The hottest Critique Substack posts right now

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Top Literature Topics

On hype, and the unbearable banality of ChatGPT’s poetry

Marcus on AI • 4268 implied HN points • 19 Nov 24
🕹 Technology AI Poetry Literature Critique Research
  1. A recent study claims that ChatGPT's poetry is similar to Shakespeare's, but it's important to be skeptical of such bold claims. Many experts believe the poetry is just a poor imitation, lacking genuine creativity.
  2. The critique of the AI poetry highlights that it often reads like the work of an unskilled poet who doesn't truly understand the style they're trying to emulate. This raises questions about the quality of AI-generated content.
  3. It's essential to approach AI-generated work with caution and to not get swayed by hype, as popular claims may not always reflect the true abilities of the technology.

HALLOWEEN HORRORS (cont.)

THREE SEVEN MAFIA • 579 implied HN points • 23 Oct 24
🎭️ Culture Film Horror Critique Media Entertainment
  1. Rob Zombie's version of 'Halloween' presents a more human and demonic Michael Myers, giving depth to his character as he deals with abuse and violence.
  2. The portrayal of Dr. Loomis is twisted, showing him as a con man looking to profit from Michael's killings, which reflects modern culture's obsession with crime and entertainment.
  3. The film 'Lifeforce' offers a unique blend of sci-fi and horror with its storyline about energy vampires, featuring impressive special effects and an adventurous feel despite being a commercial flop.

Theft

Story Club with George Saunders • 40 implied HN points • 01 Dec 24
🎭️ Culture Literature Art Storytelling Critique Discussion
  1. A good work of art captures something deep and meaningful. It's about more than just the surface level; it resonates with our emotions and thoughts.
  2. Engaging with art is a collaborative experience. The audience plays a vital role in interpreting and connecting with the work.
  3. Effective storytelling includes exploring difficult themes. A story can tackle complex issues while still being relatable and thought-provoking.

The West Only Has Pretend Heroes Like Spider-Man And SpongeBob

Caitlin’s Newsletter • 1923 implied HN points • 29 Oct 24
🎭️ Culture Critique Heroes Pop culture Media Society
  1. The idea of real heroes is missing in Western culture, as only popular fictional characters are recognized. People often point to characters like Spider-Man and SpongeBob instead of real-life heroes.
  2. Many individuals who truly stand up against injustice or the powers that be are ignored or punished. The media doesn't promote these real heroes but instead focuses on those who entertain or distract the public.
  3. The prevalent culture tends to celebrate superficial achievements rather than meaningful contributions. Most celebrated figures support the status quo instead of challenging it.

Not Funny

Points And Figures • 559 implied HN points • 29 Oct 24
😂 Humor Stand-up Comedy Critique Entertainment Performance
  1. Tony Hinchcliffe's style of humor is seen as harsh and not funny. Unlike comedians like Don Rickles, he doesn't include self-deprecating jokes.
  2. Hinchcliffe's jokes can be cringeworthy and don't seem to resonate well with audiences, especially at events like the Trump rally.
  3. The comparison between Hinchcliffe and Rickles highlights a difference in comedic approach, where Rickles was more inclusive and warm-hearted.
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Screw You Guys, I Root For Muad'Dib

Freddie deBoer • 8446 implied HN points • 06 Mar 24
🎭️ Culture Film Literature Critique Fandom Characterization
  1. In the Dune universe, the writer roots for Paul Atreides despite knowing it won't end well
  2. The Dune 2 movie is praised for being a meticulously crafted, popular film with excellent cast and stunning visuals
  3. Despite the warnings about not rooting for Paul due to the themes of the story, the writer still finds him and his rebel army cool and follows Muad'Dib passionately

Book review: "Power and Progress"

Noahpinion • 8706 implied HN points • 21 Feb 24
📚 Literature Book review Economics Innovation Critique History
  1. The impact of technological innovation on human welfare depends on how society chooses to use these innovations, highlighting the importance of social decisions.
  2. The book discusses how power dynamics in society influence the choices made regarding technology, with recent decisions leaning towards negative impacts.
  3. Society can shape technology to distribute benefits more widely by focusing on inventions that complement workers instead of replacing them, presenting a controversial but essential concept.

