The hottest Art Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
Category
Top Science Topics

Intertextuality

Gradient Ascendant • 15 implied HN points • 25 Nov 24
🎭️ Culture Art
  1. The legal issues around AI and reading published work are complex. While people can read anything published, there's ongoing debate about whether AI should be allowed to learn from those works.
  2. Many artists feel that AI trained on their work could be considered stealing, but it hasn't been legally restricted before. Trying to change the rules now might not be fair or practical.
  3. A new way to share revenue from AI outputs with creators might be good, but it would need new laws to make it happen. Limiting access to information in new ways could harm society as a whole.

How Modern AI Arose Accidentally

Erik Explores • 61 implied HN points • 21 Apr 23
🕹 Technology Art
  1. Modern AI systems like ChatGPT and Stable Diffusion arose from solving small, narrowly defined problems.
  2. Today's AI systems are more of an emergent phenomenon rather than meticulously planned for general intelligence.
  3. The key to AI advancements lies in simple, iterative processes based on statistics and probabilities.

Indoctrination or Ecstasy?

Daniel Pinchbeck’s Newsletter • 13 implied HN points • 20 Dec 24
🎭️ Culture Art
  1. Allan Ginsberg was a key figure in connecting many artists and activists, shaping a large creative community. His influence is felt in the way people express themselves today.
  2. There are concerns about whether current ways of thinking and feeling are leading us to greater awareness or just more control over our lives. This tension is important to explore.
  3. The author reflects on personal losses and how they connect to larger themes of transformation in society, hinting at both destruction and potential renewal.

Monochrome

The Uncertainty Mindset (soon to become tbd) • 19 implied HN points • 08 Mar 23
🎭️ Culture Art
  1. Innovation relies on understanding and engaging with what we don't know. It's important to accept uncertainty to create new ideas.
  2. Acknowledging what we don't know doesn't make us less credible; instead, it shows we're willing to explore and improve our understanding.
  3. Meaning-making is a uniquely human skill that involves creating connections between ideas, which machines currently struggle to replicate.
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Stay inconvenienced

sémaphore • 1 implied HN point • 28 Nov 25
🎭️ Culture Art
  1. Some spaces and tools offer a steady, nonjudgmental presence that lets you speak freely and feel seen without requiring anything in return.
  2. Real human empathy involves a cost: people are changed, inconvenienced, and carry the burden of others’ pain, and that willingness to be altered is what makes relationships meaningful.
  3. Perfect listeners can meet the need to be heard, but they also highlight that to truly matter you need someone who risks being changed by you, which is what keeps human connection irreplaceable.

Big mood

Austin Kleon • 79 implied HN points • 26 Mar 21
🎭️ Culture Art
  1. It's normal to feel mixed emotions, like love and loathing, especially during tough times.
  2. Reading music books can be a comforting way to reset your mood when you're feeling low.
  3. Putting your work out into the world takes bravery, and it's important to understand the risks involved.

Aidan Walker: Gossip Girl Memes And Elizabethan Court Poetry

Do Not Research • 19 implied HN points • 15 Oct 22
🎭️ Culture Art
  1. Gossip Girl Title Remixes meme trend began during the early weeks of the first coronavirus lockdown spring of 2020, sparking various creative iterations while following a set of formal rules.
  2. Both memes and Elizabethan court poetry relied on informal (non-monetary) modes of content transmission, like copying manuscripts or circulating poems in commonplace books, reflecting a similar shared need for clout or influence over money.
  3. Memes, like the Gossip Girl Title Remixes, thrive when adhering to established formal rules and patterns but risk degradation and decline when creativity strays too far, emphasizing the importance of consistency for survival.

Nick Bird: I will Not Rest Until Every Coal Car in America is Covered with Politigram Memes.

