The hottest Community Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
Category
Top Culture Topics

Why I have been writing a niche history blog for 15 years

Res Obscura • 5909 implied HN points • 04 Dec 25
💾 History Community
  1. The author has been writing a niche history blog for 15 years because they enjoy sharing unique and interesting historical topics that aren’t widely discussed elsewhere.
  2. The shift from traditional blogging to platforms like Substack has revived their passion for writing and connecting with a community of like-minded readers.
  3. The blogging landscape has changed dramatically over the years, moving away from low-stakes, conversational content to a more click-bait and social media-driven environment.

ACX/Metaculus Prediction Contest 2026

Astral Codex Ten • 4060 implied HN points • 27 Dec 25
📰 News Community
  1. A crowdsourced prediction contest on Metaculus is now live, covering U.S. politics, AI, international affairs, and culture, and you can enter using your regular account or a bot account.
  2. Submit forecasts by January 17 at 11:59 PM PT; a snapshot then determines contest rankings and how the $10,000 prize pool is allocated, and forecasts made after that only affect site leaderboards, not contest rankings.
  3. Organizers announced cash awards for the best question submitters, with the top prize being $700 and several other winners receiving smaller amounts.

Modern life is good actually

Chris Arnade Walks the World • 3119 implied HN points • 06 Jan 26
🎭️ Culture Community
  1. Modern life is much better for most people — longer lives, less poverty, and far better medicine and conveniences.
  2. Technology is largely a net good, but its harms come from how we use it and when it accelerates social isolation instead of strengthening community.
  3. Progress brings painful tradeoffs and displacement that should be managed, but overall moving forward is worth it because it reduces suffering and expands choices.

The carousel keeps turning

Austin Kleon • 5495 implied HN points • 21 Jun 24
🎭️ Culture Community
  1. The newsletter celebrates reaching 200,000 subscribers with a special offer of 20% off paid subscriptions. This helps support the free newsletter for everyone.
  2. There is a blend of personal reflections, like enjoying a vintage stamp carousel, and sharing creative projects and recommendations, such as books and music.
  3. Useful advice on research techniques includes maintaining a routine, taking notes, and exploring diverse perspectives to enrich creativity and learning.

Why are Americans Unhappy?

Chris Arnade Walks the World • 5356 implied HN points • 06 Dec 25
🎭️ Culture Community
  1. Many Americans experience unhappiness despite living in a wealthy country. This dissatisfaction stems from a lack of community and deeper meaning in life, rather than just economic reasons.
  2. The cultural belief in the 'American Dream' pushes people to chase material wealth and success, but when they don't achieve this, it can lead to feelings of failure and isolation.
  3. To improve happiness, we might need to shift our cultural focus away from relentless careerism and towards building community and understanding the value of shared experiences.
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I love America.

Trevor Klee’s Newsletter • 597 implied HN points • 16 Feb 26
🎭️ Culture Community
  1. A deep affection for everyday American life — the food, local places, public spaces, small‑town memories, and the little conveniences that make daily life pleasant.
  2. A real fear that something vital about the country is being lost, with recent years feeling tumultuous and threatening the ordinary freedoms and community norms people rely on.
  3. Pride in core American values like free speech, freedom of religion, cultural restlessness, and the chance for rapid reinvention that lets people create and share new ideas.

Open Thread 410

Astral Codex Ten • 5161 implied HN points • 01 Dec 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Community
  1. There are fundraisers happening for both shrimp and human welfare, and they each have matching donations until the end of the month. So, you can support either cause you care about.
  2. If you prefer social gatherings, there are upcoming rationalist community meetups on the West Coast and East Coast, along with a Solstice celebration you can join.
  3. For those who like reading, there's a new post discussing the arguments around trans athletes in sports, touching on how biological advantages are treated in general sports discussions.

Loneliness: The Epidemic (1/2)

box. • 259 implied HN points • 18 Sep 24
🏥 Health & Wellness Community
  1. Loneliness is not just being alone; it can happen even when you are around others. Many people feel a lack of connection, which is a serious issue for both personal health and community well-being.
  2. Young people are feeling especially lonely, and this trend started before the pandemic. Loneliness affects how we interact with others and can create a cycle that makes it even harder to connect.
  3. We can combat loneliness by actively creating environments that foster belonging. Simple acts, like inviting someone to a gathering or being kind to others, can help people feel more connected and break the cycle of loneliness.

