Cosy Moments

Cosy Moments delivers in-depth cultural commentary, challenging mainstream perspectives on science, religion, literature, and society. It explores the interplay between historical misconceptions, modern technology's impact, the critique of liberalism, and the significance of classical literature, while advocating for a nuanced understanding of cultural and ethical issues.

Science and Religion Technology and Society Literature and Criticism Cultural Commentary Ethics and Morality Media and Propaganda Historical Perspectives Art and Aesthetics Political and Social Critiques Classical Studies

The hottest Substack posts of Cosy Moments

And their main takeaways

Cosy Moments Turns 1!

8 implied HN points • 29 Apr 23
  1. Cosy Moments celebrates its 1st anniversary.
  2. The author expresses gratitude to subscribers and encourages paid subscriptions.
  3. List of popular articles from the past year is shared.

A Leading Intellectual Magazine Rejected My Most Popular Article

9 implied HN points • 01 Mar 23
  1. The author's article, rejected by a top magazine, received a lot of positive feedback and gained many readers.
  2. Starting their own platform allowed the author to write without restrictions and explore topics they were passionate about.
  3. Readers are encouraged to support the author's independent platform by subscribing for access to more ambitious projects.

When Did Chess Get So Sexy?

9 implied HN points • 06 Feb 23
  1. Chess has become more popular due to influences like 'The Queen's Gambit' and online platforms.
  2. Chess is gaining attention as a spectator sport for its unique characteristics like seeing the whole board at once.
  3. Chess commentary and gameplay dynamics contribute to its appeal and popularity, offering life lessons and challenges.

The Simpsons and Alexander Pope

11 implied HN points • 12 Oct 22
  1. The Simpsons is a show that cleverly highlights political cliches and communication issues.
  2. George Orwell criticizes the use of pre-formed phrases in political speeches.
  3. Alexander Pope, in the 18th century, also criticized political flattery and corruption through his writings.

Is The Song of Achilles Really That Good?

12 implied HN points • 06 Jun 22
  1. The novel 'The Song of Achilles' gained popularity for its young adult romance appeal.
  2. The book's portrayal of the ancient world lacks understanding and immersion.
  3. Modern retellings of ancient stories often reflect contemporary values rather than historical accuracy.
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Can Christopher Hitchens Save The Left?

7 HN points • 18 Feb 23
  1. Christopher Hitchens was a complex figure, admired for his writing but not always right in his opinions.
  2. Hitchens believed in free inquiry, humanism, and universal values, but his support for policies like the Iraq War and military intervention can be debated.
  3. His views on Enlightenment values, liberalism, and the role of government in protecting human rights are subject to critique and may not offer clear solutions to the challenges faced by society.

The Shakespeare Men's Cricket Team

5 implied HN points • 12 Jun 23
  1. The post discusses creating a cricket team using characters from Shakespeare's plays
  2. Specific characters from the plays are chosen for different positions in the team
  3. The author invites readers to share who they would include in their own team

The Start of Bad Pop Lyrics

8 implied HN points • 28 Jul 22
  1. Songwriters started writing for themselves, leading to a wider gap between good and bad lyrics.
  2. The Beatles were influenced by popular bands, uniting youth and corporate values in music.
  3. The shift to singers writing their own lyrics can result in immature and inauthentic songwriting.

Why Australia Should Abolish Compulsory Voting

9 implied HN points • 05 May 22
  1. Compulsory voting in Australia was introduced in 1924 to increase voter turnout.
  2. Arguments against compulsory voting include concerns about freedom of choice and lack of political education.
  3. Compulsory voting raises questions regarding civic duty, political representation, and party influence.

Kangatarians

6 implied HN points • 07 Dec 22
  1. Kangatarians only eat kangaroo meat.
  2. They justify this by claiming kangaroos are pests in Australia.
  3. Kangatarians prioritize ethical treatment of animals in their diet.

Christian Poetry in America Since 1940

6 implied HN points • 27 Sep 22
  1. American society values fast food over fasting, but Christianity remains important to many people, including poets.
  2. Many Americans lack meaning, and the solution to this 'meaning crisis' includes reuniting soul and body through religion and art.
  3. Poetry and art play a crucial role in expressing spiritual truths, providing insight, bringing peace, and pointing to something bigger than oneself.

