Sucks to Suck

Sucks to Suck is a diverse exploration spanning literature, social commentary, personal introspection, technology, and cultural criticism. It delves into human behavior, societal trends, the impact of technology, and the value of art and entertainment, often through personal anecdotes and reflections from its authors.

Literature Social Commentary Personal Development Technology Trends Cultural Criticism Art and Entertainment Music Appreciation Human Behavior Societal Trends

The hottest Substack posts of Sucks to Suck

And their main takeaways

Mom Punk

943 implied HN points • 26 Oct 23
🎶 Music Rock Punk Folk Indie
  1. Getting older doesn't mean you have to stop enjoying music and youth culture.
  2. Supporting small acts and discovering new music can be fulfilling at any age.
  3. Music can speak to you in different ways throughout your life, even addressing adult experiences like parenthood.

"Knowledge is the novel’s only morality."

1533 implied HN points • 15 Jul 23
📚 Literature Novels Authors Themes Characters Influence
  1. Knowledge is the novel's only morality according to Milan Kundera, suspending moral judgment is the novel's wisdom.
  2. Milan Kundera introduced a skeptical psychological view of humanity, emphasizing introspection over projection.
  3. Kundera's work delves into the importance of memory, the relationship between slowness and memory, and the nature of friendships and secrets.

Abjection Doesn't Scale

1257 implied HN points • 18 Feb 23
🎭️ Culture Social Issues Mental health Self-Acceptance
  1. Support scenes often dilute and struggle to represent the true complexities of the issues they're meant to address.
  2. In large groups or communities, the dynamics tend to favor normalcy and popularity, leaving outliers feeling excluded.
  3. Personal acceptance and understanding of one's flaws can be more valuable than seeking validation or belonging in external groups.
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Vision

707 implied HN points • 13 Jun 23
🕹 Technology Hardware Augmented reality Design Marketing Future Technology
  1. Software designers should be eager for the success of new technologies like AR/VR for continued employment opportunities.
  2. Apple's new AR/VR headset, Vision, follows a historical pattern of product launches indicating a potential for success.
  3. An important consideration for the future of Vision is whether it will evolve to address hardware design, pricing, and human possibilities.

Father

1022 implied HN points • 12 Nov 22
  1. The writer reflects on his relationship with his father and the impact of his father's death
  2. The father was intellectual, introspective, and had a dry sense of humor
  3. The writer grapples with complex emotions, memories, and the absence of his father

Good news: it's all still a complete mystery

727 implied HN points • 21 Dec 22
  1. The origins of the universe remain a complete mystery that no one fully understands.
  2. There are two supernatural possibilities when questioning the prime mover: a causeless entity or an infinite chain of causes.
  3. Despite advances in science, the nature of reality and the origin of the universe continue to be profound unknowns.

Eat My Shorts 3 / "Near" "Death" "Experiences"

609 implied HN points • 29 Jan 23
  1. Pay attention and be ready to observe unexpected events in life.
  2. Be aware of your physical and mental health, especially during moments of intense emotions.
  3. Question societal norms and advice, and consider creating your own meaning and understanding of life.

I Lost on Jeopardy!

550 implied HN points • 12 May 23
🎭️ Culture Games TV shows Experiences Social media
  1. The author lost on Jeopardy! but was okay with it.
  2. Being on Jeopardy! was a unique experience, with behind-the-scenes moments of interest.
  3. Losing on Jeopardy! meant missing out on potential prize money, but the author found camaraderie and closure in the experience.

Breeding Contempt

687 implied HN points • 15 Dec 22
  1. Familiarity can breed contempt in relationships and interactions
  2. Modern society encourages full self-disclosure, leading to increased exposure to others
  3. Defamiliarizing ourselves can help combat contempt and improve relationships

Eat My Shorts / 2

452 implied HN points • 06 Jan 23
  1. Look at the artwork and belongings of loved ones to better understand them after they are gone.
  2. Appreciate and take care of your body and organs, like your heart, that work tirelessly to keep you alive.
  3. Therapy can be valuable for individual growth, but it's not a definitive solution for all of life's questions or problems.

"Let Facts Create You": The End of White Lotus, Season Two

432 implied HN points • 12 Dec 22
  1. Let facts create you - know yourself, be authentic, don't delude yourself.
  2. Pay attention to reality, not just abstract thoughts - focus on the present and observe the world around you.
  3. Avoid getting caught in narratives and abstractions - don't let stories about yourself or the world deceive you; be aware of reality.

The Scale Falling from Your Eyes

393 implied HN points • 24 Dec 22
  1. Reactive extremification online is when extreme behaviors from a few are seen as typical of a whole group.
  2. Exposure to extremist content online can lead individuals to reactively extremify themselves, perpetuating a harmful cycle.
  3. Scale on the internet amplifies the visibility of extreme behaviors, leading to a perception of widespread extremism even though the majority may not be that way.

Eat My Shorts / 1

353 implied HN points • 27 Dec 22
  1. Adaptive qualities that were once beneficial may become regrettable in modern times due to changes in societies and norms.
  2. The concept of spoiler alerts has become necessary in today's culture due to shifts in communication methods and the increased seriousness placed on entertainment.
  3. Despite differences, the shared human experience involves being born into circumstances beyond our control, navigating life's uncertainties, and facing common emotional struggles.

