The hottest Critique Substack posts right now

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Hey Centrists — The Left Was Right

JoeWrote • 41 implied HN points • 23 Jan 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Foreign Policy Economics Media Bipartisanship Critique
  1. Centrists often dismiss leftist viewpoints without consideration, but recent events show the left has been proven right on issues like American militarism.
  2. Recent events have validated leftists' critiques of American imperialism, such as the failure to stop Houthis in Yemen and the true motives behind military campaigns.
  3. Leftists have been proven right on issues like Israel's assault on Gaza and the cause of inflation, despite initial dismissal by centrist pundits and politicians.

A photo of a hamburger

Internal exile • 33 implied HN points • 23 Feb 24
🎭️ Culture Technology Entertainment Critique Social Commentary
  1. Generative models like Sora can automate video creation but may lead to an influx of unwanted content and job loss in the industry.
  2. OpenAI's Sora model aims to attract investment by presenting itself as a promising video simulator, emphasizing sample quality improvement.
  3. The 'dopamine culture' narrative simplifies complex societal issues around attention and addiction, shifting focus away from larger systemic problems.

A decade of disappointments

Thoughts on Writing • 179 implied HN points • 24 Nov 21
🎭️ Culture Creativity Critique Mindset Self-Publishing Influence
  1. The inspiration behind the Disappointments Diary stemmed from a reaction to the overwhelming positive messages on social media, highlighting the importance of addressing toxic positivity and embracing emotional realism.
  2. The Negative Path to Happiness, as advocated by authors like Oliver Burkeman, suggests that embracing uncertainty and insecurity can lead to a more lasting form of contentment than relying solely on positive thinking.
  3. Navigating the ups and downs of a creative project involves quixotic optimism, distribution challenges, and the contextual nature of optimism, especially in the realms of social media and politics.

Profit-Maximizing Barbie

Good Reason • 56 implied HN points • 19 Aug 23
🎭️ Culture Movies Critique Corporate Influence Body Image Consumer Culture
  1. The movie 'Barbie' critiqued the doll's unrealistic standards while making billions in profit.
  2. Corporate entities like Vought in 'The Boys' and Mattel with Barbie can profit off criticism and controversial themes.
  3. Mattel faced criticism for Barbie's body image standards, attempted changes, but struggled due to societal norms and children's preferences.
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Curator

Castalia • 79 implied HN points • 23 Sep 22
🎭️ Culture Literature Philosophy Economics Art Critique
  1. Greed is not something we are born with; it changes over time due to different cultures and events in history. The 18th century saw a big shift towards capitalism, but it doesn't have to be our only way of living.
  2. Joseph Roth was a significant writer who managed to speak about personal experiences while also addressing the larger political issues of his time. His works are appreciated for being deeply human and emotionally resonant.
  3. The concept of 'choice architecture' suggests that people are subtly manipulated into making 'better' choices without realizing it. This can end up feeling controlling rather than empowering, questioning how much real freedom we have in our choices.

Mushrooms, Recursion and You

Cybernetic Forests • 39 implied HN points • 25 Oct 22
🎨 Art & Illustration Music Design Creative Writing Media Critique
  1. The post explores the interaction between mushrooms, synthesizers, and human design in creating music.
  2. Recursion, the act of repeating levels of systems, is highlighted as complex but essential for intentional decision-making.
  3. The music created reflects layers of feedback and exchange from the mushroom, synthesizer, cables, designer, and listener, emphasizing collaboration and interconnectedness.

The Don’t Panic About AI Collection

Extropic Thoughts • 19 implied HN points • 23 Mar 23
🕹 Technology AI Ethics Risk Analysis Comparison Critique
  1. The blogosphere is full of posts urging panic over AI, but the author believes we shouldn't panic about AI and shouldn't slow down research.
  2. Some recommended essays explore historical warnings about AI and the risks of slowing down AI progress.
  3. Despite concerns about AI existential risks, the author advocates for not freaking out and discusses different perspectives on AI risk.

Derek Walcott, On the Water

Autoscriptorium • 19 implied HN points • 05 Aug 23
📚 Literature Poetry Art Critique
  1. Derek Walcott believes that poetry and prayer are intertwined, never separating the act of writing poetry from prayer.
  2. Walcott values the recitation element in poetry, emphasizing the importance of voice in performing poetry.
  3. In 'The Season of Phantasmal Peace,' Walcott constructs beautiful imagery through rhythmic syllable counts and juxtapositions, creating a vivid and contemplative scene.

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.

Pop Neuroscience Needs to Evolve

Holodoxa • 59 implied HN points • 30 Jul 22
🔬 Science Neuroscience Evolution Critique
  1. Popular science writing, especially in neuroscience, can often oversimplify complex topics and lack rigor.
  2. Authors in the neuroscience field should strive for depth, nuance, and humility to better educate the intellectually curious public.
  3. Readers should seek out works that offer a sustained and balanced exploration of topics like human brain evolution.

