The hottest Criticism Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
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Planet of Person Guys

Freddie deBoer • 5040 implied HN points • 18 Mar 24
🎭️ Culture Society Literature Criticism Social Trends Online behavior
  1. Contemporary social culture often relies on the notion of Person-Guys, predictable stereotypes that people aspire not to be.
  2. Society evolves, but Person-Guy stereotypes remain stagnant, failing to capture the complexity of individuals' growth and change over time.
  3. Insecurity and projection play a significant role in perpetuating Person-Guy discourse, with individuals projecting their own fears onto these stereotypes.

What We've Lost in Music Criticism

Freddie deBoer • 8782 implied HN points • 24 Jan 24
🎶 Music Criticism Pop Rock Diversity
  1. Indie rock no longer exists in 2024, with no cool clubs or scene left to produce new albums, showing a cultural shift away from 'indie' music.
  2. The embrace of poptimism in music criticism led to a shift towards conformity and popular music elevation, changing the role of the critic from highlighting underappreciated music to reassuring popular tastes.
  3. Music criticism has lost its diversity and focus on challenging artistic expressions due to the dominance of poptimism, impacting the vibrancy and depth of music discussions.

The Invisible Force Blocking Your Creativity

Changing The Channel • 6039 implied HN points • 17 Jan 24
🏥 Health & Wellness Creativity Self-doubt Criticism Mental health
  1. Resistance is an invisible force that aims to prevent us from pursuing our deepest desires and goals.
  2. Procrastination is a common manifestation of Resistance and serves as an easy way to rationalize avoiding our work.
  3. Critics and naysayers, including those close to us, may stem from their own fears and insecurities, projecting them onto our creative endeavors.

It’s Oscar Night!

Common Sense with Bari Weiss • 1507 implied HN points • 10 Mar 24
🎭️ Culture Movies Reviews Criticism Romance Drama
  1. The Oscars ceremony might not be highly anticipated, but the lineup of movies competing for Best Picture is impressive.
  2. The movie 'American Fiction' provides a satirical take on identity politics in the context of a black writer's success with writing cliched storylines.
  3. In 'Oppenheimer,' director Christopher Nolan uses a unique structure to showcase the creation of the atomic bomb and the interplay of fusion and fission processes.

Nick Wright and the Shameless Clown Industry

Freddie deBoer • 4855 implied HN points • 22 Jan 24
🎾 Sports Media Athletes Criticism Fans Industry
  1. Sports media can sometimes be toxic with aimless shouting and pointless provocations.
  2. Nick Wright exemplifies how sports media can corrupt individuals, where his persona often overshadows his potential thoughtful side.
  3. Wright's obsessive criticism and cruelty towards athletes, like Josh Allen and Nikola Jokic, stems from personal biases and a lack of accountability in the sports media industry.
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The Difference Between Republicans And Democrats

Caitlin’s Newsletter • 1788 implied HN points • 23 Feb 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Parties Policies Imperialism Leadership Criticism
  1. The difference between Republicans and Democrats lies in how they are perceived when supporting or backing certain actions - Republicans are seen as evil with evil reasons, while Democrats are viewed as having noble humanitarian reasons in spite of their actions.
  2. Republicans and Democrats differ in the ways they support certain agendas - Republicans use right-wing language to argue, while Democrats use left-wing language, even as they support wars, militarism, capitalism, and oppression.
  3. Republicans and Democrats vary in their approach towards global conflicts and issues - Republicans tend towards wars with China, while Democrats lean towards conflicts with Russia; they also differ in the perceptions of civilian casualties during their administrations.

Who's afraid of A.C. Bradley?

The Common Reader • 673 implied HN points • 13 Mar 24
📚 Literature Criticism Shakespeare Character Psychoanalysis Realism
  1. Discussions on Shakespeare's characters often avoid delving into them as people, and those who do, like A.C. Bradley, are sometimes considered out of touch.
  2. Bradley's approach to literary criticism, focusing on the humanity of characters, has faced criticism and mockery over the years.
  3. The tension between traditional literary analysis, like Bradley's, and modern theories, such as Marxist political analysis, continues within academia.

