The Carousel

The Carousel Substack delves into the intersections of modern propaganda, society, and culture, critically analyzing political agendas, advertising, gender roles, and social dynamics. It examines the impact of capitalism on social justice, media silence, and the evolution of workplace culture, while offering insights into consumer behavior and the commodification of social movements.

Modern Propaganda Political Agendas Advertising and Media Gender Roles and Workplace Culture Capitalism and Social Justice Consumer Behavior Cultural and Ethnic Identity Media Censorship

The hottest Substack posts of The Carousel

And their main takeaways
28 implied HN points β€’ 06 Mar 24
  1. The concept of 'woke racism' highlights situations where discrimination occurs under the guise of being progressive or equitable.
  2. The text discusses how certain corporations, like Google, have faced criticism for discriminatory practices towards white individuals, despite claims of promoting diversity and inclusivity.
  3. There is a criticism of the idea that anti-racism can sometimes exhibit behaviors that are essentially racist, such as discriminating against individuals based on their race.
36 implied HN points β€’ 04 Feb 24
  1. The article explores different types of successful posters on the internet, like Wrinkle Finders, Insight Miners, Gonzo Reporters, Parasocial Friends, Rise and Grinders, and Beauty Promoters.
  2. Successful posters offer emotional benefits to their audience, such as factual truth, emotional truth, adventure, humor, motivation, and beauty.
  3. Different types of successful posters engage with their audience in unique ways, from sharing surprising information to creating emotional connections through humor or aesthetics.
26 implied HN points β€’ 22 Jan 24
  1. The middle class in America is disappearing, causing extreme wealth and poverty to become more visible.
  2. Homeless encampments in San Francisco and Portland are resembling South American slums as a result of this shift.
  3. Elite institutions like Ivy League schools are being dismantled by their own staff, leading to chaos and changes in traditional values.
25 implied HN points β€’ 17 Jan 24
  1. TV commercials are now dominated by pharma ads due to a loophole in FDA regulations that allowed direct-to-consumer advertising.
  2. The surge in pharma ads on TV is driven by the need to maintain high revenue levels, even after the initial spike during the pandemic.
  3. Pharma ads target older demographics through traditional TV advertising, as other industries shift more towards digital and social media.
23 implied HN points β€’ 20 Jan 24
  1. American football players have unique physiognomy based on their roles, making the sport highly specialized.
  2. The NFL combines complex problem solving, high tech, physical prowess, and aggression.
  3. NFL football allows examination of ethnic differences, encouraging discussions on race science within a mainstream context.
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16 implied HN points β€’ 26 Jan 24
  1. Prominent online figures are revealing their faces after years of anonymity
  2. Anonymity for public figures can amplify their mystique and persona
  3. The visual iconography of public figures should match or exceed the mystery of their anonymity
99 implied HN points β€’ 16 Sep 23
  1. The Sexual Revolution debate failed to address core questions and historical context
  2. Issues around consent and rape in the post-Sexual Revolution culture are highlighted
  3. Challenges faced in society related to women's roles and demands are discussed
14 implied HN points β€’ 20 Dec 23
  1. The concept of 'Sexiest Man Alive' has shifted to a more neutered and sexless portrayal of male celebrities.
  2. The Longhouse ideology influences societal beauty standards, promoting weakness over traditional masculinity.
  3. The evolving criteria for 'sexiness' may lead to a lack of real sexual attraction and potentially impact human reproduction over time.
8 implied HN points β€’ 10 Jan 24
  1. The article discusses the different attitudes between generations like Boomers, Millennials, and Gen Z.
  2. The author reflects on a unique experience at a camp for tech nerds called Vibecamp.
  3. There are mentions of the author being featured in media outlets and creating podcast art for other creators.
22 implied HN points β€’ 08 Nov 23
  1. Helium was once a highly valued resource, particularly in the Airship Era.
  2. Amarillo, Texas, holds significant helium reserves but locals may not be fully aware of its value.
  3. There is a resurgence of interest in blimps and airships for environmental reasons, with projects like BlimpDAO seeking to promote blimp culture.
