The hottest Critique Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
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Top Literature Topics

The Inner Development Goals on Trial

The Joyous Struggle • 671 implied HN points • 05 Oct 23
📖 Philosophy Ethics Humanity Critique Progress
  1. The Inner Development Goals (IDGs) were created in response to the failure to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and aim to enhance human capacity.
  2. The IDGs are challenged for their perceived emphasis on personal growth as a means of achieving goodness, their modernist perspective, and their alignment with existing power structures.
  3. Critics question whether the IDGs are truly disruptive and transformative or if they reinforce immunity to change by not addressing systemic risks and structural injustices.
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A clarification but, crucially, not a correction

Close-reading the reruns with Phoebe Maltz Bovy • 334 implied HN points • 30 Jan 24
🎭️ Culture Gender Appearance Critique Body Image Social norms
  1. The author clarified a theory about online pseudonyms critiquing appearances of celebrities, emphasizing it was just a neutral guess.
  2. The author received feedback from a woman contradicting assumptions about their identity and intentions behind their critique of Taylor Swift's appearance.
  3. The discussion expanded to critique societal norms around women's body image and the impact of judgments on appearance.

The English Major is Dead. Long Live... Statistics?

Litverse • 598 implied HN points • 03 Apr 23
📚 Literature Education Critique Analysis Humanities Culture
  1. The traditional focus on English majors and humanities is declining in college, with more students opting for fields like statistics and focusing on tangible results and financial outcomes.
  2. There is a shift towards valuing passion over privilege in the humanities, while statistics and data-driven analysis gain popularity in educational pursuits.
  3. The current generation is redefining education and career paths, emphasizing skills and practical knowledge over the traditional humanities subjects, reflecting a cultural shift in how knowledge is valued and applied.

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.

Songs My Son Gave Me

So Here’s a Thing • 589 implied HN points • 16 Apr 23
🎶 Music Critique Pop Rock Genres
  1. It's okay not to like all modern music trends, but there are still artists producing enjoyable material.
  2. Artists like Billie Eilish, UPSAHL, and Nessa Barret are worth exploring for a break from the usual.
  3. Exploring new music, even if it's not your typical genre, can uncover hidden gems and offer a refreshing change.

Theft

Story Club with George Saunders • 49 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.

Our Slovenly Willingness

The Absent-Minded Professor • 275 implied HN points • 06 Feb 24
🕹 Technology Devices Ethics Innovation Critique Future
  1. Apple's Vision Pro is pushing for a future of computing that may erode our sense of community.
  2. The increasing closeness of technology to us poses a new layer of distraction and potential harm to individual and communal well-being.
  3. Critically examining our reliance on technology can help us preserve our connection to nature and community over a machine-driven lifestyle.

What's Imagination For, Anyway?

Cybernetic Forests • 279 implied HN points • 04 Feb 24
🎨 Art & Illustration Technology AI Art Critique Ethics Community
  1. Art can either sell systems of power or support technocracy, highlighting the importance of using art to question and challenge technology rather than serve as a tool for propping up power.
  2. Imagination is often linked with AI, but it's crucial to move beyond speculative thinking to consider the real impacts and consequences of AI on our world today.
  3. Artists, when working with and against technology, can play a role in subverting and challenging powerful systems by acting as parasites, critiquing and revealing flaws instead of just showcasing technological prowess.

SHAP Is Not All You Need

Mindful Modeler • 898 implied HN points • 07 Feb 23
🕹 Technology Machine Learning Interpretability Research Books Critique
  1. It's important to avoid assuming one method is always the best for all interpretation contexts when working with machine learning interpretability tools like SHAP.
  2. Different interpretability methods like SHAP and permutation feature importance (PFI) have unique goals and can provide different insights, so it's crucial to choose the method that aligns with the specific question you want to answer.
  3. Research on interpretability should be more driven by questions rather than methods, to ensure that the tools used provide meaningful insights based on the context.

Hyperion and boring techno futures

Yasha Levine • 412 implied HN points • 02 May 23
📚 Literature Science fiction Critique Existentialism
  1. The story of Hyperion explores a conflict between a traditional civilization reliant on AI technology and a post-humanist society embracing genetic tinkering and self-directed evolution.
  2. The author questions the idealized futuristic utopia presented in the Hyperion series, highlighting the potential downsides and complexities of a tech-driven society.
  3. There is a comparison drawn between the themes in the Hyperion series and ideologies of technology-driven utopias seen in history, pointing out the different perspectives and potential outcomes.

