The hottest Influence Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
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Top History Topics

The Cartoon That Inspired 'Wander'

Animation Obsessive • 1255 implied HN points • 23 Feb 24
🎨 Art & Illustration Animation Influence
  1. Professor Balthazar, a cartoon series from the former Yugoslavia, inspired Craig McCracken, the creator of The Powerpuff Girls.
  2. The series ran from 1967 to 1978 and made a significant impact by influencing popular modern animations.
  3. The episode discussed in this post sheds light on the link between older cartoons and the creative inspirations of modern animators.

Black Swans

Black Music and Black Muses • 687 implied HN points • 27 Feb 23
🎶 Music Artists History Influence Performance Lyrics
  1. Nina Simone's art was a blend of vulnerability and vengeance in her singing.
  2. Nina Simone's career and music reflected a battle between her desire to be a concert pianist and her role as a diva.
  3. Nina Simone's honesty and self-awareness about her path question the idea of success, sacrifice, and the road not taken.

The puzzling geopolitics of America's support for proposed World Bank reforms

An Africanist Perspective • 573 implied HN points • 11 Apr 23
🌍 World Politics Geopolitics Influence Global Development Reforms
  1. The US is supporting proposed World Bank reforms that shift focus from low-income countries to global public goods, risking a loss in policy influence worldwide.
  2. US structural influence through organizations like the World Bank reflects in policy decisions that align with US interests in low-income countries.
  3. Failure of the World Bank to prioritize needs of low-income countries could lead to a loss of influence for the US and the Bank in those regions.

The posters decide

benn.substack • 460 implied HN points • 15 Mar 24
💼 Business Influence Startups Technology Investing Entrepreneurship
  1. In political elections like the presidential primaries, insiders within the party can heavily influence candidate selection, impacting how votes translate into nominations.
  2. Silicon Valley, despite its reputation for meritocracy and free-market capitalism, also shows signs of elite insiders shaping success by directing funds, influencing hiring decisions, and controlling media narratives.
  3. Public perception and hype generated by influencers play a significant role in Silicon Valley, from selecting blogging platforms to predicting success of new technologies, often superseding personal experiences and independent analysis.
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Against Far-Right Political Violence

sebjenseb • 255 implied HN points • 22 Jan 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Violence Terrorism Immigration Policy Influence
  1. Far-right political violence in the United States has resulted in numerous terror attacks and deaths.
  2. Terrorism, including far-right violence, has historically been ineffective in achieving its objectives and often leads to negative consequences.
  3. Engaging in violent political actions is risky and usually counterproductive, with little impact on policy or societal change.

Class War Behind Harvard’s Embrace Of DEI Race Pseudoscience

Public • 580 implied HN points • 03 Jan 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Higher education Pseudoscience Plagiarism Academic standards Influence
  1. Harvard University is committed to attracting and retaining top scholars, offering high salaries and benefits.
  2. Former Harvard President Claudine Gay resigned due to plagiarism accusations and a lackluster academic record.
  3. Harvard's influence and reputation make its scandals significant on a national and international scale.

Parfit, by David Edmonds

The Common Reader • 1169 implied HN points • 11 May 23
📚 Literature Philosophy Biography Ethics Influence Interpretation
  1. Derek Parfit is a highly influential philosopher in moral philosophy, but relatively unknown outside academic circles.
  2. Parfit's life and philosophy are intertwined, with his actions reflecting his beliefs in altruism and empathy.
  3. Parfit's approach to personal identity and philosophy, as depicted in a new biography by David Edmonds, raises thought-provoking questions about selflessness and dedication.

The ‘warrior and mystic, ogre and saint’ who became Paul Atreides

Becoming Noble • 438 implied HN points • 14 Feb 23
📚 Literature Classics Themes Influence Characters Culture
  1. Dune was influenced by Shamil's story in 'The Sabres of Paradise', highlighting themes like fate, environment, war, and nobility.
  2. Shamil's leadership in the Caucasus against Russian forces showed a fierce resistance that was fueled by strong cultural and violent orientations.
  3. The Murids' lifestyle in the mountains mirrors the Fremen in Dune, emphasizing combat training from a young age and a culture deeply rooted in violence and warfare.

The Revaluation of All Values, Part 4

Intimations of a New Worldview • 373 implied HN points • 14 Mar 23
📖 Philosophy Metaphysics Ethics Empiricism Influence
  1. The will to power is a metaphysical doctrine similar to Heraclitus' Logos and Schopenhauer's primacy of the will.
  2. Nietzsche's will to power aims to promote and justify the flourishing of life, opposing pessimistic philosophies like Schopenhauer.
  3. The will to power is based on empirical findings in biology and psychology, generalizing to explain all aspects of life.

