The hottest Aesthetics Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
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Top Culture Topics

On Liedowns and the 'Meritocracy'

Castalia β€’ 99 implied HN points β€’ 21 Feb 23
🎭️ Culture Aesthetics
  1. The 'lying flat' movement in East Asia is a response to the pressures of a work-centric culture. People are choosing to step back from overwork and stress, promoting a lifestyle that values rest.
  2. In the West, similar movements like 'The Great Resignation' don't capture the same spirit as 'lying flat.' Many see these Western protests as just a shift from corporate jobs without addressing the core issues of work-life balance.
  3. Top athletes like Naomi Osaka and Simone Biles show that even successful individuals can feel overwhelmed by expectations. Their decision to prioritize mental health challenges the idea of the meritocracy, where success often comes with endless obligations.

Adding Color and Sound to the Tetractys

WaveGuide β€’ 2 HN points β€’ 07 Aug 24
πŸ“– Philosophy Aesthetics
  1. The Tetractys is a triangle with ten points that symbolizes harmony and universal relationships in music and nature. Its structure can help us understand connections between numbers, colors, and sounds.
  2. By visually organizing numbers using hexagons, we can see patterns in music and color. For example, numbers that are next to each other in the Tetractys relate to musical intervals like octaves and fifths.
  3. Adding color and sound to the Tetractys creates a deeper understanding of how music and visual art interconnect. This idea suggests that everything in the universe has a rhythm and can be related through these patterns.

Important source for Gardenworld - The Arts and Crafts Movement.

Douglass’s Newsletter β€’ 19 implied HN points β€’ 10 Feb 24
🎨 Art & Illustration Aesthetics
  1. The Arts and Crafts Movement was an international trend in the decorative and fine arts, advocating traditional craftsmanship and social reform.
  2. The movement emphasized simpler and more aesthetic homes and gardens, influencing styles like Art Nouveau and Modernism.
  3. Craftsmanship involves doing a job well for its own sake, contributing to people's well-being and community morale.

A Measure of Excellence

Jake [Building in NYC] β€’ 19 implied HN points β€’ 02 Feb 24
πŸ“– Philosophy Aesthetics
  1. Excellence comes from creating and pursuing what is good and beautiful in life. The more you create, the more you grow in excellence.
  2. Artifacts, or creations like art, writing, and projects, show evidence of our existence and impact on the world. The more artifacts you have, the more impact you likely have.
  3. To become excellent, keep creating and don't be afraid to start. Just like any skill, practice helps you improve and get closer to your goals.

Neuropessimism, the impossible ideology

Square Circle β€’ 3 implied HN points β€’ 17 Dec 25
πŸ“– Philosophy Aesthetics
  1. The brain is a messy, evolved organ whose outputs we admire but that can be self-serving and unreliable, so it’s reasonable to question how much we should trust it.
  2. Neuropessimism says we should reject brain-made judgments and favor the intrinsic value of nature, a stance that pushes toward asceticism and seeking un-simplified complexity but is nearly impossible to fully live out.
  3. The opposite view notes that distrusting the brain may commit a logical error: its convoluted design might be exactly what produces our best insights, so a balanced response is humility, rest, and appreciation rather than total rejection.
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Can we trust aesthetics to be fair ?

On Looking β€’ 119 implied HN points β€’ 20 May 22
🎨 Art & Illustration Aesthetics
  1. Aesthetics in the creative industry raises questions about what defines 'good work' and who gets to decide, challenging the idea of universal beauty standards.
  2. Meritocracy and economic value in the creative industry are closely linked, but meritocracy may not always lead to fair opportunities due to structural inequalities.
  3. The association between artists and their work, as well as the concept of aesthetic meritocracy, may influence how we perceive art and artists, raising questions about fairness and identity in the industry.

Repairing Ourselves.

The Future Does Not Fit In The Containers Of The Past β€’ 53 implied HN points β€’ 10 Nov 24
🎭️ Culture Aesthetics
  1. Poetry helps us connect with our deepest feelings and can aid in personal healing. It shows us that we can rebuild ourselves through words and creativity.
  2. Water symbolizes life and healing, teaching us the importance of being adaptable and working harmoniously with our environment.
  3. Kintsugi is a Japanese art of repairing broken pottery with gold, reminding us that our scars and flaws can be beautiful and part of our unique story.

It takes a village to be a solitary genius

On Looking β€’ 99 implied HN points β€’ 13 May 22
🎨 Art & Illustration Aesthetics
  1. Artistic work involves the joint activity of many people, contrary to the idea of a solitary genius navigating the art world alone.
  2. All art, including illustration, relies on conventions and collaborative efforts involving various actors like developers, engineers, illustrators, editors, and more.
  3. Aesthetics in art are tied to moral judgments, impacting the reception of artwork; illustrators also navigate aesthetic choices that can influence their commercial success.