Thinking Week

The Cosmopolitan Globalist • 16 implied HN points • 21 Dec 24
📖 Philosophy Thought Writing Critique Culture Ideas
  1. Writers who publish regularly can become repetitive and lose their edge over time. It's important for them to refresh their ideas to stay interesting.
  2. The author originally chose Substack to share their book because they believed it would reach more people than traditional publishing. They wanted to connect with readers who may have shorter attention spans.
  3. Over the years, the author has noticed that many ideas they discussed early on are now part of mainstream conversations, reflecting a shift in public awareness and discourse.

Fast days, slow company

gen yeet • 373 implied HN points • 21 Jul 23
📚 Literature Film Memory Critique Analysis Book
  1. Memory is like a true fiction, a subjective version of the past that exists in our heads.
  2. Non-linear storytelling and abstraction in fiction can keep readers engaged and intrigued.
  3. Movies like Midnight Cowboy and Past Lives explore themes of unfulfilled romance and longing, leaving room for interpretation.

Contra Hanania: Why Reading Books is Good, Actually

Mind & Mythos • 539 implied HN points • 11 May 23
📚 Literature Reading Books Critique Cognition Memory
  1. Reading books helps with remembering and understanding ideas better than just quick posts or tweets. It's about taking time to fully grasp concepts.
  2. Books can connect new ideas with what we already know, making them more meaningful and easier to recall later.
  3. Not every book is worth reading, but the long tradition of books shows they still have a special value in learning and reflection.

Letter to Young Americans

American Dreaming • 555 implied HN points • 24 Nov 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Youth Nationalism Social justice Freedom of Speech Critique
  1. Young Americans are expressing disillusionment and cynicism towards the US and the West.
  2. These attitudes are linked to a school of thought called postcolonialism, which can lead to left-wing fascism under the guise of social justice.
  3. The author urges young Americans to reevaluate their views and emphasizes the value of freedom of speech in America.

Do You Have Evidence?

Disaffected Newsletter • 1 HN point • 26 Sep 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Debate Manipulation Evidence Communication Critique
  1. Some people don't really care about real evidence; they're just trying to challenge you for show. It's more about their ego than the truth.
  2. When someone demands proof for something obvious, it's usually a tactic to dismiss your point instead of engaging in a real discussion.
  3. Instead of giving in to their demands for evidence, consider ignoring them or showing others how they manipulate arguments. This helps everyone stay aware of these tactics.

On Færie-Stories—like Frank Herbert's "Dune"—Derived from Agrarian-Age Roots

Brad DeLong's Grasping Reality • 299 implied HN points • 11 Mar 24
📚 Literature Analysis Themes Critique Storytelling Characters
  1. Dune by Frank Herbert is a complex and problematic story that delves into themes of tragedy, power, and morality.
  2. The connection between mastery-as-expertise and mastery-as-domination in stories like 'Dune' reflects historical perspectives rooted in Agrarian-Age dynamics of power and exploitation.
  3. While enjoying stories like 'Dune,' it's important to analyze and recognize the problematic aspects of the themes presented, such as the intertwining of expertise and dominance.

Look Who's Talking: G.A. Cohen on Israeli Condemnations of Palestinian Terrorism

Philosophy for the People w/Ben Burgis • 319 implied HN points • 10 Sep 23
📖 Philosophy Ethics Political Philosophy Moral dilemmas Critique
  1. G.A. Cohen questioned the equal right of everyone to condemn terrorist attacks, highlighting the complexity of moral standing in such situations.
  2. Cohen's analysis of Israeli-Palestinian conflict suggests that those responsible for injustices may lack the moral standing to condemn actions that result from the grievances they caused.
  3. The argument presents a thought-provoking analogy involving responsibilities and moral condemnations in a hypothetical scenario, challenging the notion of moral authority in certain situations.

Cohen vs. Trotsky: Is Marxism Without Dialectics Really Like a Clock Without a Spring?

Philosophy for the People w/Ben Burgis • 239 implied HN points • 05 Nov 23
📖 Philosophy Marxism Critique Theory
  1. Marxism debates include the significance of the 'dialectical method' and if it's essential to the ideology.
  2. There's a discussion on whether Marxism can do without dialectics or if it's a crucial aspect.
  3. Understanding the relationship between Hegel's dialectical approach and Marxism is a key focus in analyzing theoretical differences.

