The hottest History Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
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Top World Politics Topics

BRIEFLY NOTED: For 2024-02-25 Su

Brad DeLong's Grasping Reality • 76 implied HN points • 25 Feb 24
💼 Business Economics Public Reason History
  1. Branko Milanovic discusses visions of inequality, highlighting the importance of technological and business-model research and development in market economies.
  2. Shifting expectations of Federal Reserve rate cuts reflect a debate about the impact of maniacal bubbles and policy near-neutrality in a balanced economy.
  3. The need for individuals to stay focused on reality outside media perceptions and the impact of lags in economic understanding discussed by Jeffrey Frankel supporting the idea that perceptions lag behind reality.

New(ish) Books

Castalia • 119 implied HN points • 11 May 23
📚 Literature Book Reviews Addiction History Philosophy Cultural analysis
  1. Addiction is complex and can't be understood through simple ideas like 'it's a disease' or 'a moral failing.' The book presents how different approaches to addiction have changed over time.
  2. Historical connections show that societal issues like alcohol abuse and drug addiction were often linked to exploitation and broader social problems, not just personal choices.
  3. The transition from ancient to modern worldviews reveals how beliefs about power and divinity shifted, influencing everything from politics to personal struggles with addiction.
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Reading, Watching 11.24.24

Unpopular Front • 27 implied HN points • 24 Nov 24
🎭️ Culture Literature Art History Media Politics
  1. There is a rise in 'zero-sum' thinking in US politics, meaning people see situations as win-lose rather than collaborative. This mindset can create divides and hostility among different groups.
  2. Keeanga-Yamahtta Taylor discusses how minority voters are feeling pain that drives them toward the Trump coalition. This reflects a broader issue of 'national despair' that struggling communities face.
  3. Historian Marc Bloch's reflections on France's defeat in WWII highlight the failure of leadership and the media to provide clear information to the public. He emphasized the importance of informed citizens in a democracy.

no. 61: ratcheting skyward

let them eat cake • 179 implied HN points • 05 Oct 22
🍲 Food & Drink History Trends Economics Culture Business
  1. French gastronomy has evolved from formal, rich, and elaborate cuisine to more ingredient-focused and accessible styles over the past 50 years.
  2. The concept of bistronomie emerged as a shift towards bistro-like restaurants with refined dishes from haute cuisine, offering more affordable and accessible dining experiences.
  3. The evolution of restaurants over time reflects the balancing act between sustainability and maintaining the initial audacious appeal, as chefs grow and businesses mature.

"Love Child" by Diana Ross & the Supremes (and bonus tracks)

Rock 'n' Roll with Me • 19 implied HN points • 17 Apr 24
🎶 Music Soul Pop History Entertainment
  1. Diana Ross and the Supremes were a major Motown group in the 1960s, known for their stylish performances and hit songs.
  2. Their success helped pave the way for future African-American artists in pop and soul music, with twelve of their singles hitting number one on the Billboard charts.
  3. Behind their hits, there were talented songwriters and musicians, although not all voices on their recordings belonged to the group members themselves.

The Spirit of Audubon

Bird History • 59 implied HN points • 14 Nov 23
🎨 Art & Illustration Film Conservation Nature History
  1. During the Silent Film Era, the Audubon Society and other conservation-minded individuals created films to entertain, educate, and promote bird conservation through dramas and documentaries.
  2. Filmmaking played a crucial role in promoting bird protection and educating the public during the early 1900s, with nature documentaries and dramas used for classrooms, lectures, and theaters.
  3. The film 'The Spirit of Audubon' showcases how Audubon societies embraced movies to spread bird knowledge, showcasing a shift towards using films as an educational tool to engage the public and especially children.

5 Weekend Reads: 21 January 2024

Londonist: Time Machine • 39 implied HN points • 21 Jan 24
🎭️ Culture History Art & Illustration Travel
  1. The storming of Centre Point by over 100 protesters marked a significant event in London history, bringing attention to the issue of empty skyscrapers.
  2. Londoners were once amazed by the sight of gulls, showcasing how perspectives on wildlife can change over time.
  3. The post offers insights into London's history, making it an interesting read for fans of the city's past.

Science, Interrupted.

Heterodox STEM • 78 implied HN points • 04 Feb 24
🔬 Science History Persecution
  1. The Lost Scientists of World War II by Sir David Clary recounts stories of scholars from various fields who faced tragedy and miraculous survival during the war.
  2. The stories include Jewish scholars and exceptions like physicist Alfred Lustig, highlighting the fragility of individual fates and the difficulties faced by scholars at risk.
  3. Organizing help for scientists facing war and persecution is crucial, as seen in initiatives like RASA's mentorship program for displaced scientists.

