The hottest Culture Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
Category
Top Culture Topics

Best of the Best: Year End Awards

Range Widely • 1002 implied HN points • 19 Dec 23
🎭️ Culture Literature Philosophy Science History Art & Illustration
  1. The awards featured various categories like Best Quote for One's Own Obituary and Best Nobel/Olympic Family.
  2. Interesting fact shared about the empty space in atoms: if atom nucleus was the size of a tennis ball, the electron would be orbiting in New Jersey.
  3. Fascinating insights on different topics, from Saxon riddles to Nobel Prize connections, were shared in the post.

The vibration is the way in

Austin Kleon • 2977 implied HN points • 10 Mar 23
🎭️ Culture Art Literature Music Film Writing
  1. Good creativity comes from knowing when to take ideas and when to create something new. It's about making the right choices in what to borrow and what to invent.
  2. Getting to explore exciting events, like SXSW, can be a great way to find new ideas and inspirations. Even without a badge, you can enjoy the vibe and discover new experiences.
  3. Just like flowers, people thrive in different conditions. Some need more nurturing, while others can grow strong anywhere.

These are the good ol’ days

Austin Kleon • 2158 implied HN points • 06 Jun 23
🎭️ Culture Nostalgia Memory Identity History Art
  1. Nostalgia can bring comfort and happiness, reminding us of good times from the past. But it can also distort how we see things now and make us forget about the present.
  2. While nostalgia can be a way to escape reality, a little bit of it can help us reconnect with ourselves and appreciate who we are now.
  3. We should cherish our current moments because they will turn into nostalgia one day. It's important to enjoy life and make memories while we still can.

Redneck Cosmopolitanism

Justin E. H. Smith's Hinternet • 898 implied HN points • 09 Jun 25
🎭️ Culture Social Class Music Personal narrative Philosophy Art
  1. Class is complex and doesn't just depend on income; it's about background, education, and feelings of belonging too. People can feel insecure about their class, even if they seem to be doing well.
  2. A person's past and family history can deeply affect their current sense of security and identity. This can create a feeling of always being at risk of losing what they've gained.
  3. Striving for personal meaning and supporting others can help combat feelings of insecurity and give life a richer purpose. It's about finding fulfillment beyond just financial success.
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Bari’s Picks of the Week: Hidden Figures

Common Sense with Bari Weiss • 579 implied HN points • 15 Aug 25
🎭️ Culture Society Media Entertainment Ethics Politics
  1. There are exciting developments in gene editing. Soon, it might be possible to design babies with specific traits, which raises a lot of ethical questions.
  2. Amanda Knox forgave the people who wrongfully convicted her, showing a remarkable ability to move past her past and share her story genuinely.
  3. Omeed Malik made a surprising shift from supporting Democrats to becoming a key supporter in the MAGA movement, blending his connections and business interests in interesting ways.

15 things I consumed this week

Maybe Baby • 772 implied HN points • 04 Jul 25
🎭️ Culture Media Literature Art Lifestyle Music
  1. Discovering new voices and stories can be enlightening, like the profile of a sound recordist who captures life on Earth. It shows how diverse experiences can connect us.
  2. Celebrating milestones, like weddings, creates a deep sense of joy and community. It's important to cherish moments spent with loved ones.
  3. Consuming a variety of content each week keeps our perspectives fresh and interesting. Trying different articles, ideas, or experiences helps us grow.

Why a former New York Times editor launched her own women-focused magazine

Simon Owens's Media Newsletter • 199 implied HN points • 14 Nov 25
🎭️ Culture Media Gender Community Journalism Publishing
  1. Francesca Donner felt there weren't enough female voices in mainstream media, so she decided to create her own space.
  2. She launched an online magazine called the Persistent, which is all about women writers and perspectives.
  3. Francesca wants to build a strong community through her magazine and is thinking carefully about putting content behind a paywall.

