The hottest Culture Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
Category
Top Culture Topics

Tell Us What You're Doing

The Honest Broker • 8378 implied HN points • 26 Jun 25
🎭️ Culture Community Creativity Art Social media Personal Projects
  1. People in the community are engaged in interesting projects. It's great to see that many are still creating and doing things rather than just consuming entertainment.
  2. The open mic format encourages sharing personal projects, which can inspire others to be active and creative too.
  3. Reading about these projects can spark new ideas and motivate those who may have stopped doing things recently.

RegenNarration

Rushkoff • 59 implied HN points • 02 Nov 24
🎭️ Culture Society Philosophy Environment Art Wellness
  1. Sometimes healing takes time, and doing nothing can be the best way to let systems fix themselves. It's okay to pause and wait for change.
  2. Allowing ourselves to feel fear or sadness can help us transform those feelings into something positive. It's important to process our emotions instead of ignoring them.
  3. Voting is a basic tool to influence change, even if the candidates aren't perfect. It's better to choose someone who cares about important issues like nature and human rights.

Audiences Prove that Experts Are Dead Wrong

The Honest Broker • 32315 implied HN points • 24 Jun 25
🎭️ Culture Media Art Entertainment Writing Music
  1. People are now gravitating towards longform content, like movies and videos, instead of shorter clips. This shows that audiences want deeper, more engaging experiences.
  2. Experts have miscalculated trends, thinking that shorter content is the future. However, the audience's preference for longer, immersive storytelling is proving them wrong.
  3. The rise of longform content represents a cultural shift, with audiences rejecting quick, addictive media in favor of richer experiences that build lasting connections.

Tuesday Thread: What Are You Working On?

Culture Study • 1000 implied HN points • 25 Feb 25
🎭️ Culture Arts Lifestyle Traditions Social Communities
  1. Engaging in gardening can be a fun and rewarding hobby. It allows you to witness small changes, like a plant budding, which can bring joy.
  2. Taking cuttings from plants can help you expand your garden without needing to buy new ones. It's a clever way to grow your collection.
  3. Working on a personal project or hobby can be a great distraction. It offers both relaxation and a sense of accomplishment as you see progress.

This is How We Fall Out of Love with the World

Culture Study • 12118 implied HN points • 23 Feb 25
🎭️ Culture Art Society Politics Education Work
  1. Art and essential services matter, but they often lack sufficient public funding in America. Many believe value only comes from profit, which overlooks the importance of community support.
  2. Cuts to public services mean that everyday Americans are forced to shoulder more costs. This creates a fragile system that risks collapse during tough times, like the pandemic.
  3. Passion jobs, where people work for love rather than money, are at risk as public funding declines. This leads to burnout and instability for those who dedicate themselves to these important roles in society.
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The Facebook Boomer reactor core

Taylor Lorenz's Newsletter • 865 implied HN points • 14 Jun 25
🎭️ Culture Social media Digital Trends Youth culture Online behavior Privacy issues
  1. Meta is launching a new AI feature that shares private conversations from users, which can be quite personal and sensitive.
  2. This tool shows that there's a mix of excitement and concern about privacy on social media, especially with big platforms like Facebook.
  3. It highlights the ongoing struggles we face with technology—balancing connection and privacy in our online lives.

A letter from the guy asking all the questions

The Sublime Newsletter • 118 implied HN points • 02 Nov 24
🎭️ Culture Art Authenticity Hope Creativity Interviews
  1. Talking to inspiring people can help you feel hopeful and connected, especially when you're going through tough times. It's like having a support system that lifts your spirits.
  2. It's important to ask big questions in life, like how to stay positive or authentic. Engaging in these discussions can lead to personal growth and new insights.
  3. Being open to conversations can change your outlook on life. You may find that sharing experiences can lessen feelings of loneliness and cynicism.

Dog is God Backwards

Off-Topic • 314 implied HN points • 28 Feb 25
🎭️ Culture Pets Grief Family Language Emotions
  1. Pet owners often create unique voices and stories for their pets, like a little private language that makes life more fun. This 'Dog Voice' reflects the owners' love and imagination.
  2. The bond with pets can feel deeply personal, almost as if they have their own personalities and inner lives. This connection helps owners cope with feelings of loss when pets are gone.
  3. Grieving a pet is natural and shows the strong emotional ties we form with them. Many people have shared similar feelings throughout history, which shows that this love is universal.