Knights and Hawkes: inside Shakespeare's dream

The Common Reader • 779 implied HN points • 07 Mar 24
📚 Literature Analysis Criticism Shakespeare Characters Interpretation
  1. Shakespeare's characters were not meant to be seen as real people but rather as symbols representing larger themes and ideas in his plays.
  2. The historical context of drama before Shakespeare involved using archetypes to make moral points, which influenced how Shakespeare's characters were perceived by the contemporary audience.
  3. While some critics argued that only what is explicitly stated in the text matters, it is also important to consider the depth and complexity of characters beyond what is directly mentioned.

Did Dave Chappelle and Ricky Gervais really sink to new depths?

The Rubesletter by Matt Ruby (of Vooza) | Sent every Tuesday • 1568 implied HN points • 09 Jan 24
🎭️ Culture Comedy Social media Activism Criticism
  1. Critics say Dave Chappelle and Ricky Gervais' new specials are punching down, not insightful or funny.
  2. The target of their jokes may not be the marginalized groups they seem to mock, but those who display moral superiority online.
  3. Social media outrage often simplifies complex issues, but there can be funny jokes about anyone as long as they're thoughtful and original.

Choosing Consideration, Not Consumption

The Biblioracle Recommends • 1179 implied HN points • 21 Jan 24
📚 Literature Book Reviews Criticism Authors Fiction Reading
  1. Arts criticism is becoming less important in our day-to-day lives due to algorithms taking over the role of critics.
  2. Criticism plays a role beyond just recommending what to buy; it offers unique perspectives and interpretations.
  3. Subscription platforms like Substack may offer hope for supporting sustainable work, but there are challenges in finding space and audience for new writers.

There's Nothing Wrong with Tucker Interviewing Putin. It's Called Journalism.

Public • 521 implied HN points • 07 Feb 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Journalism Interviewing Media Criticism
  1. Interviewing newsworthy personalities is a part of journalism and shouldn't require an apology.
  2. Criticism of interview questions is fair, but smearing someone for interviewing influential figures hinders journalism principles.
  3. Journalists should strive to interview leaders from all sides of major issues to allow for a broader perspective.

"Virginia Doesn't Care"

Range Widely • 1847 implied HN points • 08 Nov 23
📚 Literature Authorship Criticism Research Diaries Books
  1. Virginia Woolf persevered through criticism and self-doubt to publish multiple books.
  2. Virginia Woolf's ability to care deeply about her core project made criticism seem less significant.
  3. Drawing inspiration from Virginia Woolf, one can channel inner strength to overcome challenges in pursuing important projects.

Maybe we shouldn’t be ‘annoying all the right people’

Wrong Side of History • 375 implied HN points • 16 Feb 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Politics Criticism Crime
  1. London Mayor Sadiq Khan employs a style of politics that can be polarizing and lead to criticism.
  2. Critics often blame Khan for issues like crime and housing in London, even though his influence is limited, and other factors play a role.
  3. Despite differing opinions on Khan, there are those who support his transport policies and take a minority stance on urban planning.

What Florida Is (and Isn't) Teaching Students about Slavery

Glenn Loury • 3518 implied HN points • 06 Aug 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Education Slavery Criticism History Racism
  1. The Florida Board of Education's guidelines for teaching African American history include lessons on the Underground Railroad, slave rebellions, and the harsh realities of chattel slavery.
  2. The controversy on the Florida curriculum involves a debate between emphasizing victimization or acknowledging the agency of enslaved individuals.
  3. Some researchers argue that recognizing the agency of enslaved blacks does not downplay the inhumane aspects of slavery and can provide a more nuanced understanding of their experiences.

Problematic

kamilkazani • 628 implied HN points • 09 Jan 24
🎭️ Culture Language Communication Society Criticism Analysis
  1. Using the word 'problematic' in speech can be a powerful status signaling tool.
  2. The word 'problematic' is versatile, conveying nuance, sophistication, and a passive-aggressive tone.
  3. Avoid adding specific details when calling something 'problematic' to prevent an easy escape route for the accused.

With Revenues Declining, Corporate Media Demand Substack Censorship

Public • 515 implied HN points • 18 Jan 24
📰 News Social media Censorship Trust Journalism Criticism
  1. Corporate media is pressuring Substack for censorship due to declining revenues, but claims of widespread Nazism on the platform are exaggerated.
  2. A journalist revealed inaccuracies in an article that sparked the anti-Substack campaign, highlighting errors in claims about a writer's earnings through the platform.
  3. Mainstream media's coordinated attack on Substack, framing it as a platform for Nazis, aims to undermine its threat to legacy media, resembling past efforts seen with social media giants like Facebook and Twitter.

