The hottest Culture Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
Category
Top Culture Topics

Kanye, Deranged Penguin

The Carousel • 8 implied HN points • 09 Feb 25
🎭️ Culture Art Music Mental health Criticism Social Issues
  1. Kanye West challenges people’s views on mental illness. Some believe his behavior is a result of mental health issues, while others think he uses it to provoke reactions.
  2. The loudest critics of Kanye often struggle with his different approach to expressing himself. His actions can make people uncomfortable, leading to a conflict between their beliefs and reactions.
  3. Some people see artists like Kanye as outsiders who break the rules of society. This outsider perspective can lead to creative and unexpected ideas, even if it seems strange to others.

Recursive Chess

Infinitely More • 12 implied HN points • 19 Oct 24
🎭️ Culture Games Concepts Philosophy Art Education
  1. Recursive chess is a new twist on the traditional game where pieces must play their own mini-games before capturing. This makes each capture more complex and interesting.
  2. The rules of recursive chess are still being debated, with no clear answer on how to play. Different interpretations could lead to many unique gameplay experiences.
  3. Exploring the rules of recursive chess invites deeper discussions about game theory and the nature of games themselves, making it a fascinating topic for anyone interested in strategy.

The problems with going viral

Eclecticism: Reflections on literature, writing and life • 25 implied HN points • 02 Feb 24
🎭️ Culture Writing Viral Content Literature Legacy Personal Reflection
  1. Going viral might not be worth the effort in terms of actual benefit, like gaining subscribers.
  2. Writing in a way to chase virality can be exhausting and may not align with personal writing style or goals.
  3. Focusing on writing that is engaging and enjoyable for oneself is more important than trying to create content just to go viral.

A quilt made of days

Austin Kleon • 59 implied HN points • 09 Apr 21
🎭️ Culture Art Literature Philosophy Music Media
  1. Quilting can represent the passage of time, where each piece reflects a different day or experience.
  2. Copying influences is important for creativity, but eventually you need to find your own unique voice.
  3. Good conversation can feel difficult, so it's helpful to explore new ways to connect with others beyond basic questions.
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New essay: Mystifying the Appearances

Reactionary Feminist • 8 implied HN points • 28 Jan 25
🎭️ Culture Philosophy Literature History Art Politics
  1. The essay discusses how different thinkers, like Owen Barfield and Jacques Derrida, interpret our connection to what we perceive. Barfield sees it as magical, while Derrida views it as dangerous.
  2. Derrida's perspective has become more dominant, leading to a culture filled with confusion and skepticism. This has created a sense of emptiness in society.
  3. However, there seems to be a shift happening now, with people questioning this dominant way of thinking and exploring new ideas in politics and culture.

Peter Jeppsen: I travelled to London to celebrate Hitchmas with Lawrence, Stephen, Richard, and Douglas

Critical Mass • 9 implied HN points • 07 Jan 25
🎭️ Culture Literature Events Philosophy Atheism Personal Growth
  1. The Merry Hitchmas event in London was a celebration of Christopher Hitchens's life, featuring talks by notable figures like Stephen Fry and Richard Dawkins.
  2. Attending the event was a personal journey for the author, sparked by a humorous suggestion and a deep appreciation for Hitchens's legacy.
  3. The experience taught the author the importance of pursuing one's passions and not being afraid to connect with influential people, emphasizing the value of dialogue and exploration.

Classics from the New World

The Classical Futurist • 48 implied HN points • 03 Mar 23
🎭️ Culture Philosophy History Literature World Politics Art & Illustration
  1. Non-Western philosophy, like Aztec philosophy, should be considered for inclusion in the canon.
  2. Aztec philosophy focused on the concept of rootedness and living a virtuous life in a constantly changing world.
  3. The study of Aztec philosophy challenges traditional Western views on what constitutes philosophy and raises questions about cultural biases in defining classical traditions.

You have to be obsessed

Austin Kleon • 59 implied HN points • 19 Mar 21
🎭️ Culture Books Music Movies Art TV
  1. Being passionate or obsessed about something can drive you to achieve great things. It's important to let that passion show in your work and hobbies.
  2. Books, music, and movies can all inspire you and provide comfort or entertainment. Exploring different genres can open up new perspectives.
  3. Sharing recommendations and experiences with others can create connections and help build a supportive community. It's great to share what you love!

Oscar the Grouch

Gideon's Substack • 7 implied HN points • 02 Mar 25
🎭️ Culture Film Criticism Entertainment Events Awards
  1. Oscar movies often don't match personal taste, despite their prestige. It's interesting how we expect serious films to be good but sometimes they aren't.
  2. Some films gain Oscar nominations for political reasons rather than quality, and this can lead to unexpected viewer reactions.
  3. The film industry is changing, with fewer mid-budget, serious films being made, which affects what audiences are excited to see. Maybe it's time to wish for better films that speak to a wider audience.