Do Not Research • 19 implied HN points • 15 Oct 22
🎭️ Culture Art
  1. Graffiti writers aim for maximum visibility through strategic location choice and sheer quantity, with a focus on covering freight cars due to their mobility across the continent.
  2. In the world of online memes, clout is more beneficial for front-end distributors than producers, highlighting the importance of influencing influencers and remaining small to avoid competition.
  3. Meme producers, like graffiti writers, engage in a lifestyle of creating semi-anonymous content that aims to convey, generate, or negate specific ideas intentionally, ultimately shaping the online marketplace of ideas.

Bob Dylan Wrote Propaganda Songs

Internal exile • 12 implied HN points • 07 Jan 25
🎭️ Culture Art
  1. The film 'A Complete Unknown' surprisingly succeeds in portraying Bob Dylan's rise to fame in a fresh way. It focuses less on his life story and more on the idea of talent and genius.
  2. Instead of trying to explain Dylan's personality, the movie treats him as a unique force of nature. It shows what it's like to witness true talent instead of just a biography.
  3. The film assumes that viewers already understand Bob Dylan's significance and legacy. This makes it feel odd to make a movie about someone who is still alive and actively creating.

Going Out on Top

We're Gonna Get Those Bastards • 5 implied HN points • 14 Jun 25
🎭️ Culture Art
  1. It's good to know when to quit before you overstay your welcome. Leaving on a high note can help preserve your legacy.
  2. Creative exhaustion is a real thing. Sometimes it's better to stop while you're ahead rather than risk producing lesser work.
  3. Having a plan for after you leave an industry is important. Staying just for the money can lead to dissatisfaction later in life.

Twee Whistler: Conspiracy Advertisement Campaign

Do Not Research • 19 implied HN points • 11 Oct 22
🎭️ Culture Art
  1. The art installations based on the #Pizzagate conspiracy theory are a blend of fake-news ads and product placement, reflecting the nature of capitalism seeking profits.
  2. The images serve as projections of contemporary anxieties surrounding gender policies, child exploitation, immigration, and environmental issues.
  3. While conspiracy theories should not be condemned, addressing the root issues behind them can help prevent individuals from resorting to extreme actions out of feelings of powerlessness.

A fine strategy

Austin Kleon • 59 implied HN points • 17 Sep 21
🎭️ Culture Art
  1. Making imperfect or 'ugly' art is totally okay and can help when you're stuck. It can free you up to create more without pressure.
  2. Browsing books and other collections in person sparks creativity and learning. It's a great way to find inspiration that you might miss online.
  3. With the current supply chain issues, it's a smart idea to order books early, especially if you want them signed or personalized for gifts.

Thoughts on England and the UK

Logos • 2 HN points • 28 Apr 24
🎭️ Culture Art
  1. England is a country full of contradictions, showing both pride and insecurity about its past. People often feel embarrassed about their history, yet maintain a sense of superiority in their culture.
  2. Despite being cosmopolitan, many Brits can seem very self-centered, believing their customs are the norm and struggling with language skills. They can be well-traveled but still see themselves as 'foreigners' when abroad.
  3. The UK has a strong spirit of innovation and good qualities like cultural acceptance and record-keeping, but often suffers from bureaucracy and a reluctance to embrace change. This conservatism can physically be seen in the state of infrastructure and public services.

The Audience Does Not Exist

Never Met a Science • 55 implied HN points • 15 May 23
🎭️ Culture Art
  1. The concept of audiences is constructed through measurement and influenced by technological determinism.
  2. Social media provides an explosion of public audience measures, leading to anxiety and self-assessment.
  3. Creators of online content receive specific feedback, shaping their content based on quantitative metrics and engagement measures.

The Phenomenon of 'The Room'

The Lifeboat • 57 implied HN points • 05 Apr 23
🎭️ Culture Art
  1. Art must give hope and faith, symbolizing the meaning of existence.
  2. Films like 'The Room' blur the line between good and bad, offering genuine enjoyment through sincerity and humor.
  3. Nanar films, though considered bad in traditional standards, provide a unique and fun escape from conventional views of quality in cinema.

