Top posts of the year

And their main takeaways

Introducing Your Weekly Stack

38031 implied HN points • 07 Jun 23
🕹 Technology News Email Writing
  1. Substack is introducing a new email digest called Your Weekly Stack to help readers discover new stories and writers on the platform.
  2. Your Weekly Stack will be sent every Wednesday, providing a roundup of curated posts for subscribers.
  3. Readers can provide feedback on Your Weekly Stack and opt out at any time if they do not find it suitable.

The new academy: modern intellectuals are writing their best ideas on Substack

19320 implied HN points • 01 Jun 23
🎭️ Culture Academia Intellectuals Education Writing
  1. Substack provides a platform for academics to share their ideas more freely and immediately with a wider audience than traditional academic journals.
  2. Substack allows scholars to earn revenue from their publications and engage with readers in a more personal and direct manner.
  3. It offers a space for academics to innovate, challenge traditional academic norms, and explore intellectual contributions outside the constraints of conventional academia.

Substack Reads: The business of air miles, Bowie’s favorite books, and cold compost

16116 implied HN points • 20 Jan 24
💼 Business Travel Literature Science History Gardening
  1. Frequent-flier point programs were initially designed for occasional free flights, but evolved into turbo-charged schemes for travelers to earn points quickly.
  2. Weighing ingredients in cooking can make a big difference in recipes, especially in baked goods, where even small variations can impact the final texture and taste.
  3. During winter, composting slows down as decomposition rates decrease, signalling a time for compost piles to rest and wait for the warmer season for active decomposition.
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Look what you made us do

13994 implied HN points • 07 Feb 24
🎭️ Culture Music Politics Media Celebrities Opinion
  1. Taylor Swift's influence permeates global culture, politics, and media
  2. Writers on Substack provide original, insightful, and sometimes humorous analyses on Taylor Swift's impact
  3. Taylor Swift's actions, endorsements, and mere existence provoke strong reactions and shape narratives in various spheres

A Substack is a book’s best friend: An interview with Luke Burgis

10456 implied HN points • 28 Apr 23
💼 Business Marketing Engagement Authors Collaborations
  1. A Substack can be a powerful tool for writers to engage with readers and promote their books.
  2. Substack allows for direct connection with committed readers and can significantly impact book sales.
  3. Starting a Substack can help writers build a community, get feedback, and continue engaging with readers even after the publication of a book.

Freedom to write, freedom to research, to do something together: An interview with Ruth Ben-Ghiat 

10220 implied HN points • 31 Jul 23
🚌 Education Academia Research Writing Income Feedback
  1. Scholars on Substack are reaching new audiences and earning income for their research and writing.
  2. Substack provides academics like Ruth Ben-Ghiat with financial freedom to pursue public-interfacing research.
  3. Academic writers use Substack for engaging with readers, testing new ideas, and shaping their research through feedback.

Substack Reads: The double exposure effect, a mustard obsession, and the color of Neptune

4894 implied HN points • 10 Feb 24
🎭️ Culture Entertainment Design Coaching Science Memoir
  1. Nominees with great performances in multiple roles can lead to extra praise, known as the double exposure effect.
  2. Mustard packaging has a rich history dating back centuries, with brands like Grey Poupon and Maille showcasing timeless design.
  3. Neptune's true color is not actually blue as previously thought, but a milky, unmemorable interstellar cataract, challenging our perceptions.