Houses and homes

The Art of Enchantment, with Dr Sharon Blackie • 2795 implied HN points • 23 Oct 22
🎭️ Culture Personal Stories Home
  1. Home is a personal and evolving concept influenced by past experiences and individual needs.
  2. The author reflects on the significance of different houses lived in throughout life and the impact they had on her sense of identity and belonging.
  3. Finding a true sense of home involves creating a space that allows for personal growth and self-discovery, separate from past traumas and relationships.

Vol. 2, Issue 34 - A Tribute to Rachael Lillis

Johto Times • 39 implied HN points • 22 Aug 24
🎭️ Culture Entertainment Anime Comics Media Tribute
  1. Rachael Lillis was a talented voice actress known for bringing characters like Misty and Jessie to life in the Pokémon anime. Many fans have fond memories of her performances, which shaped their childhood experiences.
  2. She sadly passed away on August 10, 2024, after battling breast cancer, and her loss is deeply felt in the Pokémon community. People are sharing their love and tributes to celebrate her contributions.
  3. The 2024 Pokémon World Championships took place recently, showcasing new champions and announcements for upcoming games. Fans can look forward to more exciting Pokémon content in the future.

On TWBA, Yuki's Revenge and One-Film Supercuts of Two-Part Movies

Textual Variations • 66 implied HN points • 14 Jan 26
🎭️ Culture Film Film criticism Film Industry Animation Pop culture Television
  1. Kill Bill works better as a single, unified film and the whole cut strengthens the final twist. However, poor theatrical projection and some redundant sequences (like duplicate driving scenes) hurt the viewing experience.
  2. Yuki’s Revenge is a Fortnite-style animated short adapted almost verbatim from an early unused chapter, showing how Yuki and Gogo were merged during rewrites. It’s entertaining but non-canonical and repeats material already present in the main film.
  3. One-film supercuts of two-part movies are surprisingly rare even though directors and audiences show interest. Practical barriers like cost, logistics, and studio choices seem to limit more combined editions despite their creative potential.

Richard Dawkins's Nonsense Makes Me Miss the Not-Quite-New Atheism of Quentin Smith

Philosophy for the People w/Ben Burgis • 399 implied HN points • 14 Apr 24
🎭️ Culture Religion Media
  1. Public atheism could have focused more on atheism itself rather than being a part of the culture war.
  2. Richard Dawkins was once a prominent figure in popular culture, featured in TV shows like South Park and The Simpsons.
  3. The author misses the approach to atheism presented by Quentin Smith, different from the politicized anti-theism seen in public discourse.

A Very Thankful Thanksgiving

Inland Nobody • 160 implied HN points • 27 Nov 25
🎭️ Culture Lifestyle Relationships Personal Growth Celebrations Writing
  1. Moving to a new city can lead to exciting and unexpected experiences, like finding love almost immediately.
  2. Having a good year can boost your mood and motivation, making you feel like things are going your way.
  3. It's important to take your time with creative projects to ensure they are the best they can be before sharing them with others.

Pizza night movie logbooks

Austin Kleon • 1738 implied HN points • 25 Jul 23
🎭️ Culture Family life Movies Traditions Entertainment Food
  1. Pizza night with the family has become a fun and anticipated weekly ritual. It's a time for everyone to enjoy a movie together while sharing a meal.
  2. Choosing movies is a fun process where not all favorites align, and that's okay. The focus is on finding what the kids enjoy, even if it differs from adult classics.
  3. There are endless movies to watch, and exploring different genres keeps things exciting. Recommendations and personal research help find appropriate choices for family movie nights.

"People smile and tell me I'm the lucky one"

Disaffected Newsletter • 1518 implied HN points • 18 Sep 23
🎭️ Culture Art Music Society Nostalgia Identity
  1. People feel nostalgic for the past and believe we've lost important values like family and community. The modern world seems to ignore what came before.
  2. There's a sense that music today lacks the beauty and melody of earlier times. Many songs now are more about rhythm and spoken word than actual singing.
  3. Reflecting on the past can help us remember loved ones and their struggles. There’s hope in seeing how family can learn from past mistakes and create better futures.

Can we make death better?

