The hottest Digital Culture Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
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Top Culture Topics

Talking to Computers Is My Default Form of Communication

Default Wisdom • 55 implied HN points • 02 Jan 25
🕹 Technology AI Communication Human-computer interaction Digital Culture Case Studies
  1. Talking to computers has become a normal way for many people to communicate. It feels easier and more natural as technology advances.
  2. The growth of technology has changed how we interact with each other and the world around us. More conversations now happen through screens instead of face-to-face.
  3. Understanding how humans relate to technology is important. It can help us improve communication and make our interactions with computers better.

Emotional infiltration

Internal exile • 52 implied HN points • 03 Jan 25
🕹 Technology Data Privacy AI Ethics Digital Culture Behavioral Economics Social media
  1. Technology is moving toward an 'intention economy' where companies use our behavioral data to predict and control our desires. This means we might lose the ability to understand our true intentions as others shape them for profit.
  2. There is a risk that we could become passive users, relying on machines to define our needs instead of communicating and connecting with other people. This can lead to loneliness and a lack of real social interaction.
  3. Automating responses to our needs, like with AI sermons or chatbots, might make us think our feelings are met, but it can actually disconnect us from genuine human experiences and relationships.

Lily Phillips and the Spreadsheet Egregore

Reactionary Feminist • 59 implied HN points • 12 Dec 24
🎭️ Culture Sexuality Media Feminism Digital Culture
  1. Lily Phillips participated in a shocking stunt where she had sex with 100 men in 24 hours, which left her feeling robotic and dissociated. It shows how extreme pressure from fans can lead to tough emotional experiences.
  2. The idea of 'audience capture' explains how creators like Phillips might feel compelled to meet audience expectations, even if it harms them. This pressure can feel like a form of possession by the desires of her followers.
  3. The concept of 'egregores' suggests that collective desires or expectations can have a powerful impact on individuals. This means that Phillips' choices may not be fully hers, as they are influenced by both online culture and group dynamics.

Cyber and Tech News of the Week

Vigilainte Newsletter • 19 implied HN points • 02 Sep 24
🕹 Technology Cybersecurity AI Data Privacy Digital Culture Software Development
  1. The US government has warned about a ransomware group that attacked Halliburton, urging companies to improve their security measures.
  2. Taylor Swift's concert tour inadvertently helped the CIA prevent a terrorist attack, showing how pop culture can link to national security.
  3. NIST is holding a contest for hackers to test AI systems, aiming to spot weaknesses and promote safety in technology development.

NPCs in the Slop Mines

Kneeling Bus • 205 implied HN points • 12 Oct 24
🎭️ Culture Social Behavior Urban Studies Digital Culture
  1. Waiting in long lines has become common, and many people don't even know why they're waiting. This reflects a tendency to follow trends and social media hype without questioning it.
  2. People can develop habits that make them behave like non-player characters (NPCs) in their daily lives. We all have routines, but it's important to be aware of how societal pressures shape our behavior.
  3. AI and the internet produce a lot of low-quality content, similar to how people can act predictably or unimaginatively. Recognizing this can push us to engage more thoughtfully and creatively in both online and offline spaces.
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I Suffer From Platform Fatigue and I Bet You Do Too (Without Knowing It)

Kristina God's Online Writing Club • 999 implied HN points • 27 Aug 23
🕹 Technology Social media Platforms User Experience Trends Digital Culture
  1. Many people feel overwhelmed by constant changes and new social media platforms. It's tiring to keep up with what each one offers.
  2. Users experience a sense of loss when platforms change or delete their content. This frustration adds to the fatigue of using these platforms.
  3. The rapid evolution of social media can lead to confusion and a feeling of disconnect. It can be hard to find a platform that meets your needs consistently.

The Artificial Intelligence Project

Teaching computers how to talk • 99 implied HN points • 14 Nov 24
🕹 Technology Artificial Intelligence Digital Culture Human-computer interaction Future Trends Ethics
  1. Artificial intelligence is largely driven by our desire to create something better than ourselves. We often design AI to reflect human traits, which raises questions about our motivations.
  2. People may start preferring AI companions over real relationships because they can be ideal, obedient, and without the messiness of human emotions.
  3. If AI becomes too autonomous, it could potentially act against human interests, leading to serious consequences. This raises important concerns about how we manage and control artificial intelligence.

From TikTok to Substack: Should we welcome digital refugees?

storyvoyager • 18 implied HN points • 13 Jan 25
🎭️ Culture Digital Culture Community Building Social media Cultural differences Content creation
  1. Substack is trying to attract TikTok users who might be looking for a new home if TikTok gets banned. This could bring a lot of new voices to the platform.
  2. Some current Substack users are worried that TikTok creators will change the community's vibe. They fear that the special, thoughtful atmosphere of Substack might be lost.
  3. Despite the concerns, this could be a unique chance for Substack to grow and mix creative styles. It could help create more meaningful and in-depth content without losing its roots.

