The hottest Culture Substack posts right now

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The past can't save you

Men Yell at Me • 282 implied HN points • 18 Jun 25
🎭️ Culture Nostalgia Media Society Identity History
  1. Nostalgia can create a false sense of security, making us long for times or ideals that never truly existed. It's important to recognize that the past can’t save us.
  2. Events like the Field of Dreams baseball game highlight how we often romanticize a manufactured version of Americana, which doesn't reflect the real history or struggles people face.
  3. Instead of yearning for a simpler past, we need to focus on the present and address our challenges, as what we really miss is not the past, but a sense of ignorance about today's realities.

On fait quoi pour les 4 ans de l'Atelier ?

L'Atelier Galita • 299 implied HN points • 15 Jan 24
🎭️ Culture Celebration Books Media Content creation Subscription
  1. The Atelier is celebrating its 4th anniversary with ideas for themed celebrations and offer promotions to subscribers
  2. Sharing a reader's recommendation on a book about housekeeping and decluttering
  3. Considering various themes like favorite videos, influential books, preferred press, impactful emails, and life changes from 4 years of the Atelier
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Warm Holiday Greetings from The Hinternet

Justin E. H. Smith's Hinternet • 639 implied HN points • 24 Dec 24
🎭️ Culture Art Literature Media Community Creativity
  1. The author feels a strong connection to their work and has embraced writing authentically without worrying about others' opinions. This has helped them tap into deep creative ideas.
  2. In 2024, the publication grew significantly and became more like a magazine, bringing on staff and accepting guest pieces. This has created a sense of community among younger writers.
  3. The author hopes to increase paid subscriptions to support future projects and plans for 2025. They welcome all kinds of support, whether it's through subscriptions or simply sharing their work with others.

Vol. 2, Issue 24 - Interview with We All Live In A Pokémon World

Johto Times • 59 implied HN points • 13 Jun 24
🎭️ Culture Entertainment Media Fan culture Internet culture Gaming
  1. The website 'We All Live In A Pokémon World...' defended Pokémon from unfair rumors and misconceptions, emphasizing the positive themes of friendship and kindness in the franchise.
  2. Pokémon has grown significantly over the years, with new generations creating a sense of community among fans who share their love for the franchise with their families.
  3. Despite facing various issues and criticisms, the Pokémon brand has maintained its popularity by focusing on the joy and connection it brings to fans worldwide.

Dear New York

Splattern • 79 implied HN points • 23 May 24
🎭️ Culture Urban life Literature Art Identity Social Issues
  1. New York can feel very lonely, even with so many people around. Many people struggle with this feeling of isolation in the city.
  2. The strong desires for things, like food, relationships, and success, can feel overwhelming. This intense wanting can sometimes hurt but also feels very alive.
  3. Embracing the desire for more can be energizing. It pushes people to chase their goals and opens up endless possibilities in life.

Reviews of My Life

Nice Try • 439 implied HN points • 12 Oct 23
🎭️ Culture Personal narrative Humor Lifestyle Community events
  1. Living near a fire station means you become aware of how often emergencies happen, which can be surprising or even alarming at night.
  2. Being half deaf has its perks, like less noise and the ability to avoid criticism, but it also means missing out on things like music and surround sound.
  3. Experiences can be unpredictable, like attending a Shakespeare recital that turns into chaos when a fire truck shows up, bringing an unexpected twist to the day.

One of the best 'true-crime' books I've read in years, a gorgeous movie about sketchy archeologists, and four songs I like

Read Max • 658 implied HN points • 22 Dec 24
🎭️ Culture Books Movies Music True Crime Art
  1. There is a remarkable true-crime book that explores the history of Los Angeles. It's not just a story; it dives deep into the culture and background of the city.
  2. A stunning movie featuring archeologists is recommended, highlighting their complex and sometimes shady lives. It has a beautiful and reflective style.
  3. Four songs have been highlighted that the writer enjoys. These songs are worth a listen for those looking for new music to explore.