#56 The invention of corridors

Design Lobster β€’ 239 implied HN points β€’ 22 Feb 21
πŸͺ‘ Design Aesthetics
  1. Corridors reflect changes in societal relationships and the need for privacy in architecture.
  2. Consider the spirit and fun that can be brought out in design, even in digital mechanisms like clocks.
  3. Simplicity in design forces focus on the real problems, delivering substance over ornament.

Big City (Everybody I Know Can Be Found Here)

Kneeling Bus β€’ 146 implied HN points β€’ 02 Jun 23
🎭️ Culture Aesthetics
  1. In the age of social media, everyone has the potential for some level of fame, even if it's just to a small group of people.
  2. Social media platforms encourage constant engagement by transforming real estate in people's minds into smaller, more frequent units.
  3. Attention on social media is securitized to keep content flowing, blurring the lines between creators and consumers.

Paul Sutherland: LARP Politics and Hyperreality

Do Not Research β€’ 4 HN points β€’ 06 May 24
🎭️ Culture Aesthetics
  1. LARPing in politics refers to engaging in political actions that are disconnected from the goal of creating tangible change, often becoming more about aesthetic value and personal style.
  2. The concept of LARPing in the 21st century is tied to Baudrillard's idea of simulation and hyperreality, blurring the lines between the world of images and the world of reality.
  3. Ruptures from the hyperreal world of LARP politics into actual events, like the Capitol Hill riot, showcase the collision between simulated political actions and the real material consequences, leaving society perplexed.

The Museum of Sauce

Kneeling Bus β€’ 117 implied HN points β€’ 24 May 23
🎭️ Culture Aesthetics
  1. TikTok has become a powerful force in shaping aesthetics and design in contrast to Instagram's influence.
  2. TikTok's native aesthetic is described as baroque, tactile, kinetic, and loud, setting it apart from other platforms.
  3. TikTok's impact extends beyond the digital realm, influencing physical environments and incentivizing creativity in a way that differs from Instagram.

Box #4

What Is Called Thinking? β€’ 21 implied HN points β€’ 17 Jan 25
πŸ“– Philosophy Aesthetics
  1. Being outraged online seems to be popular, even though it's not a nice feeling. People share outrage more than any other emotion, which might say a lot about our current social media habits.
  2. Our minds focus on what we find important, similar to how certain AI models operate. This brings to light how rituals and habits can shape our thinking and keep what matters most in our attention.
  3. There's a growing recognition that we all have a perspective on the future, even if we don't realize it. Discussions about technology and its impact hint at deeper societal issues that we need to consider.

Making architecture easy

The Works in Progress Newsletter β€’ 18 implied HN points β€’ 22 Nov 24
πŸͺ‘ Design Aesthetics
  1. Architectural styles should prioritize ease of appreciation for the public, as buildings are experienced by many, not just their owners. This makes it important for styles to be friendly and accessible to everyone.
  2. There's a difference between 'easy' and 'challenging' styles in architecture. Easy styles are enjoyable without much effort, while challenging styles can be difficult to appreciate for most people.
  3. Modern architecture often tends to be less appealing to the general public, leading to a need for styles that blend traditional principles to ensure buildings fit well into everyday environments.

Are Games Bad?

Donkeyspace β€’ 18 implied HN points β€’ 21 Oct 24
🎭️ Culture Aesthetics
  1. Hideo Kojima creates unique video games that mix action and storytelling, making them feel personal and artistic. People love his work for being different and imaginative.
  2. However, many of his games contain really boring cutscenes with bad dialogue that can spoil the overall experience. These parts are often criticized for being unnecessarily lengthy and confusing.
  3. Some fans try to embrace the bad elements as part of Kojima's unique charm, but there's a feeling that video games could be so much better if they didn't have these flaws. Many gamers realize that video games are capable of deep storytelling and creativity beyond simple entertainment.

Box #6

What Is Called Thinking? β€’ 10 implied HN points β€’ 07 Feb 25
🎭️ Culture Aesthetics
  1. Tyler Cowen and Ross Douthat discuss religion, highlighting the difference between viewing it as psychological vs. recognizing genuine experiences of the divine. They agree that our deeper longing for meaning persists even in a scientific world.
  2. Katherine Boyle mentions that aesthetics in business are important today, as people value intangibles like talent and style over just physical assets. She points out that companies like Apple thrive on a strong aesthetic, unlike others that focus on frugality.
  3. John Ashbery's poetry suggests that creativity comes from making mistakes, not avoiding them. This idea shows that wandering or 'erring' can lead to valuable creative outcomes.

