The hottest Civilization Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
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against civilisational nostalgia: western identity and global cognitive drift

Brain Pizza • 397 implied HN points • 10 Jun 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Civilization Identity Cognition Migration International relations
  1. It's important to embrace different perspectives rather than sticking to a single historical narrative. This openness helps societies grow and learn from each other.
  2. Cognitive biases can cloud our views of the world and limit our understanding. To improve, we should recognize these biases and seek out diverse viewpoints.
  3. Instead of aiming for a mythical sense of unity, we should focus on adapting and cooperating with one another. Learning from our differences can lead to better governance and innovation.

The Limits of Reason, Individualism and Secular Morality

Glenn’s Substack • 999 implied HN points • 27 Aug 24
📖 Philosophy Morality Secularism Liberalism Tradition Civilization
  1. Reason and individualism are important, but they need a balance with tradition and community. Without this balance, societies may struggle to maintain cohesion.
  2. The rise of moral relativism challenges the foundations of secular morality, making it hard to find common ground in society. People may disagree on values and laws without shared beliefs.
  3. Liberal democratic values are under threat as moral arguments lack a strong foundation. This may lead to laws that rely more on force than on a shared understanding of right and wrong.

The Architecture of Civilization

Civic Renaissance with Alexandra Hudson • 199 implied HN points • 08 Oct 24
🎭️ Culture Civility Society History Civilization Ethics
  1. True civilization is not about fancy buildings or power. It's really about how we treat each other and respect every person's humanity.
  2. Saddam Hussein tried to show off his power by building beautiful palaces. However, his cruel actions and disregard for human life made his rule more barbaric than civilized.
  3. Being truly civilized means showing kindness to everyone, especially those who are vulnerable. It's about caring for others and valuing human dignity above all else.

Liminal Religion

Contemplations on the Tree of Woe • 1832 implied HN points • 14 Dec 24
⛪ Faith & Spirituality Theology Philosophy Religion Spirituality Civilization
  1. The Aenean spirit represents a balance between ambition and awareness of humanity's fragility. It's about seeking progress while understanding the risks involved.
  2. Civilizations have different worldviews shaped by their beliefs and religions, each affecting how they interact with the world and understand their existence.
  3. The idea of an Aenean religion would embrace uncertainty and possibility, encouraging action and engagement rather than complacency or blind ambition.
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The Peculiar Institution, pt. 2

The Martyr Made Substack • 2044 implied HN points • 16 Jan 24
💾 History Slavery Religion Civilization Hierarchy Aristotle
  1. People in different eras have accepted practices that we would find morally abhorrent today.
  2. We should approach historical figures with humility, understanding they made decisions based on their limited information and context.
  3. Slavery was integral to many historical societies, viewed as a necessary part of their social and economic structures.

A Depoliticized Future

The J. Burden Show • 738 implied HN points • 26 Apr 24
📖 Philosophy Liberalism Politics Society Human nature Civilization
  1. Liberalism aimed to depoliticize society but failed as politics is inherent to human nature and essential for societal order.
  2. Liberalism's attempt to distribute power widely actually increased the power of the state and led to bloodier conflicts.
  3. A well-functioning society needs a level of internal politics, but striving for a society with external politics, where enemies are outside of society, might lead to greater societal harmony.

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.

Thou-Shalt-Not Do Anything

Variations on a Theme • 1178 implied HN points • 24 Jan 24
📖 Philosophy Ethics Liberty Morality Civilization Freedom
  1. Banning everything everywhere is becoming a popular trend, with bans ranging from travel during emergencies to gas stoves, books, and even youth tackle football.
  2. History shows that rebels who defy bans are often celebrated, with real-life examples like the Russian Samizdat and fictional heroes like those in Star Wars and The Matrix.
  3. The moral dilemma of banning things to create ‘proper civilization’ clashes with the concept of individual freedom and audacity, leading to questioning the effectiveness and morality of banning practices.

"But then I realized horses are just men-extenders"

Razib Khan's Unsupervised Learning • 394 implied HN points • 05 Dec 24
💾 History Civilization Technology Culture Evolution Military
  1. Horses played a key role in advancing human civilization by providing a new source of power for farming, transport, and warfare. They helped people accomplish tasks more efficiently and laid the groundwork for modern advancements.
  2. The relationship between humans and horses lasted for thousands of years and influenced societal structures, including the development of patriarchal societies. As horses were integrated into daily life, they changed the nature of work for men and women differently.
  3. Even though technology has replaced horses in many ways, their historical importance is profound. They were our first major means of boosting productivity and transforming the way humans lived and worked.

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

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.

Peter Hitchens vs. Christopher Hitchens: Can Civilization Survive Without God?

Philosophy for the People w/Ben Burgis • 159 implied HN points • 17 Mar 24
⛪ Faith & Spirituality Debate God Civilization
  1. This post discusses a debate between Peter Hitchens and Christopher Hitchens about whether civilization can survive without belief in God.
  2. The Hitchens brothers engaged in a debate on the link between "civilization" and faith in God, with a focus on their last discussion in 2010.
  3. The dialogue took place before Christopher Hitchens passed away in 2011, shedding light on their contrasting views on the role of religion in civilization.

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.

A Brief History of Energy

Ulysses • 179 implied HN points • 27 Mar 23
🔬 Science Energy Nuclear Fusion Civilization
  1. Human civilization is driven by the type and availability of energy sources, dictating growth, quality of life, and societal scale.
  2. Energy originates from nuclear reactions and its evolution through fusion and fission have shaped both natural processes and human advancement.
  3. Fusion energy holds the potential to revolutionize energy production by offering a clean, abundant, and safe alternative to traditional sources.

Crisis of the 23rd Century

Nemets • 198 implied HN points • 04 Sep 23
💾 History Civilization Cultural Shifts 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.

Rise of Civilization, Part I

America in Crisis • 59 implied HN points • 21 Dec 23
💾 History Civilization Cultural Evolution Religion Institutions Economic Development
  1. Humans scaled society to manage larger groups through cultural evolution, harnessing collective brain power.
  2. Living under the 'gossip trap' limited social organization, fostering a focus on reputation management over innovation.
  3. The rise of Western civilization was influenced by factors like Church initiatives, shifting societal foundations towards commerce, education, and meritocracy.

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

Philosophy bear • 57 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.

Ontological Intervention

Daniel Pinchbeck’s Newsletter • 19 implied HN points • 23 Feb 24
📖 Philosophy Ontology Paradigms 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.

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.

Bring Me My Arrows of Desire

Outlandish Claims • 0 implied HN points • 15 Apr 24
📖 Philosophy Ethics Existence Environmentalism Technology Civilization
  1. Humans have unintentionally caused devastating consequences on the Earth's atmosphere similar to past natural events, leading to the Anthropocene era.
  2. Interacting with the world mindfully can make it a better place by expanding the circle of empathy and caring, creating a 'noosphere' of mindful impact.
  3. Technology and moral development are seen as complementary tools to expand the 'noosphere' and shape a more humane world, striving for a future where suffering is minimized and diversity is embraced.