The hottest Digital Platforms Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
Category
Top Technology Topics

Where Did TikTok Come From?

The Honest Broker • 7879 implied HN points • 15 Mar 24
🕹 Technology Social media Entrepreneurship Algorithm Digital Platforms Innovation
  1. TikTok's success can be attributed to a strategic focus on teens as the main users of the platform, creating a significant legal and social impact.
  2. Zhang Yiming, founder of TikTok, capitalized on the algorithm's power over user control to pave the way for the platform's global success.
  3. TikTok's uniqueness lies in its outsider status in China, where a similar app exists, showcasing its worldwide appeal and massive user base.

The truth about Elon Musk and anti-Semitism

Popular Information • 13247 implied HN points • 06 Sep 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Social Issues Corporate Influence Digital Platforms Anti-Semitism
  1. Elon Musk threatened to sue the Anti-Defamation League due to criticism of his handling of Twitter.
  2. Musk reneged on promises to combat hate speech on Twitter and reinstated accounts with anti-Semitic content.
  3. Musk has a history of associating with and amplifying anti-Semitic speech, causing controversy and backlash.

My Thoughts on Getting Paid on Substack

Lore Ferguson Wilbert • 2594 implied HN points • 31 Aug 23
🎭️ Culture Writing Social media Digital Platforms Personal Finance Content creation
  1. Subscription models for writers can provide a way for readers to support them financially.
  2. Freelance writing often pays very little in relation to the amount of work that goes into it.
  3. Being supported by reader subscriptions can allow writers to focus more on their writing and less on social media and algorithms.

Is the latest game subscription 'moral panic' justified?

The GameDiscoverCo newsletter • 373 implied HN points • 17 Jan 24
🕹 Technology Gaming Subscriptions Market Trends Game Development Digital Platforms
  1. There is debate about whether the 'moral panic' around the latest game subscription services is justified.
  2. Subscription services like Game Pass are seen as gatekeeping and may impact the creation of creative first-party games.
  3. The market for games is evolving, with a mix of direct-to-market games, subscription services, and the importance of gamers owning their catalogs.
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6 March is DMA-Day

Platform Papers • 59 implied HN points • 05 Mar 24
🕹 Technology Regulation Big Tech Compliance Market Impact Digital Platforms
  1. The Digital Markets Act (DMA) will enforce new rules on major digital platforms starting March 6, 2024, aiming to make markets fairer and more contestable for platforms like Apple, Google, Meta, TikTok, Amazon, and others.
  2. The DMA introduces obligations for gatekeepers to open up ecosystems, ensure fairness for business users, and promote transparency by submitting compliance plans publicly.
  3. The enforcement of DMA rules faces challenges from wealthy companies like Apple resisting compliance and the European Commission needing to balance limited resources with rigorous enforcement, highlighting the need for immediate action and collaboration with national agencies.

I posted 300+ Threads in 3 days

Both Are True • 531 implied HN points • 10 Jul 23
🎭️ Culture Social media Content creation Digital Platforms Technology impact Online behavior
  1. The author posted over 300 threads in 3 days on Threads app, narrating the experience and reflecting on the impact.
  2. Threads can be a platform for sharing thoughts and experiences, but the author also highlighted its distractions and questioned the significance.
  3. The text encourages reflecting on the meaning and impact of digital platforms like Threads, urging readers to consider their choices and values.

Why do some great PC/console games fail to 'go big'?

The GameDiscoverCo newsletter • 294 implied HN points • 30 Aug 23
🕹 Technology Gaming Data Analysis Tech news Game Development Digital Platforms
  1. Some great PC/console games may struggle to become popular despite positive ratings and marketing efforts.
  2. The genre of a game, such as 'Metroidvania', can impact its success due to market saturation and competition from existing popular titles.
  3. Publishers should focus on understanding player behavior, adapting marketing strategies, and fostering organic excitement to improve game reach and success.

