The hottest Art Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
Category
Top Science Topics

No one wants to be The Man

Wrong Side of History β€’ 527 implied HN points β€’ 16 Mar 24
🌍 World Politics Protest Violence Art
  1. No one wants to be The Man - the trend of symbolic attacks on protected art can escalate to include violence against people.
  2. Violence must be halted to prevent escalation - unchecked destruction often leads to more severe acts of violence.
  3. The escalation of violence against symbolic objects is alarming and can lead to greater conflicts - recent attacks have been linked to the Palestinian cause.

8 essential words you've never heard before

The Rubesletter by Matt Ruby (of Vooza) | Sent every Tuesday β€’ 641 implied HN points β€’ 05 Mar 24
🎭️ Culture Language Comedy Art Relationships Mythology
  1. Enshittification refers to how digital platforms decline over time by abusing users and businesses to benefit themselves before eventually failing.
  2. Public solitude is the ability to feel alone even when in front of a large crowd, allowing one to focus in the present moment or during a performance.
  3. Specieist is a term for prejudice based on species, demonstrated by the debate between Elon Musk and Larry Page over the future of artificial intelligence.
Get a weekly roundup of the best Substack posts, by hacker news affinity:

The Bluestocking, vol 304: Cowardice and AI crime fiction

The Bluestocking β€’ 1120 implied HN points β€’ 09 Feb 24
🎭️ Culture Theatre Publishing Politics Art Literature
  1. The cost of theater tickets in different countries can impact the accessibility of culture and art, affecting the sustainability of artistic communities.
  2. AI is being used to generate fiction at a rapid pace, showcasing the pressure some authors feel to produce content quickly.
  3. Concerns about age and capabilities arise in politics, like with President Biden's age being a cause for debate.

Lhasa ལྷ་ས

Cosmographia β€’ 1937 implied HN points β€’ 07 Jan 24
🎨 Art & Illustration Art Literature Photography Cartography Poetry
  1. The post is part of a series called Atlas' Notebook, which focuses on art, poetry, literature, cartography, and photography related to a specific place. This particular post is centered on Lhasa.
  2. The content is for paid subscribers only, indicating exclusive access to detailed and curated information about Lhasa and other related topics.
  3. Readers are encouraged to subscribe to Cosmographia to access the full content and enjoy other similar posts in the future.

Barbie Answers Oppenheimer

Culture Study β€’ 9014 implied HN points β€’ 25 Jul 23
🎭️ Culture Film Gender Society Entertainment Art
  1. Oppenheimer is a classic Christopher Nolan film with a focus on the masculine world and a lack of interest in women's narratives.
  2. Hollywood often caters to a male-centric audience, but Barbie challenges this norm by offering a matriarchal world where women hold power.
  3. Barbie's success signals a hunger for diverse perspectives in cinema, contrasting with the typical white male-centered narratives in Hollywood.

The Retail Piggybacking Edition

Why is this interesting? β€’ 723 implied HN points β€’ 28 Feb 24
🎭️ Culture Fashion Retail Brand Design Art
  1. Sir Paul Smith discovered Aesop deodorant during his travels and appreciates the brand's growth near his stores, showing a positive outlook on retail piggybacking.
  2. Collaboration between stores serving the same customer base can create a positive synergy benefiting all, contrary to a strategy of spiteful competition.
  3. Over-association with another brand can potentially impact the image and story of an independent brand negatively, as seen in Aesop's evolution and potential risks for Sir Paul Smith's brand.

Jerusalem in Paint

Cosmographia β€’ 1118 implied HN points β€’ 07 Feb 24
🎨 Art & Illustration Art History
  1. The post is about 'Jerusalem in Paint' and is a special guest edition by George Bothamley.
  2. George Bothamley writes about history's greatest artists and their masterpieces in his Art Every Day substack.
  3. The post is for paid subscribers, and there is a link to subscribe for more content from George Bothamley.

The Woke Rails of Google Gemini are Literally Just Eric Cartman

Handwaving Freakoutery β€’ 769 implied HN points β€’ 23 Feb 24
🎭️ Culture Art Entertainment Tech TV Satire
  1. Google Gemini's AI image generation software is adding 'diversity' into images where it doesn't belong, like popes and knights.
  2. Google Gemini uses a simple hack to generate 'woke' images by altering prompts before running image generation AI.
  3. South Park predicted Google's approach by parodying inserting diversity into images through prompts, comparable to what Google is doing with its AI.

Meet The Lipsdick: A Dick-Shaped Lipstick

The Unpublishable β€’ 12421 implied HN points β€’ 07 Mar 23
πŸͺž Fashion & Beauty Beauty Feminism Gender Art Marketing
  1. A lipstick shaped like a penis was launched, sparking discussions about beauty standards and feminism in the industry.
  2. The product's marketing as empowering and innovative is being questioned, as it may perpetuate stereotypes and lack depth.
  3. The controversy highlights issues with media coverage of such products, raising concerns about critical thinking and substance in journalism.

