The hottest Culture Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
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The Vile Leading The Lost

So Here’s a Thing • 1671 implied HN points • 18 Sep 23
🎭️ Culture Celebrity Media Gender Social Issues Entertainment
  1. The Attention Economy rewards those who attract the most attention, regardless of the content or quality of that attention.
  2. Insecurity Vampires like Russell Brand and Elon Musk thrive on exploiting the lost and confused, pushing controversial views for profit.
  3. There is a growing danger in mainstream media perpetuating damaging stereotypes about masculinity, which can be preyed upon by manipulative figures like Tate and Carlson.

a postrationalist syllabus

eigenrobot,s Blog • 1670 implied HN points • 12 Sep 23
🎭️ Culture Literature Philosophy Anthropology History Metacognition
  1. Postrationalism is a cultural influence that never actually existed, but influences can still be studied and emulated.
  2. The selection of cultural touchstones in the syllabus is subjective, reflecting one individual's perspective within the realm of postrationalism.
  3. The syllabus encompasses a wide range of topics, including anthropology, language, stories, synthetic history, metacognition, ways to live, and more.
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We hate brands. We love marketing.

The Social Juice • 127 implied HN points • 27 Dec 25
🎭️ Culture Social media Advertising Brands Media AI Creator Economy Marketing
  1. People mostly passively scroll feeds and don’t come with intent, so every view forces creators and brands to re-earn permission through creative hooks and purposeful content, making social platforms exhausting but hard to leave.
  2. Old media is losing influence while creator-driven new media wins distribution but borrows traditional aesthetics to claim authority, which fuels layoffs, acquisitions, diluted standards, and more competition.
  3. Brands are widely mistrusted even as marketing becomes culturally loved; big agencies are consolidating and selling security with CRMs and AI, driving job churn, and brands often step into public roles without fixing the underlying problems.

#196: What else is there?

Maybe Baby • 2845 implied HN points • 10 Nov 24
🎭️ Culture Community Parenting Mental health Personal Growth Social connection
  1. Cleaning can be a way to cope with feelings of anger and frustration. Taking action, like organizing your space, can help you feel more in control.
  2. Being part of a community can help reduce feelings of isolation. Simple interactions, like greeting neighbors or attending local events, can bring joy and connection.
  3. Leaving your comfort zone is important for personal growth. Taking small steps to engage with the world outside can lead to better mental health and a sense of belonging.

Cranking back the years

Brands Mean a Lot • 44 implied HN points • 26 Jan 26
🎭️ Culture Film Music Politics History Media Society
  1. Entertainment is leaning heavily on older work instead of new ideas. Big streaming shares and top box office hits now come from catalog tracks, sequels, or established franchises.
  2. Politics is showing a similar pull toward the past, with movements and policies that aim to restore earlier versions of the country and even echo old-style land grabs and authoritarian practices.
  3. These cultural and political retro trends feed each other, encouraging isolationism and slower change that makes ego-driven actions more plausible, even as many people continue to find comfort in older art.

The Ownership Problem: Why We Get Territorial And What To Do About It

The Caring Techie Newsletter • 13 implied HN points • 24 Feb 26
🎭️ Culture Workplace Teamwork Leadership Collaboration Management Communication
  1. Territorial behavior is treating parts of the work as yours to protect instead of yours to share; it shows up as shutting down ideas, hoarding knowledge, and funnelling decisions through one person.
  2. It usually stems from lack of trust, fear of losing control or job security, past bad experiences, or simply being overwhelmed.
  3. You can counter it by leading with curiosity, doing your homework, including owners early, and—if you’re the territorial one—engaging ideas, asking questions, being principled when you say no, and naming what you actually need. Unchecked territoriality slows teams and will be costlier as AI and generated code blur ownership.

How to Do Soul-Craft with State Tools

Justin E. H. Smith's Hinternet • 1088 implied HN points • 29 May 25
🎭️ Culture Literacy Technology Education Cognition AI
  1. Writing started as a tool for controlling people and managing resources, not for storytelling. It helped governments keep track of what was going on in society.
  2. Getting everyone to be able to read took a long time and a lot of changes in how writing works. It went from a complex system to something much simpler and easier for people to learn.
  3. Reading isn't something we naturally do; it requires special training of our brains. If we don't keep investing in literacy, it could easily disappear and only be accessible to a few people.

My Internet: Brynn Wallner

Embedded • 963 implied HN points • 12 Jan 24
🎭️ Culture Social media Online Trends Podcasts Music Fashion
  1. Brynn Wallner uses Instagram for work but doesn't feel comfortable keeping up with the online discourse for leisure.
  2. Brynn Wallner appreciates the creative potential of AI but is concerned about its sourcing information without proper fact-checking.
  3. Brynn Wallner enjoys Lana Del Rey's internet presence and follows Leila Rahimi's eclectic music playlists on Spotify.

