The hottest Digital Content Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
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How Meta Plans To Crank the Dopamine Machine With Infinite AI-Generated Content

The Algorithmic Bridge • 923 implied HN points • 03 Jan 25
🕹 Technology Artificial Intelligence Social media User engagement Digital Content Ethics
  1. Meta is creating AI that generates custom content for users, aiming to keep them engaged on platforms like Facebook and Instagram. This could hook people's attention even more than traditional entertainment.
  2. There's a risk that as AI-generated content becomes more common, people might lose the ability to notice or care about its presence. They could become so used to it that they forget it exists.
  3. The real concern isn't just the entertainment itself but how it distracts people and affects their ability to think and engage with the world around them. It raises questions about what kind of life we actually want to lead.

An influencer is suing another influencer for copying her aesthetic. Can she win?

Taylor Lorenz's Newsletter • 3463 implied HN points • 27 Nov 24
🎭️ Culture Social media Influencers Copyright Law Digital Content Trends
  1. An influencer is suing another influencer for copying her style and content. This case could change how online creators protect their unique aesthetics.
  2. The lawsuit raises questions about whether copying someone's visual vibe should be legally protected. Many experts think the original influencer's claim may not hold up in court.
  3. Similarities among creators are common online, but some influencers are frustrated with others who imitate their content too closely. This case could impact how influencers navigate creative boundaries.

This landscape does not exist

Conspirador Norteño • 32 implied HN points • 28 Dec 24
🕹 Technology AI Social media Digital Content Spam Detection Online behavior
  1. Facebook is flooded with AI-generated images, often coming from pages that aren't run by regular users. These images sometimes get a lot of attention, but they mainly come from content farms.
  2. Many Facebook pages post the same AI-generated images around the same time, with slight changes to avoid detection. This suggests they might all be operated by the same group of people.
  3. The AI-generated images often look strange and unrealistic, with obvious glitches like odd-looking roads and animals. They tend to have brighter colors than real photos, making them easy to spot.

Problems at Roblox (RBLX) #5

The Bear Cave • 513 implied HN points • 17 Oct 24
🕹 Technology Gaming Child safety Online Communities Digital Content
  1. Roblox has been linked to serious issues like school shooting games and child abuse, raising concerns about children's safety on the platform.
  2. Many Roblox developers admit the site isn't safe for kids, often referring to its content as harmful and emphasizing the lack of proper moderation.
  3. Roblox's current sign-up process allows easy access for predators, as it only requires a username and password, and there are serious suggestions for improving safety measures to protect children.

Twitter is dead and Threads is thriving

Platformer • 3262 implied HN points • 27 Oct 23
🕹 Technology Social media Tech industry Digital Content Artificial Intelligence Software Development
  1. Twitter underwent significant changes after Elon Musk's takeover, leading to a decline in daily users and financial setbacks.
  2. Musk's plan to pivot Twitter towards paid subscriptions failed, with less than 1% of users signing up for the premium service.
  3. Former Twitter employees have accepted the company's demise, with concerns about the future of the platform integrity at X.
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Leaving Substack

Mostly Python • 1257 implied HN points • 29 Feb 24
🕹 Technology Platforms Open Source Business Models Digital Content Data Ownership
  1. The author is moving their newsletter from Substack to Ghost as they feel Ghost is a better fit due to its focus on writing and its open-source foundation.
  2. It's important to consider the platform's business model when deciding on a service, as sustainable revenue streams can help avoid unwanted platform changes and dark patterns.
  3. Being able to export your data easily and understanding the platform's funding history are crucial factors to consider when choosing a service for the long term.

The TikTokification of ASMR

Embedded • 452 implied HN points • 07 Feb 24
🎭️ Culture Internet culture Community Digital Content Art
  1. ASMR has evolved and gained mainstream acceptance over the years, transitioning to TikTok as a popular platform for ASMR content.
  2. Content creators like CozyLotusASMR are finding success by focusing on nature and the outdoors, showcasing ASMR in unique ways.
  3. Knowing your audience and adapting content to different platforms like YouTube and TikTok is key to engaging viewers and building a community.