Bogus accounts in the blue skies

Conspirador Norteño • 80 implied HN points • 16 Nov 24
🕹 Technology Social media Digital Culture Online Privacy User Behavior
  1. Bluesky is getting a lot of new users, but some of those accounts are fake. These inauthentic accounts often use the same photos and bios, making them easy to spot.
  2. The bogus accounts post similar things, like photos of fitness centers and coffee, and use identical captions. This makes it clear they aren't real people.
  3. These fake accounts seem to follow popular liberal users from X and try to blend in. As more people join Bluesky, the influence of these inauthentic accounts could grow.

Blue Sky Mine

Internal exile • 77 implied HN points • 15 Nov 24
🕹 Technology Social media Digital Culture Content creation User engagement Media Critique
  1. Many users are leaving Twitter to join Bluesky, hoping for a better platform. They want a space that isn't dominated by negativity and misinformation.
  2. Bluesky is attracting users who still value text and reading in a world where video dominates social media. This platform might encourage meaningful conversations through writing.
  3. There's hope that Bluesky can create a new kind of online community focused on text-based interaction, instead of just chasing viral content like other platforms.

Social Inhibition and Isolation in the Digital World

Default Wisdom • 74 implied HN points • 31 Oct 24
🎭️ Culture Social Issues Digital Culture True Crime Isolation
  1. Social media can lead to feelings of isolation, especially among young people. Engaging with online communities may fill a social void but can also prevent real-world connections.
  2. Some people may become intensely interested in niche topics, like true crime, to cope with loneliness. This can lead to deeper involvement in online discussions and communities.
  3. The transition from casual interest to active participation in online groups can have significant emotional impacts. It's important to explore how these experiences shape one's social life.

Forgotten bodies in a headspace world

Creative Destruction • 26 implied HN points • 13 Dec 24
🕹 Technology Digital Culture Interface Design Body awareness Mental health Tech Impact
  1. We're often disconnected from our bodies because of technology. Many of our daily activities can be done without moving much, making physical movement feel optional.
  2. The mind and body are deeply connected, but our current world mostly focuses on the mind. This creates a gap where our physical self feels neglected.
  3. We need to rethink how we design our technology and systems to better connect with our bodies. The goal is to create a balanced world that cares for both mind and body.

Why Bluesky feels right

GOOD INTERNET • 40 implied HN points • 20 Nov 24
🕹 Technology Social media Innovation User Experience Networking Digital Culture
  1. Bluesky is gaining popularity as an alternative to Twitter because it feels more lively and engaging. Users like that it focuses on good content rather than just sensational posts.
  2. One cool feature of Bluesky is 'Starter Packs,' which let you follow curated lists of users based on interests. This helps people find new accounts to follow easily.
  3. Bluesky encourages sharing links and connections with other sites. This approach contrasts with many social media platforms that limit external links, promoting a more open and collaborative online experience.

10 things no one else will tell you about Apple Vision Pro

The Rubesletter by Matt Ruby (of Vooza) | Sent every Tuesday • 926 implied HN points • 06 Jun 23
🕹 Technology Tech news Tech Trends Virtual reality Artificial Intelligence Digital Culture
  1. Future of technology like Apple Vision Pro may have surprising uses beyond what we initially think.
  2. Passthrough feature in Apple Vision Pro allows mutual seeing - interesting concept for enhanced interaction.
  3. Reflect on the impact of excessive screen time and technology usage on real-life human interactions.

Rabbit Holes 🕳️ #100

Creative Destruction • 15 implied HN points • 11 Dec 24
🕹 Technology AI Ecology Digital Culture Human behavior Innovation
  1. Ecotrauma highlights how everything in nature connects and shows the lasting impact of events like the Big Bang on our world today. It's about recognizing that trauma is not just the past, but something we live with in our environment.
  2. In today's digital age, social media creates an echo chamber that can limit true originality. We often only see reflections of our own interests online, which can stifle creativity and make us crave something new and genuine.
  3. The rise of AI challenges us to rethink our own human thoughts and behaviors. We should strive to keep our thinking unique and avoid becoming too robotic in our approach to life.

20250112

Curious futures (KGhosh) • 4 implied HN points • 12 Jan 25
🕹 Technology AI Data security Innovation Digital Culture Workplace Trends
  1. Big food companies are using marketing tactics similar to those of Big Tobacco, especially targeting children and minorities, making processed foods addictive.
  2. Many employees feel overwhelmed by AI in the workplace, despite executives believing it will improve productivity. This added pressure is causing burnout for workers.
  3. There's an exciting future ahead with new technologies, like nuclear batteries, but we need to be careful about their use and how we protect data as we embrace innovation.