The Metric System Is Useless

5 implied HN points • 30 Dec 22
  1. The metric system is useful for scientific and industrial practices, but lacks resonance in songs and poems.
  2. Customary measurements have a lyrical quality and offer rich idioms and rhymes that are absent in metric units.
  3. Metric measurements are challenging to rhyme and do not easily fit into the poetic structure of songs and poems.

The Desperate Passions of a Haunted Heart

6 implied HN points • 25 Aug 22
  1. In Benjamin Britten's opera The Turn of the Screw, the presence of ghosts raises questions about reality versus hallucination.
  2. The story reflects themes of sexuality, daemonic desires, and the struggle between innocence and darkness.
  3. Britten's personal experiences and struggles, especially regarding desire for underage males, influenced the thematic elements of the opera.

Opinions on the 50 Greatest Guitarists

5 implied HN points • 14 Nov 22
  1. Guitarists are admired for their style and confidence, making a unique contribution with their music.
  2. Guitarists focus on creating music rather than making political statements, emphasizing the power of art.
  3. Lists of greatest guitarists highlight the impact and diversity of guitar playing in popular music history.

Untangling The Web #1

2 implied HN points • 22 Nov 23
  1. New series called Untangling The Web is about sharing the best content online
  2. Encourages helping each other discover good internet content buried under rubbish
  3. Offering a 7-day free trial for access to full post archives on Cosy Moments

Would You Betray Your Friends or Your Country?

6 implied HN points • 04 Jul 22
  1. Personal loyalties can conflict with loyalty to the state.
  2. Consider the complexity and consequences of defending a friend over the law.
  3. Tragedies like Shakespeare's Julius Caesar show the noble struggle between personal relationships and loyalty to the state.

Can Americans Still Fit Into Their Jeans?

5 implied HN points • 08 Aug 22
  1. The poem explores the contradiction between jeans and excess in the American culture.
  2. Jeans, once a symbol of rebellion, are now commonly worn by all, including those in non-manual labor roles.
  3. The speaker in the poem struggles with self-image and the pressure to fit into societal standards.

Frankenstein and Shrek

5 implied HN points • 20 Jun 22
  1. Frankenstein and Shrek both explore themes of ugliness and mythological symbolism.
  2. The characters in Frankenstein struggle with ambition, accountability, and societal integration.
  3. Shrek contrasts with characters like Frankenstein by showing how relationships and selflessness give life meaning.

The Composer Who "Ruined" European Music

2 HN points • 17 Aug 23
  1. Arnold Schoenberg revolutionized European music with his compositional techniques.
  2. Schoenberg's music challenged traditional tonality and harmonic structures.
  3. Schoenberg's legacy raises questions about composers' relationship with their audience and the influence of popular tastes.

Responding to Critics

5 implied HN points • 25 May 22
  1. Criticism can help a writer grow and improve.
  2. Compulsory voting has arguments both for and against its effectiveness.
  3. Forcing compulsory voting may infringe on individuals' freedom of political expression.

Geoff Page is Out of Form

5 implied HN points • 29 Apr 22
  1. Rhyme and meter in poetry can add emotional depth and sophistication
  2. Formal poetry can enhance the rhetorical force of a poem
  3. The structure of a poem can complement and enhance its emotional content

Two Jazzy Pop Singers

4 implied HN points • 12 May 22
  1. Laufey and Eloise are two jazzy pop singers who released EPs in 2021.
  2. Both singers write short, catchy songs with extended chords and lyrics about love.
  3. Their music blends nostalgia with modern production techniques, creating a cozy and introspective vibe.

Untangling The Web #3: Famous Australians

1 implied HN point • 04 Jan 24
  1. Australia's best writers are often unread by the broader public.
  2. The internet hasn't necessarily increased appreciation for local Australian talent.
  3. Many Australians still defer to American and British cultural tastes.

Welcome to Cosy Moments.

2 implied HN points • 29 Apr 22
  1. Cosy Moments newsletter focuses on literature, music, and more.
  2. The newsletter cannot be silenced.
  3. Subscribe to Cosy Moments for updates.