The hottest Social media Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
Category
Top Technology Topics

Four unpersuasive arguments against TikTok

Read Max • 973 implied HN points • 15 Mar 24
🎭️ Culture Social media Media Analysis Entertainment Books Content creation
  1. There are four unpersuasive arguments for banning TikTok, including concerns about Chinese manipulation, user data security, trade war retaliation, and societal impact not related to China.
  2. MrBeast's transparency with his audience about YouTube business models and growth strategies sets a new standard for authenticity in online content creation.
  3. The future of YouTube and media content creation may shift towards authenticity and relatability, reminiscent of TikTok's success, moving away from the professionalized approach of current YouTube stars like MrBeast.

Meet the Censored: Me?

TK News by Matt Taibbi • 22417 implied HN points • 13 Apr 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Social media Free speech Media Coverage Censorship Journalism
  1. The project to uncover Twitter Files revealed a complex and organized system of content policing involving various government agencies and tech platforms.
  2. Suspension of journalist accounts for sharing information about Elon Musk's private jet highlighted the tensions between free speech and censorship.
  3. Elon Musk's involvement in the transparency of Twitter was met with conflicting reactions, ultimately leading to unexpected clashes with platforms like Substack.

The great silent majority of American basicness

Garbage Day • 3341 implied HN points • 08 Jan 24
🎭️ Culture Trends Social media Pop culture Music Internet culture
  1. The rise of the Stanley Quencher cup as a popular item is a result of savvy marketing and internet buzz
  2. Short-form videos like TikTok are influencing the way content is created and shared online
  3. The concept of monoculture in media is evolving, with Spotify playlists reflecting carefully constructed branding rather than true diversity

Agents 4 All

DARK FUTURA • 2869 implied HN points • 17 Jan 24
🕹 Technology AI Augmented reality Deepfakes Social media
  1. AI plays a significant role in tracking and manipulating consumer behaviors to maximize profits for corporations.
  2. The development of full-time AI agents as personal assistants is the next phase of AI innovation, focusing on handling daily tasks and expenditures.
  3. DARPA is exploring the development of human-presenting AI agents for influencing social and behavioral systems, indicating potential dangerous implications.
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Why Tesla Robotaxis Are a Fantasy

lawrence’s Substack • 159 implied HN points • 22 Apr 24
🕹 Technology Automotive Artificial Intelligence Investing Social media
  1. Tesla robotaxis may not be a feasible reality, according to informed commentators. Full Self-Driving is far from being ready for autonomy tests.
  2. Michael McGrath explains why Tesla's Full Self-Driving is technically infeasible and flawed as a business model, offering a critical perspective.
  3. Matthew Enthoven and Edward Niedermeyer also provide valuable insights and critiques on Tesla's autonomous driving ambitions.

Failing Upward at the State Department

Common Sense with Bari Weiss • 1896 implied HN points • 01 Feb 24
🌍 World Politics Afghanistan Middle East Social media Canada United States
  1. The U.S. diplomatic pullout from Afghanistan left many allies stranded, showing a failure in leadership.
  2. The Biden administration faces challenges in responding to attacks in Jordan by Iranian proxies, highlighting the complexity of foreign policy decisions.
  3. Farmers across Europe, like the French farmers in Paris, are protesting over issues like rising costs and green regulations, showcasing a trend of rural discontent.

Links #695: Digital twins and anxiety Googles

Links I Would Gchat You If We Were Friends • 579 implied HN points • 23 Mar 24
🎭️ Culture Art & Illustration Internet Social media Music Health Misinformation
  1. Shrimp Jesus, a meme that has gained popularity on Facebook, has a quirky origin and has been sold as art for years.
  2. AI technology is advancing to create digital twins of human organs, raising questions about lifestyle changes and human-technology relationships.
  3. There is a trend of female influencers spreading health misinformation, which includes promoting unconventional diets and false narratives about birth control.

Culture Study Meets Bama RushTok

Culture Study • 9604 implied HN points • 20 Aug 23
🎭️ Culture Social media Identity
  1. Rushtok videos on TikTok showcase the rush process for sororities at universities like Alabama, revealing a behind-the-scenes look at recruitment and Greek life.
  2. Greek life appeals to students seeking social structure and friendship, offering connections, community, and a pathway through college.
  3. Sorority recruitment still reflects historical exclusions based on race, class, and gender norms, influencing the images and performances seen on social media.

