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

Top posts of the year

And their main takeaways

Perhaps a Wave Has Crested

18183 implied HN points • 27 Apr 23
🎭️ Culture Cancel Culture
  1. The era of cancel culture may be declining.
  2. There is a growing understanding of human flaws and limitations.
  3. Endless outrage and offense are exhausting and cannot be sustained indefinitely.

It's All in Your Hands

14225 implied HN points • 17 May 23
📚 Literature Fiction
  1. The world can be harsh for gentle people
  2. Feeling harm and vulnerability can lead to violence
  3. Struggling with self-preservation and fragility can be a tough balancing act

Goodbye to "Goodbye to All That"

14194 implied HN points • 29 May 23
🎭️ Culture City life Urban living Personal narrative
  1. The decision to leave New York was primarily a financial one, due to housing costs and lack of space.
  2. Living in New York has positives and negatives, with challenges like limited space and high prices.
  3. Leaving New York doesn't mean losing all city experiences, especially with day trips possible from a nearby location.

Affirmative Action Thoughts in an Inelegant List Format

12957 implied HN points • 29 Jun 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Affirmative Action Higher education Social justice
  1. Race-conscious admissions in universities are okay under reparations for slavery, not just for diversity.
  2. The existing system discriminates against Asian applicants and elite colleges are a small part of higher education.
  3. Affirmative action deepens inequality within the Black community and the purpose of education has contradictory goals.
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Perhaps Taylor Swift Isn't the Defining Political Issue of Our Times

12741 implied HN points • 05 Feb 24
🎭️ Culture Music Politics Media Celebrity Society
  1. Consumption should not be equated with politics; what you buy does not define your political beliefs.
  2. Boycotting products, like hating Bud Light, is not a substantial political action; true political change requires mass action and not just personal choices.
  3. Liking certain music or celebrities does not make someone inherently more progressive; true politics is about material change and actions, not just cultural consumption.

... No, We Definitely Want to Use Medical Arguments to Defend Trans Children

11906 implied HN points • 12 Mar 24
🏥 Health Politics Transgender rights Medical care Advocacy Medical Ethics
  1. Medical arguments are crucial for defending trans children to ensure access to necessary healthcare.
  2. Advocating for trans rights should focus on practical strategies that work in the real world, not just theoretical ideals.
  3. Challenging societal norms and privacy laws for medical decisions of trans children may have adverse political consequences.

Think Less, Agnes

11720 implied HN points • 25 Jun 23
🎭️ Culture Travel Philosophy Academia Personal Story Critique
  1. The article discusses the tendency to overthink and intellectualize everyday experiences.
  2. It critiques the author's perception of love and relationships based on overly philosophical ideals.
  3. The text challenges the notion of profoundness in experiences and questions the need for such intellectualization.

Vague Recriminations Can't Fix American Mental Healthcare

11535 implied HN points • 14 Jun 23
🏥 Health & Wellness Mental health Healthcare system Treatment Advocacy Medications
  1. The American mental healthcare system needs more than vague criticisms to be fixed.
  2. Expanding access to mental healthcare requires understanding and addressing the existing stigma and challenges within the system.
  3. Advocacy for mental healthcare should focus on realistic goals and solutions, rather than relying on vague critiques and unfounded assumptions.

What We Might Mean by "Liberal Bias"

9772 implied HN points • 21 Jan 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Media bias Public Perception
  1. Liberal activists advocate for media to move away from balanced reporting and towards acknowledging facts over false equivalence
  2. Journalistic shifts towards liberal advocacy can lead to overlooking alternative perspectives, such as left critiques of diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts
  3. The financial model of news media can create a cycle of confirming readers' biases, limiting diverse perspectives and challenging journalism

What We've Lost in Music Criticism

8782 implied HN points • 24 Jan 24
🎶 Music Criticism Pop Rock Diversity
  1. Indie rock no longer exists in 2024, with no cool clubs or scene left to produce new albums, showing a cultural shift away from 'indie' music.
  2. The embrace of poptimism in music criticism led to a shift towards conformity and popular music elevation, changing the role of the critic from highlighting underappreciated music to reassuring popular tastes.
  3. Music criticism has lost its diversity and focus on challenging artistic expressions due to the dominance of poptimism, impacting the vibrancy and depth of music discussions.