Nate Sloan: The Tradition of Posting

Do Not Research β€’ 59 implied HN points β€’ 20 Apr 21
🎨 Art & Illustration Aesthetics
  1. Reactionary social media accounts are embracing 'tradition' without irony, advocating for a return to traditional art and architecture.
  2. Some accounts use anachronism to juxtapose historical periods and styles, challenging modernist aesthetics.
  3. Critique of contemporary architectural aesthetics includes a call for a clearer relationship between form and function, pointing out flaws and pitfalls in modern design.

Japanese aesthetics: A podcast(!) and Q&A

Kyle Chayka Industries β€’ 55 implied HN points β€’ 12 Mar 23
🎨 Art & Illustration Aesthetics
  1. Kyle Chayka published his first audio project discussing Tanizaki's 'In Praise of Shadows' with Nate Gallant, exploring Japanese aesthetics and its relation to modernity.
  2. Tanizaki's essay delves into personal taste, the impact of technology on art, and the cultural implications of aesthetics in Japan.
  3. The essay critiques Western ideals of perfection and light, praising the beauty of shadows and imperfections in Japanese aesthetics.

Letter #5: The transmission of the listener

Charles Eisenstein β€’ 3 implied HN points β€’ 28 Jun 25
πŸ“– Philosophy Aesthetics
  1. Creating something meaningful can be both rewarding and tiring. It's important to acknowledge that mix of feelings.
  2. Engagement with the audience can lead to a deeper understanding of your work. Listening to feedback helps improve and grow your ideas.
  3. Taking breaks after intense focus on a project is helpful. It gives you time to reflect and recharge for the next challenges.

Letter #7: A Weird Week

Charles Eisenstein β€’ 2 implied HN points β€’ 26 Jul 25
πŸ“– Philosophy Aesthetics
  1. The writer experienced a tough week after publishing an essay, facing significant reactions that affected him deeply. People often struggle with criticism, and it's okay to feel overwhelmed by it.
  2. He finds it hard to ignore negative feedback, which shows how sensitive and thoughtful he is about his work. Sensitivity can be a strength, allowing for deeper connections with others.
  3. Despite the difficult moments, sharing personal experiences can bring valuable lessons and foster understanding. Opening up about challenges helps build a supportive community.

The Epic, the Novel, and Rawls

From the New World β€’ 5 implied HN points β€’ 17 Jan 25
πŸ“– Philosophy Aesthetics
  1. Rawls' ideas about justice might be influenced by how people are portrayed in media, especially television. This could change how we see human nature and its differences.
  2. The concept of living through fiction, whether in novels or other narratives, has been around for a long time. It suggests that people have always had the ability to empathize with others, even without modern technology.
  3. Though television might make humanity seem more similar, earlier thinkers like Hobbes and Locke also explored human nature in unique ways, showing that this question is not new.

Transduction of the Tragipanic

Covidian Γ†sthetics β€’ 4 implied HN points β€’ 20 Jan 25
🎨 Art & Illustration Aesthetics
  1. Theatre is like a lab for experiences, where ideas about reality are tested in performances. It helps explore how we perceive the world around us.
  2. Cancer is a central theme in certain plays, not as a character but as a force affecting everything. It represents deeper struggles within the stories.
  3. Understanding the way these plays work requires looking for hidden meanings and connections. The stories are more complex than they first appear.

#6 The Iowa Caucus, bottles & politics

Design Lobster β€’ 39 implied HN points β€’ 06 Mar 20
πŸͺ‘ Design Aesthetics
  1. Consider the context of use in design decisions, especially in high-stress environments like a nationally significant poll.
  2. Explore the possibility of having design elements serve multiple functions to increase efficiency and sustainability.
  3. Design integrates political ideas into physical artifacts, showcasing how design encapsulates and shapes our world.

#25 Never-ending houses, Kluges and Re-design

Design Lobster β€’ 19 implied HN points β€’ 20 Jul 20
πŸͺ‘ Design Aesthetics
  1. Design can become pathological when the urge for continuous tinkering gets out of control, as seen in the Winchester Mystery House story. Knowing when to stop designing is crucial.
  2. Kludges, like the makeshift wrench door handle, are inelegant but expedient solutions to problems. Embracing resourcefulness and active engagement can lead to better understanding of our designed world.
  3. All design is essentially redesign, reminding designers to approach new situations with humility and an awareness of the history and context they are working within.