Tlaxcala

Cosmographia β€’ 1497 implied HN points β€’ 16 Jan 24
🎨 Art & Illustration Art Poetry Literature Cartography Photography
  1. The post is part of the Atlas' Notes series on cosmographia.substack.com, focusing on art, poetry, literature, cartography, and photography centered around a specific place.
  2. Access to the full post is reserved for paid subscribers.
  3. The post by M. E. Rothwell on Tlaxcala was published on Jan 16, 2024.

The Kiss of Death Edition

Why is this interesting? β€’ 422 implied HN points β€’ 13 Mar 24
🎭️ Culture Film History Art
  1. Michael Mann is known for his meticulous attention to detail in filmmaking, like the extensive training for the cast in 'Heat'.
  2. The 1957 crash in Guidizzolo, known as the 'Kiss of Death', ended the Mille Miglia race and symbolizes audacity and the recklessness of youth.
  3. The photo of Linda Christian kissing Marquis Alfonso de Portago before the fatal crash is seen as a haunting symbol, with Christian's seemingly detached gaze hinting at a premonition.

AI Won't Kill Us But It Will Take Our Souls

Discourse Blog β€’ 1061 implied HN points β€’ 31 Jan 24
πŸ•Ή Technology AI Industry Ethics Art Automation
  1. AI is being developed with a focus on maximizing profit and control rather than enhancing human life or creativity.
  2. There are concerns about AI replacing human jobs, especially in fields like content writing, where the quality of AI-generated work is still inferior.
  3. There is a fear that AI industry leaders prioritize profit and control over preserving aspects of the human experience that should be kept free from AI influence.

THE JC PENNEY DEBACLE

Cintra Wilson Feels Your Pain β€’ 1316 implied HN points β€’ 18 Jan 24
🎭️ Culture Fashion Social Issues Media Art Writing
  1. The author faced backlash and public condemnation for an article she wrote about JC Penney that was perceived as snobbish and cruel.
  2. The incident led to the author being publicly renounced by The New York Times, causing significant personal and professional consequences.
  3. Despite the backlash, some individuals supported the author and appreciated her humor and writing style.

ANOTHER WORLD EXISTS

The Unpublishable β€’ 10849 implied HN points β€’ 21 Feb 23
🎭️ Culture Beauty Fashion Art
  1. Kim Kardashian's alien-themed campaign for SKIMS reflects a cultural beauty ideal
  2. The poem highlights societal focus on skincare technology and beauty standards
  3. It comments on humanity's superficial pursuit of perfection while longing for connection

⬜ The importance of curation

One Thing β€’ 1186 implied HN points β€’ 22 Jan 24
🎭️ Culture Curation History Art Online Platforms Content creation
  1. Curation has a long history dating back to ancient Rome, starting as a way to manage aspects of city life and evolving into a responsibility of caretaking, on both a spiritual and physical level.
  2. The concept of curation has shifted over time, from being associated with museum stewards to being seen as a glamorous act online, where individuals are faced with curating their digital presence to navigate vast content.
  3. There's a call for more support for curation, emphasizing the importance of sustaining those who find and organize valuable content, moving beyond just paying creators for their work.

The Audacious Round Up

The Audacity. β€’ 766 implied HN points β€’ 11 Feb 24
🎭️ Culture Books Art Music Politics Food & Drink
  1. The Audacious Book Club has selected 'Martyr!' by Kaveh Akbar, with an upcoming conversation event you can join on February 27th.
  2. Roxane Gay has launched an essay series called 'Roxane Gay Presents' with Everand and has upcoming events in NYC, including a book launch.
  3. Reading material highlights different topics like the situation in Gaza, job opportunities in various media outlets, and entertainment news like interviews and artist profiles.

The Khyber Pass

Cosmographia β€’ 1976 implied HN points β€’ 09 Dec 23
🎨 Art & Illustration Art Literature Photography
  1. The post discusses 'The Khyber Pass' and is part of the 'Atlas' Notes' series.
  2. The content includes an artwork, poem, literature excerpt, antique map, and photography related to a specific location.
  3. Access to the full post is available for paid subscribers only.

THE WORST NIGHT OF JUVEE

Cintra Wilson Feels Your Pain β€’ 884 implied HN points β€’ 01 Feb 24
🎭️ Culture Theater Personal narrative Family Art
  1. The play 'JUVEE' was inspired by the author's personal experiences and was performed at an avant-garde theater in San Francisco.
  2. During a performance, the author's drunk and disruptive aunt confronted her backstage, causing tension and drama.
  3. The author had to take decisive action to control the situation and ensure the show went on uninterrupted.

Are we doomed or is deliverance possible??

Blackbird Spyplane β€’ 1120 implied HN points β€’ 16 Jan 24
🎭️ Culture TV Series Art Society Philosophy Music
  1. The TV series 'The Curse' has a brilliant and bizarre finale that attempts and achieves unique things in the TV world.
  2. The show explores themes of cursed culture and the struggle for deliverance from societal decay.
  3. The finale of 'The Curse' leaves viewers debating whether the characters are doomed or have a shot at redemption.

