The hottest Civilization Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
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Top World Politics Topics

The Free Press in Israel: A Special Limited Series

Common Sense with Bari Weiss • 2796 implied HN points • 05 Mar 24
🌍 World Politics Israel Middle East Conflict Journalism Civilization
  1. The decision to go to a place of conflict can be a mix of practical concerns and emotional ties, but the desire to witness and understand can be a driving force.
  2. Meeting people face-to-face and being on the ground for reporting provides a depth and understanding that remote communication cannot match.
  3. Experiencing a war-torn region firsthand brings a deeper perspective on the impact and realities faced by those living in conflict zones.
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Deconstructing the Hegemony; Reconstructing the Pluriverse — I

Pluriversal Planet • 314 implied HN points • 03 Jan 24
🎭️ Culture Civilization Narrative Decolonization Humanity
  1. The hegemonic narrative is collapsing, challenging individuals to redefine their beliefs and stand for a different world where many worlds can coexist.
  2. Human consciousness is undergoing a significant shift, urging people to confront the oppressive systems of the past and choose a path towards creativity, selflessness, and consciousness.
  3. The concept of Pluriverse emphasizes the coexistence of diverse worldviews and interconnectedness, offering a new perspective on how to rebuild civilization along more inclusive and interconnected lines.

The Course of Empire

Cosmographia • 658 implied HN points • 15 Oct 23
🎨 Art & Illustration Art history Paintings Civilization Evolution Literature
  1. The Colosseum's grandeur cannot truly be appreciated until seen in person, highlighting the awe-inspiring nature of ancient structures
  2. Historical patterns suggest that great civilizations may eventually decline due to lowered moral standards, cynicism, and frivolity, prompting reflection on the lessons of the past for modern societies
  3. The Course of Empire art series by Thomas Cole illustrates the rise and fall of civilizations, offering a visual representation of the cyclical nature of human history

Crisis of the 23rd Century

Nemets • 198 implied HN points • 04 Sep 23
💾 History Civilization Crisis Management
  1. Civilizations have risen and fallen many times throughout history, facing apocalypses like the Fall of Rome.
  2. During eras of crisis, civilizations bend but do not break, enduring wars, disease, and devastation.
  3. The Crisis of the 23rd Century brought ruin to many regions, causing shifts in climate, migrations, and conflicts that changed the course of history.

Ontological Intervention

Daniel Pinchbeck’s Newsletter • 19 implied HN points • 23 Feb 24
📖 Philosophy Ontology Reality Beliefs Civilization
  1. The main reason for the underperformance of Leftist movements is a lack of funding compared to the Right, who use their resources to shape public opinion through think tanks and covert operations.
  2. To bring about systemic change, a shift in paradigm at the individual level is crucial, as demonstrated by the power of psychedelics in sparking a cultural reconsideration and leading to a psychedelic renaissance.
  3. A new ontology emphasizing monistic or analytic idealism offers the potential to redefine society's underlying paradigm, providing a pathway for transforming civilization and addressing pressing global challenges.

The Domus Mindset

Pacification • 255 implied HN points • 06 Apr 23
💾 History Civilization Society Agriculture Slavery Religion
  1. Early settled agricultural societies may have taken the form of prison camps, with enslaved people and rulers extracting wealth.
  2. Hunter-gatherer societies had better food, health, and likely less compulsion and slavery than early civilizations founded on forced agriculture.
  3. The domus mindset, rooted in lordship and obedience, continues to shape societies, stories, and concepts of freedom today, even in modern urban contexts.

If you're worried about having kids because they will contribute to climate change, you shouldn't be

Philosophy bear • 55 implied HN points • 07 Nov 23
📖 Philosophy Climate Ethics Parenting Civilization Humanitarian
  1. Having children who care about climate change can be impactful politically.
  2. Parents who worry about climate change are more likely to have children working on technological solutions.
  3. Even if there's no solution to climate change, it's better to have more far-sighted and humanitarian humans.

Why We Need Tradition

Anxiety Addiction & Ascension • 2 HN points • 28 Sep 22
📖 Philosophy Tradition Society Culture Values Civilization
  1. Traditions were created to solve problems. Forgetting traditions can bring back old problems or create new ones.
  2. Physical routines are vital. Skipping regular exercises can lead to pain and injury. Consistent maintenance is key for long-term health.
  3. Cultural traditions are important. Forgetting the reasons behind them can lead to societal issues. Embracing and reviving traditions can help prevent further problems.

Why it sucks to be an alien

It Could Be Different • 0 implied HN points • 16 Jun 23
🔬 Science Aliens Research Civilization Biodiversity Technology
  1. Aliens visiting Earth could be like alien grad students researching and dealing with unexpected challenges caused by humans.
  2. Humans may unknowingly impact alien researchers, like accelerating their technological advancements and environmental destruction.
  3. Alien observer Marvin learns about Earth's complexities, challenges with interacting with humans, and unintended consequences of their presence.