Validation is for parking

Austin Kleon • 59 implied HN points • 03 Sep 21
🎭️ Culture Art
  1. Lee Perry was an amazing music producer, and his album 'Heart of the Congos' is highly recommended.
  2. If you want to get good answers online, try posting a wrong answer instead of asking a question.
  3. Taking solo walks helps you notice more things around you, even if it feels a bit lonely.

Learn to play the fool

Austin Kleon • 79 implied HN points • 12 Feb 21
🎭️ Culture Art
  1. Being a lifelong learner means being okay with looking foolish sometimes. It's part of the learning process.
  2. Exploring outside the usual online algorithms can lead to fresh ideas. Don't limit yourself to what's popular.
  3. Sharing your work can have a big impact on your life. It helps connect you with others and opens up new opportunities.

I’ve got an idea

Austin Kleon • 79 implied HN points • 29 Jan 21
🎭️ Culture Art
  1. Thinking about stuttering as a shared experience can change how we approach it, focusing on silence and its importance as a space for new things to emerge.
  2. Books like _The Poetics of Space_ and _Range_ offer valuable insights that can help us understand our world better.
  3. Honoring the legacies of creators, like Cicely Tyson, reminds us of their wisdom and the importance of being true to ourselves.

Something To Respond To

polymathematics • 19 implied HN points • 08 Feb 23
🎭️ Culture Art
  1. Giving yourself something to respond to helps spark creativity. Instead of starting from scratch, use prompts or existing ideas to inspire your work.
  2. Using tools like word processors or audio software can be intimidating at first. It's okay to rely on these tools for structure rather than feeling you must create everything out of nothing.
  3. Engaging in activities like workshops can provide valuable insights and techniques for creativity. Learning from others can open up new ways of thinking about your own work.

Curiosity is not a luxury

Austin Kleon • 59 implied HN points • 06 Aug 21
🎭️ Culture Art
  1. Curiosity is essential, not just a nice-to-have. It's important to recognize what we don't know and be open to uncertainty.
  2. Reading and sharing good books and art can spark inspiration and ignite our creativity.
  3. Exploring new ways of creating, like using vegetables for printmaking, can be a fun and engaging way to express ourselves.

A snow day in Texas

Austin Kleon • 79 implied HN points • 15 Jan 21
🎭️ Culture Art
  1. Winter is a great time for enjoying books, games, and movies. Stay cozy and indulge in your favorite indoor activities.
  2. It's important to be patient with your creative projects. Sometimes letting them sit can help you find the right direction.
  3. Art should be accessible to everyone. Look for affordable pieces and support artists who are making art more reachable.

Ignorant, but curious

Austin Kleon • 59 implied HN points • 30 Jul 21
🎭️ Culture Art
  1. Being curious is a great way to learn, even if you feel ignorant about something. It's all about showing interest and paying attention.
  2. If you're stuck on a creative project, try skipping over the boring parts. This can help you regain motivation and spark new ideas.
  3. When life feels upside down, it’s important to adapt instead of just pushing through. Changing your approach can lead to better outcomes.

"Baby It's Cold Outside" is Good, So Bite Me and Happy Holidays

I Might Be Wrong • 12 implied HN points • 12 Dec 24
🎭️ Culture Art
  1. 'Baby It's Cold Outside' is a complex song that some people think should be canceled because of its gender dynamics. It's okay to recognize that while still enjoying it as a piece of entertainment from a different time.
  2. The song reflects a different era, capturing the charm of its time. It’s catchy and has become a classic holiday tune, even though it doesn’t align with modern views on consent.
  3. Enjoying an old song doesn’t mean you approve of outdated behaviors. We can appreciate art for its qualities while being critical of its messages.

Practice, practice, practice

Austin Kleon • 79 implied HN points • 08 Jan 21
🎭️ Culture Art
  1. Practicing regularly helps you improve, but the goal should be to just get better at what you do, even if it means starting from a place of not being very good.
  2. Reading can be hard sometimes, and it’s okay to take your time with enjoyable books that make you think.
  3. Don't let others tell you what you shouldn't read or do; follow your own interests and find joy in exploring.