"You are just bitter"

Men Yell at Me β€’ 555 implied HN points β€’ 21 Feb 24
🎭️ Culture Essays Art Feminism Identity Social Issues
  1. Bitterness is often used to dismiss messages of pain or betrayal, shifting focus from blame-worthy behavior to the person expressing the pain.
  2. Bitterness, like anger, is a morally neutral emotion, and how it is used can determine its impact - as a cudgel to brush off ideas or as a force for uniting people.
  3. Swallowing bitterness can give clarity and power, enabling one to keep writing and speaking out against injustice.

We Need More Content!

Regress Studies β€’ 825 implied HN points β€’ 01 Feb 24
🎭️ Culture Media Social influence Art Society Beliefs
  1. People often believe that creating specific memetic content will influence others to adopt certain ideologies.
  2. The call for cultural production in today's society is often for someone else to create media that will change the beliefs of third-party observers.
  3. Consuming content is not a traditional solution to major problems, and often people demand certain media creations to fix societal issues without clear solutions.

Top Links 383 America's grotesque Gaza policy, the UK impasse, Turkey's balancing act, China's satellites, a life in three colors.

Chartbook β€’ 357 implied HN points β€’ 08 Mar 24
🎨 Art & Illustration Art Surrealism Painting
  1. The post discusses America's Gaza policy, the UK situation, Turkey's diplomatic role, China's satellite programs, and a life portrayed in three colors.
  2. The Chartbook Newsletter by Adam Tooze provides great links, images, and readings related to these topics.
  3. The content includes a mention of Dorothea Tanning's artwork 'Endgame' from 1944 and her desire to convey hidden aspects of life through surrealism.

In pursuit of a masterpiece

The Novelleist β€’ 901 implied HN points β€’ 19 Jan 24
πŸ“š Literature Writing Novels Art Creative Process Inspiration
  1. The author values creating a masterpiece in their writing, taking time to explore and research different elements.
  2. The author emphasizes the importance of incorporating personal experiences and uniqueness into artistic work to differentiate it from others.
  3. The author recognizes the need to slow down the creative process to pursue a masterpiece, allowing for deeper exploration and refinement.

Occupation: Jean Cocteau

Justin E. H. Smith's Hinternet β€’ 362 implied HN points β€’ 03 Mar 24
🎭️ Culture Art History Literature
  1. Artistic creations, like album covers or movie stills, can evoke a desire to create a fantasy world in one's private space, resembling collages or shrines.
  2. The article delves into a film from 1943, 'L’Éternel retour', set in occupied France and explores its subtleties and layers of interpretation regarding blonde versus brunette characters.
  3. The concept of 'Bohemian' culture, drawing connections between the characters in the film and a broader sensibility that defines a certain spiritual aristocracy.

The Naked Potential of 2024: Democracy, Chaos and Creativity

rebelwisdom β€’ 1002 implied HN points β€’ 12 Jan 24
🎭️ Culture Politics Philosophy Art Spirituality Science
  1. 2024 is a year with significant democratic elections worldwide, highlighting a growing apathy and distrust in the democratic process.
  2. The tension between centralized control and decentralized, regenerative movements is intensifying, leading to a clash of ideologies and perspectives in society.
  3. There is a growing movement towards seeking new ways of being and thinking, challenging existing structures and norms in society.

Genius vs. Expertise

The Biblioracle Recommends β€’ 668 implied HN points β€’ 04 Feb 24
🎭️ Culture Creativity Learning Expertise Art Teaching
  1. Genius and expertise are different - expertise is achieved through practice, while genius is often seen as innate.
  2. Expertise can be just as valuable as genius - like the skillful drum tech behind a famous drummer.
  3. Dedication to a hobby or skill can enhance confidence and ability in other areas, showcasing the value of practice and expertise.

Group chats, AI girlfriends and algorithmic culture

Links I Would Gchat You If We Were Friends β€’ 838 implied HN points β€’ 22 Jan 24
🎭️ Culture Social media Influencers History Religion Art
  1. Mormon women have had a significant impact on internet culture, particularly through the popularization of products like the Stanley tumbler.
  2. The shift in caffeine consumption among Mormons in 2012 led to the growth of a soda culture, influencing trends like 'dirty sodas' and impacting products like Stanley tumblers.
  3. Mormon women's strong emphasis on family, combined with the openness of the internet, allowed them to become influential mommy bloggers and shape internet content with a focus on lifestyle and family values.

Top Links 378 Biden & the oil industry, from guns to butter, shrinking Korea, Pax Economica & bitcoin's mad power consumption

Chartbook β€’ 371 implied HN points β€’ 28 Feb 24
🌍 World Politics Japan Resistance Communist Party Art
  1. The post discusses various topics including Biden's relationship with the oil industry, the concept of 'guns versus butter', the shrinking of Korea, Pax Economica, and the energy consumption of Bitcoin.
  2. There is a mention of resistance art in Japan, particularly focusing on the country's opposition to American influence after 1945 and the presence of a large Communist Party.
  3. The post is intended for paid subscribers, offering additional insights and content beyond what is available to the general audience.