The hottest History Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
Category
Top World Politics Topics

Greece is Lindy

The Greek Analyst • 299 implied HN points • 07 Jun 24
🎭️ Culture History Language Heritage Traditions Cuisine
  1. Greece has a rich history of contributing ideas that have stood the test of time, known as Lindy creations.
  2. Some of the well-known Lindy contributions of Greece include democracy, philosophy, modern medicine, and global sports competitions.
  3. Apart from the obvious inventions, Greece also has softer Lindy elements like Filoxenia, social eating, and celebrating name days that have had a significant impact on Greek culture.

Dipco's Easy Reader

Computer Ads from the Past • 256 implied HN points • 01 Nov 24
🕹 Technology Computers Advertising History Design Consumer Electronics
  1. Dipco's Easy Reader was a product that seems to have little information available about it. It was likely a simple device meant to help users with their old computers.
  2. The price of $34 (in 2024 money) feels expensive for what appears to be just a lens and a bracket. It's unclear if it was worth the cost.
  3. No significant history or reviews are known about Dipco, suggesting it may have been a small operation that didn’t gain much traction.

Petula Clark - The other British invasion

Rock 'n' Roll with Me • 459 implied HN points • 02 May 24
🎶 Music Pop Rock History Performance Culture
  1. Petula Clark had a huge impact in the 1960s music scene with several hit songs, showcasing her talent and staying power even at age 91.
  2. She collaborated with songwriter Tony Hatch to create many popular songs and was a top-charting artist, rivaling even The Beatles.
  3. Petula also had a successful career in film and television, gaining recognition for her acting and her efforts to promote inclusivity in entertainment.

"Oliver Heaviside. An Appreciation : The Personal Equation : The Work of a Genius Elucidated"

Fields & Energy • 279 implied HN points • 10 Jun 24
🔬 Science Physics Engineering Mathematics History Biography
  1. Oliver Heaviside was a genius who contributed greatly to electrical science but was often misunderstood and neglected during his life. His work wasn't acknowledged until long after he had passed away.
  2. Heaviside developed important theories on cable signaling and electromagnetic waves, introducing many key terms that are still used today. His insights helped improve how signals could be transmitted over long distances, which was crucial for communication.
  3. Despite his brilliance, Heaviside lived a reclusive life and struggled financially. He preferred to work alone and only began to receive recognition later in life, which made him a complex figure in the world of science.
Get a weekly roundup of the best Substack posts, by hacker news affinity:

Evolution and Our Obsession with True Crime

The Garden of Forking Paths • 2004 implied HN points • 19 May 23
🎭️ Culture Evolution True Crime Psychology History Sociology
  1. True crime has been a longstanding part of human culture, dating back centuries.
  2. Our obsession with true crime may stem from our evolutionary history and the way our minds are wired for survival.
  3. Engaging with true crime stories allows us to simulate dangerous situations and hone our ability to detect and avoid threats.

RKUL: Time Well Spent 11/11/2024

Razib Khan's Unsupervised Learning • 194 implied HN points • 12 Nov 24
📚 Literature Books History Culture Writing Publishing
  1. Horses have played a huge role in human history, helping with farming and trade. They allowed people to transport more goods and develop agriculture more efficiently.
  2. Dogs and cats have different roles in our lives. While dogs have been our working partners for thousands of years, cats are more companions that bring us joy.
  3. Many of today's educated elites don't understand the views of the majority. This disconnect can lead to problems in a democratic society, as it might affect how political systems work.

Post to the Host

Garrison Keillor and Friends • 1179 implied HN points • 08 Jan 24
🎨 Art & Illustration Performance Literature Travel Music History
  1. Fans share personal stories and experiences with Garrison Keillor, showing deep appreciation and connection with his work.
  2. Garrison Keillor responds to fan messages and comments with wit, humor, and humility, engaging with his audience in a friendly manner.
  3. Audience members express excitement, plans, and hopes for attending Garrison Keillor's upcoming shows, showcasing their anticipation and admiration.

Animating by Candlelight

Animation Obsessive • 3318 implied HN points • 12 Feb 24
🎨 Art & Illustration Animation Community Industry Filmmaking History
  1. During the aftermath of the fall of the Soviet Union, animators faced challenges adapting to life under capitalism with reduced state funding and support.
  2. Some animators, like Yuri Norstein and Priit Pärn, expressed struggles and concerns about the impact of financial censorship in the capitalist system on their artistic work.
  3. Countries like Estonia benefited from renewed state support for artists, resulting in a thriving animation community that continues to produce award-winning films.

