The hottest Culture Substack posts right now

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That Was the Year That Was

Gideon's Substack • 31 implied HN points • 28 Dec 23
🎭️ Culture Film Media Art Literature Entertainment
  1. 2023 was marked by ominous trends like record-breaking heat, rising emissions, and declining global fertility.
  2. International news in 2023 highlighted distressing events like conflicts in Israel and Darfur, and challenges in Ukraine.
  3. The year 2023 also showed a mix of optimism and pessimism with economic successes, declining crime rates, and advancements in technology.

“Planes, Trains, and Automobiles” Should Be Considered a Classic

I Might Be Wrong • 12 implied HN points • 26 Nov 24
🎭️ Culture Film Comedy Media Entertainment Reviews
  1. Planes, Trains, and Automobiles is a classic movie that blends humor with deep emotions. It uses real-life situations to make people laugh and feel, which is rare in comedies today.
  2. The movie features strong performances from Steve Martin and John Candy, showing the importance of their characters' relationships. It teaches us to appreciate the good intentions behind annoying people in our lives.
  3. Unlike many modern comedies, this film has relatable characters and a meaningful story, proving that simple and funny movies are still possible and valuable.

How Movies and Novels Can Make you Less of an Asshole

Akash Chinnaiah • 44 implied HN points • 01 Jul 23
🎭️ Culture Movies Novels Perspectives Self-Improvement Life experiences
  1. Movies and novels offer different perspectives on life, allowing you to see the world through diverse lenses.
  2. Films and books act as a mirror, showing you behaviors or traits you might not easily recognize in yourself.
  3. To gain a well-rounded perspective on life, a combination of traveling, watching movies, and reading books is beneficial.

Hello, World

Tech Ramblings • 19 implied HN points • 08 Jan 23
🎭️ Culture Media Literature Writing Technology Personal
  1. The author wants to write about a variety of topics, especially tech and culture from the US and France. They feel current social media formats are not appealing.
  2. They aim to share thoughts through their writing, believing it helps in understanding them better, even if there isn't a big audience.
  3. The author plans to publish once a week, allowing themselves time to think about each post thoughtfully.
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The summer book

Austin Kleon • 59 implied HN points • 18 Jun 21
🎭️ Culture Books Art Music Parenting Media
  1. Reading is fun and you can enjoy multiple books at the same time. It's okay to skim through and see what interests you!
  2. Brian Eno has started his own radio station, which is a cool way to discover new music. It has a lot of unreleased tracks to explore.
  3. Creating art and doing projects with your kids can be a great bonding experience. It can also spark creativity in both you and your children.

Apple of my Eye

Street Smart Naturalist: Explorations of the Urban Kind • 59 implied HN points • 27 May 21
🎭️ Culture Urban Nature Food Systems Local history Community Engagement
  1. There are wild apple trees growing along bike trails in Seattle, and they might have started from people tossing apple cores or seeds. It's a fun thought to imagine how they got there.
  2. In the past, Seattle had many orchards with a huge variety of fruits. Back in 1860, there were way more fruit trees than people, with lots of different types of apples available.
  3. Feral fruit trees still exist in the city, telling stories about the connection between nature and urban life. Some trees were once cultivated but now grow wild, showcasing the randomness of nature.

When the mind’s eye is blind

Austin Kleon • 59 implied HN points • 11 Jun 21
🎭️ Culture Art Literature Music Podcasts Comedy Parenting
  1. Some people can't create pictures in their minds. This means their imagination works differently, which can be surprising.
  2. Taking better notes can help improve writing skills. Using methods like smart notes is a good way to organize thoughts.
  3. Creative activities, like making collages or watching fun movies, can be a great way to relax and enjoy time with friends. It's all about finding what makes you happy.

The Stories of the Specter Moose

Marlene’s Newsletter • 4 implied HN points • 22 Jun 25
🎭️ Culture Folklore Legends Nature
  1. The Specter Moose is a legendary creature first seen in Maine in the late 19th century, known for its enormous size and ghostly appearance.
  2. Many hunters who encountered the moose believed it was invincible, with stories claiming only a silver bullet could bring it down.
  3. The moose was often associated with superstitions, where sightings were thought to predict significant events, both good and bad.

The Untethering

Political Currents by Ross Barkan • 13 implied HN points • 01 Nov 24
🎭️ Culture Arts Politics Literature Social justice Music
  1. Politics and culture often clash, but they don’t always have to be mixed together. Good art can exist outside of politics.
  2. In the past, people pushed for art to always reflect certain political views, which limited creative freedom. Not all artists want to be activists, and that’s okay.
  3. Although we might see political ideas in art, the intense focus on social justice from the 2010s is fading. Art is likely to be viewed differently moving forward.

