The hottest Comedy Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
Category
Top Culture Topics

Processing: How Sam Bett Translated Osamu Dazai

Counter Craft • 265 implied HN points • 18 Feb 25
📚 Literature Translation Comedy Writing process Autofiction
  1. Osamu Dazai was a complex Japanese writer known for both his dark themes and comedic elements. His work resonates with many young readers today because it feels relatable and authentic.
  2. Translating comedy is challenging, but understanding the original's voice and humor is key. The translator's job is to recreate that humor in a way that makes sense in the new language.
  3. Dazai's characters openly express their emotions, which is different from many Western depictions of masculinity. This openness allows readers to connect more deeply with the characters' emotional experiences.

Reclamation: The Fempire Strikes Back

The Reclamation Era • 79 implied HN points • 05 Aug 24
🎭️ Culture Gender Issues Comedy Storytelling Performing Arts Women empowerment
  1. Women are speaking out about topics that are often seen as taboo, like relationships and aging. This honesty helps to break down barriers and opens up important conversations.
  2. Supporting female-led performances and productions is a way of resisting the suppression of women's voices. Events like 'Reclamation: The Fempire Strikes Back' celebrate women's stories through comedy and storytelling.
  3. The focus of these discussions is on real-life experiences, including motherhood and identity. Sharing personal stories allows women to connect and support each other in navigating life's challenges.

Introducing I Might Be Wrong Komedy Klass

I Might Be Wrong • 7 implied HN points • 11 Feb 25
😂 Humor Stand-up Comedy Writing Performance Education
  1. Comedy is meant to be fun, not a serious career path. If you're doing it just for enjoyment, that's what counts.
  2. Taking a comedy class can be helpful, but it's not necessary. Many successful comedians never took classes at all.
  3. The new Komedy Klass is a free resource where you can share your comedy work and get positive feedback, making it a supportive space.

1,000 Words About A One-Liner

Technohumanism • 79 implied HN points • 28 Jul 24
🎭️ Culture Writing Comedy Technology AI Communication
  1. Even with new technology, old writing lessons are still important. It's key to understand the basics of humor for effective writing.
  2. Humor can be challenging, but learning from failed attempts can help improve skills. Just like understanding a joke, getting good at writing takes practice.
  3. Making connections between topics can inspire creativity. For example, thinking about whales and AI sparked a unique comedic idea.
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Life imitates comedy

Austin Kleon • 3397 implied HN points • 13 Jan 23
🎭️ Culture Art Music Cinema Literature Comedy
  1. Life often reflects comedy, showing how funny situations can mirror our daily experiences.
  2. Reading multiple books at once can spark creativity, as different ideas interact and inspire new thoughts.
  3. The acceptance speeches at the Golden Globes highlighted themes of resilience and the importance of perseverance in life.

What people are getting wrong about bro comedy podcasts

The Rubesletter by Matt Ruby (of Vooza) | Sent every Tuesday • 570 implied HN points • 13 Nov 24
🎙 Podcasts Comedy Politics Media Culture Entertainment
  1. Not all comedians lean right. Many are just looking for attention and will say what they think audiences want to hear.
  2. Standup comedy is diverse, with many different styles and viewpoints. Watching it live shows a wider range than what you might see online.
  3. Comedians aren’t modern-day philosophers; they're entertainers. They crack jokes and often push boundaries, but it's all in good fun.

Comedy and Culture Wars: Why Laughter is the Antidote to Polarisation

rebelwisdom • 648 implied HN points • 26 Jan 24
🎭️ Culture Comedy Identity Social Issues Activism Art
  1. Humor can help shift polarisation in culture by allowing us to laugh at ourselves and break free from the seriousness of current societal tensions.
  2. Comedy has historically faced censorship and backlash, but the rise of social media has changed how outrage is expressed and impacts comedy.
  3. Laughter can lead to cognitive flexibility, social bonding, and breaking us free from rigid frames of thought, making comedy a powerful tool for cultural change.

Can the Policy Community Make Fun of Itself?

Kibao • 119 implied HN points • 28 Jun 24
🎭️ Culture Comedy Science Policy Satire Humor
  1. Scientists use humor to critique and cope with the challenges in their fields, creating a shared experience.
  2. The scientific community embraces humor through platforms like the Annals of Improbable Research and the Ig Nobel Prize.
  3. While scientists engage in self-deprecating humor, the policy community lacks a culture of lighthearted critique due to the seriousness of their work.

