The hottest History Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
Category
Top World Politics Topics

Julius Evola's Preface to The Decline of the West

The Oswald Spengler Project • 1078 implied HN points • 12 Aug 23
📚 Literature History
  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.

Plus Post: Gemini Galaxy 1

Computer Ads from the Past • 512 implied HN points • 22 Jul 25
🕹 Technology History
  1. Gemini Microcomputers offers a good computer solution for £1,450. It's important to find cost-effective options for tech needs.
  2. NASCOM Microcomputers was an early player in the UK tech scene, starting in 1977 with their NASCOM-1 system. Their journey shows both successes and challenges in the tech industry.
  3. Understanding the history of computer companies helps us appreciate how far technology has come. Learning from past successes and failures is key to innovation.

A Brief History of Russian Culture

The Lifeboat • 527 implied HN points • 10 Jul 25
🎭️ Culture History
  1. Many famous Russian artists, writers, and musicians faced severe consequences for their work, such as exile or even death. This shows how tough it can be to create art in a repressive environment.
  2. Throughout history, many talented people chose to leave Russia rather than face censorship or persecution. Emigration has played a big role in the development of Russian culture outside its borders.
  3. Despite the challenges, Russian culture remains rich and influential. The struggles of these artists showcase their resilience and the importance of freedom in the creative process.

A frenzy of forgetting

¡Do Not Panic! • 1061 implied HN points • 09 Aug 23
🌍 World Politics History
  1. Over 25 million people have died from COVID in the last 3.5 years
  2. There is a trend towards forgetting the impact of the pandemic amidst the massive death toll
  3. Cultural amnesia can allow societies to gloss over traumatic events, hindering true healing and understanding

Links, May 2025

Richard Hanania's Newsletter • 755 implied HN points • 30 May 25
🎭️ Culture History
  1. The 'Lost Cause' narrative around DOGE is misleading. People need to recognize the falsehoods behind it to address real budget issues.
  2. Cruise ships are getting bigger and better because they aren't held back by strict regulations. This shows how market decisions can lead to impressive innovations.
  3. The unification of Italy was influenced more by foreign victories than by internal strength. It's interesting to see how some states are formed in unusual ways.
Get a weekly roundup of the best Substack posts, by hacker news affinity:

Feminisation has consequences: III

Not On Your Team, But Always Fair • 1041 implied HN points • 07 May 23
🎭️ Culture History
  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.

Bakeryland

Wordloaf • 589 implied HN points • 17 Jan 24
🍲 Food & Drink History
  1. The game 'Pillsbury Bakeryland' was created by Pillsbury in 1936 to teach kids about bread making and selling.
  2. The game features scripts that show how to sell bread in different settings like house-to-house, wholesale, and retail.
  3. The game was part of the baking industry's campaign to promote buying bread over baking it at home, reflecting changes in bread baking practices in America from 1929 to 1933.

Plus Post: Execucom MindSight

Computer Ads from the Past • 128 implied HN points • 27 Nov 25
🕹 Technology History
  1. MindSight lets you ask a spreadsheet “what if” and quickly hop to the answer, making scenario analysis feel like a simple command.
  2. This is presented as a paid subscription post, but the piece also offers at least one free read or excerpt before you have to pay.
  3. The post uses a vintage MacUser image and retro computer visuals, suggesting a nostalgic look at older computing culture and ads.

Welcome to the Memory Palace!

The Memory Palace • 279 implied HN points • 16 Apr 24
📖 Philosophy History
  1. Memory palaces are a cool way to remember things by placing images in a familiar space. This method has been used for a long time in cultures that relied on oral storytelling.
  2. Having a strong memory was once a sign of a smart and educated person. Even today, memory competitions highlight how useful these techniques can be for everyone, not just the elite.
  3. Despite technology helping us remember more, memory is still important. Memory palaces encourage us to think about what information we value and want to keep in our minds.