Preemies, Genes, Meritocracy, and the Left

8689 implied HN points • 12 Feb 24
🎭️ Culture Meritocracy Parenting
  1. Premature birth and low birth weight can lead to significant academic challenges, affecting cognitive and academic outcomes.
  2. Acknowledging genetic influences on academic performance is controversial, but it's important to consider alongside environmental factors.
  3. Our focus on academic success and meritocracy may need to shift to value a broader range of human qualities and contributions.

This is Zion

8659 implied HN points • 23 Feb 24
🌍 World Politics Israel-Palestine conflict Nationalism Immigration Anti-Semitism
  1. The United States is considered a place of safety and prosperity for Jews, and some argue that it could be a better home for them than Israel.
  2. Critics of Jewish nationalism suggest that Israel's reliance on American support raises questions about its long-term viability.
  3. Encouraging Jewish immigration to the United States as an alternative to Israel is proposed as a solution for Jewish safety and success.

Screw You Guys, I Root For Muad'Dib

8442 implied HN points • 06 Mar 24
🎭️ Culture Film Literature Critique Fandom Characterization
  1. In the Dune universe, the writer roots for Paul Atreides despite knowing it won't end well
  2. The Dune 2 movie is praised for being a meticulously crafted, popular film with excellent cast and stunning visuals
  3. Despite the warnings about not rooting for Paul due to the themes of the story, the writer still finds him and his rebel army cool and follows Muad'Dib passionately

The ACLU Is Trying to Destroy the Biden NLRB

7174 implied HN points • 11 Mar 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Labor relations Civil Liberties Legal system Constitutional Law
  1. The ACLU is trying to expand mandatory arbitration, potentially limiting workers' rights and making union organizing harder.
  2. The ACLU is challenging the appointment of the current General Counsel of the NLRB, which could impact the legitimacy of decisions made by the Biden Board.
  3. The underlying dispute revolves around the termination of an ACLU staffer for protected complaints about workplace conditions, revealing a complex situation where legal theories are used to justify actions.

Who is the Real Dr. Peter Breggin, "The Conscience of Psychiatry"?

7081 implied HN points • 29 Jan 24
🏥 Health Politics Psychiatry Conspiracy Theories Mental Illness Public Safety
  1. Dr. Peter Breggin is a prominent figure in the modern anti-psychiatry movement, influencing American understanding of psychology with his opinions and academic background.
  2. Anti-psychiatry spans political spectrums and has gained notable influence in popular culture, intersecting with holistic medicine and alternative health viewpoints.
  3. Breggin, while respected in some mainstream circles, holds extreme views like being an anti-vaxxer and conspiracy theorist, casting doubt on the safety and efficacy of psychiatric medications.

What (Some) College Administrators Understand That (A Lot of) Wonks Don't

6587 implied HN points • 17 Mar 24
🚌 Education Career Advice
  1. College administrators consider selection effects when guiding students on majors, unlike many commentators who overlook this critical aspect.
  2. Determining economic success in fields not just about IQ; non-IQ factors, cognitive strengths, and personal preferences also play key roles.
  3. Encouraging all students into high-paying fields isn't feasible; it's essential to match talents with majors to minimize future struggles in job markets.

Gamifying the Self for Status and Profit

5844 implied HN points • 15 Jan 24
🎭️ Culture Social media Media Journalism
  1. Web 2.0 principles underlying online platforms can be toxic and damaging to journalism and media.
  2. The pressure for individuals in the reporting and opinionating business to be on Twitter created a culture where tweeting was perceived as necessary for existence in the industry.
  3. Twitter and similar constant mass-broadcasting services can lead to peer pressure, conformity, and hinder independence of thought in journalism and commentary.

Semaglutide Kind of Life

5659 implied HN points • 15 Mar 24
🏥 Health & Wellness Medication Weight management Exercise Mental health
  1. The author started taking a medication called Rybelsus due to metabolic problems caused by long-term use of psychiatric medications and physical limitations.
  2. The author's struggles with weight management, loss of control due to inability to lift weights, and the significant cost of medication highlight the challenges they face in trying to maintain their health.
  3. Regular monitoring and support from professionals are essential for the author's well-being, despite concerns about societal judgment around medication use.