Bye Bye Blue Check

Drezner’s World • 786 implied HN points • 31 Mar 23
🕹 Technology Social media Tech Companies Digital Content Online Culture Monetization
  1. Twitter is changing their verification program and making it tied to subscribing to Twitter Blue for $8 a month.
  2. There is controversy and dissatisfaction among users about having to pay to keep their blue checkmark.
  3. Elon Musk's decisions regarding Twitter's verification system and revenue generation strategies have faced criticism and led to speculation about his ability to run the company.

The Cartesian Crisis: Why You Will Believe Nothing

Mind Prison • 30 implied HN points • 21 Oct 24
🕹 Technology AI Impact Digital Content Propaganda
  1. People are struggling to tell what's real because trust in institutions and information is falling apart. When no one can be sure about what truth is, it leads to confusion and chaos.
  2. AI is making it harder for individuals to recognize genuine information. It's creating convincing fake content which contributes to a world where discerning truth feels impossible.
  3. We might be losing our history and understanding as much information from the past keeps disappearing online. Without a clear record of what has come before, it's tough to navigate the present or plan for the future.

All My Apes Are Going to Be Strangers

Kneeling Bus • 224 implied HN points • 09 Mar 24
🎭️ Culture Internet Sports Technology Social media Digital Content
  1. The future of the internet may involve a personalized experience with content made just for us, but ultimately, human connection remains a fundamental desire.
  2. Despite the push towards connectivity online, there are also strong forces leading to isolation and individualization in the digital age.
  3. Sports betting apps represent a shift towards solitary engagement even in traditionally communal activities like watching sports, altering how one engages with content and the overall experience.

Migrating to Substack: A guide for TikTokers

Substack • 106 implied HN points • 16 May 24
💼 Business Marketing Entrepreneurship Social media Digital Content Audience engagement
  1. Set up your Substack for easy discovery. Choose a memorable name and personalize it to make your audience feel at home.
  2. Create your first post to introduce yourself and what you’ll offer. This helps new subscribers know what to expect from you.
  3. Use your TikTok platform to promote your Substack. Share updates and links to engage your followers and grow your community.

Underdog Founders - Chris went all-in on digital content before we had smartphones.

ChatGPT4 as a CEO and Underdog Founders • 98 implied HN points • 09 Jan 24
💼 Business Startups Digital Content Media Entrepreneurship
  1. Chris focused on creating really good content and allowed time to pass, which led to the growth of her digital startup.
  2. Chris redefined how communities connect through online-first media by following her gut and taking a patient approach to trends.
  3. Honeycombers expanded to different regions and launched new verticals, showcasing the financial viability of online content platforms.

Dear New Designers, It’s Not You, It’s Them

Far From the Valley • 2 HN points • 15 Jul 24
🪑 Design Professional development Digital Content Career Advice Industry challenges
  1. Be cautious of online design influencers who may prioritize personal branding over practical advice.
  2. Focus on the substantial, impactful work happening in design beyond social media hype and viral content.
  3. Take control of your design career by being selective with the advice you follow and finding inspiration in meaningful work.

The secret life of 🐕

Links I Would Gchat You If We Were Friends • 59 implied HN points • 12 Feb 21
🕹 Technology Social media Emoji Internet culture Digital Content
  1. Emojis have hidden textual meanings that prompt automatic suggestions on devices, leading to unexpected pairings like 'dog' suggesting the Chinese takeout container emoji.
  2. Extraneous keywords are associated with emojis, vary by platform, and can reflect the community's usage behaviors.
  3. Social media platforms can suggest emojis based on keywords, and the review process for these pairings may not always catch unintended or offensive connections.

Pulling on Threads

Tippets by Taps • 12 implied HN points • 09 Jul 23
🕹 Technology Social media Innovation Tech Companies Digital Content App Development
  1. Elon Musk's purchase of Twitter shook up the social media landscape with Meta's introduction of Threads as a direct competitor.
  2. Threads, with its early traction and positive vibe, shows potential to challenge Twitter's dominance.
  3. Despite initial incomplete features, Threads seems to offer a clean and engaging user experience, posing a threat to Twitter in the social media space.

