled across UnHerd via Bari Weiss’ most excellent newsletter, TGIF. So far I love everything I’ve read. Fresh thoughts to revive my mind out of the annihilation of burnout. Especially relevant after being herded like a sheep with a dog through security at San Francisco yesterday. “We’re just tourists en route to Margarita-ville, not enemies of the state!” Free thinkers unite and stay strong. Thanks for being here. I’d love to contribute to the conversation.
Muchas Gracias y saludos desde México.
Always been in persuit of the TRUTH from TRUSTED sources ! & remember ‘ Fear Clouds Critical Thinking ‘ !
Always been in persuit of the TRUTH from TRUSTED sources ! & remember ‘ Fear Clouds Critical Thinking ‘ !
Can you please find someone at Unherd who is a half decent atheist writer who can counter the religious claptrap that Giles Fraser comes out with please !
My goodness, does someone have to be atheist to write insightfully? I respect UnHerd because it offers interesting perspectives from many viewpoints that aren’t in accord with mine.
As a U.S. citizen, I enjoy the perspectives here that challenge our own left and right views. We no longer have mainstream or objective reporting, if we ever did, so UnHerd helps us to forge our own paths. The articles/interviews are fresh, creative and well-written.
A place to learn not only from the authors and (maybe even more-so from ) other readers. My favourite media outlet. Thank you
How does one become a “Member” with that tag?
I’m old enough to have slammed the breaks on rampant subscriptions in my budget. I saw this a few weeks ago and subscribed lickety-split, even before I realized it was Brit-based (which is fine). With T. Carlson on hold here in US, I needed some common sense, thoughtful insights on doings around me. Thanks
My suggestion is to remove the downvote button – I think it’s enough to rank comments by approval, rather than having dissaproval also.
The reason I say this is that there are, ironically, many tribal voters on this forum who attempt to act as gatekeepers to their particular way of thinking.
I have noticed that some who deviate from the herd (ironically) comment only once or twice, receive severe downvotes (despite often respectul and well thought out comments), and then are never seen again, presumably because the downvotes have left them feeling bullied and isolated.
Personally, I think this diminishes Unherd – the reason I come to Unherd is precisely because it attempts to pursue truth and explore different ideas ( a rarity among publications now).
I have noticed, over time, that the comment section has become more and more dominated by a particular kind of thinking, and I, for one, would prefer it to have genuine diversity of thought, not just in the articles, but in the comment section also, something which I think isn’t happening as much as it could do because unorthodox thinkers are made to feel unwelcome by a sea of red downvotes.
Everything else about the publication I really love.
I am probably a symptom of the problem you are describing… but the oldest rule of the internet is that anyone who complains about downvotes gets one.
In all seriousness, I did downvote your post because I can think of little more Orwellian (and less Unherd-ian) than to only allow positive votes.
If I were free to make any change to the up- and down-voting system, though, it would be to see the total number of each votes, instead of just the netted-out sum. Did a 100 people like my post and 99 dislike it? Or did just 1 like it? It’s helpful as a writer to know if people are engaged with your posts or not.
I am probably a symptom of the problem you are describing… but the oldest rule of the internet is that anyone who complains about downvotes gets one.
In all seriousness, I did downvote your post because I can think of little more Orwellian (and less Unherd-ian) than to only allow positive votes.
If I were free to make any change to the up- and down-voting system, though, it would be to see the total number of each votes, instead of just the netted-out sum. Did a 100 people like my post and 99 dislike it? Or did just 1 like it? It’s helpful as a writer to know if people are engaged with your posts or not.
My suggestion is to remove the downvote button – I think it’s enough to rank comments by approval, rather than having dissaproval also.
The reason I say this is that there are, ironically, many tribal voters on this forum who attempt to act as gatekeepers to their particular way of thinking.
I have noticed that some who deviate from the herd (ironically) comment only once or twice, receive severe downvotes (despite often respectul and well thought out comments), and then are never seen again, presumably because the downvotes have left them feeling bullied and isolated.
Personally, I think this diminishes Unherd – the reason I come to Unherd is precisely because it attempts to pursue truth and explore different ideas ( a rarity among publications now).
I have noticed, over time, that the comment section has become more and more dominated by a particular kind of thinking, and I, for one, would prefer it to have genuine diversity of thought, not just in the articles, but in the comment section also, something which I think isn’t happening as much as it could do because unorthodox thinkers are made to feel unwelcome by a sea of red downvotes.
Everything else about the publication I really love.