The hottest Community Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
Category
Top Culture Topics

What If We Just Stopped?

Anima Mundi • 391 implied HN points • 23 Jan 26
🎭️ Culture Community
  1. Modern life makes people trade their time and energy for pay that mostly goes to rent and survival, leaving little time for family, rest, or meaningful work.
  2. The system depends on individual participation, so mass withdrawal—through coordinated actions like mutual aid, rent boycotts, and collective care—can break its power.
  3. Start small by forming trusted groups (ten people) to share food, shelter, childcare, and support, and scale those networks into a new, simpler economy that gives everyone enough.

The best of America

Disaffected Newsletter • 1079 implied HN points • 04 Jul 24
🎭️ Culture Community
  1. A song can capture deep feelings of home and nostalgia, even if it's not officially patriotic.
  2. Personal memories tied to music can evoke strong emotions and comforting moments.
  3. The power of music often brings back memories of loved ones and shared experiences, making it special.

The Second Annual Blog Post Competition, Extravaganza, and Jamboree

Experimental History • 7495 implied HN points • 27 May 25
🎭️ Culture Community
  1. The internet is a big experiment we're all part of, and everyone can contribute to how it turns out. Your actions online can shape this space, so don't just sit back and watch!
  2. Blogging is like a block party where everyone is welcome. More voices can make the experience richer, so don't be afraid to jump in and share your thoughts.
  3. There's a chance for everyone to be heard on the internet. Even if you think no one will listen, your unique perspective might be just what someone else is looking for.
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The Unexpected Benefits of Starting a Small-Scale Dahlia Operation

Culture Study • 4744 implied HN points • 07 Aug 25
🎭️ Culture Community
  1. Starting a dahlia operation can bring unexpected joys, like learning and growing alongside friends. It's a fun hobby that challenges you and helps you bond with others.
  2. Doing something like dahlia farming allows for creativity and collaboration without the stress of profit-making. It's about enjoying the process together rather than worrying about making money.
  3. Growing dahlias helps you notice small details in life and creates a sense of calm. It's a rewarding experience that connects you to nature and your community.

Food not Bombs and our collective problem

Philosophy bear • 85 implied HN points • 28 Feb 26
🎭️ Culture Community
  1. Social isolation is a big problem: it makes people unhappy, harms democratic participation, and leaves them powerless to organise together.
  2. Community needs to be open, aimed at sustaining or growing itself, and meet at regular, legible times and places so people can reliably form lasting ties.
  3. Mutual-aid projects like Food Not Bombs show that ‘helping as play’ builds fun, resilient community, but groups must share responsibility, avoid single points of failure, and set clear limits to prevent burnout or unsustainable dependency.

Muller and Koppel on Jews in Israel and America

In My Tribe • 364 implied HN points • 13 Jan 26
🎭️ Culture Community
  1. In America, Jews face a choice between assimilating into wider society or keeping a distinct tribal identity. Many younger Jews today are moving toward one extreme or the other instead of staying in the middle.
  2. In Israel the main fault line is how Jewish law and communal life relate to the state rather than a question of assimilation. Current debates about judges and religion reflect that tension, though there is some hope for an uneasy equilibrium where secular and observant Israelis coexist.
  3. Israel’s strong family and communal ties create high levels of happiness and protect against isolation, while America’s institutional strengths come with more social loneliness. Each country could benefit by preserving its strengths and avoiding decline in the other area.

Vibe Coding and the Maker Movement

Technically • 94 implied HN points • 26 Feb 26
🕹 Technology Community
  1. Vibe coding skipped the slow, playful "scenius" phase of earlier maker cultures and went straight into production, so people can build fast but often lack the practical judgment that comes from long, messy practice.
  2. Think of vibe coding as consuming a surplus of machine intelligence: spent well it produces taste, attention, reputation, or gift-like social capital, but spent badly it’s just addictive, disposable output.
  3. Long-term value tends to accumulate in the model and infrastructure layers unless creators intentionally capture the byproduct signal as datasets, documentation, or curated taste, and framing the work as consumption can help avoid burnout.

