The hottest Art & Illustration Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
Category
Top Culture Topics

Hello darkness, my old friend

quite useless • 117 implied HN points • 13 Jun 23
📚 Literature Fiction Art & Illustration
  1. The post shares an excerpt from Julia Fine's novel, Maddalena and the Dark.
  2. The excerpt delves into the dynamics and complexities of relationships among young girls in a historical setting.
  3. The author creates a vivid backdrop of Venice and the Ospedale della Pietà, painting a rich picture of the characters' lives.
Get a weekly roundup of the best Substack posts, by hacker news affinity:

Abide With Me

Black Music and Black Muses • 98 implied HN points • 11 Sep 23
🎭️ Culture Art & Illustration Music Literature
  1. The author explores the concept of the Black Backstage in their upcoming series and exhibition.
  2. The author reflects on growing up in the music industry, surrounded by influential figures like Willie Hutch and Charlie Murphy.
  3. The author contemplates their need to create original music and the impact it has had on their life.

Genre Grapevine for October 2023

Genre Grapevine • 78 implied HN points • 31 Oct 23
🎭️ Culture Literature Fiction Art & Illustration News Awards
  1. Small acts of goodness matter the most in our world, especially for children enjoying special moments like Halloween.
  2. Genre magazines are struggling due to changes like Amazon ending digital subscriptions, impacting revenue and leading to shifts like electronic editions replacing print.
  3. X-Twitter changes by Elon Musk affect how authors share linked articles, making it harder for them to reach readers on the platform.

Codex Seraphinianus, the Proto-Blog

Orbis Tertius • 158 implied HN points • 18 Sep 23
🎭️ Culture Art & Illustration Literature History
  1. Borges curated an anthology called _A Personal Library_ but could only complete 74 out of 100 books, making it his final work.
  2. Borges also edited _The Library of Babel_, a collection of fantastical stories, but getting physical copies might be challenging due to scarcity and translations.
  3. Luigi Serafini's _Codex Seraphinianus_ is a fictional encyclopedia with strange illustrations, and he considered it a 'proto-blog' for reaching out to people outside the art gallery circle.

This palace is the work of the gods

Banana Peel Pirouette • 79 implied HN points • 31 May 23
🎭️ Culture Art & Illustration Technology Literature Internet Social media
  1. The post discusses the concept of the internet today losing sight of its original purpose, being centralized, and driven by profit rather than fun or creativity.
  2. It compares the current state of the internet to a chaotic, uncontrollable space where compulsive engagement is promoted for its own sake, leading to negative impacts on culture, community, and conversation.
  3. The change in the internet over the past twenty years has made residency in the digital world almost compulsory, especially for younger generations, impacting social interactions and personal well-being.

From Riffs to You

Euro Desk Paris • 59 implied HN points • 26 Dec 23
🎭️ Culture History Literature Philosophy Art & Illustration
  1. The Middle Ages are misunderstood and had valuable aspects like devotion, handmade goods, and communal life.
  2. Historical era designations like 'Dark Ages' should be reconsidered as they might not accurately reflect the time period.
  3. Saturnalia historically suspended rules and masters served servants, and embracing similar traditions can be intriguing.

Mister Oxymoron Meet Academia Artists

The False Consensus Effect • 78 implied HN points • 10 Sep 23
🎭️ Culture Art & Illustration Literature Education
  1. Art professors are often not considered true artists by the Stuckism Manifesto, emphasizing the distinction between being an artist and working in academia.
  2. The text critiques the financial rewards and status associated with grants and professorships in the creative field, challenging the conventional understanding of 'genius'.
  3. There is a call for reform in the art education system to prioritize individual creativity and community benefit over financial gain and academic bureaucracy.

5 Weekend Reads: 21 January 2024

Londonist: Time Machine • 39 implied HN points • 21 Jan 24
🎭️ Culture History Art & Illustration Travel
  1. The storming of Centre Point by over 100 protesters marked a significant event in London history, bringing attention to the issue of empty skyscrapers.
  2. Londoners were once amazed by the sight of gulls, showcasing how perspectives on wildlife can change over time.
  3. The post offers insights into London's history, making it an interesting read for fans of the city's past.

A Ham Sandwich Walks Into A Bar

Sounds Good! • 39 implied HN points • 16 Jan 24
🎭️ Culture Literature Humor Music Art & Illustration
  1. The post discusses the humor and insensitivity of joking about the deaths of famous singers Karen Carpenter and Mama Cass with references to ham sandwiches.
  2. It highlights the idea that reducing someone's legacy to a joke can be disrespectful and hurtful.
  3. The post reflects on how jokes involving ham sandwiches are often used as shortcuts to avoid more meaningful or thoughtful discussions.

Story Thirty-Three

Stories From The Rail • 179 implied HN points • 08 Sep 22
🎭️ Culture Literature Art & Illustration Travel
  1. Mentors can have a profound impact on younger individuals, inspiring and teaching them valuable life lessons.
  2. Sometimes, individuals can defy societal norms and expectations in a way that is both empowering and impactful.
  3. Age can bring a sense of freedom to be oneself without the fear of judgment, allowing for a unique sense of liberation.