Culture Study Goes Full ACOTAR

Culture Study • 3308 implied HN points • 06 Mar 24
🎭️ Culture Fantasy Romance Literature Podcasts Critique
  1. These books have explicit sex scenes that focus on female pleasure, offering multiple builds and payoffs, with a perspective that centers around women's desires.
  2. The hotness in the books is rooted in monogamous fantasies, exploring the idea of soulmates and eternal monogamy as very sexy concepts.
  3. The series grapples with the complexity of first loves and the trauma of realizing someone may not be your perfect match, providing a rare depiction of challenging romantic realities.

Why The Nobel Prize Fails

Some Unpleasant Arithmetic • 8 implied HN points • 25 Oct 24
💼 Business Economics Development Institutions Research Critique
  1. Some people believe the recent winners of the Nobel Prize in Economics didn’t do groundbreaking work, making it hard to justify their award. They think their research doesn't show enough significant change in the field.
  2. Critics say the winners' theories overlook important historical contexts, like the impact of slavery and colonialism, which are vital for understanding economic development. They argue the winners should have connected their work more with historical literature.
  3. Despite the criticisms, the research done by the Nobel laureates has sparked a lot of ongoing discussions in economics. It has shaped how many economists think about development issues today.

HEY! Watch Disaffected on Twitter Sunday Night!

Disaffected Newsletter • 599 implied HN points • 13 May 24
🎙 Podcasts Critique Media Streaming Entertainment Social media
  1. The show 'Disaffected' will be available on Twitter this Sunday at 9 pm Eastern time. People are encouraged to join and chat during the show.
  2. YouTube and Apple blocked a video from 'Disaffected', claiming it was unfairly flagged despite it being a fair use critique. This situation highlights concerns about censorship.
  3. Viewers are urged to support 'Disaffected' and help make the Twitter show a success after their struggles with other platforms.

"Boule de Suif"

Story Club with George Saunders • 41 implied HN points • 20 Oct 24
📚 Literature Fiction Poetry Essays Critique Teaching
  1. The story 'Boule de Suif' explores themes of sacrifice and morality. It shows how people's values can change in difficult situations.
  2. The character of Boule de Suif represents strength and resilience despite facing judgment from others. She's a strong woman in a challenging world.
  3. The setting of the story highlights the impact of war on individuals and society. It reveals how external conflicts can shape personal choices.

The New York Times Memorializes Daniel Dennett Without Reading Him

Philosophy for the People w/Ben Burgis • 419 implied HN points • 28 Apr 24
📖 Philosophy Free will Consciousness Compatibilism Obituary Critique
  1. Compatibilism argues that even in a deterministic universe, humans can still have free will.
  2. In the debate about free will, one needs to consider which aspects of 'free will' are crucial for concepts like moral responsibility.
  3. Criticism of Daniel Dennett highlights the importance of understanding a philosopher's actual positions before critiquing them.

Some Thoughts on the Meaning Behind the Characters in the Brave New World

Through A Glass Darkly • 845 implied HN points • 02 Feb 24
📚 Literature Character analysis Symbolism Critique Historical context
  1. The characters in Brave New World represent extremes of societal expectations and moral reflections.
  2. Aldous Huxley uses Shakespeare's works to mock the failed American experiment for a better world.
  3. The story tackles themes of free will, conditioning, and the struggle against oppressive societal structures.

The Price is... Fixed!

Bit Personality • 11 implied HN points • 22 Oct 24
😂 Humor Television Culture Entertainment Society Critique
  1. The audition process for game shows can be fun and quirky, involving unique people and interesting conversations.
  2. There's a feeling that game shows, like life, can seem made up and that money and the economy aren’t as solid as they seem.
  3. People enjoy rebellion and controversy, which adds excitement to the entertainment they consume.

