The hottest History Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
Category
Top World Politics Topics

The Beatles Diaries: Celebrating 60 Years and The Feb 9, 1964 Appearance on "The Ed Sullivan Show"

Front Row & Backstage • 589 implied HN points • 09 Feb 24
🎶 Music History Impact Artists Memories
  1. The Beatles made a significant impact on American culture with their first appearance on 'The Ed Sullivan Show' in 1964, influencing a generation of musicians and fans.
  2. The Beatles had a strong sense of identity and confidence in their music, which helped them stand out in the rock 'n' roll industry at the time.
  3. The Beatles' innovative sound, style, and attitude during their 'Ed Sullivan Show' appearance changed the course of pop music history, inspiring many musicians to pursue music careers.

Confucius Says “lol, lmao”

The Upheaval • 2026 implied HN points • 15 Feb 24
📖 Philosophy Governance Trust Leaders Wisdom History
  1. According to Confucius, the basics of governance consist of having enough armaments, food, and the trust of the common people.
  2. Confucius emphasizes that the trust of the people is the most crucial element for a state to stand, even above food and armaments.
  3. The modern political leaders seem to have forgotten these fundamental principles, failing to prioritize security, defense, and the trust of the common people.

LIZARD MODE: ACTIVATED

History, etc • 1218 implied HN points • 22 Jul 23
🏝 Travel History Reading Culture
  1. The author is currently on vacation in Crete, enjoying the hot weather and relaxing by swimming, guzzling cold beer, and lounging around.
  2. The author shared pictures of a Byzantine church in Crete with 13th-century wall paintings that they visited during their holiday.
  3. The author reviews several books they have read during their vacation, sharing their thoughts on each one.

The Decline of The Humanities In The 21st Century, And How To Revive The Economy of Ideas.

A Mug of Insights • 1218 implied HN points • 12 Jun 23
📖 Philosophy History Ethics Metaphysics Critical Theory Humanities
  1. Students are more focused on exam success than genuine learning or philosophical inquiry.
  2. The modern education system prioritizes practicality over understanding in the humanities.
  3. There is a resurgence in interest in humanities despite challenges, showing hope for a revival in the economy of ideas.

3.4.8 Maxwell's Methods and Views

Fields & Energy • 219 implied HN points • 22 May 24
🔬 Science Physics Mathematics History Theories Research
  1. Maxwell used physical analogies and models to understand complex electrical and magnetic behaviors. This helped him discover important concepts like the displacement current.
  2. He believed that energy is linked to electromagnetic fields, not just to electric charges. This was a key part of his theory of electromagnetism.
  3. Despite his great contributions, some of Maxwell's ideas were not recognized during his time. His work on gases faced rejection, showing how science can overlook important discoveries.
Get a weekly roundup of the best Substack posts, by hacker news affinity:

UAE 25 Years Ago

Bet On It • 155 implied HN points • 30 Oct 24
🌐 International Middle East Travel Culture Economics History
  1. The UAE has provided good economic opportunities to many, including foreign workers who appreciate living there, despite any restrictions.
  2. Visitors face strict security measures to enter the UAE, showing the government's serious approach to control drugs and other prohibited materials.
  3. There can be a big difference between public rules and private behaviors, like how people might act differently in private despite strict laws.

Consider the Washing Machine

The Analog Family • 659 implied HN points • 23 Jan 24
🎭️ Culture Technology Parenting Philosophy History Mental health
  1. Technology saves us a lot of time, like how washing machines make laundry easy. We should think about how we use that extra time.
  2. Instead of wasting time on social media or mindless activities, we could use it to enjoy nature, read, or connect with others.
  3. It's important to remember the effort that went into creating these time-saving devices and use our free time in meaningful ways, rather than letting it slip away.

It's The End of the Media As We Know It

Castalia • 599 implied HN points • 05 Feb 24
🎭️ Culture Media Journalism Communication Society History
  1. Many traditional media outlets are struggling or shutting down, marking a significant change in how we consume news and entertainment. This shift is linked to the rise of digital media and changing audience preferences.
  2. The old media model relied on a single, large audience with homogenous interests, but now people can connect with niche communities online. This is leading to a more diverse and fragmented public.
  3. Writers are now finding their voices outside of big institutions, allowing them to create authentic content for smaller, like-minded audiences. This could change what it means to be a journalist in today's world.

Genetiken förändrar vår syn på ras

Rak höger med Ivar Arpi • 589 implied HN points • 07 Feb 24
🌍 World Politics Genetics Race Migration Archaeology History
  1. Genetics has revealed greater differences between people than previously thought, challenging both racist and politically correct beliefs.
  2. Historical migrations and cultural exchanges are being reevaluated in light of DNA research, overthrowing old theories.
  3. Recent genetic studies have shed light on demographic movements, such as the Indo-European migrations, significantly impacting our understanding of human history.

