The hottest Community Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
Category
Top Culture Topics

Individualism

New Means • 1415 implied HN points • 23 Apr 23
🎭️ Culture Community
  1. We are deeply influenced by the people we surround ourselves with.
  2. The myth of individualism under capitalism separates us from community and support networks.
  3. By embracing inter-dependence and community, we can find joy and fulfillment beyond individualism.

100

Points And Figures • 852 implied HN points • 22 Jun 25
🎭️ Culture Community
  1. Relentless optimism can lead to a long and happy life, as seen in the example of a World War II veteran. Staying positive helps you enjoy life more, even during tough times.
  2. The impact you make in life is often more important than personal accomplishments, like wealth. Being generous and giving to others leaves a lasting legacy.
  3. Learning from others can shape your own outlook on life. Surrounding yourself with positive people can inspire you to be better and find joy.

Five Widows

Splattern • 59 implied HN points • 08 Aug 24
🎭️ Culture Community
  1. Many widows are struggling to feed their children and face hardships after losing their husbands. They are often left with little income and rely on small daily sales for survival.
  2. The visits highlighted the importance of understanding individual situations before providing help. There’s a need for respect and genuine connection when discussing challenges.
  3. Directly providing food instead of money is suggested as a better way to help these families. It helps to ensure the support reaches those in need without creating additional problems.

Who Deserves to Live?

New Means • 1375 implied HN points • 07 May 23
🎭️ Culture Community
  1. The killing of Jordan Neely sheds light on systemic issues like lack of care for the homeless and mentally ill, capitalism, and white supremacy.
  2. There is a growing movement of people advocating for care over violence, housing over incarceration, and support over demonization.
  3. We must fight for a world where everyone's needs are met, where compassion is given, and where we work towards a better future for all.

What Do You Wish People Were More Curious About?

Culture Study • 2282 implied HN points • 22 Nov 24
🎭️ Culture Community
  1. People are curious about a wide range of topics, like the history of places or specific laws that are too complex to understand at first glance. Exploring these subjects can lead to deeper insights.
  2. There are everyday experiences that often go unnoticed, like the physical toll of standing or bending all day. Recognizing and discussing these can create empathy and understanding.
  3. Curiosity can expand our knowledge and improve our connections with others. By asking questions and seeking answers, we can gain a better understanding of the world around us.
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The Messy Thicket of Change

Culture Study • 2436 implied HN points • 03 Nov 24
🎭️ Culture Community
  1. It's important to let everyday people create their own solutions for social change, instead of just following easy steps set by others. This helps them feel more connected and invested in the process.
  2. The journey towards racial justice is messy and often includes mistakes, but the willingness to work through those challenges together is crucial for real progress.
  3. Building a supportive community where everyone feels they belong encourages deeper conversations about tough topics like racism, making it easier for people to come together and act for change.

We all know Levenshulme’s gentrification story. How true is it?

The Mill • 648 implied HN points • 09 Feb 24
🎭️ Culture Community
  1. Levenshulme has seen a significant increase in house prices over the past decade, but the population has also grown by 40%, suggesting a more complex narrative than simple gentrification.
  2. The neighborhood of Levenshulme has a history of welcoming new arrivals, from white English people in the 1950s to working-class Irish, Pakistani communities, and later, middle-class residents.
  3. Local residents highlight changes in aesthetics and safety in Levenshulme, with mentions of new businesses like cafes contributing to a 'nicer' look, but also concerns about increasing crime and violence.

GUT Visiting Artist: Gretchen Rubin

DrawTogether with WendyMac • 1257 implied HN points • 22 Oct 23
🎨 Art & Illustration Community
  1. Gretchen Rubin highlights the link between creativity and happiness, showing how it boosts mood, energy, and social connections.
  2. She shares about her sources of creative inspiration, like reading and visiting the Met museum, and how those experiences lead to new projects.
  3. Gretchen suggests a creative exercise of keeping a Five-Senses Journal to spark memories, ideas, and gratitude through daily sensory experiences.

Beginnings

The Art of Enchantment, with Dr Sharon Blackie • 1956 implied HN points • 01 Jan 23
⛪ Faith & Spirituality Community
  1. 2022 was a difficult year for the author, but through hardships, she found a deeper connection to her calling and purpose.
  2. Being aligned with one's unique gift can bring a sense of purpose and detachment from outcomes, allowing focus on meaningful work.
  3. Community and collaboration are essential in working towards a common goal, even for solitary pursuits like writing.

