The hottest Comedy Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
Category
Top Culture Topics
Expanding Dan β€’ 373 implied HN points β€’ 02 Feb 24
  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.
Kevin’s Newsletter β€’ 412 implied HN points β€’ 09 Jan 24
  1. Ukraine ordered gender reassignment surgery for all elite special forces to fight in a surprising way.
  2. The soldiers will march in women's uniforms with special heels designed to pierce tank armor.
  3. Experts believe this tactic might shock Russian troops and be more successful with increased Western funding.
Get a weekly roundup of the best Substack posts, by hacker news affinity:
The Rubesletter by Matt Ruby (of Vooza) | Sent every Tuesday β€’ 641 implied HN points β€’ 05 Mar 24
  1. Enshittification refers to how digital platforms decline over time by abusing users and businesses to benefit themselves before eventually failing.
  2. Public solitude is the ability to feel alone even when in front of a large crowd, allowing one to focus in the present moment or during a performance.
  3. Specieist is a term for prejudice based on species, demonstrated by the debate between Elon Musk and Larry Page over the future of artificial intelligence.
Going Awol β€’ 159 implied HN points β€’ 29 Apr 24
  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.
The Rubesletter by Matt Ruby (of Vooza) | Sent every Tuesday β€’ 570 implied HN points β€’ 28 Feb 24
  1. Many people on social media seem to share a common dislike for the New York Times, perceiving it as biased.
  2. Despite differing opinions on which political direction the NY Times leans towards, the widespread criticism suggests it may actually be achieving balance in its reporting.
  3. Critics of the Times should consider the importance of rigorous journalism and ask if there are better alternative publications out there.
The Rubesletter by Matt Ruby (of Vooza) | Sent every Tuesday β€’ 1211 implied HN points β€’ 15 Aug 23
  1. Many people overinflate their expertise on various topics without proper knowledge.
  2. True wisdom includes admitting when you don't know or when a topic is outside your expertise.
  3. Conspiracy theories and misinformation have become prevalent on the internet, impacting public discourse.
Off-Topic β€’ 523 implied HN points β€’ 28 Feb 24
  1. The post discusses the story of an intense confrontion between a South Carolinian senator and a dog.
  2. The content is zany and delves into long-form narratives.
  3. Readers can support the publication by becoming free or paid subscribers.
A B’Old Woman β€’ 939 implied HN points β€’ 01 Apr 23
  1. A group of friends aimed to find comfort after a canceled women's rally. They ended up at a vegan restaurant, which led to an unexpected confrontation.
  2. One friend accidentally wore a sticker with a controversial statement, causing the restaurant staff to ask them to leave. This led to a humorous but tense exchange.
  3. Ultimately, they chose to leave on their own due to hunger, reflecting on the absurdity of the situation and the reactions of the restaurant staff.
The Rubesletter by Matt Ruby (of Vooza) | Sent every Tuesday β€’ 926 implied HN points β€’ 12 Sep 23
  1. Men's anger can stem from societal pressure to suppress emotions like crying and dancing.
  2. Men need to embrace vulnerability and be attracted to healthier behaviors to combat toxic masculinity.
  3. Women can influence men's behavior by being more attracted to vulnerability and less toxic traits.
The Frontier Psychiatrists β€’ 275 implied HN points β€’ 13 Jan 24
  1. A LinkedIn scam involving a 150m project offer took a dark turn for the author.
  2. The scammer, posing as a boss named Mahmoud, claimed to offer a 200m project.
  3. Despite the author's attempts to engage and seek more information, the interaction turned out to be a waste of time with the scammer revealing their true intentions in the end.
Shades of Greaves β€’ 294 implied HN points β€’ 29 Dec 23
  1. Wizardstack supports freedom of speech and expression, even controversial viewpoints.
  2. Wizardstack allows content that some might find offensive or disturbing, emphasizing the importance of free discourse.
  3. The platform's decision to host diverse perspectives, including extremist ones, sparks debate about censorship versus freedom of expression.
The Common Reader β€’ 496 implied HN points β€’ 24 Jan 24
  1. Jokes are cultural possessions that change over time.
  2. Wit is marked by originality and authorship, reflecting the thoughts well expressed by the author.
  3. Comedians can be performers of jokes, writers of wit, or a combination of both.
Expanding Dan β€’ 432 implied HN points β€’ 27 Feb 23
  1. In 1977, Walter Becker and Donald Fagen showcased their jazz influences on a radio program
  2. Becker and Fagen engaged in confrontational and humorous banter during the broadcast
  3. The interview highlighted the duo's wit and humor, even in the face of criticism
ChinaTalk β€’ 429 implied HN points β€’ 11 Feb 24
  1. Many people found the 2024 Spring Festival Gala to be enjoyable and a hit among the past few years' shows.
  2. The performances included a variety of acts showcasing traditional Chinese arts like drums, dancing, opera, martial arts, and folk songs.
  3. Despite some controversial comedy skits, overall the Gala featured high-quality, impressive performances and a mix of propaganda and entertainment.
The Common Reader β€’ 389 implied HN points β€’ 23 Feb 24
  1. Late bloomers can achieve great success, like the 43-year-old tennis champion Rohan Bopanna
  2. Different paths lead to success - Larry David's comedy career took off in his 20s and 30s
  3. The journey to success may involve struggles and challenges before finding one's true calling
Both Are True β€’ 568 implied HN points β€’ 23 Nov 23
  1. The post suggests a new holiday called Fearsharing where instead of being thankful, people share their fears.
  2. Fearsharing is described as a time to openly discuss fears, such as fear of failure, death, and even being cancelled.
  3. The author expresses gratitude towards readers and acknowledges the importance of the audience in their writing journey.
Photo of the Day β€’ 216 implied HN points β€’ 10 Jan 24
  1. Bob Hope was a beloved entertainer known for his quick, irreverent humor
  2. Bob Hope bridged the gap between soldiers and civilians through his comedy during World War II
  3. Despite criticism in later years, Bob Hope's comedy provided comfort to Americans during challenging times
Read Max β€’ 368 implied HN points β€’ 18 Feb 24
  1. An eerie, witchy '90s fantasy masterpiece was recommended for fans of the genre.
  2. A transcendentally stupid YouTube comedy was highlighted along with a play in New York City for entertainment seekers.
  3. Gorgeous Irish art pop album was suggested for fans of avant-garde music artists like BjΓΆrk and Laurie Anderson.
Disaffected Newsletter β€’ 599 implied HN points β€’ 21 May 23
  1. Plane crash stories are exciting because they bring high drama and tension. The chaotic scenes captivate people more than other disasters like sinking ships.
  2. The narrator comically imagines being in a plane crash and feels overly confident due to watching so many crash shows. This leads to silly situations involving him and the flight crew.
  3. The story mixes humor with a fictional crash scenario while poking fun at flight attendants and the absurdity of emergency situations, making it entertaining.
Funny How: Letters to a Young Comedian β€’ 176 implied HN points β€’ 29 Jan 24
  1. The daughter encouraged her stay-at-home mom to pursue her dream of becoming a stand-up comedian.
  2. The mom received notes of encouragement in a water dispenser gift, which motivated her to start her comedy career.
  3. With support from family and friends, the mom successfully transitioned to becoming a professional comedian.
Austin Kleon β€’ 1458 implied HN points β€’ 27 May 22
  1. Reading can be a great way to escape tough times. Enjoying books like 'Three Men in a Boat' can really lift your spirits.
  2. Connecting with art and culture through activities like museum tours can be inspiring and help you appreciate history.
  3. Taking care of your creative self is important. Good advice includes protecting your time, reading good books, and spending time alone.