Story of Naked Read

I started blogging back in 2009, a time when the internet felt raw, untamed, and deeply personal. There was no algorithm spoon-feeding content, no infinite scroll trapping people in engagement loops—just a handful of dedicated readers who sought out thoughts, reflections, and ideas the way one might stumble upon a forgotten book in an old library.

In 1998, Open Diary launched, marking a shift in the history of online writing. Before that, there was Justin Hall’s Links from the Underground—a personal chronicle that laid the foundation for what would later become real blogging platforms. It was a huge leap: writing online, not just for record-keeping, but for an audience—an unseen, scattered readership across the web.

[Open Library homepage, 1999. Source: Internet Archive]

I had to search for places to post—somewhere that felt like home, where ideas could breathe freely, away from the mainstream noise. Then came Blogger—a small revolution in itself. But that was the beauty of it—writing for the sake of writing, not for clicks, likes, or algorithms. Then everything changed.

Once, Justin Hall’s Links from the Underground outperformed HotWired’s daily traffic. Now, Hall asks: “Given granted access to the internet, what do you want to amplify in your life? Aggression, diversion? 1

Here, in Naked Read, we explore the existential threats of modern-day trivialities.

Who writes just for the sake of writing anymore, right? How do we drive The Great Circus of Outrage in this world? How are big tech companies luring us into societal decadence through vanity and distraction?

If you're looking for the answer to these questions, jump right in.

I explore the existential crisis we are facing—through movies, literature, and philosophy.

Why Subscribe? What Will You Get from Naked Read?

• Every weekend, you’ll get two posts—one free and one paid.

  • The free post will blend movies and philosophy, offering unique perspectives on cinema, literature, and existential thought.

  • The paid post will be 1,000–2,000 words, diving deep into philosophy, human nature, and the daily humdrum of life.

• Occasionally, you’ll also receive curated lists—favourite books, films, literature, and, most importantly, philosophical texts that matter.

If that sounds like your kind of thing, welcome to Naked Read.