The hottest History Substack posts right now

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Oppenheimer shows scientists' humanity

Science Forever • 557 implied HN points • 30 Jul 23
🔬 Science History Drama Ethics
  1. Oppenheimer's inner turmoil over leading Los Alamos and trying to stop nuclear weapons is a key aspect of the movie.
  2. Scientists have difficulty keeping scientific findings to themselves due to egos and the belief that knowledge belongs to the world.
  3. Edward Teller is portrayed as the most evil scientist for his role in developing the hydrogen bomb and his ties to the military industrial complex.

The Hair Metal Edition

Why is this interesting? • 965 implied HN points • 06 Feb 24
🎶 Music History Rock Crime Music videos
  1. The Hair Metal genre was saved by incorporating crime themes in music videos.
  2. Hair metal bands used crime-related narratives to stay relevant and attract mainstream success.
  3. The Hair Metal Crimewave videos helped to keep the genre around longer than expected by engaging audiences with grit and substance.

America, Seen from the Eyes of a Child

The Redneck Intellectual by C. Bradley Thompson • 550 implied HN points • 04 Jul 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Philosophy Education Ideology Government History
  1. The principles enunciated in the Declaration of Independence impacted the author deeply, leading him to become an American citizen.
  2. America's educational system has been moving away from the core values of American civilization, embracing moral relativism.
  3. There is a need for a new moral clarity and philosophical rearmament to defend America's principles and combat cynicism.
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Inside the Mind of Wang Huning; Christmas Day as Judgement Day

Scholar's Stage Updates • 339 implied HN points • 03 Jan 24
🎭️ Culture Philosophy Faith & Spirituality Literature History Art & Illustration
  1. Wang Huning identifies America's technological success from a unique perspective, linking it to American values and traditions.
  2. Reflections on Christmas reveal it as a holiday of domestic happiness, charity, and modesty, rather than focusing on heroism or grandeur.
  3. Contrasting American futurism and innovation with societal realities prompts an intriguing discussion on the evolving cultural landscape.

Weekend Roundup

Classical Wisdom • 255 implied HN points • 11 Feb 24
🚌 Education History Mythology Literature Podcasts Classical Studies
  1. Listen to the wisdom of Herodotus and learn about the Scythians, an ancient nomadic people who were once considered 'invincible'
  2. Explore mythological fiction like Tad Crawford's 'On Wine-Dark Seas', a sequel to the Odyssey, to delve deeper into the story of Odysseus and Telemachus
  3. Access exclusive content and resources by becoming a member of Classical Wisdom, including podcasts with professors, webinars, e-books, and magazines

Searching for Stephen

Rory’s Always On Newsletter • 972 implied HN points • 12 Jun 23
🎨 Art & Illustration Memoir Theatre Family History Letters
  1. The author searched online for information about their brother's career and found a theatre program that shed light on his past.
  2. Their brother, Stephen, had a career in acting and was part of productions in the Old Vic theatre during the 1950s.
  3. Letters from their mother provided additional insight into their brother's life and the dynamics of their family during that time.

Moscow, Gooseberries, and Inexorable Motion of Time

The Lifeboat • 183 implied HN points • 01 Dec 24
📚 Literature Drama Philosophy Narrative Existentialism History
  1. Time keeps moving forward, and people often struggle with how to cope with it. Some try to ignore it, while others seek to enjoy the present moment more.
  2. Desires and dreams are a big part of being human, but many people end up feeling regret for what they didn't achieve. This can make life feel empty or unfulfilled.
  3. Stories like 'Three Sisters' and 'Gooseberries' show how people can become trapped by their dreams or stuck in routines, realizing too late that time has passed without them taking action.

The Arm Story Part 3 : Creating a Global Standard - Supplemental

The Chip Letter • 1747 implied HN points • 19 Mar 23
🕹 Technology History Books Startups
  1. The post discusses a book called 'Culture Won' by Keith Clarke, which details the success of Arm from a startup to a global technology phenomenon.
  2. The book offers insight into the business culture that contributed to Arm's success, making it a recommended read for those interested in startups and business culture.
  3. The post also includes links to interviews with ARM founders, executives, engineers, and a bonus clip featuring Steve Jobs on the Newton for paying subscribers.

