The Rectangle

The Rectangle Substack explores the intersections of consumer technology, internet culture, and daily life with a focus on the impacts and implications of tech on mental health, social behaviors, and environmental issues. It critiques tech culture and trends while offering insights on digital habits, media consumption, and the role of technology in society.

Consumer Technology Internet Culture Mental Health and Technology Digital Habits Media Consumption Environmental Impact of Technology Tech Industry Critique

The hottest Substack posts of The Rectangle

And their main takeaways

That's weird, Spotify, real weird

113 implied HN points • 15 Mar 24
🎶 Music Music videos Podcasts
  1. Spotify recently started hosting music videos, surprising many who thought they were already available. It's important to keep up with changes and updates in platforms you use.
  2. Music videos are considered an underappreciated art form and can add a lot to the enjoyment of a song. They can convey messages, humor, surprise, and make you want to dance.
  3. Spotify's decision to focus on podcasts and a social 'feed' instead of integrating music videos could be seen as a missed opportunity. Incorporating music videos into their platform could potentially enhance user experience and set them apart.

Why can't I be a dick to AI?

113 implied HN points • 23 Feb 24
🕹 Technology AI Chatbots Ethics Big Tech Human-computer interaction
  1. We often treat AI with politeness and empathy because our brains expect something that talks like a human to be human.
  2. Despite AI being just a tool, companies make them human-like to leverage our trust and make us more receptive to their messages.
  3. There's a societal expectation to be decent even towards artificial entities, like AI, even though they're not humans with feelings and consciousness.

Willy Wonka and weird-ass AI

84 implied HN points • 01 Mar 24
🕹 Technology AI Social media Business Artificial Intelligence Platforms
  1. The Glasgow Willy Wonka Experience showcases the modern use of AI-generated content in marketing and event organization.
  2. AI can significantly lower the barrier of entry for individuals to create and promote businesses and events, potentially leading to unexpected outcomes like the Willy Wonka Experience.
  3. The story highlights the importance of having checks and balances in place when relying heavily on AI to prevent misguided or poorly executed ventures.

Sorry I doubted you, Screen Time

113 implied HN points • 16 Feb 24
🏥 Health & Wellness Addiction Mental health Digital detox Self-care
  1. Avoid looking at your phone first thing in the morning and last thing at night to resist the urge of always being on it.
  2. Limit social media usage to around 30 minutes a day to balance benefits like information and connection without negative effects like depression or anxiety.
  3. Using features like Screen Time on Apple devices can help manage screen time by setting daily limits on specific apps, fostering better usage habits.

I love Google Maps' lists, they suck

141 implied HN points • 02 Feb 24
🕹 Technology Maps Software Usability
  1. Creating lists on Google Maps can help you get to know a new place better.
  2. Google Maps lists could be improved with better organization features and social elements.
  3. Despite shortcomings, Google Maps lists can be both useful and frustrating at the same time.
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Memes and our metamodern condition

56 implied HN points • 08 Mar 24
🎭️ Culture Memes Art Society Language
  1. Memes can be a reflection of our current cultural age, functioning as a microcosm of our metamodern condition.
  2. Metamodernism allows us to seamlessly flip between the eras of modernism and postmodernism, adapting to constant contradiction.
  3. Meme culture reflects how our relationship with art has evolved, with art living beyond its traditional medium and becoming a participatory, transformative experience.

RIP Pitchfork

113 implied HN points • 19 Jan 24
🎶 Music Journalism Industry Art Community Impact
  1. Pitchfork music website is shutting down and moving under GQ.
  2. Music journalism is facing challenges with major publications closing.
  3. Professional music journalism is important for valuing and discussing art.

Meet the teen who tried watching 'The Lorax' every day for a year

113 implied HN points • 14 Apr 23
🎭️ Culture Film Internet culture Social media Online Trends
  1. A teenager attempted to watch 'The Lorax' every day for a year but had to stop due to declining mental health.
  2. The pressure of internet audience can impact creators, causing some to continue despite personal struggles.
  3. It's important to remember there's a real person behind online content, and to prioritize mental well-being over online commitments.

Forsooth, a new Furby

84 implied HN points • 30 Jun 23
😂 Humor Satire Comedy
  1. Furby has made a return, staying popular since its 1998 launch.
  2. The new Furby has some upgrades like voice activation and 600 responses.
  3. To make the Furby modern, integrate it with advanced technology like ChatGPT, give it a new, scary design, and change its eyes and voice.

Addicted to earbuds

84 implied HN points • 03 Mar 23
🕹 Technology Gadgets
  1. The convenience of true wireless earbuds like AirPods makes it easy to use them for all tasks.
  2. Constantly using earbuds may lead to feeling disconnected from the environment and hinder boredom, which can be beneficial.
  3. Tech's push for attention through gadgets like AirPods has made it easy to fill every gap in our lives with audio distractions.