The hottest Art Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
Category
Top Science Topics

Launching 'Inner Life'

Castalia • 119 implied HN points • 03 Feb 23
📚 Literature Art
  1. A new collaborative Substack called 'Inner Life' is being launched, aiming to create a community-focused space for sharing thoughtful writing.
  2. The founders believe that discussing deep questions about the human condition can unite people across different times and experiences.
  3. The Substack will feature two posts a week, blending their own works with contributions from other writers, encouraging an ongoing dialogue and collaboration.

ferocious joy

let them eat cake • 179 implied HN points • 15 Jun 22
🍲 Food & Drink Art
  1. Abstract concepts like joy can be interpreted in concrete ways that may differ from person to person.
  2. People may show directionality in their expressions of emotions or concepts through activities like playing the piano or practicing aikido.
  3. Biomechanical changes in the body may occur when individuals are asked to infuse activities or creations with certain emotions, even if they are not consciously aware of it.

2023 Recap: Novum Newsletter

Novum Newsletter • 224 implied HN points • 04 Jan 24
🎭️ Culture Art
  1. Anton gained a significant increase in subscribers despite a lack of consistent publishing in 2023
  2. Initially planned a weekly series for 2023 but shifted back to long-form writing
  3. Focuses on historical essays with a narrative approach, aiming for 10,000 subscribers by 2024

Introducing Vittles Prints

Vittles • 84 implied HN points • 02 Dec 24
🎭️ Culture Art
  1. Vittles is launching six new art prints in a collaboration with two artists, Sing Yun Lee and Michaël Protin.
  2. The prints feature vibrant illustrations and photos related to food and culture, adding a unique visual element to the Vittles brand.
  3. These prints are available for purchase, and the team plans to expand their selection in the future.
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The Sublimation Hour

Kneeling Bus • 215 implied HN points • 20 Jan 24
🎭️ Culture Art
  1. The Vegas Sphere is a screen that we view on other screens.
  2. Las Vegas serves as a lens to view America.
  3. Our smartphones frame our reality comprehensively.

Can you dance to this?

Splattern • 39 implied HN points • 05 Dec 23
🎭️ Culture Art
  1. Dancing can enhance the experience of listening to music or audiobooks. Doing both activities together can make each one more enjoyable and engaging.
  2. Responding to difficult content through dance can help process emotions. This allows for a physical reaction while remaining attentive to the material being listened to.
  3. Incorporating music and rhythm into learning can improve memory and comprehension. Using dance or songs can make educational experiences more memorable and fun.

Wolves At The Gates

Castalia • 119 implied HN points • 18 Jan 23
🎭️ Culture Art
  1. Evil is often seen as something natural and powerful, like a force in nature. In shows like Fargo and Twin Peaks, characters see evil as something they must endure rather than defeat.
  2. Power can corrupt and is often linked to greed. Many stories illustrate how leaders can manipulate their positions without moral consideration, much like the characters in recent TV shows.
  3. There's a shift in how people view political systems. Instead of seeing evil as a result of misguided ideas, some now believe evil exists inherently in people and systems, making it a part of life.

Fighting with smiles

Splattern • 39 implied HN points • 02 Dec 23
🎭️ Culture Art
  1. Using a positive internal dialogue can help shift your mindset. Instead of saying 'I should,' try saying 'I could' to see more options.
  2. Dancing and expressing yourself can be a powerful way to show love and defiance against negativity. Embrace the feeling and let it flow.
  3. Staying calm and showing love in chaotic situations can create a peaceful atmosphere. It's harder to bring peace than to fight, but it's much more rewarding.

VFYW: A Surprising Place For Surfers

The Weekly Dish • 65 implied HN points • 25 Jan 25
🎭️ Culture Art
  1. Surfers can be found in surprising places that aren't by the ocean. It's a reminder that passions can exist far from their usual locations.
  2. Many contributions from a community can highlight unique perspectives, especially through photography and insights during contests.
  3. Public art can be found in unexpected places, like airports, enhancing the travel experience and connecting communities.

Brownout Signals: Art in a World Gone Nuts

Dr. Pippa's Pen & Podcast • 19 implied HN points • 24 Aug 25
🎭️ Culture Art
  1. Fashion can give us clues about the economy. Designers often reflect what’s happening around us and in the world.
  2. The color brown is becoming popular in fashion, shifting from a symbol of poverty to one of wealth. This change may suggest a longing for stability in uncertain times.
  3. Trends in beauty, food, and art are increasingly intertwined with political messages and social commentary, showing how closely connected our lives and choices are.