EU’s Digital Services Act is coming into effect

philsiarri • 44 implied HN points • 16 Feb 24
🌍 World Politics Digital Platforms
  1. EU's Digital Services Act is being implemented to enhance safety, fairness, and transparency in the online environment.
  2. The Act brings increased protection for EU users against illegal content and goods, while also imposing responsibilities on online platforms.
  3. The EU Digital Services Act applies to various online platforms, including social media, marketplaces, app stores, search engines, and more, affecting 19 major platforms.

Bugman Ratrace

Kneeling Bus • 78 implied HN points • 12 Jan 24
🎭️ Culture Digital Platforms
  1. Enshittification describes the gradual degradation of digital platforms.
  2. Platforms deteriorate by prioritizing business needs over user experience.
  3. Enshittification also affects physical products through quality declines and market consolidation.

Are we in a simulation?

Cosmos • 39 implied HN points • 19 Feb 24
🕹 Technology AI Content creation Digital Platforms Video Generation
  1. The future of education is moving towards the creator economy where professional creators earn by sharing knowledge and skills online.
  2. MrBeast, a popular YouTuber, generates significant revenue through his videos, brand deals, and business ventures but faces challenges with company culture and profitability.
  3. AI technology is advancing, with OpenAI's Sora creating remarkably realistic videos that almost look like real-life simulations, showcasing the potential impact on content creation and authenticity.

Why games get big post-release discovery boosts

The GameDiscoverCo newsletter • 235 implied HN points • 10 Apr 23
🕹 Technology Gaming Influencers Mobile games Digital Platforms
  1. Games can experience surges in popularity post-release due to factors like multiplayer additions and influencer attention.
  2. Steam wishlist conversion rates may vary slightly based on the age of the wishlist, but older wishlists still have good potential for conversion.
  3. Different strategies, such as launching at 1.0, adding multiplayer features, or aiming for viral multiplayer success, can lead to post-release boosts in game discovery.

What everyone's getting wrong about Threads

Social Warming by Charles Arthur • 98 implied HN points • 04 Aug 23
🕹 Technology Social media Artificial Intelligence Content Generation Digital Platforms Tech industry
  1. Threads saw a rapid drop in initial signups, following a common pattern for new software launches.
  2. Criticism of Threads for having only an algorithmic timeline may not consider the need for engagement for new social networks.
  3. Threads aims to disrupt Twitter, still working on developing features to keep users engaged and improve user experience.

Artists under Tech Censorship

Random Minds by Katherine Brodsky • 112 implied HN points • 25 Jun 23
🎨 Art & Illustration Censorship Digital Platforms
  1. Tech platforms have been de-platforming content creators based on speech, affecting regular individuals as well.
  2. Many artists face financial and professional repercussions when tech companies cut off their services without explanation.
  3. Balancing private company rights with free expression and addressing discrimination in tech censorship is a complex issue that requires more public discourse.

Is Sports Coverage Dying?

C.W.’s Newsletter • 98 implied HN points • 14 Jul 23
🎾 Sports Media Audience Digital Platforms
  1. Newspapers are shifting away from traditional sports coverage due to the rise of digital platforms like The Athletic and team-specific internet sites.
  2. Printed newspapers are adapting to the decline in sports coverage by transforming into sports magazines with less emphasis on game stories.
  3. Gen Z is showing a lower interest in traditional sports viewing, preferring social media platforms like TikTok, YouTube, and Instagram to stay updated on sports content.

Decentralized Platforms and Web3

Platform Papers • 79 implied HN points • 14 Jun 23
🕹 Technology Blockchain Web3 Decentralization Cryptocurrencies Digital Platforms
  1. Decentralized platforms operate without traditional managers by relying on decentralized algorithmic, social, and goal coordination mechanisms.
  2. Web3, as a new internet interaction model, allows users to own and exchange data without relying on central corporations.
  3. Decentralized platforms, like cryptocurrencies and DAOs, introduce a new class of digital economy competitors that require attention from industry, academia, and regulators.

