The hottest History Substack posts right now

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The Battle Between The Inner Life and The Outer Life

Sparks from Culture by David Roberts • 1179 implied HN points • 03 Feb 24
🎭️ Culture Literature Economics Society Philosophy History
  1. Modern American capitalism has constrained many lives, leading to angst and a pursuit of more slow-paced lives.
  2. E.M. Forster's 'Howards End' explores the conflict between inner and outer ways of life, highlighting the impact of capitalism on personal relations and daily duties.
  3. There is resistance to hyper-capitalism in modern America, with a growing push for a slower life, nature, and emphasis on inner values.

Don't watch sports

Becoming Noble • 4504 implied HN points • 07 Oct 23
🎭️ Culture Sports Philosophy Identity Values History
  1. Sport has historically been a vital part of society, representing values, nobility, and community.
  2. Modern commercialized sports have shifted the focus from active participation to passive observation, leading to a loss of essential virtues and identity.
  3. Engaging in sports through active participation is essential for cultivating virtues, joy, honor, and a sense of community.

Lessons in Excellence from the Tuskegee Airmen

Common Sense with Bari Weiss • 816 implied HN points • 21 Feb 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Civil Rights Military Leadership History
  1. The Tuskegee Airmen were groundbreaking African American military pilots who excelled in their roles despite facing discrimination. They proved their capabilities and earned numerous honors.
  2. Brigadier General Charles McGee, one of the Tuskegee Airmen, exemplified resilience, excellence, and selflessness throughout his military career, becoming an inspirational figure.
  3. The Tuskegee Airmen's story reflects the importance of unity, hard work, and shared values in overcoming challenges. Their achievements emphasize the significance of traditional values and meritocracy.

Q&A: What Would You Do with $43 Million to Fight Racism?

Glenn Loury • 1827 implied HN points • 02 Jan 24
🎭️ Culture Film History Racism Entertainment Social Issues
  1. The Center for Antiracist Research raised $43 million with little to show for it in terms of research on racism.
  2. One approach suggested to fight racism with $43 million was to start a center for the rigorous study of race in America with elite scholars and promising grad students.
  3. Another proposed idea was to use the money to fund a movie dramatizing the shift in black political thought in 1966, which would showcase how certain ideas contributed to present-day racial divisions.
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How did the Holy Land come to be holy?

Cosmographia • 1577 implied HN points • 10 Jan 24
⛪ Faith & Spirituality Religions History
  1. The Holy Land holds significant cultural, political, and spiritual importance for 3.8 billion people of different religions.
  2. The land has seen the rule of various empires throughout history and is central to the beliefs of Jews, Christians, and Muslims.
  3. The association of a physical place with values and identity shapes our sense of self, and nowhere is this link more profound than in the Holy Land.

The Rise of Global Authoritarianism

Sarah Kendzior’s Newsletter • 3634 implied HN points • 25 Oct 23
🌍 World Politics History Autocracy Fascism Corruption
  1. The long arc of history does not naturally bend towards justice; it requires real people to shape it for the better.
  2. Authoritarianism can thrive when people underestimate its possibility and the presence of corruption, violence, and systemic problems.
  3. Staying vigilant, holding onto moral boundaries, and resisting the normalization of atrocities are crucial to preventing the erosion of values in the face of societal challenges.

Ely Cathedral and the beauty of progress.

The Common Reader • 1098 implied HN points • 02 Feb 24
🎨 Art & Illustration Architecture History Progress Beauty
  1. Ely Cathedral showcases the evolution of architectural progress from Romanesque to Gothic styles.
  2. The transition from Romanesque to Gothic architecture highlights the significant engineering improvements that allowed for artistic advancements.
  3. The beauty and grandeur of Gothic architecture in Ely Cathedral represent a high point in Western architectural history.

The blast furnace - 800 years of technology improvement

Construction Physics • 10856 implied HN points • 23 Feb 23
🕹 Technology Innovation History Manufacturing Science Environment
  1. Steel production has evolved over 800 years, with blast furnaces being a crucial part of the process.
  2. The blast furnace technology has seen gradual improvements by engineers and craftsmen over centuries.
  3. As advancements like hot blast and mechanization have been made, the blast furnace's role is changing in modern steelmaking.

What is Plagiarism?

Classical Wisdom • 1552 implied HN points • 08 Jan 24
🚌 Education Academic Integrity Philosophy History
  1. Plagiarism is a serious issue in academia and has led to high-profile scandals.
  2. The concept of plagiarism has ancient roots, dating back to Roman times.
  3. The debate over plagiarism raises questions about originality and the balance between forming our own ideas and drawing inspiration from others.

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.

⬜ The importance of curation

One Thing • 1186 implied HN points • 22 Jan 24
🎭️ Culture Curation History Art Online Platforms Content creation
  1. Curation has a long history dating back to ancient Rome, starting as a way to manage aspects of city life and evolving into a responsibility of caretaking, on both a spiritual and physical level.
  2. The concept of curation has shifted over time, from being associated with museum stewards to being seen as a glamorous act online, where individuals are faced with curating their digital presence to navigate vast content.
  3. There's a call for more support for curation, emphasizing the importance of sustaining those who find and organize valuable content, moving beyond just paying creators for their work.

