Links I Would Gchat You If We Were Friends

This Substack explores digital culture, internet phenomena, and the impact of technology on daily life, emphasizing themes like privacy, grief, social media trends, AI, wellness culture, consumerism, and personal narratives. It critically reflects on changes in internet use, the commodification of personal life, and the evolving landscape of online interaction.

Digital Culture and Internet Phenomena Technology and Society Mental Health and Wellness AI and Automation Social Media Trends and Impacts Consumer Culture Personal Narratives and Storytelling Internet and Technology Critique Public Health and Misinformation Media and Content Consumption

The hottest Substack posts of Links I Would Gchat You If We Were Friends

And their main takeaways

Manifest that shit

0 implied HN points • 07 Jan 22
🎭️ Culture Memes Spirituality Art Fashion Internet
  1. Manifesting is a popular practice gaining traction, especially during times of crisis like the pandemic
  2. Manifesting comes in various forms, from self-help to spiritual practice to wish-fulfillment
  3. The trend of manifesting is intertwined with larger conversations around health, wellness, and a revival of New Age beliefs

Cancel corporeality 

0 implied HN points • 15 Oct 21
🎭️ Culture News Tech Psychology Business Society
  1. Slack is more than just a chat software, it has revolutionized office culture and hierarchy.
  2. There is an emerging industry helping individuals leave QAnon, focusing on rebuilding identities after leaving.
  3. Generational labels are being questioned for making lazy assumptions about large groups of people.

Hell, I have no idea

0 implied HN points • 30 Jul 21
🎭️ Culture Internet Technology Art Media Pop culture
  1. This week's newsletter discusses topics like Artificial Intelligence, the nostalgia for the 'good' internet, and why millennials love dogs.
  2. To-do apps are numerous, but they may not be as effective as we think, requiring deeper introspection to enhance productivity.
  3. The internet's realm of quotations is often inaccurate, attributing lines incorrectly, shedding light on the quirky world of attribution websites.

The white-male effect

0 implied HN points • 25 Sep 20
🎭️ Culture Friendship Work Music Internet Media
  1. The close friendship between Ruth Bader Ginsburg and her reporter friend showed remarkable devotion to principles and ethics.
  2. An exploration into how the 'white-male effect' in Silicon Valley leads to ignoring risks in pursuit of innovation.
  3. Investigations reveal the extent to which websites track user data, with tools available to uncover trackers and ad cookies.
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Friction is for losers

0 implied HN points • 19 Jun 20
🕹 Technology AI Social media Chatbots Tech industry
  1. Friction is for losers - The idea discussed is about using chat bots as conversational partners to work through emotional challenges without burdening friends or family.
  2. Chat bots provide comfort and support - These bots are designed to mimic human conversation, offer empathy, and help individuals question their thought patterns.
  3. AI chatbots are evolving - The technology behind chat bots has advanced significantly, showing improvements in conversation abilities and understanding emotions.

Stop trying to make content farms happen

0 implied HN points • 27 Aug 23
  1. Demand Media relied on cheap, AI-generated content to drive traffic and revenue, but it failed due to lack of quality and Google downranking.
  2. Despite past failures, there's a resurgence in using AI for content farms, like LedeAI aiding newspapers in generating low-quality sports recaps for ad revenue.
  3. The push for content farms ignores the importance of quality journalism and risks cluttering the internet with poor content, regardless of authorship.

How in the hellfire

0 implied HN points • 25 Jun 21
🎭️ Culture Media Celebrities Society Entertainment Social media
  1. Many media companies heavily promote Amazon Prime Day despite criticizing Amazon for labor practices.
  2. Consider canceling Amazon Prime to resist the urge to buy more products.
  3. Reading diverse content like profiles on fallen YouTubers and racial representation in industries offers unique insights.

The kindness of nerds

0 implied HN points • 11 Jun 21
🎭️ Culture Internet Social media Entertainment Technology Pop culture
  1. Reddit's Secret Santa, where strangers worldwide exchanged gifts, was a symbol of internet kindness that Reddit executives believed in despite the cynicism in the tech industry.
  2. The transition of Reddit from a platform symbolizing kindness to one driven by a more realistic business model, like selling ads, reflects a change in perception of 'value' in the online world.
  3. The concept of 'value' on the internet has shifted, as seen in the change in Reddit's engagement with Secret Santa over the years, showing a different approach to community and interactions.
  4. Don't forget: despite good initiatives, Reddit still has its share of issues.

