Earlier this week, a man took the drastic step of self-immolation outside the very courtroom where the legal proceedings against former President Trump were underway. What’s interesting is that we haven’t seen self-mutilation in the public zeitgeist for quite some time, but in the past two months or so, we’ve been flooded with individuals committing the act.
Come to think about it, there was an act of a baby being burned alive during the Super Bowl.
What makes this particular incident even more compelling is the existence of a manifesto — a memoir of sorts — published on the platform Substack1 by the perpetrator himself. As I rapidly perused the writings, the first thought that came to mind was: Does this cast Substack in a negative light?
You see, in my earlier article, I heralded Substack as a beacon of free speech, finally allowing unbridled discourse in an age of pervasive censorship. Yet, I also issued a cautionary preface about the platform’s subtle philosophical shift and the existential attacks it has endured.
Now, with this manifesto linked to its digital pages, the very haven I praised faces potential vilification as a “safe space” for dangerous conspiracy theories to proliferate unchecked. The news headlines practically write themselves: “Substack Hosts Unhinged Writings of Courtroom Arsonist.”
A quick Google search reveals the tentacles already taking hold — pundits breathlessly branding Substack as the harbor for unsubstantiated claims and fringe ideologies.
My initial reaction? This reeks of yet another “Pizzagate” style false flag operation — a coordinated attempt to discredit and dismantle one of the last remaining free speech platforms. Leverage a shocking, deeply unpalatable act to provoke public furor and justify censorship under the guise of public safety. These are false flags which lead to narratives, and this is the danger of deep fake technology.
Of course, at this early stage, it’s all speculative. How Substack ultimately responds remains to be seen. But one truth is glaringly evident: This is merely the latest salvo in the war on independent thought.
So, with that being said, I put the question to you, my fellow unorthodox truth-seekers: Are you prepared to weather this storm that may be coming to Substack? Are you prepared to see beyond the convenient narrative spun by those threatened by our unshakable thirst for open dialogue against censorship?
If your answer is a resolute “yes,” then I implore you to join me in taking decisive action. Share these ideas widely, sparking thoughtful discourse in your circles about the precarious state of our current society and reality.
For those of you who find value in my unorthodox perspective that boldly runs contrary to convenient fiction, I invite you to become a paid subscriber. With alarming frequency, platforms like Substack find themselves under escalating assault. Your support ensures not only continued access to my reality-breaking content but also plays a vital role in sustaining and shaping our collective journey.
And for those seeking a parallel path to information independence — who want to stay connected if anything were to happen to Substack — I cannot recommend strongly enough exploring my book. Within those pages lies a deeper understanding of how we arrived at this troubling crossroads. Armed with that knowledge, we can forge new pathways to self-actualization—ones that remain unshackled from the grip of narrative controllers.
Make no mistake: the road ahead will be arduous. We’re questioning the very nature of reality itself, after all. Dismissing truth as mere “conspiracy” is a reflex as old as language. But as this week’s events have shown — if this may be a false flag — the establishment’s fear of an uncontrolled reality has become insatiable.
So I ask you: Will you wield the pen and author the next chapter of human flourishing — one where the pursuit of truth remains an inviolable right, rather than a simple wish? Where unwavering curiosity is celebrated as the highest virtue, not deemed a threat to civic order? Or will you sit there and read the next article that comes into your inbox?
The revolution is here, and it won’t be televised. The choice rests with you—embrace willful ignorance or bravely walk the razor’s edge toward enlightenment. Where your mind and spirit ultimately travel is your decision alone.
As always, looking forward to any questions, comments, or feedback.
Ashe.
Notes and References
Hey, Franklin - you know I appreciate your 'musings' and would like to make a 'one time' donation. You don't have that capability on your 'Stack' - why not consider place that 'button' that readers/subscribers can click on and make a donation?
Always for FAITH and FREEDOM!
What's so bad about conspiracy theories anyhow? I forget who said something to the effect that a conspiracy theorist is just some agency's term attempting to throw shade on conspiracy theory analysts.