Turing's Yearning, Part 1

Technohumanism • 99 implied HN points • 01 Aug 24
🕹 Technology Artificial Intelligence Computing History Philosophy Human-Machine Interaction
  1. Alan Turing's foundational paper on artificial intelligence is often overlooked in favor of its famous concepts like the Turing Test. It's filled with strange ideas and a deep human yearning for understanding machines.
  2. The idea behind the Turing Test, where a computer tricks someone into thinking it's human, raises questions about what intelligence really is. Is being able to imitate intelligence the same as actually being intelligent?
  3. Turing's paper includes surprising claims and combines brilliant insights with odd assertions. It reflects his complicated thoughts on machines and intelligence, showing a deeper human story that resonates today.

The coolest medieval woman you've never heard of

weird medieval guys • 1926 implied HN points • 06 Apr 23
🎭️ Culture History Literature Feminism Politics Women
  1. Christine de Pizan was one of Europe's first professional female writers and a French nationalist.
  2. Her most famous work, _The Book of the City of Ladies_, is considered one of the earliest feminist writings.
  3. _The Book of the City of Ladies_ critiques misogyny, redefines female characters from history, and calls for gender equality.

It's Not Cool to Overreact

OK Doomer • 181 implied HN points • 25 Nov 24
🎭️ Culture Society Human behavior Media History Psychology
  1. People often choose not to react during crises, similar to how a man ignored a tsunami. This shows a tendency to deny or overlook dangers that are happening around us.
  2. Many individuals wait and watch disasters unfold instead of taking action, which suggests a cultural trend of complacency and inaction.
  3. Overreacting is often frowned upon, leading to a reluctance to address urgent problems. This attitude can prevent us from dealing with serious issues, like climate change and pandemics.

Nash's Invention of Non-Cooperative Game Theory (1949-50)

Cantor's Paradise • 221 implied HN points • 05 Nov 24
🚌 Education Game Theory Mathematics Economics Psychology History
  1. Nash developed his idea of non-cooperative game theory during his time at Princeton, focusing on how people can benefit from making decisions independently. His work changed the way games and competitive actions are analyzed.
  2. He introduced the concept of Nash equilibrium, where no player can improve their outcome by changing their strategy alone. This idea is crucial for understanding strategic interactions in economics and beyond.
  3. Despite initial indifference from established economists, Nash's theories gained recognition and eventually earned him a Nobel Prize. His insights made game theory relevant and valuable for various fields, including economics.

100 Years of 'IBM'

The Chip Letter • 1965 implied HN points • 15 Feb 24
🕹 Technology Computing Companies History
  1. IBM has had a significant impact on the development of computer systems over 100 years.
  2. IBM's influence extends to technologies like mainframes, personal computers, and databases.
  3. The history of IBM shows both positive contributions to technology and darker aspects like the association with controversial events.

Panic In Zanzibar: Nocturnal Sodomy & Demon-Bats

Grey Goose Chronicles • 1041 implied HN points • 19 Jan 24
🎭️ Culture Anthropology History Spirituality Folklore Politics
  1. In Zanzibar, a collective panic occurred in 1995 due to reports of attacks by a shape-shifting spirit called Popobawa, resulting in violence and fear among residents.
  2. The Popobawa legend is a complex mix of political tensions, taboo sexual elements, supernatural beliefs, and historical legacies, making it challenging to interpret.
  3. The phenomenon of the Popobawa offers insights into Zanzibar's history, culture, and divisions, reflecting how fears and stories can have real-world impacts on communities.

The Flood

Cosmographia • 718 implied HN points • 07 Mar 24
🎭️ Culture Mythology Art History
  1. Many cultures worldwide have flood myths that share similar motifs, such as a great flood cleansing the earth and only a select few surviving, prompting researchers to question the origins of these stories.
  2. Some theories suggest that flood myths may stem from a distant cultural memory of a cataclysmic event like a prehistoric flood, while others propose that these myths date back to a primordial story before global dispersal of peoples.
  3. Analytical psychologist Carl Jung believed that recurring myths like the flood archetype reflect universal, innate aspects of the human subconscious, influencing human behavior in profound ways.

