The hottest Community Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
Category
Top Culture Topics

The Middle Kingdom

Men Yell at Me • 405 implied HN points • 21 May 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Community
  1. The Midwest is a place rich in community and belonging, representing a complex mix of culture and history. People in both rural and urban areas once found a sense of hope and connection there.
  2. Dividing America into 'red' and 'blue' overlooks the rich stories and lives in each community, which are tied to the country's broader democracy. It's important to remember that personal experiences are part of the larger political picture.
  3. The upcoming book 'The Middle Kingdom' will explore what democracy should look like and how individuals and communities can come together in love and care, embracing all parts of society, including its flaws.

Two Communities

David Friedman’s Substack • 305 implied HN points • 02 Jul 25
🎭️ Culture Community
  1. Porcfest and Less Online are two different events with unique cultures. Porcfest has a more casual, practical vibe while Less Online focuses on rationality and future tech.
  2. The people at Porcfest tend to be more traditional, with a mix of families and libertarians, whereas Less Online attracts more intellectuals who often reject conventional beliefs, including religion.
  3. Both events differ greatly in cost and organization, with Less Online being more structured and expensive compared to the decentralized, more affordable Porcfest.

Case Study: Feÿtopia

Supernuclear • 659 implied HN points • 19 Sep 23
🏝 Travel Community
  1. Feÿtopia is a seasonal community in a French castle that operates as a coliving space and venue for rent.
  2. The community at Feÿtopia consists of diverse individuals who come together to experiment with different ways of living and foster a sense of intellectual and emotional engagement.
  3. Feÿtopia's inner workings involve communal responsibilities, varied activities, and a focus on contributing to the local community and economy beyond the castle.

Anniversary

Castalia • 699 implied HN points • 24 Jun 23
🎭️ Culture Community
  1. Writing is a personal journey, and it's important to express yourself authentically without worrying about pleasing others. This way, you can share your true thoughts and experiences here.
  2. There’s a shift happening in writing that values individual voices over traditional publishing authority. People want to hear from real individuals rather than just big organizations.
  3. Writing can be an ongoing process where you learn and grow while sharing. It's possible to merge your work and personal interests, making writing something you love to do all the time.
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A Short Update + Giveaway Winners!

Am I Doing This Right? • 530 implied HN points • 04 Jul 23
🎭️ Culture Community
  1. The author thanks the readers for engaging with their content and shares excitement at having over 2000 followers.
  2. There is a poll for selecting the champion baby dragon on Instagram.
  3. Readers are invited to participate in voting for the best dragon in the bracket on Instagram.

Unexpected possibilities

Meaningness • 239 implied HN points • 17 Feb 24
🕹 Technology Community
  1. The author is exploring new ways to interact with readers, seeking feedback to be more useful and considering the balance between writing and engaging with the community.
  2. Using a platform's features like 'Notes' to share quarter-baked ideas and encourage reader interaction, but facing challenges like visibility for subscribers.
  3. The author is contemplating the frequency of informal multi-topic update posts, seeking feedback on whether readers find them interesting or view them as clutter.

Hidden Open Thread 362.5

Astral Codex Ten • 757 implied HN points • 02 Jan 25
🎭️ Culture Community
  1. This is a special thread for paid subscribers to discuss various topics freely. It's a place for open conversation and sharing ideas.
  2. The post seems to be part of a larger series, suggesting that the author shares ongoing content for their audience's engagement.
  3. Visual elements are included to capture attention, indicating that the author values a dynamic presentation of their content.

An Atmospheric River of Links and Recs

Culture Study • 2051 implied HN points • 28 Jan 24
🎭️ Culture Community
  1. The author shares about fulfilling Trans Santa gifts with donations and the impact it had, showcasing the power of community support.
  2. The post discusses upcoming content on resistance to the Airbnb Space decorating style and invites readers to share their experiences with alternative rental aesthetics.
  3. The author mentions enjoying reading a fantasy series and gathering various links and recommendations to share with paid subscribers.

Hidden Open Thread 365.5

Astral Codex Ten • 688 implied HN points • 23 Jan 25
🎭️ Culture Community
  1. This post is meant for paid subscribers only. If you want to read it, you need to subscribe.
  2. There is a discussion happening in the comments section that you can join if you are a subscriber.
  3. The post seems to be a way for subscribers to engage and share thoughts on various topics.

Thank You!

Unpopular Front • 58 implied HN points • 26 Nov 25
🎭️ Culture Community
  1. The newsletter is approaching its fifth anniversary, which is a significant milestone. It's a celebration of the journey and the community built over the years.
  2. The support from paying subscribers has been essential in keeping the newsletter alive and thriving. It's a reminder of how important community backing is for any project.
  3. The newsletter started after the author experienced a layoff, showing how challenges can lead to new opportunities and creativity. It highlights resilience in difficult times.

