Slack Tide by Matt Labash

Slack Tide by Matt Labash is a reflective commentary on current events, personal growth, and societal observations. It covers a wide range of themes, including politics, aging, kindness, the nature of truth, faith, and the power of nature and quiet introspection as antidotes to the chaos of the modern world.

Current Events Personal Growth Societal Observations Politics Aging Kindness Truth and Misinformation Faith and Religion Nature and Environment Literature and Writing

The hottest Substack posts of Slack Tide by Matt Labash

And their main takeaways

Navalny vs. Trump

311 implied HN points • 19 Feb 24
🌍 World Politics Leaders Comparison Documentary
  1. Navalny sacrificed himself for others, Trump sacrifices others for himself.
  2. Navalny was a great man while Trump seeks admiration for himself.
  3. Navalny was a lion-hearted badass, while Trump is characterized as a lyin' ass.

The Cocoon Election

176 implied HN points • 06 Mar 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Election Candidates Polls Age Presidency
  1. The current presidential candidates are significantly older than the average age of past presidents and the average age of death for former presidents, raising concerns about capability for such a stressful role
  2. Polls show that Trump is consistently leading over Biden in national polls, suggesting a strong showing for Trump in the upcoming election
  3. Despite the dissatisfaction with current choices, there is a lack of viable alternatives in the current presidential election

Is God Laughing At Us?

150 implied HN points • 28 Feb 24
⛪ Faith & Spirituality Spirituality Music
  1. The post discusses the contemplation over a Randy Newman song questioning if God laughs at mankind's actions.
  2. It delves into the intricacies of spiritual themes and the perspective on humanity portrayed in the song.
  3. The post also humorously touches on the writer's personal preferences and experiences related to music and masculinity.

One Nation, Under Lunacy

224 implied HN points • 04 Feb 24
⛪ Faith & Spirituality Belief Music Grief Transformation
  1. Our society is going through a period of collective insanity with disturbing events and conflicts.
  2. Finding solace and promoting mental well-being can be achieved through activities like using a steam room and engaging with thought-provoking content, such as books.
  3. Exploring faith, doubt, and deeper questions through literature and music, like the work of Nick Cave, can lead to personal growth and introspection.

TikTok, You Do Stop

80 implied HN points • 15 Mar 24
🎭️ Culture Social media Entertainment
  1. The author questions the need for TikTok to exist in its current form and suggests banning it due to negative impacts on society, particularly the younger generation.
  2. There's a generational divide in attitudes towards social media, with the author expressing nostalgia for pre-internet times and advocating for activities that engage with the physical world.
  3. The post highlights concerns about the dumbing down effect of social media, pointing out the potential dangers of excessive screen time and the need for a reevaluation of societal priorities.
Get a weekly roundup of the best Substack posts, by hacker news affinity:

Abolish Valentine's Day

123 implied HN points • 13 Feb 24
🎭️ Culture Opinion Relationships Satire Humor
  1. The author disapproves of Valentine's Day and believes it is a commercialized holiday that should be abolished.
  2. The author expresses love for various things and people, sharing personal opinions and humor in their writing.
  3. The subscription-based content discusses the author's perspectives on love, humor, and rejecting societal expectations related to Valentine's Day.

All Skate

229 implied HN points • 20 Jun 23
🎭️ Culture Nostalgia Fashion Music History Conversation
  1. The author reminisces about skating rinks in the early '80s and the pressure to look cool in front of others.
  2. The post invites readers to share their thoughts on various topics, from politics to pop culture, in the comments section.
  3. Paid subscribers have the opportunity to engage in discussions and express themselves on a range of subjects.

Let's Go, So We Can Get Back

176 implied HN points • 25 Jul 23
🏝 Travel
  1. The author reflects on his trip to the Amalfi Coast and the concept of destination funerals.
  2. He discusses his preference for shorter destination events like weddings over longer ones.
  3. There's a humorous mention of planning a unique destination funeral in a pirate's cove in Somalia.

Our Lying Problem

175 implied HN points • 29 Jun 23
🎭️ Culture Society Literature History Politics Media
  1. Even the most honest individuals tell up to two lies per day, but the truth has a way of surfacing despite efforts to suppress it.
  2. George Orwell's commitment to telling the truth serves as a valuable example to combat public lies, drawing insights from his work on truth and authenticity.
  3. Putting an end to public lying involves not rewarding it and fostering independent thinking to resist manipulation and misinformation.

Royal Disillusionment

183 implied HN points • 07 May 23
🎭️ Culture Satire Opinion Family Tradition
  1. The author reflects on his disdain for the Royals but admits his feelings have softened over time.
  2. The Royal family's recent events, including Prince Harry's behavior, were discussed and critiqued.
  3. The author shares personal anecdotes and connects his changing views on the Royals to similar experiences with other public figures.

Pandermonium!

175 implied HN points • 01 Apr 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Election Trump Republicans Law Media
  1. There's a lack of normalcy in today's political landscape and political figures are not held to traditional standards of morality.
  2. Hypocrisy is no longer a concern as many political figures operate without clear principles.
  3. Republicans are rallying around Trump despite legal challenges, showcasing a shift towards embracing embattled figures for financial and political gains.

Why?

163 implied HN points • 30 Apr 23
⛪ Faith & Spirituality Religion Beliefs
  1. One's faith and understanding of God can be complex and personal.
  2. Religious beliefs may not always align with traditional religious practices or representations.
  3. Questions about religion and ethics can lead to deep philosophical discussions.

Brook Trouting Through Armageddon

141 implied HN points • 26 Mar 23
🎭️ Culture Nature Writing Family Music Outdoor activities
  1. Finding solace and beauty in nature can provide a much-needed escape from the overwhelming negativity of the news cycle.
  2. Spending quality time with loved ones, like children, in nature can bring joy and a sense of completeness.
  3. Fishing and connecting with nature can offer a reprieve from the challenges of writing as a profession.

Lock Them Up!

141 implied HN points • 10 Mar 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics
  1. January 6 events are undergoing a reputation-rehabilitation effort by some political figures.
  2. Trump collaborated with incarcerated individuals for a song called 'Justice for All.'
  3. Trump may face imminent indictment over paying hush money to Stormy Daniels.

Holy Books

123 implied HN points • 21 Feb 23
📚 Literature Author Poetry Interviews Writing Books
  1. Appreciate wisdom in various forms, whether from religious texts like Psalms and Proverbs or from writers like Jim Harrison.
  2. Seek inspiration from those who share your passions and values, like how Harrison connected with elements of nature, writing, and indulgence.
  3. Embrace balance and truth, even in indulgence, as advocated by Harrison's views on drinking and facing life's challenges with humility.

Overstimulation Nation

126 implied HN points • 10 Feb 23
  1. The importance of embracing boredom and avoiding overstimulation.
  2. Reflecting on the constant noise and stimuli in modern society.
  3. Suggesting deliberate boredom or stillness as a way to find healing and peace.