The hottest Culture Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
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Top Culture Topics

Was She the Greatest Kingmaker of the 20th Century?

Common Sense with Bari Weiss • 561 implied HN points • 30 Jun 25
🎭️ Culture Biographies Politics History Women Society
  1. Pamela Harriman was a key figure in 20th-century politics, known for using her charm and connections to influence important leaders.
  2. She married into the Churchill family and had an eventful life, including a troubled marriage and later becoming influential in U.S. politics.
  3. Her story highlights how personal relationships can play a huge role in shaping political power dynamics.

Book Club: Some notes on the strange beauty of energy infrastructure

The Newsletter of (Not Quite) Everything • 530 implied HN points • 27 Jan 24
🎭️ Culture Literature Environment Nature Parenting
  1. Coal mining has a deep history and emotional attachment for many, even as we transition to renewable energy sources.
  2. Renewable energy like wind power is seen as an obvious and compelling solution for energy needs.
  3. Industrial infrastructure, even when old or decommissioned, can evoke a sense of nostalgia and admiration for human achievement.
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Do you have a nemesis?

Austin Kleon • 1438 implied HN points • 13 Jun 23
🎭️ Culture Art Literature Philosophy Society Creativity
  1. Having a nemesis can help us understand ourselves better. By comparing ourselves with someone else, we can see what makes our work unique.
  2. It's okay to feel envy towards others; it can actually be useful. This feeling can help us figure out what we want to achieve in our own work.
  3. Instead of letting envy pull us down, we can use it to motivate us. It's about turning those feelings into something positive that drives our creativity.

When Did You First Feel Like *Yourself*?

Culture Study • 1577 implied HN points • 06 Dec 24
🎭️ Culture Identity Self-discovery Personal Growth Society Community
  1. People often reflect on the moment they first felt truly themselves. It's a big question about self-identity.
  2. This journey to feeling like yourself can involve being comfortable with who you are, your looks, and your goals.
  3. Some may have taken active steps to become their true selves, while for others it might have been a natural progression.

Review: Kyle Chayka's Filterworld

Freddie deBoer • 3620 implied HN points • 04 Mar 24
🎭️ Culture Art Fashion Literature Technology Social media
  1. The book delves into how algorithms have fundamentally reshaped human aesthetic production online and offline.
  2. Algorithms heavily influence culture and trends, even extending to architecture and interior design.
  3. The author addresses the challenge of standing out in today's saturated creative landscape shaped by algorithms, emphasizing the importance of navigating and adapting to the digital environment.

How They Made 'Where the Wild Things Are'

Animation Obsessive • 1524 implied HN points • 06 Dec 24
🎭️ Culture Animation Film Literature Art
  1. Gene Deitch was a skilled artist known for adapting children's picture books into animated films, particularly the beloved 'Where the Wild Things Are.'
  2. Deitch saw adapting Maurice Sendak's picture book as a monumental challenge, comparing it to climbing 'Mount Everest' in the literary world.
  3. The process of transforming books into films requires a unique approach and understanding of the source material to resonate with audiences.

Aging Badly

SBJournal • 491 implied HN points • 06 Feb 24
🎭️ Culture Friendship Family Dynamics
  1. Debi faced unexpected challenges when she was cut from the dancing schedule after years of service.
  2. Debi's life took a drastic turn, including getting married and dealing with a tragic event involving her friends.
  3. The narrator, feeling overwhelmed by responsibilities, finally reaches a breaking point and realizes the need for a major change.

Thinking outside of your head

Austin Kleon • 1858 implied HN points • 04 Apr 23
🎭️ Culture Creativity Cognition Education Social Interaction Mindfulness
  1. We don't just think in our heads; our bodies and surroundings also help us think better. Moving around and being in nature can really boost our creativity.
  2. Social interactions play a big role in our thinking. Learning from others and sharing ideas helps us understand what we really know.
  3. Writing things down or mapping out our thoughts helps clear our minds. It's like giving our ideas a space to grow and connect with each other.

Friday Thread: How do you find a satisfying work "why"?

