The hottest Humor Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
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Top Culture Topics

Why Do We Laugh?

Pryor Questions • 522 implied HN points • 18 Apr 23
🎭️ Culture Psychology Evolution Humor Health Society
  1. Laughter is a physiological response to humor involving various body responses like facial muscle movements and disrupted respiratory systems.
  2. Humans laugh to create social bonds, show friendliness, and signal group cohesion.
  3. There are multiple theories explaining why we find things funny, such as relief theory, superiority theory, and incongruity theory, influenced by factors like age and cultural differences.

Women Are Crazy, Science Finally Admits

Torture Chamber Small Talk • 159 implied HN points • 05 Mar 24
🎭️ Culture Psychology Gender Studies Humor
  1. The article discusses the misinterpretation of women's behavior as 'crazy' and highlights the need to distinguish between actual psychopathy and common stereotypes.
  2. Female psychopathy is often subtler and harder to diagnose than male psychopathy, which is a result of existing biases in how psychopathy is recognized and studied.
  3. There's a call for more awareness and understanding of female psychopathy, breaking stereotypes, and approaching the topic with a sense of unity and cooperation rather than division.

Related by marriage.

Soaring Twenties • 170 implied HN points • 28 Feb 24
🎭️ Culture Family Humor Relationships Stories
  1. The writer reflects on the humor and dynamics of being related by marriage to an unconventional and fun-loving family.
  2. Despite differences in lifestyle, the writer appreciates the tight-knit, unpretentious support network of their in-laws' family.
  3. The story highlights how relationships formed through marriage can bring unexpected, amusing, and enriching experiences.

April Update

Shades of Greaves • 157 implied HN points • 20 Apr 23
📚 Literature Humor Publishing Authors Books Writing
  1. The author finished writing a book and is now preparing for proofreading and printing, with an option for pre-ordering.
  2. The author highlights the importance of supporting Black women athletes and shares recent writing on the topic of criticisms in sports.
  3. The newsletter includes a fun and humorous quiz comparing Thomas Pynchon novels to 90's R&B groups, showcasing light-hearted content.
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Riffing On The Cosmic Joke

Weekly Wisdom • 139 implied HN points • 19 Apr 23
⛪ Faith & Spirituality Humor Philosophy
  1. Understanding the various theories of humor like superiority theory, relief theory, incongruity theory, and benign violation theory illuminates why we laugh and its significance in human experiences.
  2. Humor serves as a tool for expressing joy, bringing levity to life's heaviness, and addressing serious topics while promoting social bonding and self-reflection.
  3. Exploring the concept of the cosmic joke reveals profound insights about human limitations, the pursuit of enlightenment, and the paradoxical nature of existence.

These are the people in my neighborhood!

Disaffected Newsletter • 499 implied HN points • 09 Sep 22
🎭️ Culture Sociology Media Identity Humor Lifestyle
  1. The writer describes quirky characters in their neighborhood, giving them playful names and personalities. Each character has unique likes and dislikes that reflect their traits.
  2. One character, 'Toine', seems confident and focused on their appearance, while another character, Velma, has a tough, rebellious vibe with a strong stance against meat-eaters.
  3. The descriptions include humor and exaggeration, making the neighborhood feel vibrant and full of life, even in mundane settings like a grocery store.

The one-day work week

Situation Normal • 128 implied HN points • 25 Feb 24
🎭️ Culture Opinion Humor Workplace Life Society
  1. Three-day weekends can be great, but the following week can feel off. Short weeks can lead to longer workdays to get things done.
  2. The idea of a one-day work week, or a six-day weekend, was proposed. The concept involved focusing on productivity and getting stuff done.
  3. The discussion around work weeks highlighted challenges with traditional work schedules like Mondays being unproductive and weekends throwing off productivity.

Diary Entry #3: The Numbers 33 and 1,000

Shades of Greaves • 117 implied HN points • 25 Oct 23
🎭️ Culture Writing Creativity Humor Community Books
  1. Being '33-people-in-a-theater-famous' can be incredibly fulfilling, showcasing the impact a small, dedicated audience can have.
  2. The concept of '1,000 True Fans' highlights the value of building a dedicated community to support and sustain creative work.
  3. Unexpected encounters like experiencing a flight delay due to a 'VIP' can lead to humorous yet reflective moments, appreciating the unique experiences in life.