Reading, Watching 02.05.24

Unpopular Front • 24 implied HN points • 05 Feb 24
🎭️ Culture Music Politics Opinion
  1. Taylor Swift's political stance surprises many as she appears to be more liberal rather than culturally conservative.
  2. Swift's response to idolization of her whiteness is straightforward: 'There's literally nothing worse than white supremacy.'
  3. Kanye West, once seen as Swift's rival, is highlighted for his Nazi sympathies, showing a bizarre twist in perceptions.

poetry as the current state of American media

Tumbleweed Words • 7 implied HN points • 27 Feb 25
🎭️ Culture Literature Art Media Poetry Expression
  1. American media is chaotic and full of contradictions. It reflects a world where many things are happening at once.
  2. There are deep issues with governance and leadership. People feel unheard and question the decisions being made.
  3. Despite the turmoil, life goes on for many. People engage in everyday activities and seek entertainment amid the chaos.

What was Drake?

Never Met a Science • 22 implied HN points • 15 Mar 24
🎭️ Culture Music Philosophy Politics History Literature
  1. Drake's approach to music, devoid of street cred, emphasized personal confession over braggadocio, making his music relatable through authenticity.
  2. Poptimism influenced the creation of pop-rap, with Drake embodying the move towards more universally palatable music, detached from local rap scenes.
  3. Taylor Swift, in contrast to Drake, creates subjective histories through her music, allowing fans to relate to themselves and construct their own identities.

Say It Out Loud

Perspectives • 4 implied HN points • 05 Jun 25
🎭️ Culture Communication Relationships Self-Improvement Leadership Appreciation
  1. It's important to express appreciation to people. Saying nice things out loud can strengthen connections and make others feel valued.
  2. We should thank those who have helped us in our journey, even if it's been a long time. It reminds them—and us—how meaningful their support was.
  3. Letting others hear praise or good comments about them helps build trust and shows we appreciate their efforts. It can create a positive work environment.

Why TV Commercials are Now All Pharma Ads

The Carousel • 25 implied HN points • 17 Jan 24
🎭️ Culture Media influence Capitalism Propaganda
  1. TV commercials are now dominated by pharma ads due to a loophole in FDA regulations that allowed direct-to-consumer advertising.
  2. The surge in pharma ads on TV is driven by the need to maintain high revenue levels, even after the initial spike during the pandemic.
  3. Pharma ads target older demographics through traditional TV advertising, as other industries shift more towards digital and social media.

What Elden Ring Has Taught Me About Hard Things

The Palindrome • 3 implied HN points • 22 Jul 25
🎭️ Culture Gaming Education Self-Improvement Philosophy Entertainment
  1. It's okay to fail; you learn from your mistakes. The key is to keep trying until you succeed.
  2. Preparation and using the right tools can make tough challenges easier. It's smarter to adapt and find ways to overcome obstacles.
  3. Don't worry about how others think you should achieve your goals. Focus on your own path and use what works best for you.

The Year In Review

Cosy Moments • 9 implied HN points • 30 Dec 24
🎭️ Culture Literature Philosophy Art Music Religion
  1. The author is thankful for their readers and encourages feedback on what topics they want to see more of in the future.
  2. Next year, the author plans to write about classic writers like Alexander Pope and William Shakespeare, as well as philosophy and religion.
  3. There will be a special Q&A post to celebrate a milestone for the 'Cosy Moments' series, inviting readers to send in their questions.

On Learning That I'm No Longer Cool

From the Desk • 45 implied HN points • 07 Mar 23
🎭️ Culture Youth
  1. Coolness is often associated with youth, and as one gets older, it becomes more challenging to maintain
  2. Trying too hard to be cool is uncool - authenticity is valued over pretending to fit in
  3. Embracing uncool interests and passions can bring a sense of freedom and self-acceptance

I’m making a movie

The Next Chapter • 3 implied HN points • 15 Jul 25
🎭️ Culture Film Art Storytelling Writing Community
  1. The film 'After Moonrise' focuses on the relationship between a mother and daughter, exploring themes of grief and healing together. It's about understanding and connecting across generations.
  2. The filmmaker is learning the craft through various classes and hands-on experience, despite not having a formal background in film. They are excited about the journey and value community support.
  3. The project relies on crowdfunding to cover costs like production and post-production, and the creator invites others to join in by contributing or spreading the word.

Creative Machines

polymathematics • 19 implied HN points • 10 Nov 22
🎭️ Culture Art Literature Technology Philosophy Creativity
  1. People wonder if AIs can truly be considered artists. It's a big question because art is often seen as a human creation.
  2. If a favorite book was found to be written by AI, it might change how we feel about it. Many would ask if it makes the story less special or meaningful.
  3. The idea of AI creating literature challenges our ideas about creativity and originality. It makes us think about what it means to be an artist.

Potential

Random Minds by Katherine Brodsky • 23 implied HN points • 19 Feb 24
🎭️ Culture Writing
  1. The post discusses the concept of 'potential' and presents an experimental monologue on the topic.
  2. The content is part of a subscription-based platform, where paid subscribers can access exclusive essays and writings.
  3. The author offers a 7-day free trial for new subscribers to explore the full post archives before committing to a paid subscription.

