The hottest Culture Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
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Top Culture Topics

‘Together’ Is a Scary Proposition

Common Sense with Bari Weiss • 394 implied HN points • 08 Aug 25
🎭️ Culture Film Relationships Horror Comedy Millennials
  1. The film 'Together' blends romance and horror by showing how intimacy can feel scary for millennials. It uses body horror to illustrate the fear of losing one's independence in a relationship.
  2. In the story, a couple believes moving to a new place will fix their issues, but their relationship deteriorates further, showing how love can complicate life.
  3. The film plays with the idea of becoming 'one flesh,' making it physically impossible for the couple to separate, highlighting how deep emotional connections can lead to clinging or feeling trapped.

#205: My TikTok Shop purchase history

Maybe Baby • 1214 implied HN points • 19 Jan 25
🎭️ Culture Consumer behavior Social media Lifestyle Product Reviews
  1. TikTok Shop has become a popular place for online shopping, making billions in sales since its launch. Many people, despite initial hesitations, are drawn to its simplicity and variety.
  2. While some purchases from TikTok Shop can be enjoyable, many items end up being low quality or unnecessary. It's easy to impulse buy when seeing products advertised by relatable users.
  3. Reflecting on buying habits can reveal a lack of thoughtful choices. Sometimes, the urge to shop online can lead to regret and a realization that we didn't really need those items.

Not the best, not the worst

City Quitters • 519 implied HN points • 19 Jan 24
🎭️ Culture Personal Growth Achievement Workplace culture Social norms Mental health
  1. Our culture often pushes us to constantly achieve and compete, but this can lead to burnout and unhappiness. It's okay to not always strive to be the best.
  2. Instead of focusing on individual success and status, we should value relationships and collaboration. A shift towards caring for each other can be more fulfilling.
  3. Giving up the pressure of achievement can be freeing. Embracing who we are, with all our flaws and feelings, can lead to a more authentic and enjoyable life.
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Beware of Lords and Princes?

Reactionary Feminist • 14 implied HN points • 08 Feb 26
🎭️ Culture Public intellectuals Literature Celebrity Media Cultural History
  1. A small group of wealthy financiers and high-profile cultural figures often form informal patronage networks, which recreate old aristocratic dynamics and create temptations and power imbalances.
  2. Historical patronage sometimes funded great art and science and wasn’t automatically corrupt; whether it’s defensible depends on who the patron is and what they demand.
  3. Modern publishing and the internet have gutted traditional writer incomes, forcing many cultural figures to become multi-platform influencers or rely on patrons, which brings real ethical and reputational risks.

Riding or writing

Austin Kleon • 2537 implied HN points • 02 Dec 22
🎭️ Culture Art Music Literature Writing Creativity
  1. Reflecting on the past year is important, like making a list of 100 things that made it special. It's a good way to remember goals and accomplishments.
  2. We lost several influential artists recently, reminding us of their impact on culture and art. Their work continues to inspire many people.
  3. It’s a good season for reading, with many 'best of' book lists coming out. People share their favorites, which is a great way to find new reads.

Boys and men online: Don't panic, do care

Of Boys and Men • 103 implied HN points • 10 Dec 25
🎭️ Culture Gender Youth Digital Life Mental health Addiction Policy
  1. Digital technology isn’t all doom; it can expand agency and connection if we design, use, and regulate it with intention. We need balanced, evidence-based research instead of moral panic or a libertarian shrug.
  2. Young men aren’t being mass-radicalized online; many are retreating into digital spaces and their political views haven’t shifted dramatically. That retreat matters because it links to harms like loneliness and rising suicide, so policies should meet them where they are.
  3. There are real gendered risks from sports betting, addictive platforms, pornography, gaming, and AI companions, and boys and men can be especially vulnerable. We need better guardrails, stronger evidence, and more real-world opportunities for play, connection, and safety.

Male sexual desire is good, actually

Sex and the State • 89 implied HN points • 08 Dec 25
🎭️ Culture Gender Sexuality Masculinity Relationships Feminism Sociology
  1. Male sexual desire isn’t inherently bad. It helps make sex happen, and sex can be fun, intimate, and important for reproduction and connection.
  2. The real problem is gender norms, not desire. Masculinity pressures men to perform constant horniness and to be pushy or entitled, which leads to harmful behavior.
  3. Sex-negativity and shame are the true dangers. Reducing stigma and adopting sex-positive attitudes would be healthier and cut down on harm.

Things Worth Remembering: The Freedom to Offend

Common Sense with Bari Weiss • 3246 implied HN points • 17 Mar 24
🎭️ Culture Speeches Writing Debates Public Speaking
  1. Christopher Hitchens was known for his formidable skills as a public speaker and debater, with some believing he spoke better than he wrote.
  2. Hitch's reputation as a speaker was so esteemed that one should never speak before, with, or after him, according to advice given to Douglas Murray.
  3. Even before achieving peak celebrity status, Hitchens was recognized for his speaking prowess, particularly evident in his renowned book 'God Is Not Great.'