Random Minds by Katherine Brodsky • 131 implied HN points • 19 Dec 25
🎭️ Culture Mortality End-of-life Palliative Care Grief Rituals Spirituality Community
  1. People who have near-death experiences often report calm, acceptance, or vivid spiritual sensations, which suggests the brain may have ways to ease the transition even if the exact causes aren’t proven.
  2. Much of the fear around death comes from the unknown, worries about meaning, pain, and being alone, so talking openly and making end-of-life plans can reduce suffering for both the dying and their loved ones.
  3. Dying can be improved by expanding palliative and hospice care, creating kinder, more beautiful environments, and offering emotional support like end-of-life doulas, volunteer companions, Death Cafés, and carefully studied therapies (including psychedelics) to ease pain and anxiety.

Gamifying the Self for Status and Profit

Freddie deBoer • 5847 implied HN points • 15 Jan 24
🎭️ Culture Social media Media Journalism
  1. Web 2.0 principles underlying online platforms can be toxic and damaging to journalism and media.
  2. The pressure for individuals in the reporting and opinionating business to be on Twitter created a culture where tweeting was perceived as necessary for existence in the industry.
  3. Twitter and similar constant mass-broadcasting services can lead to peer pressure, conformity, and hinder independence of thought in journalism and commentary.

Male inadequacy drives infertility

Kvetch • 135 implied HN points • 13 Dec 25
🎭️ Culture Gender Family Relationships Work Fertility Marriage
  1. Many women pursue education and careers as insurance against unreliable or abusive partners so they can support themselves if a marriage fails.
  2. Long, demanding career paths often delay childbearing and can leave women regretting missed fertility, with some professions effectively shutting the window on having kids.
  3. Women’s independence breaks the old division-of-labour family model, creating a need for new social or policy solutions that let women be financially secure without sacrificing the children they want.

How to Want Things Again

The Algorithmic Bridge • 785 implied HN points • 07 Jul 25
🎭️ Culture Digital Culture Social media Psychology Behavioral Science Human experience
  1. Our brains love the endless cycle of scrolling through social media more than actually watching content. We get hooked on the idea of what's next rather than what we're currently seeing.
  2. To change this habit, we can trick our brains into wanting healthier activities by consciously choosing to replace old vices with new, positive ones like reading or exercising.
  3. Fear of losing out on a fulfilling life can push us to take action. Reflecting on what we might lose if we don't change can motivate us to move away from a zombie-like existence.

Gwyneth Paltrow says she is looking forward to her "crone" years.

Changing The Channel • 1435 implied HN points • 03 Oct 23
🎭️ Culture Age Gender History
  1. Gwyneth Paltrow is embracing her 'crone' years, a time of wisdom and insight in the second half of life.
  2. The term 'Crone' historically refers to a wise older woman with experience and perspective.
  3. Society lacks a cultural appreciation for Wise Women like it does for Wise Men, and the archetype of the Crone needs to be rediscovered and celebrated.

Desolation Row

Daily Dreher • 1356 implied HN points • 22 Oct 23
🎭️ Culture Social Commentary Personal narrative
  1. The post discusses a meeting with Gad Saad, an evolutionary biologist with a significant online following.
  2. The author expresses a wish to disagree with Prof. Saad about something after reflecting on recent events.
  3. Readers are encouraged to subscribe for a 7-day free trial to access more of Rod Dreher's Diary.

Freedoom

¡Do Not Panic! • 1434 implied HN points • 28 Mar 23
🎭️ Culture Society Media Environment Beliefs Freedom
  1. People socially construct their reality, which can clash with natural brute facts.
  2. Post-truthism has become mainstream, with various political groups denying natural realities like the ongoing pandemic.
  3. Society's focus on individuality and consumerism creates a culture in denial, ignoring the collision course with natural realities like climate change.

the paris diaries

Mind Mine • 1434 implied HN points • 21 Jul 23
🎭️ Culture Travel Personal Growth Philosophy Society Lifestyle
  1. The author explores the concept of feeling like a foreigner in one's own home but finding a sense of belonging in other places.
  2. Observations on the enjoyment and slower pace of life in Paris compared to North America, appreciating the French culture of savoring moments.
  3. Reflections on the idea of choosing one's own path in life and the importance of embodiment and physical connection in personal growth.