#11 Cleaning the oceans, facemasks and shadows

Design Lobster β€’ 19 implied HN points β€’ 10 Apr 20
πŸͺ‘ Design Aesthetics
  1. Cleaning the oceans involves innovative designs like The Ocean Cleanup's plastic collector that harnesses the natural tendency of plastic to accumulate on beaches.
  2. The N95 respirator, now a symbol of the COVID-19 pandemic, originated from designer Sara Little Turnbull's connections between an industrial material and protective gear, showing unexpected design adaptability.
  3. Appreciating shadows and the beauty in darkness, as discussed by Jun'ichirō Tanizaki, can inspire a broader perspective in design and creativity.

Affect is Protocol

Donkeyspace β€’ 5 implied HN points β€’ 15 Feb 24
πŸ“– Philosophy Aesthetics
  1. Our perception and understanding of the world are influenced by our emotional state and personal experiences.
  2. Affect can be viewed as a protocol that formats and processes data, shaping the information we extract from our environment.
  3. Our emotional responses and preferences play a significant role in how we perceive and interact with the world, affecting what we notice and how we interpret things.

Looking vs. Seeing

Mica’s Newsletter β€’ 2 HN points β€’ 22 Mar 24
πŸ“– Philosophy Aesthetics
  1. Looking just means directing your eyes at something. Seeing is about understanding and being aware of what you're looking at.
  2. There's often more going on in front of us than we realize. If we take time to really see, we can discover hidden truths.
  3. Once you truly see something, it sticks with you. It can change how you view the world and what you notice every day.

My Curriculum

Joe Tourville β€’ 0 implied HN points β€’ 18 Mar 24
πŸ“– Philosophy Aesthetics
  1. Developing a strong foundation in philosophy includes understanding the history of philosophy and basic logical reasoning.
  2. Key texts and materials align with specific themes of philosophy courses and focus on traditions like Augustinian and Thomistic traditions.
  3. Exploring various philosophical topics like personal identity, morality, love and friendship, and metaphysics through reading classic and modern texts.

snow flakes

the rohn report β€’ 0 implied HN points β€’ 27 Feb 21
πŸ”¬ Science Aesthetics
  1. Snowflakes are not frozen water, they are frozen water vapor with unique hexagonal structures.
  2. The molecular structure of H2O creates the hexagonal shapes seen in snowflakes, causing natural beauty.
  3. The diverse patterns of snowflakes and the uniqueness of all things in nature demonstrate the commonality of life and the beauty of diversity.

Fragments, Chapter 4, pp.72-7 - Reading Club posting 14

Journal of Gurdjieff Studies β€’ 0 implied HN points β€’ 09 Dec 22
πŸ“– Philosophy Aesthetics
  1. Man and all his manifestations are divided into seven categories, from learning based on instincts to objective and practical knowledge
  2. The division of man into different categories also applies to art, religion, and other aspects of life, showing different levels of understanding and expression in each category
  3. The term 'world' can have varied meanings depending on one's perspective, ranging from religious, philosophical, scientific, astronomical views to the concept of 'All' encompassing everything

Ferg: Contemporary Animation Technique and Aesthetics

Do Not Research β€’ 0 implied HN points β€’ 15 Feb 22
🎨 Art & Illustration Aesthetics
  1. Animation has gone through a transition with the dominance of digital techniques, leading to a reevaluation of aesthetics like CGI's representational realism.
  2. Modern animated films like Klaus, Spiderman: Into the Spiderverse, and I Lost my Body are experimenting with merging 2D and 3D techniques to create innovative visuals.
  3. There is a significant difference in approach between craft-focused animation education and concept-focused fine art education, impacting the way artists value their work.

Owen Carry: The β€œBlovad Effect,” Camouflage-Core, and What It Means for Post-Corny Fashion

Do Not Research β€’ 0 implied HN points β€’ 15 Oct 22
πŸͺž Fashion & Beauty Aesthetics
  1. Social media has a significant impact on fashion and personal style, blurring the lines between online persona and real-world identity.
  2. The cyclical nature of nostalgia in fashion is accelerated by trends set by influencers, leading to niche subcultures and evolving fashion trends.
  3. Fashion subversion and the quest for cutting-edge aesthetics in a post-clichΓ© world involve a complex interplay between embracing nostalgia, challenging norms, and seeking new, unexpected elements.

Axiom With Communal Practices & Semantic Intention As Domains

Autodidact Obsessions β€’ 0 implied HN points β€’ 12 Feb 24
πŸ“– Philosophy Aesthetics
  1. The axiom discussed involves semantic intention and language use in communal practices, linking words with applied meaning and potentiality in communication.
  2. Using ChatGPT-4 in philosophy can help express complex propositions quickly, but it does not replace human reasoning in connecting logical consequences.
  3. There's a push for settling arguments using tools like ChatGPT-4, emphasizing the importance of embracing being wrong and moving towards definitive answers in philosophy.