Monkey Puzzles and Muir

Street Smart Naturalist: Explorations of the Urban Kind • 519 implied HN points • 11 Apr 24
🎭️ Culture Nature History Botany Geology Travel
  1. Monkey puzzle trees, native to Chile, are known for their unique look and have deep cultural connections with the Indigenous Araucano people who use the nuts for food.
  2. John Muir traveled to South America to find these trees and wrote about his admiration for them, showing how much he valued nature.
  3. The arrival of monkey puzzle trees in Seattle is somewhat mysterious, tied to early 20th-century expos and possibly explorers, but their history goes back millions of years.

Matti Friedman: The Song of the Israel-Hamas War

Common Sense with Bari Weiss • 1729 implied HN points • 07 Mar 24
🎨 Art & Illustration Music Israel Conflict History
  1. Matti Friedman is a well-known nonfiction writer, reporter, and columnist, whose work delves into Israeli history and identity.
  2. His song 'Canaan' captures the dark and existential realities of the ongoing war, challenging the notion of reaching a promised land and questioning the concept of homeland.
  3. Shaban's songs, like 'Canaan' and 'A Practice Run for Waking Up,' seem to foreshadow Israeli conflicts, evoking deep emotions for those directly involved in the war.

The Final Words of British Monarchs Presented as Modernist Poetry

Londonist: Time Machine • 259 implied HN points • 07 Jun 24
🎨 Art & Illustration History Literature Poetry Monarchy Events
  1. The death of British monarchs marks significant historical shifts and eras, often defined by the reigning monarch's passing.
  2. The final words of British monarchs, though sometimes apocryphal, offer intriguing insights and can be read almost like modernist poetry.
  3. The rapid succession of power in British monarchy, like Charles becoming king upon Queen Elizabeth's death, is a unique phenomenon that seemingly defies physical laws.

Revisiting 2024: Favorite Posts and Quotes

Neckar’s Notes • 48 implied HN points • 31 Dec 24
🎭️ Culture Art Writing Philosophy Personal Growth History
  1. Reflecting on past experiences helps us see how much we've accomplished, even when we feel lost. It's important to keep moving forward despite challenges.
  2. Money is more than just currency; it influences our lives in deep ways. Understanding our feelings about money can lead to meaningful insights.
  3. Mentorship plays a key role in personal growth. Being open to learning and seeking guidance can help us achieve our goals.

4.0 Electromagnetism Comes of Age

Fields & Energy • 259 implied HN points • 05 Jun 24
🔬 Science Physics Electromagnetism Innovation Technology History
  1. Oliver Heaviside improved upon Maxwell's ideas about electromagnetism. He made complex concepts simpler and more useful, opening doors for new technologies.
  2. Heaviside's work helped solve many technical issues with telegraphy, making long-distance communication possible. His innovations changed how electrical signals were sent across wires.
  3. Heaviside created important terms used in electronics today and developed a simplified way to describe energy flow in electromagnetic fields. His contributions are still fundamental in understanding electromagnetism.

Against Respectability

Becoming Noble • 1734 implied HN points • 19 May 23
⛪ Faith & Spirituality Philosophy Culture History
  1. In degraded times, the desire for respectability may lead to conformity and compromise with harmful ideologies, so it's crucial to be willing to stand alone for what is right.
  2. Walking alone can be lonely but necessary for those who prioritize their convictions over societal approval, even in the face of political correctness and ideological pressure.
  3. True morality comes from a higher source, not from seeking approval or conforming to societal norms; it requires the willingness to face persecution and suffering for staying true to one's beliefs.

Our Titanic Juneteenth Pride

donaldjeffries • 1729 implied HN points • 24 Jun 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics History Politics Humor Media Culture
  1. The submersible used in the recent deep sea exploration resembled ramshackle Apollo spacecrafts, raising questions about safety and testing procedures.
  2. The failure of a military rescue mission near the Titanic wreckage highlighted the limitations and shortcomings of government agencies.
  3. The author expresses skepticism towards the significance and celebrations of Juneteenth and Pride Month, questioning the motives behind these commemorations.

Christmas Mailbag!

