The hottest History Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
Category
Top World Politics Topics
ancientlifecoach β€’ 39 implied HN points β€’ 03 Mar 23
  1. Leaders should take Extreme Ownership, where they are responsible for the success or failure of a mission.
  2. Good leaders focus on discerning the right character traits in individuals for their team.
  3. Invest time in training and developing character, whether through biographies or specialized events like retreats.
The Cholent β€’ 39 implied HN points β€’ 22 Sep 23
  1. The Royal Room in South Seattle has become a hub for local bands embracing their Eastern European musical roots, particularly klezmer music.
  2. Klezmer culture in Seattle has experienced a revival with the efforts of musicians like Mark Lutwak and events like Klezmer Starts Here!
  3. Younger generations are showing an increasing interest in klezmer music, embracing it as roots music and connecting to their Jewish heritage.
Get a weekly roundup of the best Substack posts, by hacker news affinity:
Do Not Research β€’ 39 implied HN points β€’ 20 Sep 23
  1. Communal living has a long history filled with diverse experiments and movements, from religious separatists to hacker ecologists.
  2. Belief and faith in communal life are essential for successful experiments in communal living.
  3. Woodbine explores the importance of defending embodied life, memories, and shared narratives in building sustainable communities.
Agribusiness Matters β€’ 39 implied HN points β€’ 04 Mar 23
  1. The article discusses 3 tribal superfoods from India that might become popular in 2023.
  2. It explores the strategies of big agritech companies in building ecosystems and platforms.
  3. The text reflects on the history of herbicides over 75 years, focusing on challenges like resistance and the need for innovation.
Bullfish Hole β€’ 39 implied HN points β€’ 14 Apr 23
  1. There have been historical balloon riots that turned violent when spectators attacked the balloons or balloonists.
  2. Criminals are now using AI technology to mimic voices and scam people for money, posing new challenges for security.
  3. In some regions, like Ghana, witch camps still exist where accused witches seek refuge from being lynched.
The Digital Native β€’ 39 implied HN points β€’ 21 Mar 23
  1. Women in entertainment industry have played influential roles throughout history, from propaganda tools to shaping fashion trends and societal norms.
  2. Models have evolved over the decades, from pin-up girls to supermodels to Gen Z models, each contributing to changing body ideals, fashion, and industry standards.
  3. The digital era, especially social media, has given models more control over their narratives, allowing them to connect with audiences, advocate for causes, and shape trends in a more personal way.
Mutual Information β€’ 39 implied HN points β€’ 22 Sep 23
  1. Discover new words by looking them up when encountered in podcasts or readings.
  2. Some new words include pluriennial, isoprene, trammel, polysemy, coruscate, mezuzot, kasher, sheikha, and more.
  3. Words like xenotime, mountebank, salubrious, and antepenultimate highlight the vast diversity in the English language.
crimeandpunishment β€’ 39 implied HN points β€’ 05 Jul 23
  1. Some Americans are choosing not to celebrate Independence Day due to various reasons like environmental concerns and feelings of unease.
  2. There are articles discussing the deep-rooted racism against indigenous peoples in the country's founding documents.
  3. Exploring unconventional perspectives, like how dogs might experience anxiety during 4th of July fireworks.
Ink-uilab β€’ 39 implied HN points β€’ 28 Feb 23
  1. The post discusses the historical significance of the Second Round Table Conferences in the 1930s for India's struggle for freedom.
  2. Emery Kelen's satirical caricatures captured the essence of the Indian Round Table Conferences during that era.
  3. Sir Mohd. Iqbal's perspectives on the 'Modern Man' presented at the conference are highlighted through poetry.
Discomfort zone β€’ 39 implied HN points β€’ 05 Sep 23
  1. Guardianship of women is a significant issue worldwide, where women are not considered adults in the legal sense and require male permission for basic decisions.
  2. Guardianship practices are not limited to specific countries or religions, as it is observed globally.
  3. The remnants of guardianship still exist in Western societies, affecting women's autonomy and equality despite historical movements for change.
