Freddie deBoer $5 / month

Freddie deBoer's Substack explores social and political issues with emphasis on nuance, including discussions on 'woke' culture, criminal justice reform, the complexities of love and personal behavior, and critiques of higher education and mental healthcare systems. The author advocates for pragmatism, compassion, and understanding across various topics.

Social and Political Commentary Criminal Justice Reform Cultural Critique Education and Affirmative Action Mental Healthcare Personal Behavior and Relationships LGBTQ+ Rights

The hottest Substack posts of Freddie deBoer

And their main takeaways

How to Quit Substack

10 HN points • 13 Jan 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Media Ideology Platforms Journalism
  1. The idea of 'no ethical living under capitalism' suggests the complexity of ethical decisions in a system of exploitation, emphasizing the need to work towards a better system.
  2. Critics of Substack may be focused more on personal gain and status rather than genuine moral concerns, using the platform move as a marketing strategy.
  3. The decision to leave a platform like Substack should be made authentically for personal reasons, rather than as a performative display of moral superiority or business strategy.

My Forthcoming Novel, and Why I Won't Write a Mental Illness Memoir

2 HN points • 03 Mar 24
📚 Literature Memoir Fiction Mental health
  1. The author is excited about publishing a novel titled 'The Mind Reels.' It's the story of a young woman going insane, slowly and then rapidly.
  2. The author avoids writing a mental illness memoir because he doesn't want to glamorize or romanticize his struggles. He believes the reality of mental illness is mostly mundane and not engaging.
  3. The author feels unable to accurately recall key experiences due to memory issues from mental illness and medication. He prefers to write about mental health from a more detached viewpoint in nonfiction.
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The Times

2 HN points • 01 Mar 24
  1. The New York Times is highly regarded for its journalism and financial stability, playing a crucial role in news reporting globally.
  2. Criticism of The New York Times often involves its perceived self-importance and resistance to admitting mistakes, reflecting a complex internal culture.
  3. The dominance of The New York Times in the media landscape has implications for the industry, leading to concerns about lack of competition and pressures on journalists.

COVID Still Makes Everybody a Little Bit Crazy

1 HN point • 13 Mar 24
🏥 Health Politics Public Health Policy Social justice Epidemiology
  1. COVID has caused varying degrees of anxiety and extreme reactions in people, leading to polarized beliefs and behaviors.
  2. There are different extreme perspectives on COVID from both right-leaning skeptics and left-leaning individuals, each with their own set of beliefs and theories.
  3. There is a need to balance the accommodation of vulnerable populations like the immunocompromised with making sound public health decisions based on evidence and prevalence.

Review: Freewrite Alpha

2 HN points • 07 Feb 24
🕹 Technology Gadgets User Interface
  1. The Freewrite Alpha is a writing-only device with a focus on simplicity, typing experience, and lack of distractions. It caters to those who struggle with digital distractions.
  2. The build quality of the Alpha is great, with premium materials and sturdy construction. Its lightweight and portability make it easy to carry around.
  3. The device's unreasonably long battery life, instant power button function, and reliable WiFi syncing are standout features. However, the small screen size and some odd UI choices might be drawbacks for potential users.

weird

2 HN points • 19 Jan 24
🏥 Health & Wellness Mental health Self-Acceptance Stigma Well-being Compassion
  1. The concept of being weird but loved and popular is explored, challenging the idea that weirdness and lonliness go hand in hand.
  2. The text discusses the complexities of mental illness and the challenges of societal perceptions, especially focusing on the need for compassion and understanding.
  3. There is a critique of the modern tendency to medicalize behavior, like with disorders such as ARFID, and the importance of not losing sight of genuine human struggles and complexities.

All Things Go, But Nothing Goes Faster Than Sports Glory Goes

1 HN point • 19 Feb 24
🎾 Sports Athletes Comparisons Legends Media bias
  1. The concept of 'Greatest of All Time' (GOAT) in sports is flawed because the title keeps changing hands quickly, making the term lose its meaning over time.
  2. Presentism, the bias towards the present, influences sports media to overlook past greats like Bart Starr and Sammy Baugh, focusing only on current players.
  3. Comparing athletes across eras is challenging and often biased due to the obsession with the present and the continuous turnover of 'greatest' titles in sports.