The hottest Art Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
Category
Top Science Topics

Exact revenge

Austin Kleon • 5415 implied HN points • 05 Jan 24
🎭️ Culture Art
  1. January can feel slow and heavy for many. If you're struggling to start the year, consider waiting until February to tackle your resolutions.
  2. Year-end lists are fun and help discover new books and movies. Checking out these lists can inspire new reads and viewings for the new year.
  3. Creative works can offer deep insights. Books and essays that explore big ideas, like life's meaning or creativity, can be really rewarding to dive into.

The Monday Media Diet with Naomi Xu Elegant

Why is this interesting? • 1025 implied HN points • 24 Nov 25
🎭️ Culture Art
  1. Naomi reads a mix of different publications, enjoying both digital and print forms. She likes The New Yorker, Financial Times, and various newsletters that cover art and culture.
  2. She shares a passion for mixed reading styles, using both long and short books to keep herself entertained. Currently, she's reading a memoir and several biographies.
  3. Naomi's travels inspire her writing, and she loves exploring historical places like Timgad in Algeria. She finds rabbit holes in history interesting and plans to write about urban planning soon.

The Vintage Watch Dial Edition

Why is this interesting? • 1206 implied HN points • 11 Nov 25
🎭️ Culture Art
  1. Watch collectors have created a unique vocabulary for describing the aging process of watches. These terms can make signs of wear, like fading or corrosion, seem special and desirable.
  2. For collectors, characteristics that might be seen as flaws in other products enhance a watch's individuality and value. This view is particularly strong in the Rolex community.
  3. The watch-collecting lexicon extends far beyond patina terms, covering everything from dial styles to watch features. This rich language helps differentiate products that are fundamentally similar.

Our Language Is In A State Of Vast Humiliation

Public Universal Friend • 159 implied HN points • 31 Aug 24
🎭️ Culture Art
  1. Starting a new life can involve setting strict routines. For example, having a specific schedule for getting up, reading, and working can help create structure.
  2. It's important to balance work with personal time. Taking breaks for physical activity or listening to music can refresh your mind and emotions.
  3. Accepting different perspectives on loneliness can lead to deeper thoughts. Finding meaning in solitude might change how you view your daily experiences.

Joy in repetition

Austin Kleon • 3597 implied HN points • 20 Feb 24
🎭️ Culture Art
  1. Doing the same thing over and over can be joyful instead of boring. It may help you learn and create in ways you didn't expect.
  2. Repetition can turn challenging tasks into enjoyable habits. When you keep practicing, you may end up loving what you once found hard.
  3. Life is full of cycles and routines, and we should embrace them. Recognizing the beauty in repetition can lead to happiness and creativity.
Get a weekly roundup of the best Substack posts, by hacker news affinity:

A quickie from Her Maj

Disaffected Newsletter • 819 implied HN points • 29 Jun 24
🎭️ Culture Art
  1. Mixing with different people can feel uncomfortable, but it's important to trust your home crew. Surrounding yourself with supportive people can make a difference.
  2. Being confident and embracing who you are is a key part of self-identity. It's good to recognize your strengths and abilities, no matter how others perceive you.
  3. Using humor and creativity can bring a fresh perspective to historical situations. A fun twist can make serious topics more relatable and engaging.

An Algorithm-Free Feed for $1,999/month

Taylor Lorenz's Newsletter • 1134 implied HN points • 24 Nov 25
🎭️ Culture Art
  1. People are tired of social media algorithms affecting their content. They want a more authentic experience.
  2. Adam Ayers and his wife created a new platform focusing on an algorithm-free feed.
  3. This new service is offered at a high subscription price, targeting users who value simplicity and less noise online.

Escape velocity

Austin Kleon • 4656 implied HN points • 12 Jan 24
🎭️ Culture Art
  1. Many people leave their hometowns but often return, struggling to find their own path away from familiar comforts.
  2. The word 'enshittification' was chosen as the word of the year for 2023, highlighting a trend in our society.
  3. Cool events are coming up in Austin, especially related to the solar eclipse, with art exhibitions worth checking out.