"And it was never enough"

Disaffected Newsletter • 1478 implied HN points • 09 Jul 23
🎭️ Culture History
  1. Trauma from childhood can make people feel like nothing they do is ever good enough. This feeling can linger throughout life, no matter the achievements.
  2. People often experience a deep sense of loneliness and self-doubt even when they are successful. It's common to feel like there's always something missing.
  3. Talking openly about mental health struggles can help others who feel the same way. Many people share these feelings but might not know how to express them.

I like to move it move it

LOL (lots of links) • 1022 implied HN points • 30 Mar 23
🎭️ Culture History
  1. There's a Twitter account that posts about discontinued foods like Smokey Robinson Frozen Dinners and McDonalds' Hula burgers.
  2. You can hide resellers on Amazon by appending &emi=ATVPDKIKX0DER to your search URL.
  3. People go to great lengths to avoid repeating words, like calling a fox a 'four-legged interloper' in news articles.

Broadcast TV: It Only Looks Dead

Life Since the Baby Boom • 1152 implied HN points • 21 Feb 25
🎭️ Culture History
  1. Broadcast TV is still relevant, even with the rise of streaming services. People can watch live sports and local news without paying for subscriptions.
  2. Digital broadcasting has increased the number of channels available, including many free options that people may not know about.
  3. Older TV shows often have more depth and quality compared to many new productions. Watching them can remind us of what good storytelling looks like.

The 70 Sixer

Good Morning It's Basketball • 550 implied HN points • 23 Jan 24
🎾 Sports History
  1. Joel Embiid is a dominant scoring center in the NBA.
  2. Only five centers have won the NBA scoring title since the merger.
  3. Embiid has the potential to be one of the greatest scoring centers of all time.

Was She the Greatest Kingmaker of the 20th Century?

Common Sense with Bari Weiss • 561 implied HN points • 30 Jun 25
🎭️ Culture History
  1. Pamela Harriman was a key figure in 20th-century politics, known for using her charm and connections to influence important leaders.
  2. She married into the Churchill family and had an eventful life, including a troubled marriage and later becoming influential in U.S. politics.
  3. Her story highlights how personal relationships can play a huge role in shaping political power dynamics.

What we are losing; what we have lost

Brain Pizza • 1191 implied HN points • 06 Feb 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics History
  1. We are losing touch with important aspects of our lives that used to matter a lot. It's like taking for granted things that shaped our experiences.
  2. The world feels like it's moving really fast nowadays, and it can be hard to keep up. This speed makes us miss even more of what we used to value.
  3. Reflecting on changes in our lives can help us understand what we've lost and might find ways to reconnect with those things. Taking a moment to think about it can be helpful.

How Eric Clapton got "Bell Bottom Blues" and wooed away George Harrison's "Layla"

Rock 'n' Roll with Me • 179 implied HN points • 22 May 24
🎶 Music History
  1. Eric Clapton wrote many songs for Pattie Boyd, who was originally married to George Harrison. His famous songs like 'Layla' and 'Bell Bottom Blues' were inspired by his love for her.
  2. The band Derek and the Dominos formed when Eric was struggling with his feelings for Pattie. They recorded an album that was initially not very successful but later became a classic.
  3. Pattie felt a lot of pressure being a muse for two rock stars. She eventually left George and married Eric, but their relationship had its challenges.

Nothing much just chilling!

LOL (lots of links) • 963 implied HN points • 16 Oct 23
🎭️ Culture History
  1. The world is full of strange and interesting wonders like a potato Airbnb and historic animal obituaries.
  2. There are individuals who curate unique collections like a NYC garbageman's trash museum and an online vacuum cleaner museum.
  3. Excessive noise, like from trains, can have a significant impact on mental health and well-being.

Climbing London's Least Historic Hill

Londonist: Time Machine • 319 implied HN points • 29 Mar 24
🏝 Travel History
  1. London's least historic hill, Stave Hill, was created in 1984 and stands as a modern mound in Rotherhithe, made from old docklands debris within a nature reserve.
  2. The area where Stave Hill now stands was previously occupied by Surrey Commercial Docks, known for handling timber imports, hence the hill's name reflecting the connection to staves used in barrels.
  3. Despite lacking a historical background, Stave Hill has a unique origin story rooted in the transformation of the industrial landscape of Rotherhithe from the 1970s.