Spend it all every time

Austin Kleon • 7593 implied HN points • 10 Nov 23
🎭️ Culture Community
  1. It's important to share all your good ideas right now and not hold back for later. You might find that more inspiration comes your way when you give your best work now.
  2. Writing should be approached with the mindset that each piece is your last chance. Don’t be afraid to put everything you have into it because new ideas will always come.
  3. Everything in life can inspire your work, so be open to stealing ideas from your experiences. This can lead to richer creativity and storytelling.

Why solo-founders quit

Tiny Empires • 147 implied HN points • 06 Feb 26
💼 Business Community
  1. Don't try to do everything. Pick one product or service, focus until it runs without constant babysitting, and say no to distracting ideas.
  2. Stop comparing yourself to other founders' highlight reels. Track your own numbers and measure progress against your past performance, not someone else's posts.
  3. Charge properly and build for sustainability. Serve fewer, better-paying customers, keep simple routines for bad weeks, and have outside support so you don't burn out or quit.

Fall Meetups Everywhere - Call for Organizers

Astral Codex Ten • 3716 implied HN points • 06 Aug 25
🎭️ Culture Community
  1. People can organize meetups in their cities to connect with others who share similar interests. It's easy to sign up and all it takes is picking a time and place.
  2. Once organizers fill out a form, their meetups will be advertised and can happen anytime between September and October. This helps people come together and socialize during that period.
  3. Organizers don't need to plan complex activities; simple socializing is great. They can bring things like nametags and snacks to make the meetup more enjoyable.

13 Observations on Ritual

The Honest Broker • 30254 implied HN points • 25 Feb 24
🎭️ Culture Community
  1. Smartphones are not suitable for genuine ritual as they embody restlessness, which is opposite to the stability needed for rituals.
  2. True rituals are deeply rooted in physical time and space, unlike online experiences that can feel hollow and lack genuine connection.
  3. Memes mimic elements of ritual like repetition and shared meaning but lack the depth and transcendence that true rituals provide.

Street Smart

polymathematics • 159 implied HN points • 30 Aug 24
🕹 Technology Community
  1. Communal computing can connect people in a neighborhood by using technology in shared spaces. Imagine an app that helps you explore local history or find nearby restaurants right from your phone.
  2. AI could work for more than just individuals; it can help whole communities. For example, schools could have their own AI tutors to assist students together.
  3. There are cool projects like interactive tiles in neighborhoods that let people share information and connect with each other in real life, making technology feel more personal and community-focused.

What the Bills Mafia Teaches Us About Resilience

Common Sense with Bari Weiss • 180 implied HN points • 06 Feb 26
🎾 Sports Community
  1. Fans stay fiercely loyal despite decades of heartbreak, and their love of football and life keeps them going.
  2. The team has reached high levels—MVPs and playoff wins—yet keeps falling short of the ultimate prize, showing that resilience matters as much as trophies.
  3. Painful, public setbacks like controversial losses and coaching changes are part of the journey, but the community keeps coming together and finding pride in perseverance.

Ancient Wisdom: Why I’m Dancing at 80

Common Sense with Bari Weiss • 292 implied HN points • 23 Jan 26
🎭️ Culture Community
  1. Dancing in later life can be joyful and energizing, offering movement, music, and a strong boost to wellbeing.
  2. Learning Latin dances like cha-cha, bachata, and samba can spark memories and reconnect you with cultural sounds and youthful energy.
  3. Community dance classes for older adults are a fun, social, and accessible way to stay active and age gracefully.

Possible Manchester reader meet-up?!

Odds and Ends of History • 402 implied HN points • 16 Jan 26
🎭️ Culture Community
  1. A reader meet-up in Manchester is being planned for the evening of 5 March, though the date is tentative.
  2. If you’d like to attend, fill in the linked form to express your interest — both paid and free subscribers are welcome.
  3. If the meet-up goes ahead, people who sign up will be contacted privately by email; previous meet-ups have been very fun and aimed at like-minded readers.

2026 Scheming

Erik Torenberg's Thoughts • 442 implied HN points • 02 Jan 26
💼 Business Community
  1. Working inside a large venture firm to productize venture work, hire broadly, and launch ambitious projects like a new fellowship, a rolling dinner series, and a podcast used to explore ideas.
  2. Committed to building and funding community programs — reviving Turpentine, supporting the Art of Accomplishment retreat, backing matchmaking as a business, and bringing back relationship-focused podcasts and group chats.
  3. Prioritizing personal health and life: getting more serious about sleep and wellness, playing in a recreational basketball league and planning events, and sharing favorite books, movies, and TV while asking for more recommendations.

