The hottest Criticism Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
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Don't Cancel Zizek (UNLOCKED)

Philosophy for the People w/Ben Burgis β€’ 738 implied HN points β€’ 15 Jan 23
πŸ“– Philosophy Criticism Ideology Ethics Debate Thought
  1. The distinction between 'analytic' and 'continental' philosophy, with analytic focused on clarity and precision, while continental is more diverse and broader in scope.
  2. Slavoj Ε½iΕΎek's work blends insights from various fields like Lacanian psychology, Hegelian idealism, and Marxist materialism, making him a unique and thought-provoking thinker.
  3. Critics of Ε½iΕΎek often take his provocative statements out of context, leading to misunderstandings of his views, but his work remains engaging and intellectually stimulating.

Copy and paste

gen yeet β€’ 176 implied HN points β€’ 14 Oct 23
πŸ“š Literature Criticism Poetry Authors Novels Writing
  1. Intertextuality explores the relationship between texts and their cultural environments.
  2. Writing can be seen as a collage, with language harvested and organized like pieces of a puzzle.
  3. Craft in writing can involve playful word experimentation and the incorporation of multiple voices.

Orwell on Kipling

David Friedman’s Substack β€’ 152 implied HN points β€’ 16 Oct 23
πŸ“š Literature Criticism Poetry Essay Novel
  1. Orwell viewed Rudyard Kipling as a talented writer, despite being despised by many in his time.
  2. Orwell criticized Kipling's realism as 'sadism,' but believed Kipling's writing reflected a different perspective on handling life's unfairness.
  3. Orwell underestimated Kipling's skill as a poet and short story writer, failing to recognize the depth of his work beyond popular pieces.

The prestige recession

The Ideaspace β€’ 47 implied HN points β€’ 21 Jan 24
🎭️ Culture Music Criticism Artists
  1. Corporate entities used editorial to add prestige to their offerings.
  2. The decline of cultural criticism reflects a broader shift towards valuing metrics over prestige.
  3. Cultural criticism is evolving and becoming de-professionalized, shifting towards being a hobby or 'content.'
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AI shit lit panic

The Leftovers β€’ 139 implied HN points β€’ 10 Oct 23
πŸ“š Literature Culture AI Criticism Writers Books
  1. The focus is on the quality of content, whether produced by humans or AI, rather than who created it.
  2. There is a concern about AI-generated 'shit lit' cluttering platforms, and a desire for human-created content.
  3. The author embraces elitism in drawing critical lines in literary criticism.

Saruman Should've Never Been Cut from 'Return of the King'

Textual Variations β€’ 298 implied HN points β€’ 27 Apr 23
🎭️ Culture Film Literature Adaptation Criticism Entertainment
  1. The decision to cut Saruman from 'Return of the King' remains a glaring editorial flaw in the film.
  2. The rationale behind cutting Saruman was primarily driven by pacing issues in the theatrical version.
  3. Removing Saruman disrupted the unity of the film, leaving a noticeable gap in the narrative structure.

Sunday March 12 2023

S/FJ β€’ 294 implied HN points β€’ 12 Mar 23
🎢 Music Events Criticism Interviews
  1. You can pre-order the memoir 'Earlier' by Sasha Frere-Jones, releasing on October 24th, 2023.
  2. Hammer & Hope is a new magazine about Black politics and culture, with the first issue available for free.
  3. Enjoy some recommended music including a Radiohead show, Kassel Jaeger's latest work, and a compilation of an '80s Congolese band called Balka Sound.

Are we allowed to criticise Australian national teams?

The Pick and Roll β€’ 137 implied HN points β€’ 18 Sep 23
🎾 Sports Criticism Basketball
  1. The Australian Boomers failed at the FIBA 2023 World Cup, and their coach admitted they deserve criticism for the failure.
  2. It's important to acknowledge both the benefits of positivity and the necessity of facing truths, like the fact that failure is part of life.
  3. In a culture that often leans towards endless positivity, it can be challenging to objectively critique and address failures in professional sports.

Review: The 95th Academy Awards

Obvious Bicycle β€’ 263 implied HN points β€’ 10 Apr 23
🎭️ Culture Film Entertainment Art Criticism
  1. Certain winners at the 95th Academy Awards had their mic cut off during acceptance speeches, raising questions of disrespect.
  2. The movie 'Everything Everywhere All At Once' dominated the Oscars, winning in major categories despite divisive opinions on its quality.
  3. The success of 'Everything Everywhere All At Once' reflects a shift in awarding more original and risky films, indicating a positive direction for the future of cinema.