Trashy mementos

Austin Kleon • 1678 implied HN points • 29 Jul 22
🎭️ Culture Art Literature Music Media Creativity Photography
  1. A trashy memento journal is a fun way to keep little things that you might not want to throw away. It helps capture special but not overly significant memories.
  2. Two book recommendations include one about autism that offers a fresh perspective and another by an author known for her creative storytelling.
  3. Playing chess can be great for quality time and learning. A clever chess book design can also make the learning process more engaging and fun.

The Politics of Names

Street Smart Naturalist: Explorations of the Urban Kind • 379 implied HN points • 09 Nov 23
🎭️ Culture Names History Community Language Nature
  1. Place and species names often reflect who named them, usually white men, which can ignore the stories of local people and cultures. It’s important to understand the history behind these names.
  2. The American Ornithological Society wants to change bird names that honor problematic people to make them more inclusive and focus on the birds themselves. This change means letting go of some historical stories that are tied to those names.
  3. Exploring new names can help build connections to nature and understand different perspectives. Learning from the local knowledge of traditional communities can enrich our appreciation of the natural world.

The drowning will pull you beneath the waves too

Disaffected Newsletter • 939 implied HN points • 22 Mar 23
🎭️ Culture Family Dynamics Mental health Abuse Personal Stories Social Issues
  1. Abusive family situations can be very toxic and damaging. It's important to recognize that you don't have to accept this abuse or keep it a secret.
  2. Society often pressures individuals to maintain family privacy, which can help abuse go unreported. Speaking out about these issues is vital for breaking the cycle.
  3. If you find yourself in a similar situation, the best choice may be to distance yourself from those toxic family members. Your well-being should come first.

The American Book Tour

The Abbey of Misrule • 180 implied HN points • 04 Aug 25
🎭️ Culture Literature Art Music Faith Events
  1. The author is going on a book tour in the US to promote their new book. They received a lot of invitations from fans, which was surprisingly nice for them.
  2. Due to the size of the US, they can't visit everyone who invited them, but they will share their tour dates on their website.
  3. The author also plans to announce events in Britain and Ireland soon, and they've participated in some interesting discussions and interviews recently.

Attention is All You Need

Never Met a Science • 238 implied HN points • 07 Jul 25
🎭️ Culture Literature Media Technology Communication Education
  1. Reading and writing are unique technologies that shape our society and culture. They are essential for navigating our world, but today's youth feel less need for traditional long-form literacy.
  2. Media technology changes how we think and communicate. With the rise of short-form media, like social media and videos, our attention spans shrink, and we become more like simple response machines.
  3. As technology evolves, it's hard to tell if these changes are good or bad for us. What's certain is that new media shapes our cognition and social culture in unexpected ways.

A Substack Sabbatical

Atlas of Wonders and Monsters • 746 implied HN points • 19 Nov 24
🎭️ Culture Art Writing Creativity Lifestyle Education
  1. Taking a break, or a sabbatical, can help refresh your creativity. Just like nature needs rest, people often need time away from their usual work to recharge.
  2. Publishing consistently can be tough, and it's okay to change the schedule. Writing less often can lead to better quality pieces that you're prouder of.
  3. A sabbatical is a great time to explore new ideas and bring fresh energy to your projects. It can lead to exciting changes, like a new name or focus for your work.

What's got my attention this week #21

The Shift With Sam Baker • 439 implied HN points • 06 Oct 23
🎭️ Culture Film Literature Art Gender Relationships
  1. Isabella Rossellini, at 71, is defying age norms on the cover of Italian Vogue after being replaced by Lancome at 43.
  2. Actor Julia Ormond is taking legal action against Harvey Weinstein for sexual battery, shedding light on the dark facets of the entertainment industry.
  3. Women are exploring anger openly, redefining success on their terms, and sharing personal stories in a bold and empowering way.

Case Study: Template House

Supernuclear • 299 implied HN points • 11 Jan 24
🎭️ Culture Community Social justice Housing Rehabilitation
  1. Template House is an intentional community in San Francisco supporting individuals coming out of long-term incarceration.
  2. The community focuses on justice, care, and kinship while emphasizing shared values and deep connections.
  3. Template House aims to transition to a land trust for long-term preservation and is seeking financial support for this transition.

