The hottest History Substack posts right now

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We Are Vessels and History Flows Through Us

The Sunday Wisdom • 58 implied HN points • 21 Jan 24
🎭️ Culture History Art Creativity Inventions Entertainment
  1. No single individual can take full credit for major achievements; success is often the result of collaboration and contributions from many.
  2. We are all influenced by our circumstances and the help we receive from others; no one truly achieves success alone.
  3. Recognize and appreciate the often unseen and unrecognized contributions of individuals in bringing about significant events or creations.

Operation Mother Goose

Street Smart Naturalist: Explorations of the Urban Kind • 179 implied HN points • 13 Apr 23
🎭️ Culture Wildlife History Conservation Ecology Urban Nature
  1. Operation Mother Goose began in the 1960s when wildlife officials collected Canada goose eggs to save them from flooding due to dam construction. They hatched the eggs in a game farm to boost goose populations.
  2. The goal was to help the goslings learn from wild geese and join their flocks. Eventually, around 900 geese were released in various locations to increase local populations affected by overhunting and habitat loss.
  3. The release of these geese led to a rapid population growth in the area, but not everyone was happy about it due to the mess the geese made. Still, many appreciate their presence and find joy in watching them.

Finding Washington's First Fossils

Street Smart Naturalist: Explorations of the Urban Kind • 199 implied HN points • 09 Mar 23
🔬 Science Paleontology Geology Anthropology History Ecology
  1. The earliest known connections to fossils in Washington come from the Wanapum people, who used ancient petrified wood for tools over 9,000 years ago.
  2. Naturalists like Archibald Menzies and others in the early 1800s began documenting fossils in Washington, although many of their specimens have been lost over time.
  3. The mystery of who first collected fossils in Washington remains, but geologist James Dwight Dana is a strong candidate for making one of the earliest fossil collections.

The Star-Spangled Banner Is About Doomscrolling

Outlandish Claims • 19 implied HN points • 19 May 24
🎭️ Culture History Music Politics Social Issues Society
  1. The Star-Spangled Banner has historical roots intertwined with doomscrolling, highlighting the anxiety and relief of watching events unfold.
  2. The anthem's origin story reflects a mixture of stress, resilience, and unexpected triumph during wartime.
  3. As society evolves, the anthem's relevance may diminish, raising questions about its message and the values it represents.
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How Robins Got Their Name

Bird History • 99 implied HN points • 06 Aug 23
🔬 Science Nature Biology History Culture Environment
  1. Robins named in England were given human names like Robert and Robin due to their familiarity and endearing qualities.
  2. American settlers in North America applied the name Robin to birds with orange breasts despite being different species from the English robin.
  3. The name Robin has been widely adopted by various birds across different continents, showcasing the historical influence of English colonization and erasure of indigenous knowledge.

An overview of my thesis in response to an incisive comment

America in Crisis • 99 implied HN points • 21 Jul 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Policy Economy Culture Inequality History
  1. Leftists were not happy with President Obama's performance, believing he should have done more to oppose Republican-influenced policies.
  2. The shift in economic culture from stakeholder capitalism to shareholder primacy after 1981 has led to prioritizing shareholder interests over other stakeholders, resulting in growing income inequality.
  3. The discussion around economic policy typically focuses on job creation over wages and income, reflecting a shareholder primacy culture, which has implications for economic outcomes and equality.

The Four British Folkways Still Shaping America

Holodoxa • 99 implied HN points • 07 Aug 23
🎭️ Culture History Literature Sociocultural American Society Cultural analysis
  1. David Hackett Fischer's 'Albion's Seed' explores America's foundational cultural heritage and its impact on society today
  2. The book traces the influence of four British folkways on different regions of America, shaping its politics, economy, and culture
  3. Fischer's work demonstrates how these folkways have endured over centuries, influencing even the ethnic origins of American Presidents

We Can't Have A Consensus History

Outlandish Claims • 19 implied HN points • 17 May 24
🚌 Education History Curriculum Public Schools Learning Standardization
  1. Standardized history education has become impossible, and we should stop trying to force a consensus.
  2. The cyberpunk genre's predictions about inequality and information technology have largely come true, but virtual reality as a dominant force did not materialize.
  3. History education should encourage individual exploration and discussions, rather than enforcing a set curriculum, to allow for diverse perspectives and avoid indoctrination.

Gift Economies

David Friedman’s Substack • 161 implied HN points • 10 Nov 23
🎭️ Culture Economics Society Fiction History Intellectual Property
  1. Gift economies are systems of exchange based on reciprocity and social obligation without explicit contracts.
  2. Gift economies can take various forms, like providing services without monetary compensation but receiving status or recognition as a reward.
  3. In gift economies, transactions are based on gifts rather than explicit trades, creating a different dynamic of value exchange.

