The hottest Censorship Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
Category
Top U.S. Politics Topics

Is self-censorship rising in the US?

ideassleepfuriously • 373 implied HN points • 15 Jan 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Censorship
  1. Research suggests a positive link between IQ and socioeconomic status across ethnic groups.
  2. A study shows a growing IQ disparity between Japan and the US, with an increase in average IQ in Japan attributed to environmental improvements.
  3. Survey data indicates a decrease in the freedom to express political opinions in Germany, particularly among young people, less educated individuals, and supporters of specific political parties.

You Can’t Write Vague And Censorship-Friendly Editorial Guidelines And Then Pretend They Won’t Apply In The Real World

Singal-Minded • 856 implied HN points • 11 Jan 25
🔬 Science Censorship
  1. Vague editorial guidelines can lead to serious issues in real-life situations. It's important to have clear and specific rules to avoid confusion and misapplication.
  2. Censorship in the sciences is a topic that many people are discussing. There are different viewpoints on how to balance respect for human dignity with academic freedom.
  3. It's essential to protect published research from being altered or withdrawn unjustly. Making changes for social justice reasons can lead to more harm than good in the scientific community.

Some Important Information, and a Warning

OK Doomer • 300 implied HN points • 27 Jul 25
🕹 Technology Censorship
  1. Google is tightening its control on content, making it important for people to consider moving away from their services. It's better to change now rather than keep giving them your information.
  2. With growing censorship from big tech companies, it can be smart to switch to personal and secure alternatives like Linux or non-corporate cloud storage options.
  3. The writer has launched a new publication that focuses on creative content, aiming to offer lighter perspectives on writing and culture amidst heavier topics.

Censorship: How Does It Work?

Moly’s Substack • 334 implied HN points • 27 Jan 24
🌍 World Politics Censorship
  1. Censorship in China focuses on making the country look good, hiding negative information, and implying that other countries are just as bad.
  2. The Great Firewall of China is not very effective due to the widespread use of VPNs for accessing banned content.
  3. Chinese censorship also includes subtle methods, like controlling English education and promoting government-approved conspiracy theories.
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Michael Shellenberger Mixed Up Two Guys With Sorta Similar Names And Falsely Told His Readers — And Congress — One Of Them Might Be A Spy As A Result

Singal-Minded • 1046 implied HN points • 13 Nov 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Censorship
  1. Michael Shellenberger mistakenly mixed up two people with similar names, leading to false claims about one of them possibly being a spy. This is a serious error for a journalist.
  2. Critics have pointed out that Shellenberger has often published misleading information about people he disagrees with politically, which raises questions about his journalistic standards.
  3. After realizing the mistake, Shellenberger corrected the information but did not make a big announcement about the error, which is concerning for public trust in his work.

Notebook: (1) Classroom Libraries

Book Post • 353 implied HN points • 13 Jan 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Censorship
  1. A lawsuit in Florida challenges the removal of books from school libraries due to discriminatory reasons violating constitutional rights.
  2. Legal battles in various states involve laws restricting book content based on sexual orientation or gender identity, sparking controversies.
  3. Multiple lawsuits across different states highlight the ongoing struggle to protect access to diverse literature in school libraries against censorship.

NYU Professor Tells Students of Hamas Atrocities: ‘We Know It’s Not True’

Common Sense with Bari Weiss • 2351 implied HN points • 25 Jan 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Censorship
  1. U.S. troops are facing attacks from groups backed by Iran, showing a disconnect between official statements and the reality on the ground, leading to responses like airstrikes targeting Iranian-backed militias.
  2. Investigation shows bias in school libraries with a focus on progressive books, prompting debate on offering a balanced selection that includes different political perspectives.
  3. Antisemitism is on the rise, highlighted by instances like a NYU professor praising Hamas, emphasizing the importance of education and remembrance to combat Holocaust denial and distortion.

american iconography

bad cattitude • 241 implied HN points • 02 Aug 25
🎭️ Culture Censorship
  1. Icons are important because they represent things that are instantly recognizable and meaningful. A good example is an ad that brings back styles from the past, like the new loose jeans that remind people of the 80s and 90s.
  2. There has been a reaction against cancel culture, where people are tired of feeling pressured to agree with extreme views. This change means many people no longer feel the need to pretend and are starting to speak up more.
  3. The pressure to conform to certain beliefs is backfiring; more people are celebrating traditional values and laughing off the outrage. Society seems ready to embrace a more balanced view again.

