The hottest History Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
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Top World Politics Topics

A distinguished bloodline: the medicinal leech

The Quack Doctor • 19 implied HN points • 01 Sep 23
🏥 Health & Wellness History
  1. Leeches have been used in healthcare for thousands of years, appearing in medical texts dating back to ancient civilizations like the Ancient Egyptians and Greeks.
  2. In the 19th century, leech therapy was not just about balancing humors but also about reducing inflammation and maintaining pulse, showcasing the gentle and practical nature of medicinal leeches.
  3. The use of leeches in modern medicine has shifted towards their anticoagulant properties, making them valuable in cases like reconstructive surgery to prevent venous congestion.
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Sadly, Freddie DeBoer is really, really wrong

Perfecting Equilibrium • 19 implied HN points • 09 Jul 23
🎭️ Culture History
  1. The author strongly disagrees with Freddie DeBoer's view on the 90s being the best time to be alive, arguing that the 80s were better due to various reasons.
  2. The Y2K panic of the 90s was a significant event fueled by concerns over outdated computer systems and potential catastrophic consequences.
  3. The author provides a personal perspective stating the challenges of the 70s, the betterment seen in the 80s, and highlighting the historical events of each decade.

America’s Hummingbirds

Bird History • 19 implied HN points • 23 Aug 23
🎨 Art & Illustration History
  1. Early European colonizers in America were captivated by the miniscule hummingbirds because of their colors and behavior, despite having no practical use.
  2. Hummingbirds are unique to the Americas, with over 350 species living in Central and South America, and only the ruby-throated hummingbird making its way up to New England.
  3. During the 19th century, hummingbirds were heavily harvested for fashion, ending with federal protection under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act in 1918.

I'm writing about stuff

Tom Thought • 19 implied HN points • 28 Apr 23
📖 Philosophy History
  1. The author writes about various topics like history, philosophy, politics, and tech, sharing thoughts that are on their mind.
  2. They are primarily writing for their own benefit, even if nobody reads it, but open to connecting with like-minded individuals who vibe with their ideas.
  3. The newsletter serves as a platform for the author to share ideas separate from their area of expertise, a space to explore and discuss different topics openly.

February Update

Caleb’s Newsletter • 19 implied HN points • 01 Mar 23
🎭️ Culture History
  1. Consider moving newsletter to paid subscription for more in-depth content
  2. Engaged in various intellectual activities like launching new newsletters and participating in conversations
  3. Shared personal updates on running achievements, event attendances, and intellectual pursuits

Death of Stalin

Splattern • 19 implied HN points • 06 Oct 23
🎭️ Culture History
  1. People often focus on small issues instead of looking for bigger opportunities. It's important to see the bigger picture instead of just fighting over tiny matters.
  2. The culture in some workplaces can be similar to the fear-based leadership seen in the film The Death of Stalin. Employees may feel pressured to please their bosses instead of being genuine.
  3. Workplaces that have strict quotas or high-pressure environments can lead to competition among coworkers, making it hard to build strong team bonds. This can create a feeling of isolation instead of teamwork.

Racism and Reckoning in Classical Music

Variations on a Theme • 19 implied HN points • 31 Aug 23
🎶 Music History
  1. Classical music industry faces financial challenges and struggles post COVID-19 shutdowns, impacting organizations nationwide.
  2. Issues of racism in classical music industry raised by scholars and media, impacting musicology programs and leading to controversial discussions on composers' legacies.
  3. Classical music institutions are grappling with maintaining tradition while adapting to popular culture demands, facing challenges in attracting audiences and dealing with internal controversies.

Don Quixote and the Bobs

Innumerable Prejudices • 19 implied HN points • 27 Jul 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics History
  1. Patrick Deneen critiques the elite culture and calls for a new priestly class to shape culture.
  2. Deneen argues that liberal arts education should focus on virtues and community, not policy changes.
  3. Christopher Rufo discusses the influence of radical intellectuals in American culture and their impact on the mainstream.

5 Weekend Reads: 27 Aug 2023

Londonist: Time Machine • 19 implied HN points • 27 Aug 23
🎭️ Culture History
  1. The post shares 5 weekend reads on London history, including topics like Smithfield Market and a mini-model of St Paul's inside the actual St Paul's.
  2. The Londonist newsletter offers a weekend links roundup every Sunday for history enthusiasts to enjoy.
  3. Readers can access more content by subscribing to Londonist: Time Machine with a 7-day free trial and browsing the full post archives.

Links from July

nic thinks about things • 19 implied HN points • 01 Aug 23
🕹 Technology History
  1. Actuaries have the lowest divorce rate, while Gaming managers and Bartenders have the highest.
  2. Creating a "physical" camera in Blender feels like simulating physics.
  3. Improving indoor air quality is a cost-effective way to enhance health and cognition.

