The hottest Culture Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
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Top Culture Topics

Welcome to my words

Technohumanism • 139 implied HN points • 22 Jul 24
🎭️ Culture Art Technology Humanities Journalism Philosophy
  1. Connecting art and science is important to understand human experiences and creativity. Both play a role in helping us find meaning in our lives.
  2. The author has a diverse background in journalism and tech, sharing unique stories and insights from various industries. Their experiences aim to bring a fresh perspective on complex topics.
  3. The aim of this Substack is to explore intriguing ideas and offer guidance about navigating the changing world, especially in relation to technology and its impact on society.

Open Thread 365

Astral Codex Ten • 2890 implied HN points • 20 Jan 25
🎭️ Culture Humor Community Discussion Social media Events
  1. You can participate in discussions on various topics in the open thread. Feel free to ask questions or share ideas.
  2. There is a remote job opportunity for contractors in AI-related fields with flexible hours. You can earn $100 per hour while helping measure performance between AI and humans.
  3. Additional comments and discussions are available on a range of topics including national IQ, political party systems, and cultural insights. It's a chance to learn from different perspectives.

How to Steal From Homer

Classical Wisdom • 1198 implied HN points • 19 Jan 24
🎭️ Culture Literature History Language
  1. Plagiarism has a long history, dating back to ancient Greece and Rome.
  2. Plagiarism was taken seriously in ancient times, with accusations of stealing literary works.
  3. The concept of duplicative language being considered plagiarism was debated, with some arguing that great artists could get a free pass.

It's Peak Summer ADVICE TIME!

Culture Study • 1115 implied HN points • 11 Jul 25
🎭️ Culture Advice Community Empathy Interaction Support
  1. Summer is a great time for sharing advice and connecting with others. It helps build a community where people can support each other.
  2. Asking for advice can be hard, but it's important to be open and willing to seek help from others.
  3. Empathy and understanding create a safe space for people to celebrate successes and share struggles together.
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Northern Courage

Becoming Noble • 2132 implied HN points • 02 Jun 23
🎭️ Culture Literature Philosophy Faith & Spirituality History Art & Illustration
  1. Northern Courage is the concept of unyielding will and courage in the face of certain defeat, drawn from Norse mythology and Tolkien's works.
  2. Spengler's pessimistic view of history as a series of declines and falls contrasts with Tolkien's belief in a 'long defeat' with glimpses of final victory.
  3. Tolkien completes the virtue of Northern Courage with the idea of 'estel', a hopeful trust that stems from a deeper, transcendent belief, offering a path to heroic sacrifice without despair.

Being on TV was bad for my mental health.

Changing The Channel • 2132 implied HN points • 26 Sep 23
🎭️ Culture Mental health Media Criticism Political Commentary
  1. Being in the public eye, especially on TV, can lead to mental health challenges like anxiety and depression.
  2. Constant criticism, particularly amplified by social media, can have a significant negative impact on one's well-being and relationships.
  3. Leaving a high-profile TV career can bring a sense of relief, allowing for personal growth and a reconnection with oneself.

How to find your people

Austin Kleon • 4536 implied HN points • 24 Feb 23
🎭️ Culture Art Literature Music Philosophy Community
  1. Writing a blog post or making a video can help you connect with like-minded people. It’s a way to find your community.
  2. Keeping a diary or journal can be a great way to reflect on your thoughts and feelings. It's nice to have a collection of other people's diaries to read too.
  3. Books can be more fun if we think of them as toys. Instead of just reading them, we can enjoy them in a playful way.

E is for Engaged

Trevor Klee’s Newsletter • 1343 implied HN points • 12 Jun 25
🎭️ Culture Marriage Relationships Social norms Identity Personal Growth
  1. Marriage offers a unique legal recognition of a relationship, which is still valued despite other ways to have companionship or support.
  2. The desire to commit to a partner is strong, especially in a world where many options are closing and people often feel scattered.
  3. Getting married symbolizes a choice to focus on one person and build a life together, rather than constantly wondering about other possibilities.

Arguing with bots

Austin Kleon • 2118 implied HN points • 26 Sep 23
🎭️ Culture Social media Writing Literature Online Discourse Public Opinion
  1. People often get upset about things online that aren't true. In one case, people thought they were angry at a famous author but were really just mad at a fake account.
  2. It's easy to fall for misleading quotes. Even I made that mistake without checking the original context first.
  3. Social media can often showcase poor writing. It might be better to focus on reading good stuff instead of engaging with low-quality content.