Autoscriptorium β€’ 39 implied HN points β€’ 30 Apr 23
  1. Spring festivals often occur in mid-April, a month after the start of Aries season, symbolizing new growth and rebirth under the protection of Venus.
  2. Different cultures celebrate the transition to spring around April 30th, with festivals like Floralia and Walpurgisnacht mixing elements of ancient traditions with newer customs.
  3. Walpurgisnacht, on April 30th, holds historical significance in the Harz Mountains in Germany, blending Christian and pagan beliefs in a festive way.
Bullfish Hole β€’ 39 implied HN points β€’ 18 Jul 23
  1. Phenomenology explains behavior by focusing on the subjective experience of the actor.
  2. Understanding the reasons behind people's actions often involves examining perceptions, emotions, beliefs, and goals.
  3. Interesting theories challenge or contradict audiences' assumed beliefs rather than simply confirming what they already know.
Bird History β€’ 39 implied HN points β€’ 13 Sep 23
  1. Birds face significant threats from collisions with buildings, resulting in the death of millions of birds each year.
  2. Historically, various structures such as lighthouses, telegraph wires, and buildings have been responsible for causing bird fatalities, spanning over 200 years.
  3. While skyscrapers and towers have the most dramatic effect on bird fatalities, most birds die from collisions with low-rise buildings and residences, highlighting the need for bird-safe design practices.
The Digital Anthropologist β€’ 39 implied HN points β€’ 30 Aug 23
  1. Algorithms have been an integral part of societies for over 4,000 years, serving as a crucial cultural artifact that impacts our daily lives.
  2. Understanding algorithms as cultural artifacts helps us regulate and develop them more responsibly, creating products and services that benefit our societies and economies.
  3. Algorithms are a representation of human culture, evolving over time to reflect our past and present, providing insight into societies and playing a vital role in our digital and physical worlds.
The False Consensus Effect β€’ 39 implied HN points β€’ 17 Apr 23
  1. The author expresses a desire to escape a society they perceive as sick and exhausting, seeking a simpler life in a tranquil village to focus on art and history.
  2. They outline a plan to move to Sutton-cum-Lound, the ancestral home, offering to work as an artist and historian for room and board, expressing gratitude and commitment to the village.
  3. The author aims to trade the complexities of modern life for a quieter existence, willing to contribute their skills and embrace a slower pace in exchange for support from the community.
Dan Wright β€’ 39 implied HN points β€’ 23 Aug 23
  1. David Brooks is realizing he is part of a privileged class benefiting from systems that serve themselves.
  2. Meritocracy is a myth used by the American elite to justify their power and privilege.
  3. Brooks' focus on character and moral education lacks substance and fails to address the root causes of societal issues.
Cornerstone β€’ 39 implied HN points β€’ 14 Jul 23
  1. Highland Park in Pittsburgh exemplifies a beautiful blend of closely spaced homes, walkability, and a large park.
  2. The neighborhood showcases the potential of human-scale urban planning with diverse housing types and economic integration.
  3. Highland Park's organic beauty and timeless charm highlight the possibility of creating similar communities if granted permission and freedom in development.
The Digital Anthropologist β€’ 39 implied HN points β€’ 17 Jul 23
  1. Time perception evolves as we age, seeming to speed up; impacted by living environment and technology.
  2. Shifts in how we perceive and value time in the Digital Age lead to changing societal norms and relationships.
  3. Digital technologies, like social media and e-commerce, significantly influence our relationship with time, affecting how we interact with the world.
Design Lobster β€’ 219 implied HN points β€’ 18 Oct 21
  1. The zipper's history dates back to innovative designs in the 1800s, leading to the mass acceptance we see today.
  2. Designs like 'Habitat' buttons showcased personal interests, similar to a mini smartphone wallpaper.
  3. A quote from a fashion designer emphasizes the importance of staying true to convictions, even in the face of initial rejection.