The Great Emu War

Ironic Sans • 248 implied HN points • 29 Aug 23
💾 History War Military Humor Film Australia
  1. The Great Emu War of 1932 happened in Australia, where soldiers fought against emus wreaking havoc on farmland.
  2. The military's attempts to use machine guns against emus were futile, resulting in a humorous battle where the emus often escaped.
  3. Despite initial defeats, the military eventually resorted to different tactics, such as bounties, to control the emu population after a humiliating retreat.

Experiments in style: Problem Page

Eclecticism: Reflections on literature, writing and life • 10 implied HN points • 10 Nov 24
📚 Literature Writing Styles Genres Humor Parody
  1. Rewriting a story in different styles can improve your writing skills. It helps you see how style changes the tone and meaning.
  2. Advice columns are common in British newspapers where people ask for help with personal problems. A fictional character, Uncle Fred, humorously answers these letters.
  3. Sometimes, people may avoid seeking medical help even when it's necessary. Humor can shed light on serious situations, showing how people reason with themselves.

The Funny Pages in Modern Times

Ironic Sans • 318 implied HN points • 28 Feb 23
🎭️ Culture Comics Humor
  1. The author used ChatGPT to help create a personalized comic strip page without knowing how to code.
  2. Discovering new and updated comic strips through personalized RSS feeds can enhance the reading experience.
  3. Despite existing services like GoComics Premium, curating comics from a wider range of sources can offer a more diverse reading selection.

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.

Abolish Valentine's Day

Slack Tide by Matt Labash • 123 implied HN points • 13 Feb 24
🎭️ Culture Opinion Relationships Satire Humor
  1. The author disapproves of Valentine's Day and believes it is a commercialized holiday that should be abolished.
  2. The author expresses love for various things and people, sharing personal opinions and humor in their writing.
  3. The subscription-based content discusses the author's perspectives on love, humor, and rejecting societal expectations related to Valentine's Day.

The After-Afterparty

Skunk Ledger • 215 implied HN points • 02 May 23
📚 Literature Fiction Humor Science Philosophy
  1. The protagonist wins a forecasting tournament and celebrates extravagantly with cuddle therapists and predictions.
  2. A confrontation with an archnemesis leads to a discussion on modeling uncertainties and reaching a consensus.
  3. A black swan intervenes to teach the importance of collaboration and addressing assumptions in disagreements.

A Ham Sandwich Walks Into A Bar

Sounds Good! • 39 implied HN points • 16 Jan 24
🎭️ Culture Literature Humor Music Art & Illustration
  1. The post discusses the humor and insensitivity of joking about the deaths of famous singers Karen Carpenter and Mama Cass with references to ham sandwiches.
  2. It highlights the idea that reducing someone's legacy to a joke can be disrespectful and hurtful.
  3. The post reflects on how jokes involving ham sandwiches are often used as shortcuts to avoid more meaningful or thoughtful discussions.

01/11/24 - You never see real life in news.

Moly’s Substack • 39 implied HN points • 12 Jan 24
🎭️ Culture Social Commentary Internet culture Satire Relationships Humor
  1. People in their 30s might still be single because of factors like appearance, temper, laziness, or being too picky.
  2. Korea is facing a declining birth rate and population collapse, leading to economic and social challenges in the future.
  3. Real life situations often differ from what is portrayed in the news and online discussions.

Letter to Rebecca #24-22

Eclecticism: Reflections on literature, writing and life • 8 implied HN points • 23 Oct 24
🎭️ Culture Literature Art Humor Education Film
  1. Playing Monopoly can teach about wealth and class differences by giving players different starting advantages. It shows how unfair systems can lead to frustration and anger, just like in real life.
  2. Dictator literature is often poorly written, and reading it can be both funny and disappointing. The lack of quality in these writings reflects the overall talent of the dictators themselves.
  3. People have strange beliefs about health and happiness. Some follow very strict routines that seem extreme and might make life feel less enjoyable. It's important to find a balance that works for you.