To Hear a Mockingbird

Bird History • 59 implied HN points • 25 Oct 23
🎭️ Culture Literature History Music Art & Illustration Nature
  1. Mockingbirds have been historically admired for their exceptional singing abilities and have been common in American literature and culture.
  2. The practice of capturing mockingbirds and keeping them in cages was prevalent in the past, especially in the South, highlighting a complex relationship between humans and these birds.
  3. The symbolism of mockingbirds as innocent and pure creatures, as well as their protected status, led to their conservation and expansion into new habitats, promoting the importance of wildlife preservation.

Stories from the Yules of My Life

The False Consensus Effect • 39 implied HN points • 24 Dec 23
📚 Literature Fiction Art & Illustration Health & Wellness Philosophy History
  1. The author shares fictional Christmas card messages and stories, reflecting on past memories and personal experiences.
  2. The author delves into genealogy and discusses the Scottish Earls, emphasizing the complexity and potential of family histories.
  3. The author shares a detailed, introspective piece on self-reflection, writing, and the pursuit of creativity despite challenges and societal norms.

Beyond the Machine: Technology and Posthuman Freedom

Extropic Thoughts • 58 implied HN points • 07 May 23
🕹 Technology Philosophy Science Health & Wellness Art & Illustration Culture
  1. Humans are composed of mechanical parts, but that doesn't mean we are only machines.
  2. Technology can help us increase human freedom through advanced tools like genetic engineering and brain implants.
  3. Understanding our mechanistic origins can lead to self-improvement and increased self-definition, moving us towards a posthuman condition of self-creation.

Genre Grapevine’s Smorgasbord of 2023 Leftovers

Genre Grapevine • 39 implied HN points • 17 Dec 23
🎭️ Culture Literature Art & Illustration Sci-fi Music History
  1. The article covers news and items from 2023 that were left out of previous columns, providing a quirky collection of interesting tidbits.
  2. There are various topics discussed, ranging from the success of STEM romance novels to the impact of YouTube on book discovery.
  3. Some highlights include insights on literary hope theory, a debunked art piece, and the role of science in countering moral panics.

Of Maharajas and (Modern) Men (Ch. 9)

Ink-uilab • 39 implied HN points • 28 Feb 23
🎭️ Culture History Literature Art & Illustration Philosophy
  1. The post discusses the historical significance of the Second Round Table Conferences in the 1930s for India's struggle for freedom.
  2. Emery Kelen's satirical caricatures captured the essence of the Indian Round Table Conferences during that era.
  3. Sir Mohd. Iqbal's perspectives on the 'Modern Man' presented at the conference are highlighted through poetry.

Sugar and Mr. Bonbon

Journal of Gurdjieff Studies • 19 implied HN points • 02 Feb 24
🎭️ Culture Art & Illustration Literature Fiction
  1. The post is about 'Sugar and Monsieur Bonbon' on a specific date. It seems to require a paid subscription to view in full
  2. There are related posts like 'Candy in Damascus' and 'Starch Gives Everything' by different authors, but 'Sugar and Monsieur Bonbon' seems to be behind a paywall
  3. To access the full story about 'Sugar and Monsieur Bonbon,' it appears that one must subscribe to the platform or be a paid member

This is an example post

CB • 239 implied HN points • 07 Jan 21
📚 Literature Philosophy Fiction Art & Illustration Design Comics
  1. The post discusses sed in suscipit nunc and includes Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit.
  2. It mentions Nam hendrerit nisl nec malesuada vulputate, showcasing various types of content.
  3. The post also discusses Aliquam interdum ut dolor ut mattis and Morbi maximus fermentum ultricies, providing insight on different topics.

Humanities in Revolt

Humanities in Revolt • 119 implied HN points • 28 Jan 22
🎭️ Culture Humanities Philosophy Education Art & Illustration Literature
  1. The humanities are essential during times of crisis, providing vital resources and insights to navigate challenges and understand the human condition.
  2. Humanities in Revolt seeks to bring the study of philosophy, literature, arts, and history out of academia and into everyday life to explore human values and existence.
  3. The newsletter focuses on the ethical primacy of humanity over material possessions, promoting creativity, courage, and the activation of our fullest human potential.

Classics from the New World

The Classical Futurist • 48 implied HN points • 03 Mar 23
🎭️ Culture Philosophy History Literature World Politics Art & Illustration
  1. Non-Western philosophy, like Aztec philosophy, should be considered for inclusion in the canon.
  2. Aztec philosophy focused on the concept of rootedness and living a virtuous life in a constantly changing world.
  3. The study of Aztec philosophy challenges traditional Western views on what constitutes philosophy and raises questions about cultural biases in defining classical traditions.

Eschatology through the Ages

Holodoxa • 39 implied HN points • 10 Aug 22
📚 Literature History Philosophy Science Fiction Art & Illustration
  1. Niall Ferguson's book 'Doom' explores the history of disasters, showcasing how politics play a crucial role in exacerbating calamities.
  2. Ferguson questions the predictability of disasters and discusses different types, like 'gray rhinos,' 'black swans,' and 'dragon kings,' highlighting the impact of network dynamics on disaster scales.
  3. The author suggests that institutions should aim for greater resilience and antifragility to prepare for inevitable disasters and grow stronger in times of crisis.