Greening the Hag

The Art of Enchantment, with Dr Sharon Blackie • 2116 implied HN points • 09 Jul 23
🎭️ Culture Folklore Women Nature Archetypes
  1. The Cailleach from Scottish and Irish folklore represents an archetype with profound teachings about connection to the land and aspects of aging.
  2. Older women in ancient stories like the Cailleach have an important role as guardians and protectors of the land, offering valuable lessons for contemporary society.
  3. Exploring folklore about the Cailleach as an ecofeminist figure can provide insight into the depth and richness of ancestral traditions surrounding giant old women in Europe.

Tell the beautiful truth, not the brutal truth

Jeff Giesea • 758 implied HN points • 09 Apr 24
🎭️ Culture Personal Growth Self-reflection Communication Leadership Wellness
  1. There's a difference between telling the beautiful truth and the brutal truth. Beautiful truth connects with people, while brutal truth can push them away.
  2. Being mindful of your intention when sharing truths is important. If your truth comes from a good place, it can really help others feel supported.
  3. It’s essential to be compassionate towards yourself when sharing truths. Treating yourself kindly makes it easier to extend that kindness to others.

Culture Links, 11/20/2025

In My Tribe • 258 implied HN points • 20 Nov 25
🎭️ Culture Media Philosophy Psychology Communication Humanities
  1. Humans have developed to form pair bonds and invest in their young, leading to smaller sex differences compared to other species. This means that both men and women know the importance of caring for their children.
  2. Taking time to think and reflect, like walking or spending time outdoors, can help improve our understanding and creativity. In today's fast-paced world, it's important to slow down and really think things through.
  3. New technologies change how we interact and think, often pushing us into more tribal mindsets. Social media can amplify these identities and lead to more division instead of unity.

Links for December

By Reason Alone • 114 implied HN points • 13 Jan 26
🎭️ Culture Books AI Podcasts Film Music History Essays
  1. AI is a major focus, covering its history, the recent scaling era, and interpretability research like toy models of superposition, alongside practical debates about preserving old model weights and deployment economics.
  2. There is a strong emphasis on Irish culture, history, and civic work, from essays on Protestant magic to infrastructure reform and active local reading and maths initiatives.
  3. The post is a wide-ranging media roundup with clear recommendations across books, films, music, and podcasts, highlighting specific discoveries and thoughtful reactions to each.

Best of The Ruffian 2025

The Ruffian • 165 implied HN points • 27 Dec 25
🎭️ Culture Essays Music Books Society Technology Psychology Film
  1. Most-read pieces mixed practical life advice (on ageing, happiness, and reading) with cultural criticism and technology commentary (music, AI, and online movements).
  2. Readers are invited to engage actively by sharing posts, suggesting topics for the year ahead, and asking questions in an AMA.
  3. Content came in varied formats—essays, lists, reviews and podcasts—showing a wide range of topics and styles that resonated with the audience.

Final Overstock Sale!

50 Years of Text Games • 1444 implied HN points • 22 May 25
🎭️ Culture Media Gaming Art Literature Retail
  1. There will be a final sale of leftover items from the 50 Years of Text Games campaign on May 25th. Many of these items have been sold out for a while, so it's a good chance to grab them.
  2. The sale includes special items like collector's editions, replica cassette tapes, and unique maps. Some items are limited in quantity, so they may sell out quickly.
  3. If you're outside the U.S., be aware that extra shipping costs might apply due to customs. It's best to consider this before making a purchase.

how to talk to single people

Airplane Mode with Liz Plank • 1022 implied HN points • 08 Feb 24
🎭️ Culture Relationships Society Gender Community Equality
  1. Single people are a growing population and should be treated with respect and dignity.
  2. Being in a relationship doesn't guarantee happiness, and single people often lead fulfilling lives outside of dating.
  3. Avoid making assumptions about single people's desires and priorities, and focus on celebrating their achievements and providing support.