95 implied HN points β€’ 23 Apr 23
  1. The modern office is like a 'longhouse' with open floor plans, emphasizing visibility and gossip among female coworkers.
  2. Women excel in the workplace due to their strength in indirect communication and attention to detail, symbolized by the tyranny of checkboxes.
  3. Certain women in mid-management roles embody a mix of femininity and masculine 'dread', enforcing the workplace culture with callousness and indirect tactics.
21 implied HN points β€’ 11 Oct 23
  1. Incels are portrayed negatively in mainstream media and associated with extreme ideologies and violence.
  2. The novel 'Incel' attempts to humanize an incel protagonist and explore the complexities of incel culture.
  3. The book 'Incel' is part of a left-wing project for deradicalization but fails to provide hope or solutions for incels.
6 implied HN points β€’ 27 Dec 23
  1. Women's historical knowledge and principles may impact their online behavior.
  2. Red eyeshadow has a long history and has become more mainstream over the years.
  3. Wearing red eyeshadow can be seen as a bold and empowering choice for women.
27 implied HN points β€’ 12 Jul 23
  1. The post describes a scenic journey through Seattle and surrounding areas.
  2. Seattle's diverse atmosphere and unique culture are highlighted in the text.
  3. The author shares personal experiences exploring various neighborhoods and locations in Seattle.
24 implied HN points β€’ 01 Jun 23
  1. Business should be cautious with new scientific discoveries to prevent exploitation.
  2. Advertising has a significant influence on public perception and can promote harmful products.
  3. The historical misuse of radioactive materials for health products serves as a cautionary tale for the dangers of unregulated marketing.
25 implied HN points β€’ 25 May 23
  1. A brand video called 'It's Never Over' was made as a response to the current culture war in the private sector
  2. The video aims to promote 'Based Marketing' as a strategy to counter toxic ideologies in corporations
  3. Creatives behind the video found a voice on Twitter and emphasize the need for honest and truthful marketing for the people
21 implied HN points β€’ 06 Jun 23
  1. Elon Musk is facing a battle with advertisers on Twitter, with some trying to bankrupt the platform by pulling ad spending.
  2. Large advertisers coordinate efforts to control public discourse and speech on platforms like Twitter through censorship organizations and stakeholder capitalists.
  3. Elon Musk is navigating a conflict between his support for free speech and the need to appease advertisers to bridge the revenue gap on Twitter.
18 implied HN points β€’ 30 Apr 23
  1. Big Bear is a popular spot for skiing in Southern California.
  2. The environment at Big Bear is described as full of stylish and good-looking people.
  3. The article captures a scene at a ski lodge where individuals engage in various activities and conversations.
30 implied HN points β€’ 07 Dec 22
  1. Advertising agencies target specific demographics to make money.
  2. Black people are overrepresented in advertising, despite being only 13% of the population.
  3. The overrepresentation of black people in ads reflects capitalism's ability to commodify social justice movements.
13 implied HN points β€’ 22 Aug 22
  1. Consumer culture replicates itself by affixing fake purpose to products, but consumers now seek more than just buying stuff - they want community and belonging.
  2. Tokenization is merging democracy and consumerism, with brands offering exclusive NFTs and memberships as symbols of belonging and community.
  3. Sellers in today's market struggle with self-identity, torn between hating their role as sellers and needing to propagate their message, as consumer immunity to traditional marketing grows.
7 implied HN points β€’ 21 Oct 20
  1. California is facing a shift in its state of affairs, driven by a growing sense of dysfunction and anger among residents.
  2. The root cause of California's problems is identified as ideology, particularly a far-left ideology that prioritizes protecting the most vulnerable above all else.
  3. Californians are dealing with significant issues like severe public drug use, worsening wildfires due to environmental policies, and rolling blackouts from an over-reliance on renewable energy resources.
0 implied HN points β€’ 18 Oct 20
  1. The Carousel blog focuses on branding, politics, culture, media, and aesthetics in today's attention economy.
  2. The author, Isaac Simpson, has a background in writing, law, and advertising, and is now a creative director.
  3. The blog offers insights on media, advertising, branding, and occasional political commentary.