Joshua Citarella's Newsletter

Joshua Citarella's Newsletter explores the intersection of digital culture, social media dynamics, art, and politics. It delves into the implications of platform competition, the role of irony in Gen Z politics, fitness guidance, the speculative future of society, and the impact of internet subcultures on political discourse.

Social Media Dynamics Art and Creativity Political Discourse and Ideologies Fitness and Wellness Internet Subcultures Future Societal Trends

The hottest Substack posts of Joshua Citarella's Newsletter

And their main takeaways

Doomscroll: Amber A'Lee Frost

457 implied HN points • 29 Oct 24
🎙 Podcasts Cultural critique Political Commentary Social movements Media Analysis Activism
  1. Young people are often seen as the future of social change. But we need to think about whether they really will lead the revolution.
  2. There are new efforts by the Republican party to support workers. It's important to consider if these changes are genuine or not.
  3. A lot of educated people are struggling to find jobs, which raises questions about what happens next in our society.

Doomscroll: Matty Healy

656 implied HN points • 22 Oct 24
🎭️ Culture Internet culture Pop Music Aesthetics Public Space
  1. Counter-culture has become more like a safe, marketable trend rather than a true rebellion. It's lost its original edgy vibe over time.
  2. Social media is changing how we experience public spaces and culture. We need to think about what a completely privatized world might look like.
  3. Conversations about culture and creativity are crucial. They can help us understand our current challenges and how to move forward.

Doomscroll: Yung Chomsky

377 implied HN points • 15 Oct 24
🎭️ Culture Fitness Online Communities Health Nutrition Aesthetics
  1. Yung Chomsky talks about his journey into the world of weight lifting and how he learned from different online communities. It's an interesting mix of lifting culture and personal growth.
  2. He addresses common mistakes people make when starting to lift weights, like following bad advice found online. Understanding proper training and nutrition can help you reach your fitness goals more effectively.
  3. The episode also touches on the surprising links between fitness culture and politics, particularly how some online groups can influence attitudes and behaviors.

Doomscroll: Trevor Paglen

437 implied HN points • 02 Oct 24
🎭️ Culture Art Media Politics Technology Design
  1. Trevor Paglen discusses how art connects technology and politics, showing us what can often be hidden or ignored. His work helps us think about the important issues behind new tech.
  2. He talks about 'psyops capitalism', where media creates content based on user behavior, which can shape our views and experiences.
  3. Paglen compares early UFO stories to today's social media disinformation, highlighting how misinformation has always been a part of our society.

Doomscroll: Peter James Fowler

198 implied HN points • 09 Oct 24
🎙 Podcasts Media Politics Culture Comedy Social Issues
  1. Young people can influence politics online, even starting at a very young age. It's surprising how a kid can run a political meme account with thousands of followers.
  2. The early internet had culture wars influenced by new atheism and the rise of conservative movements shaped by evangelical Christianity. These battles still affect us today.
  3. Our beliefs are influenced by our personal experiences and the political environment around us. It's important to recognize where our views come from.
Get a weekly roundup of the best Substack posts, by hacker news affinity:

A Letter to Young Creatives

675 implied HN points • 07 Feb 24
  1. Artistic practice involves interruptions and side quests along the way.
  2. The important work may not be recognized until many years later.
  3. Do not limit your art to a specific context, as the future of art institutions is uncertain.

InfoGoop

477 implied HN points • 09 Jan 24
  1. The artist explored consensus in polarized spaces through his work on alternative health products sold on InfoWars and Goop.
  2. He conducted auto-experiments by trying different supplements, emphasizing the importance of diet and exercise for wellness.
  3. Photographs of wellness products challenge consumer identities and reflect on the construction of truth in photography.

The Platform Wars

1093 implied HN points • 10 May 23
  1. Social media platforms are entering a phase of intense competition for data and users.
  2. Creators may need to prioritize posting on select platforms as features become exclusive to specific platforms.
  3. The future of social media may involve more niche and specialized platforms, leading to a less divisive media landscape.

Platform Wars (part 4): A Public Option for Social Media

516 implied HN points • 11 Oct 23
  1. Having a public option for social media can help maintain regulatory control, user privacy, and democratic consensus.
  2. Implementing digital postage can help fund the public option for social media and encourage more thoughtful and meaningful online interactions.
  3. StateBook aims to bring unique features like civil servant moderation, limited 'Likes', and a data marketplace to create a different online social experience.