Top Links 831 The stained glass moment. Tomato trade wars. The genetics of Heinz 1706 & Nongqongqo

Chartbook • 371 implied HN points • 16 Aug 25
🎭️ Culture History
  1. There is a focus on the impact of stained glass art, particularly highlighting a beautiful example from Oxfordshire. It's a unique blend of art and history, showcasing creativity.
  2. The topic of tomato trade wars from the 1990s is discussed, emphasizing agricultural conflicts and their economic impacts. It shows how food trade can be influenced by global politics.
  3. The genetics of certain tomato varieties, like Heinz 1706 and Nongqongqo, are explored. This highlights the importance of agricultural diversity and food innovation.

A Celebration (And Map!) Of London: The Biography

Londonist: Time Machine • 499 implied HN points • 31 Jan 24
🎨 Art & Illustration History
  1. Peter Ackroyd's 'London: The Biography' is a captivating book that deeply explores London's history through themed chapters.
  2. Mapping the geobibliome of 'London: The Biography' reveals Ackroyd's thorough coverage of central London with fewer mentions of areas south of the river.
  3. Reading 'London: The Biography' can inspire a deeper connection with the city and spark a lifelong interest in its history and exploration.

3.4.3 Gauss’s Laws

Fields & Energy • 259 implied HN points • 17 Apr 24
🔬 Science History
  1. Johann Carl Friedrich Gauss was a brilliant mathematician known for his early talent, like solving a tricky addition problem in second grade. He made significant contributions to math and physics, including the development of formulas to calculate important dates, like Easter.
  2. Gauss's Law describes how electric fields and charges relate to each other. For instance, electric field lines begin at positive charges and end at negative ones, while magnetic field lines always form loops.
  3. Gauss and Wilhelm Weber worked together to measure the Earth's magnetic field. They created detailed maps of magnetic intensity that are still referenced today, showing the long-lasting impact of Gauss's work in science.

Souvenirs that outlive us

Austin Kleon • 1978 implied HN points • 07 Mar 23
🎨 Art & Illustration History
  1. Creating art is often messy and unpredictable. It's not always as straightforward as the end result might suggest.
  2. Inspiration can come from the most mundane things, like everyday objects. Even clothespins can spark creativity and lead to new artistic ideas.
  3. Blackout poetry doesn't have to come from traditional sources like books. Using unusual materials can make the process fun and unique.

Twenty-nine facts about Richard III

The Common Reader • 1204 implied HN points • 23 Jan 25
📚 Literature History
  1. Richard III starts with the main character sharing his feelings, which is not typical in Shakespeare's plays. This sets the stage for a deeper exploration of his character.
  2. The play was likely written between 1587 and 1592, and it’s one of Shakespeare’s earlier works. It gained popularity quickly, evidenced by multiple editions being published.
  3. Unlike many stories, Richard III has no side plots, which keeps the focus solely on Richard's journey. This clarity helps highlight the themes of free will and identity.

3.2 Michael Faraday

Fields & Energy • 359 implied HN points • 12 Mar 24
🔬 Science History
  1. Michael Faraday discovered that moving magnets can create electricity, a process called induction. This was a major breakthrough in understanding how electricity and magnetism work together.
  2. Faraday also introduced the idea of 'lines of force' to visualize magnetic fields. This concept helps us understand the direction and strength of magnetic effects.
  3. He believed scientific discoveries should come from direct observations of nature, not just complicated math. Faraday's practical experiments made him one of the great experimental physicists.

The White Zombie Edition

Why is this interesting? • 663 implied HN points • 20 May 25
🎶 Music History
  1. 'More Human Than Human' by White Zombie mixed industrial metal with themes of horror, influencing music and art for years. It's catchy yet unique, easy to remember but also strange.
  2. The song came out at a crucial time in music history, blending grunge's decline and nu-metal's rise, catching the attention of MTV and mainstream media.
  3. Even with its odd sound, 'More Human Than Human' reached number 7 on the Billboard charts, showing that being different can lead to commercial success.