The Recovering Academic • 554 implied HN points • 19 Jan 24
🎭️ Culture Workplace dynamics Identity Purpose Professional development
  1. When searching for satisfying work, it's common to grapple with questions of identity, purpose, and personal values.
  2. Finding an employer or work environment that aligns with your 'why' can be challenging, even if you know your purpose.
  3. Balancing personal authenticity and branding in professional life is a complex puzzle that many individuals struggle to solve.

Dating is broken. Two old books can solve it.

The Rubesletter by Matt Ruby (of Vooza) | Sent every Tuesday • 427 implied HN points • 01 Aug 25
🎭️ Culture Relationships Media Literature Social Trends Personal Growth
  1. Modern dating is challenging for many people today. Many singles experience frustration and disappointment due to common issues like bad profiles and toxic behavior.
  2. Two specific books from 2005 claim to offer solutions for these dating problems. One book focuses on helping women, while the other addresses men's dating struggles.
  3. Despite the complexity of dating apps, these books suggest simple ideas that can improve dating experiences. You don't even have to read them fully to benefit from the advice they contain.

OSD 355: Truck guns, front door guns, and other negative expected value bets

Open Source Defense • 91 implied HN points • 11 Dec 25
🎭️ Culture Self defense
  1. Don’t answer the door with a visible gun — if a knock makes you want a gun in hand, you’re usually safer keeping the door closed and the gun concealed.
  2. Keeping a gun in your truck or staging guns around the house is often a negative expected value move because of theft, damage, poor maintenance, and accidental harm; if you need quick access, carry instead or secure properly.
  3. Follow the law and safe carry practices: violating enforced gun laws or carrying without a rigid holster creates big legal and safety risks, while bedside guns can work only if access is controlled and you’ve trained for middle-of-the-night use.

Algorithms Hijacked My Generation. I Fear For Gen Alpha.

After Babel • 4641 implied HN points • 10 Nov 23
🎭️ Culture Social media Mental health Generation Z Beauty Standards Influencer Culture
  1. Algorithms can lead people to extreme places and influence their behaviors.
  2. Social media algorithms can impact mental health by feeding insecurities and vulnerabilities.
  3. Parents of Generation Alpha should be cautious of the impact algorithms can have on their children's self-image and identity formation.

Schrödinger's Gender

ajkay • 982 implied HN points • 07 Oct 23
🎭️ Culture Identity Ethics Reality Society Fantasy
  1. Failing to validate the preferred gender of trans-identifying people can impact their existence.
  2. Material reality is measurable and observable, different from what exists solely in one's imagination.
  3. Refusing to validate trans-identifying individuals is an ethical choice, even if it amounts to denying their existence.

218: A Thanksgiving Story

Castalia • 779 implied HN points • 24 Nov 23
🎭️ Culture Mental health Veterans Storytelling Documentary Personal narrative
  1. Many veterans face difficult lives filled with trauma, and often struggle to adjust to life after service. Places like Ft. Endurance provide support, but the road to recovery can be very tough.
  2. Scott's journey illustrates the deep emotional and physical pain veterans can endure, alongside their desire for connection and healing. Even small acts, like talking to a horse, can bring a sense of peace.
  3. Mental health struggles are real and ongoing for many veterans, and support from friends and family is crucial. It's important to check in on loved ones and encourage them to seek help.

What you need to know about your car

Disaffected Newsletter • 1438 implied HN points • 05 Jul 23
🎭️ Culture Generational differences Life Skills
  1. Understanding basic car maintenance is really important for keeping your vehicle running well. Things like checking oil levels and changing the oil regularly can prevent big problems.
  2. Cars need coolant to stop the engine from overheating. Always check the coolant level when the car is cold and consider flushing the system yearly.
  3. Pay attention to warning lights in your car. Lights for oil pressure and temperature mean you should pull over immediately, while others, like tire pressure lights, can often be ignored if your tires look fine.

Hang out with Peter!