15 things I consumed this week

Maybe Baby • 633 implied HN points • 15 Aug 25
🎭️ Culture Entertainment Lifestyle Social Trends Personal reflections Arts
  1. Feeling low and tired at home was part of the week, but celebrating a birthday lifted the mood. Sometimes having fun can really help shake off the blues.
  2. This year, there was no stress about turning a year older, which may come with age or life experience. It's nice to reach a point where birthdays feel less overwhelming.
  3. A lot happened throughout the week, which included various content consumed. Exploring different things can be a good way to keep life interesting.

Wiggly Consistency

Seven Senses • 879 implied HN points • 25 Jan 24
🎭️ Culture Creativity Habits Art Routine Personal Growth
  1. Building consistency in your daily habits can lead to positive changes in your life. Small, regular actions can help you feel more secure and grounded.
  2. Starting small with new habits is often better than going all in right away. Even two minutes of a new practice can help you develop a routine without feeling overwhelmed.
  3. Flexibility in your routines is important. Consistency shouldn't feel like a strict schedule; it should allow for moments when you can stray away without feeling like you've failed.

A terrific, paranoid Irish serial-killer noir set in Northern Ireland, a wild Hong Kong action-comedy classic, and some excellent Balearic jazz

Read Max • 711 implied HN points • 04 Aug 25
🎭️ Culture Books Movies Music Art Media
  1. There's a gripping Irish serial-killer story set in Belfast that fans of dark thrillers might enjoy. It's perfect for those who like intense and twisty plots.
  2. If you're up for some fun, there's a wild Hong Kong action-comedy from the 80s with amazing fight scenes that will keep you entertained.
  3. The music scene is buzzing with fantastic Balearic jazz this summer, so it's a great time to explore some relaxing and jazzy tunes.

The Surprising Pleasures of Widowhood

Common Sense with Bari Weiss • 1057 implied HN points • 08 Jun 25
🎭️ Culture Aging Grief Relationships Personal Growth Wellness
  1. Losing a partner can bring intense feelings, but it can also lead to unexpected happiness and personal growth. Many find that life after loss can be richer than they anticipated.
  2. Being in a support group for caregivers is helpful, as it offers a safe space to share experiences and emotions with others who understand.
  3. Cherishing the good memories and communicating love at the end can bring peace during difficult times and contribute to healing afterward.

How to Adapt an Unadaptable Story

Animation Obsessive • 1973 implied HN points • 31 Jan 25
🎭️ Culture Animation Film Literature Japanese culture Storytelling
  1. Kenji Miyazawa is not very well known outside Japan, but he has greatly influenced Japanese literature and animation. His stories have been cherished by generations of Japanese readers.
  2. The film 'Night on the Galactic Railroad' is a unique adaptation that captures the emotional depth of Miyazawa's work. Director Gisaburo Sugii aimed to express the feelings in Miyazawa's stories through animation.
  3. The film is different from typical animated features, focusing on abstract ideas and emotions instead of concrete realities. This approach makes it a deeply mysterious and emotional experience.

We Need More Content!

Regress Studies • 825 implied HN points • 01 Feb 24
🎭️ Culture Media Social influence Art Society Beliefs
  1. People often believe that creating specific memetic content will influence others to adopt certain ideologies.
  2. The call for cultural production in today's society is often for someone else to create media that will change the beliefs of third-party observers.
  3. Consuming content is not a traditional solution to major problems, and often people demand certain media creations to fix societal issues without clear solutions.

The media industry is bigger than you think it is

Simon Owens's Media Newsletter • 224 implied HN points • 14 Nov 25
🎭️ Culture Media Entertainment Publishing Digital Content Advertising
  1. The media industry is growing, not dying. It's evolving with many new platforms and business models that combine media with other industries.
  2. Self-published authors are using TikTok Shop to sell their books, which can be great but comes with challenges in handling orders and fulfillment.
  3. Streaming services are raising prices significantly, but people continue to subscribe. Many are now canceling services after watching specific shows instead of keeping subscriptions active.

The Audacious Round Up

The Audacity. • 766 implied HN points • 11 Feb 24
🎭️ Culture Books Art Music Politics Food & Drink
  1. The Audacious Book Club has selected 'Martyr!' by Kaveh Akbar, with an upcoming conversation event you can join on February 27th.
  2. Roxane Gay has launched an essay series called 'Roxane Gay Presents' with Everand and has upcoming events in NYC, including a book launch.
  3. Reading material highlights different topics like the situation in Gaza, job opportunities in various media outlets, and entertainment news like interviews and artist profiles.

EXCLUSIVE: Gloria Steinem on boys and men

Of Boys and Men • 75 implied HN points • 20 Jan 26
🎭️ Culture Gender Feminism Masculinity Representation Humanism Social norms
  1. Gender equality should include boys and men as beneficiaries too, and we must break down job and role stereotypes so anyone can pursue caring or technical work regardless of gender.
  2. Joy, humor, and a positive tone make the equality movement more infectious and effective than anger or negativity, so being uplifting matters as much as being critical.
  3. Aim for a humanist future where gender matters less by improving representation, embracing the best parts of different communication and leadership styles, and making sure everyone can see themselves in every role.