The Maybe Baby Archive

Maybe Baby • 143 implied HN points • 26 Dec 25
🎭️ Culture Personal essays Relationships Parenthood Mental health Pop culture Writing Fashion Work
  1. The writing covers a wide range of everyday and big-picture topics — existential life questions, culture, relationships, parenting, work, and mental health. It aims to help readers think through how to live well in modern life.
  2. Content appears in many formats — free essays, advice columns, podcasts, recommendation lists, and even diagrams or invented theories — so readers can choose between personal essays, practical advice, and bite-sized recs.
  3. A clear tagging system and curated samplers make it easy to find pieces by theme or series, with recurring features like recommendation lists and annual community calls to help discovery.

The Marlboro Miles Edition

Why is this interesting? • 1146 implied HN points • 26 Jun 25
🎭️ Culture Branding Psychology Marketing Social Trends
  1. The Marlboro Miles program was a clever marketing strategy that encouraged brand loyalty by offering rewards for collecting points from cigarette packages. It tapped into a desire for free stuff, especially among kids and teens.
  2. Despite its appeal, Marlboro Miles was promoting a dangerous product, and many participants, including children, received rewards through their parents' smoking habits.
  3. Today, similar gamification tactics are used in various industries, like credit card rewards and apps, showing how companies exploit psychological triggers to drive consumer behavior.

Open Thread 357

Astral Codex Ten • 3510 implied HN points • 25 Nov 24
🎭️ Culture Community Rituals Discussion Events Social
  1. You can ask any questions and share thoughts in the open thread. It's a space for casual discussions.
  2. There will be meetups around the world for the community, including a big event in New York from December 13-16.
  3. Acknowledgment of a sad news about Nikolas Doucet, which reflects the importance of community support during tough times.

The Chuck-It List

DruGroup • 179 implied HN points • 09 Jul 24
🎭️ Culture Aging Personal Growth Life Reflection Humor Lifestyle
  1. Instead of a bucket list, consider creating a 'Chuck-It List' to identify things you no longer want to do. This helps you focus on what really matters as you get older.
  2. Aging brings a realization that some dreams may not come true, but that's okay. It's normal to let go of things that no longer fit your life or interests.
  3. It's important to prioritize your time and energy wisely. Don’t waste them on activities or responsibilities that don't bring you joy or fulfillment.

Goodbye Cairo Dispatch, Hello Caravanserai

Caravanserai with Samantha Childress • 1139 implied HN points • 23 Jan 24
🎭️ Culture Travel Personal Stories Experiences Creativity
  1. The newsletter has a new name and focus: Caravanserai, centered on personal stories and world cultures
  2. Caravanserai is inspired by the historical roadside inns along the Silk Road where travelers exchanged stories and experiences
  3. Readers can continue to enjoy personal tales and insights in this transformed publication

How to Like Things More

Common Sense with Bari Weiss • 2861 implied HN points • 11 Jan 25
🎭️ Culture Art Food Music Literature Entertainment
  1. You can learn to enjoy things more by practicing. Like any skill, enjoying experiences takes effort and attention.
  2. Focus on the details that make something special. Instead of just noticing the obvious, try to find the layers beneath the surface.
  3. Sometimes, it's about shifting your perspective. Looking at different aspects of what you like can deepen your appreciation and make the experience more rewarding.

The woman behind the viral Texas breakup speaks

Taylor Lorenz's Newsletter • 3941 implied HN points • 23 Oct 24
🎭️ Culture Social media Relationships Viral Trends Digital Communication Youth culture
  1. A musician named Jillian Lavin shared her painful breakup story, where she moved to Texas for her boyfriend, who later ended things with a note. Her video went viral, sparking lots of reactions online.
  2. Different social media platforms reacted differently to Lavin's story. People on Twitter were harsher, while those on Instagram showed more compassion and understanding.
  3. Lavin expressed that despite her viral fame, she'd give it up to be back with her ex-boyfriend, highlighting the emotional toll of the breakup and the public's reaction.

An influencer is suing another influencer for copying her aesthetic. Can she win?

Taylor Lorenz's Newsletter • 3463 implied HN points • 27 Nov 24
🎭️ Culture Social media Influencers Copyright Law Digital Content Trends
  1. An influencer is suing another influencer for copying her style and content. This case could change how online creators protect their unique aesthetics.
  2. The lawsuit raises questions about whether copying someone's visual vibe should be legally protected. Many experts think the original influencer's claim may not hold up in court.
  3. Similarities among creators are common online, but some influencers are frustrated with others who imitate their content too closely. This case could impact how influencers navigate creative boundaries.