Ernest Hemingway: Macho Cat Dad

Litverse β€’ 479 implied HN points β€’ 05 Oct 22
πŸ“š Literature Biography Criticism Authorship Writing Style
  1. Ernest Hemingway, known for his macho image, had a deep connection with cats and spent a significant part of his life breeding them.
  2. Hemingway's persona often overshadowed the complexity and sensitivity in his writing, leading to misconceptions about his work.
  3. Through his unusual interactions with cats, Hemingway's true character emerges as a blend of strength and vulnerability, challenging common perceptions of his masculinity.

Some Notes on Hate-Watching

Banana Peel Pirouette β€’ 197 implied HN points β€’ 22 Jun 23
🎭️ Culture Media Literature Society Entertainment Criticism
  1. The practice of hate-watching involves watching shows or movies that are disliked, without enjoying them but still keeping up with the content.
  2. Hate-watching can stem from strong emotional responses like umbrage or aversion, leading viewers to engage with content they dislike on a sub-rational level.
  3. Hate-watching has evolved with modern media, offering a safe way for audiences to consume and critique content remotely, often leading to online discussions and shared sentiments.

A Criticism of Marc Andreessen's Techno-Optimist Manifesto

Anima Mundi β€’ 61 implied HN points β€’ 28 Nov 23
πŸ•Ή Technology Criticism Tech industry Market Dynamics Innovation
  1. Criticism of Marc Andreessen's Techno-Optimist Manifesto's blind faith in technology and free markets.
  2. Perception of double standards in Andreessen's viewpoints due to his success being intertwined with government assistance.
  3. Andreessen's narrative lacks actionable solutions and seems more like a tech industry rant than a source of valuable insights.

Mind Reading and Stolen Wits

Painful Signs, Or, Joel's Substack β€’ 59 implied HN points β€’ 17 Nov 23
πŸ“š Literature Analysis Narrative Interpretation Criticism
  1. The scene between Glaucus and Diomedes in the Iliad showcases the establishment of xenia, a storytelling of ancestral lineage, and the exchange of armor to signify continuing friendship.
  2. Ancient commentators were intrigued by Zeus taking away Glaukos' wits after the armor exchange, offering various interpretations about this judgment by the Homeric narrator.
  3. Glaukos strategically uses storytelling to avoid fighting Diomedes, showcasing how narratives can be weaponized for complex outcomes, akin to Odysseus' skill in mind-reading to subjugate and manipulate others.

Night Raids and Gimmick Episodes

Painful Signs, Or, Joel's Substack β€’ 39 implied HN points β€’ 11 Dec 23
πŸ“š Literature Epic Narrative Analysis Criticism
  1. Book 10 of the Iliad, also known as the 'Doloneia', explores the themes of politics, heroism, and narrative traditions through a nighttime raid by Diomedes and Odysseus.
  2. There is debate among scholars about the inclusion of Book 10 in Homer's Iliad, with some suggesting it was a later addition by Peisistratos.
  3. Gimmick episodes like the Doloneia in the Iliad serve as side quests, allowing for experimentation and expansion of the narrative world, providing a break from the main plot while still contributing to the overall story.

The New York Times Published Misinformation on Masks to Placate Its Readers

Unmasked β€’ 172 implied HN points β€’ 14 Mar 23
πŸ‡ΊπŸ‡Έ U.S. Politics Misinformation Masks Media Public Health Criticism
  1. Masks are still mandated in certain communities like healthcare settings and Hollywood film productions.
  2. Media outlets, like The New York Times, are criticized for promoting misinformation on masks.
  3. High quality evidence reviews have shown that masks do not work to prevent respiratory viruses.

George Orwell, Snobby Truthteller

Litverse β€’ 119 implied HN points β€’ 28 Jun 23
πŸ“š Literature Biography Criticism Themes Impact Analysis
  1. George Orwell's descriptions of poverty and working-class conditions often came across as snobbish and elitist to some critics.
  2. Orwell's upbringing in a family benefiting from the Empire's sins influenced his perspectives on injustice and societal change.
  3. Through his gardening, Orwell showed a commitment to beauty and resistance, highlighting the importance of finding beauty in life despite its cruelties.

Becoming human

The Leftovers β€’ 119 implied HN points β€’ 20 Jun 23
🎭️ Culture AI Criticism
  1. AI is impacting the cultural landscape by potentially taking over scriptwriting jobs previously done by humans.
  2. The automation of culture has been ongoing even before AI, with much of culture being formulaic and automatic.
  3. There is a significant amount of mind-numbing ideological junk produced in the cultural sphere that extends beyond just popular blockbusters.

