The hottest Aesthetics Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
Category
Top Culture Topics

What I Learned From Mike Esser

As Ever • 5 implied HN points • 08 Feb 26
📚 Literature Aesthetics
  1. Real skill comes from repetition and hard work. You don't really know how to do something until you can do it twice, and talent often needs to be chiseled by constant practice and disciplined habits.
  2. Treat art seriously and hold yourself to the highest standards. A kind of elitism or hierarchy lets you reach people more deeply and gives your work the structure it needs.
  3. Make room for beauty and vulnerability by taking risks and learning to let go. Letting go is itself a discipline born of steady effort, and you must use your gifts despite wounds or privilege.

Better Data Science: How To Design Visualizations that Work

Data at Depth • 79 implied HN points • 05 May 24
🕹 Technology Aesthetics
  1. Start with defining the function you want the audience to perform with the presented data before creating visualizations that support it
  2. Implement aspects like affordances, accessibility, and aesthetics to ensure your visualizations are clear, usable, and visually appealing for the audience
  3. Achieving acceptance of your data visualization involves following established design principles like direct labeling, thoughtful use of color, alignment, and the data-ink principle

Why the Good Guys Will Usually Win

Eurykosmotron • 353 implied HN points • 09 Jul 23
📖 Philosophy Aesthetics
  1. Good guys are likely to win and open-mindedness prevails over closed-mindedness across the multiverse.
  2. Prosocial communities are smarter and better at problem-solving than communities of distrustful individuals.
  3. In a diverse and open environment, good and open-minded agents are more likely to prevail and positively influence society.

Immanuel Kant—What can we know?

Ralph Ammer • 314 implied HN points • 01 Nov 23
📖 Philosophy Aesthetics
  1. Immanuel Kant questioned how we can know things, diving into the roles of rationalism and empiricism.
  2. Kant believed that our mind shapes how we perceive the world, filtering and structuring our knowledge.
  3. Kant's idea is that we need both external observations and internal structuring through concepts to truly understand the world.

The view from utopia

De Pony Sum • 255 implied HN points • 23 Sep 23
📖 Philosophy Aesthetics
  1. Think about what kind of world you would create in different scenarios of power and capacity
  2. Challenge traditional theories of the good life by considering extreme scenarios
  3. Imagine creating a complex and diverse utopia with opportunities for growth and experience
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Feeling the Design

UX Psychology • 238 implied HN points • 05 Jun 23
🪑 Design Aesthetics
  1. Emotions significantly impact user attention and decision-making. We can design products that resonate with users by considering their emotional states.
  2. Balancing functionality and aesthetics is crucial in design. Negative emotions may lead users to focus on functionality, while positive emotions may draw them to aesthetics.
  3. Design strategies that consider emotional mapping, create emotional peaks, and provide feedback can enhance user experience and engagement.

Looksmaxxing

We're Gonna Get Those Bastards • 7 implied HN points • 19 Jan 26
🎭️ Culture Aesthetics
  1. A growing looks‑focused movement pushes extreme body modifications, steroids, drugs, and expensive surgeries as ways to maximize attractiveness and social power.
  2. This obsession with appearance fuels a dominance mentality and has overlapped with online subcultures that normalize shock value, racism, and antisemitism.
  3. Youth politics are increasingly defined by a woke vs anti‑woke split where group identity and looks often trump individual character and ideas, worsening polarization and the risk of extreme outcomes.

The Pragmatists Handbook: Transjectivity

Divergent Futures • 2 HN points • 13 Sep 24
📖 Philosophy Aesthetics
  1. Truth isn't just about what's real or what we feel; it comes from how we connect with the world around us. This idea is called transjectivity, showing that understanding comes from our interactions.
  2. The way we categorize things, like calling a chair a 'chair', is influenced by both what we see and how we use it. It's about finding what fits well in our lives, not just what exists independently.
  3. Our views and meanings can change based on our experiences and environment. This means that understanding truth is flexible and evolves as we learn and grow.

Setting up my new blogging engine

Overthinking Everything • 314 implied HN points • 29 Nov 24
🎭️ Culture Aesthetics
  1. Using a typewriter is a unique and physical writing experience. It feels different from typing on a computer or handwriting because you have to hit the keys hard to get the letters to show up.
  2. Setting up a typewriter can be complex but satisfying. You may need to fix things like the ribbon, which teaches you about how mechanical objects work.
  3. Writing on a typewriter can help you focus better. Unlike computers, which distract you with notifications, a typewriter keeps you engaged in the writing process.

What Is Beauty?