When the Mac was a Munition

Pessimists Archive Newsletter • 648 implied HN points • 24 Jan 24
🕹 Technology Computing History Regulation Innovation AI
  1. The US government classified the Power Mac G4 as a super-computer due to its computing power surpassing 1 GIGAFLOP.
  2. In 1979, a GIGAFLOP was seen as powerful and scary, but now we carry thousands of GIGAFLOPs in our pockets with modern devices.
  3. The marketing genius of Apple used the munition classification of the G4 to promote it as a 'Personal Supercomputer', leveraging the restrictions to market the product.

Numlock News: February 6, 2024 • Vesuvius, Vegas, Zeppelin

Numlock News • 589 implied HN points • 06 Feb 24
📰 News Technology Sports Entertainment Culture History
  1. Former New York Jets icon Brett Favre has been ordered to repay $1.1 million received as speaking fees from a nonprofit.
  2. An LED sphere in Las Vegas has faced financial losses, with the Sphere Entertainment losing $193.9 million on revenue of $167.8 million.
  3. The original contract Led Zeppelin signed in 1968 revealed they received $104,100 upfront from Atlantic Records and had specific terms designating Jimmy Page as the band's leader.

The Spy Travel Edition

Why is this interesting? • 1085 implied HN points • 07 Mar 24
🏝 Travel History Guides Authors Influence
  1. The U.S. government had a significant influence on the creation of modern American travel guides through literal spies like Eugene Fodor and Temple Fielding.
  2. Eugene Fodor, a successful guidebook publisher, was an officer for the CIA's predecessor during WWII and continued to use spies as writers for his company.
  3. The travel industry has evolved from its CIA roots to offer guides catering to various interests and lifestyles, providing valuable insights into different cultures beyond borders.

3.4.2 Maxwell’s Original Equations

Fields & Energy • 339 implied HN points • 10 Apr 24
🔬 Science Physics Mathematics Electromagnetism Equations History
  1. Maxwell's equations describe how electric and magnetic fields interact. They show the principles of electromagnetism in a clear way.
  2. Heaviside simplified Maxwell's original equations, reducing them from twenty to four. This makes them easier to understand and use today.
  3. The concepts of electric displacement and charge continuity are central to these equations. They help us understand how electricity flows and behaves in various situations.

Remember the Fallen

Diane Francis • 999 implied HN points • 11 Nov 23
🎭️ Culture History Literature Traditions
  1. Canadians honor those who died in wars by wearing poppies each year. It's a way to remember the sacrifices made by soldiers.
  2. The poem 'In Flanders Fields' by John MacRae highlights the theme of sacrifice and remembrance. It's a touching piece that resonates with many people.
  3. Commemorative events like the 20-gun salute remind us of the ongoing impact of wars and the importance of remembering the fallen. Even today, we can reflect on their bravery.

All About Australian Meat Pies! (Written By Someone Who Doesn't Really Like Meat)

Brent and Michael are Going Places • 569 implied HN points • 05 Feb 24
🍲 Food & Drink Cuisine History Ingredients Culture
  1. Many cultures have delicious dishes that involve meat and veggies cooked inside dough.
  2. Meat pies have been popular for thousands of years and are enjoyed in various countries like the UK and Canada.
  3. Meat pies are a loved food in Australia, where they were introduced by convicts in the 18th century.

The Oldest Map Of London... Now In Colour

Londonist: Time Machine • 878 implied HN points • 29 Nov 23
🎨 Art & Illustration Mapping History
  1. The Copperplate map is the earliest-known map of London and showcases the streets, buildings, and people of 16th century London.
  2. The map is a wonder of Tudor engraving, offering a unique glimpse into the history and layout of London from that era.
  3. Accessing the map and detailed information about it may require a subscription to Londonist: Time Machine.

Simply the Best

Not On Your Team, But Always Fair • 1139 implied HN points • 28 May 23
🎭️ Culture Music Sports History
  1. Tina Turner played a significant role in promoting Rugby League and making the sport more popular among viewers and players.
  2. In the 1980s, Australia had a unique sports landscape with different football codes in different states and a strong class divide between rugby league and rugby union.
  3. Attending a Tina Turner concert in Australia in the 1980s involved navigating issues of gambling, age restrictions, and the unique cultural and political climate of the time.

Some historically bad basketball

Marc Stein • 668 implied HN points • 09 Jan 24
🎾 Sports Basketball NBA Teams Statistics History
  1. Several NBA teams are performing historically poorly this season, being outscored by at least 10 points per game.
  2. Ja Morant's season-ending injury adds to the struggles faced by the Memphis Grizzlies, impacting their performance in the league.
  3. The list of NBA teams with significant negative point differentials this season is unprecedented, with four teams facing double-digit losing margins.