Collective Experiences

Working Theorys • 54 implied HN points • 22 Feb 23
🎭️ Culture Social media Community Entertainment
  1. Humans are wired to connect with others through shared context.
  2. Collective experiences create valuable shared context, fostering social connections and community.
  3. Products create collective experiences through actions like making collective action a core feature and turning content into rare events.

Pluck the day

Austin Kleon • 59 implied HN points • 04 Jun 21
🎭️ Culture Art Media Literature Film Design
  1. Plucking the day means to fully embrace and take advantage of every moment. It's about recognizing opportunities and making the most out of them.
  2. Ideas can come from both within us and the world around us. Sometimes inspiration is influenced by outside experiences more than our own thoughts.
  3. Corita Kent’s studio has been honored as a historic landmark. This shows the importance of artists and their contributions to culture.

Popularity Equals the Maximum Distribution of Familiar Surprises

Holodoxa • 19 implied HN points • 11 Oct 22
🎭️ Culture Popularity Art Literature Science Podcast
  1. Popularity is often driven by the confluence of exposure, familiarity in a surprising way, and promotion from dominant players in the network.
  2. Thompson's model emphasizes that distribution and network dynamics play a bigger role in making something popular than content or quality.
  3. Thompson's book delves into the science behind creating popular cultural artifacts but falls short in addressing the complexity of human preferences and other explanatory variables.

We are all very ignorant about every aspect of abuse

Sex and the State • 13 implied HN points • 21 Oct 24
🎭️ Culture Gender Issues Social justice Mental health Media influence
  1. Many people don't understand abuse very well. This ignorance leads to feelings of shame and can make it harder for victims to speak out.
  2. There's a common assumption that victims of sexual assault are women and perpetrators are men, which can limit our understanding of who can be affected by abuse.
  3. Blaming victims is dangerous and often comes from a place of fear. It's important to support victims instead of shaming them.

Beyond What's Next

Perspectives • 9 implied HN points • 23 Jan 25
🎭️ Culture Lifestyle Family Personal Growth Work-life balance Mindfulness
  1. Taking time off can help you figure out what you really want in life. It's okay to embrace nothingness and let your mind wander.
  2. Life isn't just about being busy; it's valuable to simply enjoy moments with family and friends. Sometimes doing nothing leads to meaningful experiences.
  3. Having space in your schedule allows for spontaneity and connection. Not every moment needs to be planned out to be meaningful.

Dave Chappelle

Splattern • 19 implied HN points • 15 Nov 22
🎭️ Culture Media Identity Humor Race
  1. Dave Chappelle challenges the audience to think about the complexities of Jewish and Black experiences, highlighting the pain both groups have faced. He believes it's important to have open conversations about these topics without fear.
  2. Chappelle points out that while it’s common to criticize Black people in America, discussions about Jewish people seem off-limits. This creates a double standard that many people avoid addressing.
  3. He emphasizes that talking about tough subjects shouldn’t feel dangerous or taboo. Chappelle wants to encourage more honest dialogue about race, power, and culture.

Emilia Pérez Is Not a Progressive Message Movie

Gideon's Substack • 9 implied HN points • 27 Jan 25
🎭️ Culture Film Music Identity Art Theater
  1. The film 'Emilia Pérez' is unique and not exactly what you would expect for an Oscar movie. It's got a strange plot, focusing on a drug lord who changes her identity and tries to redeem her past.
  2. The main character shows that change isn't just about surgery or a new identity. Even after transforming, she still struggles with her old problems and selfish behaviors.
  3. This movie challenges the idea that all characters representing marginalized groups should be perfect heroes. It presents a flawed character who doesn't fit neatly into progressive narratives, which makes it stand out.

What's unusual about that?

The ZIPster • 26 implied HN points • 23 Feb 24
🎭️ Culture Friendships Golf Celebration Social Interaction
  1. Unexpected happenings can occur frequently in our lives, like funny moments on the golf course, showing the charm of spontaneity.
  2. When joining clubs or groups, the experience can exceed expectations, leading to valuable friendships and unexpected joy.
  3. Golf clubs can be a place to forge new friendships and have fun, proving that age is no barrier to making meaningful connections.

Wishful thinking

Links I Would Gchat You If We Were Friends • 59 implied HN points • 11 Dec 20
🎭️ Culture Internet Social media Trends Pop culture Youth culture
  1. The trend of 'shifting' to alternate realities has gained popularity among teenagers, offering an escape from the challenges of the current times.
  2. Shifting involves a belief in transporting one's consciousness to a different, controllable environment, often inspired by Harry Potter and filled with desired experiences.
  3. Many individuals engage in shifting practices as a means to cope with the restrictions and difficulties of 2020, seeking solace and excitement through this imaginative practice.