On Barbie and Oppenheimer, inevitability and guilty

The Newsletter of (Not Quite) Everything • 530 implied HN points • 26 Jul 23
🎭️ Culture Film Demographics History London Storytelling
  1. _Barbie_ and _Oppenheimer_ films are compared with a focus on the inevitability and guilt associated with historical events.
  2. Film _Oppenheimer_ explores themes of guilt and responsibility regarding the Manhattan Project and the use of atomic bombs.
  3. Population shifts in London over the decades have seen fluctuations, with various factors influencing the city's growth and decline.

Video Clips of Iraq Invasion Lies: Beyond Cheney/Bush -- From Biden to Powell to Pelosi

husseini • 530 implied HN points • 19 Mar 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Government Policy Politicians History Media
  1. There were multiple lies about the Iraq invasion and these lies influenced the culture.
  2. The narrative that the Iraq invasion was a failure is actually a lie; it was a strategic success.
  3. The web of lies surrounding the Iraq invasion spanned multiple administrations, not just Bush and Cheney, including figures like Biden, Powell, and Pelosi.

Whither "the zombie apocalypse"?

well, actually • 255 implied HN points • 09 Feb 24
🎭️ Culture History Media Entertainment Literature
  1. The term "zombie apocalypse" gained popularity in major media after the premiere of AMC's The Walking Dead in 2010, but it was used in other media and society before that.
  2. The concept of a zombie apocalypse has been creatively referenced in various contexts, from food sections to climate change reports to workplace discussions.
  3. The idea of a zombie apocalypse has become culturally significant, appearing in books, articles, and even being linked to topics like finances, marriage, and travel.

What Does the Word "Russian" Actually Mean?

Tessa Fights Robots • 23 implied HN points • 17 Dec 24
🎭️ Culture Identity History Ethnicity Language Narrative
  1. The word 'Russian' is complicated and doesn't define one's origins clearly. It refers to a huge area and mix of cultures rather than a specific identity.
  2. There are many theories about where the word 'Rus' comes from, including connections to Vikings or ancient tribes, but no one really knows for sure.
  3. People from Russia likely have diverse ancestry due to historical mixing, making them a blend of many nations and beautiful stories, not just defined by pain.

Enough Pentelic marble

Internal exile • 29 implied HN points • 21 Dec 24
🎭️ Culture Art History Philosophy Digital Media Cultural heritage
  1. The Elgin marbles were taken from Greece and are now in the British Museum, leading to disputes over their rightful ownership. Greece wants them back and is exploring ways to create exact copies using new technology.
  2. 3D scans of the marbles can help make copies that look just like the originals, but these copies would not have the same history or 'aura' as the original pieces, raising questions about what we truly value in art.
  3. Creating replicas could change how we view historical objects, as flawless copies may make us forget the unique stories and imperfections of the originals, which often carry deep significance.

The Marxism of Black Reconstruction

Origins of Our Time • 275 implied HN points • 28 Jan 24
🎭️ Culture History Politics Philosophy Literature Race
  1. Riley argues that the Marxism of Black Reconstruction challenges the claims that W.E.B. Du Bois was not an intersectional theorist and not a Marxist, but a Jeffersonian supporter.
  2. Du Bois did not see small family farmers as the main protagonists in his work, but rather focused on the broader social relations and class struggles.
  3. Du Bois was aligned with the Marxist tradition and held socialist views, advocating for workers' rights, socialism, and the redistribution of wealth.

You can't always tell when you're on the right side of history

Odds and Ends of History • 804 implied HN points • 07 Mar 24
🎭️ Culture History Politics Ethics Activism
  1. You can't always tell when you're on the right side of history, even when causes seem morally right now.
  2. Appealing to being on the right or wrong side of history can be a powerful but flawed argument tactic in debates.
  3. Progress is possible, and it's important to think deeply about moral crusades rather than relying on 'right side of history' arguments.

