The hottest Cultural Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
Category
Top World Politics Topics

In praise of Japanese small, Hokkaido as Wisconsin, and pachinko memories

intellectualinting • 218 implied HN points • 08 Jun 25
🏝 Travel Cultural Adventure Food Photography Writing
  1. Hokkaido feels different from the rest of Japan, almost like a slice of America, especially in its open spaces and small towns. It's less crowded and offers a more relaxed vibe compared to the busy city life.
  2. Japan's small businesses thrive because of mixed-use zoning, allowing shops and homes to coexist. This setup creates a unique, local experience that reflects high-quality craftsmanship and a deep community connection.
  3. As a non-Japanese speaker, visiting smaller restaurants can be tricky. You might encounter staff who are hesitant to serve you due to language barriers and cultural nuances, leading to a desire for public trust and reputation.

Journey to the Imperial City

Wrong Side of History • 308 implied HN points • 06 Feb 25
🏝 Travel Cultural Food History Tourism Adventure
  1. Vietnam has a mix of modern life and its communist past, with shops and decor that reflect both eras. It's interesting to see how the economy thrives alongside this history.
  2. The food and coffee culture in Vietnam are vibrant and diverse, with different flavors in the north and south. Trying local dishes like egg coffee can be a fun adventure.
  3. Traveling through Vietnam can be a real experience, highlighting both beautiful tourist spots and the impact of past wars. It's essential to be cautious about food, especially when trying local cuisine.

Twice Brewed, For No Damn Reason

Everything Is Amazing • 1710 implied HN points • 31 Dec 24
🏝 Travel Adventure Exploration Cultural Nature Personal experiences
  1. Trying new things without a specific reason can lead to unexpected joy and wonder. It's about being curious and open to surprises.
  2. Experiences like seeing a camera obscura in your own home can make science feel fun and magical. It shows how everyday life can be full of surprises.
  3. The story of the village 'Twice Brewed' disappearing from maps highlights how things can change in unexpected ways. It reminds us to seize opportunities before they're gone.

sunday memepool: dad jokes

bad cattitude • 96 implied HN points • 02 Feb 25
😂 Humor Comedy Jokes Entertainment Cultural Social
  1. Dad jokes are a special kind of humor that people enjoy despite their groan-worthy nature. They can be cheesy but often bring a smile.
  2. There is a belief that a perfect dad joke doesn't exist, yet many still search for one. It's the fun and playful challenge that makes it interesting.
  3. This content is intended for paid subscribers, showing that exclusive humor can be a treat worth paying for. It creates a sense of belonging among fans.

The Zakir Hussain Remembrance Edition

Why is this interesting? • 542 implied HN points • 17 Dec 24
🎶 Music Classical Fusion Cultural Collaboration
  1. Zakir Hussain was a master of the tabla, a traditional Indian drum. He started learning at just three years old from his famous father, showing early talent.
  2. Hussain blended classical tabla music with modern influences and worked with big names like George Harrison and the Grateful Dead. He made the tabla more popular by bringing it to new audiences.
  3. His love for music started as a baby when his father sang tabla rhythms to him. This deep connection shaped his incredible career in music.
Get a weekly roundup of the best Substack posts, by hacker news affinity:

Paris Irrealis

Cosmographia • 1537 implied HN points • 27 Aug 23
🏝 Travel Cultural Experiences Reflections Photography Imagination
  1. Imagining a place, like Paris, can create a vivid and idealized version in our minds that we may be hesitant to experience in reality.
  2. The concept of 'irrealis moods' explores the idea of events or situations that exist outside of our current knowledge, reflecting on what might have been or could still be.
  3. The fear of losing our imagined version of a place, like Paris, can prevent us from pursuing the real experience, yet it's the evolving nature of memories and experiences that make a place intriguing and worth exploring.

The Boy With the Strange Eyes

cruiseandpaul • 40 implied HN points • 09 Jan 25
📚 Literature Fiction Fantasy Cultural Book Reviews
  1. The book 'The Boy With the Strange Eyes' is a fantasy story that focuses on themes like resilience and self-discovery. It shows how the main character, Kuni, navigates his challenges after losing his family.
  2. It features rich Japanese cultural elements, creating a vivid and engaging world. The writing style helps readers feel like they are truly part of the story.
  3. At the end of each passage, there are thoughtful questions that encourage readers to reflect and engage more deeply with the story. This makes the reading experience richer and more interactive.