Towards An Artistic Middle Class

Castalia • 139 implied HN points • 21 Nov 22
🎭️ Culture Art
  1. Art should be seen as a steady job, like any other career, instead of a do-or-die gamble. The idea is to encourage hard work over chasing fame.
  2. An artistic middle class is beginning to form, with more middle-level jobs and support for artists. This includes university programs and new ways to earn money through digital platforms.
  3. For artists to thrive together, they need to value creativity over status. They should support each other and focus on producing good work instead of competing for attention.

Lost iPhone videos, actually random music, the secret history of crosswords

Both Are True • 83 implied HN points • 22 Nov 24
🎭️ Culture Art
  1. Remembering lost iPhone videos can be a fun walk down memory lane, capturing moments from 2009 to 2012. It's like finding a treasure chest of forgotten memories.
  2. Discovering new music doesn't have to be hard; there are playlists that refresh daily to keep your tunes exciting. It's a great way to keep your listening experience fresh and interesting.
  3. Crosswords played a surprising role in American history, helping people during tough times. They aren't just games; they connect us and have meaning beyond just fun.

Vol. 1, Issue 16 - Preserving Pokémon

Johto Times • 79 implied HN points • 25 May 23
🎭️ Culture Art
  1. Pokémon game data can be at risk due to dying internal batteries in older games. It's important to know that many copies of classic Pokémon games are losing their save data because the batteries can't last forever.
  2. You can preserve your Pokémon data by using devices like the GBxCart, which helps back up save data to your computer. This way, you can keep your memories safe even if the original cartridge fails.
  3. Digital versions of Pokémon games also have issues, as they may not always be available. To keep your Pokémon safe for the long haul, consider backing them up or finding ways to preserve the physical copies.

VFYW: A Bush-League View

The Weekly Dish • 24 implied HN points • 19 Jul 25
🎭️ Culture Art
  1. People really enjoy participating in contests and feel proud of their achievements over the years. Winning feels special and brings a sense of community.
  2. Views of nature and home are cherished experiences. People love sharing their beautiful surroundings and memories connected to those places.
  3. Wildfires have had a big impact on people's lives and homes, prompting stories of loss and resilience. Documenting these experiences helps keep the memory alive.

Manifesto

Castalia • 179 implied HN points • 08 Aug 22
🎭️ Culture Art
  1. The internet was once seen as a place where everyone could freely express themselves, but it has mostly become a platform for groupthink and marketing.
  2. People now often self-censor and create content just for attention, making genuine expression rare and tough to find.
  3. True art and expression should focus on honesty and individual experiences, rather than trying to be the best or gain social status.

Sam Tanenhaus's Buckley; Marcel Ophuls; More on MacIntyre; DOGE's price in blood

Unpopular Front • 32 implied HN points • 01 Jun 25
🎭️ Culture Art
  1. Sam Tanenhaus's biography of William F. Buckley is considered a must-read. It offers a deep look at a key figure in American conservatism with engaging writing.
  2. Marcel Ophuls's documentary 'The Sorrow and the Pity' changed how France views its history during World War II. It reveals that many collaborated with the Nazis instead of resisting.
  3. A recent critique of MacIntyre's views argues that moral progress is possible through conversation and shared values, rather than just searching for a single goal in life.

From Blown Speakers

Kneeling Bus • 244 implied HN points • 21 Oct 23
🎭️ Culture Art
  1. Mass civilian death is intolerable in any conflict.
  2. Design in various domains often masks mediocrity or flimsiness.
  3. The quality of digital images and environments does not always enhance the experience.

Dinner at Eight

The Apéritif • 19 implied HN points • 09 Mar 24
🎭️ Culture Art
  1. Watching old movies can make you see more than just the story; it's a chance to peek into history and culture from a different time. It's like experiencing a museum in film form.
  2. Before strict rules in Hollywood, stories had more freedom to explore complex characters who weren't always good or bad. This allowed audiences to think for themselves about what they watched.
  3. No matter what century, people often deal with similar problems. Old films remind us that human experiences and concerns can be timeless.

VFYW: A Tough Egg To Crack

The Weekly Dish • 20 implied HN points • 09 Aug 25
🎭️ Culture Art
  1. The contest involved participants guessing locations based on photos of views. They had to analyze details like language and signs.
  2. Sleuths used creative clues from the images to narrow down countries, like noticing the word 'apartman' indicates it might be in a region where Slavic languages are spoken.
  3. Each week brings new challenges, making participants rely on knowledge from previous experiences to figure out the correct location.

The Theory of Copies

Castalia • 79 implied HN points • 02 May 23
🎭️ Culture Art
  1. Copies are at the center of culture today, shaping how we understand and engage with art and media. The way we relate to copies has evolved over time, especially with the advent of new technologies.
  2. In the past, creating copies required careful selection and craftsmanship due to scarcity. Today, with the internet, copies can be made easily and are more about flexibility and interaction than quality.
  3. As creators, embracing the internet means treating our work as an ongoing process. We should focus on sharing and updating our ideas rather than waiting for a perfect moment to publish.

