So Here’s a Thing

So Here’s a Thing explores a diverse array of subjects, ranging from the intricacies of writing, nuances of world events, to the subtleties of everyday life, art, and artificial intelligence. It delves into societal issues, personal reflections, historical anecdotes, and the impact of technology, all while emphasizing a deep appreciation for the mundane and the magnificent alike.

Writing World Events Societal Issues Personal Reflections History Art and Culture Artificial Intelligence Food and Cooking Travel Daily Routines Entertainment Industry

The hottest Substack posts of So Here’s a Thing

And their main takeaways

Could the world BE more fucked up?

1828 implied HN points • 05 Nov 23
🌍 World Politics Israel Palestine Gun Control Mass Shootings Mental health
  1. The world is facing challenging, contentious, and seemingly unsolvable issues that need to be discussed to find solutions and understand different perspectives.
  2. The conflict between Israel and Gaza is heartbreaking, and it's important to show compassion for innocent lives affected by the atrocities committed by power-hungry individuals.
  3. The debate around gun control in the United States is complex, emotional, and requires open conversations to find common ground and work towards addressing the root problems.

The Vile Leading The Lost

1671 implied HN points • 18 Sep 23
🎭️ Culture Celebrity Media Gender Social Issues Entertainment
  1. The Attention Economy rewards those who attract the most attention, regardless of the content or quality of that attention.
  2. Insecurity Vampires like Russell Brand and Elon Musk thrive on exploiting the lost and confused, pushing controversial views for profit.
  3. There is a growing danger in mainstream media perpetuating damaging stereotypes about masculinity, which can be preyed upon by manipulative figures like Tate and Carlson.

So Here's a "thing"

1592 implied HN points • 26 Feb 23
🎨 Art & Illustration Creativity Etymology Language Literature Writing
  1. Engagement in posts should be a pleasure and not a chore, focusing on quality over quantity to prevent overwhelming the audience.
  2. Consider offering a paid subscription for those who want to support content and provide exclusive features for those subscribers.
  3. Etymology reveals the evolution of words like 'thing' over time, showcasing how meanings shift and adapt in language.

ART: Midnight on Mars

1573 implied HN points • 28 Feb 23
🎨 Art & Illustration AI Art Digital Art Visual storytelling
  1. The featured AI-tinged images in the announced Substack post provide a glimpse into the world of pastel retro-futurism art on social media.
  2. AI art sparks a discussion similar to digital art in the 1990s, where it can be a tool for artists to bring visions to life rather than an entity of great intrinsic value.
  3. The art pieces evoke a sense of capturing Ray Bradbury's mind after a night of adventures with David Bowie, creating a unique and vivid aesthetic.

I got hold of a copy of the "Woke Agenda"... and it's SUPERBAD

1435 implied HN points • 12 Mar 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Social Issues Political Ideologies Political Discourse Policy Making Voting behavior
  1. The concept of extending care and compassion to all individuals, regardless of differences, is crucial in today's world.
  2. The 'Woke Agenda' is often misrepresented by some as promoting communism when in reality, it advocates for simple kindness and understanding.
  3. The divide between right-wing and left-wing ideologies lies in the willingness to bridge gaps or widen them, with the importance of empathy and unity being central to societal progress.
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Lo, a Substack

1415 implied HN points • 25 Feb 23
🎭️ Culture Writing Art Music Cooking
  1. The Substack will have a variety of content like writing thoughts, art, music, and recipes, making it an interesting mix for readers.
  2. The author promises not to spam your inbox with multiple emails and aims to be at least the second or fourth most interesting thing you read in a day.
  3. The first substantial post on the Substack is scheduled for tomorrow.

Very Local History

1278 implied HN points • 28 Apr 23
💾 History Local Events Folklore Community
  1. The post shares little-known historical events from Santa Cruz, revealing intriguing stories about individuals and unique happenings in the region's past.
  2. Each image in the post is accompanied by a caption detailing an unusual event, focusing on peculiar individuals and occurrences in Santa Cruz's history.
  3. The narratives in the post blend elements of mystery, history, and the supernatural, adding layers of fascination to the stories.

The Smith-Rogers Error

1219 implied HN points • 04 Mar 23
🚌 Education Learning Strategies
  1. Tricking yourself into learning by finding clever shortcuts can lead to a deeper understanding of the material.
  2. Sometimes unconventional approaches, like creating fictional data with a margin of error, can help in grasping complex subjects.
  3. Discovering personal tricks or strategies to overcome obstacles or resistance can be beneficial in achieving goals and tasks efficiently.