The TikTokification of ASMR

Embedded • 452 implied HN points • 07 Feb 24
🎭️ Culture Internet culture Community Digital Content Art
  1. ASMR has evolved and gained mainstream acceptance over the years, transitioning to TikTok as a popular platform for ASMR content.
  2. Content creators like CozyLotusASMR are finding success by focusing on nature and the outdoors, showcasing ASMR in unique ways.
  3. Knowing your audience and adapting content to different platforms like YouTube and TikTok is key to engaging viewers and building a community.

Hollywood's Real Estate Romance is Over

The Ankler • 923 implied HN points • 07 Jul 23
🎭️ Culture Film Real Estate Writing Housing Market Entertainment industry
  1. The Hollywood industry's writers are facing uncertainty about future work, impacting their ability to invest in real estate.
  2. The soaring real estate market prices in L.A. are making homeownership increasingly unattainable for writers and other entertainment professionals.
  3. The writer strike, combined with other factors like interest rates and taxes, is contributing to a slowdown in real estate transactions across Los Angeles.

A Mummified Modern Murder - The Case of the Persian Princess

Grey Goose Chronicles • 923 implied HN points • 17 Jul 23
🎭️ Culture Archaeology Cultural heritage Documentary
  1. In 2000, a mummy thought to be a Persian princess was discovered in Pakistan, but later found to be a modern woman subject to foul play.
  2. The mummy scandal involved a tangled web of deception, including fake artifacts and conflicting claims from Pakistan, Iran, and Afghan tribal groups.
  3. Experts faced embarrassment as their initial excitement over the archaeological find turned into a criminal investigation revealing a sophisticated hoax.

slowly, but shipping! ⛵️

vrk loves paper • 179 implied HN points • 16 May 24
🎭️ Culture Art Zines Community Creativity Events
  1. Launching a project can take time, and it can be exciting to sell out before it's officially launched. Planning and adjusting orders based on demand is important.
  2. Attending events like zine fairs can create a great sense of community, allowing for connections and support among creators. It's important to focus on making friends rather than just selling.
  3. Learning about running a small business can be very rewarding, especially when the classes emphasize sustainability and community focus. Practical skills, like printing, can improve over time too.

The One Who Knows

The Reclamation Era • 19 implied HN points • 29 Aug 24
🎭️ Culture Art Storytelling Community Creativity Parenting
  1. A new Substack newsletter, 'Word to Your Mother,' is being created to support local women in the arts, offering opportunities for storytelling and performances.
  2. There’s a call for auditions for a local show and a writing workshop for those interested in sharing their stories.
  3. The author reflects on her feelings as her child goes to college, sharing a personal lullaby that holds special meaning during this transition.

#209: The death of sex, 3 years later

Maybe Baby • 1058 implied HN points • 16 Feb 25
🎭️ Culture Sexuality Society Politics Technology Media
  1. Culture has become less about genuine connection and more about digital interactions, which can feel unfulfilling. Many people are missing out on real emotional experiences that come from touch and presence.
  2. There's a growing tension in politics where both the left and right have problems engaging with different viewpoints. Instead of understanding each other, they often stick to their own narratives, which doesn't help anyone.
  3. Technology has taken over many aspects of life, making interactions feel faster but less meaningful. While some tech is helpful, it often alienates people from each other, making real connections harder to find.

Aspiring dystopias, library souls and Gen Alpha's "first mainstream meme"

Links I Would Gchat You If We Were Friends • 638 implied HN points • 16 Dec 23
🎭️ Culture Food & Drink Technology Media Social media Blogging
  1. Google's recipe ratings may not accurately reflect the quality of the recipes; ratings are supplied by the sites themselves and can be manipulated for increased site traffic.
  2. Cooking blogs often receive higher ratings than legacy media in Google search results; moderation practices in comment sections may contribute to these discrepancies.
  3. AI-generated recipe descriptions in search results may change the focus from ratings to more user-friendly information, cautioning bakers against relying solely on Google's star system.

America Should Not Become a Nation of Tiger Moms

Common Sense with Bari Weiss • 1321 implied HN points • 30 Dec 24
🎭️ Culture Parenting Education Society Mental health Creativity
  1. Life is about more than just chasing a high salary or getting into a prestigious college. People need to enjoy their lives and find happiness in other ways.
  2. Overly strict parenting, like the 'Tiger Mom' approach, can lead to anxiety and depression in children. It's important to let kids have fun and make friends instead of just focusing on grades and achievements.
  3. A society that values creativity and risk-taking is important. Not everyone needs to be competitive; we need people doing everyday jobs too, like fixing cars or caring for others.

Culture Study Goes Full ACOTAR

Culture Study • 3308 implied HN points • 06 Mar 24
🎭️ Culture Fantasy Romance Literature Podcasts Critique
  1. These books have explicit sex scenes that focus on female pleasure, offering multiple builds and payoffs, with a perspective that centers around women's desires.
  2. The hotness in the books is rooted in monogamous fantasies, exploring the idea of soulmates and eternal monogamy as very sexy concepts.
  3. The series grapples with the complexity of first loves and the trauma of realizing someone may not be your perfect match, providing a rare depiction of challenging romantic realities.

