Webworm with David Farrier $7 / month

Webworm with David Farrier explores contemporary issues through a critical lens, focusing on politics, societal behaviors, media influence, and personal narratives. It challenges misinformation, addresses legal threats, scrutinizes public figures and ideologies, and fosters an informed community dialogue.

Politics Media Criticism Social Issues Legal Matters Personal Narratives

The hottest Substack posts of Webworm with David Farrier

And their main takeaways

We've Lost the Ability to See Reality

11301 implied HN points • 05 Feb 24
🎭️ Culture Social media Reality Perception Misinformation
  1. With the rise of AI-generated content and misinformation, we are losing the ability to distinguish reality from fiction on social media.
  2. Our online experiences are increasingly filled with unrealistic and manipulated images and stories that shape our perceptions.
  3. There is a growing concern that the blurred lines between reality and non-reality online are impacting important real-world decisions and behaviors.

The Curious Case of the Pearl Jam Posters

10299 implied HN points • 05 Jan 24
🎨 Art & Illustration Artists Compensation Design Creativity
  1. An artist was asked to make posters for a Pearl Jam tour but was offered an unusual form of payment.
  2. There were mixed reactions from artists who had similar deals with bands like Pearl Jam, with some feeling undervalued.
  3. The case raises questions about fair compensation for artists and the value of their work, sparking a conversation about artist payment standards.

2024 Check In

5522 implied HN points • 22 Jan 24
📰 News Current Events
  1. The post is a quick update from America in 2024.
  2. The author thanks the audience for the popularity of "Mister Organ".
  3. The post mentions availability issues of the show in the UK.
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A Missive From Hobbiton

4736 implied HN points • 28 Jan 24
🏝 Travel Exploration
  1. The author visited Hobbiton in New Zealand, known from the Lord of the Rings films.
  2. The set of Hobbiton was nearly destroyed before being saved.
  3. The post discusses an upcoming Zoom call with a Substack co-founder.

Bethlehem College Fails Miserably in ERO Report

4186 implied HN points • 01 Feb 24
🌍 World Politics Education
  1. Bethlehem College received a failing grade in an ERO report due to its treatment of LGBTQI+ students.
  2. The Education Review Office found that the school failed to provide a safe environment for all students.
  3. The school's health education curriculum was also criticized for being inadequate.

Facebook Has an Animal Torture Empire

2496 implied HN points • 11 Feb 24
📰 News Animal Welfare Social media Investigation
  1. Animals are being tortured on Facebook, with hundreds of thousands of accounts engaging with the content.
  2. Facebook's algorithm plays a significant role in serving disturbing content to users, leading to increased engagement.
  3. Despite efforts to report and remove the content, issues of animal abuse videos on Facebook are still prevalent and widely accessible.

An Empire on the Brink of Collapse

3930 implied HN points • 11 Jan 24
🌍 World Politics US Politics Foreign Relations Immigration Global Affairs Diplomacy
  1. The author reflects on feelings of nervousness and limbo at the US Embassy in New Zealand for a visa appointment.
  2. America is portrayed as a country facing challenges and disparities, leading to reflections on its future.
  3. Living in America brings chaos but also a sense of contentment, with the author finding inspiration for stories from the environment.

New Zealand Just Woke Up Worse

10672 implied HN points • 14 Oct 23
🌍 World Politics Elections New Zealand Conservatism
  1. New Zealand is experiencing a fundamental shift in politics with the election of a deeply fundamentalist Christian prime minister.
  2. The new prime minister's party has been associated with policies that are unfavorable towards poor people.
  3. The election results show a significant vote share for the party led by the new prime minister.

An Important Webworm PSA

8726 implied HN points • 17 Oct 23
📰 News Media
  1. The author is sharing an important message in this post.
  2. The post reflects on feedback from a previous newsletter about various political topics.
  3. Readers are encouraged to subscribe for a 7-day free trial to access more content.

When We're Afraid To Voice An Opinion

8058 implied HN points • 10 Oct 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Opinion Social Commentary
  1. There is pressure to say something, but it's hard due to misinformation and fear of saying the wrong thing.
  2. It's important to denounce terrorism and protect civilians while understanding the complexity of the situation.
  3. Communication during challenging times requires respect and care to navigate nuanced issues effectively.

The Emails Between Me and Stuff.co.nz

7331 implied HN points • 05 Oct 23
📰 News Media Journalism Politics
  1. Stuff.co.nz published a review of Mister Organ by a convicted fraudster, which seemed odd.
  2. The article discusses how small, incestuous, and politically intertwined New Zealand can be.
  3. The timing of this discussion coincides with an upcoming election in New Zealand.

New Zealand vs America vs My Spine

7645 implied HN points • 18 Jul 23
🏥 Health & Wellness Fitness Recovery
  1. The author is updating readers on his back condition and thanking them for their support.
  2. Readers shared their own stories and advice on backs and spines in response to the author's updates.
  3. There is an option for readers to subscribe for a 7-day free trial to access full post archives.

The News Should Not Be Torture Porn

6977 implied HN points • 19 Jul 23
📰 News Media Ethics
  1. News coverage of crimes should avoid sensationalizing graphic details.
  2. There is a need for more respectful and thoughtful reporting on sensitive topics like crimes and tragedies.
  3. Media outlets should focus on informing the public responsibly instead of exploiting tragedies for clicks.

The Self-Styled Investment Guru Writes to Webworm (Again)

8864 implied HN points • 08 Feb 23
  1. A self-styled investment guru is threatening legal action over an article.
  2. The guru sent an email criticizing an article as lazy.
  3. The author is sharing the email from the guru with readers.