15 things I consumed this week

Maybe Baby • 442 implied HN points • 27 Jun 25
🎭️ Culture Media Literature Social Trends Food Lifestyle
  1. Reading can take you on unexpected journeys, like one person's experience of trying to quit sugar. It's relatable and thought-provoking.
  2. Social media reactions, like those during a big event, can create a shared experience that feels special and memorable.
  3. Connecting with others through shared interests or stories, whether online or offline, can enhance your life in meaningful ways.

We Live Like Royalty and Don’t Know It

Common Sense with Bari Weiss • 129 implied HN points • 26 Feb 25
🎭️ Culture Society Education Values History Ideas
  1. Many people don't realize how much they benefit from complex systems that provide food, water, and healthcare. It's important to understand these systems to appreciate the comforts we have.
  2. Events like weddings showcase how ordinary people can enjoy luxuries that were once only for the wealthy. This shows a change in how we live compared to the past.
  3. Understanding and maintaining our modern systems is crucial. If we ignore them, we risk losing the conveniences we've come to expect in daily life.

Miranda July's Lucrative Fantasies

Freddie deBoer • 14077 implied HN points • 21 Feb 25
🎭️ Culture Literature Media Feminism Romance Identity
  1. Fantasies about life can often lead to disappointments. It's important to stay realistic about what to expect in a new place or lifestyle, rather than getting lost in idealized visions.
  2. The idea of 'having it all' is unrealistic for anyone, not just women. Life comes with limitations, and people need to be aware of the challenges involved in balancing career and family.
  3. Romantic ideals, like long-term relationships, provide genuine support and connection in life. Pursuing endless novelty may not lead to the happiness people expect, as the excitement can fade quickly.

The New 80% Rule in Culture

The Honest Broker • 25799 implied HN points • 20 Jun 25
🎭️ Culture Entertainment Film Music Media Art
  1. The entertainment industry is increasingly relying on old ideas instead of creating new ones. Nowadays, a large portion of movies and music comes from remakes or older content.
  2. This trend isn't just in movies; music streaming shows a similar pattern where most songs played are older hits, reflecting a shift from new to past favorites.
  3. People are getting tired of the same old stuff, and this won't last forever. The entertainment industry needs to focus on fresh, original content to keep audiences engaged.

Does the Pulitzer Prize Hate Substack?

The Honest Broker • 14894 implied HN points • 22 Jun 25
🎭️ Culture Media Journalism Awards Indie Society
  1. The Pulitzer Prize has a history of ignoring or refusing to acknowledge the achievements of alternative media like Substack, despite its growing influence.
  2. Indie journalists and platforms like Substack might not need recognition from traditional institutions like the Pulitzer anymore, as they can create their own awards and communities.
  3. Building a new ecosystem for independent media is crucial, as legacy media continues to face trust issues and declines in relevance.

‘I didn’t want to view my sight loss as a disability’

NN Journal • 39 implied HN points • 02 Nov 24
🎭️ Culture Literature Art Poetry Health Personal Development
  1. Carl Peach uses poetry as a way to express his personal experiences. Writing helps him process his feelings and move forward in life.
  2. After losing his eyesight, he has adapted his writing style to remember poetry better and uses technology to aid his memory.
  3. He is inspiring others by taking on challenges like walking 10 million steps to raise awareness for people with sight loss, and he aims to become a motivational speaker.

against narrative

internet princess • 50282 implied HN points • 21 Oct 24
🎭️ Culture Relationships Narrative Emotion Identity Art
  1. Love can be really complicated and messy, and it's common to have both good and painful experiences in a relationship. Sometimes we find ourselves questioning if we were good or bad partners.
  2. People often want to turn their experiences into neat stories to make sense of them, but real feelings and relationships are much more complex and can't always fit into a simple narrative.
  3. Accepting the complexity of our emotions and experiences, rather than just trying to find answers, can be liberating and help us truly live with our feelings.

The Most English Man in the World

Common Sense with Bari Weiss • 996 implied HN points • 24 Feb 25
🎭️ Culture Travel Politics Media Society History
  1. The author humorously explores British culture and customs while visiting London for the first time. They joke about misunderstandings, like 'mushy peas' being a real food and the confusion around British geography.
  2. The author learns about Sir Jacob Rees-Mogg, a prominent British politician, who is described as very traditional. They explain how he became a 'sir' through a special honor from a former prime minister.
  3. The article highlights the author's curiosity about British life and their playful approach to learning about a different culture through funny anecdotes and questions.