Announcing LiveNearFriends

Supernuclear • 759 implied HN points • 04 Aug 23
🕹 Technology Community
  1. Living near friends can make you happier by 50%, according to a Harvard study
  2. LiveNearFriends helps you find homes within a 5-minute walk of friends or family
  3. The ideal social distance for happy relationships is a 5-minute walk, making interactions easy and convenient

The End of Rebel Wisdom and What's Next

The Bigger Picture • 1178 implied HN points • 18 Nov 22
🎭️ Culture Community
  1. Rebel Wisdom is coming to an end, but new initiatives are on the horizon with a focus on sensemaking, philosophy, and cultural context.
  2. David will collaborate with Perspectiva on a new project in 2023, recasting Rebel Wisdom's YouTube channel and courses.
  3. Alexander will continue with a new Substack called 'The Bigger Picture' starting from tomorrow, featuring exclusive content on trauma, heterodoxy, and pop culture.

In search of simplicity

The Recovering Academic • 494 implied HN points • 05 Sep 23
⛪ Faith & Spirituality Community
  1. Simplicity in life can bring greater joy and contentment, like the experience of a cool breeze on a perfect day.
  2. Consumerism and materialism often disguise themselves as gifts, leading to disappointment and a sense of lack.
  3. Guiding children towards simplicity while balancing the influences of a consumer-driven society is a challenging yet important task for parents.

Run ski baby jogger adventure finish birthday marathon

Splattern • 119 implied HN points • 27 Apr 24
🎾 Sports Community
  1. There is a marathon happening in Seattle on May 1 at 10 am to celebrate a birthday. It’s open to the public and designed to be fun with stops at beaches and chocolate stores.
  2. Participants can join the run at any checkpoint and are encouraged to have conversations along the way. The runner wants to share this experience with others who have supported their journey.
  3. The route includes various checkpoints, and there's a relaxed vibe with time estimates for when to expect the runner at each point. It's all about enjoying the adventure together.

The Sports Economy Is More Than Stadiums

The New Urban Order • 139 implied HN points • 10 Apr 24
🎾 Sports Community
  1. The sports economy involves more than just building stadiums, with a focus on combining sports with other economic activities like housing and retail to create sustainable developments.
  2. There is increasing skepticism about the economic benefits of public subsidies for stadiums, with citizens and governments becoming more cautious about investing in such projects.
  3. The concept of 'stadium neighborhoods' is evolving, with a shift towards creating more holistic developments that offer amenities beyond just sports entertainment, emphasizing urban recreation and community needs.

Open Call 2024

Do Not Research • 359 implied HN points • 04 Dec 23
🎨 Art & Illustration Community
  1. Do Not Research is accepting submissions for their next issue in 2024, including art, essays, videos and more.
  2. All submissions should be work created within the last year, and contributors will be paid an honorarium and receive a complimentary lifetime membership.
  3. The deadline for submissions is January 15th, 2024. Submissions should be sent via email to [email protected].

Welcome, and thank you

Disaffected Newsletter • 639 implied HN points • 28 Jul 23
🎙 Podcasts Community
  1. Thank you for subscribing to this Substack. It feels great to know people enjoy the content!
  2. Check out the weekly podcast for more fun stories and commentary. It's available on Rumble and YouTube every Sunday.
  3. Supporting through subscriptions helps with the costs of running the platform. Your support is really appreciated!

Sunday at home with a king

Disaffected Newsletter • 939 implied HN points • 16 Apr 23
🎭️ Culture Community
  1. The writer has a special morning routine with their cat named Shredder. They share a moment each day over coffee, even if Shredder prefers not to drink it.
  2. Shredder is a 15-year-old cat who weighs 16 pounds, showing that older pets can still have their own little rituals.
  3. Subscribing to the newsletter helps support the care and feeding of Shredder, highlighting the bond between the writer and their pet.

The Little House Down the Street

Restoring Truth • 275 implied HN points • 15 Jan 24
🎭️ Culture Community
  1. In a neighborhood of luxurious homes, one old 1950's ranch stood still in time, becoming a silent icon of simplicity.
  2. The elderly woman who lived in the old house spent her days tending to her garden, symbolizing patience and dedication amidst a changing landscape.
  3. Despite progress and modernization, the timeless wisdom found in old books and artifacts can outlive the trends of the day.

The Distant Sun

Becoming Noble • 478 implied HN points • 21 Jul 23
🌍 World Politics Community
  1. The protection of space and claimed faith allowed a community to operate in secrecy and avoid legal intervention.
  2. Owning a large swath of land provided a secretive community with distance from scrutiny and protection from outside interference.
  3. Lessons from secretive communities can be applied to identify opportunities for invoking similar protective measures.