Odds and Ends of History • 469 implied HN points • 19 Dec 24
🎭️ Culture History Social Issues Entertainment Media
  1. The author is currently on vacation in New Zealand and hasn't spent much time on his phone. This shows the importance of taking breaks from technology.
  2. He addresses reader questions in a mailbag format, highlighting curiosity around popular figures like Elon Musk and ongoing projects like HS2.
  3. The discussion includes whether people like Musk are genuinely involved in their companies or just figureheads, raising questions about understanding and knowledge in leadership roles.

Books of the Year 2024

Comment is Freed • 106 implied HN points • 14 Dec 24
📚 Literature Book Reviews Non-fiction History Biographies Fiction
  1. A lot of great books cover history, politics, and economics. These can provide deeper insights into current events and help in understanding systems that shape our lives.
  2. Biographies shed light on important historical figures and their influences, bringing personal stories into larger political and social contexts.
  3. Translations of classic literature make ancient stories accessible and relatable, reminding us of timeless truths about human experiences.

A Ghost Story About Pies

Vittles • 159 implied HN points • 18 Nov 24
🍲 Food & Drink Baking Cuisine History Culture Economics
  1. Pimbletts bakery is a big part of the history and culture of St Helens, where pies have been loved for generations. It shows how food connects to the town's industrial past.
  2. Despite its closures and comebacks, the new Pimbletts is facing criticism for not tasting as good as the original. People feel like the history and quality of the pies are being lost.
  3. St Helens struggles with its identity after losing many factories and jobs. Young people see little hope for the future, feeling the town is stuck living in the past.

When Statues Get Mobbed

Londonist: Time Machine • 279 implied HN points • 29 May 24
🎨 Art & Illustration Sculptures History Culture Politics
  1. London has a long history of attacks on statues, often driven by political, iconoclastic, or drunken motivations.
  2. Statues in London have been subjected to various forms of vandalism over the years, such as tar and feathering, paint, or even physical damage.
  3. Incidents of statue vandalism range from attacks on well-known figures like Queen Anne and Peter Pan, to more controversial figures like Lenin and Winston Churchill.

3.4.1 Ohm's Law

Fields & Energy • 519 implied HN points • 03 Apr 24
🔬 Science Physics Education History Engineering Mathematics
  1. Ohm's Law shows that voltage is equal to current times resistance, which is key to understanding how electrical circuits work.
  2. Georg Simon Ohm faced a lot of criticism during his time for his ideas, but later scientists recognized his important contributions to physics.
  3. Henry Cavendish had discovered concepts similar to Ohm's Law before Ohm, but much of Cavendish's work went unnoticed because he rarely published his findings.

a postrationalist syllabus

eigenrobot,s Blog • 1670 implied HN points • 12 Sep 23
🎭️ Culture Literature Philosophy Anthropology History Metacognition
  1. Postrationalism is a cultural influence that never actually existed, but influences can still be studied and emulated.
  2. The selection of cultural touchstones in the syllabus is subjective, reflecting one individual's perspective within the realm of postrationalism.
  3. The syllabus encompasses a wide range of topics, including anthropology, language, stories, synthetic history, metacognition, ways to live, and more.

Odds and Ends #52: A right to air conditioning?

Odds and Ends of History • 335 implied HN points • 16 Jan 25
🎭️ Culture Social Issues History Technology Government Media
  1. Everyone should have the right to air conditioning, especially as it becomes more essential for comfort. It can help people stay healthy and productive in hot weather.
  2. New Zealand has found a smart way to tackle its housing crisis, which could inspire solutions in other places. Their approach focuses on making housing more accessible to everyone.
  3. There are issues with some Chinese robotaxis that raise concerns, but there’s still hope for the future of self-driving technology. It’s important to address these problems to improve safety and reliability.

Ideology-Based Investigations, Myths, and Blind Spots in Academia and Society

Heterodox STEM • 163 implied HN points • 17 Nov 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Ideology Academia Conspiracy History Social justice
  1. Ideology-Based Investigations (IBIs) are studies that lack scientific rigor and often rely on philosophical beliefs instead. These can create a false sense of credibility, leading to flawed conclusions.
  2. The oppressor-oppressed binary is a concept widely used in academia that can skew research and findings. This way of thinking has influenced many institutions and projects, often prioritizing ideology over factual analysis.
  3. Many thinkers and writers may criticize authoritarianism but fail to see the biases and pitfalls within their own ideological views. It's important for everyone to recognize these blind spots to promote a more truthful and open society.