Peter Boghossian • 471 implied HN points • 10 Feb 24
🎭️ Culture Event Subscription
  1. Paid subscribers can join a Zoom hangout to chat with Peter, ask questions, and give feedback on February 23rd, 2024 at 1 pm PST.
  2. Subscription at $5/month or $50/year funds the production of content through National Progress Alliance and gives access to the Zoom hangout.
  3. A Zoom link will be sent out on the morning of February 23rd to all subscribers who wish to participate in the hangout.

"I was shaking and trembling:" 5 Questions for Indigenous protester Kuthoomi Castro

The Microdose • 982 implied HN points • 10 Jul 23
🎭️ Culture Indigenous Psychedelics Social justice Protest Traditions
  1. Castro discusses concerns about the homogenization of Indigenous traditions in the modern psychedelic movement.
  2. Castro raises issues with the commercialization and appropriation of plant medicines by Western societies.
  3. Castro highlights the importance of protecting Indigenous knowledge and traditions regarding plant medicines.

Dar es Salaam

Splattern • 99 implied HN points • 30 Jun 24
🎭️ Culture Charity Travel Healthcare Economics Education
  1. Giving to those in need is important. We often give more money to those who already have money, but the real help should go to those who really need it, like the sick and hungry.
  2. Life in Dar es Salaam is chaotic but vibrant. People interact freely and share laughter amidst the hustle of busy streets, showing a unique sense of community.
  3. Experiencing nightlife in Tanzania can be liberating. The carefree atmosphere allows people to dance and have fun without the same pressures found in nightclubs elsewhere.

AI gift-giving, gossip surveillance and the tyranny of Spotify Wrapped towns

Links I Would Gchat You If We Were Friends • 738 implied HN points • 02 Dec 23
🎭️ Culture AI Gift Giving Technology Social Issues Entertainment
  1. AI tools like shopping bots are changing how we give gifts, aiming to lessen the emotional labor required for relationship maintenance.
  2. Contrary to popular belief, thoughtful gifts may not always be better received than thoughtless ones, as studies suggest recipients may not always appreciate the effort put into a gift.
  3. While using AI tools for gift-giving can streamline the process and offer good suggestions, it may also risk diluting the emotional and personal connections that come with traditional gift-giving.

Top Links 831 The stained glass moment. Tomato trade wars. The genetics of Heinz 1706 & Nongqongqo

Chartbook • 371 implied HN points • 16 Aug 25
🎭️ Culture Art History Food Trade Society
  1. There is a focus on the impact of stained glass art, particularly highlighting a beautiful example from Oxfordshire. It's a unique blend of art and history, showcasing creativity.
  2. The topic of tomato trade wars from the 1990s is discussed, emphasizing agricultural conflicts and their economic impacts. It shows how food trade can be influenced by global politics.
  3. The genetics of certain tomato varieties, like Heinz 1706 and Nongqongqo, are explored. This highlights the importance of agricultural diversity and food innovation.

Nadia Asparouhova on antimemetics, nuclear mysticism, and scrolling

The Generalist • 1320 implied HN points • 16 Jan 25
🎭️ Culture Philosophy Art Literature Technology Society
  1. Some ideas spread slowly or not at all, which is something we don't talk about enough. It's different now with social media, where people often keep their best thoughts private to avoid backlash.
  2. Building relationships through patronage could be more beneficial than just relying on crowdfunding. It creates deeper connections and helps sustain valuable relationships in our lives.
  3. Scrolling through social media makes us lose focus and can lead to a poorer state of mind. It's important to be aware of how this constant distraction affects us.

The Battle for American Masculinity: Buchanan v. Gatsby

Holodoxa • 219 implied HN points • 03 May 24
🎭️ Culture Literature Masculinity Gender Politics Social Commentary American Society
  1. Fitzgerald explores different molds of manhood in 'The Great Gatsby': Gatsby - a disruptor, Nick - an observer, and Tom - a potent but detestable figure.
  2. The character of Tom Buchanan reflects a type of masculinity that has been both condemned and underestimated, termed today as 'toxic masculinity.'
  3. Fitzgerald delves into the complexities of hegemonic masculinity, highlighting the power dynamics and societal norms that shape male behavior and relationships.