Open Thread 413

Astral Codex Ten • 3372 implied HN points • 22 Dec 25
🎭️ Culture Community
  1. Lightcone Infrastructure runs a lot of the community’s technical and meetup infrastructure (like LessWrong and Lighthaven), they’ve built websites for several AI/community projects, and they’re currently fundraising so you can donate or contact them about larger gifts.
  2. A bio policy group is looking for volunteers to help vaccine expert Stanley Plotkin estimate the medical consequences if the U.S. adopted Denmark’s childhood vaccine schedule; the task would take about 4–10 hours and volunteers can apply via a form.
  3. MIRI is offering an 8‑week technical governance research fellowship in early 2026 that pays $1,200/week, begins with a one‑week intro in Berkeley (travel and lodging provided) and continues remotely, though they don’t sponsor visas.

Northampton MP labels plan to move statues ‘cultural vandalism’

NN Journal • 298 implied HN points • 08 Oct 24
🎭️ Culture Community
  1. Moving the statues is seen as cultural vandalism by MP Lucy Rigby. She believes they should stay in the town center where people can learn about the important figures they represent.
  2. The West Northamptonshire Council is exploring options for using the Guildhall, which has made the statue relocation a topic of discussion. They plan to consult the public before making any decisions.
  3. Local residents feel strongly that the statues belong in their current location. Many consider the historic Guildhall an important part of the town's identity and heritage.

Join Our New Community Chat

The Wolf of Harcourt Street • 219 implied HN points • 10 Oct 24
💼 Business Community
  1. A new community chat has been launched for subscribers to connect and share insights. It's a place for investors to learn from each other and discuss strategies.
  2. The chat does not change the existing newsletter; it simply adds more ways for subscribers to engage. Subscribers can participate in real-time discussions and network with others.
  3. To join the chat, users need to download the Substack app and access the chat feature. It's easy to start, and everyone is welcome to jump in.

It's Coming Around Again

Disaffected Newsletter • 2697 implied HN points • 06 Jul 24
🎭️ Culture Community
  1. Steve is in a peaceful place as he approaches the end of his life, and he feels comforted by the presence of his late wife, Lisa.
  2. Family and friends are coming together to support each other during this difficult time, showing a warm, loving environment.
  3. The narrator reflects on their experience with family gatherings, realizing that not all families have to be filled with conflict and drama.

All the Good Stuff You're Missing on Culture Study

Culture Study • 807 implied HN points • 02 Feb 26
🎭️ Culture Community
  1. Culture Study has moved its main home to Patreon, where you can join as a free or paid subscriber and get help if you need to transfer comp access.
  2. There’s a lot of new Patreon content right now—book club picks, personal essays, podcast and reading recommendations, threads, and a subscriber-only chat—so it’s worth checking out if you’ve been missing the newsletter.
  3. They’re also running weekly fundraisers to help families targeted by ICE, directing donations to rent, meals, and utilities and committing to keep doing that work while the need continues.

Inside the Desert City Where Everyone Is Nuts

Common Sense with Bari Weiss • 324 implied HN points • 19 Feb 26
🎭️ Culture Community
  1. Slab City is billed as the "last free place in America" but is really a patchwork of semi-permanent camps squatting on public land with no running water, official electricity, taxes, or government services.
  2. Many people there are marginalized or broken, trying to find refuge or rebuild their lives, but the place offers few resources and life is harsh.
  3. Lack of formal rules or government doesn’t equal real freedom — it often means isolation, disorder, and difficult survival instead.

Head, heart, hands

Austin Kleon • 2537 implied HN points • 02 Jul 24
🎭️ Culture Community
  1. Our work should connect with our mind, heart, and hands. This balance helps us find fulfillment in what we do.
  2. The original idea of head, heart, and hands is powerful and reminds us of simplicity in our commitments.
  3. Health is seen as a result of taking care of our head, heart, and hands, emphasizing the importance of holistic well-being.

Canada and the U.S. Now Have Something Horrific in Common

Common Sense with Bari Weiss • 426 implied HN points • 12 Feb 26
📰 News Community
  1. A mass shooting at a secondary school in Tumbler Ridge killed and injured many, erasing the belief that school shootings are only an American problem.
  2. The town is tiny and remote, so residents, victims, and the shooter were closely connected and the whole community is deeply traumatized.
  3. Canadian officials used different language and approaches—calling the suspect 'gunperson' and respecting a preferred gender identity—highlighting a distinct national response to such violence.

Charlie Kirk’s Final Message to America

Common Sense with Bari Weiss • 2550 implied HN points • 08 Dec 25
⛪ Faith & Spirituality Community
  1. Set aside one day each week as a true Sabbath by putting away your smartphone and work, and focus on rest, family, and spiritual renewal.
  2. Regularly observing rest can help heal personal and national freneticism by restoring attention to what really matters and reducing constant distraction.
  3. The core message is a hopeful, practical call to change: even if the practice helps just one person, that small change is meaningful.

500!

Steady • 23978 implied HN points • 07 Jul 23
🎭️ Culture Community
  1. The newsletter creators express gratitude for reaching their 500th post.
  2. They value direct communication and community engagement.
  3. Encouragement to keep moving forward and supporting each other during difficult times.