Do Artists Suffer?

The Honest Broker • 9009 implied HN points • 17 Feb 25
🎭️ Culture Art
  1. Suffering is often seen as part of being an artist, but research shows it might not be true for creativity. Instead, suffering may boost ambition, especially in leaders.
  2. History shows that many successful leaders and creatives had difficult childhoods, like losing parents. This loss may actually spark creativity rather than hinder it.
  3. The idea that suffering drives creativity is backed by studies showing a link between personal loss and artistic achievement throughout history.

the marrow of days — on freedom & idleness in a post-singularity world

antoniomelonio • 142 implied HN points • 14 Feb 26
🎭️ Culture Art
  1. Automation and AI will make most jobs obsolete and give billions unprecedented free time, forcing society to answer a simple but huge question: what will people do with that freedom?
  2. Losing work risks a crisis of purpose because many people tie identity and social connection to their jobs, so leisure must be rethought as active education, creativity, and community to support real human flourishing.
  3. If handled well, post-work life could remake cities, families, arts, science, and health by turning economic structures into spaces for community and creativity, though there will be an initial period of decompression before people find lasting meaning.

Hidden Open Thread 416.5

Astral Codex Ten • 412 implied HN points • 14 Jan 26
🎭️ Culture Art
  1. The content is behind a paid subscription, so you must subscribe or sign in to read it.
  2. It’s part of a numbered "Hidden Open Thread" series with links to previous and next entries.
  3. The page shows engagement indicators and sharing options, implying reader interaction and shareability.

Full Saturation

Atlas of Wonders and Monsters • 542 implied HN points • 30 Dec 25
🎭️ Culture Art
  1. Published far fewer but steadier pieces in 2025—about twenty posts—and plans to keep that pace in 2026, including one paywalled piece and at least one short story.
  2. Had several big creative wins: a standout viral article, the Historical Tech Tree project, fellowship pieces that led to print, and a short story that won 2nd place and a cash prize.
  3. Went through a major personal season—an end to a long relationship, then a new, intense romance—and came away feeling like life is more vivid, with deeper friendships, more travel, and new professional opportunities.

Top Links 973 The risks of meat. “TPP Zalău in demolition”. EDF chic. Non-random intricacies.

Chartbook • 400 implied HN points • 05 Jan 26
📰 News Art
  1. The meat supply chain is seen as a ticking time bomb, with mounting risks that could threaten food security and stability.
  2. Photography of the TPP Zalău demolition highlights industrial transformation and the visible decline of old infrastructure.
  3. There is a focus on energy-sector aesthetics and on uncovering complex, non-random patterns that shape systems and outcomes.

What Does A Healthy Culture Look Like?

Castalia • 1498 implied HN points • 13 May 24
🎭️ Culture Art
  1. A healthy culture should be open and decentralized. This means it shouldn't be controlled by a few powerful people, allowing many voices to be heard.
  2. Quality work is important, but everyone should have the chance to share their art. A good culture encourages creativity and supports new ideas.
  3. Art and money are different things. While artists need support to create, financial success doesn’t always mean the art is good. The focus should be on creativity rather than just profits.

Holiday practice

Austin Kleon • 5275 implied HN points • 12 Dec 23
🎭️ Culture Art
  1. Artists need to create to feel their best. Taking breaks is okay, but too long without art can make life harder.
  2. Finding small ways to practice art during busy times, like the holidays, helps keep us feeling whole. Even a little time for creativity matters.
  3. Making space and time for creativity is key. You can get creative with when and where you practice, like being active when others are asleep or using portable materials.

People prefer A.I. art because people prefer bad art

Read Max • 12303 implied HN points • 22 Nov 24
🎭️ Culture Art
  1. People often have a hard time telling the difference between AI art and human art. This shows how good AI has become at creating images that people find appealing.
  2. Many people seem to prefer AI-generated art because it's straightforward and easy to understand. In contrast, more complex human art can be confusing or challenging.
  3. This trend suggests that people's tastes lean towards art that feels familiar and comfortable, which is why they might choose AI art over more challenging pieces.