TGIF: Gratitude Edition

Common Sense with Bari Weiss • 959 implied HN points • 27 Nov 25
😂 Humor Community
  1. Be thankful for people who step up and act like the grown-ups in the room, such as the National Guard. They help keep ordinary life safe and steady.
  2. Value a workplace community that shows up with small kindnesses, like coworkers making cards for people in need. Those moments reveal how much people support each other.
  3. Appreciate a partner who makes you better and fights for what matters alongside you. They bring laughter, practical help, and steady companionship.

The work of coming home

Path Nine • 37 implied HN points • 26 Feb 26
🎭️ Culture Community
  1. Being close to the people who know and love you matters more for a livable life than the perfect house, view, or spreadsheet of amenities.
  2. The high from a new place wears off. Chasing fresh starts won’t fix the things that actually matter because changing location doesn’t change who you are.
  3. Choosing to come home or prioritize proximity often means making hard trade-offs and admitting sunk costs, but it buys daily connection, support, and a deeper sense of belonging.

The conversation expands in Chat, now on the web

read • 7056 implied HN points • 15 Mar 23
🕹 Technology Community
  1. Chat is now available on the web for Substack writers and readers to engage in more meaningful conversations.
  2. Readers can now start conversations in Chat and participate in discussions on the web.
  3. Beloved Substack writers are inviting subscribers to join and spark vibrant discussions in Chat.

How Should We Think About Race And "Lived Experience"?

Astral Codex Ten • 25672 implied HN points • 07 Mar 24
🎭️ Culture Community
  1. Race is often defined not just by genetics, but by a combination of formative experiences and cultural identity.
  2. The concept of race and identity can have significant implications, such as in cases of cultural appropriation and affirmative action.
  3. Judgments on race and identity can be complex and can have real-life consequences, highlighting the need for balanced considerations in such discussions.

Open Thread 393

Astral Codex Ten • 3097 implied HN points • 04 Aug 25
🕹 Technology Community
  1. The Horizon Fellowship is a great opportunity for those interested in AI and biotech. You can apply for a full-time policy position in Washington, and no prior experience is needed.
  2. Inkhaven is a blogging bootcamp for those who want to write more. If you're selected, you'll write a blog post every day for a month, but be ready for some tough love if you miss a day!
  3. There's a cost to attend Inkhaven, but some financial help is available. It's a cool experiment to see if living in a community can boost your motivation to write.

What We’re Grateful For

Common Sense with Bari Weiss • 857 implied HN points • 27 Nov 25
🎭️ Culture Community
  1. People are grateful for family, friends, and workplace communities that show up in hard times and make holidays and everyday life feel meaningful.
  2. They value small pleasures and shared experiences — good food, live music, movies, games, and little rituals like candles or chess — because those moments create joy and connection.
  3. There is deep gratitude for health, medical care, and acts of generosity like organ donation and hospice, which can save lives, bring healing, and offer closure.

Libraries: the best form of government

New Means • 3301 implied HN points • 08 Feb 24
🎭️ Culture Community
  1. Libraries are vital community institutions that offer more than just books.
  2. Libraries embody the idea of creating a society that cares for all without a profit motive.
  3. Defending libraries means defending a world where everyone's needs are met.

I want to share your writing

The Intrinsic Perspective • 4533 implied HN points • 16 May 25
📚 Literature Community
  1. There's an opportunity for paid subscribers to share their writing. You can submit links to your work for others to read.
  2. Submissions should be something you wrote and published publicly, like blog posts. Make sure it's interesting to the audience.
  3. The deadline for submissions is June 20th, so be sure to send your piece before then.

Open Thread 387

Astral Codex Ten • 3854 implied HN points • 23 Jun 25
🎭️ Culture Community
  1. You can talk about anything you want in this open thread. It's a place for random questions and discussions.
  2. There's a new post for subscribers about making personalized AI kids' books. It highlights how AI can create fun presents.
  3. Finalists and honorable mentions for a review contest have been announced. It's a way to recognize great content shared within the community.