My car is broken and so’s the car industry

Interesting bits • 78 implied HN points • 02 Jun 23
🕹 Technology Automotive Software Digital Platforms Consumer Protection
  1. Car companies may not always address software issues promptly, leading to frustrations for car owners.
  2. As cars become more digital, their hardware may expire faster, requiring more frequent replacements.
  3. Regulatory efforts or restructuring the car industry may be needed to address issues of planned digital obsolescence and consumer protection.

Mark Zuckerberg Wants You To Think That His Algorithms are All-Powerful

Never Met a Science • 50 implied HN points • 28 Jul 23
🕹 Technology Social media Algorithms Research Content creation Digital Platforms
  1. Temporal validity in social media experiments may be challenging due to the fast-paced nature of platforms like TikTok.
  2. Social media companies emphasize the power of their algorithms to drive ad revenue, but may be cautious about influencing elections.
  3. The interaction between producers and consumers, influenced by social feedback, plays a crucial role in the dynamics of social media content.

King Elon, the Owner of the Ball

The Leftovers • 59 implied HN points • 03 Apr 23
🕹 Technology Social media Tech Companies Misinformation Advertising Digital Platforms
  1. Football games in childhood were impacted by the ownership of the ball, highlighting power dynamics within groups of kids.
  2. Elon Musk's actions as the 'Owner of the Ball' on Twitter have negatively affected the platform's value and functionality, leading to significant repercussions.
  3. Using Twitter effectively requires understanding its algorithms and limitations, as well as being cautious about how interactions and content are promoted.

Dear algorithm

Links I Would Gchat You If We Were Friends • 19 implied HN points • 22 Oct 23
🎭️ Culture Internet Social media Content creation Digital Platforms Media Critique
  1. The 'Dear Algorithm' posts on Threads reveal how users are trying to shape their content feeds and connect with specific audiences through an appeal to the algorithm.
  2. These posts also highlight the convergence of targeted advertising logic and individuals' attempts to curate their online presence, creating a more niche approach to reaching desired followers.
  3. The tone of these posts often carries a spiritual element, resembling prayers or appeals to a higher power, emphasizing the mysterious yet influential nature of algorithms in online platforms like Threads.

Ultima Ratio Twitterum

Never Met a Science • 16 implied HN points • 30 Aug 23
🕹 Technology Social media Internet Communication Digital Platforms Online Communities
  1. Twitter has become overrun by bots, spammers, and harmful content, making it unusable for meaningful communication.
  2. Institutions like APSA and AEA have failed to adapt to the internet era, hindering effective communication and reform.
  3. Addressing online challenges requires creating new platforms that prioritize effective communication, moderation, and community needs.

Joshua Citarella: Memetic Tactics: The Slow Red Pill

Do Not Research • 19 implied HN points • 14 Jul 21
🕹 Technology Social media Content Strategy Digital Platforms Internet culture
  1. The 'slow red-pill' strategy involves gradually exposing an audience to extremist content by mixing in radical posts with popular conservative content on social media.
  2. Online radicalization tactics are not limited to the American far-right but have been used globally, like in Myanmar by the military to spread propaganda.
  3. Fighting online radicalization requires addressing the societal roots of the problem rather than just relying on content moderation by big tech companies.

The biggest killjoy you ever clicked

Links I Would Gchat You If We Were Friends • 0 implied HN points • 28 Jan 16
🕹 Technology Social media Internet culture Online behavior Digital Platforms Tech news
  1. If Huck Finn existed on the Internet, it might look something like a troll faking his death online and facing the consequences, shifting from old ways.
  2. Facebook portrays itself as neutral but in reality has a distinct moral code that it imposes worldwide, which may not align with everyone's values.
  3. Teenagers in 2016 offer insights like 'bae' and 'on fleek' are no longer 'cool', showing shifting trends and language among young people.

