The hottest Criticism Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
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Another Gripe

Unpopular Front β€’ 55 implied HN points β€’ 21 Nov 24
🎭️ Culture Literature Criticism Media Politics History
  1. Responding to negative reviews can seem petty, but sometimes it's necessary to clear up misunderstandings. It's important to address when someone's critique misses the point of your work.
  2. Understanding the tone and context of writing is crucial for meaningful critiques. Misinterpreting jokes or irony can lead to completely off-base reviews.
  3. Critics should be careful when making claims about an author's political views or arguments. Misreading can reveal more about the critic's biases than the author's actual stance.

Circle jerks: in praise of negativity

The Leftovers β€’ 479 implied HN points β€’ 19 Dec 23
πŸ“š Literature Reviews Criticism Authors Book promotion Literary culture
  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.

Shiny Happy People Recipe...

illyanna Maisonet's Newsletter β€’ 687 implied HN points β€’ 26 Sep 23
🎭️ Culture Food Podcasts Gender Career Criticism
  1. The author offers a discount for annual subscriptions to their newsletter until the end of the year.
  2. There is a discussion about engaging and retaining followers, with feedback on the tone of the newsletter being shared.
  3. The complexity of balancing authenticity with audience perception, especially in terms of expressions of anger or jadedness, is highlighted.

Culture War 2x2

thestoa β€’ 314 implied HN points β€’ 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.
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Experiment in style: Testing times

Eclecticism: Reflections on literature, writing and life β€’ 10 implied HN points β€’ 12 Jan 25
πŸ“š Literature Writing Genres Narrative Poetry Criticism
  1. Trying different writing styles can help improve your writing skills. It’s fun to see how changing the style can change the story's tone.
  2. Reworking a text into something like an exam can be a creative exercise. This approach encourages deeper thinking about the content.
  3. Using humor and different literary techniques can make writing more engaging. Experiments like these help explore the balance between seriousness and playfulness.

The Problem With a Life of "Yes"

At the Mountains of Sadness β€’ 589 implied HN points β€’ 06 Jul 23
🎭️ Culture Social Issues Celebrity Criticism Fame Power Dynamics
  1. Rich and famous individuals can become detached from reality when surrounded by constant affirmation and lack of criticism.
  2. Being shielded from 'no' can lead to a warped sense of truth and morality for wealthy and powerful people.
  3. Continuous validation can drive some prominent figures towards extremism and an inability to handle dissenting opinions.

Countee Cullen's Lyric Ghosts

Journal of Free Black Thought β€’ 6 implied HN points β€’ 20 Jan 25
πŸ“š Literature Poetry Literary Analysis Cultural Studies Criticism
  1. Countee Cullen's poem addresses John Keats, showing a connection between the two poets. It suggests that both poets understand beauty and the passage of time in a unique way.
  2. Cullen's use of the season of spring represents renewal and transformation, linking life and death. It creates a feeling that past and future moments are blended in this beautiful season.
  3. The poem invites readers to feel included in the conversation between Cullen and Keats. It blurs the lines of life and death, making everyone a part of this shared experience of beauty.

Unpacking My Digital Library

What Is Called Thinking? β€’ 45 implied HN points β€’ 22 Nov 24
πŸ“š Literature Poetry Philosophy Criticism Art Culture
  1. Curating and sharing links can connect different ideas and inspire thought. It's a fun way to mix academic work with popular culture.
  2. Communicating the truth requires care; it's not just about saying what you think, but also about making sure others understand you. This highlights the importance of good rhetoric.
  3. Having strong convictions can guide important decisions in life, like investing. Knowing when to be passionate and when to be calm is a valuable skill.

What are you all reading?

Men Yell at Me β€’ 207 implied HN points β€’ 11 Nov 24
🎭️ Culture Media Literature Journalism Discussion Criticism
  1. Mainstream media like CNN and The New York Times are becoming echo chambers, making it harder to find diverse viewpoints. It's important to seek out different sources for a fuller understanding of the news.
  2. Despite challenges in the media industry, good journalism still exists. However, many stories that can positively impact the world are less likely to be published by traditional outlets.
  3. It's valuable to share and explore new media that excites you. Finding and supporting independent journalists and stories can help create a better media landscape.

China via social media

Austrian China β€’ 314 implied HN points β€’ 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 β€’ 294 implied HN points β€’ 13 Jan 24
πŸ’Ύ 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.

Writing What You Can't Say

Desk Notes by Charles Schifano β€’ 60 implied HN points β€’ 01 Nov 24
πŸ“š Literature Writing Poetry Fiction Non-fiction Criticism
  1. Listening to how you speak can help improve your writing. Pay attention to moments when you hesitate or struggle to find the right words; this is where your best ideas can emerge.
  2. The search for the right word can be difficult, but it's a valuable process for a writer. Those tricky moments highlight what you really want to express and push you to find better ways to describe it.
  3. Saying what you feel but can't easily put into words is a key part of writing. Embracing confusion and uncertainty can actually lead to more compelling stories and ideas.

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

Public β€’ 521 implied HN points β€’ 07 Feb 24
πŸ‡ΊπŸ‡Έ 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.

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.

Trust the Critic?