'Life Is Too Short to Make Remakes'

Animation Obsessive • 13813 implied HN points • 10 Jun 25
🎭️ Culture Art Animation Events Creativity Film
  1. The Annecy Festival is a huge event for animation, attracting around 18,000 visitors and showcasing unique and powerful art from around the world.
  2. Michel Gondry emphasizes the importance of originality and creativity in art, believing that life is too short to spend making remakes of existing works.
  3. New films like 'The Mourning Children' highlight the dedication of animators to produce authentic and impactful stories by deeply researching historical contexts.

A Modest Proposal: Compulsory Vasectomies

Common Sense with Bari Weiss • 78 implied HN points • 25 Feb 25
🎭️ Culture Feminism Gender Roles Reproductive Rights Satire Social Commentary
  1. Women often feel pressure from their biological clocks, which affects their personal and career choices. They take measures like freezing eggs to manage this pressure.
  2. Unlike women, men can father children well into older age, creating a mismatch in timelines for starting families. This can lead to added stress and complications for women.
  3. Instead of focusing on ways to slow women's biological clocks, we could consider ideas that would balance these timelines, like making men more responsible for family planning.

The Ten Warning Signs

The Honest Broker • 79458 implied HN points • 07 Jun 25
🎭️ Culture Expertise Technology impact
  1. The current knowledge system is breaking down, and many fields are showing signs of this collapse. People are losing trust in experts and traditional sources of information.
  2. Science and technology are increasingly seen as tools for manipulation rather than for public benefit. Issues like rising distrust and high-profile scandals are common.
  3. There is a need for a new knowledge system based on human values, creativity, and honesty. As the old system fails, people will seek out reliable sources that uplift and inspire.

Top reads of the week

gender:hacked by Eliza Mondegreen • 257 implied HN points • 02 Nov 24
🎭️ Culture Art Literature Music Fashion Media
  1. Check out the top reads of the week for interesting content. It's a great way to discover new ideas and topics.
  2. A 7-day free trial is available for accessing more posts and archives. You can explore a lot without any initial cost.
  3. You can subscribe to stay updated and keep reading more in-depth articles. Staying connected helps you learn new things.

Bring back the Based Old Halloween Ways

Blackbird Spyplane • 1079 implied HN points • 31 Oct 24
🎭️ Culture Holidays Traditions Fashion Lifestyle Community
  1. Halloween used to be all about creativity, like making your own costumes with your family. Nowadays, it's more about buying cheap, mass-produced outfits from big stores.
  2. Trick-or-treating has become limited to specific areas, which takes away the fun of exploring neighborhoods and meeting neighbors.
  3. There's a push to return to the good old days of Halloween, where unique, homemade costumes and engaging with the community are the main focus.

The French Film That Changed Japanese Animation

Animation Obsessive • 24397 implied HN points • 02 Jun 25
🎭️ Culture Film Animation History Art Influence
  1. The French film _The Shepherdess and the Chimney Sweep_ had a big impact on Japanese animation when it was released in Japan. It showed animators that animated films could be for adults, not just kids.
  2. Filmmakers like Hayao Miyazaki and Isao Takahata were inspired by the film's unique storytelling and beautiful animation style. They noted how it created a vivid world that felt real and grounded.
  3. The film influenced new ideas about how animation could express deeper themes, such as social and political issues, which changed the way Japanese animated films were made going forward.

Tuesday night dinner

What Do We Do Now That We're Here? • 2408 implied HN points • 29 Oct 24
🎭️ Culture Art Music Film Parenting Emotions
  1. Finding moments of presence in everyday life can create special experiences, like enjoying dinner while listening to film scores. It's important to appreciate these small, joyful moments before they become memories.
  2. Film scores can evoke strong emotions and help connect with deeper feelings. They can change a regular evening into something meaningful simply through music.
  3. Building community and connection is crucial for emotional support. It helps both parents and lonely individuals find joy and purpose together.

halloween costumes & more

internet princess • 4446 implied HN points • 26 Oct 24
🎭️ Culture Art Fashion Music Literature
  1. Halloween costumes can be a fun way to express oneself and explore different aspects of personality. They allow you to play around with different identities and make art out of everyday life.
  2. Great costumes often come from a place of real desire or connection to something meaningful. The more you love your costume idea, the more it shines when you wear it.
  3. Being creative with costumes can lead to unexpected experiences and memories, much like life itself. Dressing up can be silly, but it can also hold deeper significance and foster connections.

