The hottest Culture Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
Category
Top Culture Topics

The Email Archivist

escape the algorithm • 219 implied HN points • 22 Jun 23
🎭️ Culture Art Reflection Digital Newsletter Creativity
  1. In 2013, Miranda July started We Think Alone, a unique newsletter where celebrities shared personal emails, prompting subscribers' introspection.
  2. Through We Think Alone, participants were encouraged to view their emails with new curiosity, marking a shift from inbox anxiety to introspective value.
  3. Email archives, though rarely revisited, hold value in preserving memories and providing moments of reflection, prompting the reconsideration of digital communication.

Trying not to spiral out

Austin Kleon • 1199 implied HN points • 04 Feb 22
🎭️ Culture Arts Literature Music Media Family
  1. Finding beauty in tough situations can help us grow. It's important to look for the silver lining during difficult times like storms.
  2. Reading a variety of books can expand our understanding and inspire creativity. Mixing different genres like essays and novels can keep our minds engaged.
  3. Sharing enjoyable activities with family strengthens bonds. Playing games, baking, and watching shows together can create lasting memories.
Get a weekly roundup of the best Substack posts, by hacker news affinity:

Looksmaxxing

We're Gonna Get Those Bastards • 7 implied HN points • 19 Jan 26
🎭️ Culture Youth culture Online Trends Subcultures Influencers Aesthetics Identity politics Extremism
  1. A growing looks‑focused movement pushes extreme body modifications, steroids, drugs, and expensive surgeries as ways to maximize attractiveness and social power.
  2. This obsession with appearance fuels a dominance mentality and has overlapped with online subcultures that normalize shock value, racism, and antisemitism.
  3. Youth politics are increasingly defined by a woke vs anti‑woke split where group identity and looks often trump individual character and ideas, worsening polarization and the risk of extreme outcomes.

Montana: Lost Cause or Last Best Place?

The Recovering Academic • 217 implied HN points • 01 Aug 23
🎭️ Culture Travel Society Nature Family Identity
  1. Montana is a place with rich and contradictory views held by outsiders, often portrayed as either a wild frontier or an idyllic refuge.
  2. People in Montana embrace a blend of conservatism and libertarianism, where neighbors with opposing political views can still live harmoniously.
  3. Living in Montana can be challenging economically, requiring trade-offs and adaptability in industries like logging, teaching, or remote work.

It's time for another Ask Me Anything post!

How to Glow in the Dark • 219 implied HN points • 31 Oct 23
🎭️ Culture Literature
  1. The post is an invitation for an Ask Me Anything session about book publishing and general life questions.
  2. The author sets ground rules for the AMA, emphasizing no book pitching and maintaining respect.
  3. The AMA session is available only for paid subscribers, where the author shares random but interesting facts about vultures.

Guest post: Jenn Zuko

The Recovering Academic • 217 implied HN points • 28 Feb 23
🎭️ Culture Theater Academia Gender Dynamics
  1. The author reflects on the challenges faced as an adjunct theatre professor and the lack of recognition or support received after many years of service.
  2. The narrative highlights the profound impact of the decision to leave, detailing the mixed reactions and emotional moments during the announcement.
  3. Despite the author's anticipation of theatrical reactions to their resignation, the reality was met with unexpected, mostly silent responses during a faculty meeting.

Signs of the Times

Street Smart Naturalist: Explorations of the Urban Kind • 179 implied HN points • 16 Nov 23
🎭️ Culture Urban Exploration History Architecture Local culture Literature
  1. Seattle has unique street markers made from tiles and metal. These have different styles and date back to the early 1900s.
  2. In 1902, Seattle decided to mark sidewalks with street names, but these old tiles often became hard to see due to visibility issues.
  3. Kids used to vandalize the street signs, which led to attempts to put fines in place for those caught throwing stones.

Thinking About Southeast Asia & Intellectual Work | #303

Boundless by Paul Millerd • 101 implied HN points • 22 Jul 25
🎭️ Culture Southeast Asia Community Building Fiction writing Cultural Exchange
  1. Community and collaboration can enhance intellectual work. Sometimes, working with others can lead to greater insights than working alone.
  2. Exploring new ideas without a clear goal can spark creativity. Not having a set destination allows for unexpected discoveries and innovative thinking.
  3. Flexible and open-minded exploration, like in Southeast Asia's diverse culture, can inspire new ways of thinking and problem-solving.