A matter of internet speculation

0 implied HN points • 18 Sep 20
🎭️ Culture Internet Conspiracy Media Society Music
  1. People often invent boogeymen to ease their fears when faced with overwhelming challenges, even if these threats are mostly products of internet speculation.
  2. Right-wing conspiracies often focus on creating concrete villains like child traffickers and pedophiles during times of social upheaval to provide a target for battle.
  3. When feeling destabilized by change, people tend to look for a tangible enemy to fight against, leading to the emergence of internet boogeymen like looters, arsonists, and mad scientists.

The calamari guy isn’t voting for Biden

0 implied HN points • 22 Aug 20
🎭️ Culture Internet culture Literature Media Social Issues Pop culture
  1. The Democratic National Convention affected people emotionally, making them cry or sob due to its effective messaging and format.
  2. Interesting articles worth reading include an analysis of internet astrology, a profile of a prominent woman in modern romance novels, and an unflattering look at quack orthodontists.
  3. Family vlogging on the internet is scrutinized for toxicity and several thought-provoking stories on various topics are recommended for further reading.

Cancel the cancellation discourse

0 implied HN points • 17 Jul 20
🎭️ Culture Social Issues Media Arts Literature Humor
  1. The post discusses the overdone discourse surrounding cancellation, touching on various forms of cancellations that have been debated in different areas like pop culture, journalism, and philosophy.
  2. The post recommends interesting reads for the weekend, such as an interview with Jia Tolentino and articles on Silicon Valley's movements and the rise and fall of 'Chanel of coffee'.
  3. Various diverse topics are indirectly touched upon in the post like the fate of salad bars, the influence of the white gaze on Indian food, and the impact of pandemics on societies.

In defense of firework conspiracists

0 implied HN points • 26 Jun 20
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Conspiracy Theories Race relations Social Issues Media Critique
  1. Some people believe in conspiracy theories about fireworks being orchestrated by the police, which may seem complex but come from a place of valid fear and distrust.
  2. Conspiracy theories can reflect the privilege or oppression experienced by different groups - like embittered middle-aged white individuals versus Black city residents.
  3. The rise of new conspiracy theories independent of historical events like assassinations, for instance, in the case of fireworks conspiracies.

Crisis averted

0 implied HN points • 29 May 20
🎭️ Culture Internet culture History Media Social Issues Online Platforms
  1. Y2K and COVID-19 both show the importance of trusting experts and unseen work in crisis response.
  2. Historical events like Y2K can teach us valuable lessons about mitigating disasters and recognizing the reality of threats.
  3. Success in averting a catastrophe doesn't mean the threat wasn't real - it often reflects the effectiveness of prevention efforts.

A fireball of chaos and internet drama

0 implied HN points • 22 May 20
🎭️ Culture Internet Podcasts Media Food Social media
  1. Digital technologies have blurred the distinction and meaning of individual places, allowing tasks to be done from anywhere.
  2. The COVID-19 pandemic has led to a shift in our relationship with geographic place, with the potential for remote work to reshape urban landscapes.
  3. Remote work flexibility may lead to people moving away from expensive cities and reevaluating the importance of physical proximity to others.

Boom times for boredom

0 implied HN points • 03 Apr 20
🎭️ Culture Social media Internet Trends Online Communities Digital Culture
  1. It's important to be cautious about relying on Facebook 'disaster' groups, considering the platform's own issues
  2. The political landscape is rapidly shifting to a digital space, with Democrats facing challenges in reaching voters online
  3. There's a fun read available on the legacy of Myspace music, catering to subscribers who appreciate a deep dive into nostalgia

Introducing... Links I Would Gchat You If We Were Quarantined

0 implied HN points • 31 Mar 20
🎭️ Culture Internet Newsletter Substack Internet culture Digital Trends
  1. The author is reviving an old newsletter called 'Links I Would Gchat You If We Were Friends' and is relaunching it on Substack.
  2. The newsletter will be similar to the original one, featuring links, humor, and GIFs, now on a twice-weekly schedule.
  3. The newsletter will focus on various internet culture topics and will include content like Zoom clubs, digital church, and livestreamed loneliness.

hi hey hello hello there

0 implied HN points • 13 Oct 16
🕹 Technology Internet Social media AI Online Dating Apps
  1. We rely heavily on computer automation and have lost basic skills due to it.
  2. Tomi Lahren is a controversial figure who gains popularity through provocative statements.
  3. Tech firms intentionally create addictive products, leading to debates about user discipline and intervention.

Tinder is the Night

0 implied HN points • 23 Sep 16
🕹 Technology Social media Hacking Digital Identity
  1. Moderating online speech is extremely challenging for platforms, highlighting varying social norms on speech and the importance of consistent moderation standards.
  2. Technology has deeply influenced our lives, making it difficult to live without constant online connection.
  3. Predicting bestsellers through algorithms may benefit the publishing industry but could potentially impact literature negatively.