Hand-Holding Explained

Bet On It • 166 implied HN points • 24 Nov 25
🎭️ Culture Community
  1. Asking directly to hold hands is clear, respectful, and consensual, and it stops days of anxious guessing by turning uncertainty into a simple yes or no.
  2. Hand-holding is an intimate but non‑sexual gesture that feels safe and gentle, making it a useful first step for people who are shy, healing, or anxious about dating.
  3. Many analytical or neurodivergent men need concrete, low‑pressure social tools like this to rebuild confidence and appear more grounded and likable in real human interactions.

How To Get Internet Feedback Without Going Insane

The Bottom Feeder • 484 implied HN points • 14 Aug 25
🕹 Technology Community
  1. Too much online feedback can be overwhelming and confusing. It's important to filter out negative comments to protect your mental health.
  2. Building a private community of trusted beta testers can help you get useful feedback without the noise of public opinions. These testers should be honest but respectful.
  3. Make sure your testers understand and appreciate the kind of work you do. Feedback is most helpful when it comes from people who are genuinely interested in your specific type of creation.

Low Stakes Thread: Parasocial Pet Relationships

Culture Study • 1513 implied HN points • 14 Feb 25
🎭️ Culture Community
  1. People can have strong feelings for pets or animals they see regularly, even if they don't own them. It's nice to name them and feel connected to them, like calling a horse you see often by a special name.
  2. These relationships with animals can bring joy and comfort without much risk or commitment. They can make our daily routines feel more special and personal.
  3. Parasocial pet relationships highlight how we can connect emotionally with animals, just like we do with people, even if it's from a distance. It's a fun way to share experiences and stories about our furry friends.

KP+: Black sesame and Yuzu Milk Buns

Kitchen Projects • 609 implied HN points • 11 Feb 24
🍲 Food & Drink Community
  1. Yuzu is a popular ingredient with a unique floral acidity, sometimes hard to find but worth seeking out for its flavor.
  2. The process of making black sesame and yuzu milk buns was revisited after years, resulting in a successful comeback with added yuzu curd.
  3. Two different shaping methods were shared for the buns, both yielding delicious results especially enhanced with the yuzu curd.

Very Local History

So Here’s a Thing • 1278 implied HN points • 28 Apr 23
💾 History Community
  1. The post shares little-known historical events from Santa Cruz, revealing intriguing stories about individuals and unique happenings in the region's past.
  2. Each image in the post is accompanied by a caption detailing an unusual event, focusing on peculiar individuals and occurrences in Santa Cruz's history.
  3. The narratives in the post blend elements of mystery, history, and the supernatural, adding layers of fascination to the stories.

Open Thread 352

Astral Codex Ten • 2408 implied HN points • 21 Oct 24
🕹 Technology Community
  1. You can join weekly open threads to discuss anything or ask questions. It's a great way to interact with others.
  2. There are various events and conferences coming up that focus on AI and social skills, which you might find interesting.
  3. If you entered a book review contest, make sure to check if you've received your prize. Email if you think you missed out.

Getting back to the root of coffee

Longer Tables with José Andrés • 628 implied HN points • 05 Feb 24
🍲 Food & Drink Community
  1. Cxffeeblack founders aim to honor the roots of coffee and shift the industry's narrative to support communities of color.
  2. Renata and Bartholomew highlight the importance of recognizing the African heritage of coffee to preserve the future of the crop and support indigenous farmers.
  3. Consumers are encouraged to find gratitude in their coffee consumption, embrace peace, and consider the deeper stories behind the products they consume.

The Next Chapter of Axie Governance: The Foundation, The Treasury, and Your Voice

The Lunacian • 552 implied HN points • 08 Aug 25
🔮 Crypto Community
  1. The Axie Infinity community is moving towards a decentralized governance model, giving members a real say in decision-making. This is exciting because it means everyone can help shape the future of the game.
  2. A new Axie Infinity Foundation is being formed to manage community funds and ensure they are used according to votes from the community. This foundation will help keep the community involved in how money is spent.
  3. The Axie Score will track contributions from players, helping to prioritize who gets more influence in decisions. This makes active community members feel valued and encourages more participation.