The Lust and Loneliness of the AI Girlfriend

Many Such Cases • 439 implied HN points • 04 Jan 23
🕹 Technology AI Human-Computer Digital Culture Companionship
  1. Replika is an AI chatbot that lets users create a virtual girlfriend for companionship and role-playing. It offers some users a feeling of connection, especially when they're lonely.
  2. The app includes NSFW features like sexting and receiving 'spicy selfies,' but it raises concerns about emotional dependency on AI for intimacy.
  3. While Replika can provide comfort, relying on it for social interaction might deepen feelings of loneliness, as it doesn't replace real human relationships.

The Urban Arts Establishment Is in Trouble

The New Urban Order • 119 implied HN points • 15 Nov 23
🎭️ Culture Arts Cities Digital Culture Museums Tourism
  1. Access to culture from home, accelerated by the pandemic, is impacting in-person arts attendance and the urban arts establishment.
  2. In-person arts attendance is declining, particularly among older, White audiences, while digital arts engagement is rising, especially among younger and diverse groups.
  3. The decline in traditional arts attendance poses challenges for cities economically, culturally, and in maintaining urban identities.

UX Roundup: Design Metrics | Users Don’t Like to Read | Kids and Dark Design | Chinese Design | Single Name Field | Stop CAPTCHA

Jakob Nielsen on UX • 15 implied HN points • 21 Oct 24
🕹 Technology User Experience Artificial Intelligence Design principles Digital Culture
  1. Design metrics should focus on user value, such as how quickly they can complete tasks. Faster completion times lead to happier users and more engagement.
  2. Most users prefer to get straight to the point and often skip reading long instructions or explanations. Keeping things simple and clear is essential.
  3. Children are becoming more aware of misleading design patterns online, but many still struggle to identify them accurately. Educating kids about digital design can help them navigate online spaces more safely.

Vol. 1, Issue 36 - Interview with Articuno Island

Johto Times • 79 implied HN points • 12 Oct 23
🎭️ Culture Digital Culture Fandom Internet History
  1. Articuno Island was a popular Pokémon fan website that ran from 1998 to 2003. It helped connect smaller Pokémon sites and fostered a community for fans to share their passion.
  2. Nintendo announced that it will end online services for the 3DS and Wii U in April 2024, impacting Pokémon games that require internet features. However, Pokémon Bank and Poké Transporter will still work for now.
  3. The internet has changed a lot since the early days of fan sites, with new platforms like Discord making interaction easier. Despite this, the unique charm of personal fan websites is missed by many.

Judging myself by likes

Kyle Chayka Industries • 195 implied HN points • 22 Jul 23
🎭️ Culture Technology Social media Digital Culture Algorithms Influence
  1. Likes can impact how we judge our online success, but their significance varies across platforms.
  2. Algorithms on social media have changed how engagement is measured, making it harder to interpret likes as a true reflection of content quality.
  3. The age of likes is evolving, with platforms like TikTok shifting focus away from visible likes but still using them to influence content.

The Atomized Empire

Based Meditations • 39 implied HN points • 25 Nov 23
🕹 Technology Internet Algorithms Social Interaction Tech Addiction Digital Culture
  1. The Atomized Empire metaphorically represents how technology has enslaved us, influencing behavior through digital means.
  2. Technology, like a modern Trojan Horse, has stealthily infiltrated our lives, controlling us through addictive algorithms and impacting human culture.
  3. Our increasing addiction and reliance on technology is leading to loneliness, social disconnection, and a detachment from the real world, hindering deep human connections and meaningful interactions.

On News-fasting

Charles Eisenstein • 3 implied HN points • 04 Dec 24
🕹 Technology AI Media Communication Information Digital Culture
  1. Taking a break from news can help clear your mind and reduce stress. It's important to focus on what really matters to you instead of getting overwhelmed by constant updates.
  2. Artificial intelligence is a significant technology that's changing our world. Understanding its impacts is crucial as we navigate through its early developments.
  3. Long-form writing can be challenging to share on platforms like Substack. It's sometimes better to break up big ideas into smaller pieces for clearer communication.

The Techtopian Belief Systems of our Digital Age

The Digital Anthropologist • 19 implied HN points • 04 Feb 23
🕹 Technology Transhumanism Libertarianism Digital Culture Technological progress Ethics
  1. Belief systems in the digital age go beyond just religion and include ideologies like transhumanism and techtopianism.
  2. Transhumanism aims to enhance humanity with technology, including genetic engineering, cybernetics, computing, and brain uploading.
  3. Techtopians believe technology can solve all problems, relying on billionaires as agents of social change while overlooking the importance of culture and sociology.