AI: Notes From The Dark Side

1160 implied HN points • 02 Apr 23
🕹 Technology AI Art Prose TV Creators
  1. Implications of AI for news and our perception of the world include the rise of fake photos and deepfake videos, requiring critical thinking and fact-checking.
  2. AI in art poses challenges in distinguishing real works from fakes and may alter how artists maintain their catalogues to differentiate their genuine creations.
  3. The importance of human intent and meaningfulness in creation, questioning what AI-created content lacks in terms of emotional depth and personal connection.

Brave Companions of the Shower

1160 implied HN points • 20 Mar 23
🎭️ Culture Personal Stories
  1. Starting the day with a routine like showering can be a significant part of transitioning from sleep to wakefulness.
  2. The use of specific products like shampoo and body wash can hold personal significance and routine in our daily lives.
  3. The relationship we have with everyday items in our shower, like recognizing, using, and eventually replacing them, can reflect a subtle but consistent part of our daily routine.

Choose Your Own Adventure: Hitler, or Stalin?

609 implied HN points • 26 Jan 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics
  1. The author discusses the atrocities of the Holocaust and the terror-famine in Ukraine in 1933 from his reading of Martin Amis's work, emphasizing the importance of understanding these historical events.
  2. Amis focused on the Holocaust and Stalin's reign, highlighting the need for people to be aware of the depth and scale of Stalin's atrocities in addition to the known horrors of the Holocaust.
  3. The comparison of Donald Trump to Hitler is scrutinized, suggesting that Trump's tactics align more with those of Stalin in terms of waging relentless war on truth and meaning, aiming to render truth meaningless.

Roadtripping

1101 implied HN points • 07 Sep 23
🏝 Travel Journey Nature Experience
  1. The journey itself is as important as the destination, offering endless joy and new experiences along the way
  2. Embrace serendipity on road trips, mixing planned elements with spontaneous decisions to make memorable moments
  3. Beware of Californian drivers, as they may exhibit more chaotic and aggressive behavior on the road compared to other states

ART: Jeremy Mann

1101 implied HN points • 10 Mar 23
🎨 Art & Illustration Urban Newsletter
  1. Jeremy Mann is known for his impressionist urban landscapes, with a gritty and unique approach to light and form.
  2. His art often includes noir-ish themes and a sense of perpetual rain, capturing the essence of the Bay area.
  3. In addition to urban landscapes, Mann also excels in painting rural and coastal landscapes, figures, and occasionally shares insights into his creative process.

The Plot of All Superhero Movies...

1101 implied HN points • 18 Mar 23
🎭️ Culture Movies Superheroes Comedy
  1. Superhero movies often feature a battle in a street early on, showcasing massive CGI scenes
  2. A significant portion of superhero movies involves superheroes standing and talking sternly, looking serious
  3. Superhero movies often include scenes where a young lady tells off the superhero, adding both levity and a sense of accountability

Yes, I'm going to wade into the subject of AI

1101 implied HN points • 25 Mar 23
🕹 Technology AI Art Ethics Creativity Imagery
  1. AI is a significant topic in 2023, impacting various industries and raising concerns about job security and creative integrity.
  2. AI-generated art, like that from Midjourney, can produce unique and artistic images rapidly and affordably, though it currently lacks the finesse of human artists.
  3. The rise of AI presents challenges regarding authenticity and truth, as it can replicate artistic styles with accuracy, raising ethical concerns about misattribution and deception.

So this is 2024, huh

629 implied HN points • 14 Jan 24
🎶 Music Artists Documentary Inspirational Live performance
  1. The author is transitioning from vacation mode to work mode and shares music recommendations in their post.
  2. They highlight artists like Olivia Rodrigo, David Bowie, Blue October, and The Stones, along with their personal connections to music.
  3. The author reflects on the past year, shares insights on their listening habits, and expresses positivity for the new year.

ART: Henri Prestes

1081 implied HN points • 05 Mar 23
🎨 Art & Illustration Photography
  1. Photographer Henri Prestes provided the header image for the post.
  2. Check out more examples of Henri Prestes' work on his website.
  3. The post shares various images and encourages sharing and subscribing.

A Tale of Three Guitars

1061 implied HN points • 22 Apr 23
🎶 Music Instruments Memories Skill development Music genres
  1. The author recalls acquiring three guitars over a span of forty years, each holding sentimental value and marking different stages in their life.
  2. The first guitar, bought in Moscow in 1978, was a humbling but cherished possession with flaws yet served as a valuable training ground for the author's musical journey.
  3. The most recent guitar, a Martin 000-15M, was a significant gift from the author's late father, embodying warmth and richness in sound that has enhanced the author's musical experience.

Yet More Very Local History

963 implied HN points • 27 May 23
💾 History Local history
  1. In Santa Cruz, a hamster given to a young girl in 1911 disappeared when denied the freedom to leave the building.
  2. Despite a photograph of the Miramar Grand Hotel dated 1907, no other historical mention of the hotel has been found, leading to the conclusion that it never existed.
  3. A group known as 'the guardians of the San Lorenzo' were sighted in Santa Cruz for over 150 years before disappearing into the ocean on a raft, with an annual festival still held in their honor.