10 Things to Remember as a New Year Begins

The Algorithmic Bridge • 509 implied HN points • 02 Jan 26
🎭️ Culture Art
  1. Aim for a happy home and close relationships as the heart of a good life. Investing in warmth and belonging gives everyday meaning.
  2. Love and live your life as it is—notice small beauties and treat each day as a fresh canvas. Choosing curiosity and creativity over perfection helps you find joy in simple moments.
  3. Keep your paths open and stay resilient because life keeps offering new chances. Reframing setbacks and renewing your perspective makes it easier to feel alive again.

The Sun When It Is Behind Translucent Clouds, Pale, Moon-Like, and Painless to Gaze Upon

Atlas of Wonders and Monsters • 339 implied HN points • 17 Jan 26
🎭️ Culture Art
  1. The Sun can look pale, moon-like, and surprisingly painless to stare at when it sits behind a thin, translucent layer of cloud; the solar disc can still appear well defined even though its brightness is much reduced.
  2. There is no widely accepted name for this common-but-unremarked phenomenon, so ordinary search terms return noisy or unrelated results; short candidates that work best include "pale sun," "overcast sun," or "filtered sun."
  3. Both scientific studies and painters have noted similar muted-sun effects—science uses phrases like "filtered sun" or "sharp-edged sun" while art sometimes depicts dull, moonlike discs—but the effect is lightly studied and not an established concept, so broader use and shared photos could help a canonical name emerge.

The Year's End

Animation Obsessive • 10135 implied HN points • 23 Dec 24
🎭️ Culture Art
  1. Animation has had a year of ups and downs. Big hits and mass job losses coexisted in America, while Japan's animation scene is growing despite some challenges.
  2. There are plenty of inspiring stories in the animation world, like independent creators making feature films or successful documentaries about past works. Art continues to find a way to shine through difficulties.
  3. The newsletter aims to celebrate good work and share intriguing stories, showing that even in tough times, passion and creativity can lead to great achievements.

Idea gardens

Austin Kleon • 3976 implied HN points • 16 Jan 24
🎭️ Culture Art
  1. Creative ideas grow like plants, and they take time to develop. Just like gardening, you need to nurture your ideas to see them flourish.
  2. Not every idea will succeed, and that's okay. Some ideas might not grow well or will need more attention as you work on them.
  3. It's important to revisit your ideas over time. By looking back at your creations, you can see what ideas are worth pursuing and what needs to be pruned away.

🏰 Lessons on AI and art from the Magic Kingdom

Faster, Please! • 365 implied HN points • 14 Jan 26
🎭️ Culture Art
  1. A theme park fired a popular character performer for breaking rules meant to protect the show's illusion and guest experience.
  2. The park would likely not replace her with a robot, which shows some creative roles rely on human presence, spontaneity, and authenticity.
  3. The episode highlights a broader lesson about AI: smart machines can help, but they often can't recreate the subtle human nuances and emotional authenticity that define many creative jobs.

What's the Most Profitable Movie of the Year? (No, I Won't Watch It.)

The Honest Broker • 12168 implied HN points • 31 Oct 24
🎭️ Culture Art
  1. Horror movies are really making money right now. Films like 'Terrifier 3' and 'Smile 2' are bringing in huge profits compared to what they cost to make.
  2. Bob Dylan is now writing quirky tweets directly from his account, sharing his unique thoughts without his team’s help. It offers fans a personal look at his views beyond music.
  3. People are increasingly worried about AI. Many believe it's reducing trust in media and making us lazier, and most want more rules on how AI is used.

Ripe on Time

Seven Senses • 1718 implied HN points • 23 Apr 24
🎭️ Culture Art
  1. It's okay to bloom at your own pace, just like flowers. Some people find their talents early, but many discover them later in life too.
  2. Having a nurturing environment helps talents emerge, but sometimes life events push us to explore our creativity when we least expect it.
  3. It's never too late to follow your dreams or discover new passions. Many successful people achieved their greatest milestones later in life, showing that persistence is key.