Hitch and the Philosopher: A Look Back at Christopher Hitchens's Debate with William Lane Craig

Philosophy for the People w/Ben Burgis • 379 implied HN points • 26 Feb 23
📖 Philosophy Debates Critique Religion
  1. Christopher Hitchens had a compelling humanistic critique of Christianity and was skilled in debates, but struggled when debating with a philosopher of religion.
  2. William Lane Craig proved to be a challenge for Hitchens during their debate.
  3. The encounter between Hitchens and Craig highlighted the difference between moral critique and philosophical debate.

The Work of Writing About Taylor Swift

Oliver Bateman Does the Work • 137 implied HN points • 31 Jan 24
🎭️ Culture Music Pop culture Critique Social Commentary Celebrity
  1. In a world of cultural commentary, perspectives on public figures like Taylor Swift can vary widely.
  2. Public figures like Swift are often appropriated as symbols for different causes, regardless of their personal beliefs.
  3. Swift's broad appeal allows for numerous and often conflicting interpretations, leading to a commodification of opinions in pop culture.

The 2018 "Slouching" Draft "Themes" Chapter

Brad DeLong's Grasping Reality • 15 implied HN points • 10 Dec 24
📚 Literature Non-fiction Critique Narrative History Culture
  1. The discussion explores multiple important themes that happened alongside the main events of the 20th century. It's important to look at history from different angles instead of just one big story.
  2. There are at least six significant things that shaped our world that often get overlooked. These aspects help us better understand the complexities of history.
  3. Widening our perspective helps us appreciate the richness of our past and how it affects our present and future. Recognizing these different themes can lead to a deeper understanding of society.

Review: "Brandon Sanderson Is Your God" by Wired

coldhealing • 255 implied HN points • 25 Mar 23
🎭️ Culture Fantasy Journalism Literature Critique Empathy
  1. The article criticizes popular fantasy writer Brandon Sanderson for his perceived lack of depth in his works and personal life.
  2. The Wired article attacks Sanderson's character through ad hominem attacks rather than engaging with his literary merit.
  3. There is a comparison with a YouTube video that provides better journalism and artistic exploration than the Wired article.

"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.

Timeless or Tired? A Critical Examination of Sowell’s ‘Social Justice Fallacies’

Karlstack • 351 implied HN points • 10 Feb 24
📚 Literature Review Analysis Critique History Reflection
  1. The book 'Social Justice Fallacies' by Thomas Sowell, although comprehensive and persuasive, lacks the fresh spark of originality and can feel repetitive in a world well-versed in equity vs. equality debates.
  2. Thomas Sowell's writing style in the book is simple, direct, and ideal for introducing high school students or older adults to cultural issues.
  3. Sowell's book weaves together a tapestry of anecdotes on various topics but is criticized for being disconnected from contemporary social justice dynamics and may not align with readers' expectations on addressing present-day issues.

Unboxing videos, cover quotes, acknowledgement pages

The Leftovers • 179 implied HN points • 04 Jul 23
🎭️ Culture Media Literature Critique
  1. Unboxing videos, cover quotes, and acknowledgment pages in the Anglophone scene are criticized in the post for being disliked authorial rituals.
  2. The author started the day with reflection and writing, but an encounter with an unboxing video led to an angry rant about aspects of the contemporary literary scene.
  3. Subscribers need a 7-day free trial to access the full post archives on The Leftovers.

Does The Female Gaze Exist?

Paging Dr. Lesbian • 176 implied HN points • 26 Feb 23
🎭️ Culture Feminism Film Representation Intersectionality Critique
  1. The concept of the female gaze is not a scholarly term and lacks rigorous evaluation.
  2. The male gaze in cinema is rooted in psychoanalytic theory and apparatus theory, privileging the masculine perspective.
  3. Black feminist scholars like bell hooks critique the lack of intersectionality and representation in traditional feminist film theory.

Baz Luhrmann's 'Australia' Should've Ended in Tragedy

Textual Variations • 265 implied HN points • 21 Nov 23
🎭️ Culture Film Analysis History Entertainment Critique
  1. The extended television revision of Baz Luhrmann's 'Australia' is set to premiere as an original series on Hulu.
  2. Luhrmann revisited the film during the COVID lockdown and felt dissatisfied with the theatrical ending, hinting at a potential tragic alternate ending.
  3. The film 'Australia' is a deliberate blend of reality and fantasy, tackling historical themes while also playing with romantic and ironic elements.