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

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.

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.

Free story for all: SHIT HAPPENS...

589 implied HN points • 23 Jul 23
📚 Literature Short Story Fiction eBooks
  1. The featured story 'Shit Happens' is available for free to all subscribers, offering a light and fun reading experience.
  2. Readers can access the story in different formats like Apple Books-tailored ePub, Generic ePub, Kindle, and PDF by downloading from provided links.
  3. Subscribers are reminded not to share the stories outside the platform to maintain the exclusivity and value for paid subscribers.
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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.

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.

Story: THE MOTEL BUSINESS

196 implied HN points • 22 Nov 23
📚 Literature Short Stories
  1. The online story collection includes a story called THE MOTEL BUSINESS, available only to paid subscribers.
  2. Paid subscribers get access to bi-weekly stories for $5/month or less for an annual subscription.
  3. By referring friends to subscribe to the Substack, readers can earn paid benefits for themselves.

Guitar Solos of the Gods

629 implied HN points • 05 May 23
🎶 Music Musicians Live Performances
  1. The best guitar solos are the ones that are soulful and relevant to the song, not just flashy technical displays.
  2. Great guitarists like David Gilmour and Prince show mastery not just in what they play, but also in what they choose not to play.
  3. Live performances by musicians like Dire Straits and Prince create magical moments of camaraderie and joy among the performers themselves.

MUSIC: Max Richter

609 implied HN points • 28 Mar 23
🎶 Music Music
  1. Max Richter's music captures a sense of wistful melancholy, often used in films and television shows to create a certain emotional atmosphere.
  2. Richter's work includes the heart-rending 'On The Nature of Daylight' from 'The Blue Notebooks' and an eight-hour album called 'Sleep' designed for promoting sleep or meditation.
  3. His re-imagining of Vivaldi's 'Four Seasons' showcases his unique style and creativity, demonstrating the breadth of his musical talent.

Songs My Son Gave Me

589 implied HN points • 16 Apr 23
🎶 Music Critique Pop Rock Genres
  1. It's okay not to like all modern music trends, but there are still artists producing enjoyable material.
  2. Artists like Billie Eilish, UPSAHL, and Nessa Barret are worth exploring for a break from the usual.
  3. Exploring new music, even if it's not your typical genre, can uncover hidden gems and offer a refreshing change.

Any questions?

570 implied HN points • 12 Apr 23
🎨 Art & Illustration Writing process Paid content Visual art Music recommendations
  1. The author plans to offer a question and answer session for paid subscribers about the writing process. Paid subscribers will get exclusive content in return for their payment.
  2. The author seeks feedback from paid subscribers on what additional content they would like to see and how they can make the subscription feel worthwhile. Feedback is essential to improve the subscriber experience.
  3. The author aims to strike a balance where paid subscribers feel they are getting added value while maintaining a fair experience for all subscribers. They want to avoid creating a two-tier system.

MUSIC: Writing music

570 implied HN points • 15 Mar 23
🎶 Music Writing
  1. Sometimes background music can help keep you focused and productive while working.
  2. Classical or soundtrack music is often preferred as the lyrics don't distract from the task at hand.
  3. Listening to music with a strong atmosphere can help create a mood and inspire creativity.

Story: THEY ALSO SERVE

353 implied HN points • 12 Aug 23
📚 Literature Short Stories
  1. The story 'THEY ALSO SERVE' is part of an online collection, set in the future, and requires a paid subscription to access.
  2. Paid subscribers get exclusive access to this and other stories in the collection for a monthly fee, with the option to refer a friend for possible discounts.
  3. Readers can enjoy a 7-day free trial to access the full post archives before deciding to subscribe.

Huge Subscriber Discount on BEST OF...

412 implied HN points • 14 Jul 23
📚 Literature Fiction Short Stories
  1. Subscribers to the So Here's A Thing substack can get a 50% discount on The Best of Michael Marshall Smith collection by using a specific code at checkout.
  2. The collection contains thirty stories amounting to a quarter of a million words of fiction for just $22.50.
  3. Praised by Publishers Weekly and Locus, the stories in this collection offer unexpected twists and draw the reader in with dark, mesmerizing narratives.

Story: THE HANDOVER

491 implied HN points • 07 Jun 23
📚 Literature Short Story Publishing Fiction
  1. The first story in the online collection is free for everyone, but subsequent ones are for paid subscribers only.
  2. Readers can download the story in various formats like Apple Books, generic ePub, Kindle, and PDF.
  3. Instructions on how to download and read the story on different devices are provided in the post.

Story: DEAR ALISON

235 implied HN points • 25 Sep 23
📚 Literature Fiction
  1. The story 'DEAR ALISON' is part of an online collection and is available for paid subscribers only, offering new stories bi-weekly.
  2. Paid subscribers can earn benefits by referring friends to the Substack, with discounts available for those referred.
  3. Readers can enjoy a 7-day free trial to access the full post archives of 'DEAR ALISON' by subscribing to 'So Here's a Thing.'

The Writing Process #1

471 implied HN points • 15 Apr 23
📚 Literature Writing Inspiration Creativity
  1. Ideas for writing can come both actively and passively - sometimes they drop into your head, other times you need to create the right circumstances for them to appear.
  2. You need to understand what triggers your creative mind - it could be a specific place, activity, or even reading certain types of books.
  3. The creative impulse needs nourishment - figure out what fuels your creativity to keep it going.

Story: THIS IS NOW

235 implied HN points • 09 Sep 23
📚 Literature Subscription
  1. The story 'THIS IS NOW' is the fifth in an online collection available to paid subscribers only for $5 a month.
  2. Subscribers have the option to upgrade to monthly paid membership at any time and can also enjoy discounted rates by referring friends.
  3. A 7-day free trial is offered for readers to access the full post archives of 'THIS IS NOW' by subscribing to 'So Here's a Thing'.

Story: BEING RIGHT

275 implied HN points • 21 Jun 23
📚 Literature Fiction
  1. The story 'Being Right' is part of an online collection by michaelmarshallsmith
  2. Paid subscribers get benefits like access to this story and other upcoming ones in the collection
  3. Subscribers can easily upgrade or unsubscribe, making it flexible to manage their membership

Story: SAVE AS...

216 implied HN points • 07 Jul 23
📚 Literature Fiction
  1. The third story in the online collection is titled 'SAVE AS...' and is for paid subscribers only.
  2. Subscribers can refer friends to get discounted rates and other benefits.
  3. The story subscription offers a 7-day free trial for new readers to explore the full post archives.

AI, again

1 HN point • 13 Feb 24
🕹 Technology AI Creativity Ethics Innovation Digital
  1. AI is used in various ways: from information aggregation to generating large pieces of text or images. It's essential to differentiate between the different levels of AI applications.
  2. Credit and compensation in the creative industry pose challenges in the era of AI. Determining the boundaries between inspiration and replication can be complex.
  3. Practicing pragmatism in dealing with AI as a creator is crucial. Adapting to the presence of AI while striving to maintain human creativity and growth is a balancing act.

Join me on Notes

0 implied HN points • 13 Apr 23
🎭️ Culture Social media
  1. Substack Notes is a new space for sharing links, short posts, quotes, photos, and more - similar to Twitter but without the yelling.
  2. To join Substack Notes, visit substack.com/notes or find the 'Notes' tab in the Substack app. Subscribers automatically see the notes.
  3. Readers can share thoughts, ideas, and quotes on Substack Notes and engage in discussions with other readers.