The nervous system

Austin Kleon • 5195 implied HN points • 01 Dec 23
🎭️ Culture Art
  1. Starting a 31-day challenge now can help you get ahead instead of waiting for the new year. Making commitments regularly can lead to personal growth.
  2. Children are companions in life, not just projects. It's important to share experiences and life with them rather than just focusing on goals.
  3. It's frustrating to wait for new episodes of your favorite shows. Waiting can feel especially hard when you're looking forward to something exciting.

Solstice vibes

Austin Kleon • 4556 implied HN points • 22 Dec 23
🎭️ Culture Art
  1. Reading is about choosing to read one book over many others. It's okay to not read every book out there.
  2. Music can be a great escape when feeling tired of other interests. Sometimes, music books can reignite that passion for reading.
  3. TV shows can be a fun distraction. It's nice to find joy in watching something simple and entertaining, especially during the holidays.

One of 2024's Best Films Was Made in Pakistan

Animation Obsessive • 9956 implied HN points • 16 Dec 24
🎭️ Culture Art
  1. The Glassworker is a unique animated film from Pakistan that explores themes of art and war. It highlights the importance of creativity even in difficult times.
  2. The creators of The Glassworker spent ten years making the film, overcoming challenges to set up their animation studio in Karachi. They aimed to prove that high-quality animation could be produced in Pakistan.
  3. The film combines local culture with a universal fantasy feel, using the story of glassblowing to reflect the journey of its creators. It's set against the backdrop of their experiences growing up during conflict.

Like a ghost went through me

Austin Kleon • 6774 implied HN points • 06 Oct 23
🎭️ Culture Art
  1. John Green learned he has aphantasia, which means he can't create mental images. This shows how different our brains can be.
  2. Wes Anderson recreated Roald Dahl's writing shed, highlighting the importance of creative spaces for writers. It's neat to see how environments can inspire artistic work.
  3. Joseph Grigley's art exhibit features notes he collected during conversations. It reminds us of the challenges of communication, especially for those with hearing loss.

NO!vember

Austin Kleon • 5955 implied HN points • 03 Nov 23
🎭️ Culture Art
  1. Saying 'no' can help you focus on what really matters. If you're unsure about going out, ask yourself if you'd want to do it tomorrow.
  2. Spending time alone can help you discover your true self. It's important to sit quietly and reflect on who you really want to be.
  3. Reading is essential for artists. Great works can inspire you, so make time to read often and explore different stories.

25 Articles

Sarah Kendzior’s Newsletter • 2755 implied HN points • 27 Feb 24
🎭️ Culture Art
  1. The newsletter provides a wide range of topics, from politics and history to art, music, and nature, emphasizing the interconnectedness of politics with everyday life.
  2. The author values accessibility to their work, keeping the newsletter free and open to all readers, with appreciation for paid subscribers who support the writing.
  3. The post lists all articles from the newsletter categorized by topic, offering readers the opportunity to explore a variety of content based on their interests.

The Mourning Moon

Sarah Kendzior’s Newsletter • 4932 implied HN points • 01 Dec 23
🎭️ Culture Art
  1. The Mourning Moon serves as a warning of impending dark days and the need to grieve losses and prepare for challenges.
  2. Cahokia, once a thriving city in ancient times along the Mississippi River, is now abandoned, with only earth mounds remaining as haunting reminders of its past.
  3. The heartbreaking reality of modern war and the power of grief, especially in the face of atrocities like the mass killing of children in Gaza, are difficult truths that are hard to reconcile but important to acknowledge.

