The Saturday Read

The Saturday Read offers comprehensive discussions on a wide range of subjects, including politics, culture, economics, and international conflicts, with a particular focus on Britain. It features interviews, commentary on current events, book reviews, and analysis of political strategies and cultural trends.

Politics Culture Economics International Conflicts Book Reviews Political Strategy Cultural Trends

The hottest Substack posts of The Saturday Read

And their main takeaways

The Saturday Read: The velvet curtain

119 implied HN points • 02 Nov 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Election Analysis Political culture Populism Party Dynamics Geopolitics
  1. The rise of pop political movements, like MAGA and Thatcherism, show that they can reshape party identity and power dynamics in profound ways. This isn't just a short-term trend; it's likely to stick around.
  2. There's a real worry about the growing alignment of countries in the Brics group, which could change how global politics work. Many leaders aren't addressing this potential shift, leaving concerns about balance of power.
  3. North Korea sending troops to help Russia in Ukraine raises alarms, especially for neighboring countries like South Korea. It's a reminder of how tensions can escalate and lead to a larger conflict.

The Saturday Read: Mere political games

499 implied HN points • 26 Oct 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Elections Political parties Political strategy Campaigns Policy
  1. Labour's ties to American politics can be problematic, like when they were accused of interfering in the US elections. This shows how political games often cross borders and create complications.
  2. Alexei Navalny's memoir reveals his dark humor and predictions about his fate under the Kremlin. It's a powerful reminder of the risks dissidents face for speaking out.
  3. Kamala Harris's campaign struggled because she had little time to connect with voters and build support. This suggests that sometimes, issues go deeper than the candidate's abilities.

The Saturday Read: Blasted skylines

459 implied HN points • 19 Oct 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Middle East Conflict Leadership International relations Human Rights
  1. Yahya Sinwar, the leader of Hamas, was killed by Israeli forces, highlighting ongoing violence in Gaza. His death might temporarily limit the threat from Hamas, but deep issues remain unresolved for both sides.
  2. A kibbutz resident expressed that after recent violence, his focus has shifted solely to protecting his own family rather than helping those in Gaza. This shows the intense personal strife and survival mindset amidst conflict.
  3. The region faces a complex situation where even after Sinwar's death, the future remains uncertain. It raises concerns about possible retaliation and the rebuilding of Gaza, which has suffered immense destruction.

The Saturday Read: Ranks of the state

379 implied HN points • 12 Oct 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Elections Governance Political parties Public Opinion Policy Analysis
  1. Keir Starmer's Labour government has faced challenges and criticism in its first 100 days. Many people feel disappointed and distrustful of politicians, leading to low voter turnout.
  2. Morgan McSweeney, the new chief of staff, is expected to bring fresh ideas and help create a clearer direction for the government, particularly after recent scandals.
  3. Rachel Reeves's upcoming Budget is expected to be crucial for Labour's future. It could reshape the party's political strategy and address economic issues facing the country.

The Saturday Read: A furious year

419 implied HN points • 05 Oct 24
🌍 World Politics Middle East Conflict International relations Geopolitics History
  1. The Middle East is facing ongoing violence and conflict, especially after significant events like the Hamas attack on Israel. Many believe lasting peace will require changes in Iran.
  2. There is no single 'Catholic vote' in American politics; Catholics often have diverse views that don't fit neatly into either party. This means candidates should engage with Catholic voters carefully.
  3. Green Day's album 'American Idiot' had a powerful impact by encouraging youth to oppose George W. Bush. Its fun style helped spread a serious political message.
Get a weekly roundup of the best Substack posts, by hacker news affinity:

The SR Conversation: John Gray x Peter Thiel

3513 implied HN points • 17 Jan 24
  1. Cultural debates often distract from fundamental economic issues.
  2. Science and technology have been stagnant in many areas for about 50 years.
  3. There is a need to address questions of religion and ethics that have been sidelined by current cultural trends.

The Saturday Read: Escaping infancy

2076 implied HN points • 20 Jan 24
  1. The post discusses various topics from politics to culture.
  2. There is a review of a book about J.K. Rowling's novels.
  3. The article highlights the challenges faced by England's youth Gender Identity Development Service.

The Saturday Read Feature: The rotten state

1876 implied HN points • 31 Jan 24
  1. Corruption and chumocracy are causing issues in Britain.
  2. The integrity of the state in the UK has significantly declined.
  3. Government waste on shoddy contracts and poor management is a major concern.

The Saturday Read: 2024

1876 implied HN points • 13 Jan 24
  1. The new year brings ongoing conflicts like the war in Gaza intensifying.
  2. Blaming Fujitsu for the Post Office scandal is either fatuous or futile.
  3. America's gravest crisis may be loneliness according to Lee Siegel.