It ain’t Grand

Austin Kleon • 59 implied HN points • 19 Feb 21
🎭️ Culture Art Literature Writing Texas Disaster
  1. Living in a tough situation can be a slow journey. It's important to find comfort and look for helpers during hard times.
  2. If you're stuck with your creative work, try just pointing at things around you. It can help spark new ideas and inspiration.
  3. Reading is a great escape. Picking up interesting books can offer new perspectives and inspire your own writing.

The Gold Coin game

Infinitely More • 7 implied HN points • 12 Feb 25
🎭️ Culture Games Strategy Logic Philosophy Mathematics
  1. The Gold Coin game involves two players trying to get a valuable gold coin while moving other coins on a board. Players can either move a coin or take the leftmost coin in their turn.
  2. The game is strategic and requires understanding the best moves to win. Knowing winning moves can make the game easier to navigate.
  3. Practicing the game with a partner helps improve your skills and understanding of the rules, making it more enjoyable to play.

Rabbit Holes 🕳️ #70

Creative Destruction • 22 implied HN points • 06 Mar 24
🎭️ Culture Art Philosophy Technology Health & Wellness Literature
  1. Living life as an art involves creativity within constraints, promoting virtues over self-improvement schemes.
  2. Involvement with land and soil can combat anxieties stemming from detachment in modern progress narratives.
  3. Digital lifestyles can lead to de-humanization, turning us into 'storysellers' and impacting how we form connections and perceive reality.

No Direction Home

Daniel Pinchbeck’s Newsletter • 8 implied HN points • 15 Jan 25
🎭️ Culture Art Music Film Literature Philosophy
  1. China is thinking about selling TikTok in the US to Elon Musk, which could be bad for free speech and user privacy.
  2. Having a group of people control TikTok, rather than just one person like Musk, would be a better idea for users.
  3. Artistic geniuses mix different styles and cultures in a way that brings something new, like how Picasso combined African art with European influences.

Weekend Theorys No. 3

Working Theorys • 23 implied HN points • 10 Feb 24
🎭️ Culture Fashion Social media Reading Writing
  1. People often wear athleisure to appear fit and sporty, but might not actually engage in athletic activities. Similarly, many people want to be seen with books, but may not read them, showcasing a desire to appear well-read.
  2. Substack's 'Notes' feature is akin to Twitter posts, causing issues for writers trying to share links on Twitter. Simply mentioning or sharing Substack links on Twitter can lead to shadow banning.
  3. The desire for image and perception may drive actions like wearing athleisure or displaying books, even if the underlying activity isn't as prevalent. It's about the appearance rather than the actual engagement in the activity.

The Street Smart Naturalist

Street Smart Naturalist: Explorations of the Urban Kind • 59 implied HN points • 21 Jan 21
🎭️ Culture Nature Urban Exploration Environmental awareness Storytelling
  1. Nature is everywhere if you take the time to look. In Seattle, you can find cool things like bald eagles, fossils, and slime molds just by paying attention.
  2. You can explore nature in many ways, whether by walking, biking, or reading about it. The more you explore, the more stories you can discover about the natural world.
  3. Connecting with nature can strengthen your relationship with your surroundings. Sharing these experiences and stories can help everyone learn from each other.

Every day is Groundhog Day

Austin Kleon • 59 implied HN points • 05 Feb 21
🎭️ Culture Art Literature Music History Entertainment
  1. Every day can feel repetitive, like the movie Groundhog Day. It’s okay to find new ways to celebrate the same day, like suggesting fun alternatives.
  2. February is a unique month because it’s exactly four weeks long. It can make people think differently about how they plan and view time.
  3. What seems boring to us now can actually be interesting later. So, don’t hesitate to document your everyday life because it may tell a great story in the future.

Notes on Progress: Degrowth and the monkey's paw

The Works in Progress Newsletter • 39 implied HN points • 15 May 23
🎭️ Culture Environment Society Politics
  1. In the pursuit of degrowth, the focus on economic growth has diminished, leading to stagnant productivity in the UK.
  2. Though progress in environmentalism seems evident, challenges arise from conflicting priorities within environmental groups influencing decisions like energy policy and housing development.
  3. Culture wars and societal disagreements on important issues may intensify in a post-growth world as focus shifts from material concerns to cultural values and community matters.

Open Letter to Russell Brand

Daniel Pinchbeck’s Newsletter • 30 implied HN points • 26 Sep 23
🎭️ Culture Books Psychology Society Artists Celebrity
  1. The author suggests Russell Brand should consider a path of radical honesty and atonement to address past wrongs.
  2. Men and women both have complex, multifaceted natures and there should be efforts to understand these complexities better.
  3. Fame and societal rewards can sometimes remove limits on behavior, leading to unhealthy patterns and consequences.