Default Wisdom $5 / month

Default Wisdom explores themes of digital culture, identity, societal fragmentation, and personal perceptions. Through commentary on topics like internet behavior, politics as fandom, and the implications of technology on human connections, it delves into how culture and individuality are shaped in the modern era.

Digital Culture Societal Fragmentation Personal Identity Internet Behavior Politics and Fandom Technology and Human Connection Cultural Commentary Advice and Perspectives

The hottest Substack posts of Default Wisdom

And their main takeaways

Lesbians Who Only Date Men

185 implied HN points • 18 Mar 24
🎭️ Culture Identity Online Communities Sexuality Gender identity
  1. Sexual orientation is now defined more by feelings and affinity than by physical experience.
  2. Online affinity networks and fandoms play a role in shaping and evolving how individuals identify themselves.
  3. Shifts in identity labeling show a move from behavior-based categorization to more subjective, internal essence-based categorization.

Have TikTok aesthetics replaced subcultures?

177 implied HN points • 13 Mar 24
🎭️ Culture Youth culture Subcultures Media influence
  1. Aesthetic trends on platforms like TikTok do not necessarily replace individual personalities or subcultures; they can actually contribute to creating new subcultures.
  2. Online fandoms and digitally native subcultures are real and significant, even if they may not fit traditional ideas of what a subculture looks like.
  3. Algorithms play a big role in shaping what we see online, including aesthetics and trends, but they do not completely control our genuine interests and involvement in subcultures.

A re-cap of 2023...

244 implied HN points • 23 Dec 23
🎭️ Culture Internet Identity Pop culture Media Technology
  1. The author reflects on the concept of 'main character syndrome' and the importance of narrative in life.
  2. The author highlights various pieces of their writing from 2023, covering topics like AI, digital culture, and more.
  3. The author provides predictions for 2024, discussing shifts in culture wars and emerging societal trends.

Dissociative vs. alternative identities

81 implied HN points • 11 Feb 24
🏥 Health & Wellness Mental health
  1. Having different personas on different social media platforms is normal and not necessarily a sign of plurality.
  2. Plurality involves having dissociative identities, where individuals behave as independent parts that can be switched out, separate from the core person.
  3. Simply having multiple identities or accounts online does not equate to plurality unless those identities are dissociative.

Uglycel

48 implied HN points • 21 Feb 24
🎭️ Culture Beauty Gender Psychology
  1. The conversation explores the concept of ugliness as more of a vibe than a physical state of being.
  2. The idea is discussed that one can will oneself into ugliness without physical changes.
  3. The post includes updates on the author's advice column, a book club meeting, and asks for subscriptions and feedback.
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February book club, film club, help...

62 implied HN points • 29 Jan 24
📚 Literature Book Club Fiction Non-fiction
  1. The next book club meeting is on February 29, and the book choice will be decided by February 3rd.
  2. Book suggestions for the club include 'Convergence Culture,' 'The Sluts,' and 'Negative Space.'
  3. The movie club session will be held virtually at 5pm CT/6pm ET via Discord, screening a movie called Profile (2018).

Digital dark age.

210 implied HN points • 07 Aug 23
🎭️ Culture Social media Content creation Cultural Preservation Internet culture Societal Impact
  1. The future of content creation is uncertain, but people are still making money from platforms like YouTube and TikTok.
  2. Despite predictions of a Digital Dark Age, mass culture still exists with recognizable cultural touchpoints and influencers.
  3. The internet's 'perpetual now' raises concerns about the loss of digital history and the value we place on online content.

Fragmentation of the self.

236 implied HN points • 08 Jun 23
📖 Philosophy Individualism Language Materialism Critical Theory Communication
  1. Fragmentation of self is influenced by historical shifts like the intensification of division of labor starting in the 17th century.
  2. Language, communication, and individualism are interconnected as seen through McLuhan's views on the power of language in shaping individuality.
  3. Material advancements like the printing press and the telegraph have played a significant role in shaping societal fragmentation and the way we perceive the world.

Meditations on the self-diagnosis.

259 implied HN points • 05 Feb 23
  1. Constantly seeking labels and explanations due to a dislike for uncertainty.
  2. People can develop affinities for the aesthetics surrounding different disorders.
  3. Internet exposure may influence individuals to display symptoms of specific disorders.

The Hello Kitty Girl.

199 implied HN points • 02 May 23
🎭️ Culture Fashion & Beauty
  1. Hello Kitty's design without a mouth allows people to express various emotions.
  2. The Hello Kitty Girl meme portrays a pink-obsessed succubus romantic archetype.
  3. This post is exclusively for paid subscribers.

Female rage.

210 implied HN points • 01 Apr 23
🎭️ Culture Gender Issues Emotions
  1. The post discusses the topic of female rage following a shooting in Nashville.
  2. The author mentions upcoming guest and archival posts for the next week.
  3. The post is only fully accessible to paid subscribers.

Digital thirst and the sad end of print journalism

181 implied HN points • 13 Mar 23
📰 News
  1. An old man reminisces about the end of print journalism in a digital age.
  2. Top executives prepared the newspaper company for sale by disposing of stacks of newsprint.
  3. The post is geared towards paid subscribers.

Chemsex, femcels, Harrington's Mengele.

192 implied HN points • 13 Feb 23
🎭️ Culture Identity Media Beauty
  1. The concept of Femcel Canon explores the lack of media representation for 'ugly women.'
  2. The author discusses spaces for individuals who are considered unattractive or abject.
  3. The post seems to delve into topics related to chemsex, femcels, and Harrington's Mengele.