The hottest Fandom Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
Category
Top Culture Topics

Fighting Discrimination Does Not Entail Defending Shitty Social Behavior

Freddie deBoer • 6373 implied HN points • 06 Dec 24
🎭️ Culture Social media Mental health Discrimination Fandom Pop culture
  1. Fighting for rights is important, but we shouldn't excuse bad behavior in the process. It's okay to say 'knock it off' when people act inappropriately.
  2. Many young people mimic serious disorders for attention, but this can be harmful to those who genuinely struggle with those issues. It's important to critique this without fear of backlash.
  3. Online fandoms can become hostile, with people using accusations of bigotry to silence criticism. It's necessary for communities to be able to set healthy boundaries and address bad behavior.

Screw You Guys, I Root For Muad'Dib

Freddie deBoer • 8446 implied HN points • 06 Mar 24
🎭️ Culture Film Literature Critique Fandom Characterization
  1. In the Dune universe, the writer roots for Paul Atreides despite knowing it won't end well
  2. The Dune 2 movie is praised for being a meticulously crafted, popular film with excellent cast and stunning visuals
  3. 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

Vol. 2, Issue 29 - Interview with Serebii.net

Johto Times • 239 implied HN points • 18 Jul 24
🎭️ Culture Entertainment Media Community Gaming Fandom
  1. Serebii.net has been a key source of Pokémon news for 25 years and is trusted by the community. Joe Merrick, the founder, has dedicated his life to keeping it updated and relevant.
  2. Joe started the site out of boredom and a love for Pokémon, growing it through word of mouth and focusing on content that other sites missed about the Japanese side of Pokémon.
  3. He believes that while fans have strong opinions, developers know best about what works for the game. Joe actively engages with the community but maintains his independence to share his honest views.

I Have No Mouth and I Must Stream

Default Wisdom • 222 implied HN points • 30 Nov 24
🎭️ Culture Media Internet Society Fandom Identity Technology
  1. Social media creates power struggles similar to medieval fiefdoms, where individuals desire commercial recognition and control rather than just attention.
  2. People often sacrifice their well-being for online popularity, blurring the lines between personal suffering and entertainment for audiences.
  3. As technology advances, there’s a growing concern about becoming obsolete or 'redundant', leading to anxiety about our roles in a future dominated by AI and big data.

I Hate You, Please Stan Me

Default Wisdom • 207 implied HN points • 01 Nov 24
🎭️ Culture Fandom Community Entertainment Identity Social media
  1. Fandom can mean different things to different people, and not everyone agrees on what makes a fan. Toxic fandom often involves harassment and bigotry, but not all criticism comes from actual fans.
  2. Healthy fandoms support one another and enjoy discussing their interests, while toxic ones, often called 'standom,' enforce strict loyalty and can lead to aggressive behavior against critics or other fans.
  3. Being cast out from a fandom can hurt deeply, as it affects one's sense of identity and belonging. Fans may feel a mix of fear and aggression as the community's unwritten rules change around them.
Get a weekly roundup of the best Substack posts, by hacker news affinity:

Super Mets Fan

Mets Fix • 255 implied HN points • 09 Feb 24
🎾 Sports Baseball Football Athlete Fandom
  1. Baseball season is near with Mets starting workouts soon.
  2. Taylor Swift should not distract from following Patrick Mahomes.
  3. Access to full post archives with a 7-day free trial subscription to Mets Fix.

The Lesbian Legacy of 'ER'

Paging Dr. Lesbian • 98 implied HN points • 11 Feb 24
🎭️ Culture TV shows Gender identity Fandom History
  1. 'ER' was a groundbreaking show for featuring one of the first lesbian main characters on American television and for exploring LGBTQ+ storylines.
  2. The portrayal of Kerry Weaver's lesbian relationships on 'ER' were notable for being depicted as real, deeply-felt connections rather than fleeting flings.
  3. 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.

Welcome to the Johto Times

Johto Times • 279 implied HN points • 06 Feb 23
🎭️ Culture Entertainment Community Nostalgia Fandom Media
  1. A new Pokémon newsletter called Johto Times aims to connect fans around the world and share experiences and insights about Pokémon.
  2. The creator, Darren, has been a Pokémon fan since 1999 and wants to share nostalgic memories while also collaborating with other fans and contributors.
  3. Johto Times will publish posts every Thursday, providing fun and interesting Pokémon content that readers can enjoy during breaks.

What's so alluring about incest fic?

Default Wisdom • 188 implied HN points • 30 Oct 23
🎭️ Culture Internet culture Fandom Psychology Online behavior Fantasy
  1. The appeal of incest fic in fandom may stem from a desire for emotional intimacy and intensity.
  2. Online behaviors like playing the victim can be influenced by internet culture and the need for validation.
  3. Being labeled 'dangerous' online can hold a certain allure, while being called 'insincere' can be more dismissive and delegitimizing.

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.

Your Dreams Should Stay There

Everything's Broken • 78 implied HN points • 13 Apr 23
🎭️ Culture TV shows Nostalgia Sci-fi Critique Fandom
  1. The latest episode of Star Trek Picard disappoints Star Trek fans by resorting to ham-fisted nostalgia and clumsy writing.
  2. The show takes a disappointing turn by disregarding its own canon and insulting the intelligence of the viewers.
  3. Star Trek Picard fails to maintain consistency with its past seasons and insults the core concepts of the Star Trek universe.