Culture War 2x2

thestoa • 314 implied HN points • 10 Feb 24
🎭️ Culture Criticism Judgment Sarcasm Trolling
  1. Establish personal protocols to handle criticism online by nurturing offline friendships and developing a taxonomy of feedback.
  2. Cancellation and online harassment are real and harmful, aiming to cut people off from opportunities and psychological safety.
  3. Engage in snark and trolling online, but be aware of the impact they can have on your ego and be prepared to handle online judgment with resilience.

The Muddy Schadenfreude of Burning Man

In the Flash • 1926 implied HN points • 08 Sep 23
🎭️ Culture Events Art Opinion Criticism Entertainment
  1. There is a collective backlash against Burning Man due to global warming leading to muddy conditions, criticized by journalists and intellectuals.
  2. Burning Man is not just about drugs and orgies; it also features art installations, interactive experiences, and a sense of wonder.
  3. Despite criticisms, Burning Man offers an escape from daily life, a space for freedom, creativity, and a reset from societal norms.

What Do You Do With a Problem Like Achilles?

Painful Signs, Or, Joel's Substack • 99 implied HN points • 05 Mar 24
📚 Literature Themes Narrative Violence Mythology Criticism
  1. Book 21 of the Iliad portrays Achilles' extreme violence and cosmic impact, highlighting the danger he poses and his conflict with gods.
  2. The narrative in the Iliad marks Achilles' actions as excessive and transgressive, questioning the traditional heroic depictions in battle.
  3. Ancient readers and scholia saw the behavior of Achilles in book 21 as excessive and indicated a shift in the epic's storytelling approach.

Circle jerks: in praise of negativity

The Leftovers • 479 implied HN points • 19 Dec 23
📚 Literature Reviews Criticism Authors Book promotion
  1. Negativity in literary culture is often repressed, leading to toxic behaviors like sabotaging peers on platforms like Goodreads.
  2. Year-end book lists can sometimes involve favoritism and promotion rather than honest critique, affecting the authenticity of recommendations.
  3. Encouraging fair and open criticism among writers and reviewers is essential for a healthy literary discourse and reducing toxic behaviors.

Daily Show Creator Freaks Out Over Gutfeld Ratings, But Says Audience is 'Gross' Anyway.

Raheem Kassam's Substack • 3026 implied HN points • 14 Feb 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Media Comedy Criticism Celebrity
  1. The Daily Show creator expressed strong negative feelings towards Greg Gutfeld's ratings and his audience.
  2. The creator's remarks were filled with profanity and elitism, criticizing Gutfeld's humor and his viewers.
  3. Despite criticizing others, the creator's own dietary habits were revealed to include indulgence in unhealthy foods.

Disfiguring the Fallow Earth

Painful Signs, Or, Joel's Substack • 39 implied HN points • 25 Mar 24
📚 Literature Classical Studies Criticism Themes Characters Narrative structure
  1. The final book of the Iliad, Book 24, ties up major tensions, transitions between the living and dead worlds, and revisits themes like reciprocity and mourning, notably in the meeting of Priam and Achilles.
  2. Zeus serves as a figure of justice in Book 24, intervening to settle the dispute between gods over giving Hektor a proper burial; this showcases a different approach to politics and the separation between mortals and gods.
  3. The opening scene of Iliad 24 sets the stage for the return of Hektor's body by emphasizing the importance of divine intervention and the resolution of conflicts, presenting Zeus as a symbol of ethical thinking and justice.

China via social media

Austrian China • 314 implied HN points • 11 Jan 24
🌍 World Politics China Social media Narratives Government Criticism
  1. Making sense of the world through social media can be challenging, especially when lacking first-hand experience.
  2. Western observers often encounter four main narratives about China on social media, but these may not reflect reality.
  3. Different narratives exist about China, from portraying it as a socialist success to predicting its collapse, but the reality is more nuanced and complex.

Seeking part-time heroes

A User's Guide to History • 294 implied HN points • 13 Jan 24
💾 History Heroes Monuments Philosophy Criticism
  1. Statues and monuments often commemorate individuals for their positive contributions to society, but can become problematic when their less-positive actions are later emphasized.
  2. Critics today expect full-time heroes on pedestals, but individuals have imperfections that may not align with this ideal.
  3. Adopting a part-time hero model like David Bowie's philosophy can help us appreciate individuals' good deeds while acknowledging their flaws, and encourage us to strive for heroism in our own lives.