Cattle, Social Cohesion, Culture, Civic Cohesion, Collective Uplift, & Civilization in Sub-Saharan Africa; Causality; & the TseTse Fly

Brad DeLong's Grasping Reality • 123 implied HN points • 24 Jun 25
🎭️ Culture Social Cohesion Economic Development
  1. The tsetse fly has had a huge impact on Africa's history by harming cattle and limiting agricultural development. This meant less farming and a weaker economy for many regions.
  2. Without cattle, societies couldn't use plows, which hurt their ability to farm efficiently. This led to fewer roads and central governments.
  3. If the tsetse fly didn't exist, Africa might have developed more centralized states and lower rates of slavery, resulting in a stronger economy and bigger population over time.

Clichéd Efforts

Timeless & Timely • 216 implied HN points • 29 Apr 23
🎭️ Culture Writing
  1. Avoid clich\u00e9s in writing to make it more impactful
  2. Address clich\u00e9s head-on as they can hinder the quality of your writing
  3. Clich\u00e9s have the power to either enhance or diminish your writing

Based Safety vs. Cringe Propaganda #51

Safety Propaganda • 216 implied HN points • 03 May 23
🎭️ Culture Film Music Media Literature Art
  1. Adam Lehrer resumes his Safety Propaganda platform after a break, discussing his novel, music projects, and bodybuilding regimen.
  2. Adam reviews Ari Aster's film 'Beau is Afraid' as a work of art of near unparalleled genius, exploring its themes and reactions.
  3. Major media shakeups include the firing of Tucker Carlson and the bankruptcy of VICE media, reflecting on their impact and transformations.

Rest is Resistance

Laetitia@Work • 216 implied HN points • 19 May 23
🎭️ Culture Social justice History Identity Wellness
  1. Rest is not just self-care but a political subject, with the potential to disrupt the current world order.
  2. The Nap Ministry advocates for rest as a form of reparation and ancestral connection, challenging societal norms that prioritize productivity.
  3. Daydreaming during rest is important for making novel connections, generating ideas, and shaping one's sense of self and future trajectories.

Do You Still Believe in Rome?

Myth Pilot • 216 implied HN points • 29 May 23
🎭️ Culture History
  1. The post discusses the idea of believing in Rome and entering the Eternal City.
  2. It mentions women keening and rose petals while heading to the temple of Mars Ultor.
  3. To continue reading, a subscription to Myth Pilot is required with a 7-day free trial available.

Modern Magnificenza

Not Boring by Packy McCormick • 133 implied HN points • 10 Jun 25
🎭️ Culture Art Architecture Philosophy History Society
  1. Our society is very focused on logical thinking, but we also need creativity and emotional understanding. It's important to balance both sides of our brains to have a fulfilling life.
  2. We are experiencing big shifts in power and wealth today, similar to what happened before the Renaissance. Wealthy individuals can lead to positive changes by funding beautiful, meaningful projects in their communities.
  3. Working on meaningful and beautiful projects can provide not just personal satisfaction but also benefit the community. This approach can help those feeling lost in today's fast-paced, tech-driven world.

Postmodernism Is Good, Actually

Justin E. H. Smith's Hinternet • 1226 implied HN points • 24 Jul 23
🎭️ Culture Literature Art Music Philosophy Film
  1. The novel 'J R' explores the corrupting influence of money on our pursuit of creating things of beauty.
  2. The current cultural trend of identity-mongering tied to neoliberal capitalism reflects themes seen in 'J R' from fifty years ago.
  3. Art should maintain autonomy and challenge norms, as seen through examples from the avant-garde and critical analysis of current artistic trends.

Solstice Journeys

Seven Senses • 319 implied HN points • 17 Jun 23
🎭️ Culture Art Travel Creative Community Writing
  1. The author shares creative explorations for the senses every full moon through their publication, _Seven Senses_. It's a way for them to connect with a community and dive deeply into various topics.
  2. The publication is ad-free and offers a reader-supported model similar to public radio, where readers can choose to support the author financially.
  3. Paid subscribers will receive exclusive benefits, like seasonal travel guides, discounts on collectibles, and occasional creative gifts in the mail.

