The hottest Culture Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
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Top Culture Topics

The Dirty Blues

Mister Slang • 78 implied HN points • 12 Jul 23
🎭️ Culture Music History Literature Fiction Sexuality
  1. Blues singers used slang and double entendre in their music, often pushing the boundaries of decency.
  2. The blues offered a raw and honest perspective on life, focusing on the present rather than the afterlife.
  3. The dirty blues genre included explicit lyrics and was sometimes intertwined with hokum, a mix of trickery and nonsense.
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#071 ✰ (Re)connecting with objects

Objet • 78 implied HN points • 26 May 23
🎭️ Culture Design Fashion Art
  1. The relationship between humans and shopping objects is broken, aiming to bring back joy and pride in mindful shopping.
  2. Objects can hold soul and meaning, like Rendl's Japanese teacups, representing significant moments in the creator's life.
  3. There is a need to shift towards a circular economy, embracing repair and sustainability in design to combat overconsumption.

Is social media a net benefit for tennis players?

Social Warming by Charles Arthur • 78 implied HN points • 21 Jul 23
🎭️ Culture Sports Social media AI Documentary Entertainment
  1. Social media can have both positive and negative impacts on tennis players' lives.
  2. Understanding a tennis player's personality requires more than observing on-court behavior.
  3. Tennis players, like many people, seek connection and validation through social media, but they also face the negative aspects of online interactions.

The song remains the same, part 1

WORLD GONE WRONG • 78 implied HN points • 20 May 23
🎭️ Culture Literature History Race Immigration Politics
  1. Dystopian fiction has played a role in framing racial fears and anxieties, particularly directed towards different immigrant groups.
  2. Chinese immigrants faced discrimination and anti-Asian sentiments in countries like the United States, fueled by racist narratives in literature and media.
  3. Racist dystopian novels that vilified Chinese immigrants contributed to growing anti-immigration movements and legislative actions restricting Chinese immigration.

THE MARVELOUS MRS. MAISEl Season 5 | RENFIELD | SICK OF MYSELF

Visual Media Overlord • 78 implied HN points • 14 Apr 23
🎭️ Culture TV shows Movies Music
  1. THE MARVELOUS MRS. MAISEL Season 5 wraps up the show with a satisfying finale and focuses on character growth and relationships.
  2. RENFIELD is a fun modern monster tale with impressive performances but with some flaws, still worth a watch for entertainment.
  3. SICK OF MYSELF is a dark comedy masterpiece exploring society's obsession with fame and attention, a must-watch for fans of black comedy.

How I got to cover video games for The New York Times

Updater, Shannon Liao's gaming newsletter • 78 implied HN points • 09 Jun 23
🎭️ Culture Video Games Journalism Career
  1. The author had a rollercoaster experience with a job offer from The New York Times.
  2. The author shared personal reflections on attending her high school reunion and her classmates' admiration for her journalism work.
  3. The author plans to give readers a behind-the-scenes look at how she got to cover video games for The New York Times.

The Gen Z-fication of the Femme Fatale

The Digital Native • 78 implied HN points • 06 Mar 23
🎭️ Culture Fashion Film Youth culture Gender Social media
  1. Femme fatales have been powerful and controversial characters throughout history, representing strong women with control over their lives.
  2. Hollywood redefined the femme fatale as a symbol of power, autonomy, and charm, breaking stereotypes and paving the way for bold female characters in media.
  3. Gen Z is rebranding femme fatales as 'dark feminine,' appreciating characters like Maddy from Euphoria who show a mix of boldness, charisma, and vulnerability.

Links for May

Bullfish Hole • 78 implied HN points • 11 May 23
🎭️ Culture History Schooling
  1. There is no evidence of a whaler being swallowed by a sperm whale, but a lobster diver was accidentally swallowed by a humpback whale in 2021.
  2. Assisted suicide has widespread support in Canada, but there was a tragic mass suicide incident involving a Kenyan cult.
  3. Abolishing tenure in universities may not effectively address the issue of politicization and could make matters worse, according to different perspectives.