Signals Gold Week 7 Q&A

Stealing Signals • 39 implied HN points • 22 Oct 24
🎾 Sports Community
  1. There's a livestream event happening at 7:30 pm ET this week. You can join to stay updated.
  2. This content is especially for subscribers of the Signals Gold plan, so they get exclusive access.
  3. The post suggests a community vibe where subscribers can engage and ask questions during the Q&A session.

Lunacian Lounge Recap EP3:

The Lunacian • 552 implied HN points • 06 Feb 26
🔮 Crypto Community
  1. Sky Mavis will take big swings in 2026, shifting to a more aggressive and transparent approach to restore the Axie economy and regain market momentum.
  2. bAXS will be a non-tradable in-game balance usable 1:1 for core Axie activities and convertible to liquid AXS at rates tied to a player’s Axie Score; a 100,000 bAXS airdrop will be distributed from a Feb 5, 00:01 UTC snapshot to wallets with at least 10 AXS staked.
  3. Axie Homeland will be sunset and replaced by Terrariums, a persistent land system where Axies generate bAXS and EXP, land items add functional utility, and an MVP is planned for the first half of 2026.

Mental Bric-a-Brac

Disaffected Newsletter • 839 implied HN points • 08 Aug 24
🏥 Health & Wellness Community
  1. Good customer service should be recognized and praised, just like bad service is often complained about. It's important to share positive experiences.
  2. A personal connection with service staff can make a big difference, like when a pharmacist helps save money on medications and explains the options available.
  3. Observing changes in other countries can evoke a sense of concern and hope for their future. There's often a personal connection felt even from afar.

Substack Anniversary

Castalia • 2018 implied HN points • 25 Jun 24
📚 Literature Community
  1. Starting a Substack can be a great decision for writers. It offers a chance to connect with a community and share their work without the typical constraints of traditional publishing.
  2. The challenges of internet writing include keeping readers engaged and dealing with financial uncertainties. Writers should focus on expressing their true thoughts rather than just chasing popularity.
  3. Substack represents a shift in how content can be shared, allowing more freedom for writers. It's seen as a positive alternative to other social media platforms, encouraging meaningful and longer-form writing.

Parricide

Life Since the Baby Boom • 1613 implied HN points • 15 Dec 25
📰 News Community
  1. A brutal murder happened on that block when a mentally disturbed young woman was released and then stabbed her mother, and she’s now back in confinement.
  2. The house where the killing occurred was bought, cleaned and renovated, then sold again, showing that properties with violent histories can be resold and aren’t always searchable in public records.
  3. The offender contacted the new owner from the institution with threatening messages, and the institution assured the owner the woman would not be released.

Tell Us What You're Doing

The Honest Broker • 9940 implied HN points • 26 Jun 25
🎭️ Culture Community
  1. People in the community are engaged in interesting projects. It's great to see that many are still creating and doing things rather than just consuming entertainment.
  2. The open mic format encourages sharing personal projects, which can inspire others to be active and creative too.
  3. Reading about these projects can spark new ideas and motivate those who may have stopped doing things recently.

Reflections From Leading the Board of a Small Music Nonprofit

Atlas of Wonders and Monsters • 390 implied HN points • 07 Feb 26
🎶 Music Community
  1. Many small nonprofits run on unpaid volunteer labor, and stepping up to serve on a board is a meaningful, often rewarding way to keep them going.
  2. Keeping a small arts group running is mostly admin work — email, shared drives, and a bank account. Good documentation and capable people make it manageable, but high turnover still erodes institutional memory.
  3. Leadership jobs often fall to reluctant volunteers. They can be satisfying and build friendships, but they also bring stress, problems with unreliable members, and risk of burnout.

🎓 On cohort-based sociopolitical systems in East Africa

Obsidian Iceberg • 119 implied HN points • 10 Oct 24
🎭️ Culture Community
  1. Age-sets are groups formed based on age, which help organize communities in East Africa. This system allows people to learn and gain experiences together as they transition through different life stages.
  2. Age-sets contribute to peace by preventing violent power shifts and promoting cooperation within communities. When people share experiences, they bond, which can help reduce conflict.
  3. In modern times, age-sets still influence leadership and governance in some regions. Leaders are chosen based on wisdom and experience rather than wealth, showing a different approach to community leadership.

Five Years

Culture Study • 6142 implied HN points • 17 Aug 25
🎭️ Culture Community
  1. Leaving a traditional job can give you the freedom to create and write what truly interests you. It allows you to shape your own career path and connect with your audience in a more meaningful way.
  2. Building a curious community around your work can lead to deeper conversations and explorations of topics. Engaging with readers and encouraging their questions fosters a collaborative and enriching environment.
  3. Having control over your content means you can explore diverse ideas without worrying constantly about popularity or metrics. This freedom allows for more thoughtful writing and the ability to reflect on important cultural discussions.