The Saturday Read Feature: Kate Forbes

1277 implied HN points • 06 Dec 23
  1. The article discusses Kate Forbes and her religious beliefs influencing her politics
  2. Forbes faced criticism for her views and stayed true to herself despite pressure
  3. Forbes reflects on honesty in politics and the balance between personal beliefs and public positions

The Saturday Read: Islands in time

838 implied HN points • 10 Feb 24
  1. The King Charles III's struggles and suffering are often overlooked by the public, revealing a deeper insight into the monarchy.
  2. Joe Biden's recent memory lapses have raised concerns about his capabilities as the US President.
  3. Kemi Badenoch's evidence-based approach regarding gender-affirming treatment for young people sheds light on crucial but often overlooked facts.

The Saturday Read Conversation: Rashid Khalidi

1277 implied HN points • 14 Nov 23
  1. Rashid Khalidi provides a detailed history of the Israel-Palestine conflict and his personal connections to it.
  2. He discusses the challenges of finding a resolution within today's constraints, given the controversial creation of Israel.
  3. Khalidi highlights the ongoing struggles for Palestinian self-determination and the impacts of political decisions on their current situation.

The SR Feature: Who is this man?

1617 implied HN points • 21 Sep 23
  1. The article features an exploration of Rory Stewart's complex identity and career choices.
  2. Rory Stewart's journey from politician to podcaster is detailed, showing a man struggling with his illusions.
  3. Stewart's upbringing and ambitions at Eton show a determination for greatness that didn't quite materialize in his political career.

The Saturday Read Feature: Being Jewish now

1137 implied HN points • 30 Nov 23
  1. Reflections on being Jewish in the midst of rising anti-Semitism and division.
  2. Exploration of the complexities for left-wing Jews amidst conflict.
  3. The role of the global left in shaping the Israeli-Palestinian crisis.

The Saturday Read Conversation: Helen Lewis

1936 implied HN points • 02 Aug 23
  1. Helen Lewis shifted from being an editor to a writer for more diverse experiences.
  2. Long-form journalism emphasizes the importance of using detail and reporting effectively.
  3. Keir Starmer's political approach is about strategic patience and understanding the balance of left-wing policies in the UK.

The Saturday Read: Citizen armies

798 implied HN points • 27 Jan 24
  1. Some Tories see the emergence of a powerful British alt-right ideology.
  2. Former Israeli PM calls for an end to the Gaza war, highlighting the destruction caused.
  3. Republicans prefer a leader who creates a spectacle of cruelty to rally their supporters.

The Saturday Read: #41

1058 implied HN points • 09 Dec 23
  1. US has shifted its position on Taiwan, facing potential invasion by China.
  2. Destruction in Israel and Palestine reminiscent of Aleppo, raising concern over a second Nakba.
  3. Feelings of helplessness watching ancestral lands disintegrate.

The SR Conversation: Matthew Yglesias

1637 implied HN points • 16 Aug 23
  1. Biden's presidency has focused more on representational diversity than sweeping policy change.
  2. Political discourse has become more symbolic and less material, leading to alienation and less focus on effective action.
  3. Media institutions have seen a shift towards less resilience in handling disagreements and increased concern about misinformation.

The Saturday Read Conversation: #3

1417 implied HN points • 14 Sep 23
  1. The interview covered insight on foreign policy including discussions on Ukraine and Taiwan.
  2. Sam discussed aspects of his time as one of Michael Gove's special advisers in the Department for Education.
  3. The conversation explored the challenges in education and the necessity of funding in addressing various issues.

The SR Feature: Jesse Armstrong's TV history

1018 implied HN points • 01 Nov 23
  1. Jesse Armstrong talks about the role of showrunners in TV production.
  2. Peter Biskind discusses the evolution of TV during the 'golden age' and the impact of tech-led streamers.
  3. Armstrong's review delves into how Biskind examines TV show creation, executives, and industry dynamics.

The Saturday Read: Double-edged

898 implied HN points • 16 Sep 23
  1. Labour needs to show that real change is possible to voters.
  2. Some in the Conservative party are reconsidering Liz Truss's leadership.
  3. Cool girl novelists often focus on the student condition and critique capitalism.

The Saturday Read: On this land

419 implied HN points • 03 Feb 24
  1. John Gray criticizes both progressive left and establishment right in UK politics for sticking to Margaret Thatcher's legacy.
  2. Volodymyr Zelensky's actions reflect his realization that Putin will not accept Ukraine's independence.
  3. Patrick Porter critiques American foreign policy under Joe Biden, pointing out hesitancy and the need for a more realistic approach.

The Saturday Read: Market decadence

858 implied HN points • 09 Sep 23
  1. The economy may be too small to meet social expectations in Britain.
  2. Argentina, once a rich country, now faces political shifts.
  3. Homer's Iliad shows a bleak side of human self-interest and honor.

The SR Feature: Britain's Great Tax Con

3 HN points • 30 Aug 23
  1. Britain's tax system entrenches inequality, hampers growth, and favors wealth over work.
  2. Labour could raise taxes on wealth to fund initiatives like green energy and cut income taxes.
  3. Political parties need to address wealth inequality and fix the tax system to spur growth and reduce inequality.