Why Derek Thompson Is Leaving The Atlantic For Substack

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One author of the top-selling New York Times book “Abundance” believes he can continue discussions related to the book, now a significant topic in political debates since its launch in March, by departing from traditional media outlets.

Derek Thompson, an author for over 17 years at The Atlantic, has announced his departure from the publication. He plans to start a Substack platform, where he aims to enjoy the autonomy to delve into the concept of abundance, as well as the evolving realms of science, technology, and culture.

After 17 years with The Atlantic, Derek Thompson is moving on to establish a Substack, where he intends to take advantage of his newfound independence to investigate the idea of abundance, and keep up with the rapidly shifting landscapes of science, technology, and culture.

In an interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Thompson shares his straightforward yet mostly accurate perspective: “Together with Ezra Klein, I authored a book. We anticipated that it would be a somewhat specialized, yet potentially popular analysis of the future of liberalism and the Democratic Party. However, it turned out to be a conversation-devouring phenomenon.

The experience of ‘Abundance’ has been a rollercoaster ride, filled with exhilaration, puzzlement, excitement, strangeness, and awe, all at once. It felt like I was given the unique chance to step up and make a leap of faith, Thompson explains. He didn’t want to exploit this opportunity cynically, but rather, he believed that expressing everything he wanted to say about ‘Abundance’, its impact, and potential, would be most effective if done as an independent journalist, rather than as someone associated with a non-political institution and potentially seen as a semi-political actor.

Thompson and Klein have advocated for the concept of abundance in various established news sources and innovative podcasts, presenting it as a potential direction for a party that appears to be uncertain about its future course.

In reality, Thompson clearly outlines a stark contrast between his perspective on today’s media landscape and that of other industry veterans who have transitioned into independence.

Thompson expressed that some individuals may abandon traditional media outlets and immediately criticize them harshly. However, he clarified that in this case, it’s not the scenario. He has a deep affection for ‘The Atlantic,’ having spent 17 years with the publication. His admiration extends beyond ‘The Atlantic’ to numerous other traditional media organizations as well.

Instead, Thompson contends that media is mirroring other economic trends, with a thriving landscape of newcomers and the largest entities growing even larger. Those caught in between are finding themselves under pressure, as they are being gradually pushed out. This situation is not unfamiliar to Hollywood. “In essence,” Thompson states, “I’m pointing to the demise of the middle, not the decline of traditional media.

“He states that he’s more captivated by the grand narrative rather than the minor one, with the grand narrative here being about empires and city-states. He further explains that his departure from Atlantic, coinciding with their hiring spree, signifies a significant shift – both The Atlantics and New York Times-like entities are expanding simultaneously while independent media is growing.

Platforms such as Substack have evolved by capitalizing on network effects, encouraging writers and content creators to collaborate on podcasts, videos, and other mediums. This collaboration enhances their own work and subscriber base. Examples of these individuals include Matt Yglesias, Terry Moran, Katie Couric, and James Patterson, many of whom emphasize video content. Now, Substack boasts over 5 million paid subscriptions.

Thompson expresses that the network effect played a significant role in his decision to leave, and he’s certain about it. At this moment, a substantial number of his preferred writers are publishing on Substack. If Substack were a magazine, it would likely be the one he reads most after The Atlantic. He wants to be part of the ongoing success with them.

As a gamer, I’m pumped to share my perspectives on wealth, gaming culture, basketball, tech, and more on this new platform. I’m excited because it seems like I’ll have the liberty to voice my opinions freely, something that wasn’t always possible at The Atlantic.

Given the massive reaction to Abundance, I feel compelled to engage with both supporters and detractors, as well as politicians and political candidates,” I express. “I find it challenging, I believe, to advocate for a non-political entity while simultaneously delving into a fundamentally political work.

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2025-06-20 18:56