Simple Food

943 implied HN points • 07 May 23
🍲 Food & Drink Recipes Ingredients Cooking Comfort food
  1. Cooking with a few high-quality ingredients can make a delicious dish.
  2. The magic of cooking lies in understanding how ingredients interact and balance each other.
  3. Simple recipes can bring back memories and connect us to loved ones.

How the hell are you?

884 implied HN points • 21 Jul 23
⛪ Faith & Spirituality Grief Family Life Relationships Music
  1. The Writers' Guild of America and SAG are on strike because of issues like inadequate pay and the rise of AI in creating shows.
  2. Parents are experiencing the bittersweet moment of their child leaving for college, a significant life transition.
  3. Grief persists and evolves over time, impacting relationships and defining moments in life.

Behold the Samosa

884 implied HN points • 10 Jun 23
🍲 Food & Drink Cuisine Memories Family Traditions Heritage
  1. Certain foods prepared by others can bring back powerful memories from the past, similar to how music transports us to different eras in our lives
  2. Food has a unique ability to evoke deep emotional and nostalgic connections, often surpassing the effect of visual arts or writing
  3. Samosas, with their diverse variations and cultural significance, hold a special place in the author's life as a food that symbolizes history, character, and family traditions

Liz and John Radcliffe

865 implied HN points • 19 May 23
📚 Literature Fiction AI Art Creativity Imagination
  1. The story presented about Liz and John Radcliffe is a fictional creation written as an experiment by the author to explore the impact of storytelling with AI-generated images.
  2. The author discusses the implications of AI in the creative field, questioning the boundaries of creativity, ownership, and authenticity in art.
  3. AI presents both challenges and opportunities for creators, raising questions about control, skill acquisition, and the evolving landscape of artistic expression.

ART: J. P. Cummins

865 implied HN points • 22 Mar 23
🎨 Art & Illustration
  1. J. P. Cummins creates imaginative urban landscapes that are quiet and eerie in an isometric style.
  2. The artwork invites viewers to explore and discover the not-quite-normal details within the cityscapes.
  3. Consider supporting the artist's work by subscribing to their publication and becoming a free or paid subscriber.

The Secret History of Santa Cruz, Vol 4

865 implied HN points • 14 Jun 23
💾 History Local history
  1. Santa Cruz has a rich history with mysterious and unusual events, such as the blessings of a coven of Mail Witches at the post office and the presence of little people in the mountains.
  2. The Darkhouse lighthouse on Barclay Point was related to many shipwrecks but ceased to have accidents after its demolition.
  3. Various oddities and anomalies like forest fires, a mysterious doorway on Cowell Beach, and a flying resident called "Blessed Mary" add intriguing layers to the history of Santa Cruz.

ART: Frank Lloyd Wright

845 implied HN points • 06 Apr 23
🎨 Art & Illustration Architecture
  1. The beauty of Frank Lloyd Wright's architectural renderings is in their ability to evoke a sense of imagination and parallel reality, resonating with individuals on different levels.
  2. Ongoing projects are creating 3D renderings of Wright's lost or never-built structures, showcasing the architect's visionary designs in a new light.
  3. Wright's work emphasizes the integration of architecture with the surrounding landscape, a concept evident in both his original drawings and modern AI-generated interpretations.

A Short Commercial Break...

471 implied HN points • 17 Jan 24
🏥 Health & Wellness Online course Natural remedies Holistic health
  1. The post is promoting an online course on herbal education by the author's wife, who is an experienced herbalist with a science background, offering practical knowledge on selecting, growing, and utilizing herbs for health.
  2. The course format includes live presentations via Zoom and additional materials, making the learning experience comprehensive and flexible for participants.
  3. The author encourages sharing the course information with interested individuals, highlighting the value of the content for anyone looking to learn about herbal remedies and gardening.

More Very Local History

825 implied HN points • 10 May 23
💾 History Local Mystery Events Illness
  1. In the early 1900s, strange phenomena and mysteries like disappearing rivers and unidentifiable figures captured the attention of Santa Cruz, adding an air of mystery to local history.
  2. The Mullins Gang, a group of loggers turned robbers in the mountains near Santa Cruz, had a curious photo full of stories, with rumors that some could not see the gang members in the picture.
  3. Santa Cruz's past was filled with intriguing events like a temporary loss of language in 1917, and local traditions such as Halloween costume competitions that sometimes ended oddly, adding layers of curiosity to the area's history.

New Feature Announcement!