Kilimanjaro Prep

Splattern • 59 implied HN points • 27 Jul 24
🏝 Travel Adventure Cultural Exploration Outdoor Tourism
  1. Africa has a lot of exciting and unexpected experiences. Every day can bring new adventures and surprises.
  2. Connecting with people, like my friend Michelle, can offer valuable insights. Sharing wisdom and kindness can enhance our journey.
  3. The idea that 'love has no agenda' reminds us to approach relationships genuinely. It's important to show care without expecting anything in return.

Five Flavours of Betweenness

The Joyous Struggle • 711 implied HN points • 27 Oct 23
📖 Philosophy Cultural Metaphysical
  1. The concept of permacrisis suggests a long period of instability and insecurity resulting from prolonged catastrophic events, impacting society's historical transition.
  2. There are five significant shifts taking place in society: cultural change, systems change, paradigm change, ontological change, and metaphysical change, each requiring different kinds of work and engagement.
  3. This period of transition is compared to historical turning points like the Axial Age, indicating a profound shift in collective consciousness, pointing towards a new paradigm in understanding reality and existence.

The Spanish Visualization Diaspora: An Exhibition

Alberto Cairo's The Art of Insight • 199 implied HN points • 14 Apr 24
🎨 Art & Illustration Design Exhibitions Infographics Cultural Journalism
  1. Many Spanish infographic designers have moved to other countries since the 1990s, especially the USA, to find better opportunities. They often notice much better salaries and working conditions compared to Spain.
  2. Spanish designers are trained to be versatile, handling various tasks such as drawing, programming, and creating data visuals. This diverse skill set is attractive to employers abroad.
  3. Even though they face challenges when leaving their home country, many Spanish designers maintain a positive attitude and good humor about their work, making them well-liked in their new environments.

China report excoriates 'US hegemony', war crimes, CIA coups, 400 foreign interventions

Geopolitical Economy Report • 777 implied HN points • 25 Feb 23
🌍 World Politics Political Military Economic Cultural
  1. The Chinese government criticized US hegemony and its destructive impacts around the world.
  2. China highlighted the US history of violence and expansion through military means, including hundreds of interventions and wars since independence.
  3. The report also addressed the economic, technological, and cultural aspects of US hegemony, pointing out coercive tactics and manipulation in various fields.

Muungano

Splattern • 59 implied HN points • 09 Jul 24
🏝 Travel Adventure Cultural Fundraising Education Personal Growth
  1. Masoud has a close-knit family where everyone is considered a sibling or parent, showing the strong bonds they share. This cultural difference highlights how relationships can be more about emotional ties than strict definitions.
  2. Masoud is facing tough financial challenges but has a plan to start a business before attending university to help support his family. It shows his dedication and responsibility towards his family’s well-being.
  3. The journey includes ups and downs, but those experiences, like climbing mountains or encountering mosquitoes, make the adventure meaningful. It teaches that detours can add value to the main goal, like raising money for a good cause.

What is a Mother?

The Abbey of Misrule • 483 implied HN points • 29 Feb 24
🌍 World Politics Cultural Progressive Neoliberalism Feminism
  1. Ireland's constitution of 1937 marked a significant shift towards independence, neutrality, and revival of Irish culture and language.
  2. The evolution of Ireland from a traditional Catholic society to a more progressive, globalized state has led to significant changes in laws and societal values.
  3. Proposed changes to the Irish constitution highlight a shift towards progressive ideals, with a focus on removing traditional gender roles and promoting individual rights over familial structures.

⬜ How we pack now

One Thing • 237 implied HN points • 06 Feb 24
🏝 Travel Packing Aesthetic Influencer Accessories Cultural
  1. Travel packing is changing, now influenced by algorithmic recommendations and social media content like Pack With Me videos, promoting aspirational packing styles.
  2. There's a focus on aesthetic and product-driven packing, often influenced by influencer culture and capitalist ideals, encouraging excessive consumption and dissatisfaction with what one already owns.
  3. Travelers can still maintain personal style and practicality by using versatile items like zip-lock bags, colorful hard shell cases, accessorizing creatively, and opting for unique identification markers on luggage.

