Do Not Research

Do Not Research is a multidisciplinary publication exploring contemporary issues through art, essays, and analyses. It covers internet culture, digital and political art, technology's impact on society, and the evolving relationship between humans and digital media. Themes include the critique of consumer culture, digital legacy, and speculative futures.

Internet Culture Digital Art Technology and Society Consumerism Mental Health Political Art Digital Legacy Speculative Futures Environmental Impact of Technology Human-Computer Interaction

The hottest Substack posts of Do Not Research

And their main takeaways

Ruby Thelot: A Cyberarchaeology of Checkpoints

319 implied HN points • 22 Apr 24
🎭️ Culture Online Culture Community Internet culture
  1. The book 'A Cyberarchaeology of Checkpoints' by Ruby Thelot delves into the vanished online community of 'Checkpoints,' which were personal life updates shared in a now-deleted YouTube video's comments section.
  2. While the original video was removed, a user named Rebane2001 meticulously archived the 'Checkpoints,' preserving a decade of human experiences and emotions captured in these digital narratives.
  3. The book not only contains the archived 'Checkpoints' but also includes a reflective essay on their cultural significance, an interview with Rebane2001, and an exploration of digital memory in the modern era, challenging readers to consider what remains of our digital footprint.

Aimee Walleston: War Lore

439 implied HN points • 15 Apr 24
🎭️ Culture Film Photography Art Social media Journalism
  1. Many people struggle to engage with fiction and film outside of their own beliefs and expectations, as seen in reactions to a movie trailer depicting a civil war scenario.
  2. The way we interact with images, particularly technical images, has changed drastically, leading to a shift in how we interpret and relate to them.
  3. There is a tendency in today's society to manipulate and be manipulated by images, often refusing to engage critically and instead seeking comfort in familiar narratives, even if they are fictional or misleading.

Longer Meme

559 implied HN points • 18 Mar 24
🎭️ Culture Memes Enlightenment Capitalism Spirituality
  1. Critiques societal norms and references Joker and Margaret Thatcher's views on society.
  2. Explores hypothetical scenarios about society's development with imaginative and detailed scenarios.
  3. Societyiftextwall is a project that delves into utopian ideals and historical questioning, aiming to counter negative memesphere trends.

Anna Savina: Erik Davis on Longevity as a Spiritual Pursuit

339 implied HN points • 25 Mar 24
🕹 Technology AI Longevity Religion Transhumanism Future implications
  1. Tech millionaires' interest in longevity is tied to libertarianism, radical views on overcoming limits, and control through technology.
  2. There is a connection between religion and the scientific pursuit of longevity, with religious longings affecting secular viewpoints.
  3. The transhumanist movement embraces the unnatural and questions conventional human limitations, leading to an 'uncanny valley' where prolonging life can feel repulsive.

Brad Abrahams: Neural Deceleration

599 implied HN points • 26 Feb 24
  1. Documentarians aim to humanize their subjects by telling their life stories to provide context and understanding of their beliefs.
  2. The story of Joseph Cantrell, a Microsoft employee charged with attempted murder, sheds light on severe mental health issues and a troubling personal history.
  3. Cantrell's detailed online presence, including controversial games and an extensive life journal, revealed a disturbed individual with paranoid delusions and a tragic family background.
Get a weekly roundup of the best Substack posts, by hacker news affinity:

Z & Walker Behl: Storm the Capitol

39 implied HN points • 29 Apr 24
🎨 Art & Illustration Installation Painting Graphic design Illustration
  1. The 'Insurrection in a Box - The Big Edition' game by Z & Walker Behl transforms the hit game 'Storm the Capitol' into a life size sculptural installation.
  2. The game involves moving avatars around the Capitol Building to find items like senator hostages and AOC's shoes, with the objective of reaching Trump's helicopter first.
  3. Using art to explore image power and its impact on politics, social media, and global capitalism challenges us to envision a new future, united in questioning established institutions.