Life and Letters • 59 implied HN points • 01 Apr 24
🎭️ Culture Aesthetics
  1. Sexual attraction plays a big role in art and beauty. It has been important in history but seems less central in today's discussions about aesthetics.
  2. Richard Prum's theory explains that beauty in the animal world, like a peacock's tail, comes from sexual selection rather than just survival needs. Animals choose mates based on beauty, which shapes what traits get passed down.
  3. Culture and biology are deeply connected when it comes to beauty and desire. This idea can be seen in literature from ancient times, where beautiful characters are often depicted as more desirable than strong ones.

Nietzsche the Natalist

Bet On It • 186 implied HN points • 05 Feb 25
📖 Philosophy Aesthetics
  1. Many people with high fertility rates in the U.S. tend to be very religious. This shows a strong connection between faith and the desire to have children.
  2. Nietzsche criticized those who focus only on the negative aspects of life, encouraging a more positive view on existence. He argued that life has value despite its struggles.
  3. Even though Nietzsche didn't have children, his ideas on life's worth contrast with those who do find joy and fulfillment in raising families, like Catherine Pakaluk who has eight kids.

Inhuman Beneficence

marbl • 78 implied HN points • 26 Jan 24
📖 Philosophy Aesthetics
  1. Animals have remarkable abilities and understandings, despite not having human-like qualities.
  2. Human culture values bravery, but exceptions to the rule exist, such as animals displaying courage.
  3. There is an interconnectedness between human storytelling, myth, and the well-being of non-human life.

My Own Private Energy Crisis

Justin E. H. Smith's Hinternet • 881 implied HN points • 29 May 23
📖 Philosophy Aesthetics
  1. When traveling by airplane, we ignore the risks we know are there, which reflects our ability to overlook inherent dangers in pursuit of convenience.
  2. The sense of class, wealth, and comfort among individuals varies, influencing their attitudes towards success and societal norms.
  3. The modern lifestyle involves navigating through ideological and moral contradictions, from energy consumption to personal choices, which can lead to reflections on societal values and personal actions.

What is Taste and how to have it?

Product Composition • 137 implied HN points • 12 Feb 23
🎨 Art & Illustration Aesthetics
  1. Having good taste is a skill that can be developed by paying attention to craft, analyzing surroundings, seeking feedback, and surrounding yourself with tasteful things and people.
  2. Buying expensive items doesn't necessarily mean you have good taste; true taste is about appreciating quality and value, not just high price tags.
  3. Having good taste can be beneficial for business success, as it involves analyzing goods, spotting opportunities, and making valuable decisions efficiently.

Edible Cogitations

Snaxshot • 239 implied HN points • 15 May 23
🍲 Food & Drink Aesthetics
  1. Snaxshot offers a newsletter on upcoming food and beverage trends
  2. The newsletter is read by executives in food and beverage companies worldwide
  3. Upgrade subscription for full access and exclusive content

Aesthetic Warfare (and the Power of Coining an Aesthetic)

Working Theorys • 141 implied HN points • 07 Feb 25
🎭️ Culture Aesthetics
  1. Culture fights are more about looks and feelings than simply ideas. Aesthetics are how people connect and relate to those ideas.
  2. Aesthetic authorship is really important today. Anyone can create and share new styles, which can change how people see themselves and their values.
  3. Art needs a human touch. While AI can create amazing visuals, it lacks the deeper meaning and intent that only a human artist can bring to their work.

Nothing #301

Daily Philosophy • 58 implied HN points • 03 Feb 24
📖 Philosophy Aesthetics
  1. Daily Philosophy has reached 300 articles and offers premium subscriptions for archive access.
  2. Articles from Daily Philosophy have been translated and published in Spanish and Korean.
  3. The story 'Nothing' by Lina Ignatova explores the concept of 'nothing' and its complexities.

Edible Cogitations

Snaxshot • 239 implied HN points • 01 May 23
🍲 Food & Drink Aesthetics
  1. Snaxshot newsletter covers upcoming food and beverage trends curated by Andrea Hernández.
  2. Newsletter is read by top food and beverage executives globally.
  3. Offering a 7-day free trial to access full post archives.

Edible Cogitations

Snaxshot • 219 implied HN points • 24 May 23
🍲 Food & Drink Aesthetics
  1. Snaxshot is a newsletter focused on upcoming food and beverage trends.
  2. The newsletter is curated by Andrea Hernández.
  3. Subscribing offers access to the full post archives with a 7-day free trial.

The channel (a teaser)

Philosophy bear • 57 implied HN points • 14 Jul 25
📖 Philosophy Aesthetics
  1. Having confidence and strength in your heart can attract positive attention from others, regardless of height.
  2. Your actions and personality can be more impressive than physical attributes, so focus on what makes you unique.
  3. Engaging with others and building connections can help you find the right partner, so don't forget to share and subscribe to ideas that inspire you.