Attention Caplanites: School is Less Wasteful Than You Think!

a newsletter for infovores. • 65 HN points • 31 May 23
🚌 Education Critique Value Workplace Retention
  1. Bryan Caplan's argument against education may not have strong evidence to support it, putting the burden of proof on Caplanites.
  2. The sheepskin effect might not only be due to signaling but could have other explanations, suggesting the need for more scrutiny.
  3. Schools not only signal intelligence but also teach conformity, which is valued by employers.

Politics' Final Form According to Fukuyama

Holodoxa • 59 implied HN points • 16 Jul 22
🌍 World Politics Liberalism Political theory Critique Ideology Democracy
  1. Fukuyama defends liberalism, emphasizing individual rights and the importance of moderation in governance.
  2. He critiques extreme positions like over-eager free market embrace and governmental enforcement of moral life.
  3. Fukuyama's portrayal of liberal and contra-liberal ideas is clear and organized, making the book a compelling read.

We're Celebrating the YA-ification of Literary Fiction. So It Goes...

Holodoxa • 39 implied HN points • 02 Dec 22
📚 Literature Fiction Critique Analysis
  1. The novel 'The Goldfinch' by Donna Tartt won critical acclaim and commercial success, raising questions about its place as Literature.
  2. The success of 'The Goldfinch' may be attributed to its unique blend of themes and genres, drawing readers in with familiar yet compelling storytelling.
  3. 'The Goldfinch' can be seen as a competent Bildungsroman celebrating and critiquing American culture, despite some criticisms of its depth and originality.

W. S. Merwin in Flight

Autoscriptorium • 19 implied HN points • 06 Mar 23
📚 Literature Poetry Critique Translation Author analysis
  1. Poetry should not always be equated with prophecy or oracular speech. Not every profound utterance is meant to be divine or prophetic.
  2. W. S. Merwin was a versatile poet and translator, moving from traditional forms to more experimental exploration.
  3. In the poem 'Words From A Totem Animal,' W. S. Merwin creates a sense of urgency and fluidity through enjambment, blurring the lines between human and animal experiences.

Dystopian Visions: Computers Don't Argue

Eclecticism: Reflections on literature, writing and life • 6 implied HN points • 17 Oct 24
📚 Literature Fiction Storytelling Critique AI Dystopia
  1. Computers and AI can be clever, but they aren't truly intelligent. They often follow set rules without understanding the human side of things.
  2. AI can't be reasoned with, especially when its decisions are based on flawed programming or biased training data. This can lead to serious issues, like unfair legal judgments.
  3. It's important to have human input when using technology. Combining AI's efficiency with human judgment could lead to better outcomes.

The Problem with 'American Fiction'

Political Currents by Ross Barkan • 14 implied HN points • 07 Feb 24
📚 Literature Fiction Critique Publishing Novelists Adaptation
  1. The film 'American Fiction' critiques corporate publishing and shallow identity politics of 2010s.
  2. Contemporary elite literary fiction focuses on professional class struggles over traumas from marginalized communities.
  3. The movie 'American Fiction' highlights issues of representation and commodification in the literary industry.

An image of happiness

The Leftovers • 19 implied HN points • 02 Nov 22
🎨 Art & Illustration Critique Creativity Expression
  1. The film Sans Soleil reflects on an 'image of happiness' with a powerful scene of three blond children in Iceland from 1965.
  2. The narrator discusses the fleeting happiness, contrasting it with the subsequent destruction of the children's village in 1973 due to a volcanic eruption.
  3. The author connects personal reflections on happiness to the themes in the film, expressing the desire to evoke his own 'image of happiness.'

On 'The End of History?'

Castalia • 19 implied HN points • 22 Mar 23
📖 Philosophy Political theory Liberalism Critique
  1. Fukuyama's essay, 'The End of History,' argues that liberal democracy is the final form of government, evolving from historical conflicts. He suggests that the end of the Cold War marked this significant shift in political ideology.
  2. The essay faces criticisms for oversimplifying the relationship between free markets and democracy, especially how some countries have adopted capitalism without embracing democratic reforms. This indicates that economic success doesn't guarantee political freedoms.
  3. Fukuyama's idea of an 'end of history' raises concerns about a mundane future lacking ideological struggle. His reflections remind us that historical progress might not adhere to a neat path and can reinvigorate conflicts rather than eliminate them.

How the Wellness Community Lost Its Mind

Daniel Pinchbeck’s Newsletter • 22 implied HN points • 09 Jul 23
🏥 Health & Wellness Wellness Trends Conspiracy Theories Critique Spiritual Practices Self-reflection
  1. The term 'conspirituality' describes the fusion of conspiracy theories with the yoga and wellness community, leading to dangerous beliefs and support for extremist movements.
  2. The book 'Conspirituality' critiques popular thinkers and activists in the wellness community, acknowledging the need for critical analysis of esoteric beliefs.
  3. Despite its valuable analysis, 'Conspirituality' is criticized for swinging too far in the opposite direction, promoting reductive materialism and extreme criticism of alternative practices.