I picked a bad day to restart my substack

Joshua Gans' Newsletter • 0 implied HN points • 08 Apr 23
🕹 Technology Innovation Entrepreneurship Social media Digital Platforms Artificial Intelligence
  1. The newsletter 'Mess and Magic' is being relaunched by Joshua Gans, focusing on the economics of innovation, entrepreneurship, and technology, particularly artificial intelligence.
  2. Twitter broke interactions with Substack, which impacts the ability to share links and discuss newsletters on the platform.
  3. There are speculations about Twitter's motives for breaking links with Substack, potentially related to competition and attracting users to their platform instead.

Platform Governance and the Rural-Urban Divide

Platform Papers • 0 implied HN points • 15 Jun 22
🕹 Technology Digital Platforms E-commerce
  1. Rural entrepreneurs struggle more with algorithmic changes on digital platforms, affecting platform governance
  2. Offline factors like local economic and social conditions impact how entrepreneurs navigate online business environments
  3. Clear communication and access to high-quality information sources are crucial for rural entrepreneurs' success on digital platforms

Platform Power and Platform Bias in the Music Industry

Platform Papers • 0 implied HN points • 16 Mar 22
🎶 Music Digital Platforms Playlists Music Industry Influence Bias
  1. Large digital platforms like Spotify can influence the success of songs and artists by controlling playlists and exposure.
  2. Appearing on Spotify's popular playlists can lead to significant increases in streams and commercial success for artists.
  3. While Spotify has the power to impact success, there are indications of bias favoring independent-label music and music by women, raising questions about fair treatment in the music industry.

Coming soon...

Platform Papers • 0 implied HN points • 30 Dec 21
🕹 Technology Research Digital Platforms Big Tech Academic
  1. Platformpapers will start publishing monthly blog posts in 2022 covering the latest academic research on digital platforms and big tech
  2. The posts will summarize and contextualize articles from the platform papers references database to make the research more accessible to a wider audience
  3. The goal is to engage individuals interested in platforms such as scholars, students, managers, creators, and policy makers

AI disclaimers and misinformation tools

Cosmos • 0 implied HN points • 20 Mar 24
🕹 Technology AI Misinformation Content creation Digital Platforms Search Engine
  1. YouTube creators can now label AI-generated content to enhance transparency with viewers and prevent misinformation.
  2. Meta is discontinuing the CrowdTangle tool used to detect misinformation, raising concerns ahead of the 2024 elections.
  3. India plays a significant role in Amazon Prime Video's global growth, with a high number of subscribers and engagement, focusing on diverse local content.

Are you feeling influencer fatigue?

Cosmos • 0 implied HN points • 11 Mar 24
🎭️ Culture Influencers Budgeting Digital Platforms Social media Content creation
  1. Influencer fatigue is becoming more common as people are tired of influencers flaunting luxurious lifestyles and promoting products.
  2. Loud budgeting is gaining popularity, with individuals openly discussing financial decisions and sharing money-saving tips.
  3. Google is making significant updates to fight off search spam, particularly targeting AI-generated content that aims to manipulate search rankings.

Do Not Research: Over-Hyphenated Platform Capitalism Futures

Do Not Research • 0 implied HN points • 15 Feb 22
🕹 Technology AI Blockchain Cryptocurrency Virtual reality Digital Platforms
  1. Participants in a reading-group meeting created speculative scenarios based on the themes of Platform Capitalism.
  2. The scenarios included themes like post-capitalism, decentralized protection, and even an AI ending capitalism.
  3. The speculative scenarios portrayed a future where technology, AI, and social structures intertwine in complex and sometimes dystopian ways.

Pay for chat: Creating a Chat Platform for Creators and Their Fans

Makers Station • 0 implied HN points • 25 Feb 23
🕹 Technology Social media Community Engagement Monetization Digital Platforms Innovation
  1. There is a need for innovative solutions for paid chat platform options to content creators.
  2. Creators value direct communication with their fans for engagement and feedback.
  3. Monetizing through sponsored ads while keeping the platform user-friendly is a potential approach for sustaining a paid chat platform.