Vremya β€’ 179 implied HN points β€’ 09 Apr 22
  1. Public outrage has always existed, but it’s more concentrated now on social media. It’s common for people with new or uncomfortable ideas to be met with resistance.
  2. Ibsen's play 'An Enemy of the People' shows the struggle of speaking uncomfortable truths. The main character faces anger and backlash when he reveals that the town's spa is contaminated.
  3. The play highlights the challenges of changing people's minds about moral beliefs. It can be tough to share important ideas, especially when they go against what many believe to be true.
Street Smart Naturalist: Explorations of the Urban Kind β€’ 179 implied HN points β€’ 31 Mar 22
  1. The U.S. government forcibly removed 120,000 Japanese Americans during WWII, showing a dark part of history.
  2. Artists Kamekichi Tokita and Kenjiro Nomura were respected sign painters in Seattle before their families were incarcerated.
  3. Their artwork reflects their experiences and perspectives, reminding us to remember and learn from past injustices.
Eclecticism: Reflections on literature, writing and life β€’ 8 implied HN points β€’ 13 Jan 25
  1. Teachers can have a big impact on our lives. One teacher taught lessons that stayed with me long after class ended.
  2. Exploring poetry can be really meaningful. A poet's words can connect deeply to experiences like love or historical events.
  3. Sharing different writing techniques can help people express themselves better. Teaching a writing course can inspire creativity and improve skills.
Street Smart Naturalist: Explorations of the Urban Kind β€’ 159 implied HN points β€’ 19 May 22
  1. Nurse buildings, like the Colosseum, are structures where plants can thrive, thanks to their materials and existing cavities that hold seeds and moisture. This creates a unique environment for plant growth.
  2. The Colosseum has over 600 plant species recorded, showing how nature can reclaim man-made structures, even after efforts to remove them.
  3. Living walls in buildings can enhance urban spaces by providing natural beauty and habitat for plants, making cities greener and more inviting.
Street Smart Naturalist: Explorations of the Urban Kind β€’ 179 implied HN points β€’ 24 Mar 22
  1. Place names like Mount Rainier and Puget Sound come from explorers who wanted to honor their friends. These names have interesting stories connected to their origins, linking back to significant historical figures.
  2. Both Rainier and Puget have Huguenot heritage, tracing their family histories back to France. Their family stories reflect the impact of religious persecution in their homeland, which led them to new places.
  3. Indigenous names for these places have rich meanings based on a deep understanding of the land. Today, many people are reconsidering the significance of place names and their histories, aiming for more just and inclusive naming practices.
Castalia β€’ 119 implied HN points β€’ 19 Sep 22
  1. Understanding Russian right-wing thinkers like Limonov and Dugin can help explain the mindset behind Putin's actions. This ideology combines fascist elements with a deep-rooted belief in Russia's historical and spiritual superiority.
  2. Putin's view of liberalism and the West is not merely political; it’s seen as a mystical struggle against a perceived enemy. This perspective shapes the narrative that justifies Russia's aggressive actions in Ukraine.
  3. Engaging with these ideas is crucial, as they highlight a coherent worldview that challenges Western values. Recognizing this helps in forming a stronger response to the ideologies driving Russia's political strategies.
Outsider Art β€’ 19 implied HN points β€’ 30 Jan 24
  1. Some skyscrapers lack windows and were constructed in the 1960s-1970s to house telecommunications equipment, like 33 Thomas Street in New York City.
  2. Windowless skyscrapers were designed to aid in temperature control and protect against external threats, including withstanding a nuclear blast.
  3. The Brutalist design of windowless skyscrapers like 33 Thomas Street replaced earlier Art Deco telecommunications hubs, ushering in an age of mass surveillance.
The People's Economist with Anthony Chan β€’ 19 implied HN points β€’ 29 Jan 24
  1. The Federal Reserve may lower policy rates due to a significant difference between core PCE and core CPI.
  2. The Fed might not need to act as the economy is thriving with high growth rates.
  3. Fed's caution is influenced by past inflation battles and current inflation metrics compared to historical data.