Ready to start training for the spring?

The Half Marathoner • 746 implied HN points • 10 Jan 24
🎾 Sports Community
  1. The Eugene Half Marathon is happening on Sunday, April 28 at the University of Oregon's Hayward Field.
  2. There's about 15 ½ weeks to train before the race, allowing for ample preparation time.
  3. The Eugene Marathon and Half is a popular, well-established race known for its scenic course and pleasant race day temperatures.

The Second Paris Substack Meetup

if not, Paris • 1257 implied HN points • 13 Jun 23
🎭️ Culture Community
  1. Getting writers to attend events can be challenging due to their introverted nature.
  2. Sometimes, the hardest part of socializing is just getting out the door.
  3. Substack fosters a community where writers can connect without pressure to network or aim for fame.

New Year, New News

Wordloaf • 746 implied HN points • 10 Jan 24
🍲 Food & Drink Community
  1. Amy Halloran is taking over the Wordloaf newsletter for a few months while the original author works on a book
  2. Amy is knowledgeable about bread, baking, and grain, making her a great fit for the newsletter
  3. Regular features like the Monday Mix and Friday Bread Basket will be on hiatus during this period

Your Interesting Friend

Culture Study • 1872 implied HN points • 20 Dec 24
🎭️ Culture Community
  1. It's valuable to look closely at our friendships, especially those with unexpected people. You might find deeper connections than you thought.
  2. Some of the best friendships can come from surprising places, like people we don’t usually connect with. These relationships can teach us a lot.
  3. Exploring what makes friends interesting can help us understand ourselves and others better. It's a fun exercise to share these stories.

Ruby Thelot: A Cyberarchaeology of Checkpoints

Do Not Research • 319 implied HN points • 22 Apr 24
🎭️ Culture Community
  1. The book 'A Cyberarchaeology of Checkpoints' by Ruby Thelot delves into the vanished online community of 'Checkpoints,' which were personal life updates shared in a now-deleted YouTube video's comments section.
  2. While the original video was removed, a user named Rebane2001 meticulously archived the 'Checkpoints,' preserving a decade of human experiences and emotions captured in these digital narratives.
  3. The book not only contains the archived 'Checkpoints' but also includes a reflective essay on their cultural significance, an interview with Rebane2001, and an exploration of digital memory in the modern era, challenging readers to consider what remains of our digital footprint.

My Upcoming Events And Potential Meetups, Western U.S. Edition

Singal-Minded • 58 implied HN points • 10 Jan 26
🎭️ Culture Community
  1. Two ticketed live events are scheduled. One is Jan 18 in Austin with several guest writers, and the other is Feb 16 in San Francisco with Helen Lewis.
  2. There may also be two West Coast meetups planned that would be limited to primo-only subscribers, but those plans are tentative.
  3. More content is coming soon, and people can either read a free post or buy a paid subscription and tickets to attend the events.

New Beginnings

Splattern • 79 implied HN points • 23 Jul 24
🎭️ Culture Community
  1. It's important to keep trying even when things get tough. Just like running after a break, persistence makes the journey worthwhile.
  2. Community support can really help us through hard times. Finding caring people can encourage us to explore our feelings about faith and identity.
  3. Reflecting on past experiences, like family and culture, can be healing. It reminds us of our roots and the things we cherish, even when faced with conflicts.

People Can Change

The Soup • 1238 implied HN points • 30 Sep 23
⛪ Faith & Spirituality Community
  1. People have the ability to change and grow over time.
  2. Interacting with diverse people can challenge and reshape our beliefs.
  3. Change is possible when we are open, attentive, and willing to engage with others.

Here Come the Allodidacts

Justin E. H. Smith's Hinternet • 1451 implied HN points • 09 Feb 25
🎭️ Culture Community
  1. Reading can be lonely, but sharing the experience with others makes it richer and more meaningful. It opens up opportunities for deep conversations and connections.
  2. Deep reading focuses on truly engaging with texts, often through discussions and activities that enhance understanding. It's not just about reading a lot, but about understanding and connecting with what you're reading.
  3. Creating spaces for people to read together can revitalize the love for reading and learning. These environments help break away from distractions and allow for serious contemplation and growth.