Heroes of Slang: Billy Rowe

Mister Slang • 78 implied HN points • 30 Jun 23
🎭️ Culture History Language Music Slang Race
  1. Billy Rowe was an African-American columnist in the mid-1900s known for his showbiz focus and advocacy against racism.
  2. Rowe coined numerous slang terms in his columns, some of which predated similar terms by his peers.
  3. Rowe's slang terms reflected the world of big bands, clubs, and societal issues of his time, showcasing his unique contribution to language.

AIR | BEEF | SHOWING UP

Visual Media Overlord • 78 implied HN points • 07 Apr 23
🎭️ Culture Pop culture Film TV Series Music
  1. AIR is a sports drama film about Nike's partnership with Michael Jordan and offers a satirical take on corporate culture.
  2. BEEF is a Netflix series with strong performances from Ali Wong and Steven Yeun, delving into complex themes with a fresh perspective.
  3. SHOWING UP is a touching film about an artist finding inspiration in everyday chaos, highlighting the artistic journey and self-discovery.

Your Dreams Should Stay There

Everything's Broken • 78 implied HN points • 13 Apr 23
🎭️ Culture TV shows Nostalgia Sci-fi Critique Fandom
  1. The latest episode of Star Trek Picard disappoints Star Trek fans by resorting to ham-fisted nostalgia and clumsy writing.
  2. The show takes a disappointing turn by disregarding its own canon and insulting the intelligence of the viewers.
  3. Star Trek Picard fails to maintain consistency with its past seasons and insults the core concepts of the Star Trek universe.

One in a Trillion

The False Consensus Effect • 78 implied HN points • 11 Apr 23
🎭️ Culture Art Philosophy Literature Music Health & Wellness
  1. The importance of focusing on nature and solitude to find balance amidst the overwhelming people-centric world.
  2. Questioning traditional spiritual and societal constructs, like the role of influential figures such as the Dalai Lama, and advocating for a more personal and family-centric approach to compassion and wisdom.
  3. Reflecting on the challenges of modern life, materialism, and the need to prioritize mindful living and genuine connections while navigating societal expectations.

Mister Oxymoron Meet Academia Artists

The False Consensus Effect • 78 implied HN points • 10 Sep 23
🎭️ Culture Art & Illustration Literature Education
  1. Art professors are often not considered true artists by the Stuckism Manifesto, emphasizing the distinction between being an artist and working in academia.
  2. The text critiques the financial rewards and status associated with grants and professorships in the creative field, challenging the conventional understanding of 'genius'.
  3. There is a call for reform in the art education system to prioritize individual creativity and community benefit over financial gain and academic bureaucracy.

Reviews for July 2023

Record Crash • 78 implied HN points • 02 Aug 23
🎭️ Culture Reviews Movies TV shows
  1. Reviews for July 2023 cover multiple movies, TV shows, video games, and a gen-alpha YouTube show.
  2. The show 'The Sopranos' faced criticism for inconsistent character arcs and episode-level control.
  3. The game 'Ghost Trick' received high praise for its original gameplay and plot twists.

The Roots That Held The Earth

Soaring Twenties • 100 implied HN points • 29 Jan 25
🎭️ Culture Identity Family Heritage Reflection Loss
  1. Loss can deeply affect our sense of identity and belonging. When we lose important people or places, we often feel lost and disconnected from ourselves.
  2. Finding true belonging is about giving part of ourselves to a place or people, not just seeking to possess. A genuine connection requires authenticity and commitment.
  3. In difficult times, seeking meaning can help us navigate our pain. When we try to understand our experiences, we can find a way to move forward instead of feeling hopeless.

The Red-Pill Delusion About Women

Erik Examines • 89 implied HN points • 23 Feb 25
🎭️ Culture Gender Studies Relationships Feminism Social Commentary Psychology
  1. Women have always been active in choosing their partners, not just passive victims. Relationships involve love and emotional connections, not just power dynamics.
  2. Both men and women experience sexual desire, and female desire is often influenced by emotional connections and cultural factors. It's wrong to see women as simply waiting for men to take charge.
  3. Modern dating challenges are not because women are too free, but because some men struggle with women's independence and equality. Healthy relationships should be based on mutual respect and understanding.