Dingus of the week: Tony Hinchcliffe

Men Yell at Me • 472 implied HN points • 01 Nov 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Comedy Racism Free speech Political Satire Social Commentary
  1. Tony Hinchcliffe made racist jokes at a Trump rally that many people found offensive. His comments included stereotypes about Puerto Ricans, Black people, and Latinos.
  2. While some support Hinchcliffe, many others, including celebrities, called out his jokes as racist and demanded better from comedians.
  3. There is a growing concern about free speech and the consequences of making offensive jokes. Some feel people should laugh at all jokes, even if they are hurtful, while others believe that jokes can reveal deeper prejudices.

The Plot of All Superhero Movies...

So Here’s a Thing • 1101 implied HN points • 18 Mar 23
🎭️ Culture Movies Superheroes Comedy
  1. Superhero movies often feature a battle in a street early on, showcasing massive CGI scenes
  2. A significant portion of superhero movies involves superheroes standing and talking sternly, looking serious
  3. Superhero movies often include scenes where a young lady tells off the superhero, adding both levity and a sense of accountability

Dingus of the week: Thanksdingus

Men Yell at Me • 363 implied HN points • 29 Nov 24
😂 Humor Comedy Satire Thanksgiving Relationships Social Commentary
  1. During family gatherings, some people like to insult kids or teens, thinking it makes them look better. It's just mean and unnecessary.
  2. It's not okay to show up empty-handed at Thanksgiving and then brag about not bringing anything. Everyone should contribute somehow.
  3. People shouldn't talk about calories or criticize food that others enjoy during a holiday meal. It's rude to ruin the fun for everyone else.

Everything Old Is New Again in 2024

Drezner’s World • 569 implied HN points • 25 Jan 24
🎭️ Culture Politics Comedy Television Satire Entertainment
  1. The likelihood of a Joe Biden-Donald Trump rematch in the 2024 election is high, causing mixed reactions among Americans.
  2. The return of Jon Stewart to 'The Daily Show' as a host and executive producer in 2024 is seen as a major event for Comedy Central and Paramount Global.
  3. Stewart's comeback is anticipated to bring comedic relief and potentially influence the political landscape with his unique perspective.

RIP Richard Lewis

Castalia • 399 implied HN points • 11 Mar 24
🎭️ Culture Television Comedy Media Entertainment Society
  1. Richard Lewis brought a unique, quirky energy to 'Curb Your Enthusiasm,' standing out with his odd style and humor. His character provided a fun contrast to Larry David's more serious nature.
  2. The show uses clever storytelling, intertwining multiple plotlines that come together in unexpected ways. This structure keeps viewers engaged and makes every episode entertaining.
  3. Despite cultural shifts, 'Curb' remained popular by addressing everyday annoyances and experiences relatable to many. It skillfully balanced humor with observations about life, ensuring it stayed relevant over the years.

A complete guide to pretending you saw the total solar eclipse

escape the algorithm • 299 implied HN points • 08 Apr 24
😂 Humor Satire Comedy Entertainment
  1. You can pretend you saw the total solar eclipse by studying up on key information and being vague about your experience.
  2. To fake that you saw the eclipse, create a fake accidental photo and edit it to make it look realistic.
  3. Keep talking about the eclipse to maintain the facade of having witnessed the event, reminding people at every opportunity.

Emotional Armor with Michael Malice

Rob Henderson's Newsletter • 492 implied HN points • 10 Oct 24
🎙 Podcasts Interviews Comedy Culture Media Conversations
  1. Emotional armor helps people cope with tough situations. It’s like a protective shield that keeps negative feelings at bay.
  2. Humor is a great way to deal with serious topics. Laughing can lighten heavy discussions and make them more enjoyable.
  3. Connecting with others through shared experiences can make hard times easier. Talking about feelings and experiences can help build strong bonds.

The A.I. Bloodhounds Are on My Trail

I Might Be Wrong • 11 implied HN points • 30 Jan 25
🕹 Technology AI Comedy Writing Content creation Automation
  1. A new AI chatbot called DeepSeek is improving and could be a threat to writers. It shows a better grasp of comedy than previous AI versions, making some writers concerned about their future.
  2. The AI's attempts at humor mimic certain styles but still struggle with logic and factual accuracy. It can copy formats and jokes, but often misses the mark on meaningful analysis.
  3. Despite the AI's growing capabilities, it lacks a true understanding of context or truth, which means human writers still have an edge when it comes to creating content that makes sense.