Against Nonlinear

Thing of Things • 805 implied HN points • 18 Jan 24
🎭️ Culture Critique Community Ethics Transparency Values
  1. Effective altruist culture should prioritize spending resources efficiently for doing good.
  2. Career opportunities in effective altruism should be based on merit and skills, not connections or social status.
  3. Maintaining transparency and accountability is crucial for building trust and ensuring the effectiveness of organizations in the effective altruism movement.

Preaching to the choir

Austin Kleon • 2837 implied HN points • 17 Mar 23
🎭️ Culture Art Literature Music Education Social Issues
  1. It's important to share ideas and creativity with friends and community. Connecting with others can inspire new thoughts and strengthen relationships.
  2. Reading and listening to influential figures can spark new insights. Ursula Franklin's work on silence and technology is a great example of this.
  3. When you believe in your ideas, it shows. Loving what you create can lead to more meaningful and impactful work.

Bone Shard Collection #1

Living Fossils • 12 implied HN points • 18 Feb 26
🎭️ Culture Psychology Behavior Motivation Social norms Evolution Decision-making
  1. Satiation explains why people stop in the moment, but long-term motivation is shaped by expectations, positive feedback, and getting used to outcomes, so success often raises the bar instead of ending desire.
  2. Price not only buys measurable quality but also sets social expectations and norms, so paying more gives you both better service and greater standing to demand higher standards.
  3. Wisdom usually comes late because what is "wise" depends on context and changing tradeoffs, so evolution didn’t hardwire one perfect rule and people learn over time which rules fit different situations.

Lo, a Substack

So Here’s a Thing • 1415 implied HN points • 25 Feb 23
🎭️ Culture Writing Art Music Cooking
  1. The Substack will have a variety of content like writing thoughts, art, music, and recipes, making it an interesting mix for readers.
  2. The author promises not to spam your inbox with multiple emails and aims to be at least the second or fourth most interesting thing you read in a day.
  3. The first substantial post on the Substack is scheduled for tomorrow.

Obsessed with virtue signalling

antoniomelonio • 106 implied HN points • 29 Dec 25
🎭️ Culture Political culture Identity politics Activism Civic Life Public Opinion Social media Philanthropy Moral Psychology
  1. People substitute gestures for real change, performing moral purity with slogans and selfies instead of building long-term power or policy.
  2. Protests, charity, and public outrage are often curated performances—consumable, brand-safe acts that release guilt but avoid risk, organization, or structural disruption.
  3. The result is political sterility: righteous signaling and binary demonizing destroy leverage, neutralize dissent, and prevent meaningful reforms.

Justin Baldoni and the Death of Man-Bun Feminism

Common Sense with Bari Weiss • 1646 implied HN points • 18 Feb 25
🎭️ Culture Pop culture Entertainment Feminism Social Issues Celebrity News
  1. Justin Baldoni, once seen as a strong male feminist ally, is now facing serious accusations of sexual harassment from his co-star, Blake Lively.
  2. The situation has escalated with Baldoni suing Lively, claiming she is trying to extort him and releasing evidence to support his case.
  3. Despite the serious nature of these accusations, some reacted with humor in public appearances, which seems inappropriate given the circumstances.

15 things Mallory consumed this week

Maybe Baby • 646 implied HN points • 25 Jul 25
🎭️ Culture Lifestyle Trends Food Media Influencers
  1. Mallory shared her weekly experiences by listing 15 things she consumed, offering a personal glimpse into her life. It's a fun way to connect with readers and show what interests her.
  2. The format of sharing personal pieces, like influences or habits, encourages community and engagement among readers. It makes the content relatable and conversational.
  3. The post highlights the trend of personal storytelling in blogs, making content feel more intimate. Readers often enjoy seeing the everyday lives of others, which helps build a connection.