Taylor Lorenz Exits Washington Post to Launch ‘User Mag’ on Substack (Exclusive)

Taylor Lorenz Exits Washington Post to Launch ‘User Mag’ on Substack (Exclusive)

As a seasoned gamer who has navigated the digital landscape for decades, I can wholeheartedly applaud Taylor Lorenz’s bold move to launch User Magazine on Substack. Her decision to focus on technology from a user perspective is not only innovative but also much-needed in today’s fast-paced digital world.


Tech culture commentator Taylor Lorenz is branching out independently, leaving The Washington Post behind to establish her own magazine using the Substack platform.

Lorenz is debuting User Magazine, a publication focusing on technology perspectives from the end-user standpoint. As she explains, it delves into the question of who holds control online and how this influence is utilized.

As a tech-savvy journalist, I’ve found myself yearning for a change. The traditional media landscape feels restrictive, making it challenging to execute the type of dynamic reporting I aspire to online within these established institutions on a full-time basis. I thrive on interacting closely with my audience and being vocal online, but I find it tough to maintain this level of engagement in the roles offered by these legacy institutions.

She believes that traditional institutions have found it challenging to effectively address the internet, often avoiding it altogether. As an author focusing on the attention economy and content creator industry, she yearns for full creative freedom to express herself in any manner desired, and to interact more directly with her readers and the public regarding her work.

Lorenz expresses that at first, User Mag will solely be her endeavor. However, she has aspirations to bring on more collaborators in the future, and broaden its scope to encompass various forms of media.

Readers can anticipate a variety of offerings from Lorenz, including updates, features, analyses, interviews, in-depth reports, and connections to other experts in the field.

In his introductory post for User Mag, Lorenz stated he would be covering the influential individuals and trends driving technology and internet culture. This includes unusual digital phenomena, emerging yet unnoticed tendencies, advancements in platforms, policy changes, and the dominant influences shaping our online environment.

She expresses her desire for tackling numerous creative endeavors, stating, ‘I’m really eager to establish something of my own.’ This venture kicks off with a newsletter, but she envisions it expanding into various media forms.

Prior to working at The Washington Post in 2022, Lorenz had been reporting on internet culture for various outlets such as The New York Times and The Daily Beast. Additionally, Lorenz is set to contribute an essay for THR’s upcoming Creators A-List issue.

However, it’s worth mentioning that she isn’t just an observer; she actively participates in content creation. She shares videos on YouTube, memes on Instagram, and hosts a podcast titled “Power User” for Vox Media.

She mentions that she’s frequently recognized as a content creator instead of being part of traditional media. She already operates in this realm and prefers to continue doing so. If push comes to shove, she wouldn’t align herself with the legacy media; instead, she chooses to deepen her presence online, expressing her unique voice more extensively.

Regarding the choice of using Substack to run User Mag, Lorenz explains that what made it decisive was the platform’s all-in-one setup and its substantial, well-established user base.

According to Lorenz, “Substack is undeniably the ideal choice for setting up swiftly and without any cost.

According to Hamish McKenzie, the co-founder of Substack, Taylor Lorenz is a skilled journalist who has extensive knowledge in tracking internet fads and societal norms. He admires her unique perspective and knack for uncovering stories that other reporters envy. We believe she will flourish on Substack, benefiting from the unwavering backing of her readership.

A month following NPR’s report about a potential review of an incident linked to a photo Lorenz posted on Instagram, she opted to depart from the Post and establish her own publication instead.

Lorenz has pondered over the idea of becoming independent for quite some time now, and she believes this particular instance presents the ideal opportunity to take the leap.

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2024-10-01 18:25