Embedded

Embedded explores modern digital life, focusing on the impact of social media, the evolution of online culture, and personal interactions in the digital age. It addresses issues like digital fragility, viral phenomena, brand naming trends, and the personal dynamics of online fame, through essays and interviews.

Digital Culture Social Media Trends Online Personalities Digital Communication Brand Naming Online Fame and Virality Personal Reflections in the Digital Age Evolution of Online Content

The hottest Substack posts of Embedded

And their main takeaways

It’s too easy to delete things

2142 implied HN points • 22 Jan 24

🕹 Technology Internet Security

Our digital lives are becoming more precarious
Digital fragility has worsened over time
It's challenging to protect our digital memories

My Internet: Brynn Wallner

963 implied HN points • 12 Jan 24

🎭️ Culture Social media Online Trends Podcasts Music Fashion

Brynn Wallner uses Instagram for work but doesn't feel comfortable keeping up with the online discourse for leisure.
Brynn Wallner appreciates the creative potential of AI but is concerned about its sourcing information without proper fact-checking.
Brynn Wallner enjoys Lana Del Rey's internet presence and follows Leila Rahimi's eclectic music playlists on Spotify.

Why am I so bad at replying to texts?

982 implied HN points • 08 Jan 24

🎭️ Culture Personal Essay

The author struggles with replying to texts annually as a failed resolution.
The burden of unanswered texts hangs over the author's everyday life.
The issue is not about the difficulty of the conversations, but the author's responsiveness.

My Internet: Stephen Totilo

825 implied HN points • 19 Jan 24

🕹 Technology Internet Social media Gaming Entertainment

Stephen Totilo, the Game File founder, is not into comedy.
He enjoys watching TikToks, specifically a guy in Japan pretending to be an NPC in Grand Theft Auto.
Stephen Totilo focuses on journalism about gaming, relying on Twitter for news and finding joy offline.

When it’s your family that goes viral

884 implied HN points • 10 Jan 24

🎭️ Culture Internet culture Family Dynamics Influencer Marketing Content creation

Influencer success can unexpectedly come from family dynamics and not just individual content creation.
Sharing authentic and positive content on social media can create a safe and supportive community.
Balancing a stable job with content creation can offer security and maintain personal boundaries in online presence.

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Are creators the future of media?

511 implied HN points • 05 Feb 24

Media executives are constantly shifting focus, from video to AI, while real people gain audience with unique voices.
Traditional journalism faces competition from online personalities like TikTok creators in spreading news and culture.
Viewing content creators as threats in the media industry is misguided; adaptation may be necessary for journalists.

TikTok’s Melissa McCarthy Mandela effect

707 implied HN points • 17 Jan 24

🎭️ Culture Internet culture Comedy Social media Entertainment

A TikTok video caused a Mandela effect about Melissa McCarthy's involvement in a dance trend.
The viral trend led to misunderstandings and confusion among viewers.
The comedian behind the video, Han Williamson, experienced rapid online fame and is navigating its impact on her comedy career.

My Internet: Elamin Abdelmahmoud

452 implied HN points • 09 Feb 24

🎭️ Culture Internet Social media Memes Art Podcasts

Millennials are described as the enforcers of internet norms, likened to the role boomers play in society.
Elamin Abdelmahmoud appreciates a wholesome and enjoyable For You page on TikTok, filled with heartwarming content.
When it comes to creating content, Elamin feels uncertain about making TikToks due to struggles with the visual format, fearing he would abuse the 'Millennial pause.'

The TikTokification of ASMR

452 implied HN points • 07 Feb 24

🎭️ Culture Internet culture Community Digital Content Art

ASMR has evolved and gained mainstream acceptance over the years, transitioning to TikTok as a popular platform for ASMR content.
Content creators like CozyLotusASMR are finding success by focusing on nature and the outdoors, showcasing ASMR in unique ways.
Knowing your audience and adapting content to different platforms like YouTube and TikTok is key to engaging viewers and building a community.

Going viral sucks (even more) now

2103 implied HN points • 24 Jul 23

🎭️ Culture Social media Internet culture Influencers Online behavior Algorithm

Going viral on social media can be overwhelming and invite negative comments from strangers.
Social media algorithms are pushing creators to reach a wider audience, sometimes at the expense of their mental health.
Apps prioritizing reaching strangers over engaging with followers can make social media use traumatizing.

Colleen Ballinger’s apology song was the last gasp of old YouTube

1533 implied HN points • 03 Jul 23

🎭️ Culture YouTube Content creation Social media

Colleen Ballinger's apology song on YouTube was criticized for trivializing serious allegations and being dated.
Creators should learn to evolve with the industry to sustain success, beyond just relying on one viral schtick.
Ballinger's response to allegations highlights the importance of adapting to changes in online behavior and audience expectations.

Hot Guy Books and GPT Admissions

117 implied HN points • 11 Feb 24

🎭️ Culture Books Media Internet

The post discusses 'Hot Guy Books' and GPT Admissions, sharing a roundup of articles, links and thoughts from the internet.
There are featured stories like 'Are creators the future of media?' and 'The TikTokification of ASMR'.
The post includes exclusive content for paid subscribers and promotes subscriptions for full access.

Brand names are all nonsense now

1316 implied HN points • 31 May 23

🎭️ Culture Language Tech Social media Branding Advertising

Start-ups are using nonsensical words in brand names, creating gibberish.
The tech industry is a major contributor to the trend of abandoning traditional words for syllables.
This trend of nonsensical names extends beyond the online world to real-life aspects like advertising and social media.

Nobody knows how to post about Mother’s Day

1100 implied HN points • 08 May 23

🎭️ Culture Social media Brands Marketing Grief Holidays

Mother's Day posts online can be fraught with attempts at inclusivity
Brands sending 'dead mom' marketing emails can be perceived as pandering
Acknowledging grief around Mother's Day can offer a chance for open conversation

Sunday Scroll: Bad dating apps and Facebook nostalgia

117 implied HN points • 14 Jan 24

🎭️ Culture Internet TV shows

Sunday Scroll newsletter features articles, links, and thoughts.
Topics include bad dating apps, Facebook nostalgia, and TV show recommendations.
The newsletter may contain stories like 'Why am I so bad at replying to texts?' and 'When it's your family that goes viral.'

Sunday Scroll: Chad facing and chicken bones

98 implied HN points • 21 Jan 24

🎭️ Culture Internet Social media

The 'Clean White Noise - Loopable with no fade' by White Noise Baby Sleep has reached 1.5 billion streams on Spotify.
The Sunday Scroll is a roundup of articles, links, and thoughts from being on the internet.
Embedded published articles about TikTok's Melissa McCarthy Mandela effect and My Internet: Stephen Totilo.

Sunday Scroll: Self promotion and Black Twitter history

19 implied HN points • 04 Feb 24

🎭️ Culture Social media Digital Media Gen Z

The post discusses self-promotion and Black Twitter history
The Sunday Scroll includes a roundup of articles and links from the internet
Some content on the website is exclusive for paid subscribers

Digital footprints are meaningless now

1 HN point • 07 Aug 23

🕹 Technology Social media Online Privacy Internet culture

Digital footprints are becoming less significant due to the overwhelming amount of information online.
Younger generations are generating an excessive amount of digital content, creating a cloud of information that is hard to navigate.
People are becoming more open and authentic online, sharing personal details that were previously considered private.