The profane mass shooting hamster wheel

White Hot Harlots • 19 implied HN points • 15 Apr 24
🎭️ Culture Society Violence Media History
  1. Active shooter drills focus on liability protection rather than actual life-saving during a mass shooting.
  2. The tactics used in school shootings by young individuals highlight how easy it can be to commit acts of violence.
  3. Columbine serves as the template for processing mass violence, with inaccurate narratives shaping public perception and responses.

#100 Consider the lobster

Design Lobster • 339 implied HN points • 10 Jan 22
🍲 Food & Drink Design History Culture Technology
  1. Consider innovative ways to grow food like fish without catching them, such as through cellular agriculture technology
  2. Be mindful of the social codes your designs may implicitly reinforce, like the historical significance of niche cutlery
  3. Persistently work on problems, like the waves wearing down the beach, to find solutions in your design work

Where Did Homeric Book Divisions Come From?

Painful Signs, Or, Joel's Substack • 39 implied HN points • 18 Jan 24
🎭️ Culture Literature History Education
  1. Homeric book divisions have stirred debate on their origin - were they initially present due to the adoption of the alphabet for writing Homer down?
  2. The idea that book divisions represent smaller performance units or were a product of Hellenistic editing are also discussed, adding complexity to the debate.
  3. The evolution of Homeric epics from performance contexts to the fixity of written texts played a significant role in shaping the structure and divisions within the works.

Magnolia, My Magnolia

Street Smart Naturalist: Explorations of the Urban Kind • 139 implied HN points • 23 Feb 23
🎭️ Culture Botany History Geography Navigation Literature
  1. George Davidson was great at navigating waterways but not so much with identifying trees. He once mistakenly named a spot after magnolias, when it actually had madrones.
  2. Davidson focused heavily on underwater plants like kelp, which he documented in detail. This knowledge was important for helping sailors navigate safely.
  3. Despite his botanical mistake, Davidson left a lasting impact on maritime navigation in the Pacific Coast. His work helped sailors understand the waters better.

How the New Dealers Gained the Ability to Implement the New Deal Order

America in Crisis • 59 implied HN points • 06 Nov 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics History Economy Policy Elections Government
  1. Credit for policy is key for policymakers to successfully implement their agendas.
  2. Real wages and economic policies that prioritize working Americans have significant electoral influence.
  3. Government policy and business culture shaped by historical events can have lasting impacts on economic inequality and prosperity.

All Skate

Slack Tide by Matt Labash • 229 implied HN points • 20 Jun 23
🎭️ Culture Nostalgia Fashion Music History Conversation
  1. The author reminisces about skating rinks in the early '80s and the pressure to look cool in front of others.
  2. The post invites readers to share their thoughts on various topics, from politics to pop culture, in the comments section.
  3. Paid subscribers have the opportunity to engage in discussions and express themselves on a range of subjects.

Breathtaking Resolve

Diane Francis • 339 implied HN points • 01 Mar 22
🌍 World Politics Conflict Military International relations Crisis History
  1. Vitalii Skakun volunteered to help his country by placing explosives on a bridge to stop Russian troops. He showed incredible bravery in a dangerous situation.
  2. In his final moments, he made a significant sacrifice for his nation, putting others before his own safety.
  3. This act of courage highlights the lengths people will go to defend their homeland during a crisis.

How 15 famous brands got their names

Jon’s Newsletter • 99 implied HN points • 21 May 23
💼 Business Branding Marketing History Product Design Consumer behavior
  1. Many brand names have personal or fun stories behind them, like Android being named after a co-founder's nickname. It's cool how these names can connect to the people or experiences involved in their creation.
  2. Some brands, like Band-Aid and Life Savers, have names that describe exactly what they do. These names help customers understand what to expect from the product.
  3. The origins of brand names can reflect cultural or geographical influences, such as Lego meaning 'play well' in Danish. It's neat to see how language and culture shape these popular names.

To Hear a Mockingbird

Bird History • 59 implied HN points • 25 Oct 23
🎭️ Culture Literature History Music Art & Illustration Nature
  1. Mockingbirds have been historically admired for their exceptional singing abilities and have been common in American literature and culture.
  2. The practice of capturing mockingbirds and keeping them in cages was prevalent in the past, especially in the South, highlighting a complex relationship between humans and these birds.
  3. The symbolism of mockingbirds as innocent and pure creatures, as well as their protected status, led to their conservation and expansion into new habitats, promoting the importance of wildlife preservation.