3.4 James Clerk Maxwell & His Equations

Fields & Energy • 359 implied HN points • 27 Mar 24
🔬 Science Physics Mathematics Electromagnetism History Mechanics
  1. James Clerk Maxwell was a key figure in understanding electricity and magnetism. He linked these topics together, showing how they relate to light.
  2. Maxwell created a set of equations that describe how electric and magnetic fields behave. These are known today as Maxwell's equations.
  3. Maxwell built on the ideas of earlier scientists, like Gauss and Faraday, and later, Heaviside simplified his work into the four equations used today.

The Band's Role on Tour '74 (by Annie Burkhart)

Flagging Down the Double E's • 589 implied HN points • 25 Jan 24
🎶 Music History Art Analysis Critique Performance
  1. The Band's role on the 1974 tour was significant, as they played two sets each night with their own big hits alongside Bob Dylan's songs.
  2. The Band faced struggles and burnout in 1974, with some members dealing with substance abuse and creative decline.
  3. The group's performance in Fort Worth in 1974 showcased their vulnerability and struggle, highlighted by songs like 'The Weight' and 'The Shape I'm In.'

Autochthonous Wars

Yasha Levine • 648 implied HN points • 10 Jan 24
🌍 World Politics Identity Middle East Religion History
  1. The debate over Jewish autochthonous status to the Holy Land is complex and influenced by personal bias and politics.
  2. Genetic studies on Jewish ancestry can be interpreted in multiple ways, leading to conflicting conclusions.
  3. The issue of Jewish identity and origins is more of a cultural and political question than a scientific one.

Aeroplanes, Airships and Beta Bias

Pessimists Archive Newsletter • 530 implied HN points • 08 Feb 24
🕹 Technology Innovations Comparisons Bias Aviation History
  1. In 1908, some dismissed the idea of flying machines heavier than air, underestimating their potential usefulness.
  2. The 'Beta Bias' is the tendency to underestimate the potential of new technologies by comparing them to established alternatives.
  3. Every nascent innovation has the potential for growth and improvement, often underestimated in early comparisons.

MEDIEVAL TATTOOS!

History, etc • 1081 implied HN points • 01 Jul 23
🎭️ Culture History Art
  1. Medieval tattoos hold deep meanings, passed down through generations.
  2. Tattoos can be a powerful form of self-expression and history.
  3. Books like 'Painted People' explore the rich history of tattoos and art.

Songs on the Death of Children

Something to Consider • 99 implied HN points • 05 Jul 24
🎭️ Culture Literature Poetry Art History Philosophy
  1. Friedrich Rückert wrote hundreds of poems after losing his children, showing how deeply grief can affect a parent. It's a powerful reminder of how loss can inspire profound creativity.
  2. People in the past faced death more regularly, especially with children. It's important to recognize that they felt grief just as strongly as we do today.
  3. The loss of children is still a significant issue today, as illustrated by the high number of child deaths from preventable causes like malaria. It's crucial to address and care for these vulnerable lives.

Julius Evola's Preface to The Decline of the West

The Oswald Spengler Project • 1078 implied HN points • 12 Aug 23
📚 Literature Theory History Philosophy Translation
  1. Julius Evola's preface reflects on modernity, tradition, and the decline of aristocratic cultures.
  2. Evola critiques Spengler's concept of history as cyclical, emphasizing the idea of 'traditional man' and ahistorical civilizations.
  3. Spengler's work challenges the linear view of history, proposing that civilizations cycle through distinctive phases with unique characteristics and inevitable declines.

This Mythological Moment

Daniel Pinchbeck’s Newsletter • 16 implied HN points • 17 Jan 25
🎭️ Culture Mythology Film Society History Spirituality
  1. The Popol Vuh tells a myth about how humans were created and destroyed by gods, highlighting that we've faced similar cycles of failure throughout history. This can be seen today as technology and our own actions may lead to our downfall.
  2. The fires in LA symbolize more than just a tragedy; they represent a decline in American culture and the dream factory of Hollywood, which has influenced U.S. power for years.
  3. An important theme from the Popol Vuh is about the dangers of our tools. Just like the wooden figures were destroyed by their own creations, today we risk harming ourselves through modern inventions and digital distractions.

Odds and Ends #42: An Elizabeth Line extension, some mad planning law nonsense, and the world's most pointless letter

Odds and Ends of History • 402 implied HN points • 13 Nov 24
📰 News Politics History Culture Environment Education
  1. There's a big extension happening for the Elizabeth Line, which is good news for public transport in the area.
  2. Some planning laws are causing headaches between government bodies, which shows how complicated regulations can be.
  3. A new bat tunnel that cost £100 million exists, and it raises questions about how resources are used in environmental projects.

Feminisation has consequences: III

Not On Your Team, But Always Fair • 1041 implied HN points • 07 May 23
🎭️ Culture Gender Social Issues History Political Commentary Philosophy
  1. Feminisation in society leads to less solidarity, especially among women, with consequences for institutions.
  2. Increasing female participation in organizations can change emotional and social dynamics, not always for the better.
  3. Corrosive effects of feminisation can lead to social collapse or a shift towards more male-dominated solutions.