Leo Elia Jung & Rachel Rosheger: "Sell The Farm"

119 implied HN points • 08 Apr 24
🎨 Art & Illustration Sculpture Drawing Installation Mixed Media Exhibition
  1. Leo Elia Jung and Rachel Rosheger's exhibition 'Sell The Farm' combines art influenced by patents, natural forces, and the emotional aspects of scientific phenomena
  2. The artists explore topics such as HVAC systems, corrosive metals, and attempts to revive the Woolly Mammoth, creating a visual representation of human civilization's impact on the environment
  3. The exhibition challenges viewers to contemplate the impact of environmental crises and the potential solutions that may arise from exploring ancient animal kingdoms and scientific endeavors

Dana Dawud: Palcorecore

139 implied HN points • 02 Apr 24
🎨 Art & Illustration Visual art
  1. The post features Dana Dawud's art project called Palcorecore.
  2. The project includes a single channel video created in 2023 with a duration of 5:35 minutes.
  3. Readers are encouraged to subscribe and engage with Dana Dawud's work on various platforms like Instagram.

"The Manic American Humanist Show" at PWA

219 implied HN points • 11 Mar 24
🎨 Art & Illustration Digital Art Exhibition Sculpture Curation Community
  1. The exhibition "The Manic American Humanist Show" at Public Works Administration honors work from core contributors to Do Not Research and reflects on a decade of online political experiments.
  2. The featured artists explore themes of political ideologies, personal frustrations, and cultural reflections through their artwork.
  3. The project space, Public Works Administration, serves as a platform for digital artists to showcase their work, collaborate with online communities, and foster connections within the art world.

Arianna Caserta: Artificial Deaths

479 implied HN points • 15 Jan 24
🎭️ Culture Death Technology Social media Philosophy Literature
  1. In the digital age, the concept of being forgotten has become as important as being remembered, raising questions about digital legacy and the right to be forgotten.
  2. The presence of deceased individuals online is increasing, posing ethical dilemmas about digital immortality, control over online data after death, and the merging of real life and digital afterlife.
  3. Navigating social media after the death of a friend raises complex emotions about unfollowing profiles, online grieving, and the moral implications of interacting with deceased individuals' digital presence.

Eamon Levesque: Terror in the Ohiozone

419 implied HN points • 22 Jan 24
🎭️ Culture Memes Literature Pop culture Identity
  1. The meme 'Only in Ohio' became hugely popular, spreading across platforms and influencing music trends.
  2. Ohio has been a trendsetter, often being a test market for new products and trends in the US.
  3. Ohio's eerie and unsettling associations in culture have deep roots and have inspired various forms of creative expression.

The Dark Forest Anthology of the Internet

239 implied HN points • 22 Feb 24
📚 Literature Internet Authors
  1. The Dark Forest Anthology of the Internet is a 208 page book documenting how we adapted to an adversarial internet over five years.
  2. The anthology includes eleven pieces from various authors, covering topics like the Dark Forest Theory, the Cozy Web, and generative AI.
  3. The book is available for purchase, offering a print edition and PDF version on Metalabel.

Hanny Ahern: Collected Works

19 implied HN points • 25 Apr 24
🎨 Art & Illustration Paintings Drawing AI Congress
  1. The artist reflects on the role of AI in art creation, highlighting the humorous expectation for artists to train AI to reproduce their work.
  2. The artist showcases a series of paintings created in response to a public figure's congressional testimony, demonstrating a compelling exploration of representation.
  3. The collection features a mix of acrylic, crayon, and other mediums, showcasing diverse artistic styles and techniques.

Kat Kitay: The Origin of Cyborgs

499 implied HN points • 11 Dec 23
🔬 Science Technology Biology Evolution Genetics Social Impact
  1. Donna Haraway introduced the concept of 'cyborg' in 1985 as a response to the rising technological world order
  2. Human evolution has been driven by technological advancements since ancient times, shaping our species' survival and success
  3. The modern digital revolution is pushing us towards a new kind of evolution where gene-editing technologies and digital pressures play crucial roles

John Menick: The Narco-Image

718 implied HN points • 09 Oct 23
🎭️ Culture Film Media Consumption Entertainment Consumerism
  1. Viewer-consumers today are like addicts, seeking more and more content - movies, TV shows, clicks - leading to extreme viewing habits.
  2. The media industry has created a dependency on what's termed as 'narco-images,' which deliver intense, explicit, and shocking content to desensitized audiences.
  3. Capitalist consumerism mirrors addictive behavior, pushing for continuous product consumption and loyalty, resulting in harmful consequences just like the tobacco and opioid industries.