Political Currents by Ross Barkan β€’ 36 implied HN points β€’ 04 Dec 24
πŸ“š Literature Book Reviews Criticism Publishing Fiction Cultural Commentary
  1. There is less honest criticism of books because many critics are now freelancers and also writers. This makes them less likely to be negative about new books that could affect their own careers.
  2. Critics used to challenge well-known authors more freely and offer varied opinions, but now they often just give praise without saying what's really bad about a book. This makes it hard for readers to know which novels are really worth their time.
  3. New platforms like Substack are giving space to honest voices in criticism. This shift could bring back more genuine discussions about literature instead of the bland, safe reviews we often see now.

With Revenues Declining, Corporate Media Demand Substack Censorship

Public β€’ 515 implied HN points β€’ 18 Jan 24
πŸ“° 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.

"Theft"

Story Club with George Saunders β€’ 45 implied HN points β€’ 17 Nov 24
πŸ“š Literature Fiction Essays Short Stories Criticism Creative Writing
  1. The story 'Theft' by Katherine Anne Porter explores themes of loss and value. It makes you think about what things really mean to us.
  2. The discussion led by George Saunders encourages readers to engage deeply with the story. Thinking about the characters and their experiences helps enrich the reading.
  3. Turning off the comments allows for a more thoughtful reading process. It gives everyone time to reflect on their thoughts before sharing.

Eyes Wide Open

The Better Letter β€’ 196 implied HN points β€’ 01 Feb 24
🎢 Music History Criticism Innovation Popularity Impact
  1. The Beatles' success was a result of luck and timing, as well as their innovation and willingness to take risks.
  2. Critics initially dismissed The Beatles' music, but later recognized their impact and influence on the music industry.
  3. The Beatles faced criticism and skepticism from critics throughout their career, but their music ultimately endured and influenced generations to come.

Possible verdicts

Austin Kleon β€’ 1358 implied HN points β€’ 23 Aug 22
🎭️ Culture Art Literature Criticism Judgment Beauty
  1. It's important to separate our feelings about beauty and personal taste when it comes to art. Just because we don't like something doesn't mean it's not beautiful.
  2. Adults can develop a deeper understanding of art by recognizing multiple ways to respond to it, beyond just liking or disliking.
  3. Being able to appreciate something as good, even if we don't like it right away, shows growth in our taste and judgment.

Dog days

Austin Kleon β€’ 1498 implied HN points β€’ 08 Jul 22
🎭️ Culture Art Literature Music Media Criticism
  1. Reading shorter books can be enjoyable and worthwhile, even if they don’t blow you away. It's nice to find pieces that balance serious topics with a light touch.
  2. Creative work often comes from balancing respect for the past with the desire to innovate. This tension can lead to interesting new ideas and artworks.
  3. Podcasts and shows can be great for light entertainment; for example, 'The Offer' is a fun mini-series worth checking out.

Maybe we shouldn’t be β€˜annoying all the right people’

Wrong Side of History β€’ 375 implied HN points β€’ 16 Feb 24
πŸ‡ΊπŸ‡Έ 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.

Dear John

gen yeet β€’ 294 implied HN points β€’ 30 Oct 23
πŸ“š Literature Fiction Criticism Autofiction Review Short Story
  1. The story of 'Cat Person' delves into the complexities of modern dating and consent.
  2. The protagonist's reflections on past relationships highlight themes of self-discovery and evolving perceptions.
  3. The narrative explores the impact of personal experiences on individual identity and memory.

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.

REPOST: I Will Remove All My Content From Spotify if They Continue to Platform "Wonderful Christmastime" by Paul McCartney

I Might Be Wrong β€’ 13 implied HN points β€’ 26 Dec 24
🎢 Music Artists Content Platforms Censorship Criticism
  1. The author expresses strong dislike for Paul McCartney's song 'Wonderful Christmastime', claiming it's a terrible piece of music. They feel it negatively impacts their enjoyment of the holiday season.
  2. They argue that by continuing to include this song, Spotify is being complicit in promoting bad music. The author believes a choice must be made between their content and the song.
  3. Despite loving The Beatles, the author finds it disappointing that McCartney created such a song. They hope to disassociate themselves from 'Wonderful Christmastime' out of personal conviction.

Inside looking in

The Leftovers β€’ 139 implied HN points β€’ 05 Feb 24
πŸ“š Literature Memoirs Criticism Writing Style Political themes
  1. Memoirs can pose challenges for authors and critics, leading to delicate evaluations and special treatment.
  2. Authors can offer universal insights by looking inward, Personal experiences can embody broader themes and human conditions.
  3. Advocating for a shift from 'the political is personal' to 'the personal is political', encouraging connections and unity amidst societal fragmentation.

Make self-publishing great again

The Leftovers β€’ 219 implied HN points β€’ 20 Nov 23
πŸ“š Literature Self-Publishing Criticism Classic literature
  1. The preconception that traditionally-published books are inherently better than self-published ones is flawed; both avenues have their own strengths and weaknesses.
  2. Gatekeeping in the literary world may not always be based on merit, leading to snobbish attitudes towards self-published works.
  3. The way a book is released does not determine its greatness; classic works like those of Proust and Dickens were self-published and have stood the test of time.