Welcome to Garbagetown

Cat Valente's Blatherings on Science Fiction, Fantasy, Horror, and the State of the World

The hottest Substack posts of Welcome to Garbagetown

And their main takeaways
1964 implied HN points β€’ 30 Oct 24
  1. Political communication often surprises people, especially when shocking statements come from unexpected places, like comedians during serious events.
  2. The media tends to focus on certain controversial remarks while ignoring larger, more dangerous political issues, which can distort public perception.
  3. Voting is crucial in determining the country's future, especially when faced with extreme political ideologies that threaten democracy and people's rights.
6904 implied HN points β€’ 08 Oct 24
  1. The media often ignores the serious flaws and mistakes of conservatives while overemphasizing minor issues with liberals. This creates a skewed perception of political reality.
  2. Many Americans seem to have a troubling attachment to authoritarian figures, viewing them as 'cool dads' who can do no wrong, while they criticize more nurturing approaches as weak or annoying.
  3. There's a sense of apathy about political outcomes, as some people feel accepting negative leadership might be easier than engaging in the hard work of democratic participation and accountability.
1111 implied HN points β€’ 10 Oct 24
  1. Misinformation can feel so real that it blurs the lines between fantasy and reality. It's important to recognize that not everything we hear is actually true.
  2. When evaluating bizarre claims, a good question to ask is if believing them would make life much easier or more exciting. If so, it's likely not true and just ridiculous.
  3. People may strongly believe in outrageous ideas and act seriously on them, but we should remain critical and cautious about what we accept as reality.
575 implied HN points β€’ 07 Oct 24
  1. Learning something new can spark excitement and a desire to share that knowledge with others. It's fun to dive into unexpected topics that capture our interest.
  2. Exploring the intersection of science and storytelling can reveal the beauty and power of both. Stories can make complex scientific ideas more relatable and engaging.
  3. Taking a break from politics and focusing on other subjects can be refreshing. There's a vast world of knowledge and wonder beyond political discussions.
2599 implied HN points β€’ 04 Jan 24
  1. Acknowledgement of issues with Substack's management of diverse opinions and policies on monetization
  2. The dilemma of deciding whether to stay on Substack despite hosting problematic content or to leave and potentially lose audience
  3. Concern about the online space being dominated by harmful voices if good actors continually leave platforms hosting problematic content
Get a weekly roundup of the best Substack posts, by hacker news affinity:
833 implied HN points β€’ 14 Feb 23
  1. Valentine's Day is a significant holiday worth celebrating, regardless of relationship status
  2. Holidays and rituals are important as they mark time and bring joy and pleasure to life
  3. Valentine's Day has a deeper meaning rooted in history and symbolism, making it more than just a commercialized celebration
555 implied HN points β€’ 31 May 23
  1. It's easy to mock fascists, but the problems we face are partly our fault.
  2. Blaming media or politicians isn't the solution; we must take responsibility.
  3. We contribute to the state of affairs by being complacent and not voting.
257 implied HN points β€’ 07 Feb 23
  1. The post is about discussing the future content for paid subscribers.
  2. The author expresses gratitude for the support received from paid subscribers.
  3. Paid subscribers are being offered valuable content in return for their support.