Grow your following on Substack (a workshop)

The Novelleist • 553 implied HN points • 28 Feb 24
💼 Business Workshop Influence Community Newsletter Writing
  1. The workshop offers guidance on how to grow your following on Substack and an 8-week challenge to increase subscribers by 500 people.
  2. Investing in and offering support to writers can help spark a Renaissance of literary thinkers on Substack.
  3. The goal is to expand reach and inspire the next generation to be dreamers and problem solvers through creating new ecosystems of writers.

The NYT fell for Elizabeth Holmes just like the investors did

Science Forever • 318 implied HN points • 09 May 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Media Crime Influence Injustice Entertainment
  1. Elizabeth Holmes has been successful in reputation laundering with the help of her PR firm, as seen in the NYT article that paints a flattering image of her
  2. Investors tend to prioritize personality over substance, as shown in the Holmes saga, where she convinced influential individuals to invest in a technology that was not feasible
  3. Media outlets like NYT have fallen for the charismatic facade of individuals like Holmes, choosing style over substance, despite the harmful consequences of their actions

The end of COVID, the end of Twitter

Logging the World • 318 implied HN points • 05 Apr 23
🕹 Technology Social media Influence User Experience
  1. COVID-19 has not completely disappeared despite initial hopes and expectations. Immunity wanes, new variants emerge, and the impact lingers on.
  2. Twitter's influence may be declining over time due to fewer interesting user interactions and issues with the platform's experience. The network effects that once made it influential are fading.
  3. Legacy brands like Twitter may persist even after a decline, existing in a different form and continuing to have some relevance in the future.

On Mahler

Something to Consider • 39 implied HN points • 17 Jun 24
🎶 Music Classical Composition Analysis History Influence
  1. Gustav Mahler's music feels unique because it's complex and doesn't fit into traditional categories of melody and harmony. His pieces blend several melodies together in a way that feels seamless.
  2. He composed music without being tied to the piano, using multiple staves instead. This means he imagined his music without testing it out, much like coding without running the program until it's done.
  3. Despite not having a large amount of music, Mahler's works are filled with deep emotions and beauty. His few compositions leave a lasting impact that few others can match.

Where Have the Good Oligarchs Gone?

God's Spies by Thomas Neuburger • 55 implied HN points • 24 Jan 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Political theory Oligarchy Democratic Party Influence Policy
  1. The real Left opposes the idea of the rich ruling over everyone else. If they don't get rid of the oligarchs, true self-rule won't happen.
  2. Oligarchs are gaining more power, especially with political figures like Donald Trump. This shift is concerning for democracy.
  3. Some political groups appear to embrace certain wealthy individuals, calling them 'good billionaires.' The actual Left wants to challenge and limit the power of all oligarchs, not just pick favorites.

Twenty-five ideas about Love's Labour's Lost

The Common Reader • 248 implied HN points • 28 Feb 24
📚 Literature Shakespeare Language Comparison Influence
  1. Shakespeare's Love's Labour's Lost explores themes of war, death, wit, festivity, Arcadia, lyricism, and satire, offering a darker ending that symbolizes the passing of old generations.
  2. The play remains relevant today as it touches on issues like the delay of marriage and children, and the struggle between speaking about creating a better world versus actually doing it.
  3. Love's Labour's Lost engages with the debate on language by contrasting post-modernist views with the idea of fixed meanings, tied to a concrete reality, which is portrayed through the characters' speech patterns.

A cluster map of books

Austin Kleon • 1079 implied HN points • 10 May 22
📚 Literature Books Reading Influence Cultural impact
  1. Books influence us more as a group than as individual titles. Reading a cluster of related books can amplify their impact on our lives.
  2. The connection between books can create a deeper understanding and shape our perspectives. Sometimes one book leads to others that enhance its message.
  3. When we reflect on our favorite books, it's often the combination of them that defines our experiences. This web of influences guides our creativity and thoughts.

You’re so Turk and you don’t even know it

Razib Khan's Unsupervised Learning • 446 implied HN points • 24 Jun 23
💾 History Empires Influence Civilizations Culture
  1. The Turks had a unique approach to conquest, assimilating the cultures of those they conquered instead of destroying them.
  2. Turkic influence spanned over 1,500 years across vast territories, impacting cultures from Europe to China.
  3. Turks played a significant role in shaping Eurasian culture, spread Islam, and extended civilization rather than causing decline.

The Internet Has Turned Us Into the ChatGPT of "Takes"

The 21st Century Proletarian • 219 implied HN points • 05 Feb 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Political Discourse Social media Activism Influence
  1. Political discussion on the internet has become shallow, filled with predictable buzz-phrases, and lacks a solid theoretical basis.
  2. Social media, especially Twitter, has transformed users into machine-like beings, adapting opinions based on algorithm feedback rather than critical thought.
  3. Engaging in algorithmic discourse for clout and engaging in divisive topics hinders progress towards meaningful political change and unity within movements.

