Monomythical

Monomythical explores the intricacies of living life online, addressing themes such as the financial challenges of startup employees, the evolving nature of online communities, the impact of climate change, and the shifting dynamics of work, creativity, and social interactions in a digital age.

Technology and Society Online Communities and Social Media Work Culture and Remote Work Creativity and Content Creation Financial Aspects of Startups Climate Change and Environmental Concerns Personal Reflections and Experiences

The hottest Substack posts of Monomythical

And their main takeaways

Why effective accelerationism matters

66 implied HN points • 12 Feb 24
🎭️ Culture Technology Philosophy Media History
  1. Effective accelerationism is a reaction to the negative trends in Silicon Valley over the past decade.
  2. E/acc aims to rediscover cultural values and preserve the tradition of technology in the face of doom and gloom.
  3. The movement is not just a meme or a deep philosophy, but a response to the changing perspectives within the tech industry.

A Bank of One's Own

166 HN points • 11 Mar 23
💼 Business Startups Venture Capital Banking Entrepreneurship
  1. Many startup employees are unable to afford buying equity in the company they work for, leading to missed opportunities.
  2. Traditional banks often do not cater well to the financial needs of individuals involved in startups or venture capital.
  3. There is a need for more institutional support and celebration of diverse backgrounds in the entrepreneurial and creative fields.

Understanding climate as tribes, not a social cause

100 implied HN points • 30 Nov 22
  1. Climate field has diversified solutions beyond a simple question of beliefs.
  2. Climate consists of various tribes with differing beliefs and solutions.
  3. Understanding climate better involves recognizing it as an assortment of climate tribes.
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Antinatalism, agency, and social movements

63 implied HN points • 23 Aug 22
  1. Fertility rates are declining in developed countries due to various reasons, including concerns about climate change.
  2. Antinatalism can stem from personal moral beliefs or be influenced by broader social movements like effective altruism and concerns about artificial general intelligence.
  3. Some social movements indirectly promote antinatalism by advocating for prioritizing other actions, such as addressing global catastrophes, over having children.

26: I'm back, sort of

110 implied HN points • 03 Jul 21
  1. The author took a break from writing for personal reasons and is now back with a new perspective and a different job.
  2. There is a discussion about the current state of writing, with concerns about the quality and impact of online content.
  3. The author is reflecting on their own writing process and trying to find authenticity in a changing world.

22: Working in Public

110 implied HN points • 17 Jun 20
  1. The book 'Working in Public: The Making and Maintenance of Open Source Software' explores the world of open source developers and the challenges they face.
  2. Individuals are shaping the new era of the internet, moving from 'friends' to 'followers' and creating parasocial online communities centered around creators.
  3. Understanding the economic implications of online content through a reputation-based economy is crucial for navigating the evolving social dynamics of online communities.

25: Space Mountain

63 implied HN points • 06 Oct 20
  1. Disneyland offers different themed parks like Galaxy's Edge and Space Mountain, each with unique experiences and designs.
  2. The Millennium Falcon ride at Galaxy's Edge has an interactive and immersive line experience designed for Star Wars fans.
  3. Space Mountain at Disneyland stands out for its minimalist approach in line experience, focusing on the anticipation for the ride itself.

23: Seasons

66 implied HN points • 04 Aug 20
  1. The author writes about personal topics in their newsletter, not always serious ones.
  2. The author reflects on their life changes and experiences during the pandemic.
  3. The author shares memories with a friend, marking the passing of time like changing seasons.

24: Monasteries

63 implied HN points • 05 Sep 20
  1. The decline in creative output this year is a warning sign of potential regression.
  2. Normalizing the loss of creation with passive acceptance is concerning and harmful for progress.
  3. Preserving knowledge work, like in monasteries, can shield valuable endeavors from hostile environments.

21: Out of Body

66 implied HN points • 02 May 20
  1. Our minds have moved online, while our bodies remain in the physical world.
  2. Being restricted from physical contact has made people kinder.
  3. Engaging socially and creatively online can be liberating and fulfilling.

New post: The New American University

26 implied HN points • 04 Aug 21
  1. Arizona State University (ASU) improved its rankings by increasing its acceptance rate and accessibility.
  2. ASU's model challenges the notion that a university's prestige comes from exclusivity.
  3. The New American University model focuses on improving rankings while accepting and graduating more students.

19: Internet friends

56 implied HN points • 16 Feb 20
  1. Online friendships can blur the line between internet friends and real-life friends.
  2. Social interactions on Twitter and other platforms can shape personal relationships and experiences.
  3. Internet friendships, although lacking physical presence, can be just as meaningful and impactful as in-person friendships.