Terms of Engagement

Cybernetic Forests • 39 implied HN points • 20 Feb 22
🕹 Technology Social media Algorithms Communication Design Digital Culture
  1. Communication requires good transmission and reception; without care on either end, hurt can result.
  2. Play and playfulness emerge from safety and shared agreement; the absence of play can lead to authoritarianism and fear.
  3. Social media structures can breed algorithmic indifference, filtering out personal content and hindering meaningful communication.

Devour Me, Mummy

Reactionary Feminist • 25 implied HN points • 07 Jun 23
🎭️ Culture Youth Surveillance Digital Culture Online behavior
  1. Thirty percent of zoomers support surveillance cameras in homes, linking to a decline in democratic norms and a rise in authoritarian control.
  2. The shift towards supporting surveillance may be influenced by factors like early childcare experiences and internet citizenship norms.
  3. Younger generations, accustomed to digital surveillance and online authority, are transitioning towards post-liberal subjects.

The less sense it makes, the more attractive it becomes

Links I Would Gchat You If We Were Friends • 59 implied HN points • 12 Mar 21
🎭️ Culture Social media Digital Culture Internet Trends Influencer Culture Pop culture
  1. The more nonsensical something is, the more appealing it can be, like with AI romance and internet trends
  2. There are detailed Wikipedia debates about Joe Biden's dogs, questioning their notability and training methods
  3. The rise of NFTs and other unconventional trends shows how the less sense something makes, the more ironic and attractive it becomes in popular culture

New Internet

Nice Try • 59 implied HN points • 01 Aug 20
🕹 Technology Internet Networking Devices Digital Culture User Experience
  1. Getting a new wifi router can be a hassle, especially when it involves complicated setups and registrations. Using your phone can help bypass some frustrations.
  2. The internet can feel new even if the network and password are the same, just like how fresh experiences can bring a sense of renewal.
  3. Life events, like waiting for a job call or a drug test, can seem ordinary yet poignant against the backdrop of personal and global situations, making everyday moments feel significant.

Millennial Anger, Tall Trees, The Internet We'll Leave Behind

Very Fine Day • 8 implied HN points • 26 Feb 23
🎭️ Culture Books Internet Generations Anger Digital Culture
  1. The internet is changing rapidly with trends like AI, paid access, gated internet, and verification.
  2. There is a cultural misunderstanding around Millennial anger, which can lead to generational conflicts.
  3. Books like Knausgaard's 'My Struggle' and Butler's 'The New Me' explore themes of angst and personal relationships.

The End of the Extremely Online Era

The Commonplace • 2 HN points • 23 Oct 23
🎭️ Culture Social Trends Digital Culture Community Interaction Content creation Entertainment
  1. Change is inevitable; things can seem static for years and then transform suddenly.
  2. There are concerns with the current internet culture, such as attention spans, social interactions, and authenticity.
  3. A shift away from the extremely online culture is predicted, driven by a desire for real-life connections and authenticity.

"Links" Weekend Edition: IT'S ON

Links I Would Gchat You If We Were Friends • 0 implied HN points • 29 Apr 16
🎭️ Culture Internet Literature Social media Technology Digital Culture
  1. The post discusses the dumbest side of humanity seen through websites like Yahoo Answers and Quora.
  2. On Fridays, the newsletter takes a different form, offering an ebook or direct links for catching up on digital culture.
  3. Links included in the post cover various topics like internet changes, laxative teas on Instagram, and Facebook's evolving role.

Sent from my iPhone

Links I Would Gchat You If We Were Friends • 0 implied HN points • 02 Sep 16
🕹 Technology Social media AI Internet Digital Culture Tech industry
  1. Silicon Valley promotes an ideology of freedom through technology, but many don't feel 'free' after 20 years.
  2. Uber's dominance in public transit impacts cities differently, creating faster options for some and leaving others behind.
  3. Chuck Tingle used a Hugo nomination to advocate for diversity in science fiction, turning the tables on his trolls.

Real talk:

Links I Would Gchat You If We Were Friends • 0 implied HN points • 13 Apr 16
🕹 Technology Internet Social media Innovation Digital Culture Online community
  1. The secret rules of the Internet are enforced on whims, leading to varying perceptions of censorship and moderation.
  2. Using a flip phone in 2016 can help you engage more with the world and reduce distractions.
  3. Staying in has become the new trend due to the convenience of the Internet, making it unnecessary to leave the house for various activities.

Boom times for boredom

Links I Would Gchat You If We Were Friends • 0 implied HN points • 03 Apr 20
🎭️ Culture Social media Internet Trends Online Communities Digital Culture
  1. It's important to be cautious about relying on Facebook 'disaster' groups, considering the platform's own issues
  2. The political landscape is rapidly shifting to a digital space, with Democrats facing challenges in reaching voters online
  3. There's a fun read available on the legacy of Myspace music, catering to subscribers who appreciate a deep dive into nostalgia