News & Views

The Abbey of Misrule • 295 implied HN points • 07 Jun 25
🎭️ Culture Community
  1. Taking a break is sometimes necessary for our health. It's okay to slow down, especially when you feel unwell.
  2. A new book is coming out soon, and there are plans for a North American tour. This is an exciting time with many activities to promote the book.
  3. Plans for a podcast mini-series are underway to explore the book's themes in conversation with others. Engaging with different perspectives can bring deeper insights.

Moldavite Wants to Be Free

Default Wisdom • 218 implied HN points • 27 Jul 25
🎭️ Culture Community
  1. People often seek out magical experiences to feel special and connected. This can lead to a desire for community and belief in things like crystals and spiritual practices.
  2. Relationships with charismatic individuals can deeply influence our beliefs and choices, sometimes even affecting our mental health and decisions regarding medication.
  3. Even when someone recognizes the flaws in their beliefs or experiences, the search for meaning and understanding often continues. It's a journey of exploration, even if that exploration sometimes feels empty.

That's a wrap!

atomic14 • 692 implied HN points • 23 Dec 24
🕹 Technology Community
  1. The speaker has had a busy year filled with exciting projects, including working on small tech boards and experimenting with new materials.
  2. They recently launched the ESP32 Rainbow project, which is fully funded and aimed to be a product soon, with interesting development challenges along the way.
  3. The speaker thanks their supporters, including Patreons, and looks forward to sharing more content and projects in the new year.

Why Should I?

Wild Holy & Free • 739 implied HN points • 19 Jul 23
⛪ Faith & Spirituality Community
  1. The author finds joy and inspiration in writing and crafting every sentence.
  2. The author sold a new book project and is excited about the creative process.
  3. Updates on a Patreon meeting, Jay Z's Anti Book Ban Initiative, and Illinois abolishing cash bail.

Should You Believe the Hype About Miami?

The New Urban Order • 259 implied HN points • 16 Jan 24
🏝 Travel Community
  1. Miami reflects modern American obsessions with beauty, pleasure, money, technology, and escapism.
  2. Despite the hype, Miami is facing a net population loss, especially in its expensive areas like Miami Beach.
  3. The concept of a city is evolving to include virtual elements, connecting people based on shared experiences and work rather than physical location.

300 words for 300 posts

Boundless by Paul Millerd • 283 implied HN points • 09 Jun 25
🎭️ Culture Community
  1. Having a regular writing practice helps keep creativity flowing. It's a great way to express thoughts and connect with others.
  2. Quality doesn't always need to be perfect; what's important is to keep sharing. Sometimes, just getting your ideas out is the best part of the process.
  3. Building a community around your work can lead to unexpected friendships and opportunities. Engaging with your audience is rewarding and fulfilling.

SITREP

THREE SEVEN MAFIA • 1079 implied HN points • 17 Mar 23
🎭️ Culture Community
  1. Community support is valued and acknowledged.
  2. Engagement on personal platforms is prioritized over social media.
  3. Projects are being actively worked on, with plans for exclusive content in the future.

Warm Holiday Greetings from The Hinternet

Justin E. H. Smith's Hinternet • 639 implied HN points • 24 Dec 24
🎭️ Culture Community
  1. The author feels a strong connection to their work and has embraced writing authentically without worrying about others' opinions. This has helped them tap into deep creative ideas.
  2. In 2024, the publication grew significantly and became more like a magazine, bringing on staff and accepting guest pieces. This has created a sense of community among younger writers.
  3. The author hopes to increase paid subscriptions to support future projects and plans for 2025. They welcome all kinds of support, whether it's through subscriptions or simply sharing their work with others.

The Politics of Names

Street Smart Naturalist: Explorations of the Urban Kind • 379 implied HN points • 09 Nov 23
🎭️ Culture Community
  1. Place and species names often reflect who named them, usually white men, which can ignore the stories of local people and cultures. It’s important to understand the history behind these names.
  2. The American Ornithological Society wants to change bird names that honor problematic people to make them more inclusive and focus on the birds themselves. This change means letting go of some historical stories that are tied to those names.
  3. Exploring new names can help build connections to nature and understand different perspectives. Learning from the local knowledge of traditional communities can enrich our appreciation of the natural world.

December 24, 2025

Letters from an American • 34 implied HN points • 25 Dec 25
⛪ Faith & Spirituality Community
  1. Warm holiday wishes are offered to everyone, whether they celebrate or not.
  2. There is gratitude for those who are fortunate this year to have a roof over their heads, food to eat, and loved ones nearby.
  3. There is empathy for people who are struggling and a hopeful reminder that Christmas marks the time when the light starts to return.

Hidden Open Thread 392.5

Astral Codex Ten • 206 implied HN points • 31 Jul 25
🎭️ Culture Community
  1. This thread is meant for paid subscribers only. It’s a place to share thoughts and engage with others.
  2. Subscribers can share their questions and ideas, making it an interactive space.
  3. It offers a chance to connect and discuss topics that matter beyond regular posts.