Links #694: Kategate, sharenting, and two visions for YouTube's future

Links I Would Gchat You If We Were Friends • 678 implied HN points • 16 Mar 24
🎭️ Culture Social media Internet culture Conspiracy Theories Royal Family
  1. The problematic image issue involving Kate Middleton was due to a botched Photoshop job using multiple takes of the same photo.
  2. Many people overvalue their ability to discern truth from misinformation, contributing to the spread of conspiracy theories online.
  3. Reports have highlighted disturbing cases of children being coerced into self-harm by predatory online groups, raising concerns about online safety.

Introducing direct messaging on Substack

Substack • 1028 implied HN points • 28 Feb 24
🕹 Technology Social media Messaging Networking
  1. Substack now offers direct messaging, allowing users to have one-to-one private conversations with other writers and readers in the network.
  2. Direct messages on Substack can be used to build subscriber loyalty, connect with fellow writers for collaboration, and cultivate reader community by engaging directly with the audience.
  3. DMs are a new feature that can enhance relationships within the Substack community, providing opportunities for more personal and meaningful interactions between users.

On Recent Developments at Substack

Welcome to Garbagetown • 2574 implied HN points • 04 Jan 24
🎭️ Culture Online Platforms Social media Free speech Community Building
  1. Acknowledgement of issues with Substack's management of diverse opinions and policies on monetization
  2. The dilemma of deciding whether to stay on Substack despite hosting problematic content or to leave and potentially lose audience
  3. Concern about the online space being dominated by harmful voices if good actors continually leave platforms hosting problematic content

Algorithms Hijacked My Generation. I Fear For Gen Alpha.

After Babel • 4641 implied HN points • 10 Nov 23
🎭️ Culture Social media Mental health Generation Z Beauty Standards Influencer Culture
  1. Algorithms can lead people to extreme places and influence their behaviors.
  2. Social media algorithms can impact mental health by feeding insecurities and vulnerabilities.
  3. Parents of Generation Alpha should be cautious of the impact algorithms can have on their children's self-image and identity formation.

"This can happen to you"

Links I Would Gchat You If We Were Friends • 618 implied HN points • 14 Mar 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Conspiracy Theories Misinformation Legislation Immigration Social media
  1. Mainstreaming of trafficking myths linked to QAnon by concerned moms has increased during the pandemic
  2. Misinformation about trafficking and its portrayal in online narratives can be harmful and misdirect resources
  3. Trafficking victims are often marginalized or vulnerable, and trafficking is not limited to just sex trafficking

Brief: Pentagon's new AI chief is former Google Trust & Safety exec who previously helped guide U.S. special operations

All-Source Intelligence Fusion • 561 implied HN points • 14 Mar 24
🕹 Technology AI Digital Artificial Intelligence Machine Learning Social media
  1. Radha Iyengar Plumb, a former Google Trust & Safety exec, will become the Pentagon's new Chief Digital and AI Officer in April, replacing Craig Martell.
  2. Iyengar Plumb has had a diverse career, transitioning from a professor to roles at RAND, the National Security Council, Google, Facebook, and now the Pentagon.
  3. Executives like Iyengar Plumb moving between tech companies like Google and roles in the defense and intelligence community highlights the intersecting realms of technology and national security.

The Creator Credibility Edition

Why is this interesting? • 1870 implied HN points • 12 Jan 24
🎭️ Culture Media Social media Podcasts Content creation Influencer
  1. Having a camera crew or a podcast mic can add authority and credibility to a content creator.
  2. The visual presentation, like a podcast mic in shot, can influence perceptions of credibility even if the content itself is not impactful.
  3. Demonstrating credibility in the creator economy is crucial, and visual cues like microphones are a modern way to achieve it.

There Are Now High-Quality Video Versions Of My Articles For People Who Prefer Video Format

Caitlin’s Newsletter • 544 implied HN points • 15 Mar 24
🕹 Technology Video Content Social media Audio Platforms
  1. Caitlin Johnstone now offers high-quality video versions of her articles for those who prefer video format.
  2. The videos feature subtitles, a reading of the articles by her husband Tim, relevant screenshots, and occasional light-hearted moments.
  3. Caitlin Johnstone also provides audio versions of her articles on platforms like Soundcloud, Spotify, and other major podcast platforms.

if he wanted to, would he really?