Trump Camp: British Censorship Group to be "Investigated From All Angles"

The DisInformation Chronicle • 1000 implied HN points • 23 Oct 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Censorship
  1. The Trump campaign plans to investigate the UK-based Center for Countering Digital Hate (CCDH) after discovering their agenda includes targeting platforms like Twitter. They feel this group is unfairly attacking political allies of Trump.
  2. CCDH has been involved in recent electoral strategies and supports stricter online censorship measures. This has raised concerns among Trump supporters, who believe foreign groups shouldn't influence US elections.
  3. The CCDH has shown a focus on deplatforming specific voices and intervening in elections, leading to worries about free speech. Their documents indicate a clear agenda against platforms perceived as harmful.

The 9.3x Factor; Data Isn't Hate Speech

~~datahazard~~ • 550 implied HN points • 12 May 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Censorship
  1. A Black person is 9.3x more likely to murder a White than a White person is to murder a Black.
  2. Comparing murder rates between different population groups can lead to misleading conclusions.
  3. It's important to consider more meaningful rates, like the 'Stereotype Rate', when analyzing murder statistics.

New York Times journalist rage quits Substack over inability to censor everything he deems 'hate speech' and 'extremism'

The Dossier • 2214 implied HN points • 12 Jan 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Censorship
  1. A New York Times journalist quit Substack because he couldn't censor what he considered 'hate speech' and 'extremism'.
  2. Substack stayed true to its mission by refusing to engage in censorship, even under pressure from major publications.
  3. The situation highlights the importance of free speech and the dangers of censorship in shaping narratives and promoting government control.

Did New Zealand's mainstream newspapers collude to collectively cancel an unobjectionable advert?

A B’Old Woman • 619 implied HN points • 21 Jul 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Censorship
  1. New Zealand's mainstream media seems to avoid controversy and only promotes certain values. This has led to a boring and uniform direction in their content.
  2. A conservative group had ads approved in major newspapers, but then all the newspapers canceled them without clear reasons, suggesting a possible collusion.
  3. The idea of 'cancellation' can affect anyone, and it's important to stand up for different viewpoints to protect everyone's rights and speech.

Trump's 'Cabinet of the Cancelled'

The Truth Fairy • 672 implied HN points • 14 Jan 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Censorship
  1. Many people feel a strong dislike for government bullying and censorship. They believe that not everyone has the same freedoms based on their views.
  2. There are noticeable differences in how people's opinions are accepted or rejected by society. If your opinion aligns with the mainstream left views, you're less likely to be targeted or punished.
  3. Some of Trump's recent appointees have experienced being canceled by the government or society before. Their past experiences may help them fight against unfair treatment and broaden the conversation in America.

Fixing the Web with Warning Labels?

Unmoderated Insights • 59 implied HN points • 22 Jun 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Censorship
  1. The U.S. Surgeon General is suggesting that social media should have warning labels. This idea is controversial because it assumes social media only causes negative effects, while it can also have positive impacts.
  2. Warning labels might not stop people from using social media and could even backfire by making them more curious or anxious. Past experiences with fear-based campaigns show that they don't always work as intended.
  3. These warning labels might shift focus from the companies responsible for harmful designs to the users, putting pressure on parents instead of changing how social media platforms operate.

I Joined TikTok Refugees on RedNote. Here’s What It’s Like.

Common Sense with Bari Weiss • 686 implied HN points • 15 Jan 25
🎭️ Culture Censorship
  1. Many people are moving from TikTok to a new app called RedNote due to concerns about a potential ban. This shift shows how social media changes quickly based on user needs.
  2. RedNote is a Chinese app that feels different from TikTok, with most content in Mandarin. Users are finding it hard to adjust since it mainly caters to a Chinese audience.
  3. Despite the differences, both American and Chinese users on RedNote are engaging together, often humorously referencing their cultural differences. This highlights how social media can connect people across boundaries.

Biden Administration Implicated In Brazilian Court’s Attack On Congressman Fighting Censorship And Corruption

Michael Shellenberger • 923 implied HN points • 16 Oct 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Censorship
  1. A Brazilian congressman named Marcel Van Hattem is facing an investigation for speaking out against censorship and corruption. This marks a worrying trend of increased government control over free speech in Brazil.
  2. Van Hattem is well-known for exposing government corruption and has gathered a significant following on social media. His popularity highlights the public's desire for transparency and free expression.
  3. The investigation against Van Hattem challenges the tradition of protecting congressional speech in Brazil. Legal experts have raised concerns, suggesting this move could backlash against the government and strengthen demands for accountability.