Four days without phones

Links I Would Gchat You If We Were Friends • 19 implied HN points • 18 Sep 23
🎭️ Culture History
  1. The experience of being without phones for four days was challenging and uncomfortable, emphasizing reliance on technology for basic functions like time and navigation.
  2. Spending time without smartphones led to a greater reliance on in-person interactions with strangers for basic needs like directions and recommendations.
  3. Despite initial intentions to disconnect, the allure of smartphones and the convenience they bring made it difficult to make a permanent switch to a simpler phone.

Gender and Language

Mag’s Monthly • 19 implied HN points • 23 Jul 23
🎭️ Culture History
  1. Gender is a social construct that has evolved over time.
  2. The roles of masculinity and femininity in society have historical roots.
  3. Leadership involves understanding changing social dynamics and adapting to new norms.

The evolution of The Quack Doctor

The Quack Doctor • 19 implied HN points • 25 Aug 23
🎨 Art & Illustration History
  1. Started as a blog sharing fascination with history of medical advertising and led to non-fiction book commissions.
  2. Struggled with feeling repetitive in blog posts without a PhD, but moved to Substack to explore broader topics like health and crime.
  3. Transitioning blog to formal encyclopedia of patent medicine and planning to introduce a podcast on Substack.

🇲🇨🏎 On your marks. Get set. Monac-GO!

De Nada Nights • 19 implied HN points • 25 May 23
🎭️ Culture History
  1. Monaco's history is rich with power struggles and strategic moves for prosperity.
  2. The transformation of Monaco into a prominent state was fueled by innovative economic choices such as establishing casinos.
  3. Monaco's unique tax system, focused on consumption rather than income, has played a key role in its economic success.

27 Grievances

The Radar • 19 implied HN points • 06 Jul 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics History
  1. The Declaration of Independence emphasizes fundamental human rights and the necessity of government to secure those rights.
  2. The grievances listed in the Declaration focus on concerns about basic governance and representation, highlighting the importance of civic responsibility.
  3. Today, public trust in government is low, representatives often prioritize divisive issues over meaningful governance, and media misinformation contributes to a lack of proper representation and accountability.

According to Facebook, I served in 'Nam?

Situation Normal • 71 implied HN points • 04 Feb 24
🎭️ Culture History
  1. The author humorously explores how Facebook algorithmically suggested Vietnam War content in his feed despite having no personal connection to it.
  2. Data mining, music preferences, and watching war movies contributed to the inaccurate content in the author's social media feed.
  3. The author reflects on the impact of targeted advertising and the evolving nature of social media platforms like Facebook.

From J-10 to J-XD - History

TP’s Substack • 27 implied HN points • 26 Dec 24
🕹 Technology History
  1. China's fighter jet development has evolved significantly from earlier models, with newer jets like the J-10 and J-20 showing vast improvements in technology and performance.
  2. The transition from 4th to 5th generation fighter jets has been important for the PLAAF, highlighting advancements in stealth, electronics, and weaponry.
  3. Looking ahead, the next generation of fighters, like the J-XD, will likely rely on AI and integrate with drones for enhanced combat capabilities.

A new theory of constitutional cynicism

Gray Mirror • 119 implied HN points • 28 May 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics History
  1. The concept of rule of law is crucial for society's stability and prosperity
  2. Constitutional interpretation can be contentious, with debates between originalism and modern perspectives
  3. There are differing views on the validity and relevance of the Constitution in modern society

The psychology of Disneyland

SatPost by Trung Phan • 106 implied HN points • 22 Jul 23
🎭️ Culture History
  1. Walt Disney created Disneyland to be a place of ordered and harmonious experiences, focusing on storytelling and immersive worlds.
  2. Disney's Imagineering process involves attention to detail and strategic design choices to enhance the guest experience and create a cohesive environment.
  3. Disneyland's success as a profitable venture showcases the importance of theme parks in driving revenue for the Disney empire, despite challenges like high admission prices and up-selling strategies.

AI as Long Wall

What Is Called Thinking? • 128 implied HN points • 27 Mar 23
📖 Philosophy History
  1. AI will have a significant cultural and technological impact in the upcoming years.
  2. The risk of over-reliance on AI is the potential loss of diverse skills and knowledge.
  3. Diversification of skills and knowledge is essential to counterbalance the potential negative impacts of AI.

To own a colour

On Looking • 59 implied HN points • 10 Jun 22
🎨 Art & Illustration History
  1. The concept of owning colors through NFTs has sparked controversy and raised questions about the value and ownership of colors in art and society.
  2. Colors are a complex interplay of history, scarcity, and cultural significance, dating back to the Middle Ages and continuing through to modern controversies like Vantablack and International Klein Blue.
  3. The discussion extends to the philosophical and cognitive realms, where the idea of selling colors as NFTs challenges the immaterial nature of colors and the relationships between types and tokens.