How I’m spending Dead Week

Austin Kleon • 5315 implied HN points • 27 Dec 22
🎭️ Culture Lifestyle Traditions Self-care Reflection Leisure
  1. The week between Christmas and New Year's, called Dead Week, is a time to relax and not feel pressure to achieve much. It's a break from the usual hustle and bustle.
  2. Re-reading notebooks and journals can help reflect on the year. It's a comforting way to see what was accomplished and what was not.
  3. Taking time for small pleasures, like relaxing baths and enjoying junk food or fun movies, helps unwind and enjoy the end of the year. It's okay to take it easy and just enjoy life.

Spin the Bottle, Roll the Dice

Seven Senses • 799 implied HN points • 09 Mar 24
🎭️ Culture Adventure Food Travel Personal Experience Tradition
  1. Using randomness in your adventures can make them more exciting. By spinning a bottle and rolling dice, you can discover new places that you might not have chosen otherwise.
  2. You don’t need to travel far to have a memorable day out. A local adventure can be just as fulfilling when approached with open-mindedness and curiosity.
  3. Every encounter can add meaning to your day. Whether it's a chat with a local or visiting unique spots, these moments can contribute to an overall magical experience.

Elon Musk the dadfluencer + The female creator safety tax

Taylor Lorenz's Newsletter • 2508 implied HN points • 14 Feb 25
🎭️ Culture Social media Influencers Parenting Safety Music
  1. Elon Musk is trying to change how people see him by showing himself as a caring dad. He brings his son to public events to create a more relatable image.
  2. Female creators face higher safety costs than male creators, often needing to spend a lot of money to protect themselves from threats like doxxing and stalking.
  3. Spotify's influence on music has changed how artists create and how listeners enjoy music. The platform's algorithms have reshaped music production and industry dynamics.

The Unraveling of a Royal Fairytale

Culture Study • 7348 implied HN points • 13 Mar 24
🎭️ Culture Royalty Celebrity Media Photography Entertainment
  1. The royal family's image control is rooted in their historical role as commodities, affecting how public perceive their every move.
  2. Princess Catherine's carefully crafted image contrasts with the destabilizing effect of Meghan Markle's outspokenness and mixed-race identity.
  3. The unraveling of the royal fairytale is symbolized by the mishandling of Princess Catherine's health crisis, exposing the monarchy's struggles to maintain control in a changing media landscape.

It’s a Fascist! It’s a Communist! No, It’s Superman!

Common Sense with Bari Weiss • 1052 implied HN points • 14 Jul 25
🎭️ Culture Film Media Politics Society Pop culture
  1. The new Superman movie has sparked a big debate, with people on the right calling it 'superwoke' because of its themes. It shows how even a superhero film can get caught up in political arguments.
  2. Director James Gunn emphasized that Superman is an immigrant, which some people on the right found very controversial. This added fuel to the fire of political opinions about the film.
  3. Not everyone on the left is happy about the film either, indicating that opinions about Superman are divided among both sides of the political spectrum.

Here's to you, "Mrs. Robinson"

Rock 'n' Roll with Me • 399 implied HN points • 16 May 24
🎭️ Culture Film Music History Art Social Issues
  1. The song 'Mrs. Robinson' from the movie 'The Graduate' became a cultural icon and reflected the generational divide of the 1960s. It showed the struggles of young people against their parents' expectations.
  2. Both the film and the soundtrack were huge successes, winning numerous awards and ranking high on various lists, highlighting the powerful impact of music in cinema.
  3. Paul Simon's creative process led to the song's development during filming, showcasing how spontaneous ideas can turn into timeless classics that resonate with many people.

Waking-Up Times, In Order

The Chatner • 2063 implied HN points • 27 Jul 23
🎭️ Culture Daily Life Routine Humor
  1. Waking up early at 5am for special occasions can be a unique experience.
  2. Waking up at 5:30am might be necessary for those with demanding responsibilities, like being the only doctor in town.
  3. A 6am wake-up call may lead to feeling conceited in the morning and unproductive in the afternoon.