Part 2: Disaster strikes

PASSAGES • 2098 implied HN points • 28 Oct 24
🎭️ Culture Personal Stories Minimalism Grief Homeownership
  1. A leaking refrigerator hose under the house caused serious damage over time. The owners didn't realize it because it was a slow drip.
  2. After being away for years, the owners discovered all their treasured items in the garage were ruined by mold and water damage.
  3. Even though the owner had become a minimalist, losing their art collection and family memories was a painful experience that brought intense grief.

The Visual World of 'Samurai Jack'

Animation Obsessive • 30856 implied HN points • 26 May 25
🎭️ Culture Animation Visual Arts Film Television Storytelling
  1. Samurai Jack told stories through visuals instead of dialogue. The team focused on creating beautiful images that captured emotions and actions without needing words.
  2. The show's unique art style came from mixing different influences, like classic films and mid-century cartoons. This made the backgrounds and characters really stand out.
  3. Tartakovsky believed kids could understand complex stories, so he created a show that treated them with intelligence. This bold approach made Samurai Jack memorable and different from other cartoons at the time.

Broadcast TV: It Only Looks Dead

Life Since the Baby Boom • 1152 implied HN points • 21 Feb 25
🎭️ Culture Television Media Entertainment Sociology History
  1. Broadcast TV is still relevant, even with the rise of streaming services. People can watch live sports and local news without paying for subscriptions.
  2. Digital broadcasting has increased the number of channels available, including many free options that people may not know about.
  3. Older TV shows often have more depth and quality compared to many new productions. Watching them can remind us of what good storytelling looks like.

Why Is the Washington Post Talking to Substack?

The Honest Broker • 10273 implied HN points • 15 Jun 25
🎭️ Culture Media Arts Music Publishing Entertainment
  1. The Washington Post is considering working with Substack to feature some of its writers. This shows a change in how traditional media views newer platforms.
  2. There is a trend where gamblers are now betting on music hits, similar to how sports betting works. People analyze song trends mathematically to make predictions.
  3. Beauty in art is a controversial topic, and the author challenges common views. There’s a suggestion that we should appreciate beauty beyond just its monetary value.

Kendrick Lamar: Talented Musician, Provocative Figure, Emperor of the Whites

Freddie deBoer • 10612 implied HN points • 12 Feb 25
🎭️ Culture Music Art Social Commentary Pop culture Identity politics
  1. Kendrick Lamar has achieved great success and is highly praised, but his status as an 'underdog' feels ironic given his fame and accolades. It shows how people love to label even the most successful artists as outsiders.
  2. The way people view music is changing; taste is now tied to moral values and public opinions. It's hard for individuals to just enjoy music without it being linked to their identity or politics.
  3. Many white people embrace Kendrick Lamar's art to appear morally good, which can overshadow the true appreciation of his talent. This dynamic is complex and reflects a broader issue in how we celebrate Black artists.

Here's Your Kanye West Cliff Notes

Freddie deBoer • 17079 implied HN points • 08 Feb 25
🎭️ Culture Music Mental health Disability Identity Media
  1. Kanye West has claimed he's not bipolar but autistic, stirring up a lot of conversation. This shows how he sometimes tackles personal issues in surprising ways.
  2. People are becoming less sympathetic toward Kanye as he shows more unstable behavior online. Critics are more focused on his actions rather than considering if his mental health influences them.
  3. There is a strange disconnect around how society views mental illness. Critics want to blame Kanye but feel conflicted about viewing him as a person influenced by his disability.

If Joan Didion wrote 'Little Drummer Girl'?

Read Max • 605 implied HN points • 23 Feb 25
🎭️ Culture Literature Film Music Media Criticism
  1. There's a new espionage novel that mixes rich settings with themes similar to Joan Didion and 'Little Drummer Girl.' It sounds intriguing for fans of deep storytelling.
  2. The roundup includes recommendations for unexpected topics like the Murdoch family and some odd mysteries, which could make for interesting reading.
  3. There’s a one-take action movie mentioned that blends suspense with gritty action, perfect for anyone who enjoys intense thrillers.