Why the Right Wing Needs to Abandon the Term "Mary Sue"

Trantor Publishing • 99 implied HN points • 25 Oct 22
🎭️ Culture Art
  1. The concept of a 'Mary Sue' in storytelling is complex and can't be defined solely by a list of traits.
  2. The focus should be on evaluating the overall narrative and meaning of a story, rather than nitpicking character traits.
  3. Trying to label characters as 'Mary Sues' can sometimes overlook the importance of understanding the author's beliefs and intentions behind the story.

Zero Waste

Castalia • 139 implied HN points • 30 Oct 22
🎭️ Culture Art
  1. Quilty was a charming and talkative general who shared engaging stories about his experiences, especially regarding 9/11.
  2. His wife, Joelle, had a very different perspective, reflecting on the impact of war and her life as a military spouse with honesty.
  3. Joelle emphasized the need to recognize the moral complexities of military life, revealing a desire to distance herself from that past.

John Leguizamo stole the show in 'Violent Night'

Textual Variations • 66 implied HN points • 07 Jan 25
🎭️ Culture Art
  1. The movie 'Violent Night' is like if 'Die Hard' had Santa instead of John McLane. It mixes holiday spirit with dark comedy and it works really well.
  2. John Leguizamo's performance as Mr. Scrooge steals the show. He brings depth to the villain by showing a real character arc throughout the movie.
  3. The film has over-the-top action while still keeping sincere emotions. It feels memorable and could become a future Christmas classic.

Family day

Splattern • 39 implied HN points • 18 Nov 23
🎭️ Culture Art
  1. Spending time with family is important and can lead to funny and deep conversations. Little moments, like a walk in the park or a chat over lunch, can mean a lot.
  2. Being together in a community, especially during tough times, helps people feel supported. Going to temple allowed for connection and reflection on serious issues affecting loved ones.
  3. It's hard to debate conflicts like the one in Israel and Palestine because they involve real pain. Understanding different perspectives is important, but so is recognizing the emotions behind those perspectives.

Creativity in an Age of AI.

The Future Does Not Fit In The Containers Of The Past • 27 implied HN points • 22 Jun 25
🎭️ Culture Art
  1. AI can empower creativity by allowing everyone to be more involved in the creative process. It's not just a tool; it's a partner that helps unlock new ideas.
  2. Brands need to focus on storytelling and connection rather than just data-driven promotion. Many brands are failing because they're not nurturing their long-term identity and culture.
  3. Creativity comes in two types: pure and applied. Pure creativity is about self-expression and groundbreaking ideas, while applied creativity is improving existing creations. Both are important for innovation and growth.

Witch Hazel and $9 Bud Light

Splattern • 39 implied HN points • 17 Nov 23
🎭️ Culture Art
  1. Taking care of yourself is important for being a good leader and team player. It's easy to get stressed out by responsibilities and forget to listen to others.
  2. Nikki Giovanni is a talented poet and storyteller who uses humor and vulnerability in her work. Her approach to art is about connecting with people rather than just delivering messages.
  3. Dancing and having fun are great ways to socialize and connect with others. Sharing tips with friends can make the experience even better.

The Glass Plantation

Transmissions from the floor • 24 implied HN points • 13 Jul 25
🎭️ Culture Art
  1. Clairvius Narcisse's story involves a supposed 'death' by doctors, only to return alive years later, claiming he was turned into a zombie by a Vodou witch doctor and forced to work as a slave.
  2. In Vodou belief, a person's soul is divided into two parts, and the process of becoming a zombie involves suppressing one part to control the person like a puppet.
  3. The text highlights modern distractions like social media and screens, illustrating how they can trap us in a cycle, making it difficult to focus or remember our original intentions.

Impossible to Please Everyone

Soaring Twenties • 170 implied HN points • 08 Mar 24
🎭️ Culture Art
  1. The Oscars cannot please everyone due to the changing nature of audiences, the difficulty in selecting winners, and the evolution of cinema distribution.
  2. The concept of 'Best Picture' actually refers to 'Best Producing,' recognizing the producers' influence and power in delivering a high-quality commercial film.
  3. Despite criticisms, Oscar-nominated films are generally well-made and deserving of attention, showcasing a variety of stories and talent in the film industry.

The Twilight of the Nebbishes

Castalia • 179 implied HN points • 12 Jul 22
🎭️ Culture Art
  1. The nebbish is a character type known for being passive and often taken advantage of, but recently, this character has evolved into relatable figures who struggle with social status and personal relationships.
  2. In modern media, new nebbish characters often lack typical masculine traits and instead express humility and kindness, portraying the challenges of being low-status in a society focused on success and power.
  3. Recent portrayals highlight a deeper frustration with social hierarchies and relationships, illustrating the feeling of being unloved or unwanted, despite these characters' willingness to provide support and care for others.