Steely Dan but it's just my voice

294 implied HN points • 30 Jan 23
  1. Steely Dan's music is often misunderstood and can be analyzed beyond just the surface level.
  2. Imus1245 recreated Steely Dan songs with impressive dedication and attention to detail.
  3. Perfection and dedication in music can be appreciated, even when done humorously.

"The Sellout"

275 implied HN points • 12 Feb 23
  1. The novel 'The Sellout' by Paul Beatty challenges traditional notions of humor and satire.
  2. Through humor and ambiguity, the novel sheds light on complex issues such as race and identity.
  3. The history and culture portrayed in 'The Sellout' provide a unique perspective that challenges societal norms and expectations.

Circles

353 implied HN points • 05 Nov 22
  1. History shows an expansion of circles of empathy over time.
  2. As circles of empathy expand, there may be larger challenges and divisions within them.
  3. Human nature involves evolving perceptions but seemingly consistent behaviors.

So You're Going to Goof Off with ChatGPT

294 implied HN points • 07 Dec 22
  1. When using ChatGPT for making jokes, start with an absurd premise to create better results.
  2. For more accurate dialogue from specific shows, choose shows with large volumes of fanfiction for ChatGPT to train on.
  3. When asking ChatGPT for long passages or complex responses, remember you can break down your prompt and ask for revisions to gain more control.

Introspecting Imposter Syndrome

314 implied HN points • 18 Nov 22
  1. Imposter syndrome can lead to feeling shame and discomfort despite receiving compliments or positive feedback.
  2. Engaging in public expression can trigger different modes of selfhood with conflicting characteristics.
  3. Authenticity and self-perception can play a significant role in how one views their creative endeavors and personal interactions.

The Puritanism of Grunge

275 implied HN points • 19 Nov 22
  1. In the 1990s, authenticity was highly valued and the lack of it was socially scandalous.
  2. The obsession with authenticity is a recurring theme in culture, promoting organic over artificial.
  3. The concept of authenticity created new hierarchies, cultural production, and status games.

Clouds of Women and Men

255 implied HN points • 27 Nov 22
  1. The show contrasts two types of couples - one authentic and one performative.
  2. People often struggle with their own identity and desires, influenced by societal expectations.
  3. Relationships are complex processes that shape and reveal different aspects of ourselves.

On and Off "On Freedom"

216 implied HN points • 04 Jan 23
  1. Maggie Nelson's book 'On Freedom' embraces a synthetic power, blending poetry, fantasy, philosophy, aphorism, and essay.
  2. Nelson challenges the notion of systematization and highlights the dangers of moralizing in cultural and political circles.
  3. The book encourages readers to embrace ambiguity, suspend judgments, and consider different perspectives on freedom and existence.

Andor and the Art of And/Or

235 implied HN points • 27 Nov 22
  1. Star Wars presents a mix of material reality with fantasy myth, adding depth and tension to the universe.
  2. _Andor_ delves into the material aspects of the Star Wars universe, making it feel real and compelling.
  3. Exploring alternative expressions of spirituality in Star Wars could offer fresh perspectives and contributions to the Jedi legacy.

Metaphor Shifts, Metaphor Stasis

235 implied HN points • 25 Nov 22
  1. Cultural conflict is inevitable when there are multiple totalizing cultures within a country.
  2. There is a significant gap between who we say we are and who we actually are, leading to cultural and psychological complexities.
  3. Our knowledge and beliefs are always evolving and provisional, with paradigms shifting and old theories being discarded for newer ones.

Music as an Old

235 implied HN points • 19 Nov 22
  1. Music had a deep emotional impact during youth, absorbing and overwhelming in a positive way.
  2. As we age, our experiences with music and art evolve, embracing maturity and complexity over the intense adolescent emotions.
  3. Nostalgia may remind us of past immersive experiences, but it's okay to appreciate how our perspectives have shifted and grown with time.

Our Man, Armond

196 implied HN points • 03 Dec 22
  1. Armond is deeply flawed but complex, reflecting our world
  2. Paula and Olivia's power dynamics are complex and beyond cultural norms
  3. Rachel's lack of self-understanding leads to terrible decisions

Two Origin Stories

137 implied HN points • 13 Nov 22
  1. Ancient human consciousness may have evolved from hallucinatory mentality 3,000 years ago.
  2. Primitive religions formed the foundation of early civic life and social organization.
  3. The books explore how early human communication and social structures evolved into modern mental conceptions and social systems.

The Style of Current Events

137 implied HN points • 07 Nov 22
  1. Events seem both inevitable and random, driven by a mix of individual agency and impersonal dynamics.
  2. Current events are intense yet inconsequential, filled with humor and surrounded by memes.
  3. There is a dominance of personalities shaping events, with actions often based on raw emotion rather than deliberation or strategy.

It really does suck to suck, you know.

58 implied HN points • 24 Jun 20
  1. The creators post about various topics.
  2. You can receive their posts via email or on their website.
  3. They encourage hanging out in their chat.

Designing in Winter

1 HN point • 11 Feb 23
  1. Software design roles have multiplied, but ratios may shift closer to fewer designers in the future due to technological changes and commodification.
  2. AI tools can quickly generate UI variations, reducing the need for extensive design work in many cases.
  3. Software designers may need to master AI, adapt to changing production processes, and broaden their skill sets to stay valuable in a competitive market.