Critique of Kvarteret Backklövern detailed development plan in Solna

The Third Place • 59 implied HN points • 24 Jan 24
🪑 Design Aesthetics
  1. Encouraging diversity in building typology within neighborhoods can foster inclusivity and community integration.
  2. Prioritizing pedestrian and cyclist accessibility in urban planning can lead to sustainable and vibrant communities, like Barcelona's superblocks.
  3. Balancing practicality with cultural enrichment, such as including entertainment or cultural facilities in development plans, is essential for creating thriving and lively communities.

French 1790s Disco, and Other Excesses

Atlas of Wonders and Monsters • 627 implied HN points • 20 Jul 23
🎭️ Culture Aesthetics
  1. Cultural excesses, like the French 1790s Disco and Directoire fashion, represent brief bursts of extravagant creativity.
  2. These periods of excess, though short-lived, have a lasting impact on culture and fashion.
  3. While moderation is important, occasional indulgence in extravagance and eccentricity can bring vitality and richness to life and civilization.

Hidden Open Thread 385.5

Astral Codex Ten • 68 implied HN points • 12 Jun 25
📖 Philosophy Aesthetics
  1. This post is meant for paid subscribers only. You need a subscription to access the content.
  2. There’s an open thread for discussions, which allows subscribers to share their thoughts.
  3. The content appears to encourage interaction, so subscribers can engage with each other on various topics.

Building Forward

Anima Mundi • 61 implied HN points • 15 Jun 25
📖 Philosophy Aesthetics
  1. Focus on creating with care and intention, rather than urgency or scarcity. It's about honoring what truly matters to you.
  2. Instead of trying to grow fast and break things, think about how you can nourish and tend to what you create. Building should be about growth, not destruction.
  3. Take your time to build something meaningful. It's important to create with presence and to find joy in the slow process, not just chase after more.

Little boxes — and they all look just the same

City Hall Watcher • 98 implied HN points • 27 Feb 23
🎨 Art & Illustration Aesthetics
  1. Toronto's architecture is becoming more monotonous due to recent provincial legislation affecting design approvals for buildings.
  2. City Hall is preparing for a by-election to replace Mayor John Tory, with the process set to begin after Pride weekend.
  3. The development pipeline in Toronto has seen a significant increase in proposed residential units, reaching a record high in 2021.

#112 Electric dreams

Design Lobster • 299 implied HN points • 27 Jun 22
🪑 Design Aesthetics
  1. Filament bulbs that look vintage actually use modern LED technology for efficiency and style.
  2. Design choices can communicate ideas and values effectively through appearance.
  3. The design process is inherently optimistic and oriented towards solving problems.

Disgusting

Erdmann Housing Tracker • 337 implied HN points • 07 Feb 24
🌍 World Politics Aesthetics
  1. A community's shared beliefs can drive reactions of disgust and aesthetics are deeply intertwined with morals and affiliations.
  2. Local housing regulations often have classist roots, leading to unintended consequences like increased homelessness and cost of living pressures.
  3. Aesthetics in housing can be used as a tool for status, hindering change and progress in neighborhoods, but changes have historically occurred when societal attitudes shift.

Polymathematics In One Breath

polymathematics • 99 implied HN points • 21 Aug 23
📖 Philosophy Aesthetics
  1. Polymathematics is about embracing a variety of interests and doing what you love. It means not just saying you're interested in many things, but actually pursuing those passions.
  2. Finding what you genuinely love is the first challenge. It can be tough to narrow down your true interests when there are so many options.
  3. Living a polymathematical life is rewarding, but it takes effort to balance those multiple passions. It's about actively engaging with the things that bring you joy.

Rosalie Yu: Candy-Glazed Eyes of Haunted Machines

Do Not Research • 79 implied HN points • 16 Oct 23
🎨 Art & Illustration Aesthetics
  1. The project 'Candy-Glazed Eyes of Haunted Machines' explores the aesthetics and histories of coin-operated children's rides in Taiwan, revealing traces of colonial aesthetics and post-colonial narratives.
  2. The artist delves into the emotional and aesthetic impact of these rides through creating digital and sculptural pieces, tapping into feelings of nostalgia and unveiling the haunted essence of the rides.
  3. There is a curious exploration of parallels between the traditional entertainment vending machine market and emerging technologies like NFTs and the metaverse, raising questions about ownership and manipulation of concepts.

Beautiful Things

We're Gonna Get Those Bastards • 5 implied HN points • 26 Dec 25
🎭️ Culture Aesthetics
  1. Beauty is a positive value that signals achievement and civilization across people, art, and built environments.
  2. Much of beauty is the result of effort and craft—grooming, fashion, music, and workmanship require real work, and trying is a virtue.
  3. Ugliness often comes from aggression, decay, or bad politics, and outer appearance commonly reflects inner character.