Hidden Open Thread 417.5

Astral Codex Ten • 275 implied HN points • 22 Jan 26
🎭️ Culture Community
  1. The content is behind a paywall and only available to paid subscribers, so you must subscribe or sign in to read it.
  2. This entry is part of a numbered "Hidden Open Thread" series (417.5) and is dated January 22, 2026, indicating ongoing, periodically posted material.
  3. The page displays subscription and sign-in prompts along with sharing options, showing the platform emphasizes paid access while still encouraging social sharing.

The Coldplay Couple Did Something Bad. The Internet Did Something Worse.

Common Sense with Bari Weiss • 3023 implied HN points • 20 Jul 25
🎭️ Culture Community
  1. Public shaming has changed from a community correction tool to a way for people to watch and enjoy others' misfortunes. It's become more of a spectacle than a way to maintain social norms.
  2. An incident at a Coldplay concert went viral when a couple was caught on camera, leading to intense scrutiny and speculation about their personal lives. Everything escalated quickly online.
  3. The identities of the couple, both married to other people, were discovered and shared widely. This shows how fast and invasive the internet can be when it comes to privacy.

Meet NYC's Coolest Stealth Design Ninja!

CAFÉ ANNE • 3400 implied HN points • 22 Jan 24
🎭️ Culture Community
  1. The newsletter shares the fun story of Max Kolomatsky, a designer who redesigns NYC street flyers for free.
  2. He started the project for fun and ended up gaining a large social media following and big design gigs.
  3. Max's advice is to embrace doing creative work for fun or for free to nurture your unique creativity and spirit.

Anecdotes From The Slutcloud

Knowingless • 3646 implied HN points • 26 Jun 25
🎭️ Culture Community
  1. Many people have strong opinions about promiscuous lifestyles, often thinking they lead to unhappiness or drama. However, not everyone in those communities feels this way, and many have positive experiences.
  2. Communication and openness are crucial in non-monogamous relationships. Creating a safe space for expressing feelings leads to better understanding and managing possible jealousy.
  3. A supportive community can help people feel comfortable with their sexual choices. When casual sex and connections are normalized among friends, it fosters trust and reduces insecurity.

Open Thread 389

Astral Codex Ten • 3303 implied HN points • 07 Jul 25
🎭️ Culture Community
  1. This is an open thread where anyone can talk about anything or ask questions. It's a great space for discussion and sharing ideas.
  2. There are highlights about various topics in the comments, like family size's impact on motherhood and discussions on testosterone. They spark interesting conversations.
  3. There’s a new post for subscribers discussing how AI is used in research. It's a mix of useful and tricky information that needs careful thought.

Running together

Thinking about... • 776 implied HN points • 15 Nov 25
🎾 Sports Community
  1. Sometimes things don't go as planned, like when a race turns out to be a scam. But it's important to make the best of the situation and still participate.
  2. Even without official organizers or timing, running with others can create a sense of community and support. It's nice to cheer each other on, even in tricky circumstances.
  3. The joy of running is not just about competition but also about the shared experience. Completing the run together made it a special moment, despite the original disappointment.

Activist Exhaustion and Monty Don

The View from Rural Missouri by Jess Piper • 2567 implied HN points • 21 Feb 24
🏥 Health & Wellness Community
  1. Sometimes taking a break from activism to engage in a calming activity like gardening can help rejuvenate and refocus your mind.
  2. Engaging in gardening or similar activities can be a form of work that brings peace and joy, without the stress of politics or activism.
  3. Finding moments of beauty and relief in nature through gardening can provide a sense of sustenance and rejuvenation amidst the challenges of activism.

What's up Python? You already know :)

Bite code! • 978 implied HN points • 09 Nov 25
🕹 Technology Community
  1. Python 3.9 is reaching its End Of Life, which means it won't get any more security updates.
  2. Several new versions of Python have been released, including 3.13.9 and 3.12.12, and a new alpha version, Python 3.15.
  3. A new Django 6 beta is available, introducing features like template partials and background tasks, but it stops supporting older versions of Python.