Paul Sutherland: LARP Politics and Hyperreality

4 HN points • 06 May 24
🎭️ Culture Art Politics Society Aesthetics Internet
  1. LARPing in politics refers to engaging in political actions that are disconnected from the goal of creating tangible change, often becoming more about aesthetic value and personal style.
  2. The concept of LARPing in the 21st century is tied to Baudrillard's idea of simulation and hyperreality, blurring the lines between the world of images and the world of reality.
  3. Ruptures from the hyperreal world of LARP politics into actual events, like the Capitol Hill riot, showcase the collision between simulated political actions and the real material consequences, leaving society perplexed.

Radimir Koch & Anna Pederson, "Secrets to Graceful Living" at Alyssa Davis Gallery

159 implied HN points • 05 Feb 24
🎨 Art & Illustration Exhibition Gallery Artists Installation Creativity
  1. The exhibition 'Secrets to Graceful Living' by Radimir Koch & Anna Pederson is hosted at Alyssa Davis Gallery from January 13 to February 25, 2024, showcasing unique aesthetic experiences.
  2. The exhibition involved a remote viewing session documenting raw intelligence about various aesthetic experiences using a specific protocol known as Distant Flame Protocol.
  3. Participants in the session provided detailed observations and interpretations of a mysterious gateway covered in moss, evoking feelings of being woven into something with elements of machinery and nature.

Open Call 2024

359 implied HN points • 04 Dec 23
🎨 Art & Illustration Guidelines Community Events Subscriptions
  1. Do Not Research is accepting submissions for their next issue in 2024, including art, essays, videos and more.
  2. All submissions should be work created within the last year, and contributors will be paid an honorarium and receive a complimentary lifetime membership.
  3. The deadline for submissions is January 15th, 2024. Submissions should be sent via email to [email protected].

Twee Whistler: Internet Core

938 implied HN points • 31 Jul 23
🎨 Art & Illustration Digital Art Contemporary Art Internet Art Aesthetics
  1. The term 'Internet core' emerged within contemporary art, encompassing net art, post-internet, and new media, highlighting a shift towards internet-centric reality and engagement.
  2. Artists within the Internet core scene are creating works more focused on personal narratives, political interpretations, and user engagement outside traditional gallery settings, shaping a distinct approach to digital art.
  3. The Internet represents more than just a medium; it is a mindset, an approach, and a language for artists, shaping their practices and leading to a diverse range of artistic expressions beyond categorizations.

Morgane Billuart: Virtuality and Aesthetics, An Evening in the Void Club

239 implied HN points • 02 Jan 24
🎨 Art & Illustration Aesthetics Imagination Symbolism Digital Spaces
  1. In virtual spaces, the absence of detailed information can enhance creativity and imagination.
  2. Digital platforms challenge the concept of realism and likeness in representations, prioritizing subjective interpretation.
  3. Virtual environments offer individuals the opportunity to craft and curate their own narratives, leading to a shift in the experience of existence.

Stacy Skolnik: The Ginny Suite (excerpt)

79 implied HN points • 04 Mar 24
🏥 Health Politics Health Conditions Medical Research Public Health
  1. Sunnyvale syndrome is a mysterious condition affecting thousands of women globally, with symptoms including amnesia, language loss, and more.
  2. Victims of Sunnyvale syndrome face challenges in getting proper diagnosis and recognition, often encountering skepticism and lack of information from medical authorities.
  3. Social media is amplifying conspiracy theories around conditions like Sunnyvale syndrome, fueling public anxiety and misinformation.