Online Safety Act: What went wrong

The Rectangle • 226 implied HN points • 01 Aug 25
🕹 Technology Censorship
  1. The Online Safety Act aimed to protect kids from harmful content online, but it's very hard to enforce. Laws are only effective if there are systems in place to ensure compliance.
  2. Age verification requirements put a lot of personal data at risk without clear privacy protections. People might not trust websites to handle this sensitive information safely.
  3. Regulators need to see online issues as cultural problems, not just technical ones. Education and changing public attitudes are key to keeping kids safe online.

There is a Russia Iran news outlet blackout across the internet.

C.O.P. Central Organizing Principle. • 24 implied HN points • 04 Jan 26
📰 News Censorship
  1. Several major Russian state outlets and Iran's Press TV are currently inaccessible online, with sites like RT and TASS showing "website can't be reached" errors.
  2. The outage looks widespread and simultaneous, suggesting it’s more than a simple isolated technical problem.
  3. If the blackout continues, it could significantly disrupt official news flow and change how people access information about events in those countries.

I understand why people ban books

Men Yell at Me • 878 implied HN points • 16 Oct 24
📚 Literature Censorship
  1. People often ban books to control what kids learn, thinking they protect them, but this can actually harm children's understanding of the world.
  2. Growing up in a restricted environment made some believe their curiosity was wrong, which changed when they discovered the wide range of knowledge available in books.
  3. Knowledge is powerful and can change lives, helping people understand their identities and experiences, which is why some fear it and try to limit access to certain books.

How Much Dissent is Optimal?

In My Tribe • 744 implied HN points • 12 Oct 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Censorship
  1. Dissent is important because it helps to challenge wrong opinions and beliefs. If everyone only agrees with the mainstream view, mistakes can go uncorrected.
  2. Censorship can lower morale and create a negative work or social environment. People should feel free to express concerns without fear of punishment.
  3. Policing dissent is risky because those in power might misuse it to silence voices that challenge their ideas. It's better to allow open discussion, even if some views are unpopular.

Twitter's White Terror era

Wrong Side of History • 527 implied HN points • 09 Jan 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Censorship
  1. The end of strict censorship on Twitter has led to more vocal expressions of conservative viewpoints. This shift can sometimes feel aggressive and even vengeful.
  2. The current Twitter atmosphere is compared to historical events where one group experiences oppressive rule, followed by a backlash from those silenced.
  3. The changes on social media mirrors shifts in power dynamics, much like political movements throughout history, where voices once suppressed start to push back.

I got banned from BlueSky for committing wrongthink

The Dossier • 628 implied HN points • 18 Nov 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Censorship
  1. BlueSky was created to be a platform for free speech, but it has turned into a space for strict censorship and only allows certain political views.
  2. Users can be banned quickly for expressing unpopular opinions, showing that the platform may not truly support diverse ideas.
  3. The experience on BlueSky can be chaotic and filled with extreme viewpoints, making it feel unsafe for those with different beliefs.

Twitter-why?

Disaffected Newsletter • 1059 implied HN points • 20 Dec 22
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Censorship
  1. Twitter denied reinstating an account multiple times, claiming it incited violence against marginalized communities. The account owner insists this accusation is false and calls for fair treatment.
  2. The account has lost significant funding from Patreon, impacting its ability to promote their show and causing financial strain.
  3. The owner expresses frustration with Twitter's lack of communication and transparency, emphasizing the importance of truth and fair treatment in online platforms.

TL;DRussia Weekend Roundup

TL;DRussia • 373 implied HN points • 23 Apr 23
🌍 World Politics Censorship
  1. Vladimir Kara-Murza sentenced to 25 years in prison for telling the truth, signaling harsh repression against political activists in Russia
  2. Alexei Navalny facing new political trial, likely to receive severe sentence, highlighting increased persecution of opposition figures
  3. Kremlin's actions targeting three audiences: Russian opposition, elite, and security state, with broader signaling of crackdown on dissent

Teachers Became Activists, and Censorship Followed

KERFUFFLE • 31 implied HN points • 13 Dec 25
🚌 Education Censorship
  1. Teachers in public schools have become more openly political and have taken activist roles in classrooms and on campuses.
  2. In response, schools — notably in California — have introduced new speech rules that restrict what students and staff can say about the Israeli‑Palestinian conflict.
  3. This politicization of education has led to increased censorship and a shrinking space for open discussion of controversial topics.