Open Thread 385

Astral Codex Ten • 2408 implied HN points • 09 Jun 25
🎭️ Culture Art Literature Philosophy Community Discussion
  1. This is an open thread where you can talk about anything and ask any questions. It's a space for free discussion and sharing ideas.
  2. There are unofficial groups like a subreddit and a Discord for more focused discussions. You can connect with others interested in similar topics there.
  3. Some reviews are highlighted for voting fairness. If you want to support a particular review, you can check them out and vote.

Ask a Divorced Person (in 2025)

Culture Study • 2795 implied HN points • 19 Feb 25
🎭️ Culture Relationships Divorce Parenting Mental health Social Dynamics
  1. Divorce can be a positive step for people in unhealthy relationships. It can bring freedom and greatly improve overall happiness.
  2. It's normal to feel guilty and uncertain about wanting a divorce, but it's important to prioritize your own happiness and well-being.
  3. Communication about feelings and the state of a relationship is key. Talking openly with a partner can help clarify whether to stay or leave.

Stillness dancing

Silentium • 399 implied HN points • 31 Oct 24
🎭️ Culture Art Music Meditation Wellness Movement
  1. Starting your day slowly can help set a peaceful tone. Relaxing with quiet music can be a great way to ease into your day.
  2. Silence and stillness can inspire creativity and calmness. It's nice to think of music as something that arises from quiet moments.
  3. Embracing movement and dance doesn't have to be loud. You can find joy in being still and letting that stillness be part of your dance.

Who Else Is Feeling This In Their Body

Culture Study • 9438 implied HN points • 12 Feb 25
🎭️ Culture Essays Personal Resilience Wellness Mental health
  1. It's important to take your own feelings seriously, as well as the feelings of others. We often avoid acknowledging our true emotions.
  2. Resilience can mean carrying a lot of emotional and physical weight without realizing it. We need to recognize how it affects our bodies.
  3. Sometimes we create excuses for our struggles instead of facing them. Understanding what we feel can help us cope better.

Tony Soprano and the Jungian Death Mother

Rob Henderson's Newsletter • 2462 implied HN points • 08 Jun 25
🎭️ Culture Television Psychology Literature Art Media
  1. Tony Soprano is a complex character who shows both deep flaws and a desire for change, but his life as a mafia boss makes real transformation difficult.
  2. The show portrays struggles with familial relationships, particularly the damaging influence of Tony's mother, which shapes his behavior and emotions significantly.
  3. Unlike other antiheroes in TV shows, Tony's actions often reveal a deeper horror, as he inflicts pain on loved ones not just for survival, but from a deep-seated need to manage his feelings of inadequacy.

dancing with the brain demons: what artists really need (spoiler: each other)

Both Are True • 65 implied HN points • 24 Jun 25
🎭️ Culture Art Creativity Community Expression Identity
  1. Artists often struggle with inner doubts and negative thoughts, which can be seen as 'demonic messages' that hinder creativity. It's important to recognize these feelings and understand they are part of the creative process.
  2. Balancing being an artist with helping other artists is a challenge, but creating supportive spaces for collaboration and interaction can be rewarding and impactful.
  3. Community is essential for artists; connecting with others can provide motivation, inspiration, and a sense of belonging that enhances the creative experience.

Friday Thread: FEBRUARY OPEN CHAOS THREAD

Culture Study • 1205 implied HN points • 21 Feb 25
🎭️ Culture Social Issues Trends Community Lifestyle Mental health
  1. People are feeling a lot of fear and anxiety due to the current events. It's important to talk about these feelings and find ways to cope.
  2. Chaos can sometimes provide a distraction from the overwhelming emotions we face. Engaging in open conversations about our experiences can help.
  3. The social fabric is changing, and it's crucial to reflect on these changes. Sharing thoughts and feelings can be a way to process what's going on.

The Price of Mass Amusement

After Babel • 3023 implied HN points • 24 Feb 25
🎭️ Culture Media Technology Communication Society Philosophy
  1. Instant information from TV and social media can be misleading. It distracts us from understanding the real world and makes us think we know things when we actually don't.
  2. Mass amusement has replaced deep thinking and discussions. We're more focused on having fun than on meaningful conversations or learning.
  3. Today's media not only entertains us but also shapes our thoughts and connections. We need to be careful about how we engage with these technologies so we don't lose our ability to think critically.