New Models presents Kevin Munger on Vilem Flusser's Communicology

259 implied HN points • 14 Dec 23
🎨 Art & Illustration Social Science Political Science
  1. Kevin Munger delves into Vilém Flusser's 'Communicology' thesis, published by Stanford University Press in 2022
  2. Flusser's work highlights a significant shift in communication methods seen in the 1970s, now accelerated by modern networked media
  3. The lecture on 'Communicology' was presented by Munger at Trauma Bar und Kino, Berlin, emphasizing the evolving landscape of human communication

Alexandra Olympia Peristeraki: Enaboukaligala

139 implied HN points • 29 Jan 24
🎭️ Culture Memory Labor History Social Issues Documentary
  1. The story features a 93-year-old retired factory worker from Greece reminiscing about his time in a highly toxic environment.
  2. Google Street View is used as a time capsule to show the remains of the worker's narration captured from 2009 to 2019.
  3. The narrative combines found footage from different industrial settings to showcase the struggles of the working class past and present.

Jeff Sauer: Mirrorwave

239 implied HN points • 18 Dec 23
🎭️ Culture Advertising Technology Music Behavior Society
  1. Auto ads in subway cars can be strangely specific, like an ad featuring floating dogs in zero gravity
  2. Mirrorwaves are rare occurrences in subway ads, reflecting emotions from user metadata, like a misinterpretation of the user's feelings
  3. The protagonist's obsession with decoding subway auto ads leads to anxiety, fear of mirrorwaves, and ultimately, being blocked from using the subway

Dianna Lucia Dragonetti: How Beautiful Are the Feet

219 implied HN points • 25 Dec 23
🎶 Music Classical
  1. The post discusses the performance of 'How Beautiful are the Feet' from Handel's Messiah at Trinity Lutheran church of Manhattan on May 14, 2023.
  2. The oratorio was composed by George Frideric Handel in 1741, and the post shares details about this English-language work.
  3. Dianna Lucia Dragonetti is mentioned in the post, possibly connected to the performance or the discussion about the composition.

Sarah Chekfa: Stop Believing: The Data Center as Religious Monument

279 implied HN points • 06 Nov 23
🕹 Technology Data Centers Big Data Digital Infrastructure Environmental Impact
  1. Data centers are often like religious monuments, housing IT infrastructure and managing vast amounts of data that power modern life.
  2. Big data is considered almost mythical, with beliefs and values attributed to its insights and power, leading to comparisons with religion.
  3. Data centers have significant ecological impacts, consuming vast amounts of electricity and resources, leading to concerns over energy waste and pollution, with proposals for lunar data centers creating new environmental challenges.

House Of Bread

19 implied HN points • 28 Mar 24
🎨 Art & Illustration Sculpture Religious texts
  1. House of Bread sculpture explores mistranslations in ancient religious texts and the evolution of language over time.
  2. The artwork references religious imagery to delve into the concept of transformation in historical documents and its implications for modern interpretation.
  3. The piece prompts reflection on how cultural contexts and imprecise adaptations shape the meanings of words in religious texts and other historical writings.

Xleepyfay & Aemmonia: The Xenofeminist Hauntology

199 implied HN points • 02 Nov 23
🎭️ Culture Internet Identity Politics Art Social media
  1. Questionable fandoms and post-identity roleplays are replacing traditional political identities online, with origins in initially progressive communities.
  2. Xenofeminism challenges current identity politics, transitioning into hyper-aesthetisized roleplay as a response to political disillusionment.
  3. Post-identity roleplay serves as a detached, non-consequential fantasy exploration, replacing traditional political values and aims.

Tomi Faison: First As Tragedy Then As Larp

199 implied HN points • 30 Oct 23
🎨 Art & Illustration Exhibition Film Photography Installation Visual Arts
  1. The artwork 'First As Tragedy Then As Larp' by Tomi Faison delves into the concept of devirtualization and the transition of online politics to physical actions during specific events.
  2. The piece 'Carousel No. 1 (Desire Is Structured Like A Montage)' showcases a series of 35mm slide shows that explore the circular nature of desires and the unconscious through various sourced images.
  3. Through the use of film slides and montages, Tomi Faison's work reflects on drive and desire with a focus on the repetition and cyclical aspects of the unconscious.