Two British events

The Abbey of Misrule • 135 implied HN points • 03 Nov 24
🎭️ Culture Events Religion Spirituality Debate Tradition
  1. There's a two-day conference on 'post-liberalism' in Cambridge on December 13th and 14th. Many interesting speakers will be there.
  2. On December 16th, there's an event in London discussing how the West is influenced by 'pseudo-religion'. It will include debates on various spiritual topics.
  3. Expect more content like essays and stories coming soon, as things will calm down after these events.

Human in an AI Age: Grace

The Future Does Not Fit In The Containers Of The Past • 36 implied HN points • 20 Jul 25
🎭️ Culture Humanity AI Ethics Values Self-Improvement Social Issues
  1. Grace is a unique human quality that combines dignity, humility, and generosity. It helps us connect with others in an increasingly AI-driven world.
  2. Dignity means treating everyone with respect, and understanding that we all have potential and challenges. It's something AI may struggle to grasp.
  3. Humility is about keeping perspective and recognizing that success often involves luck and circumstances beyond our control. AI may not comprehend this human experience.

Heresies; Stray Dog; Rachel Getting Married

Unpopular Front • 32 implied HN points • 03 Aug 25
🎭️ Culture Literature Film Theology History Spirituality
  1. Christian nationalism is a modern belief that mixes being Christian with being American. This view often changes traditional Christian teachings to fit a national identity.
  2. Many people believe that the Bible's meaning should come from how it's understood in the church community. However, some groups focus on a literal interpretation that ignores deeper discussions.
  3. The idea of Christian nationalism can lead to extreme views and push back against human diversity. It pressures people to conform to a single identity instead of appreciating individual differences.

sunday memepool

bad cattitude • 115 implied HN points • 15 Dec 24
🎭️ Culture Memes Nostalgia Internet Social Issues Trends
  1. People often think that current times are not as good as the past. This feeling might come from the changes we see around us.
  2. There is a sense of nostalgia for what many call 'the good old days.' It's common to long for simpler or happier times.
  3. Despite the changes, it's important to appreciate the present and find joy in current moments. Every era has its own unique qualities.

This is How The World Ends. Not with a Bang, but a Smile.

OK Doomer • 126 implied HN points • 30 Nov 24
🎭️ Culture Literature Mental health Society Philosophy Self-help
  1. There's a growing trend of courses teaching people how to smile, reflecting a culture obsessed with appearing happy despite feeling otherwise. Many are pressured to smile even when they don't feel like it, which can be unhealthy.
  2. T.S. Eliot's poem 'The Hollow Men' speaks to the emptiness of society and resonates more today as we face crises and pressures to conform, like forcing smiles.
  3. Forcing yourself to smile can worsen mental health issues, and it's important to acknowledge how societal expectations around smiling can be harmful.

Vol. 1, Issue 5 - Interview with Pokémon Center New York Historical Website

Johto Times • 159 implied HN points • 09 Mar 23
🎭️ Culture Pop culture History Collectibles Interviews Media
  1. The Pokémon Center New York has a dedicated historical website that preserves memories and information about the now-closed store. This helps people remember or learn about its magical past.
  2. Julie and Grace are the passionate individuals behind the preservation efforts, and they share their excitement about the project through engaging interviews.
  3. Johto Times has reached over 100 subscribers in less than a month, showing that there’s a strong interest in Pokémon stories and content.

Black Culture and the Euro-American Collective Brain

Journal of Free Black Thought • 53 implied HN points • 23 May 25
🎭️ Culture Integration Identity Racism Social Issues
  1. It's important for black culture to connect with the broader Euro-American culture. This connection can give people more opportunities and knowledge.
  2. Historical injustices have caused some to view the Euro-American culture as hostile, which can lead to self-imposed limitations on growth and progress.
  3. Embracing a mix of identities and knowledge can empower black Americans to overcome obstacles and achieve success in society.