Twenty-five facts about the Merchant of Venice

The Common Reader • 496 implied HN points • 03 Jul 25
📚 Literature History
  1. The Merchant of Venice is known for being a romantic comedy and one of Shakespeare's most performed plays. Many people enjoy watching and performing it.
  2. The play was likely written around 1596, and it was already part of the Chamberlain's Men's shows by 1598. It shows how quickly it became popular.
  3. An interesting detail is in the play's opening, which references a ship called the Andrew, helping to date when Shakespeare wrote it.

Hallelujah, Leonard Cohen, and a Pulitzer Prize-winning writer's suicide

Subtle Digressions • 136 HN points • 08 Jun 24
🎭️ Culture History
  1. Leonard Cohen's song 'Hallelujah' took him years of struggle and creativity to write. Despite being so personal and deep, it was initially overlooked and rejected by the music industry.
  2. John Kennedy Toole's novel 'A Confederacy of Dunces' faced major rejections before it was finally published and won a Pulitzer Prize, highlighting how valuable work can be ignored until a proper champion finds it.
  3. Success for artists can depend a lot on luck and timing. Sometimes, a great song or book needs just the right person to recognize its worth to achieve success.

A Deep Dive on a Vexing Question: Should It Be “World Champions” or “World’s Champions”?

Uni Watch • 511 implied HN points • 25 Jan 24
🎾 Sports History
  1. American sports culture tends to claim global status for its champions, even though it might be hyperbolic.
  2. The confusion between 'World' and 'World's' likely started with the early version of the baseball World Series called the 'World's Series.'
  3. The early use of 'World's' instead of 'World' in baseball's context carried over into common parlance for some time.

#147 Makers vs. machines

Design Lobster • 339 implied HN points • 18 Mar 24
🪑 Design History
  1. Designers are exploring the blend of machine-made and hand-crafted designs, questioning if designers should also code to bridge the gap between design and engineering.
  2. The concept of 'Design Engineers' is gaining popularity, where individuals contribute to design with wireframes, mockups, and front-end code, streamlining the development process.
  3. The 'Cesca' chair, inspired by a designer's bicycle ride home, embodies the merging of machine aspects with handcrafted elements, prompting a reflection on designs that combine both.

Shakespeare's stirring world.

The Common Reader • 1204 implied HN points • 20 Jan 25
📚 Literature History
  1. The plays in Shakespeare's Henry VI trilogy are often seen as dull and filled with excessive speeches that could be shortened.
  2. Characters in these plays rarely show deep self-reflection, which is a hallmark of Shakespeare's more famous works.
  3. Despite some poetic moments, the writing in Henry VI lacks the emotional depth seen in Shakespeare's later plays.

Is small always beautiful?

Everything is Light • 550 implied HN points • 13 Jan 24
🎭️ Culture History
  1. Big projects are often criticized now, despite historical admiration for large monuments.
  2. The idea that 'small is beautiful' originated from an anti-growth and anti-technology activist named E F Schumacher.
  3. Advocating for large-scale technological projects like nuclear energy is crucial for future progress and sustainability.

If I Can’t Dance to It, It’s Not My Revolution

Deep Fix • 943 implied HN points • 07 Apr 23
🎭️ Culture History
  1. Be mindful of the news media consumption as it can lead to addictive and negative thinking patterns.
  2. Progressive politics can sometimes push individuals into a victim identity, causing feelings of depression and shame.
  3. Consider moving away from psychology-centered discourse and towards more inspiring, poetic, and collective movements in progressive politics.

How Sony Mastered the Transistor

The Asianometry Newsletter • 1607 implied HN points • 07 Nov 24
🕹 Technology History
  1. Sony started from nothing after World War II, but two determined founders, Akio Morita and Masaru Ibuka, worked together to create innovative products like radios using new technology.
  2. They took a big risk by licensing transistor technology from Western Electric, believing it could change the way they made electronics, especially portable radios.
  3. Through trial and error, they learned how to produce reliable transistors and eventually created one of the first successful transistor radios, leading to the company's iconic brand name, Sony.