‍Sara Bezovšek & Dorijan Šiško: What’s Your Truth

159 implied HN points • 13 Nov 23
🎨 Art & Illustration Social Commentary Virtual reality
  1. The video game 'What's Your Truth' by Sara Bezovšek and Dorijan Šiško explores contemporary post-internet society and the concept of 'truths'.
  2. Players in 'What's Your Truth' go through an information-oriented path to reveal their unique personality profile by selecting different 'truths'.
  3. The project delves into the philosophical implications of the existence of various 'truths' in today's media-social landscape, inviting players to participate in the formation and dissemination of different realities.

Support Do Not Research in 2024

79 implied HN points • 21 Dec 23
🎨 Art & Illustration Exhibitions Publications Support Events
  1. Do Not Research is a platform that supports artists and writers engaging with online culture, hosting events like exhibitions, film screenings, workshops, and book launches
  2. The publication began in 2021 and has featured nearly 200 contributors, with notable events at the IMA in Brisbane and the New Museum in New York City
  3. In 2024, support is needed for Do Not Research to fund new contributors, editorial work, and group projects

Do Not Research Mapping Project

99 implied HN points • 27 Nov 23
🎨 Art & Illustration Visual Arts Publication
  1. Do Not Research Mapping Project is a mysterious and immersive publication that delves into various topics such as memetic tactics and emergent political trends.
  2. The publication has organized events like gallery exhibitions, film screenings, and book launches over the past few years.
  3. To support future projects and contributor fees, a limited edition print featuring titles of works published between 2021 and 2023 is available for purchase until the end of the year.

Filip Kostic: Personal Computers (2nd Edition)

199 implied HN points • 04 Sep 23
🎨 Art & Illustration Visual art Digital Art Sculpture
  1. Personal Computers hold personal and intimate information for individuals, becoming a significant part of their lives.
  2. The concept of Personal Computers contrasts with Impersonal Computers, highlighting the notion of privacy and aesthetics in computing devices.
  3. Artists and Computer Modders engage with Personal Computers as tools for creation, emphasizing the importance of addressing the materiality and aesthetic history of these machines.

Joseph del Pesco & Jon Rubin: DAO of the DEAD

199 implied HN points • 28 Aug 23
🎨 Art & Illustration Digital Art NFTs AI Virtual reality Collective Intelligence
  1. Personal data can be collected and stored to create a digital twin, even tracking health issues and mental health over a lifetime.
  2. The concept of a decentralized autonomous organization (DAO) operated by digital twins was explored, enhancing collective creativity and wealth management.
  3. The DAO of the Dead demonstrated autonomous decision-making, wealth management, and investment, transcending human limitations and authorities.

Ruby Thelot: A Eulogy for Checkpoints

179 implied HN points • 11 Sep 23
🕹 Technology Social media Digital Infrastructure Internet History Community Building
  1. Checkpoints on YouTube started as a digital behavior in the comment section, reflecting user openness and vulnerability.
  2. YouTube comments section acts as a digital 'third place,' where users share semi-anonymously, similar to ancient city walls used for writing.
  3. Checkpoint stories highlight the importance of considering the fragility of digital infrastructures and the need for community memory preservation.

Charles-Arthur Feuvrier: FIX YOUR LIFE !

79 implied HN points • 23 Nov 23
🎨 Art & Illustration Visual Arts Digital Art Performance art
  1. A deep fake artwork of Joe Rogan at an art exhibition critiques his problematic discourse on self-realization and individualism.
  2. The artwork visually represents Joe Rogan as trapped in a grotesque body, symbolizing the spreading of controversial and masculinist ideologies.
  3. The artwork highlights how platforms like Spotify can amplify anti-vax and conspiracist messages that oversimplify complex issues like depression and addiction.

Aaron Moultan: Love Letter to the Secret Sleeper Cell

99 implied HN points • 27 Oct 23
🎨 Art & Illustration Community Creative Process Cultural Exchange Artistic expression
  1. The author recounts their deep involvement and transformative experience within a secret online community called the 'Super Secret Sleeper Cell' on Discord, where they found a sense of belonging and creative inspiration.
  2. Through connections made in this online community, the author underwent a spiritual and artistic awakening, leading them to question the traditional art world and empower themselves to create new forms of expression.
  3. The narrative evokes themes of community, artistic resilience, the power of online connections, and the idea of embracing change and new beginnings through creative collaboration and self-discovery.