James Cameron On AI in Hollywood

SatPost by Trung Phan • 122 implied HN points • 28 Nov 25
🎭️ Culture Film Industry AI Technology Media Trends Creative Arts Cultural Commentary
  1. James Cameron believes AI can speed up film production without cutting jobs, allowing creative teams to work more efficiently.
  2. He argues that while AI can help with visual effects, it cannot replace the unique human touch and individual experiences that actors bring to their performances.
  3. Cameron sees potential for AI to make filmmaking more affordable, enabling new filmmakers to tell innovative stories that might not get funding otherwise.

Here’s A Fake Profile Of Me To Go With The Real One UnHerd Just Published

Singal-Minded • 597 implied HN points • 11 Jun 25
🎭️ Culture Media Identity Social Commentary Personal narrative Food
  1. Having a profile written about you can feel strange, especially if it's very positive. It's normal to feel uncomfortable with too much praise.
  2. People often have different sides to their personalities, and the truth about someone can be a mix of good and bad aspects.
  3. Interacting with someone who is unconventional can lead to unexpected and funny moments, making for a memorable experience.

Why Everywhere We Look, There We Are

Everything Is Amazing • 1547 implied HN points • 05 Dec 24
🎭️ Culture Human behavior Cognitive Science Social Responsibility Environmental Issues Storytelling
  1. People often see faces and familiar patterns in everyday things. This strange trick our brain plays is called pareidolia, and it shows how we connect what we see to ourselves.
  2. Our attachment to objects, like clothing or old gear, can be sentimental. This affection helps us care more about the environment and encourages us to repair instead of throw away.
  3. Understanding our cognitive biases, like pareidolia, can help us be more curious and appreciate the world around us. If we learn to see ourselves in everything, we might treat it all with more care.

News & Views: July

The Abbey of Misrule • 473 implied HN points • 12 Jul 25
🎭️ Culture Art Literature Creativity Society Media
  1. The author recently returned from a long family road trip in the USA, which helped him feel rejuvenated after some health issues. It was a refreshing change from his usual routine.
  2. There's a new campaign called 'Writers Against AI' aimed at artists resisting the rise of AI in creative work. The author believes AI dims the true essence of human creativity.
  3. The author will soon share a mini-series and essays about his book and the implications of AI. He invites other writers to participate in a logo design contest for the campaign.

I'm writing a book about Oh Hell

Matt’s Five Points • 199 implied HN points • 11 May 24
🎭️ Culture Games Writing Leisure Social Narrative
  1. The author is writing a book on Oh Hell, a card game they love and play often. They want to share their passion and knowledge about the game with others.
  2. There is no existing book on Oh Hell, unlike many other card games, which motivates the author to fill this gap in the market.
  3. The book will mix strategy tips with personal stories about the game, showcasing its fun and competitive nature while engaging a broad audience.

Culture is fragmented and so are we

Read, Watch, Binge • 569 implied HN points • 12 Jan 24
🎭️ Culture Pop culture Connection Streaming platforms Social media
  1. Culture is becoming more fragmented, making it harder to find shared experiences with others.
  2. The abundance of entertainment options and personalized content leads to decision fatigue and hinders connection.
  3. Despite fragmented pop culture, bad news and politics have become universal topics for connection, although they can also contribute to polarization.

I Am a Small Part of the Reason Why the Transgender Rights Movement Went Flying off the Rails

I Might Be Wrong • 12 implied HN points • 20 Feb 26
🎭️ Culture Gender LGBTQ+ Media Activism Public Opinion Social movements
  1. Public support for transgender rights — especially allowing people to use bathrooms that match their gender — has dropped sharply in recent years, showing a clear backlash.
  2. Messaging and tone from media and activists matter a lot; mockery, threats, or poorly judged rhetoric can age badly and push people away.
  3. Small choices in how the movement is presented can have big, lasting effects, so honest reflection and a course correction are needed to rebuild support.