Top Biden official: US would overthrow Colombia's new left-wing president 40 years ago

Geopolitical Economy Report • 139 implied HN points • 24 Aug 22
🌍 World Politics Latin America US Relations Interventionism History
  1. The top Latin America advisor for US President Joe Biden, Juan Sebastián González, hinted at US interference against Colombia's new left-wing president, Gustavo Petro, citing historical actions the US would have taken.
  2. González has a background in the State Department and National Security Council, and made the comments in Spanish during an interview with Colombian media.
  3. The new Colombian president, Gustavo Petro, has historical ties to the M-19 armed movement, has shown a shift in relations with Venezuela, and faced issues with US-influenced organizations like the Organization of American States.

5 Weekend Reads: 22 October 2023

Londonist: Time Machine • 59 implied HN points • 22 Oct 23
🏝 Travel History London
  1. Londonist provides a weekly roundup of five London history links for paid subscribers
  2. Access to exclusive site visits and full post archives is available with a subscription to Londonist
  3. The post includes photos and commentary by Matt Brown on topics like the Bridge to Nowhere in south London

Plan for The Oswald Spengler Project

The Oswald Spengler Project • 179 implied HN points • 30 Jul 22
🎭️ Culture Philosophy Literature Translation History
  1. The Oswald Spengler Project consists of notes, essays, and translations about Oswald Spengler's works.
  2. The project will cover Spengler's published works and delve into historical, cultural, and philosophical topics.
  3. Initial focus will be on notes on Spengler's major works, with plans to later provide translations of his unpublished works.

VenezolanosPodcast.com

Juan David’s Newsletter • 2 implied HN points • 10 Jan 25
🎭️ Culture History Podcasting Digital Media Storytelling
  1. A new website called VenezolanosPodcast.com helps people find and learn about the history of Venezuela through a popular podcast. It's designed to make accessing episodes easy for everyone.
  2. Understanding history is important because it helps us learn from the past and build a better future for Venezuela. The more we know about where we come from, the better we can shape our tomorrow.
  3. The creator of the site aims to inspire a community to engage with Venezuelan history and support each other in understanding their roots. This passion can drive positive change for the country.

Why effective accelerationism matters

Monomythical • 66 implied HN points • 12 Feb 24
🎭️ Culture Technology Philosophy Media History
  1. Effective accelerationism is a reaction to the negative trends in Silicon Valley over the past decade.
  2. E/acc aims to rediscover cultural values and preserve the tradition of technology in the face of doom and gloom.
  3. The movement is not just a meme or a deep philosophy, but a response to the changing perspectives within the tech industry.

The Science and History of the iPhone Screen

SatPost by Trung Phan • 122 implied HN points • 09 Sep 23
🕹 Technology History Science Business Smartphones Manufacturing
  1. In 2007, Steve Jobs chose Corning's Gorilla Glass for the iPhone screen, sparking a journey into the science and history of glass development.
  2. Corning's development of Gorilla Glass involved innovative techniques like ion exchange to strengthen the glass and meet Apple's demands for a durable and thin screen.
  3. Corning, a 170-year-old company, has a diverse range of products beyond Gorilla Glass, showcasing resilience and adaptation in various industries including optical communications and life sciences.

Against Confession

Castalia • 179 implied HN points • 22 Oct 22
🎭️ Culture Literature Philosophy Art Writing History
  1. Memoirs often focus on personal trauma and overcoming adversity, making them popular in today's culture. People seem to find inspiration in these true stories.
  2. There's a growing preference for memoirs over fiction because readers relate to real experiences more than imagined ones. Many feel fiction lacks the 'realness' they crave.
  3. Imagination in storytelling is being lost as people focus more on personal confessions instead of creating new worlds through fiction. It's important to remember the value of creativity and make-believe.

Technology is Reshaping Human History

The Digital Anthropologist • 59 implied HN points • 13 Oct 23
🔬 Science History Genetics Archaeology Digital Technologies AI
  1. Digital technologies are reshaping human history, impacting our future in significant ways. It's an exciting time to be alive.
  2. Advancements like AI and genetic engineering are revealing new insights into ancient civilizations, genetics, and human evolution.
  3. Technologies such as LIDAR, genetic analysis tools, and AI are helping discover ancient civilizations and rewrite textbooks in anthropology and archaeology.

Bronowski Beat

David’s Substack • 2 HN points • 16 Aug 24
🎭️ Culture Media Television History Science Politics
  1. Jacob Bronowski's series 'The Ascent of Man' aimed to connect science and the arts, showing how they shape our understanding over time. It offers a unique view that blends human culture with scientific progress.
  2. One famous episode, 'Knowledge or Certainty?', features Bronowski at Auschwitz, where he emphasizes the dangers of absolute certainty in knowledge. This moment highlights the importance of humility and diverse viewpoints.
  3. Bronowski faced challenges in his broadcasting career due to MI5 surveillance and political misunderstandings. This interference almost ended his role in significant projects like a TV series on atomic power, making his later success even more remarkable.