Vol. 1, Issue 20 - Interview with Blue Moon Falls

Johto Times • 99 implied HN points • 22 Jun 23
🎭️ Culture Fandom Media Gaming Internet Nostalgia
  1. Blue Moon Falls is a Pokémon fansite that focuses on the first two generations of Pokémon games. It aims to make older game information accessible and fun for both new and returning players.
  2. The site’s design reflects classic 2000s Pokémon websites while being mobile-friendly. This blend helps modern users enjoy nostalgic content easily on their devices.
  3. Creating a personal website like Blue Moon Falls can be a rewarding experience, regardless of your programming skills. It's a great way to explore your interests and share them with others.

I watched the Super Bowl because of Taylor Swift

The Novelleist • 108 implied HN points • 23 Feb 24
🎾 Sports Football Fans Athletes Super Bowl Fandom
  1. Taylor Swift's influence has brought a new, diverse audience to football, contributing to increased viewership and ticket sales.
  2. The infusion of Taylor Swift's fandom into football has promoted camaraderie among fans, leading to more positive interactions and fan experiences.
  3. 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.

Vol. 1, Issue 24 - My Pokémon Collection - Part 4

Johto Times • 79 implied HN points • 20 Jul 23
🎭️ Culture Collectibles Fandom Entertainment Nostalgia Media
  1. Pokémon Sleep is now available in many countries and links up with Pokémon GO Plus + to track your sleep. It's exciting for fans who want to catch Pokémon and improve their sleep habits!
  2. The upcoming Pokémon GO Community Day will feature Poliwag, with special bonuses and the chance to catch shiny ones. Fans should mark their calendars for some fun gameplay!
  3. The author shares personal memories about their Pokémon collection, including unique items like Tazos and Pokémon trading cards, which are nostalgic treasures that many Pokémon fans might also enjoy.

I'm Going to Need Help from Star Trek Fans on This One...

Think Future • 59 implied HN points • 21 Sep 23
🎭️ Culture Entertainment Science fiction Fandom Technology Imagination
  1. Smart clothes have a multitude of capabilities like temperature regulation, radiation protection, and power generation through solar collection and motion.
  2. Star Trek fans are being called upon to imagine the futuristic capabilities of Starfleet uniforms like self-cleaning features, flexibility for temperature adjustments, and basic biomonitoring powered by clothing batteries.
  3. Starfleet minimalism reflects a broader value system within the Federation, where personal possessions are reduced to meaningful mementos like photos, totems, tools, and toys.

Things Gay Men Like

Disaffected Newsletter • 239 implied HN points • 21 Jul 22
🎭️ Culture Identity Lifestyle Entertainment Social norms Fandom
  1. Gay men enjoy a range of interests, including antiques and classic cars. These hobbies often reflect a sense of nostalgia and style.
  2. Many gay men share a fondness for soap operas and pop culture icons like Madonna, showing their appreciation for drama and entertainment.
  3. Social gatherings like brunch and a playful lifestyle are also important, highlighting the value of friendship and fun in their lives.

All Hail the Homer

House of Strauss • 28 implied HN points • 31 Jan 24
🎾 Sports Analysis Fandom Predictions
  1. Being a "homer" can lead to more accurate predictions about your favorite team
  2. Assess opinions based on substance, not on perceived bias or motives
  3. Interest in an outcome can enhance understanding and knowledge, outweighing potential bias

Star Treks Ground Zero Copyright Battle

Joshua Gans' Newsletter • 0 implied HN points • 31 Dec 15
🎭️ Culture Movies Copyright Fandom
  1. Paramount and CBS are suing the makers of Axanar, an independent Star Trek film, for copyright violation.
  2. One reason for the lawsuit could be to protect CBS's upcoming Star Trek series, but the exact harm to the series is uncertain.
  3. 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.

Dale Eisinger: Appropriating Celebrity: The Efficiency of Digital Detournement

Do Not Research • 0 implied HN points • 15 Feb 22
🎭️ Culture Celebrity Memes Fandom Art
  1. Memes have become a common component of web browsing, social media, and politics, spreading rapidly and influencing behaviors through easily accessible formats like imagery and short text.
  2. Celebrities serve as a powerful tool for endorsement and representation in the modern digital age, impacting consumer choices and political perceptions through the mere existence of their image.
  3. Detournement, a strategy of disrupting the cultural logic of capitalism by using image commodities against themselves, emphasizes the unification of seemingly unrelated elements to create subversion and arousal of uncertainty.

Your Parasocial Dream Girl Won't Save You

Mental Hellth • 64 likes • 22 Oct 24
🎭️ Culture Identity Fandom Media Society Mental health
  1. Relying on someone as a 'dream girl' can lead to unrealistic expectations. It's important to seek self-acceptance rather than waiting for others to validate us.
  2. When fans expect a public figure to represent their identity perfectly, it can create pressure and unhealthy relationships. Everyone is unique and can't fulfill the needs of others.
  3. Parasocial relationships can sometimes make people forget about their own identity. It's essential to focus on self-discovery rather than depending on others for guidance.