The hottest Fandom Substack posts right now

In the Dune universe, the writer roots for Paul Atreides despite knowing it won't end well
The Dune 2 movie is praised for being a meticulously crafted, popular film with excellent cast and stunning visuals
Despite the warnings about not rooting for Paul due to the themes of the story, the writer still finds him and his rebel army cool and follows Muad'Dib passionately

Taylor Swift's influence has brought a new, diverse audience to football, contributing to increased viewership and ticket sales.
The infusion of Taylor Swift's fandom into football has promoted camaraderie among fans, leading to more positive interactions and fan experiences.
The personal stories and humanization of athletes through lifestyle sports content like podcasts and documentaries can make sports more engaging and relatable, even for those who were previously disinterested.

'ER' was a groundbreaking show for featuring one of the first lesbian main characters on American television and for exploring LGBTQ+ storylines.
The portrayal of Kerry Weaver's lesbian relationships on 'ER' were notable for being depicted as real, deeply-felt connections rather than fleeting flings.
The impact of 'ER' on viewers and society through its representation of LGBTQ+ characters, particularly Kerry Weaver's journey, highlights the evolving landscape of lesbian representation in media.

The appeal of incest fic in fandom may stem from a desire for emotional intimacy and intensity.
Online behaviors like playing the victim can be influenced by internet culture and the need for validation.
Being labeled 'dangerous' online can hold a certain allure, while being called 'insincere' can be more dismissive and delegitimizing.

Get a weekly roundup of the best Substack posts, by hacker news affinity:

The author's admiration for Tim Duncan and the San Antonio Spurs.
The negative impact of Robert Sarver's decisions on the Phoenix Suns.
How the author's fandom shifted from the Phoenix Suns to the San Antonio Spurs due to Sarver's actions.

Being a "homer" can lead to more accurate predictions about your favorite team
Assess opinions based on substance, not on perceived bias or motives
Interest in an outcome can enhance understanding and knowledge, outweighing potential bias

The latest episode of Star Trek Picard disappoints Star Trek fans by resorting to ham-fisted nostalgia and clumsy writing.
The show takes a disappointing turn by disregarding its own canon and insulting the intelligence of the viewers.
Star Trek Picard fails to maintain consistency with its past seasons and insults the core concepts of the Star Trek universe.

Paramount and CBS are suing the makers of Axanar, an independent Star Trek film, for copyright violation.
One reason for the lawsuit could be to protect CBS's upcoming Star Trek series, but the exact harm to the series is uncertain.
The case raises questions about the necessity of strong copyright protection for derivative works, such as fan films, that might be of high quality even without the protection.