Ars Poetica

Seven Senses • 539 implied HN points • 25 Mar 24
🎭️ Culture Poetry Art Music Literature Creative Expression
  1. Poetry connects us to deeper feelings and the divine. Unlike regular language, it speaks to our soul and can feel more complex or mysterious.
  2. Poetry can take many forms beyond written words, including art, sound, and even scents. This shows how flexible and expressive poetry can be.
  3. Everyday experiences can be tied into poetry, whether it's through textiles or video. This makes poetry a part of our daily lives and interactions.

What's Wrong with Stereotypes?

Fake Noûs • 702 implied HN points • 02 Aug 25
🎭️ Culture Sociology Psychology Politics Philosophy Media
  1. Stereotypes are often seen as bad, but they can actually be based on real observations about groups of people. This means that sometimes, they hold more truth than we think.
  2. Critics of stereotypes often argue they are oppressive, but studies suggest individual characteristics play a bigger role in how people are judged than stereotypes do.
  3. Stereotypes can help us make quick assumptions based on past experiences, and it's natural for humans to learn this way; denying this process is unrealistic.

Deserving

New Means • 1611 implied HN points • 16 Apr 23
🎭️ Culture Society Ideology History Myths Beliefs
  1. Capitalism thrives on the dangerous faith that everyone deserves very little except for the wealthy elite.
  2. The concept of deserving is deeply ingrained in society and has evolved to emphasize extreme luxury and material possessions.
  3. In a capitalist society, rights and needs are not guaranteed but must be fought for through struggle, organization, and collective agreement.

How to beat the resistance (in our head)

A Bit Gamey • 20 implied HN points • 22 Feb 26
🎭️ Culture Creativity Productivity Writing Discipline Habits Routine Mindset
  1. Resistance is an internal voice that negotiates to delay work, disguising avoidance as preparation or realism.
  2. Showing up regularly beats waiting for inspiration; small, concrete starts (one paragraph, one prototype, one screen) break the barrier and create momentum.
  3. Keep it simple and habitual: set a time, act, and measure behaviour instead of identity so work becomes routine and momentum follows.

5 Quick Things #303 ☕️

The Commonplace • 1533 implied HN points • 20 Oct 23
🎭️ Culture Literature Education Art & Illustration Food & Drink Music
  1. The post shares 5 quick things related to date night, Owl, trucking, Parmesan, and the Traditional Latin Mass.
  2. Tsh Oxenreider discusses various topics like virtues, children's books, parenting surprises, Parmesan cheese history, and the Traditional Latin Mass.
  3. The post includes links for further reading, a reader poll on favorite meal, and quick links for creating a Rule of Life, podcasts, ordering books, and joining a Greece trip.

These Grapes Are Sour

The Reclamation Era • 179 implied HN points • 24 Jun 24
🎭️ Culture Parenting Literature Vulnerability Grief Personal Growth
  1. It's okay to feel sad about what we couldn't achieve. Being honest about our feelings can be tough but it's a part of healing.
  2. Sometimes we convince ourselves that what we didn't get wasn't really valuable. Acknowledging our true desires is important.
  3. Vulnerability can be a strength. Sharing our struggles may help us connect with others and find support.

How to be more earnestly curious

Adaobi’s Newsletter • 17 implied HN points • 20 Feb 26
🎭️ Culture Social Skills Communication Relationships Personal Growth Empathy Virtue ethics
  1. Earnest curiosity is a quiet, warm way of listening that makes people feel known and interesting.
  2. It naturally includes people and disarms defensiveness by assuming best intent, which makes honest conversation possible.
  3. You can practice it with simple habits—ask how people spend their time, follow and recount conversational threads, keep eye contact, notice outsiders, and follow up on incomplete answers.

Notes not from Cannes

Thoughts on Writing • 179 implied HN points • 24 Jun 24
🎭️ Culture Creativity Purpose Advertising Awards Diversity
  1. Purpose in marketing needs to be rigorously examined to ensure it genuinely makes a positive impact on society, beyond just emotional storytelling.
  2. Judges should be empowered to focus on creativity in awards, ensuring entries are judged based on creativity rather than personal criteria or biases.
  3. There is a concern that the focus on purpose and diversity in awards may be devaluing creativity and leading to work that is detached from what the public actually likes.

Cities are routers in network society

Subconscious • 988 implied HN points • 05 Jun 25
🎭️ Culture Media Society Urbanism Technology Communication
  1. Cities act like routers in our connected world, linking people and resources together. They help create community and make life easier.
  2. Internet and networks change how power and information flow. Unlike old broadcast systems that focus on a center, networks spread connections widely.
  3. With new technology, many people are becoming digital nomads. They can work from anywhere, making cities hubs for gatherings and shared experiences again.