Notes on Lost in Translation

As Ever • 2 implied HN points • 23 Jan 26
🎭️ Culture Aesthetics
  1. The film captures a pre-smartphone loneliness that could still breathe and lead to meaningful, face-to-face encounters. Modern technology would likely have erased the conditions that let this strange intimacy happen.
  2. Tokyo is shown as a vivid, often warm backdrop rather than the source of alienation; the real emptiness comes from the characters' own interior desolations and fantasies. Coppola's painterly visuals, soundtrack, and loose, improvisational style create the film's moody atmosphere.
  3. The relationship feels equal parts performance and genuine feeling, with both characters afraid to collapse their fantasies into real life. The ambiguous ending suggests growth and hard-won awareness more than a tidy romantic escape.

Raw and Fake Raw

Castalia • 179 implied HN points • 29 Dec 22
🎭️ Culture Aesthetics
  1. Raw performances can feel more genuine and moving compared to overly crafted ones. It's often the unpolished and spontaneous moments that resonate most with people.
  2. Our culture often celebrates 'raw' experiences, linking them to authenticity and a connection to real emotions or events. This can include everything from music to acting.
  3. However, there's a risk of 'fake raw' where performers pretend to be unrefined or down-to-earth while actually being quite polished. This can feel disingenuous and can turn audiences off.

What Critics of the Humanities Don't Understand

Humanities in Revolt • 299 implied HN points • 10 Feb 22
📖 Philosophy Aesthetics
  1. Critics of the humanities often underestimate their importance and mistakenly prioritize practical fields like STEM over humanities. However, an in-depth analysis reveals the value-based assumptions behind such claims.
  2. The humanities contribute to understanding human existence beyond mere practicality by encouraging contemplation of values, creativity, and the human condition. They help us figure out our fundamental goals and values that guide decision-making.
  3. Philosophy delves into examining human values, morality, aesthetics, and political philosophy, emphasizing the indispensable role the humanities play in critically evaluating our beliefs, actions, and societal structures based on deeper values.

Brief note on stylisation and formulaicity*

Logos • 19 implied HN points • 01 Apr 24
🎭️ Culture Aesthetics
  1. Stylisation refers to a unique approach in art where form and content stand out from each other. It can bring something fresh but might also lessen the impact of the subject being represented.
  2. Formulaicity means using a predictable framework or pattern in storytelling. While some formulaic works can still be enjoyable, if they're poorly executed, they can end up being boring.
  3. When a work is both stylised and formulaic, it can be entertaining but often falls short of greatness. It's important that both style and execution are well-balanced for a piece to stand out.

Mastering Irreverence

Polymathic Being • 85 implied HN points • 05 Jan 25
📖 Philosophy Aesthetics
  1. Irreverence helps us see the truth behind societal norms and values. By questioning these, we can break free from the distractions that keep us from what truly matters.
  2. Reverence allows us to appreciate the beauty and wonder in life. Feeling awe for nature or art can elevate our mood and give us a sense of connection to something greater.
  3. Balancing irreverence and reverence is essential for clear thinking and meaningful living. We need both to challenge old ideas while also grounding ourselves in what gives life depth and value.

Writing Noise into Noise

Cybernetic Forests • 79 implied HN points • 12 Feb 23
🎨 Art & Illustration Aesthetics
  1. Diffusion models start by generating random noise and work backward to create images based on prompts.
  2. The model aims to remove noise based on the prompt, creating a recursive process of noise refinement.
  3. Diffusion models struggle with abstract details like Gaussian noise, leading to errors in representation.

What's a tomato girl? 🍅

The Digital Native • 58 implied HN points • 01 Jun 23
🎭️ Culture Aesthetics
  1. Tomato girl is a popular aesthetic trend linked to European summer vibes and Mediterranean girl aesthetics.
  2. The tomato girl's appeal lies in her fashion choices and slow-paced lifestyle, which are anchored in tradition and natural elements.
  3. Food micro-trends like tomato girl and others offer a unique blend of food, art, and fashion creativity, allowing individuals to embody different aesthetics through personal interpretations.

Ask Bear anything

Philosophy bear • 64 implied HN points • 26 Feb 25
📖 Philosophy Aesthetics
  1. Subscribers can ask questions while everyone can read the answers. This makes it more inclusive and fair.
  2. There are two ways to get answers: one from the author and another one from Bear. You just need to mention which one you prefer.
  3. The system is based on honor, meaning the author trusts those asking questions without subscriptions are doing so because they can't afford it.