Debunking Pseudoscience: ‘Multimodal Models of Animal Sex’

Reality's Last Stand • 1434 implied HN points • 06 Mar 23
🔬 Science Biology Gender Research Evolution Critique
  1. The paper debunks the traditional binary model of biological sex by proposing a multimodal model.
  2. Current efforts in academia are influencing scientific research on sex by incorporating political motivations in the study.
  3. The study fails to provide evidence for more than two sexes and is criticized for misinterpreting sex differences in genetics, endocrinology, morphology, and behavior.

Against Nonlinear

Thing of Things • 805 implied HN points • 18 Jan 24
🎭️ Culture Critique Community Ethics Transparency Values
  1. Effective altruist culture should prioritize spending resources efficiently for doing good.
  2. Career opportunities in effective altruism should be based on merit and skills, not connections or social status.
  3. Maintaining transparency and accountability is crucial for building trust and ensuring the effectiveness of organizations in the effective altruism movement.

Purpose Porn

thestoa • 687 implied HN points • 27 Jan 24
📖 Philosophy Purpose Meaning Self-help Critique
  1. Question the notion of having a predefined life purpose.
  2. Living without a defined purpose can lead to a more adventurous life.
  3. Avoid getting caught up in the societal pressure of constantly showcasing a sense of purpose.

The Band's Role on Tour '74 (by Annie Burkhart)

Flagging Down the Double E's • 589 implied HN points • 25 Jan 24
🎶 Music History Art Analysis Critique Performance
  1. The Band's role on the 1974 tour was significant, as they played two sets each night with their own big hits alongside Bob Dylan's songs.
  2. The Band faced struggles and burnout in 1974, with some members dealing with substance abuse and creative decline.
  3. The group's performance in Fort Worth in 1974 showcased their vulnerability and struggle, highlighted by songs like 'The Weight' and 'The Shape I'm In.'

Match the Classic Work of Literature to the Pitch Proposal!

Castalia • 359 implied HN points • 25 Mar 24
📚 Literature Critique Analysis Creative Writing Humor
  1. Some literary proposals describe books with bizarre plots and characters. These unique stories can make it hard to match them with classic literature.
  2. Many proposals have strange themes, like a poem talking to a penis or characters stuck in a horse for years. They show how creative writers can be.
  3. Some pitches mix humor and serious topics, such as a story about a ruthless moneylender who also speaks beautifully. This blend often leads to unexpected twists.

Doppelgänger, by Naomi Klein

The Common Reader • 602 implied HN points • 14 Feb 24
📚 Literature Books Authors Analysis Ideas Critique
  1. Naomi Klein explores the concept of doppelgängers and her experience of being confused with Naomi Wolf, a conspiracy theorist spreading misinformation about Covid.
  2. Klein delves into the idea that the internet has created doppelgängers of us all, raising questions about online identities and personas.
  3. The book highlights how both Naomi Klein and Naomi Wolf use provocative language and ideas to engage with audiences, emphasizing the impact of strong rhetoric in today's discourse.

"The space between me and me is you"

Five’s Substack • 139 implied HN points • 02 Jun 24
📚 Literature Fiction Poetry Narrative Analysis Critique
  1. The narrator in the novel grapples with loss and hunger, representing a deep yearning for something unattainable. This desire leads to a cycle of violence towards the living, as she substitutes each victim for what she's truly searching for.
  2. Hunger is described not just as a physical need, but as a longing for hope and connection that can never be fully satisfied. Each meal offers a temporary escape, yet the true craving remains unfulfilled.
  3. The journey of the narrator shows that her ultimate goal is not to regain what she lost but to revisit a single perfect memory from her past. This reflects how memories shape our identities and the complex relationship we have with loss.

Does The Past Exist?

Castalia • 579 implied HN points • 19 Dec 23
📖 Philosophy Existence Literature History Critique Rationalism Aesthetics
  1. Some people believe that the past doesn't matter as much because they think progress leads to better results today. They argue that everything improves over time, like athletes breaking records.
  2. However, the author argues that past achievements in areas like literature and chess have their own unique value and should not be dismissed. The past has lessons and beauty that are still relevant today.
  3. It's important to respect the past and recognize its significance. It shouldn't just be seen as a stepping stone for the present.