Derek Thompson leaves The Atlantic after 17 years for Substack

Jun 20, 2025

Key Points

• Derek Thompson departs The Atlantic after 17 years to launch a Substack newsletter covering abundance, science and technology, and what he calls the antisocial century.
• Thompson's exit from legacy media to independent publishing carries no public grievance, distinguishing his move from the dramatic departures often framing creator transitions.
• The shift marks another high-profile writer abandoning traditional institutions for Substack's platform, though details of any financial arrangements remain undisclosed.