825 implied HN points • 06 Jun 23
📚 Literature Short Stories Author Books Subscription Value
  1. New feature announcement of a growing short story library for paid subscribers only. First story release is free for all.
  2. Stories will be delivered every two weeks in e-book format with new covers designed by the author, offering value for subscribers.
  3. If there is enough interest in the initial series of short stories, a second series may follow, encouraging engagement and growth.

Tales of the City

806 implied HN points • 30 Jun 23
⚔ Fiction Dystopian Satire Social Commentary
  1. The Almost Central Station in The City had a mix-up during construction but the mishap was taken in stride as a character-building exercise.
  2. Certain districts in The City got coded names to prevent residents from identifying too closely with their living spaces; this led to crackdowns over time.
  3. In The City, even language usage is monitored by the Ministry of Words, sometimes leading to unintentional bans; employees find themselves in silence most days.

Secret Santa Cruz, Volume 5

786 implied HN points • 10 Jul 23
💾 History Local history
  1. Isaac Hatcher, a self-taught architect, forgot to include floors in his biggest commission, leading to a short-lived career in ship construction.
  2. The Sisters of Infinite Procrastination were expelled after their structure was accidentally completed, leading to their fall from grace.
  3. Residents refused to enter a building present after a flood in 1904, believing it appeared mysteriously and remains empty behind false walls.

ART: The Etchings of Martin Lewis

766 implied HN points • 24 May 23
🎨 Art & Illustration Painting Drawing
  1. Martin Lewis created captivating etchings admired by renowned artist Edward Hopper.
  2. Lewis had a diverse background, from mining and logging to being a sailor, before becoming an illustrator and printmaker.
  3. His best-known urban scenes were produced in the 1920s and 30s, showcasing an uncanny poise and gaining him recognition in the art world.

Writing for TV

609 implied HN points • 15 Nov 23
  1. A television pitch is about telling the execs what the show is about, focusing on the feeling it will evoke in viewers and the essence of the story.
  2. Real producers pay for work; be cautious of promises of success without pay. Choose collaborations wisely.
  3. In pitching for TV, focus on making execs care about the characters and the story's marketability. Emphasize the sizzle, not just the steak.

Secret Santa Cruz, Vol 6

727 implied HN points • 02 Aug 23
💾 History
  1. In 1917, a strange cloud caused people named Edward in Santa Cruz to be replaced by individuals claiming to be called Gregory, leading to ongoing suspicion of the name Gregory in the area.
  2. The Bryson family were known as the last shadow-hunters in Santa Cruz, paid a bounty for trapping shadows, but showing professional courtesy by letting an elder shade leave peacefully in a photograph from 1902.
  3. In 1921, the Santa Cruz Court House had to close due to an infestation of unfriendliness. Citizens sitting in a particular chair to judge were immediately thrown in jail, and the chair remains under investigation.

In conversation with: Julian Simpson

688 implied HN points • 04 Jul 23
📚 Literature Writing Publishing Storytelling Authors
  1. Don't wait for the perfect conditions or confidence to pursue your passion or career choice, sometimes taking a leap of faith can lead to unexpected success.
  2. Regardless of the challenges and changes in the creative industries, the core value of storytelling remains significant and enduring.
  3. The landscape of publishing and entertainment industries is evolving, creators must adapt to new challenges while staying true to their passion for creating stories.

Writing Rhythm

688 implied HN points • 30 Sep 23
📚 Literature Writing Music Creativity Inspiration Art
  1. In writing, weaving different elements together like characters, plot, and dialogue is essential for a compelling story.
  2. Just as a driving rhythm is crucial in music, a well-crafted prose needs texture and momentum to engage the reader.
  3. Find your unique 'Open G' in writing - discover your natural style and voice to make the writing process smoother and authentic.

Mental Health, and Jimmy Buffett

648 implied HN points • 12 Sep 23
🏥 Health & Wellness Mental health Creativity Charity
  1. Jimmy Buffett was not just about fun; he had depth as a singer and songwriter, starting with wry and touching songs before becoming the Ambassador of Good Times.
  2. Music and creativity can play a significant role in mental health, with organizations like PoetsIN using creative writing to help those struggling with mental illness.
  3. Simple words and creativity can be powerful tools in navigating the complexities of life and supporting mental health struggles.

Story: TO RECEIVE IS BETTER

412 implied HN points • 30 Dec 23
📚 Literature Short Story Novel Writing
  1. The story 'To Receive Is Better' started from a vivid dream the author had about a dark tunnel and indistinct figures, which inspired a short story about cloning that later became a novel called 'SPARES'.
  2. Timing played a significant role in the novel's success, as it was completed around the same time as the news of Dolly, the first cloned mammal, which led to its adaptation for a film by Spielberg's DreamWorks SKG.
  3. The author highlights the unpredictable nature of a writer's career, where turning a random dream into a story can lead to unexpected opportunities and successes.