Remembrance of Slings Past

Ladyparts • 379 implied HN points • 07 Feb 23
🎭️ Culture Memoir
  1. Priscilla Gilman found her voice by exploring her past with famous parents and dealing with family dynamics.
  2. She navigated challenging family situations, such as her parents' divorce, at a young age.
  3. The memoir discussed in the post delves into complex family relationships and personal discoveries.

Doing Crimes w my dad

Both Are True • 130 implied HN points • 13 Jun 25
🎭️ Culture Family Storytelling Humor Memory Relationships
  1. Spending time with family can lead to funny and memorable moments, like the bonding experience of removing an old TV together. It's special to share laughter and joy while doing something that feels a bit adventurous.
  2. Communication can shift between languages and cultures, as seen in the playful interactions between family members who speak different languages. It's a fun reminder of how language can bring us closer or create a divide.
  3. Inside jokes and shared laughter help strengthen family ties, making ordinary moments more meaningful. Humor can turn a simple task into a cherished memory.

All media is niche media now

Men Yell at Me • 376 implied HN points • 10 Nov 24
🎭️ Culture Media Storytelling Digital Platforms
  1. Media today is all about specific audiences, not broad ones. This means every story has its own niche and people find information where they connect best.
  2. Big money often influences media, which can lead to biased reporting. Media outlets are not purely good or bad; they all have their issues, often based on their funding sources.
  3. The rise of independent creators is changing how we tell stories. It's important to be personal and relatable, making content more engaging and fun for everyone.

The Amazonification of Public Space

Kneeling Bus • 322 implied HN points • 20 Dec 24
🎭️ Culture Urban life Consumer behavior Digital Transformation
  1. Hanging out in public spaces is becoming more of a luxury, making it harder for people to find affordable options to socialize. Places like bars and coffee shops are either getting more expensive or are overcrowded.
  2. The pandemic changed how we use physical spaces, shifting more focus to online services, which has made in-person experiences feel less necessary. This change creates a cycle where fewer people engage in real-life activities, affecting the quality of those interactions.
  3. Many brick-and-mortar stores are now designed more for delivery and logistics than for customer enjoyment. This makes shopping and dining out less appealing, pushing people to stay home instead.

My friend, JT

Basta’s Notes • 245 implied HN points • 22 Feb 25
🎭️ Culture Pets Relationships Mental health Lifestyle Personal Stories
  1. Having a pet can be really meaningful. They can become important parts of our lives and provide comfort through tough times.
  2. Moving pets to new homes can be challenging. It takes preparation and sometimes a little help from professionals to make the experience smoother.
  3. Pets age and it can be hard to accept. While it's sad to think about losing them, it's important to cherish every moment and the joy they bring.

Norway Notes

ChinaTalk • 311 implied HN points • 20 Dec 24
🎭️ Culture History Art Travel Music Society
  1. Oslo is a city full of parks and interesting activities, like volleyball, even if its neighborhoods are sometimes considered rough. The city has a vibrant vibe, especially during the summer with long daylight hours.
  2. Norway's history with its support for Palestine has created some complexity, especially as the nation grapples with issues of antisemitism. There are mixed feelings and challenges about how historical support affects current views.
  3. The Viking culture is fascinating but had both brutal and humane aspects. Books about the Vikings provide intriguing insights into their lives and are accessible for anyone interested in this part of history.

The Tears of Strangers are only water

Wrong Side of History • 379 implied HN points • 25 Oct 24
🎭️ Culture Philosophy Empathy Literature Humanism Social Issues
  1. Empathy has its limits; we often feel sad for others but can't fully connect to their pain. It's normal to care about distant events, but we might not be able to change them.
  2. Sometimes, people who are deeply empathetic can get overwhelmed by the suffering they see in the world. This can lead to sadness, just like in the story of Simone Weil.
  3. Understanding the feelings of others is important, but we need to balance it with our own well-being. It's okay to feel for others without taking on their pain.

As in the home

Disaffected Newsletter • 499 implied HN points • 16 Feb 23
🎭️ Culture Society Family Humor Media Relationships
  1. The dynamics of a household can reflect larger societal issues. What happens in our homes can often parallel what happens in our communities.
  2. Family relationships can influence our understanding of social structures and interactions. How we connect with our family shapes how we relate to others.
  3. Personal stories and examples can help illustrate bigger concepts. Sharing experiences can make complex ideas easier to understand.