Welcome to the season of socialized nostalgia

Links I Would Gchat You If We Were Friends • 59 implied HN points • 04 Dec 20
🎭️ Culture Nostalgia Tech Companies Social media Online Communities Internet culture
  1. 2020 has been different, leading tech companies to change approaches to the usual holiday season nostalgia content.
  2. Revisiting past memories through social media platforms during the pandemic-induced trauma can feel unsettling and jarring.
  3. YouTube's decision to skip its annual year-end rewind reflects a shift in how we remember and commemorate this unique year.

In Defense of Obnoxious Influencers

Jon’s Substack • 2 HN points • 01 May 24
🎭️ Culture Social media Influencers Youth Trends Digital economy Cultural criticism
  1. Many young people today aspire to be influencers, which may seem trivial compared to traditional careers, but it's a sign of changing times. They are learning to monetize their interests and create their own opportunities.
  2. Influencers can be seen as part of a new wave of digital entrepreneurship, allowing anyone to turn a hobby into a business with less barriers than before. This reflects a shift towards more freedom in how people choose to earn a living.
  3. Having more niches and diverse paths for success in society can lead to a more vibrant and stable community. Embracing this change could help empower more individuals to follow their passions and create value.

Things I love about Chernobyl, the HBO series

Mindful Musings • 41 implied HN points • 02 Jul 23
🎭️ Culture TV Series History Language Drama
  1. The show Chernobyl displayed restraint by keeping the content concise and focused on the reality of the events.
  2. The excellent use of language in the show added depth and authenticity to the characters and setting.
  3. The attention to detail in portraying the 1980s Soviet Union, from clothing to equipment, enhanced the immersive experience for viewers.

Searching For My City

Reboot • 24 implied HN points • 09 Mar 24
🎭️ Culture Community Online Platforms Community Building
  1. Early online communities like Bulletin Board Systems (BBSs) fostered local connections and community building through text-based websites and local forums.
  2. Platforms like Yelp and Google Maps have shifted the focus from local community engagement to commercialized consumption, impacting the way we interact with and perceive our cities.
  3. Creating and sustaining place-based digital networks presents challenges, but initiatives like DIY internet radio stations showcase the potential for online communities to embrace local culture and connection.

life with cats

the rohn report • 59 implied HN points • 24 Nov 20
🎭️ Culture Pets Nature Communication
  1. Cats have psychic abilities and perceive the world differently from humans, relying on simpler communication modes.
  2. Cats are natural predators with sharp instincts and skills designed for hunting small animals.
  3. It's interesting to observe how cats interact with their environment, establish relationships, and navigate the world without judgment.

Weakened by the weekend

Austin Kleon • 59 implied HN points • 23 Apr 21
🎭️ Culture Music Literature Comics Art Philosophy
  1. Taking breaks from social media can help reduce feelings of being overwhelmed or weakened after the weekend. It's important to unplug regularly.
  2. Paper dictionaries are unique and enjoyable tools that can make reading and learning new words feel magical.
  3. Composer Lou Harrison's motto of 'Cherish, Conserve, Consider, Create' is a great guideline for living a thoughtful and creative life.

Ruling Out Wilt Chamberlain

Living Fossils • 10 implied HN points • 11 Dec 24
🎭️ Culture Social Behavior Gender Roles
  1. Relationships often have unseen rules, like games, and understanding these can help people navigate dating and social interactions better.
  2. When people cheat or cancel plans frequently, it leads to a game of trying to one-up each other, which can make dating harder and less trustworthy.
  3. Moral rules can be used to change the game, either making certain behaviors unacceptable or even creating laws that benefit some people over others.

Of portals and pansies

Austin Kleon • 59 implied HN points • 16 Apr 21
🎭️ Culture Literature Music Film Art Writing
  1. Reading and writing can feel like opening a new door to different worlds. It's an exciting way to explore new ideas.
  2. Music and movies can inspire and connect us, making us feel emotions deeply. It’s great to discover new films or songs that resonate with us.
  3. Spring brings new life and beauty around us, like flowers blooming. It's a nice reminder to appreciate nature and its changes.

The Cultural Shale Revolution

The Seat of Loss • 3 implied HN points • 01 Aug 25
🎭️ Culture Film Media Pop culture Entertainment Social Trends
  1. Superhero movies are struggling to connect with global audiences, especially in markets like China, which now has its own film industry. This decline in international appeal is impacting box office success.
  2. Sydney Sweeney's approach to advertising reflects a shift in American pop culture, focusing on domestic audiences instead of international glamor. This trend suggests that celebrity endorsements might be adapting to cater more to local consumers.
  3. There is a broader cultural pattern of looking inward for value and inspiration, similar to the way fracking extracts resources. This pattern affects everything from entertainment to personal choices and raises questions about sustainability in American culture.