🎄 I just gifted you 14 days' membership

Jacob’s Tech Tavern • 1312 implied HN points • 19 Dec 25
🕹 Technology Community
  1. Paid subscribers were gifted 14 days of membership.
  2. A two-week break is planned over Christmas because of a busy interview schedule and family time with kids off school.
  3. New readers can start a 7-day free trial to access the full post and archives, and existing paid subscribers can sign in to continue reading.

How I Learned to Stop Worrying and "Love" The Collapse

OK Doomer • 196 implied HN points • 20 Feb 26
🌞 Climate & Environment Community
  1. People are moving past mourning the old future and choosing practical action. They’re learning skills like growing food, installing power systems, and staying healthy to survive and thrive.
  2. Community resilience is rising as friends and neighbors start homesteading where they live and building local networks and shared resources. At the same time, people are staying cautious about what they share and who they trust.
  3. The larger system is collapsing, so the focus has shifted from trying to save it to making a soft landing and building alternative systems. The priority now is preserving what can survive and creating practical, local solutions.

100 things that made my year

Austin Kleon • 9152 implied HN points • 02 Jan 24
🎭️ Culture Community
  1. Celebrating small joys can boost happiness, like watching nature unfold around you or enjoying simple meals with family.
  2. Connections with friends and family, whether through conversations or shared activities, are vital for a fulfilling life.
  3. Taking time for self-reflection and personal growth helps you appreciate the present and improves overall well-being.

Readers are voting with their dollars for a better culture

read • 14151 implied HN points • 20 Jul 23
💼 Business Community
  1. Readers have pledged over $8.5 million to writers on Substack in just six months.
  2. Pledges show writers that their work is valued and can help create a better media culture.
  3. Substack provides tools for writers to have ownership, a direct relationship with readers, and a better financial model.

A Note Of Gratitude And Appreciation

Caitlin’s Newsletter • 1816 implied HN points • 25 Nov 25
🎭️ Culture Community
  1. Packing and sending physical books was a joyful, hands-on way to connect with readers, and even the stressful mistakes felt meaningful.
  2. There is deep gratitude for the supporters whose financial and emotional backing made this crowdfunded creative life possible, and personal touches like handwritten notes made the relationship feel real.
  3. Creating and sharing tangible art with family felt vital in an increasingly digital and AI-driven world, showing how physical, human rituals help preserve connection and humanity.

‘It’s about changing minds. I want to make choosing bhangra ‘normal’ for everyone.’

NN Journal • 139 implied HN points • 05 Oct 24
🎭️ Culture Community
  1. Bhangra is a fun and energetic dance from Punjab that is great exercise. It has traditional roots but now mixes with popular music and fitness classes.
  2. Everyone is welcome to join Bhangra classes, no matter their background or skill level. The focus is on inclusivity and making dance enjoyable for everyone.
  3. Dancing Bhangra can help improve mental health and build confidence. It's not just about physical activity; it also provides a break from everyday stress.

A Season of Creative Partnerships

Tech and Tea • 164 implied HN points • 18 Feb 26
💼 Business Community
  1. Leaving full-time work opened up creative energy that’s now being poured into collaborative projects with friends, and building together feels energizing and leverages complementary strengths.
  2. Practical offerings have been launched—courses like DRI Your Career and EM Survival Guide plus a fractional leadership firm (Noodle Labs)—all designed to be accessible, hands-on support for early-stage teams and managers.
  3. Making space for creativity is still a priority through a journaling course and small local projects like a neighborhood trinket trade box, emphasizing meaningful, joyful work over things that must scale.

Delivering the Equality Vote

The Status Kuo • 6348 implied HN points • 11 Feb 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Community
  1. Supporting the Human Rights Campaign through donations can help fight for equality, specifically for trans youth and their families facing discrimination.
  2. Donating to HRC not only funds critical missions but also mobilizes equality voters in key battleground states for the upcoming presidential election.
  3. Taking concrete steps, like sending donations, can make a significant impact in pushing back against discriminatory policies and empowering marginalized communities.

How to Break Free from Dopamine Culture

The Honest Broker • 44184 implied HN points • 04 Mar 24
🏥 Health & Wellness Community
  1. Minimize reliance on scrolling and swiping interfaces to avoid falling into addictive traps engineered by tech companies.
  2. Rediscover real-world applications like learning skills and connecting with the community, which provide personal empowerment and genuine experiences.
  3. Immerse yourself in longer, immersive experiences like listening to music or engaging in rituals to break free from the shallow stimuli of modern technology.