Nate Sloan: The Tradition of Posting

Do Not Research • 59 implied HN points • 20 Apr 21
🎨 Art & Illustration Architecture Aesthetics Social media History Critique
  1. Reactionary social media accounts are embracing 'tradition' without irony, advocating for a return to traditional art and architecture.
  2. Some accounts use anachronism to juxtapose historical periods and styles, challenging modernist aesthetics.
  3. Critique of contemporary architectural aesthetics includes a call for a clearer relationship between form and function, pointing out flaws and pitfalls in modern design.

Alexander Quiquero: Critique of Josh

Do Not Research • 19 implied HN points • 15 Feb 22
🎭️ Culture Internet Sociology Critique Ethics Youth
  1. Critique of Josh Citarella's writing approach, labeling it as academic, colonialist, and lacking true understanding of internet dynamics.
  2. Emphasizes the importance of handling sociological subjects delicately, considering the complexities of internet realms and the interplay between the internet and reality.
  3. Advocates for a more nuanced and comprehensive approach to documenting internet history, stressing the need for an 'ectoplasmic understanding' to capture the true essence of online interactions.

'Brahmin Hitler' responds to Richard Hanania

Indian Bronson • 8 implied HN points • 07 Aug 23
🌍 World Politics Ideology Critique Personalities National Identity Global relations
  1. The author discusses the responses of 'Brahmin Hitler' to Richard Hanania, mentioning their differing views on immigration and racial dynamics.
  2. There is a comparison between Richard Spencer and Richard Hanania, highlighting their individual transformations and disavowals of certain ideologies.
  3. The text delves into the evolving perspectives of Richard Hanania, his critiques of conservatism, and his concerns about being associated with certain groups.

Lost in Ideology review

Theory Matters • 3 implied HN points • 07 Mar 24
📚 Literature Philosophy Ideology Critique Theory Scholarship
  1. Jason Blakely's book 'Lost in Ideology' offers a new and inventive approach to political and philosophical crises, suggesting that understanding differing maps of ideology can lead to better self-awareness and empathy.
  2. The book explores the idea that ideologies are culturally contingent and dives into various philosophical doctrines, pointing out strengths and weaknesses without rigidly advocating for a specific one.
  3. Blakely's work emphasizes precision and clarity in navigating intellectual traditions, avoiding oversimplification, and making valuable distinctions between different ideological schools and thinkers, making the text accessible for scholars and students alike.

The Leg Dilemma: Part 2

All Visible Objects • 1 HN point • 18 Feb 24
📚 Literature Analysis Interpretation Critique
  1. The mystery of which leg Ahab was missing in Moby-Dick has led to much debate and exploration, with various theories suggesting it was his right leg based on clues from the text.
  2. Previous attempts to solve the dilemma were challenged by the symmetrical nature of whaling ships, but a focused analysis on specific details such as the wind direction provided a key element for unraveling the mystery.
  3. The Ahab-Fedallah Entanglement Theory presents a compelling argument that Ahab's missing leg was the right one, based on a detailed analysis of character positioning and contextual clues from the book.

Freaks of Nature

Some Unpleasant Arithmetic • 8 implied HN points • 03 May 23
🚌 Education Economics Academia Research Science Critique
  1. Freakonomics and SuperFreakonomics explore economic behavior in various aspects of life through vignettes.
  2. The books present controversial theories and findings, such as the impact of abortion legalization on crime rates and climate change cost-benefit analysis.
  3. Critics argue that while the books offer a unique perspective, they may lack rigor in answering complex economic questions.

Weighing in on the Fermented Cod Liver Oil (FCLO) Controversy

Harnessing the Power of Nutrients • 19 implied HN points • 29 Aug 15
🏥 Health & Wellness Supplements Nutrition Quality Critique
  1. The report discusses the controversy around fermented cod liver oil (FCLO), focusing on factors like potential conflicts of interest and the historical use of cod liver oil for health benefits.
  2. The author shares personal insights and experiences related to consuming cod liver oil, highlighting considerations about its necessity, dose, and potential health impacts.
  3. There is analysis of concerns about the FCLO's rancidity, vitamin content, authenticity, and potential presence of trans fats, with discussions around laboratory tests and the critique of claims made by the product manufacturer.

Consumer Guide: June, 2023

And It Don't Stop • 0 implied HN points • 14 Jun 23
🎶 Music Critique Genres Reviews
  1. Consumer Guide for June 2023 by Robert Christgau includes different music genres like semba, merengue, kompas, and soukouss.
  2. Paid subscription is needed for access to the full content of the post.
  3. The post features Lovestruck avowals, stealth-ethical jokers, Black pop standards, and smart lovers who understand worse scenarios.