Musical Heresies (Part 2)

Secretum Secretorum • 429 implied HN points • 25 May 23
🎶 Music Genres History Artists Philosophy Influence
  1. Recorded music can have harmful psychological effects, suggesting music should be performed live and reserved for special occasions.
  2. Ancient cultures viewed music as a powerful force for transformation and knowledge, with musicians being revered as heroes.
  3. The historical significance of music extends beyond entertainment, as it played a crucial role in shaping societal worldviews and countercultures.

What is Taste and how to have it?

Product Composition • 137 implied HN points • 12 Feb 23
🎨 Art & Illustration Design Craft Creativity Aesthetics Influence
  1. Having good taste is a skill that can be developed by paying attention to craft, analyzing surroundings, seeking feedback, and surrounding yourself with tasteful things and people.
  2. Buying expensive items doesn't necessarily mean you have good taste; true taste is about appreciating quality and value, not just high price tags.
  3. Having good taste can be beneficial for business success, as it involves analyzing goods, spotting opportunities, and making valuable decisions efficiently.

How to Find Your Voice

Neckar’s Notes • 105 implied HN points • 02 Mar 24
🚌 Education Writing Creativity Identity Influence Voice
  1. When writing, be true to your unique voice to create engaging, magical content that resonates with readers.
  2. Identity crisis in writing can stem from trying to mimic others instead of embracing one's own style.
  3. To find your voice as a writer, avoid labeling yourself and simply write a lot, experimenting with different topics, forms, and influences.

Do Influencers Pass the Artist Test?

Litverse • 99 implied HN points • 14 Aug 23
🎨 Art & Illustration Influencers Artists Creativity Influence Spirituality
  1. The influencer industry is a huge business with some individuals worth millions, representing a new form of rebellion and artistic expression.
  2. Artists create within the collective but their creations stand outside it, providing a unique perspective that influences and inspires others.
  3. Influencers can be seen as Classicists in the art world, creating pieces that maintain the structure of their influence and resonate with the collective, but questions remain about their deeper spiritual purpose in creation.

Steve Jobs Has Fallen off My Pedestal

Kartick’s Blog • 35 implied HN points • 03 Nov 24
🎭️ Culture Leadership Ethics Public Perception Influence
  1. Steve Jobs was seen as a hero, but his negative traits, like being manipulative, change that view. It's okay to admire someone's work but not their character.
  2. Elon Musk is also not a role model due to his unethical behavior and overconfidence. People often glorify individuals who don’t truly deserve it.
  3. We can learn useful lessons from anyone, even those with bad character. For example, effective leaders understand and connect with people's emotions.

Judging myself by likes

Kyle Chayka Industries • 195 implied HN points • 22 Jul 23
🎭️ Culture Technology Social media Digital Culture Algorithms Influence
  1. Likes can impact how we judge our online success, but their significance varies across platforms.
  2. Algorithms on social media have changed how engagement is measured, making it harder to interpret likes as a true reflection of content quality.
  3. The age of likes is evolving, with platforms like TikTok shifting focus away from visible likes but still using them to influence content.

The First Domino Principle

DruGroup • 59 implied HN points • 26 Jul 23
🚌 Education Influence Writing Coaching Change
  1. To influence others, you need to start by focusing on a specific group or person, rather than trying to reach everyone at once. It's like knocking over the first domino to set off a chain reaction.
  2. Choosing a clear target audience helps you tailor your message and connect better. For example, if you write for someone relatable, like Truck-driver Rick, you'll capture the interest of others around him too.
  3. Identifying your first domino can shift how you approach your work and communication. It makes it easier to make meaningful connections and adjustments in what you're doing.

Short Thoughts on "Getting It"

Autoscriptorium • 39 implied HN points • 05 Aug 23
📖 Philosophy Reality Ethics Morality Competition Influence
  1. Understanding and aligning with the shared 'it' within a group is crucial for individuals to navigate collective reality.
  2. Diverse interpretations of the same 'it' can lead to significant discord and fractures within groups.
  3. The concept of 'getting it' is dynamic and ever-evolving, requiring individuals to adapt their understanding to avoid becoming outdated.

The End of Democracy: "What I’m Describing is Military Rule"

Who is Robert Malone • 36 implied HN points • 17 Feb 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Democracy Censorship Influence Elections Legitimacy
  1. The discussion sheds light on the potential threat to free speech and democracy from the influence of the military and national security state.
  2. Efforts to control narratives and censor information are not just limited to previous eras, with modern censorship affecting freedom of speech without regard to accuracy.
  3. The conversation highlights the interconnectedness of various entities like the government, tech platforms, and media in shaping public narratives and potentially restricting democratic freedoms.