Friday Funnies: Resistance is Futile

Who is Robert Malone • 41 implied HN points • 27 Dec 24
😂 Humor Comedy Satire Memes Political Humor Social Commentary
  1. Christmas is approaching, and it seems like people are sharing leftover holiday humor. It’s a good time to enjoy some light-hearted fun.
  2. Some individuals feel that certain groups don’t understand or acknowledge their current situations. It can be frustrating when others seem out of touch.
  3. The importance of a supportive community is emphasized. It's nice to uplift each other and not let negativity spoil the mood.

POOP

Ask E. Jean • 923 implied HN points • 06 Apr 23
😂 Humor Satire Parody Comedy
  1. The post discusses regularity and habits related to bowel movements.
  2. It asks about methods like staying on schedule, using laxatives, and other practices.
  3. The bonus section talks about getting ideas on the toilet and references historical figures.

Why you can't bring a roast to a rally

The Rubesletter by Matt Ruby (of Vooza) | Sent every Tuesday • 427 implied HN points • 30 Oct 24
🎭️ Culture Comedy Politics Social Issues Performance Arts
  1. Comedy works best in the right context. A roast at a comedy club is different from jokes at a political rally. The audience needs to understand that it’s supposed to be funny.
  2. Intentions behind jokes matter, but so does the setting. If the environment is charged with negativity or hostility, jokes might not land well.
  3. Fame can be tricky in comedy. Just because someone is popular online doesn’t mean everyone knows them. This disconnect can change how people react to their humor.

Violent Rioters at Berkeley. In Defense of Self-Driving Cars. Richard Lewis, RIP

Common Sense with Bari Weiss • 1456 implied HN points • 29 Feb 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Free speech National Security Political Figures First Amendment Comedy
  1. Maintaining the distinction between speech and violence is crucial in civil society.
  2. Self-driving cars are safer than those driven by humans and can help reduce the high number of road deaths.
  3. Texas A&M decided to shut down its Qatar campus due to national security concerns related to the school's relationship with Qatar and its ties to groups like Hamas and Iran.

My new standup special just went live on YouTube

The Rubesletter by Matt Ruby (of Vooza) | Sent every Tuesday • 213 implied HN points • 10 Jan 25
🎭️ Culture Comedy Entertainment Media Performing Arts Social Issues
  1. A new standup special just came out on YouTube, and it's all about funny topics like dating, cancel culture, and more. It's meant to be a laugh and worth checking out.
  2. The special is his first release after a previous project involving performing on substances, and it's focused entirely on traditional standup humor.
  3. Sharing the special can help it gain more views, which is important for its success on YouTube. So if you enjoy it, consider sharing it with friends.

Did Dave Chappelle and Ricky Gervais really sink to new depths?

The Rubesletter by Matt Ruby (of Vooza) | Sent every Tuesday • 1568 implied HN points • 09 Jan 24
🎭️ Culture Comedy Social media Activism Criticism
  1. Critics say Dave Chappelle and Ricky Gervais' new specials are punching down, not insightful or funny.
  2. The target of their jokes may not be the marginalized groups they seem to mock, but those who display moral superiority online.
  3. Social media outrage often simplifies complex issues, but there can be funny jokes about anyone as long as they're thoughtful and original.

Richard Lewis will not curb his enthusiasm for Steely Dan

Expanding Dan • 373 implied HN points • 02 Feb 24
🎶 Music Interview Comedy Music Industry
  1. Richard Lewis is a dedicated fan of Steely Dan and enjoys their storytelling approach to music.
  2. Larry David, a close friend of Richard Lewis, is likely a fan of Steely Dan, but keeps his musical knowledge private.
  3. Richard Lewis and Larry David have a playful dynamic regarding Larry's off-key singing during breaks while filming Curb Your Enthusiasm.

Hallucination and Humour

Going Awol • 159 implied HN points • 29 Apr 24
😂 Humor Comedy Satire Philosophy Writing Culture
  1. Humor often arises from incongruity, where there's a mismatch between what's expected and what happens. In writing, overly incongruous humor might be mistaken for AI-generated content.
  2. The suspicion of AI-generated writing can discourage writers from using certain types of humor, creating an incentive to avoid being accused of cheating.
  3. As technology improves and AI becomes more sophisticated in generating content, it may lead writers to lean towards more sensible and less conspicuously incongruous humor.