Essay Club: A Defence of Heraldry by G. K. Chesterton

Mind & Mythos • 1 HN point • 14 Jun 24
🎭️ Culture Art
  1. Heraldry is not just about noble families; it's also a way for everyday people to express their identity. Signs and symbols have always played an important role in how we communicate who we are.
  2. Chesterton believes we lost something beautiful when we tried to make everyone equal. He thinks symbols and decorative art should be embraced, not rejected, to uplift everyone in society.
  3. Democracy, according to Chesterton, needs its own forms of pageantry and symbolism. When we value these things, we can inspire people to reach for greatness rather than settle for mediocrity.

'Hey bitches, it's Dakota'

Brands Mean a Lot • 52 implied HN points • 19 Apr 23
🎭️ Culture Art
  1. Consuming various forms of content is essential for having stuff to write about
  2. The beauty industry can trap people into never feeling good about their own presentation
  3. Cultivating a personal brand through unique fashion choices can be challenging but important

The Tudors at The Met

Castalia • 19 implied HN points • 24 Dec 22
🎭️ Culture Art
  1. The Tudors used art and fashion to show their power. Objects like Henry VIII's armor showcased their authority and the wealth of the crown.
  2. Importing talented artists from Europe helped England grow culturally. The artists brought new skills that enriched English art during the Tudor period.
  3. Some artists experimented with their styles and symbols in their portraits. This creativity reflected the vibrant and imaginative culture of Shakespeare's time.

Straight Line Crazy

Castalia • 19 implied HN points • 24 Dec 22
🎭️ Culture Art
  1. The play 'Straight Line Crazy' talks about Robert Moses and his work but feels more like a history lesson than a dramatic performance. The characters mostly explain things to each other rather than have real conversations.
  2. Ralph Fiennes plays Robert Moses, and while the acting is good, the story seems to stick to familiar ideas and avoids taking big risks. It makes you wonder if there could be a more exciting way to tell this story.
  3. The ending gives Moses the final word, showing how he believed he was a great builder who operated outside the normal rules. His character illustrates the complex nature of vision and power in city planning.

Find Your Own Lessons

polymathematics • 19 implied HN points • 26 Jan 23
🎭️ Culture Art
  1. Looking for interesting things can lead to discovering valuable lessons. Keeping an open mind helps in finding lessons in unexpected places.
  2. Sometimes, we dismiss things too quickly without giving them a chance. Taking a moment to pay attention can change our understanding.
  3. Engaging with different topics, even if we think we know them, can provide new insights. It's worth exploring to enrich our knowledge.

Cyborg nostalgia

Vague Blue • 1 HN point • 13 Jun 24
🎭️ Culture Art
  1. The concept of AI has transitioned from being a dystopian boogeyman to a normalized part of our tech landscape.
  2. Contemporary AI films tend to portray cyborgs in a more human-like manner, lacking the imaginative 'other-ness' seen in older movies.
  3. The evolution of AI representation in Hollywood reflects our changing relationship with technology, moving towards a more seamless integration of the physical and virtual worlds.

Rabbit Holes 🕳️ #68

Creative Destruction • 28 implied HN points • 21 Feb 24
🎭️ Culture Art
  1. In today's age of information overload, our curiosity now distracts us, leading to intellectual obesity in the form of a flood of low-quality 'junk info'. This 'junk info' is like fast food for thought - cheap to produce, satisfying to consume, but low in nutrition.
  2. The sustainability movement needs to focus on internal sustainability, not just external factors like ecosystems and technology. Our mind plays a crucial role in the climate crisis as it determines our relationships with ourselves, others, and nature.
  3. Immediacy, or the collapse of mediation, is a powerful and destructive driver in the modern world. It eliminates the middle ground of reflection and personal connection, affecting how we perceive and engage with information and culture.