What John Cleese taught me about creativity

A Bit Gamey • 6 implied HN points • 24 Nov 24
🎭️ Culture Creativity Humor Art Writing Performance
  1. Creativity is a skill that anyone can learn. It's not just for naturally creative people; with practice and the right mindset, anyone can become creative.
  2. Being in an open and playful mindset helps with creativity. Taking breaks and allowing your mind to relax can lead to better ideas and problem-solving.
  3. Embracing uncertainty and not fearing mistakes is important for creativity. Taking risks can lead to original ideas and solutions.

REPOST: My Favorite Thanksgiving Traditions

I Might Be Wrong • 5 implied HN points • 28 Nov 24
🎭️ Culture Traditions Television Thanksgiving Family Humor
  1. Thanksgiving is often about spending time with family, even if that means not saying much and watching TV together to avoid awkward conversations.
  2. There are funny and unique traditions during Thanksgiving, like watching the Macy's Parade and remembering the odd sights and experiences it brings, like seeing famous bands on floats.
  3. People enjoy quoting funny movies during holiday events, like quoting 'Best In Show' during the dog show, even if it annoys everyone else.

Some Good Things for Thanksgiving

Think Future • 39 implied HN points • 22 Nov 23
🎭️ Culture Food & Drink History Music Humor Faith & Spirituality
  1. Avoid discussing controversial topics like future, religion, and government during Thanksgiving to keep interactions positive.
  2. Watch comforting videos with family, like historical recipes, ASMR, and instructional clips to enjoy the holiday spirit.
  3. Find joy and gratitude in the beauty of the world and the moments shared with friends and family during Thanksgiving.

The Twilight of the Nebbishes

Castalia • 179 implied HN points • 12 Jul 22
🎭️ Culture Literature Media Art Humor Identity
  1. The nebbish is a character type known for being passive and often taken advantage of, but recently, this character has evolved into relatable figures who struggle with social status and personal relationships.
  2. In modern media, new nebbish characters often lack typical masculine traits and instead express humility and kindness, portraying the challenges of being low-status in a society focused on success and power.
  3. Recent portrayals highlight a deeper frustration with social hierarchies and relationships, illustrating the feeling of being unloved or unwanted, despite these characters' willingness to provide support and care for others.

A Celebration of Birds

Street Smart Naturalist: Explorations of the Urban Kind • 119 implied HN points • 10 Nov 22
🎭️ Culture Nature Animals Education Art Humor
  1. Birding can be fun and doesn't need to be perfect. You can enjoy simply sitting and observing while learning with tools like bird identification apps.
  2. Barred Owls are common in places like Seattle and they have a unique call that can be fun to recognize. Learning about their history adds to the joy of birding.
  3. Seeing different types of birds like the Pileated Woodpecker and Cedar Waxwing can be exciting. Watching them interact with their surroundings gives a new appreciation for nature.

Purples

Nice Try • 199 implied HN points • 26 Feb 22
🎭️ Culture Art Literature Lifestyle Personal Humor
  1. Life is full of distractions, but they can be welcome ones. Whether it's cleaning or spending time with family, these activities help us cope.
  2. Ordering groceries online can lead to unexpected surprises, like receiving way too many cans of tuna. It's funny how mistakes can turn into unique challenges.
  3. Creative projects, like painting a room or using a synthesizer, can become overwhelming and messy. It's important to keep things simple and not lose track of what you intended to do.

The Way of the Scroll

The Carousel • 36 implied HN points • 04 Feb 24
🎭️ Culture Art Humor Inspiration Friendship Motivation
  1. The article explores different types of successful posters on the internet, like Wrinkle Finders, Insight Miners, Gonzo Reporters, Parasocial Friends, Rise and Grinders, and Beauty Promoters.
  2. Successful posters offer emotional benefits to their audience, such as factual truth, emotional truth, adventure, humor, motivation, and beauty.
  3. Different types of successful posters engage with their audience in unique ways, from sharing surprising information to creating emotional connections through humor or aesthetics.