From street strategists to establishment pundits

Pekingnology • 33 implied HN points • 18 Dec 25
🌍 World Politics Censorship
  1. Both lowbrow "street strategists" and polished establishment pundits sell the same simplified, conspiratorial view of geopolitics—one shouts for mass audiences while the other dresses the same instincts in elite language.
  2. Attention-driven platforms, limited public access to deep knowledge, and selective moderation create a self-reinforcing feedback loop that rewards sensational, easy-to-digest narratives and builds closed communities.
  3. Banning a single influencer won’t fix the problem: demand and the ecosystem produce replacements, and over time these simplified narratives can reshape mainstream opinion and nudge policy.

Those Who Seek To Control Our Speech Are Persecuting the Truth

THE FREEDOM BLOG • 196 implied HN points • 13 Jan 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Censorship
  1. Politicians and journalists are advocating for silencing certain opinions in the name of protecting the public from 'hatred' and 'falsehood.'
  2. Attempting to create a more truthful and tolerant society by suppressing false and hateful speech leads to a reliance on brute power.
  3. When society is rife with disagreement, the suppression of falsehood and hatred can only be achieved through the use of force.

Why we need an insufferable liberal elite

Wrong Side of History • 503 implied HN points • 23 Nov 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Censorship
  1. People are moving to new social media platforms like Bluesky to find communities that share their values. They are looking for a place where they feel understood and accepted.
  2. The discussions on Bluesky feel less harsh compared to Twitter, but the problems of online bullying and toxic behavior still exist. It's like changing from one bad situation to another with similar issues.
  3. Echo chambers on social media might not be as bad as they seem. Sometimes, people are more affected by seeing too many extreme views rather than just talking to others who agree with them.

being honest about dishonesty

bad cattitude • 203 implied HN points • 28 May 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Censorship
  1. Dishonesty in academia has become a major issue, especially in progressive studies. Many researchers manipulate data to fit their narratives rather than focusing on truthful outcomes.
  2. There is a conflict between facts and the narratives some groups promote. This often leads to the suppression of real data to support specific ideologies or agendas.
  3. It’s important to question the integrity of studies that align closely with political beliefs. If researchers prioritize their ideologies over honest research, it can damage the credibility of science.

China’s Jan 2024 Speech Censorship Policy

Austrian China • 176 implied HN points • 13 Jan 24
🌍 World Politics Censorship
  1. China's speech censorship policy is strict, but not as totalitarian as some may think.
  2. Violating speech restrictions can lead to consequences like post deletion and account suspension.
  3. Despite censorship, information still circulates, and the policy has limitations in preventing public voice and information flow.

Life And Poetry Of James Clifford

The Lifeboat • 206 implied HN points • 21 May 25
📚 Literature Censorship
  1. James Clifford was an English poet who became famous in the Soviet Union, despite being completely unknown in his own country. His powerful poems resonated with readers in a way that inspired translations and widespread admiration.
  2. Clifford's poetry captured deep truths about life, war, and freedom, which was refreshing for poets like Vladimir Lifshitz, who sought genuine expression in a censored environment. His work often conveyed feelings that many Soviet poets could not express openly.
  3. Despite his tragic death during World War II, Clifford's legacy lived on through Lifshitz's translations, which helped him gain recognition. Over time, he became a literary character in the eyes of some, illustrating the complexities of fame, recognition, and truth in literature.

Breaking: Chris Rufo calls for tighter censorship on X

Karlstack • 505 implied HN points • 22 Oct 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Censorship
  1. Chris Rufo believes that there should be more censorship on the social media platform X. He thinks that recent relaxed censorship has allowed harmful ideas to spread more easily.
  2. He points out that anti-Semitic views are becoming more common on the platform, which he finds concerning.
  3. Rufo argues that there needs to be increased oversight to ensure healthier discussions and limit the spread of conspiracy theories.

We have established an autonomous, self-reinforcing censorship regime that serves no real purpose other than its own propagation

eugyppius: a plague chronicle • 175 implied HN points • 17 Jun 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Censorship
  1. There is a strong censorship system that seems to exist only to keep itself going. It doesn't seem to help anyone or serve a meaningful purpose.
  2. Political rules around speech have gotten stricter since the pandemic, leading to many people facing legal trouble over what they say online. It feels like there's a disproportionate response to fairly minor comments.
  3. Special organizations are now focused on monitoring and punishing online speech, often making the situation worse. They tend to escalate issues rather than resolve them, which leads to more trouble for ordinary people.