The cyber is so big

0 implied HN points • 08 Sep 16
🕹 Technology Social media Cybersecurity Online Privacy Internet culture
  1. Believing in conspiracy theories online is easy, but it can become dangerous when it affects real lives.
  2. Legacy.com, for the deceased, is like having a Facebook profile with similar issues and innovations.
  3. The impact of sexting scandals on teenagers can be devastating, leading to isolation and serious consequences.

Sent from my iPhone

0 implied HN points • 02 Sep 16
🕹 Technology Social media AI Internet Digital Culture Tech industry
  1. Silicon Valley promotes an ideology of freedom through technology, but many don't feel 'free' after 20 years.
  2. Uber's dominance in public transit impacts cities differently, creating faster options for some and leaving others behind.
  3. Chuck Tingle used a Hugo nomination to advocate for diversity in science fiction, turning the tables on his trolls.

An elegy for the Internet

0 implied HN points • 02 Jun 16
🕹 Technology Social media Streaming Gaming Internet culture Tech Companies
  1. New media platforms like Facebook Live are still finding their footing and may evolve to offer better content in the future.
  2. Twitter struggles not only with a problematic product but also with company issues, leaving its future uncertain under current leadership.
  3. Tumblr's Liftblr community sheds light on a subculture of teen shoplifters who see their activities as a form of anti-capitalist activism.

Largely unchill

0 implied HN points • 19 Aug 23
🎭️ Culture Theater Media Fashion Technology Social media
  1. Newsletter shares articles on online returns, AI friends, and corporate presentations
  2. The newsletter features interesting stories like a scandal from a small Instagram account and the success behind Athletic beer
  3. The newsletter also includes lighthearted content on various trending topics and recent happenings

An act of jokey desperation

0 implied HN points • 27 May 23
🎭️ Culture Digital Nomads Social media Innovation Internet culture Literature
  1. The post discusses digital nomads, Nextdoor politics, Instagram beauty standards, old dogs, soft-swingers, and more
  2. The newsletter highlights interesting articles including the impact of digital nomads on local communities, Nextdoor's role in local politics, and how digital culture is reshaping beauty standards
  3. The author reflects on their writing process, apologizes for an unexpected hiatus, and shares popular links from previous newsletters

The last all-ages social media site

0 implied HN points • 15 Apr 22
🎭️ Culture Social media Technology Generations Entertainment Internet culture
  1. YouTube is surprisingly popular among various age groups, not just the youth, with boomers being the fastest-growing demographic on the platform.
  2. Interesting articles recommended for reading cover topics like AI ethics, house-flipping algorithms, and the changing language influenced by the internet.
  3. Various trends and topics such as metaverse fashion, crypto for kids, and the increasing heteronormativity of the internet are discussed in the newsletter.

Unexpectedly cool this week

0 implied HN points • 10 Mar 15
🕹 Technology Internet Social media Online Content Tech Trends
  1. Is the Internet affecting mental health? There's debate over whether the Internet causes new mental health issues or just highlights existing ones.
  2. Reddit and racism: The platform faces criticism for harboring racist content, showing the impact of individual responsibility.
  3. Clickbait evolution: ViralNova exemplifies clickbait's shift from a small operation to a serious business with goals.

What it all means ~in the end.~

0 implied HN points • 04 Feb 15
🎭️ Culture Social media Food Internet Technology Media
  1. An artist tracked down their social media connections in 150 cities, revealing insights into weak ties and identity.
  2. Internet media metaphor: Fast food consumption in food deserts sheds light on a modern conundrum.
  3. A man has made 47,000 almost identical grammatical edits on Wikipedia since 2007, highlighting his unique hobby.

Idk, you guys

0 implied HN points • 30 Jan 15
🕹 Technology Internet Social media Podcasts Smartphones Cybersecurity
  1. The concept of 'surfing the web' is considered outdated and passe, leading to a quest for a new term that truly captures internet usage today.
  2. Snapchat's popularity among teenagers remains a mystery to many, showing that the app's confusing nature doesn't deter its growth.
  3. The show 'Black Mirror' presents technology in a way that feels both eerily real and terrifying, drawing audiences in with its depiction of the joys and horrors of tech.

Into it

0 implied HN points • 18 Feb 15
🕹 Technology Internet China Social media Celebrity Surveillance
  1. The 'Million Dollar Homepage' froze a piece of the earlier Internet in time by charging $1 per pixel for ad space, making over $1 million.
  2. Stolen iPhones ending up in China can give you a personal glimpse into a stranger's life if still connected to your iCloud account.
  3. Transit agencies actively read and respond to terrible tweets, showcasing public interaction with social media.