The RoboNet Artificial Media Protocol

Algorithmic Frontiers // Antonio Max • 1 HN point • 17 May 23
🕹 Technology Artificial Intelligence Internet regulation Digital Content AI Systems
  1. RoboNet introduces a new Internet protocol aimed at regulating AI content and systems for transparency and accountability.
  2. RoboNet enables a clear distinction between AI-generated and human-created content on the Internet, empowering users to make informed choices.
  3. The protocol shifts the burden of content classification from Internet Service Providers to a common technical environment, promoting fairness, transparency, and accountability online.

Foursquare is back on my homescreen, not for long but I wish…

Venture Prose • 0 implied HN points • 29 Jul 16
🕹 Technology Apps Tech industry Product Development User Experience Digital Content
  1. Foursquare provides great reviews and tips with an authentic tone, useful for checking recommendations and discovering new places on the go.
  2. Even though Foursquare is limited to food, nightlife, and shopping, it works effectively, but lacks consistent and lasting relevance.
  3. To improve, Foursquare could benefit from having local experts for daily updates, community engagement similar to Product Hunt, and coverage of culture and events in addition to its current categories.

Social Media in a Post-AGI World

The Future of Life • 0 implied HN points • 15 Aug 24
🕹 Technology AI Social media Digital Content User engagement Mental health
  1. AGI will create content that feels more exciting and engaging than what people can make themselves. Social media might become a place where AI generates everything we see, tailored just for us.
  2. AI will help manage our social lives, scheduling things for us and guiding our interactions. This might make it harder for people who like to connect in person to be part of online networks.
  3. Instead of checking different social media platforms like Facebook or Reddit, AI will gather all our interests in one place. This means our feeds will be more personalized, based on our experiences and what we like.

If we're being real

Links I Would Gchat You If We Were Friends • 0 implied HN points • 09 Feb 16
🕹 Technology Streaming Social media Digital Content E-commerce
  1. Streaming platforms like Spotify are causing concerns for songwriters who earn very little from streaming compared to artists.
  2. There's an unusual accommodation on Airbnb that claims to be a 'non-territorial global sovereign entity,' offering an interesting stay experience.
  3. Understanding how to use Snapchat like teenagers can provide insights into the modern 13-year-old mindset, even if disguised as a Buzzfeed how-to guide.

Walking, talking, phone-unlocking

Links I Would Gchat You If We Were Friends • 0 implied HN points • 25 Apr 16
🕹 Technology Internet Social media Smartphones Online Privacy Digital Content
  1. The Internet reaches even the most remote areas, changing people's perceptions of isolation.
  2. Facebook has evolved from a social network to a centralized hub for various online activities, keeping users engaged within its platform.
  3. Balancing online activities like social media with real-world actions is crucial, as seen in the story of a man who tried to help but ended up in prison.

Turns out the internet is real life after all

Links I Would Gchat You If We Were Friends • 0 implied HN points • 04 Mar 22
🕹 Technology Social media Internet culture Algorithm Digital Content E-commerce
  1. TikTok's recommendation algorithm and user engagement lead to content that is titillating and participatory, influencing the way users consume information.
  2. The increase in social media users has led to a higher volume of content being created and shared, impacting how information and narratives spread, especially in times of conflict.
  3. The perception of social media has shifted significantly over the years, with mainstream media now acknowledging the importance of the social media narrative in shaping public opinion and influencing beliefs.

Counting the goddamn days

Links I Would Gchat You If We Were Friends • 0 implied HN points • 03 Dec 14
🕹 Technology Social media Digital Content Internet History Virtual reality Online Trends
  1. An art critic reflects on the world of Art Instagram and the intrigue of observing without complete knowledge of the creators.
  2. Efforts to create 'digital smells' are yet to reach the realm of reality despite advancements in sending visual and auditory elements over the internet.
  3. Exploring the history of the internet through various formats like .html, .doc, and .psd that have shaped the online landscape.