Cruising Speed

Castalia • 139 implied HN points • 20 Oct 22
🎭️ Culture Art
  1. Derek was a talented drummer who had a carefree, rebellious spirit in high school, which made him stand out. He found his passion in music early but struggled with maturity and relationships as he grew older.
  2. Despite facing challenges like drug use and a short-lived band career, Derek still managed to find some success in music. He had a loyal girlfriend and performed in various bands, showing that he had a devoted following.
  3. Tragically, Derek's life ended unexpectedly in an accident, which shocked many. His friends and family recognized his talent, but there was also a narrative about his struggles and choices that shaped how people remembered him.

A Collapsing Culture of Excellence

Marginally Compelling • 19 implied HN points • 08 Aug 25
🎭️ Culture Art
  1. We should expect excellence from ourselves and the companies we interact with. It's disappointing when high-profile events don't work as promised, shaping a negative outlook on reliability.
  2. Cultural standards are declining, and it's important to recognize this instead of just accepting it. We need to push back against lower expectations in our environment.
  3. Parents are actively looking for better educational options for their children to escape declining standards. This shows a desire for higher expectations and quality in education.

AI Slop and the end of all things

The Author Is Dumb • 3 implied HN points • 04 Jan 26
🎭️ Culture Art
  1. Generative AI is basically a next-word predictor that prefers the safest, most probable choices. As more AI output becomes training data, models can collapse toward sameness and erase edge-case creativity.
  2. Audience habits and market economics push creators to favor quick, predictable content, so indie authors are incentivized to use AI to churn out books fast. This demand for shortcuts, not the technology itself, drives the flood of middling art.
  3. The bigger worry isn't an AI takeover but that culture will stop valuing weird, risky, or ambitious work, making true innovation rare. AI enables the problem but the responsibility lies with what audiences, publishers, and the market reward.

The Age of Assholes

Castalia • 139 implied HN points • 14 Oct 22
🎭️ Culture Art
  1. Our beliefs about the world, like money equating to value or status equating to worth, can often make us act in hurtful ways towards others. We need to question these assumptions.
  2. Cultural narratives, like those seen in shows like 'Game of Thrones' and 'Succession', illustrate the harsh, competitive structures of society and challenge us to think about different paths forward.
  3. A shift in mindset is necessary; instead of blindly accepting harsh realities, we should focus on not participating in systems that perpetuate harm and inequality.

Last chance: Boston subscriber gathering next Thursday

The New Urban Order • 39 implied HN points • 09 Nov 23
🎭️ Culture Art
  1. Diana Lind is hosting a subscriber gathering in Boston next Thursday at the Boston Athenaeum to see a photography exhibit and then go out for drinks/dinner - RSVP is required by emailing [email protected]
  2. She plans on organizing more subscriber events in 2024, including a half-day, multi-site event - ideas for interesting project tours for events are welcomed
  3. The exhibit 'Developing Boston' curated by Dr. Lauren Graves features rare photographs by Abbott and Shwachman, old vs. modern Boston maps, and more, earning good reviews

Good taste

10x your mind • 39 implied HN points • 09 Nov 23
🎭️ Culture Art
  1. Having good taste and judgment is essential in an AI-driven world, as it is a skill shaped by knowledge and experience.
  2. The existence of good taste is evident in various fields like art, writing, and coding, where individuals can make better judgments than AI.
  3. Developing good taste involves staying curious, paying attention to details, challenging preferences, and learning from experts to enhance judgment.

Curator

Castalia • 119 implied HN points • 01 Dec 22
🎭️ Culture Art
  1. Mass shootings have become a regular part of American life, making it hard to ignore in discussions about culture and news. It's tough for writers to tackle this topic because it feels overwhelming and often leads to a sense of despair.
  2. There is a debate on whether art and literature should confront the reality of mass shootings or avoid it due to its horrific nature. Some believe that delving into such dark themes can produce important conversations, while others think certain subjects are too disturbing for art.
  3. The idea that we are inherently 'evil' or 'good' can be misleading. Understanding human nature and morality is more about how we respond to social pressures and personal choices rather than fitting into simple categories.

Be of good cheer

Diane Francis • 259 implied HN points • 27 Dec 21
🎭️ Culture Art
  1. Stay positive and hopeful during challenging times. It helps improve your outlook on life.
  2. Take time off for yourself to recharge and reflect. It's essential for maintaining your well-being.
  3. Focus on enjoying life and the company of others. Happiness and connections matter.