The Kiss of Death Edition

Why is this interesting? • 422 implied HN points • 13 Mar 24
🎭️ Culture Film History Art
  1. Michael Mann is known for his meticulous attention to detail in filmmaking, like the extensive training for the cast in 'Heat'.
  2. The 1957 crash in Guidizzolo, known as the 'Kiss of Death', ended the Mille Miglia race and symbolizes audacity and the recklessness of youth.
  3. The photo of Linda Christian kissing Marquis Alfonso de Portago before the fatal crash is seen as a haunting symbol, with Christian's seemingly detached gaze hinting at a premonition.

How to Steal From Homer

Classical Wisdom • 1198 implied HN points • 19 Jan 24
🎭️ Culture Literature History Language
  1. Plagiarism has a long history, dating back to ancient Greece and Rome.
  2. Plagiarism was taken seriously in ancient times, with accusations of stealing literary works.
  3. The concept of duplicative language being considered plagiarism was debated, with some arguing that great artists could get a free pass.

Women have an essential role to play in dissident movements

Becoming Noble • 1813 implied HN points • 18 Dec 23
🎭️ Culture Gender History Society Relationships Values
  1. Women play a crucial role in dissident movements by fostering deep bonds, warmth, and alliances in unofficial spaces like social gatherings and dinner parties.
  2. Creating welcoming and warm environments, particularly through shared events like dinner parties, can help in forming connections, shaping society, and nurturing goodwill.
  3. In times of challenge and turmoil, such as during 'civilizational winter,' building strong relationships and providing security through shared experiences like shared meals becomes essential for survival and strength.

SITREP 6/21/23: Russia Re-Orients to Kupyansk in Surprise Advance

Simplicius's Garden of Knowledge • 7154 implied HN points • 22 Jun 23
🌍 World Politics Military Conflict Nuclear Weapons History Propaganda
  1. Russian forces have been successful in pushing back Ukrainian troops in certain regions.
  2. Different units of the Russian Army proper show varying levels of strength and success compared to auxiliary units.
  3. There are concerns over potential nuclear escalation with the supply of F-16s to Ukraine and the possible use of nuclear weapons by various parties.

An Israel-Palestine Reading List

Glenn Loury • 786 implied HN points • 11 Feb 24
📚 Literature Conflicts History Politics Middle East Books Israel-Palestine conflict History Colonialism Politics Middle East
  1. The reading list on Israel-Palestine conflict includes diverse perspectives and historical accounts from authors like Norman Finkelstein, Rashid Khalidi, and Benny Morris.
  2. The list delves into topics such as the historical roots of conflict, political dimensions, peace efforts, and the impact on Palestinian society.
  3. Authors like Avi Shlaim and Michael Oren provide insights into strategies, regional context, and key personalities during significant events like the Six-Day War.

Why Immigrants Don't Need to Vote to Matter

Contemplations on the Tree of Woe • 1176 implied HN points • 17 Jan 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Immigration Government History Elections Citizenship
  1. The number of House seats and electors each state gets is based on total population, not just the voting population.
  2. Undocumented immigrants can indirectly impact elections by altering voting districts.
  3. Historical compromises like the Three-Fifths Compromise show how population count affects political power.

NEW TV SHOW!!!

History, etc • 1434 implied HN points • 29 Dec 23
🎨 Art & Illustration TV Show Documentary History
  1. A new documentary about the Battle of Shrewsbury is available to watch now.
  2. Hosted by Dan Jones and Professor Michael Livingston, the documentary is on History Hit streaming platform.
  3. Viewers can sign up and get the first 14 days free to access this and other historical shows.

The New Calendar of Saints

Wrong Side of History • 422 implied HN points • 08 Mar 24
🎭️ Culture History Religion Social Issues
  1. The modern secular calendar is filled with numerous celebrations and awareness days throughout the year, highlighting important social and cultural themes.
  2. Different countries observe different history months, like Women's History Month and Black History Month, leading to variety in cultural commemorations globally.
  3. There is an ongoing trend of reinterpretation in modern society, where historical figures and events are reexamined and sometimes redefined to fit contemporary values and narratives.

We live in a time of anti-feminist backlash

Men Yell at Me • 367 implied HN points • 13 Mar 24
🎭️ Culture Feminism Gender Equality Activism History Social Issues
  1. We are currently experiencing an anti-feminist backlash, and this issue has been persistent throughout history.
  2. Feminists face challenges in fighting for equality, with movements like Me Too being depicted negatively by anti-feminist forces.
  3. To combat the backlash, feminists must continue demanding equal rights and creating a world where gender doesn't limit opportunities.

From Rubber Soul to Revolver

Justin E. H. Smith's Hinternet • 622 implied HN points • 18 Feb 24
🎶 Music History Revolution Legacy Genres
  1. The author reflects on their childhood fascination with the Beatles and their decision to stop listening to their music after 1965 due to a fear of the band's evolution.
  2. The author delves into a deep analysis of the Beatles' albums, particularly highlighting the transition from 'Rubber Soul' to 'Revolver' and the complexity of the songs.
  3. There's a discussion on the cultural and societal impact of music in the 1960s, especially how artists like the Beatles and Brian Wilson of the Beach Boys brought avant-garde experimentation into mainstream commercial culture.

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.

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.

An Introduction to UPA

Animation Obsessive • 4664 implied HN points • 07 Aug 23
🎨 Art & Illustration Animation Design History TV Comics
  1. UPA studio revolutionized animation in the 1940s and 1950s with modern art influences and unique storytelling.
  2. The UPA animation style focused on emotion over anatomy, leading to groundbreaking visuals and storytelling.
  3. UPA's work extended beyond well-known films like Mr. Magoo, encompassing TV commercials, series, and experimental shows.