America's empire of jocks versus the old-style empire of nerds

Matthew's Notebook • 98 implied HN points • 19 Feb 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Government Military Foreign Relations Intelligence History
  1. American adventurers have shifted from learning dead languages to extreme sports and custom guns.
  2. Modern-day U.S. special forces represent a shift from covert to overt military rule in the American empire.
  3. The old British imperial administration produced intellectually curious and ruthless figures, contrasting with the contemporary American style.

The Closure of Mutual Fish Opens a Window into Jewish and Japanese Friendship

The Cholent • 98 implied HN points • 15 Sep 23
🎭️ Culture History Community Diversity Relationships
  1. The closure of Mutual Fish shop symbolizes the end of a long history of Jewish and Japanese friendship in Seattle.
  2. During World War II, there were instances of Jewish families supporting their Japanese neighbors who were sent to internment camps.
  3. The relationships between the Jewish and Japanese communities in the seafood business led to deep connections and acts of kindness that are remembered even today.

Senator Abourezk was Vietnam Syndrome, and Vietnam Syndrome was good

Matthew's Notebook • 98 implied HN points • 02 Mar 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics History Government Foreign Policy Social Issues Activism
  1. Senator James Abourezk embodied the spirit of self-criticism and reform after the Vietnam War.
  2. The interconnectedness of the Vietnam War and the Watergate scandal played a significant role in shaping American society during that era.
  3. Abourezk's advocacy for Arab-American rights and his diplomatic efforts internationally left a lasting impact on American politics.

Old ways to do new things

Austin Kleon • 479 implied HN points • 29 Mar 22
🎭️ Culture Art History Literature Creativity Inspiration
  1. Looking into the past can spark new ideas for the present. It helps you see creative possibilities that you might not notice otherwise.
  2. Combining old concepts with new works can create unique pieces. It's about mixing the familiar with the fresh to inspire more creativity.
  3. There are many ways to approach creativity, like 'old ways to do new things' and 'new ways to do old things.' Each approach can be valuable depending on what you want to achieve.

How to Remember I

Cosmographia • 179 implied HN points • 18 Nov 22
🎨 Art & Illustration History
  1. The post discusses Budapest's history through memorials and monuments in Part I.
  2. The author reflects on the significance of Remembrance Day in honoring those who fought for their country.
  3. The content seems to be for paid subscribers only and prompts readers to subscribe to access it.

P Is For Pyle

Castalia • 99 implied HN points • 17 Aug 23
🎭️ Culture Literature History Art Media Journalism
  1. Ernie Pyle was an important World War II correspondent who may not be widely known today. His reporting style brought the realities of war to life for many people.
  2. The author emphasizes that writing has value and should be compensated. It's a reminder that while information can be free, the effort of creating it deserves payment.
  3. The post is behind a paywall, but the author notes that it's not hard to access. This highlights the balance between sharing information and recognizing the work that goes into creating it.

The Last Drought in Africa

Pen>Sword • 159 implied HN points • 12 Dec 22
🎾 Sports Football Africa Imperialism History Competition
  1. Morocco made history by becoming the first African nation to reach the World Cup semifinal, challenging the long-standing dominance of European teams.
  2. Football is interconnected with political and historical narratives, especially in the context of African nations competing against former colonial powers.
  3. The victory of Morocco symbolized unity and pride for the entire African continent, breaking the cycle of football drought and inspiring a sense of possibility and togetherness.

Zombie Buildings

Street Smart Naturalist: Explorations of the Urban Kind • 339 implied HN points • 11 Aug 22
🎭️ Culture Architecture Urbanism History Art Sociology
  1. Zombie buildings are old structures that remain even after the original buildings are gone. They often have unique stories behind them.
  2. Some examples include columns from demolished churches and schools that have been repurposed or displayed. They serve as reminders of the past.
  3. These remnants show how buildings can have a lasting impact on a city, even if the buildings themselves are no longer standing.

The Germanic Thunderweapon Part IV: The Axe Man

Norse Mythology & Germanic Lore • 59 implied HN points • 03 Jan 24
🎨 Art & Illustration Mythology Archaeology History Culture Religion
  1. The linguistic relationship between the words for 'hammer' and 'stone' in Germanic languages is surprisingly close, suggesting an early association between concepts and tools like axes and hammers.
  2. The early Germanic thunder god may have carried an array of weapons, including axes, clubs, hammers, and thunderstones, which over time converged into the iconic image of Thor's hammer.
  3. Related mythologies from regions like Finland, the Baltic, and Slavic cultures show strong similarities to the Norse thunder god Thor, often wielding axes and other weapons, indicating possible shared traditions or exchanges of ideas over time.