The Future of the Oswald Spengler Project

The Oswald Spengler Project • 359 implied HN points • 16 Dec 23
🎭️ Culture History Literature Philosophy
  1. The author is writing a book on Oswald Spengler's life and works, which will be published in installments on Substack. The book will cover topics like Spengler's life, his thoughts on technology, prehistory, and politics.
  2. The posts about the book project will be paywalled moving forward, as a thank you to those who have supported the author. Paid subscribers will receive weekly installments until the manuscript is completed.
  3. The author expresses gratitude for the support received from both free and paid subscribers, with a special mention of reaching 1,000 free subscribers. The first post titled 'Goethe and the Four Stages of Culture' is set to be released soon.

A Century of Chess

Castalia • 419 implied HN points • 18 Nov 23
🎭️ Culture Art History Literature Creative Arts Philosophy
  1. Chess is like art. Great players show their personality through their game, just like artists do in their work.
  2. Chess has a history of evolution. The early 20th century was a key time where strategies were developed, changing how the game is played.
  3. Chess history reflects broader trends in society. The struggles and successes of famous players give us insight into the culture and hopes of the early 1900s.

Whence Fall Snowflakes

Bastiat's Window • 511 implied HN points • 09 Apr 23
🎭️ Culture Education Society History Childhood Urban planning
  1. Toxic fragility in universities may stem from lack of confrontation, mentorship, and intellectual exploration among students.
  2. Past educational practices like age-segregated schooling and urban designs have impacted critical thinking and creativity in children.
  3. Restrictions on children's time and space lead to a generation dependent on constant supervision, impacting their ability to explore and think independently.

Fields & Energy

Fields & Energy • 459 implied HN points • 29 Oct 23
🔬 Science Physics Electromagnetism Quantum Mechanics Philosophy History
  1. The author is working on a book called 'Fields & Energy' that explores electromagnetism and quantum mechanics. He plans to share sections of the book weekly over about two years.
  2. The book argues that electromagnetism involves two different phenomena: fields and energy, which could help explain various puzzles in physics. It also ties these concepts to historical and philosophical insights.
  3. The author aims to make the book accessible to both professionals and non-specialists, blending technical details with general concepts to engage a wider audience.

Oh the equity!

A User's Guide to History • 294 implied HN points • 10 Jan 24
🚌 Education DEI History
  1. DEI - diversity, equity, inclusion is a battleground in public affairs.
  2. Equity has a historical foundation in English and American law.
  3. The DEI movement aims to bring about equitable outcomes amidst differing opinions.

1.0 On Generation & Corruption

Fields & Energy • 459 implied HN points • 25 Oct 23
🔬 Science Physics Mathematics Technology Philosophy History
  1. In physics, our understanding has greatly improved over time, but some concepts can still feel confusing or counterintuitive. We often have to rely on complex math that works well, even if it doesn't make total sense at first.
  2. Michael Faraday challenged the common ideas of his time by introducing the concept of 'fields' instead of just focusing on point particles. This helped explain how forces work in a way that made more sense to him.
  3. Today, we still face similar questions about our understanding of reality in physics. As we develop new mathematical tools, we should ask if we need to rethink our basic ideas about how things work, just like Faraday did.

How Many Children Had Lady Macbeth?

Life and Letters • 34 HN points • 19 Jul 24
🎭️ Culture Literature History Art Demography Drama
  1. Lady Macbeth's childlessness raises interesting questions about family and succession in Shakespeare's plays. It's not just about how many kids she had, but why children are such a big deal in the story.
  2. In the past, having many children was common, especially among the wealthy, but it often led to struggles for social standing. Too many kids could mean fewer resources and competition for inheritance among siblings.
  3. Shakespeare's comedies often show families with one or two children, creating more opportunity for social mobility. In contrast, his tragedies frequently highlight the issues and conflicts that arise with larger families.