All Immigrants Are Born on the Fourth of July

Common Sense with Bari Weiss • 5513 implied HN points • 04 Jul 23
🎭️ Culture History Immigration Citizenship Freedom
  1. American exceptionalism is real, unique, and tied to the country's history of freedom and individual freedom.
  2. Key historical figures like Washington, Lincoln, and MLK embodied American exceptionalism through their actions and beliefs.
  3. The American experience embraces freedom, innovation, and the pursuit of possibilities, shaping a sense of identity among immigrants and citizens.

2024

Rob Henderson's Newsletter • 1382 implied HN points • 22 Dec 24
🎭️ Culture Literature Writing Memoir Social Issues Personal Stories
  1. The newsletter has grown significantly, from 7,000 subscribers in the first year to over 67,000 now. This shows that consistent effort in writing can really pay off.
  2. The book 'Troubled: A Memoir of Foster Care, Family, and Social Class' performed well, receiving recognition and even being turned into a potential movie. This highlights how personal stories can resonate with readers.
  3. The author now lives in New York City, which symbolizes a new chapter in their life. It reminds us that change is often part of personal growth.

The Fall of Meghan and Harry, Inc.

Common Sense with Bari Weiss • 5541 implied HN points • 29 Jun 23
🎭️ Culture Royalty Entertainment Media Podcasts Celebrity
  1. People around the world fell in love with Meghan Markle when she got engaged to Prince Harry six years ago.
  2. The couple initially won over public opinion with their fairytale wedding and choice to break royal norms, but popularity has plummeted due to perceived laziness and snobbish behavior.
  3. Meghan and Harry's downfall can be attributed to their pursuit of huge financial deals and a lack of perceived hard work or genuine connection with the public.

Won't somebody think of the men?

My Goodness! From Jo Elvin • 432 implied HN points • 11 Feb 24
🎭️ Culture Gender Media Entertainment Podcasts Society
  1. Some men react strongly to content that is not specifically catered to them, displaying incredulous outrage.
  2. Women's entertainment options are often broad and inclusive, while men sometimes struggle with consuming content not targeted at them.
  3. Top podcasts and media platforms are predominantly hosted by white men, raising questions on audience preference and representation.

My Best Premium Tweets

Rob Henderson's Newsletter • 643 implied HN points • 29 May 25
🎭️ Culture Social media Opinions Trends Humor Digital Culture
  1. The author shares their best tweets that are exclusive to subscribers. These tweets include personal thoughts, observations, and opinions.
  2. Subscribers can find insights that are informal and quirky, providing a more personal touch.
  3. The collection highlights the author's unique perspective and offers a chance for readers to connect with their ideas directly.

Dingus of the week: Carrie Underwood

Men Yell at Me • 1233 implied HN points • 17 Jan 25
🎭️ Culture Music Art Entertainment Media Society
  1. Carrie Underwood's career is seen as struggling and her performance at Trump's inauguration is viewed as an attempt to regain relevance.
  2. Critics suggest that artists like Underwood often blame 'woke culture' for their lack of success instead of focusing on their music's quality.
  3. There's a growing trend of celebrities embracing controversial political stances to stay in the spotlight, raising questions about their genuine beliefs.

A Big Week for Tunnels

The Chatner • 530 implied HN points • 12 Jan 24
🎭️ Culture History Art
  1. It's been a big week for news about tunnels.
  2. Tunnels spark our imagination and curiosity about what lies beneath.
  3. Legendary tunnels like the Euphrates Tunnel have captured our fascination for centuries.

'What is associated with Deansgate Square is, well, pretty people'

The Mill • 884 implied HN points • 15 Oct 23
🎭️ Culture Society Urban living Architecture Community Identity
  1. Deansgate Square luxury apartments attract a mix of residents, including working professionals, families, footballers, and influencers.
  2. Residents of Deansgate Square describe a lack of community and a divide between working professionals and influencers/footballers.
  3. There is a perception of a certain expectation of how Deansgate Square residents should look, often associated with being 'pretty people.'

Back to Work

Justin E. H. Smith's Hinternet • 535 implied HN points • 15 Jun 25
🎭️ Culture Literature Arts Media Identity Education
  1. The Hinternet is introducing a new column called 'Housekeeping' to share important news without sticking to traditional gender roles in writing tasks.
  2. They are holding their first Essay Prize Contest with three esteemed judges and aim to publish work that can inspire significant change.
  3. The publication is raising funds for a member's son's medical expenses and is considering creating a 'Charitable Giving Corner' to encourage ongoing support for those in need.

do we ever get over things?

bookbear express • 1574 implied HN points • 08 Nov 24
🎭️ Culture Relationships Vulnerability Identity Emotions Personal Growth
  1. It's normal to feel sadness when friendships end or drift apart. We often care deeply about our friends' lives, which makes the loss feel even more intense.
  2. Acceptance is key when dealing with the lasting impact of love for others. Even if we move on, the love we had for someone remains a part of us.
  3. Vulnerability can actually make us stronger. By allowing ourselves to feel deeply and openly, we can create more meaningful connections with others.