Airplane Mode with Liz Plank • 1867 implied HN points • 11 Jan 24
🎭️ Culture Dating Gender Feminism Relationships Social media
  1. Men's behavior in relationships is not always as simple as 'If he wanted to, he would.'
  2. Slogans like 'If he wanted to, he would' may have underlying anti-feminist implications and oversimplify modern dating dynamics.
  3. In today's dating scene, understanding and compassion for both genders can help avoid misunderstandings and improve relationships.

Who Is Reading Even for Anymore?

Common Sense with Bari Weiss • 881 implied HN points • 23 Feb 24
🎭️ Culture Literature Books Social media
  1. Books serve a dual role: for story and as performance props, influencing how we are perceived.
  2. Reading has shifted from a private activity to a public performance, especially influenced by social media and digital culture.
  3. There is a growing divide between readers who quietly enjoy books and public readers who read for an audience, shaping modern book culture.

The loneliness epidemic

Arnab’s Substack • 16 HN points • 09 May 24
🏥 Health & Wellness Loneliness Social media AI Youth Relationships
  1. TikTok introduced a new era in social networking, with its algorithm acting as a broadcast medium, but it also brought new problems by shifting the storytelling dynamic between creators and consumers.
  2. Humans naturally crave bi-directional relationships within smaller tribes, as seen historically and in current social media trends where platforms are transitioning towards broadcast models for engagement.
  3. The upcoming AI revolution is expected to elevate your connections and interactions by personalizing stories, potentially addressing some issues caused by the shift towards content consumption on platforms like TikTok.

Instagram vs. Palestine, Part I

Pen>Sword • 2496 implied HN points • 11 Dec 23
🌍 World Politics Censorship Palestine Instagram Israel Social media
  1. Instagram is actively suppressing Palestinian voices and their allies, enforcing this censorship online.
  2. Instagram's suppression tactics include flagged accounts, disabled features, restricted reach, and suspended accounts, particularly targeting pro-Palestinian content.
  3. Instagram's strategic partnerships with Israeli government bodies like the Israeli Cyber Unit reveal a deep collaboration that supports digital suppression against voices in and for Gaza.

Banning TikTok

Points And Figures • 506 implied HN points • 13 Mar 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Regulation Foreign Relations National Security Civil Liberties Social media
  1. Banning TikTok raises concerns about government overreach and control over private businesses.
  2. There are complex implications related to the power and influence of Chinese technology and communism in the US.
  3. Questions arise about the balance between individual freedoms and safety when it comes to regulating social media platforms like TikTok.

Meta's just not that into you

Simon Owens's Media Newsletter • 499 implied HN points • 13 Mar 24
💼 Business Media Publishing Social media Monetization Legislation
  1. Facebook is shifting away from news content, with recent actions including shutting down its news tab and restricting news links on its platforms like Instagram and Threads.
  2. Publishers have seen a decline in Facebook traffic over the years, as the platform has deprioritized news pages since the aftermath of the 2016 election.
  3. Many publishers blame Meta for not compensating them adequately, leading to lobbying efforts by publishers globally to force Meta to the bargaining table.

Did Dave Chappelle and Ricky Gervais really sink to new depths?

The Rubesletter by Matt Ruby (of Vooza) | Sent every Tuesday • 1568 implied HN points • 09 Jan 24
🎭️ Culture Comedy Social media Activism Criticism
  1. Critics say Dave Chappelle and Ricky Gervais' new specials are punching down, not insightful or funny.
  2. The target of their jokes may not be the marginalized groups they seem to mock, but those who display moral superiority online.
  3. Social media outrage often simplifies complex issues, but there can be funny jokes about anyone as long as they're thoughtful and original.

The Bear Cave #211

The Bear Cave • 583 implied HN points • 03 Mar 24
💰 Finance Reports Resignations Social media
  1. Kerrisdale Capital and Capybara Research published critical reports on Carvana and SoundHound AI, highlighting concerns about valuation, growth prospects, and financial status.
  2. Recent high-profile resignations include executives from companies like Chemours, Outbrain, SunPower Corp, and New York Community Bancorp, raising various concerns like accounting practices, company performance, and leadership changes.
  3. The SEC charged Lordstown Motors with misleading investors about their electric vehicle, and Panera Bread's exemption from California's new $20 minimum wage law revealed through a Bloomberg report.