A New Romanticism

Marginally Compelling • 52 implied HN points • 04 Apr 23
🎭️ Culture Art
  1. Kindness can overpower cynicism in the face of nihilism and irony.
  2. Brandon Sanderson's approach to writing is based on empathy and finding wonder in people.
  3. There is a call for a return to 'New Romanticism' focusing on kindness, uniqueness, and human potential.

Don’t get me wrong

Austin Kleon • 59 implied HN points • 02 Jul 21
🎭️ Culture Art
  1. Everyone has their pet peeves when it comes to language. It's normal to have a phrase that annoys you, like 'Don't get me wrong.'
  2. Reading can be fun and diverse! You can enjoy multiple books from different genres at the same time.
  3. Creative inspiration can come from anywhere, like movies, music, or even conversations about what kids can teach us.

What the "Urban Tough Guy" Act is About

I Might Be Wrong • 10 implied HN points • 15 Jan 25
🎭️ Culture Art
  1. Some people try to act tough in urban settings to impress others or seem interesting. They might feel insecure about their boring hometowns and want to create a different identity.
  2. The 'Urban Tough Guy' persona often comes from a desire to stand out in a world that seems more exciting than their own life. It's a way to cope with feelings of inadequacy.
  3. This attitude can lead to unrealistic expectations about urban life, making it seem like only the strong survive, when in reality, safety and community matter more.

Syzygetic Cartographies

Cybernetic Forests • 59 implied HN points • 14 Feb 21
🎭️ Culture Art
  1. Syzygy describes unexpected combinations of things or concepts, like astronomy's alignment of celestial bodies or Pataphysics' imaginative coincidences.
  2. Maps can be more than physical territories; psychogeography creates personalized maps reflecting relationships and meanings within a city's spaces.
  3. Syzygetic cartography involves mapping internal psychological spaces collaboratively, challenging individuals to find unexpected alignments in their inner territories.

Did Dinosaurs Dance?

Who is Robert Malone • 11 implied HN points • 21 Dec 24
🎭️ Culture Art
  1. Emus and other flightless birds, like ostriches, can dance, showing a joyful expression of life. This reminds us that dancing seems to be a natural behavior shared across different species.
  2. Dinosaurs, especially those closely related to modern birds, might have danced too, which adds a fascinating layer to our understanding of their behavior. Fossils suggest that at least some dinosaurs engaged in movements similar to dance.
  3. The idea of artificial intelligence possibly developing the ability to dream or dance raises questions about consciousness and the nature of the soul. If robots can mimic these human behaviors, it challenges our understanding of what it means to be alive and aware.

That Was the Year That Was

Gideon's Substack • 31 implied HN points • 28 Dec 23
🎭️ Culture Art
  1. 2023 was marked by ominous trends like record-breaking heat, rising emissions, and declining global fertility.
  2. International news in 2023 highlighted distressing events like conflicts in Israel and Darfur, and challenges in Ukraine.
  3. The year 2023 also showed a mix of optimism and pessimism with economic successes, declining crime rates, and advancements in technology.

The summer book

Austin Kleon • 59 implied HN points • 18 Jun 21
🎭️ Culture Art
  1. Reading is fun and you can enjoy multiple books at the same time. It's okay to skim through and see what interests you!
  2. Brian Eno has started his own radio station, which is a cool way to discover new music. It has a lot of unreleased tracks to explore.
  3. Creating art and doing projects with your kids can be a great bonding experience. It can also spark creativity in both you and your children.

When the mind’s eye is blind

Austin Kleon • 59 implied HN points • 11 Jun 21
🎭️ Culture Art
  1. Some people can't create pictures in their minds. This means their imagination works differently, which can be surprising.
  2. Taking better notes can help improve writing skills. Using methods like smart notes is a good way to organize thoughts.
  3. Creative activities, like making collages or watching fun movies, can be a great way to relax and enjoy time with friends. It's all about finding what makes you happy.