The hottest Criticism Substack posts right now

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Art Doesn't Lie About Chthonic Human Nature

Holodoxa β€’ 59 implied HN points β€’ 19 Aug 22
🎨 Art & Illustration Criticism Literature Analysis Interpretation Theory
  1. Art reflects the dark truths of human nature, as argued by Camille Paglia in her work Sexual Personae
  2. Paglia's thesis explores the conflict between reason and chaos in Western culture through art
  3. Paglia's provocative approach challenges traditional literary criticism and encourages a more engaging exploration of art and literature

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.

To All The RomComs I've Watched Before

Holodoxa β€’ 39 implied HN points β€’ 17 Nov 22
🎭️ Culture Film Criticism Genre Entertainment
  1. RomComs are beloved for their predictable yet endearing plots, performances, and lighter tone.
  2. Scott Meslow's book discusses the rise and fall of Romantic Comedies, highlighting their comeback in adjusting to new cultural and economic contexts.
  3. The RomCom genre faces challenges due to shifts in the entertainment industry towards franchise-focused and blockbuster films, impacting the traditional mid-level theatrical releases that once thrived.
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If You Don't Have Anything Good To Say

We're Gonna Get Those Bastards β€’ 6 implied HN points β€’ 12 Oct 24
πŸ“š Literature Books Reviews Writing Authors Criticism
  1. It's better to stay silent than to leave negative reviews. If you can't say something nice, just don't say anything at all.
  2. Instead of tearing others down, focus on lifting them up with positivity. Like your friends' achievements and show support, even if you don't agree with their choices.
  3. Criticism can be easy and tempting, but being a critic isn't a worthy goal. Aim to be a force for good in the world instead.

Resurrect the Western Canon

Holodoxa β€’ 39 implied HN points β€’ 23 Jul 22
πŸ“š Literature Criticism Interpretation Quality
  1. Harold Bloom presents a strong argument for identifying canonical literature based on qualities like aesthetic craft, psychological insight, and influence on future works.
  2. Bloom emphasizes the importance of individual and private engagement with high literature, contrasting it with more populist views on literary value.
  3. The discussion on the Western Canon by Bloom raises questions about the stability and historical context of what constitutes canonical literature, reflecting on the changing landscape of literary criticism.

Louis Aragon on critics

The Leftovers β€’ 59 implied HN points β€’ 27 Sep 21
πŸ“š Literature Criticism Authors Quotes
  1. Louis Aragon expressed strong disdain for literary critics and journalists, describing them in harsh and degrading terms.
  2. Aragon believed in the purity of his words and expressed a desire for them to be sacred, rejecting the idea of serving the 'miserable ends' of those who critique him.
  3. This text reflects Aragon's intense emotions and defiance against those who he felt were unworthy of commenting on his work.

The prologue of Roberto Arlt's Flamethrowers

The Leftovers β€’ 59 implied HN points β€’ 15 Jul 21
πŸ“š Literature Criticism Translation Writer
  1. Roberto Arlt was an Argentine writer with a unique voice and sensitivity for tales of the underworld, honed through his work as a crime reporter.
  2. Literature in Arlt's time was reserved for the wealthy; now, it grapples with issues of professionalism, real or imagined.
  3. Arlt's writing advocates for a literary world free of pretentiousness and solely driven by an uncontrollable urge to create, devoid of any other influences.

Literature in the Age of Content Production

The Leftovers β€’ 39 implied HN points β€’ 03 Sep 21
πŸ“š Literature Criticism Writing Publishing Authors Community
  1. Literature faces challenges in the age of content production, with authors struggling to make a living and facing difficulties in publishing and selling books.
  2. The traditional path to becoming a writer, such as pursuing expensive MFAs, may not guarantee success or recognition, highlighting the need for continuous writing and learning.
  3. Despite concerns about the state of Literature, it remains alive and thriving in the passion for words and storytelling, existing beyond the superficial debates and challenges of the modern age.

"The River" Revised by AI

Opaque Hourglass β€’ 1 HN point β€’ 09 Jun 24
πŸ“š Literature Poetry Artificial Intelligence Criticism Memory Themes
  1. The AI revision of a poem can offer new insights and perspectives, making us reconsider the original work.
  2. Sometimes, amateurish art and poetry, including AI-generated pieces, can still hold value and evoke unexpected appreciation.
  3. Artificial intelligence translations of human-generated poems can function like literary criticism, highlighting themes and meanings that may not have been immediately apparent.