Counter-Empathy, Lean Men, Weimar

Rob Henderson's Newsletter • 1098 implied HN points • 11 Nov 25
🎭️ Culture Art
  1. Colonial authorities can help reduce violence by providing a way to coordinate peace, as seen with the Dugum Dani in Papua New Guinea.
  2. Women who think negatively about attractive women tend to suggest short haircuts for others, showing how internal beliefs can influence opinions on appearances.
  3. Aggression is mostly inherited, but how it's shown can be influenced by parents and friends, which means both nature and nurture play a role.

How to like everything more

Sasha's 'Newsletter' • 8860 implied HN points • 30 Dec 24
🎭️ Culture Art
  1. Enjoyment is a skill that can be improved by focusing on the details and layers in experiences, whether it's music, food, or art. Try to look for different aspects that you might usually overlook.
  2. Being curious and open to new sensations can transform how you experience intense music, food, or art. Instead of resisting strong stimuli, embrace their intensity and see them as opportunities for enjoyment.
  3. Creating a connection with the creator of a work can enhance your enjoyment. Think about the effort and emotion they put into their creation, which can make you appreciate it even more.

Meet NYC's Coolest Stealth Design Ninja!

CAFÉ ANNE • 3400 implied HN points • 22 Jan 24
🎭️ Culture Art
  1. The newsletter shares the fun story of Max Kolomatsky, a designer who redesigns NYC street flyers for free.
  2. He started the project for fun and ended up gaining a large social media following and big design gigs.
  3. Max's advice is to embrace doing creative work for fun or for free to nurture your unique creativity and spirit.

The Honest Broker's 20 Most Popular Articles From 2024

The Honest Broker • 8610 implied HN points • 31 Dec 24
🎭️ Culture Art
  1. The Honest Broker had a remarkable year with 171 articles published, attracting 25 million views and nearly doubling its subscriber count to 198,000. The growth exceeded initial expectations and highlights a strong community engagement.
  2. Many popular articles focus on technology and culture, reflecting a public concern about the impacts of new tech, including digital platforms that can manipulate and abuse users. There is a call for voices to address these issues, especially for those affected.
  3. Despite a shift towards discussing technology, there's still a yearning for deeper topics like the humanities and creativity. Articles that explore significant cultural shifts and raise critical questions resonate well with readers.

David Mamet: Back When We Gave a Fuck

Common Sense with Bari Weiss • 2508 implied HN points • 11 Aug 25
🎭️ Culture Art
  1. Profanity can be powerful and meaningful, used originally to add emphasis rather than just to shock. It was a way to express yourself vividly, not merely to curse.
  2. David Mamet found inspiration in the raw language of everyday people, particularly those living in tough environments. Their unique speech motivated him to create his plays.
  3. The use of strong language has changed over time, becoming less about direct challenges and more about legal threats. This shift has made everyday language feel less impactful.

Ask Me Anything (2/2025)

Astral Codex Ten • 7433 implied HN points • 10 Feb 25
🎭️ Culture Art
  1. Subscribers can ask questions during the AMA, but only they can comment on the responses. It's a way to engage the paid supporters more directly.
  2. Some questions won't be answered, like those asking for medical advice or trying to get a controversial statement. It's about keeping it respectful and on topic.
  3. The host plans to keep up with questions until they feel like stopping, so there's a willingness to engage as long as it's productive.

Make bad art & read terrible books

Austin Kleon • 5995 implied HN points • 15 Sep 23
🎭️ Culture Art
  1. It's okay to make bad art; everyone should try creating without worrying about being perfect.
  2. Reading bad books can also be beneficial; it helps you discover what you don't like and why.
  3. Joining a community of creative people can support your growth, even if you feel unsure about your own work.

New! The Weekly Bric-a-Brac

Disaffected Newsletter • 1258 implied HN points • 09 May 24
🎭️ Culture Art
  1. There's a feeling that popular music has changed for the worse, becoming more aggressive and lacking melody. It used to connect more positively with listeners.
  2. Many people feel nostalgic for past times when quality and competence seemed better in society, from everyday goods to music and interactions.
  3. Some want to preserve their childhood memories as they are, without looking them up online or experiencing them again. They fear losing the magic of those memories.