The hottest History Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
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Top World Politics Topics

Introducing Mr X

How To Measure Ghosts • 19 implied HN points • 09 Feb 24
🎭️ Culture History
  1. The appearance of The Beatles and Arthur C Nielsen Jr. on TV on the same night marked a significant moment in television history.
  2. Arthur C Nielsen Jr.'s influence as the President of the Nielsen Service was substantial, impacting television ratings and advertising decisions with a small sample size of 'Nielsen families'.
  3. The emergence of television as a dominant medium led to the critical need for metrics like TV ratings, which shaped programming, advertising, and the business of television in the 20th century.

Wherefore pegging

featherlessbipeds • 39 implied HN points • 08 Oct 23
🚌 Education History
  1. Bretton Woods replaced the gold standard for three main reasons - poor performance, shifting economic demands, and growing political pressure for intervention.
  2. Bretton Woods selected pegged exchange rates and control of domestic monetary policy, giving up the free flow of capital.
  3. The system experienced challenges, such as the dollar shortage in Europe, and eventually faced issues like exceeding U.S. gold supplies, leading to its vulnerability and eventual unraveling.

Gutenberg to chatGPT- “Been there, done that”

⭐️Bob’s Newsletter • 39 implied HN points • 22 Feb 23
🎭️ Culture History
  1. Gutenberg's printing press revolutionized information sharing in the 15th century, boosting literacy rates and triggering the Renaissance.
  2. The printing press faced opposition from religious and political authorities who feared losing control over information dissemination.
  3. The introduction of new technology like AI and chatGPT mirrors historical concerns about job replacement, accuracy, and societal impact.

Virtual Reality Stumbles Into Culture

The Digital Anthropologist • 19 implied HN points • 08 Feb 24
🕹 Technology History
  1. Virtual Reality is having a cultural moment thanks to Apple's Vision Pro headset.
  2. VR technology has a long history, dating back to ancient civilizations like the Egyptians, but is now evolving rapidly.
  3. The adoption of VR into mainstream culture is still a work in progress, as societies navigate the implications and use cases of this technology.

Hobbits - Part II

Living Fossils • 5 implied HN points • 19 Nov 25
🎭️ Culture History
  1. Different countries are choosing very different ways to deal with hobbits. Denmark is focusing on protection and understanding, while the Dominican Republic is using military action.
  2. In Denmark, there's a law to protect the hobbits, but it has led to fear and tension among farmers. People are worried about their safety and farm animals.
  3. Japan has a plan to move humans off Shikoku island to make space for hobbits. This approach is aimed at reducing conflict, but it raises questions about trust between people and these creatures.
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Marx & Money

Black Lodges • 39 implied HN points • 29 Mar 23
🚌 Education History
  1. Money buys you freedom in the world we live in.
  2. Collective lifetimes can be spent debating Marxist concepts around money.
  3. The newsletter has changed to one free post a week and two for paid subscribers.

A Klezmer Revival in South Seattle?

The Cholent • 39 implied HN points • 22 Sep 23
🎨 Art & Illustration History
  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.

Woodbine: Communion

Do Not Research • 39 implied HN points • 20 Sep 23
🎭️ Culture History
  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.

Saturday Sprouting Reads (Tribal Superfoods, Big 6 Platform-Ecosystem Agritech Gameplays, 75 Years of Herbicides)

Agribusiness Matters • 39 implied HN points • 04 Mar 23
💼 Business History
  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.

Links for April

Bullfish Hole • 39 implied HN points • 14 Apr 23
🎭️ Culture History
  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.

Women + the entertainment industry

The Digital Native • 39 implied HN points • 21 Mar 23
🎭️ Culture History
  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.

Engelbart and the ABC Model

Grist Potentia • 39 implied HN points • 29 May 23
🕹 Technology History
  1. Vannevar Bush was a prolific inventor and mathematician who managed a large group of scientists during WWII.
  2. He created the first analog computer at MIT capable of solving complex equations.
  3. Bush's work laid the foundation for advancements in technology and computing.

New words #5

Mutual Information • 39 implied HN points • 22 Sep 23
🚌 Education History
  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.

Readings For Our Country's Birthday

crimeandpunishment • 39 implied HN points • 05 Jul 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics History
  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.