The Twenty-First Century Category Error

Political Currents by Ross Barkan β€’ 12 implied HN points β€’ 17 Jul 23
πŸ“š Literature Authors Criticism Ideologies Magazines Politics
  1. The essay discusses the novelist Bret Easton Ellis and his latest novel, revealing the impact of his podcast on his work.
  2. The mention of Walter Kirn in the essay raises questions about the categorization of individuals based on their political views and affiliations.
  3. Literary publications should strive to go beyond categorizing writers based on political leanings and instead focus on their contributions to literature.

the education system is fraudulent

Midnight Musings β€’ 19 implied HN points β€’ 31 May 22
🚌 Education Systems Learning Curriculum Criticism Development
  1. The education system focuses too much on grades and test scores, which can harm creativity and genuine learning. Students often end up learning how to game the system instead of being curious.
  2. Learning is too structured and doesn't allow for exploration. This can lead to people thinking in ways others define, rather than developing their own unique problem-solving skills.
  3. Students are taught to measure their worth by their output and how others view them. This can create unhealthy competition and pressure, leading to a lack of fulfillment.

The romantic life of the book reviewer

Eclecticism: Reflections on literature, writing and life β€’ 14 implied HN points β€’ 27 May 23
πŸ“š Literature Book Reviews Authors Criticism
  1. Book reviewing involves tight deadlines that induce panic and paralysis.
  2. Some publishers can be unhelpful by not providing review copies or sending unreadable books.
  3. Author attacks can happen despite honest reviews, but the perks of book reviewing include acquiring books for free and becoming more informed.

Planet of Person Guys

Freddie deBoer β€’ 1 HN point β€’ 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.

Tự do và văn hóa

ThΓ‘i | Hacker | Kα»Ή sΖ° tin tαΊ·c β€’ 19 implied HN points β€’ 16 Aug 14
🎭️ Culture Freedom of Speech Cultural Identity Democracy Individualism Criticism
  1. Building a culture that values freedom of expression and individual rights is crucial for societal progress and democracy.
  2. Defending free speech, even when it involves controversial or opposing views, is essential for promoting diverse perspectives and critical thinking.
  3. Encouraging a culture where individuals can express dissenting opinions without fear of reprisal is vital for fostering a society that values freedom and self-reflection.

Lepores missing cites

Joshua Gans' Newsletter β€’ 0 implied HN points β€’ 23 May 16
πŸ’Ό Business Books Criticism Literature Research Academic
  1. The author's book on disruption was not anchored with Jill Lepore's criticisms because many others had already tackled those points previously.
  2. The author aimed to rise above issues of personality and focus on ideas and evidence in the book rather than getting involved in other matters like personalities.
  3. The author brought together various academic literature on disruption to create the book.

Dahl's chickens

Numb at the Lodge β€’ 0 implied HN points β€’ 27 Feb 23
πŸ“š Literature Analysis Criticism Classic literature
  1. Roald Dahl's children's books are being updated to fit contemporary sensibilities, which involves removing some of the darker, more cruel elements.
  2. The author discusses the role of contrarians and the responsibility that comes with challenging prevailing beliefs and ideologies.
  3. There is widespread disapproval of the efforts to sanitize Dahl's work, with many arguing that the darkness and nastiness in his stories are essential and should not be removed.

Are You Encouraging or Cutting Others Down?

Spilled Coffee β€’ 0 implied HN points β€’ 08 Mar 23
🎭️ Culture Social media Human connection Encouragement Criticism Kindness
  1. In a world centered around social media validation, we often forget about real-life connections and kindness.
  2. Instead of criticizing and cutting others down, we should encourage and support them in their pursuits.
  3. We all need to improve how we treat others, offering help, insight, and kindness to create a more supportive community.

Xgau Sez: January, 2024

And It Don't Stop β€’ 0 implied HN points β€’ 17 Jan 24
🎢 Music Album Reviews Music Industry Artist Profiles Criticism Music Analysis
  1. The impact of Radiohead's _OK Computer_ on a new generation is more due to its prog aesthetic rather than its progressive politics.
  2. When reviewing music albums, it is not necessary to cover all versions released by an artist, especially if they lack significant differences.
  3. The future of talented artists like Olivia Rodrigo is unpredictable as their personal and professional lives evolve, possibly affecting their music in unexpected ways.

Nabokov, Borges, Leys, Lin Shu...

The Leftovers β€’ 0 implied HN points β€’ 28 Oct 21
πŸ“š Literature Translation Criticism Language Authors
  1. Translation quality is subjective and can vary based on different perspectives like faithfulness to the original text or clarity in the translation.
  2. Vladimir Nabokov believed in the importance of faithfulness in translation, requiring a deep understanding of both the source and target languages.
  3. Jorge Luis Borges saw translation as a transformation that could sometimes improve upon the original text, emphasizing meaning over preserving every detail.

The Big Lookback: Christina Stead

And It Don't Stop β€’ 0 implied HN points β€’ 01 Mar 23
πŸ“š Literature Novelists Criticism Biography Feminism Writing Style
  1. Christina Stead's novel The Man Who Loved Children is praised for its unique voices and detailed character development
  2. Stead's writing style is described as unorthodox and crafted with a mix of satire and naturalism
  3. Stead, an Australian novelist, was known for her eccentric, unedited prose which explored intolerable situations and characters