20: Mannequins

46 implied HN points • 27 Mar 20
  1. Completing a big project can feel more relieving than satisfying.
  2. Ideas can consume your mind, making it hard to focus on other things.
  3. Global events can overwhelm social interactions and force sameness upon us.

18: Lonely Hearts

43 implied HN points • 30 Dec 19
  1. Romantic fiction explores the internal battles of making meaningful connections.
  2. Consider the genre of romantic fiction that focuses on imaginary relationships, like dating AI or fictional characters.
  3. Reflecting on evolving writing styles and exploring new formats for creative expression.

16: Not knowing

43 implied HN points • 17 Oct 19
  1. The concept of a game set in a single city block emphasizes the depth and richness that can be achieved in a small area.
  2. Microworlds like the 'one city block' idea hint at completeness, even within an open-world context.
  3. Focusing on the intimacy of relationships can make us more aware of how little we truly know about others, emphasizing the value of showing up for each other.

17: Souvenirs

33 implied HN points • 21 Nov 19
  1. Talismans are like souvenirs of our experiences, holding memories and emotions.
  2. Objects we purchase, like merchandise, can serve as souvenirs of shared experiences or identities.
  3. New Age trends like astrology and tarot reflect a desire for playful exploration of identity and belonging to a community.

15: Modernization

6 implied HN points • 17 Sep 19
  1. Jakarta has undergone modernization, with changes like improved safety and transportation systems.
  2. Memories can be subjective, and it's important to question whether progress is truly happening.
  3. Progress should be measured with concrete terms like safety and access to opportunities, rather than subjective impressions.

13: Thinking out loud

3 implied HN points • 15 Jul 19
  1. When someone is in storytelling mode, it's best to stay quiet and listen.
  2. Thinking out loud has its own unique benefits, like externalizing thoughts in the presence of others.
  3. Different tools meet various needs for thinking out loud, such as analyzing ideas, brain dumping, and scrapbooking.

12: Lines and fixed points

3 implied HN points • 15 Jun 19
  1. Language carries hidden meanings and can be interpreted in different ways.
  2. Content is a remix of existing elements, and every creation reflects its creator.
  3. Assigning economic value to content should consider it as dynamic and evolving, not fixed.

14: For the love of war

0 implied HN points • 16 Aug 19
  1. The things we used to do for fun can become tools for getting things done.
  2. Creating can be an intense, warlike process rather than always light and joyful.
  3. Engaging in challenging activities can become addictive, leaving us craving the intensity.

08: Glass walls

0 implied HN points • 12 Feb 19
  1. Creators are driven by their own passion and need to create, not just to cater to an audience.
  2. Designing an ideal environment for creators involves providing a space for creation without external pressures.
  3. Online social systems should consider ways to shield creators from audience feedback while still allowing observation.

09: Benevolent dictators

0 implied HN points • 14 Mar 19
  1. The best kind of governance is where it's not noticeable
  2. Those in power should impress and earn trust, not just hold authority
  3. Being a benevolent leader allows for long-lasting power

10: Memory palaces

0 implied HN points • 13 Apr 19
  1. Cities are like memory palaces where physical spaces hold memories of our past selves.
  2. Encounters with people and revisiting old places can bring back forgotten memories.
  3. Our lives in cities evolve along desire paths, marked by various experiences and interactions.

11: Super soakers

0 implied HN points • 14 May 19
  1. Constraints are important for producing good work.
  2. Freedom can become its own weight.
  3. It's essential to find a balance between freedom and constraints.

04: Network public goods

0 implied HN points • 05 Oct 18
  1. Network public goods are produced by networks and have characteristics of both public goods and CPRs.
  2. Producers of network public goods are distributed rather than open, with a recursive definition of membership.
  3. Attention is a priceable resource provisioned by coordinators in producer networks.

05: Faith and software

0 implied HN points • 07 Nov 18
  1. Faith and open source are more connected than we realize.
  2. Considering alternatives to traditional software foundations can be beneficial.
  3. Reflections on the role of infrastructure providers in governing the internet are important.

06: Crusonia plants

0 implied HN points • 06 Dec 18
  1. The author is exploring the concept of designing a sustainable internet.
  2. They are considering protecting freely accessible knowledge while being realistic about content production.
  3. Drawing examples from open source communities to showcase economic perspectives on digital content and online communities.

07: Athletic recovery

0 implied HN points • 10 Jan 19
  1. Athletes prioritize recovery time as much as physical training.
  2. Recovery for intensive mental work involves mindless, detail-oriented tasks or focused activities.
  3. Engaging in activities like gaming can be restorative for mental recovery.