Further Reading

Material World • 164 implied HN points • 30 Jan 24
🚌 Education Books Science History Research Reading
  1. There is a wide range of reading materials available to delve deeper into the topics discussed in the book.
  2. Various books and resources are recommended for exploring different aspects of material science, such as sand, salt, iron, copper, oil, and lithium.
  3. Authors and specific books are highlighted as excellent starting points for those interested in learning more about specific material-related subjects.

Generational Cycles

America in Crisis • 19 implied HN points • 10 May 24
🚌 Education History Societal Trends
  1. Generations influence world views and behaviors, shaping and being shaped by the times they live in.
  2. Generations have peer personalities based on the historical location relative to social moments, impacting civic engagement and values orientation.
  3. Generations go through phases like youth, rising adulthood, mature adulthood, and elderhood, each influenced by the social moments they experience, contributing to cyclical historical patterns.

It's Only Pumpkin Pie That's Burning

Outlandish Claims • 19 implied HN points • 10 May 24
🎭️ Culture History Music Art Literature Religion
  1. The average person today has more limbs than ever before, due to advancements in medical care and prosthetics.
  2. Historical parallels can show progress, even when history seems to repeat itself. Improvement can be seen in the present.
  3. It's important to celebrate both past progress and potential for future improvements, balancing gratitude with a focus on areas for growth.

A Pilgrimage for Book People

Castles in the Sky • 302 implied HN points • 13 Mar 23
🎭️ Culture Books Memoirs Traditions Community History
  1. The annual pilgrimage to the Brandeis Book Sale was a significant tradition for the author's family, highlighting the reverence for books and the impact of the sale on their lives.
  2. The pilgrimage involved a long road trip, unique family dynamics, and a deep appreciation for books, as seen through the eyes of the author growing up around book people.
  3. Brandeis Book Sale represented more than just a sale - it was a cultural phenomenon where book people gathered, making it a sacred space and a reflection of civilization preserved in books.

More Sugary Questions

The Heart Attack Diet • 79 implied HN points • 06 Nov 23
🏥 Health & Wellness Nutrition Dental Health Research History Diet
  1. Sucrose combined with streptococcus mutans can damage teeth by creating plaque that leads to acid buildup.
  2. Most animals have enzymes that break down sucrose, indicating it's been a common part of diets for a long time.
  3. Questions remain about why fruit-eating animals don't get tooth decay, the impact of high-fructose corn syrup, and the historical evolution of sucrose consumption and dental health.

The Mushroom Santa: The Fungal Folklore of Old St. Nick 🎅🎄

Tripsitter • 59 implied HN points • 24 Dec 23
🎭️ Culture Traditions Mythology History Religion Celebrations
  1. The story of Santa Claus may have been inspired by the psychedelic Amanita muscaria mushrooms and the practices of Siberian shamans.
  2. There are compelling similarities between Santa and ancient Siberian shamanic traditions, such as the use of red and white attire, flying reindeer, and the chimney connection.
  3. The Christmas holiday has evolved over time, incorporating elements from different cultures and traditions like replacing and incorporating elements from earlier Roman holidays.

Bogus Quotes

David Friedman’s Substack • 170 implied HN points • 25 Sep 23
🎭️ Culture Quotes History
  1. Many quotes on the internet are bogus, misattributed to famous figures
  2. It's important to fact-check quotes before sharing them as authentic
  3. Some popular quotes are mistakenly attributed to historical figures, and it's crucial to verify sources

Human Habitrails

Street Smart Naturalist: Explorations of the Urban Kind • 199 implied HN points • 12 Jan 23
🎭️ Culture Urban planning Architecture History Society Humor
  1. Seattle has a lot of tunnels that help move things like sewage and trains, with over 40 miles of tunnels under the city. These tunnels have been built since the 1880s and include some famous ones like the Lake City Trunk Sewer.
  2. Many pedestrian tunnels exist in Seattle, connecting different buildings and areas. Some of these tunnels are accessible and can help people navigate safely without going outside.
  3. There's a lot of talk about secret tunnels in Seattle, especially in Chinatown, but many of these stories are more myth than fact. However, there are still some interesting historical stories about tunnels used for transporting goods.

A Total and Complete Shutdown of... History

Holodoxa • 119 implied HN points • 23 Apr 23
📖 Philosophy Political Philosophy Human nature History Evolutionary Theory Cultural analysis
  1. Francis Fukuyama's 'The End of History' thesis discusses the universalization of Western liberal democracy as the final form of human government.
  2. Fukuyama's concept of the 'Last Man' highlights the psychological quandary faced by individuals in advanced free-market democracies, emphasizing the need for societies to address human desires for recognition and meaning.
  3. Fukuyama argues that liberal democracies balance human impulses for freedom and equality, pointing out the importance of culture and economic development in shaping societies.