Post # 3000

Douglass’s Newsletter • 39 implied HN points • 09 Jul 23
📖 Philosophy History
  1. Blogging started during war in Iraq with 1 million protesters having no impact on policy.
  2. Author realized democracy and hierarchy were lacking in the political structure.
  3. Feeling sad about lack of response when writing, but finding worthwhile friendships and clarity along the way.

Of Maharajas and (Modern) Men (Ch. 9)

Ink-uilab • 39 implied HN points • 28 Feb 23
🎭️ Culture History
  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.

The deep state of the patriarchy

Discomfort zone • 39 implied HN points • 05 Sep 23
🎭️ Culture History
  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.

Rites of Spring

Autoscriptorium • 39 implied HN points • 30 Apr 23
🎭️ Culture History
  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.

Explaining Behavior 7: Phenomenology

Bullfish Hole • 39 implied HN points • 18 Jul 23
🎭️ Culture History
  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.

A History of Window Strikes

Bird History • 39 implied HN points • 13 Sep 23
🔬 Science History
  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.

Algorithms Are A Cultural Artefact

The Digital Anthropologist • 39 implied HN points • 30 Aug 23
🎭️ Culture History
  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.

After Funeral Luncheons

The False Consensus Effect • 39 implied HN points • 17 Apr 23
🎨 Art & Illustration History
  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.

David Brooks Is Slowly Realizing He Is A Parasite

Dan Wright • 39 implied HN points • 23 Aug 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics History
  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.

Highland Park Captured My Heart

Cornerstone • 39 implied HN points • 14 Jul 23
🎭️ Culture History
  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.

Time Perception in the Digital Age

The Digital Anthropologist • 39 implied HN points • 17 Jul 23
🎭️ Culture History
  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.

#85 Glassy design

Design Lobster • 239 implied HN points • 13 Sep 21
🪑 Design History
  1. Design can shape behavior - consider what kind of manners your design might encourage.
  2. Distinctive design elements can make a product recognizable even when broken.
  3. Unexpected benefits of design can add value to our lives, beyond initial intentions.

Words Washed Clean

David Friedman’s Substack • 143 implied HN points • 25 Feb 24
🎭️ Culture History
  1. Words can change in meaning over time due to overuse or intentional group efforts.
  2. Pejoratives like 'fascist' or 'socialist' may lose their original meaning through political shifts and overuse.
  3. Words like 'geek' and 'hacker' have evolved from negative connotations to positive interpretations over time.

The Ruffian's Greatest Hits 2023

The Ruffian • 165 implied HN points • 23 Dec 23
🎭️ Culture History
  1. Stories can hinder critical thinking by creating a comforting narrative.
  2. Historical narratives can overshadow truth and harm the discipline of history.
  3. Discussing complex and controversial topics like gender identity requires nuanced understanding and thoughtful discourse.

"He spoke of computers with some awe"

Res Obscura • 134 HN points • 19 Mar 24
🕹 Technology History
  1. John von Neumann was pondering the idea of the simulation hypothesis back in the years just after World War II, earlier than commonly thought.
  2. Margaret Mead discussed the 'prehistory of AI' in a 1968 interview, touching on topics such as self-improving AI systems and the fear of computers.
  3. The conversation between John von Neumann and Margaret Mead offers insights into early considerations of global AI policy and cultural attitudes towards technology.

#90 Zip it!

Design Lobster • 219 implied HN points • 18 Oct 21
🪑 Design History
  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.

On Ibsen's Enemy of the People—Or How to Face Public Outrage

Vremya • 179 implied HN points • 09 Apr 22
🎭️ Culture History
  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.

Weekly Retrospective #5

Novum Newsletter • 281 implied HN points • 05 Mar 23
🎭️ Culture History
  1. The abuse of storytelling and the hyperinflation of narratives in today's society
  2. The decline of humanities education and reading, impacting historicity and understanding of the past
  3. Machines lack the cognitive experience to write compelling novels, making human creativity essential

We Can Never Forget

Street Smart Naturalist: Explorations of the Urban Kind • 179 implied HN points • 31 Mar 22
🎭️ Culture History
  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.

FoodFight!: The Story of a Cinematic Abomination

Off-Topic • 244 implied HN points • 24 May 23
🎭️ Culture History
  1. _Foodfight!_ is a disastrous film with an extensive backstory of production troubles.
  2. The movie featured inappropriate content and bizarre creative decisions, including anti-semitic undertones.
  3. Despite its failure, _Foodfight!_ continues to hold a cult-like curiosity for some audiences.