Q & Answers

5350 implied HN points • 14 Feb 24
🎭️ Culture Ethics Identity Politics Art Mental health
  1. Engaging with opposing viewpoints can help refine ideas and perspectives.
  2. Art must uphold quality standards to effectively convey political messages.
  3. Personal apologies for past mistakes should not be incessantly repeated; it's essential to learn, make amends, and move forward.

Planet of Person Guys

5040 implied HN points • 18 Mar 24
🎭️ Culture Society Literature Criticism Social Trends Online behavior
  1. Contemporary social culture often relies on the notion of Person-Guys, predictable stereotypes that people aspire not to be.
  2. Society evolves, but Person-Guy stereotypes remain stagnant, failing to capture the complexity of individuals' growth and change over time.
  3. Insecurity and projection play a significant role in perpetuating Person-Guy discourse, with individuals projecting their own fears onto these stereotypes.

Nick Wright and the Shameless Clown Industry

4855 implied HN points • 22 Jan 24
🎾 Sports Media Athletes Criticism Fans Industry
  1. Sports media can sometimes be toxic with aimless shouting and pointless provocations.
  2. Nick Wright exemplifies how sports media can corrupt individuals, where his persona often overshadows his potential thoughtful side.
  3. Wright's obsessive criticism and cruelty towards athletes, like Josh Allen and Nikola Jokic, stems from personal biases and a lack of accountability in the sports media industry.

There's Probably Nothing We Can Do About This Awful Deepfake Porn Problem

4236 implied HN points • 02 Feb 24
🕹 Technology Internet Censorship Communication AI Deepfake
  1. In the age of the internet, censoring content is extremely challenging because of the global spread of digital infrastructure.
  2. Efforts to stop the spread of harmful content like deepfake porn may not be entirely successful due to the structure of the modern internet.
  3. Acknowledging limitations in controlling information dissemination doesn't equate to a lack of will to address concerning issues.

Review: Kyle Chayka's Filterworld

3618 implied HN points • 04 Mar 24
🎭️ Culture Art Fashion Literature Technology Social media
  1. The book delves into how algorithms have fundamentally reshaped human aesthetic production online and offline.
  2. Algorithms heavily influence culture and trends, even extending to architecture and interior design.
  3. The author addresses the challenge of standing out in today's saturated creative landscape shaped by algorithms, emphasizing the importance of navigating and adapting to the digital environment.

I'm Never One to Yuck Somebody Else's Yum, But True Detective Has Always Been Horseshit

3556 implied HN points • 20 Feb 24
🎭️ Culture TV shows Opinion
  1. The author believes that every season of True Detective has been disappointing, including the first season, which many consider a classic.
  2. There is a criticism that True Detective relies heavily on high budgets, stunning visuals, and star-studded cast, but lacks in plot coherence, thematic depth, and meaningful character development.
  3. The post points out the concept of 'Prestige Disease,' where a show's credentials and production values overshadow its actual artistic merit, leading to widely accepted but flawed acclaim.

Book Review Contest Winner: Love in the Time of Incarceration

2350 implied HN points • 08 Mar 24
🎭️ Culture Books Relationships Gender Literature
  1. The book 'Love in the Time of Incarceration' explores relationships with inmates and challenges stereotypes about prison love.
  2. Online communities for women with incarcerated loved ones provide support and understanding, forming a unique sisterhood.
  3. The book delves into the complexities of incarcerated relationships, showing how love can thrive in challenging circumstances.

Subscriber Writing, February 2024!

1762 implied HN points • 21 Feb 24
🎭️ Culture Writing Music Art Film Society
  1. Promote lesser-known creators and explore a variety of content to find hidden gems.
  2. Consider implementing more efficient processes in your work to save time and reduce errors.
  3. Expand your interests and explore different topics to discover unique perspectives and valuable insights.

February Call for Subscriber Writing, Reader Q&A, and the Book Review Contest Winners

1484 implied HN points • 01 Feb 24
📚 Literature Q&A
  1. 2023 book review contest winners announced: Alicia Kenworthy as the winner, Hal Johnson and Ethan Spiegelman as runners up.
  2. Reader Q&A opportunity open: Submit questions for a Q&A post before the end of February by replying directly to the email.
  3. Bi-monthly call for subscriber writing: Interested writers can submit their work for a chance to be shared with a mailing list of ~50,000 readers, following a specific format.

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.

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.

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.

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.