Mkumbara

Splattern • 39 implied HN points • 05 Jul 24
🏝 Travel Adventure Cultural Food Transportation Lifestyle
  1. Don't judge a place just by how it looks. The quality of food, like how much sand is in it, can really tell you a lot about the village.
  2. Staying with locals can lead to unique experiences, like bucket showers and homemade meals. It's a different kind of hospitality.
  3. Cultural differences are prominent, whether it's about people's lifestyles or perspectives on relationships. Talking to locals can give you great insights.

Kimberley

Splattern • 119 implied HN points • 31 Mar 24
🏝 Travel Adventure Nature Lifestyle Community Cultural
  1. Litter on the roadside can tell you a lot about the area’s habits, especially drinking culture. It's surprising to see how much trash is left behind by people.
  2. Meeting locals can lead to unexpected kindness, like being invited for dinner and a place to stay. It's great to connect with others while traveling.
  3. Being outside regularly can bring new experiences and even teach you things, like learning about buttercups from friendly hikers. Being out of the loop can sometimes lead to fun discoveries.

Kraków

Cosmographia • 339 implied HN points • 24 May 23
🏝 Travel Cultural Literature Art Photography
  1. The post is part of the Atlas' Notes series, focusing on art, poetry, literature, cartography, and photography based on a specific location like Kraków.
  2. To access the full content of the post, subscription and payment are required, indicating premium access for subscribers.
  3. The author shares a blend of creative content in the form of art, poetry, literature, cartography, and photography focused on Kraków, offering a unique and immersive experience to subscribers.

Welcome to Tanzania

Splattern • 39 implied HN points • 10 Jun 24
🏝 Travel Cultural Historical Culinary Social
  1. Tanzania was formed in 1964 by merging Tanganyika and Zanzibar, each with its own unique history and culture. Tanganyika was once a colony, while Zanzibar was famous for its spices.
  2. Tanzania is home to over 120 tribes, each with its own language and traditions. People often visit their tribes annually to celebrate their culture with music and dance.
  3. The local diet is high in meat, including game meat like zebra and impala, which just became legal to sell. The lifestyle is generally slow and peaceful, with friendly people.

Omens

backstory • 193 implied HN points • 17 Feb 24
🏝 Travel Adventure Cultural Exploration Memories Artifacts
  1. Discovering old items can evoke strong memories and emotions, connecting us to our past experiences and travels.
  2. Objects collected over time can create a tapestry of memories, serving as a personal museum of experiences and encounters.
  3. Each item found, no matter how seemingly ordinary, can carry a story or history that adds to the richness of our personal narratives.

no. 55: color block concrete

let them eat cake • 79 implied HN points • 01 Jun 22
🏝 Travel Cultural Food Personal
  1. The author experiences a complex mix of emotions when returning home to Singapore, feeling a blend of homesickness and discomfort.
  2. The newsletter explores the author's culinary adventures in Singapore, particularly enjoying visits to hawker centers.
  3. The author reflects on their journey to separate feelings of homesickness from feelings of discomfort in their home country.

The Edge of the World

Shore Leave • 19 implied HN points • 11 Nov 23
🏝 Travel Adventure Cultural Exploration Photography
  1. Traveling off-road in a rented car can lead to unexpected adventures and challenges. Just have a fun mindset and let go of the fear of damage.
  2. Experiencing local culture in a foreign country can feel surreal. Whether it's sharing stories around a campfire or observing unusual behaviors, it adds depth to your travels.
  3. The contrast between modernity and tradition in places like Saudi Arabia can be striking. You can find both futuristic cities and ancient traditions coexisting, leading to interesting reflections.

Cultural Agency & Digital Technologies

The Digital Anthropologist • 0 implied HN points • 01 Dec 23
🕹 Technology Cultural Artificial Intelligence Society Business Ethics
  1. AI's success in society depends on the cultural agency it is given, determining how it is used and its ultimate impact.
  2. Cultural agency is more than just about economics; it encompasses societal values, norms, and governance.
  3. Technological adoption is shaped by culture more than capitalism, with debates about AI reflecting deeper philosophical discussions.