[NoLinkToMe]

Had no clue who he was, but I commend him for this principled stance. How he'd have to be embarrassed for me not knowing who he is, I can't fathom. He also doesn't know who I am.

I don't think he expected Spotify to cancel Rogan, I do think he expected to raise awareness of Rogan's dangerous and anti-scientific medical nonsense, and he quite succesfully did that, at his own expense.

The embarrassment is with Spotify, who'd have very likely have cancelled Rogan right away had he been a nobody, an insignificant part of their business, spouting anti-scientific nonsense on their platform. Spotify chose the money. I'd probably have doen the same in Spotify's shoes, but they may at least be embarrassed about it, and Niel Young certainly doesn't. It was a matter of principles that you're downplaying to it ostensibly being a matter of it being a popularity contest.

[nsxwolf]

Don't forget what he's doing. He's not just refusing to listen to a podcast he doesn't like. He wants to take it away from the millions of people who enjoy listening to it. He wants tell other people they shouldn't be allowed to hear something.

That's not commendable in my book.

[tzs]

That's not what he's doing. He explained it on his website:

> When I left Spotify, I felt better. I support free speech. I have never been in favor of censorship. Private companies have the right to choose what they profit from, just as I can choose not to have my music support a platform that disseminates harmful information. I am happy and proud to stand in solidarity with the front line health care workers who risk their lives every day to help others.

[projct]

That's absurd. Spotify is not the only place you can publish a podcast.

[nsxwolf]

That makes it futile (for someone as big as Rogan anyway), yes. But Young still made the ask. It's the ask I find objectionable. He could have just taken his ball and gone home, but he went farther than that.

[CountDrewku]

Then why does he care if it's on spotify? Bit of cognitive dissonance going on here eh?

This is absolutely Young pulling an authoritarian "You're not allowed to hear things I don't like" move. There's really no other way to spin it. Disagreement with people is great, to then take the next step and say that others should not get access to the things I do not like.... well that's just a step another rung up the authoritarian/fascist ladder. It's a elitist control freak mindset.

It's so opposite of what his music is supposedly about you have wonder whether he's just been a sellout this whole time.

[holbrad]

Like most people under 50, I also had no idea who Neil Young was. But I literally took the opposite message away from it.

Spotify did exactly the right thing, not giving into to arbitrary censorship is a principled stance. They should be applauded for that (Though lets not pretend there isn't also a financial motive as well)

I certainly thing Neil Young should be embarrassed. My person opinion of him is now very low.