The hottest Substack posts of rachaelmeager

And their main takeaways
337 implied HN points β€’ 25 Oct 24
  1. Ambition can lead to unethical behavior, like stealing credit from others. It often happens in academic and artistic settings, and many don’t talk about it.
  2. A strong community is vital for good work. If a community is negative or toxic, it can affect the quality of the work, no matter how talented the individuals are.
  3. Chasing ambition often doesn’t lead to satisfaction. Even successful people can feel tired and unsatisfied, which shows that true contentment comes from more than just achievements.
1448 implied HN points β€’ 19 Aug 24
  1. Many acts of abuse can seem ordinary or unremarkable, making it hard for people to acknowledge their seriousness. We often want abuse to be extremely obvious for us to react strongly.
  2. Forgiveness is often pushed in our culture, especially after wrongdoing, but it can be harmful. Real healing might require facing the truth of what happened rather than simply forgiving the wrongdoer.
  3. Guilt can be a healthy emotion that points toward responsibility. It's important to recognize that not everyone who harms us is simply making honest mistakes, and true accountability matters.
575 implied HN points β€’ 03 Jul 24
  1. Books have a lasting power that outlasts many forms of technology and trends. They continue to be a significant part of our culture despite the rise of digital media.
  2. Loneliness is a shared experience across different genders and backgrounds. Books can provide comfort, but they don't fully replace the need for human connection.
  3. Life is full of uncertainties, and it's essential to dig deep into our experiences to find meaning. Our pasts shape us but can be complex and challenging to fully understand.
4920 implied HN points β€’ 21 Sep 23
  1. Submitting your work for publication and review is crucial for success in academia.
  2. Self-sabotage can hinder progress, even for smart individuals.
  3. Understanding and addressing the reasons behind avoiding tasks is essential for personal growth.
535 implied HN points β€’ 04 Jun 24
  1. The Polya urn model, though simple at first glance, reveals the complexity of statistics and emphasizes the importance of understanding problems deeply before attempting to solve them.
  2. Teaching and learning in math are not just about facts; they require creativity and passion to engage students, much like how poets perceive deeper meanings in their art.
  3. There is a strong connection between the arts and sciences, where both disciplines can benefit from understanding each other, and students should learn foundational concepts in both to grasp the complexities of the world.
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297 implied HN points β€’ 01 May 24
  1. The film 'Call Me By Your Name' can have different meanings for viewers depending on their own experiences and readiness to understand its themes.
  2. Elio, the main character, represents the complexities of love and loneliness, as he navigates desire and the struggles inherent in youth and academia.
  3. Memory plays a crucial role in the story, as Elio reflects on his past relationships and emotions, highlighting the difficulty of moving on from love.
376 implied HN points β€’ 31 Mar 24
  1. Critics play an important role in helping us understand art better. They can explain themes, context, and why certain works resonate or fail.
  2. It's okay to dislike a popular artist or piece of art. Sharing these feelings can help others who feel the same way find connection and validation.
  3. Art criticism isn't just negative; it's an essential part of our culture. It helps guide audiences in their experiences and understanding of art.
634 implied HN points β€’ 12 Jan 24
  1. Quitting can be a natural and healthy choice, reflecting growth and self-discovery.
  2. Self-knowledge is a gradual, intricate process involving unlearning societal norms.
  3. The pursuit of personal fulfillment is more valuable than seeking external glory or status.
853 implied HN points β€’ 17 Nov 23
  1. Twitter is facing challenges with misinformation and negativity, making it harder to share verified information.
  2. Engaging in deep, critical thinking is difficult, especially with the pressures of social media and external influences.
  3. Bayesian statistics, like thinking itself, can be challenging because it requires active engagement and mental effort.
337 implied HN points β€’ 21 Feb 24
  1. Forced resettlement of people for conservation can lead to serious ethical concerns, as it may be viewed as a form of genocide by those affected. It's crucial to balance conservation goals with human rights.
  2. Many people engage in activism mainly for emotional reasons, which can lead to a mix of real concern and performative actions that don’t address the actual issues. Understanding our true motives can help us engage more sincerely.
  3. Smaller crises in the world often get overlooked in favor of larger, more dramatic issues. We should pay attention to these smaller problems, as they are real and affect real people, and acknowledging them allows for a better understanding of larger-scale issues.
595 implied HN points β€’ 06 Oct 23
  1. People are inherently interested in revisiting historical events and characters through emotional storytelling like fanfiction and historical fiction.
  2. Understanding and exploring the emotional experiences of characters is essential in creating engaging and impactful fiction.
  3. Derivative writing, like fanfiction, can be a powerful and creative way to build upon existing canons and engage with shared human experiences.
515 implied HN points β€’ 26 Jul 23
  1. Twitter is changing and losing its original essence
  2. Social media plays a significant role in sharing news and events
  3. Personal attachment to social media and followers can lead to self-realization
277 implied HN points β€’ 08 Dec 23
  1. Catch 22 by Joseph Heller can be seen as a novel about love, madness, entrails, and death - embracing homoaffection
  2. The novel explores the hidden vulnerabilities and truths about being human, symbolized through the character of Snowden
  3. Yossarian's rejection of the status quo and escaping symbolize a defiance against the social order to confront the inevitability of death
436 implied HN points β€’ 21 Aug 23
  1. Talking about problems is not enough to solve them, action is necessary.
  2. Simply discussing an issue perpetuates it without actually bringing about change.
  3. Identifying problems is important, but taking real action to address them is key for progress.
317 implied HN points β€’ 28 Oct 23
  1. Mandela was an extraordinary and sophisticated political leader who navigated complex strategies under challenging circumstances
  2. Mandela's views on political violence were nuanced and evolved over time, involving the formation of Umkhonto we Sizwe to resist apartheid
  3. Mandela's speech during the Rivonia Trial emphasized the desire for racial harmony, equal political rights, and the need for a nonracial democracy