My Book Recommendations 🎄🎁

337 implied HN points • 08 Dec 23
  1. Joshua Citarella shares his book recommendations for the season.
  2. He offers insight into his courses and syllabi that resemble university material.
  3. The reading list meme format is an effective way to propagate material to new audiences.

Fitness Program & Syllabus: Summer 2023

536 implied HN points • 06 Jul 23
  1. This fitness program is for intermediate weight lifters and requires completion of previous syllabi for foundational knowledge.
  2. The program includes the use of progressive overload, taking notes for progress tracking, and specific instructions for each exercise.
  3. Consistency, gradual progression, and proper diet are key to maximizing results in this 15-week fitness program.

Watch My Video Lecture

238 implied HN points • 27 Dec 23
  1. The post promotes a video lecture on 'extremely online politics'.
  2. The lecture was presented at FWBfest in Idyllwild, CA.
  3. Joshua Citarella's work and research over the years is summarized in the video.

Spectacular Hyper-Commodification

258 implied HN points • 24 Nov 23
  1. Theorygram is a subculture merging teenage meme posters exploring political theory due to online speech restrictions.
  2. The future ideologies involve drastic reduction in production to limit climate change and abolishing spectacle.
  3. The envisioned future society includes communal production of goods, no work, and nuclear energy usage.

Platform Wars (part 2): Twitter & the Blue Check

516 implied HN points • 07 Jun 23
  1. Ad-driven models of social media lead to controversy and divisive content for engagement.
  2. Human moderation on social media platforms should be accessible and affordable for content creators.
  3. Trustworthy verification, like the blue check on Twitter, is crucial for ensuring authenticity in online interactions.

Platform Wars (part 3): Banning TikTok

357 implied HN points • 09 Aug 23
  1. TikTok's data security and influence in geopolitics are major concerns due to its extensive data collection and potential alignment with the Chinese government.
  2. Differences in geopolitical blocks can lead to varying levels of censorship and political narratives on social media platforms.
  3. American platforms are preparing for a potential TikTok ban by investing in alternatives and shaping political consensus through alternative media.

Irony Politics & Gen Z (part 1)

337 implied HN points • 09 Mar 23
  1. Gen Z holds conservative values and progressive movements simultaneously
  2. Irony is used as a cultural strategy under late capitalism
  3. Teens are becoming politicized due to a world in crisis

Unconditional Accelerationism

258 implied HN points • 07 Apr 23
  1. Unconditional accelerationism advocates for accelerating societal processes regardless of the outcomes.
  2. Influenced by thinkers like Marx, unconditional accelerationism prioritizes the deterritorialization of society.
  3. Predictions for the future include increasing political extremism, economic inequality, and a shift towards decentralized networks.

Irony Politics & Gen Z (part 2)

278 implied HN points • 13 Mar 23
  1. Edgy teens on TikTok are expressing dissatisfaction but are not yet politicized.
  2. Counter-narratives are important to recruit young people into leftist political projects.
  3. Memes play a significant role in forming the political views of young individuals on platforms like TikTok.

e-deologies IV, 2023

258 implied HN points • 21 Mar 23
  1. E-deology is a term for complex ideological labels in online politics
  2. Various hyper-specific political labels like Anarcho-Transhumanist Solarpunk and New Federal State of China exist
  3. Ideologies like Anarcho-Pacifist Egoism and Young Americans for Liberty showcase diverse political perspectives

Anti-Democratic Transhumanism

238 implied HN points • 23 Feb 23
  1. The future could hold advancements in human-machine interfacing and digital immortality.
  2. Predictions for the future include 3D printed organs, genetically modified humans, and cyber terrorism.
  3. There may be changes in job markets, transportation, food production, and energy use in the future society.

Are Internet Subcultures the New Punk Rock?

2 HN points • 25 Jan 24
  1. The rise of internet subcultures is comparable to the impact of punk rock.
  2. Social media can be a platform for political education and engagement.
  3. Engaging with young online political subcultures is key to steering away from irony and nihilism.