Inspiration, Indolence, and the Torment of Toilet Texting

Litverse β€’ 239 implied HN points β€’ 26 Oct 22
πŸ“š Literature Creativity Inspiration Poetry Romanticism Criticism
  1. Many people use their phones on the toilet, but this habit may be robbing us of valuable inspiration. Finding moments of boredom can actually lead to creative breakthroughs.
  2. In a culture obsessed with measuring every aspect of our lives, we often overlook the value of unquantifiable activities like relaxation and creativity. Embracing unmediated moments can bring joy and inspiration.
  3. Constant phone use can hinder our ability to relax and be creative. We need to find a balance between hustle and leisure to truly tap into our potential and avoid missing out on life's deeper experiences.

The end of literary criticism

The Leftovers β€’ 139 implied HN points β€’ 08 Feb 23
πŸ“š Literature Criticism Reflection Writing
  1. The post discusses the idea of the end of literary criticism and reflects on mortality and life's meaning.
  2. The author talks about a personal Twitter list named DICKHEADS, and how it serves as a reminder of mortality and the importance of accepting life's end.
  3. There's a reflection on life wearing one out so that accepting its end is a more natural process, rather than feeling robbed.

True Transhumanism Part 2

Extropic Thoughts β€’ 39 implied HN points β€’ 17 Oct 23
πŸ“– Philosophy Transhumanism Perfection Criticism Technology Progress
  1. In transhumanism, the focus is on continual improvement, not on reaching perfection or paradise.
  2. The concept of perfection as a static state goes against the principles of transhumanism, which emphasizes perpetual progress.
  3. Critics often misinterpret transhumanism as seeking a utopia or ideal state, but in reality, transhumanists aim for continuous advancement towards 'extropia'.

Macron Is a Cursed Leader

Integrity Talk β€’ 33 implied HN points β€’ 13 Oct 23
🌍 World Politics Government Criticism Policies Extremism Democracy
  1. In France, criticism of President Macron reflects a deeply-rooted tradition of attacking leaders, and Macron has faced intense hatred that seems unprecedented compared to past presidents.
  2. Macron's administration faces criticism for perceived authoritarianism and elitism, although many accusations lack substantial evidence when examined closely.
  3. Opposition towards Macron appears to be concentrated in specific political factions or geographic areas, with varying degrees of intensity, while internationally his politics are generally supported.

A sneak peek at Chinese fast fashion giant Shein's DC lobbying efforts

Wenhao’s news blog β€’ 58 implied HN points β€’ 11 Jul 23
πŸ‡ΊπŸ‡Έ U.S. Politics Lobbying Congress Criticism
  1. Shein has hired powerful lobbying firms and influential individuals to lobby Congress amid criticism of its practices.
  2. The company faces scrutiny over labor and business practices, especially regarding allegations of forced labor in China's Xinjiang region.
  3. Shein's lobbying efforts show the company's proactive approach to navigating challenges and protecting its interests in the US market.

The Hard Truths of Writing

Trantor Publishing β€’ 119 implied HN points β€’ 02 Nov 22
πŸ“š Literature Writing Authors Creative Process Criticism
  1. Writing is hard work that requires consistency and dedication over time to improve and complete projects.
  2. It's important to finish your work and put it out to an audience for feedback and building a fanbase.
  3. World building is essential but should not overshadow the storytelling aspect; focus on story first and use world building to enhance it.

Why the Right Wing Needs to Abandon the Term "Mary Sue"

Trantor Publishing β€’ 99 implied HN points β€’ 25 Oct 22
🎭️ Culture Criticism Narrative Fiction Politics Art
  1. The concept of a 'Mary Sue' in storytelling is complex and can't be defined solely by a list of traits.
  2. The focus should be on evaluating the overall narrative and meaning of a story, rather than nitpicking character traits.
  3. Trying to label characters as 'Mary Sues' can sometimes overlook the importance of understanding the author's beliefs and intentions behind the story.

On the Spectator Urge

Autoscriptorium β€’ 59 implied HN points β€’ 07 Feb 23
πŸ“š Literature Fiction Reading Analysis Criticism Writing
  1. The concept of mimetic desire in reading involves imitating the desire itself, not just external representations.
  2. In literature, the mimetic interpretive lens involves subjecting characters to social criticism and evaluating them based on our own experiences.
  3. The mimetic urge in reading can be a way of seeking out desire, constantly evaluating and comparing, possibly as a protective mechanism in the current media-saturated world.

A. R. Ammons Goes For a Walk

Autoscriptorium β€’ 59 implied HN points β€’ 04 Feb 23
πŸ“š Literature Poetry Authors Criticism Nature
  1. Poetry is about the line, which contains thoughts spilling beyond; the breaks and movements are perceived differently by the eye than by the ear.
  2. A.R. Ammons was a prolific American poet who had a unique background outside of the typical academic path, with origins in rural North Carolina.
  3. In Ammons' poem 'Hymn,' he explores themes of seeking unity with something beyond oneself, incorporating precise scientific language into his work.