Jump Day

Points And Figures • 612 implied HN points • 17 Jul 25
🎭️ Culture Community
  1. Ducks need safe places to nest, so duck boxes can help protect them from predators.
  2. After hatching, ducklings jump from the nest into the water the next day to start their lives.
  3. The mother duck leads the way while keeping an eye out for danger, and the chicks learn to follow her guidance.

To eradicate deaths on the road, Greater Manchester looks to Sweden

The Mill • 648 implied HN points • 22 Jan 24
📰 News Community
  1. Greater Manchester aims to completely eliminate road deaths and serious injuries by 2040 using a Swedish road safety model
  2. The new strategy 'Vision Zero' focuses on changing attitudes towards road safety and preventing collisions
  3. Data shows the high cost and disparities of road casualties in Greater Manchester, with a goal of reducing them by 50% by 2030 and eradicating them by 2040

Are skyscrapers bad for Manchester?

The Mill • 707 implied HN points • 08 Jan 24
🎭️ Culture Community
  1. The debate on Manchester's rapidly expanding skyline raises concerns about skyscrapers' impact.
  2. Manchester's skyline has seen a proliferation of glass towers, with 27 built since 2018 and 70 more in the pipeline.
  3. There is a divide in perspectives on skyscrapers, with some seeing them as progress while others view them as crowding out heritage and creating unaffordable housing.

What Are You Reading (In November)??

Culture Study • 1897 implied HN points • 26 Nov 24
🎭️ Culture Community
  1. Consider supporting local families in need, like helping them afford a van for transportation. It can make a huge difference for their daily lives.
  2. Stay mindful of consumerism during the holiday season. Focus on meaningful gifts and contributions rather than just buying for the sake of it.
  3. Engage in discussions about what others are reading. Sharing book recommendations can lead to great conversations and new perspectives.

Friday brief: Another Northants woman is killed

NN Journal • 775 implied HN points • 12 Jan 24
📰 News Community
  1. A woman in Corby has been found killed, leading to an arrest for murder
  2. North Northamptonshire Council is facing financial challenges and cutting spending measures
  3. Taxi drivers in West Northamptonshire are facing new regulations, including a penalty points system

They’re Black Democrats. And They’re Suing Chicago Over Migrants.

Common Sense with Bari Weiss • 4549 implied HN points • 23 Jan 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Community
  1. Some residents in Chicago are feeling angry and betrayed by Democrats they helped elect, who pushed to turn a neighborhood park into a shelter for migrants. This has led to a sense of neglect and frustration among the community.
  2. There is a belief among some black residents in Chicago that the city is more focused on welcoming and providing resources to newly arrived migrants than to addressing the needs and poverty in their own community.
  3. Cata Truss and other residents took legal action to prevent a neighborhood park from becoming a migrant shelter, highlighting the importance of fighting for community spaces and resources.

Guns and Jesus

The Friendly Neighbors • 1120 implied HN points • 29 Mar 23
⛪ Faith & Spirituality Community
  1. Gun violence is a leading cause of death for children in America, surpassing other industrialized nations.
  2. Thoughts and prayers are not enough when addressing gun violence, action is needed for change.
  3. Embracing Jesus's teachings means taking action to create safety and show mercy in a world affected by gun violence.

Burnage Garden Village is at war - and the stakes couldn't be lower

The Mill • 1100 implied HN points • 02 Sep 23
🎭️ Culture Community
  1. Burnage Garden Village faced a small-scale war driven by internal power struggles within the housing cooperative.
  2. The community's fixation on rules and structure led to tensions and a departure from the original goal of fostering warmth and community.
  3. The story highlights the challenges of cooperative living and the complexities that can arise in tightly knit communities.

Balaji, the Network State and mark-to-market thinking

Taipology • 91 implied HN points • 12 Dec 25
🔮 Crypto Community
  1. A small startup community in Forest City is trying out the "network state" idea, blending intentional community life with tech and decentralization experimentation. It works like a real-world lab for new ways people might organize outside traditional nation-states.
  2. The geopolitical view presented is that the United States may be weakening while China grows into a dominant model, and many of those shifts are not yet fully recognized or priced into global thinking. If those trends continue, alliances, economies, and governance could change significantly.
  3. The future is uncertain so we should proceed carefully, learning through patient experimentation rather than rushing to a single outcome. Decentralized technologies and cooperative experiments might offer alternatives to state power, but they need responsible testing and time to prove themselves.