The Monday Media Diet with Dylan Neuhaus

Why is this interesting? • 663 implied HN points • 09 Dec 24
🎭️ Culture Media Literature Film Art Music
  1. Balance is key when it comes to consuming media. It's good to mix serious content with lighter, entertaining pieces.
  2. Reading deep stories about creativity and production processes can be more interesting than just the finished product, like a popular TV show.
  3. Exploring local grocery stores is a great way to learn about new places, offering a glimpse into the culture and community.

Is there a 'Godzilla' of 9/11?

Read Max • 1791 implied HN points • 12 Jan 24
🎭️ Culture Movies War on Terror Middle East
  1. The idea of a 'Godzilla' of 9/11 movies is explored through a taxonomy of movie categories
  2. Movies specifically about 9/11 or its aftermath may not necessarily capture the essence of a 'Godzilla' 9/11 movie
  3. Movies about the Global War on Terror may offer better candidates for 'Godzilla' 9/11 movies

MR WRONG: Personality crisis.

INDIGNITY • 255 implied HN points • 12 Jan 24
🎭️ Culture Personality Work Art Food & Drink Marketing
  1. The article discusses the author's experience with a unique job application process involving a quiz.
  2. The author reflects on the results of the quiz and the personality label assigned to them.
  3. There's a teaser at the end for readers to guess the type of job the quiz was for, adding an interactive element to the article.

Happiness Ruined Everything

OK Doomer • 225 implied HN points • 13 Jul 25
🎭️ Culture Psychology Sociology Consumerism Mental health Philosophy
  1. Chasing happiness too hard can actually make you more miserable. It's important to remember that you can’t be happy for someone else; they have to find their own happiness.
  2. Society has created many 'happiness scripts' that tell us what steps we need to follow to be happy, but these often lead to disappointment instead of true joy.
  3. Real happiness comes from having basic needs met, like food and purpose, rather than the endless pursuit of material things or following societal pressure.

The Saturday Selection, Vol. 65

Why is this interesting? • 180 implied HN points • 02 Aug 25
🎭️ Culture Literature History Art Media Society
  1. The new digital Library of Alexandria aims to preserve knowledge for future generations. It's a fascinating effort to rebuild what was lost in history.
  2. Helsinki has achieved something impressive by going a whole year without a single traffic death. Smarter city design and lower speed limits played a big role.
  3. The search for the real author of 'The Dice Man' reveals unexpected twists in the story of this influential cult novel. It's a journey into unexpected authorship.

An archival detective story and other links; a great, stupid action espionage TV show; and more!

Read Max • 711 implied HN points • 25 Nov 24
🎭️ Culture Media Literature Film Music Television
  1. There are interesting links including a detective story and articles on sports gambling and hustle culture. They cover both fun and serious topics.
  2. A recommended spy show is described as 'great' and 'stupid', suggesting it's entertaining and light-hearted.
  3. An album of Armenian-influenced electronic music is highlighted, indicating a diverse taste in music.

A Subversion of Consciousness

ᴋʟᴀᵾs • 432 implied HN points • 05 May 23
🎭️ Culture Aliens Consciousness Interviews
  1. Tom DeLonge discusses the intention of UFO phenomena to prevent humanity from realizing its full potential.
  2. There is a narrative that extraterrestrial life forms do not want humanity to become too powerful.
  3. The idea of a subversion of consciousness is a central theme in the study of UFO phenomenon.

The Monday Media Diet with Harper Reed

Why is this interesting? • 784 implied HN points • 21 Oct 24
🎭️ Culture Literature Media Art Travel Technology
  1. Harper Reed enjoys a media diet that mixes TikTok for wild recommendations and pen pals for deeper connections. This way, he finds smart content while avoiding too much noise online.
  2. He values meaningful books that reflect his life experiences, like Olga Ravn's work, which helped him think about balance as a new parent and entrepreneur.
  3. Reed is all about exploring new interests and has recently been curious about vintage cameras, old speakers, and quirky fashion like platform shoes. He enjoys diving deep into these rabbit holes when the urge strikes.