90's tech culture was a jumbled mess

The Future, Now and Then • 100 implied HN points • 12 Aug 23
🕹 Technology History
  1. WIRED's 90's product reviews were aspirational marketing for an ideal 'netizen.'
  2. The tech culture mix in WIRED reviews reflected 70s counterculture and 80s yuppie culture.
  3. Consumer tech in the 90s felt the rapid changes of Moore's Law, with prices dropping and capabilities rising quickly.

A Cellular Symphony: The Song of the Cell Reviewed

Holodoxa • 39 implied HN points • 16 Dec 22
🔬 Science History
  1. Cells are the basic unit of life, each acting as a decoding machine for genes and building block of organisms.
  2. Cell biology is a vast field encompassing genetics, molecular biology, and more, and studying cells is crucial for understanding life and disease.
  3. In his latest book, Siddhartha Mukherjee explores the history and importance of cellular biology, emphasizing that cells are the elementary particles of organisms.

March Came in Like a Lion Again This Year

The False Consensus Effect • 59 implied HN points • 06 Mar 22
🎭️ Culture History
  1. March is mentioned as a reflective and somber time to ponder human nature and societal issues, particularly around violence and power dynamics.
  2. The text discusses societal divisions and the impact of propaganda, consumerism, and tribalism on American society, questioning the true enemies in the system.
  3. There's a call for accountability, highlighting the need to address issues like inequality and the role of the powerful elite in shaping societal norms and policies.

Supreme Command: Its not a Celebrity Contest

Phillips’s Newsletter • 70 implied HN points • 31 Jan 24
🌍 World Politics History
  1. General Zaluzhny was relieved of his military command in Ukraine, leading to speculation about the reasons behind it.
  2. There were tensions between President Zelensky and General Zaluzhny, with reports of Zaluzhny's imminent replacement circulating.
  3. The situation with General Zaluzhny reflects historical dynamics of leadership and command changes during times of crisis.

Let's All Feel Good

Trying to Understand the World • 7 implied HN points • 13 Aug 25
🎭️ Culture History
  1. Many popular songs and movements in the past believed that singing and protesting could change the world. People thought they could make a real difference just by expressing their feelings.
  2. The idea of moral duty often drives people's actions, sometimes ignoring the complex reasons behind conflicts. This can lead to oversimplified views about right and wrong in world issues.
  3. Western foreign policy has struggled to find a clear direction lately. With changing ideologies, leaders often seem confused about their goals and how to tackle global challenges.

Why effective accelerationism matters

Monomythical • 66 implied HN points • 12 Feb 24
🎭️ Culture 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 Original Lyrics To “Hark The Herald Angels Sing”

Outlandish Claims • 19 implied HN points • 24 Jun 23
🎨 Art & Illustration History
  1. The Christmas carol 'Hark the Herald Angels Sing' was originally an ode to the Gutenberg printing press by Felix Mendelssohn.
  2. The song celebrated Johannes Gutenberg's invention of movable type, a pivotal moment in history.
  3. Many modern songs celebrate both the inventor and the invention itself, reflecting a shift from past celebrations focused solely on technology.

November 8, 2024

Letters from an American • 30 implied HN points • 09 Nov 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics History
  1. Many Trump voters are surprised to find out that tariffs will increase prices, like gaming consoles going up significantly in cost. This raises questions about the effectiveness of Trump's policies.
  2. Voters who chose Trump for economic relief are unhappy with his harsh immigration policies that threaten their undocumented friends and family. This highlights a disconnect between voter expectations and the reality of Trump's agenda.
  3. Right-wing media plays a major role in shaping how voters perceive issues, often spreading misinformation. It's important to understand how this affects political choices and voter awareness.

Moscow is like the Endless Horde of Chingis Khan - Vasily Ushakov, 1830

The Library of Alexandria Ultima • 8 implied HN points • 30 Jul 25
🎭️ Culture History
  1. Moscow has a unique charm that reflects the vast landscapes of Russia, making it feel like a city that spread across a beautiful, endless plain.
  2. The city is known for its sprawling streets and welcoming atmosphere, where traveling from one part to another can feel like a small adventure.
  3. Moscow's streets and names carry historical significance, often echoing its past under Tatar rule, which adds to its rich cultural identity.

Coup, Putsch, or Insurrection?

Unpopular Front • 68 implied HN points • 13 Jan 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics History
  1. Douthat's argument is that January 6 was not an insurrection based on Constitutional definitions
  2. Trump's actions on January 6 were aimed at overthrowing the democratic government
  3. Comparisons with fascist leaders like Mussolini and Hitler highlight the attempt to seize power through manipulation and thuggery