The hottest Influencer Culture Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
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Top Culture Topics

FYPcore and the Benson Boone-iverse

Read Max • 5506 implied HN points • 05 Feb 25
🎶 Music Music Industry Pop Music Social media Cultural Trends Influencer Culture
  1. Benson Boone's song 'Beautiful Things' has become popular on short-form video platforms like TikTok and Instagram, even if many people don't know who he is. It's often featured in videos about everyday life or personal stories.
  2. There’s a new genre of music emerging, called 'FYPcore,' which is designed to fit well with the style of videos on platforms like TikTok. This music typically evokes a bittersweet, positive vibe that works well for influencer content.
  3. Short-form social media platforms are changing the music industry by helping songs go viral without needing a dance challenge. This means that more songs could be made specifically for these platforms in the future.

Why Women Fall for Wellness Bullshit

Common Sense with Bari Weiss • 1061 implied HN points • 16 Feb 25
🏥 Health & Wellness Mental health Nutrition Wellness Trends Influencer Culture
  1. Many women feel a strong need to be understood and validated, especially when experiencing health issues. This desire makes them more likely to follow wellness trends that promise relief.
  2. The story of Belle Gibson shows the dangers of wellness influencers who exploit the struggles of others for gain. Her narrative reflects a broader issue where people's real pain is often dismissed.
  3. Skepticism from medical professionals about women's health issues can lead to feelings of desperation. This can push women towards unproven wellness solutions in hopes of finding someone who believes and helps them.

She posted 25 TikToks on her wedding day

Taylor Lorenz's Newsletter • 3194 implied HN points • 27 May 25
🎭️ Culture Social media Entertainment Marriage Influencer Culture
  1. Posting on social media during special events is becoming more common, like sharing TikToks during weddings. It shows how people want to capture and share their experiences instantly.
  2. Many businesses are emerging that cater to social media trends, including apps and services that help users create content. This highlights the shift in how we engage with technology and events.
  3. There's a growing trend of influencers and content creators blending personal life with their online presence. It reflects a cultural change where private moments become public content for entertainment.

A club where you pay thousands to make 'old money' content

Taylor Lorenz's Newsletter • 6001 implied HN points • 03 Feb 25
🎭️ Culture Influencer Culture Social media
  1. There's a new club called TuxedoSociety where members pay a lot of money to create 'old money' content for social media. They dress up and act fancy, but it's mainly for show.
  2. The club doesn't have a real location, so members are paying to join a community and for special events. It’s all about networking and pretending to live a luxurious lifestyle.
  3. This trend of creating 'old money' content is rising especially because many young people feel uncertain about their economic futures, offering them a fun way to escape into a fantasy of wealth and stability.

RIP Shein and Temu?

Taylor Lorenz's Newsletter • 3791 implied HN points • 05 Feb 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Trade policy Ecommerce Free speech Political Campaigns Influencer Culture
  1. Shein and Temu are facing tough times due to new U.S. tariffs that could significantly raise prices for consumers. Many packages from China are now being stopped by customs, making it harder for these companies to operate.
  2. Joe Rogan defended himself against accusations from Kamala Harris' campaign about not being honest regarding an interview. He claims that the campaign never committed to appearing on his show, while Trump was easy to book.
  3. Substack won a legal battle over free speech, allowing a journalist to keep reporting on sensitive issues without being censored. This supports the idea that independent journalism should be protected.
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The Luigi documentary has an IG tip line

Taylor Lorenz's Newsletter • 2806 implied HN points • 17 Dec 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Health care Crime Influencer Culture Documentaries
  1. A new documentary about Luigi Mangione is being made, focusing on serious issues like healthcare and violence in America. The filmmaker wants to talk to people connected to the case to get different perspectives.
  2. MrBeast, a popular YouTuber, is struggling to stay relevant after a series of controversies, leading him to collaborate with various lesser-known creators. This shows how even big influencers can feel pressure to adapt and regain their audience.
  3. Pew Research found that nearly half of American teens are online all the time, mainly using platforms like YouTube, TikTok, and Instagram. Facebook and Twitter are losing popularity among this age group, indicating a shift in social media preferences.

Algorithms Hijacked My Generation. I Fear For Gen Alpha.

After Babel • 4641 implied HN points • 10 Nov 23
🎭️ Culture Social media Mental health Generation Z Beauty Standards Influencer Culture
  1. Algorithms can lead people to extreme places and influence their behaviors.
  2. Social media algorithms can impact mental health by feeding insecurities and vulnerabilities.
  3. Parents of Generation Alpha should be cautious of the impact algorithms can have on their children's self-image and identity formation.

The Dark Side of Hustle Culture

Litverse • 139 implied HN points • 08 Mar 24
🎭️ Culture Influencer Culture Loneliness Work ethic Literature Mental health
  1. The influencer industry highlights the difficulties and pressures of constantly being connected online, impacting mental health and personal relationships.
  2. In a hustle culture that glorifies productivity, traditional social activities, reading, and personal experiences are neglected, leading to increased loneliness and anxiety among younger generations.
  3. The obsession with constant connection through screens and digital validation can result in a disconnection from real-life experiences, personal growth, and genuine human connections.

The Crazy Playbook

Perspective Agents • 15 implied HN points • 02 Feb 24
🎭️ Culture Media Manipulation Influencer Culture Political Influence Celebrity Culture
  1. Historical events have shown how media manipulation can cause panic and fear in the public.
  2. Cultural divides are being exploited through manufactured narratives and pseudo-events in media.
  3. Understanding the manipulation tactics in media and how information conflicts are amplified is crucial to avoid falling into misinformation traps.

A bad case of the burnouts

Links I Would Gchat You If We Were Friends • 79 implied HN points • 19 Feb 21
🎭️ Culture Internet culture Social media Media Analysis Influencer Culture
  1. The writer is feeling overwhelmed and in need of a break, enjoying a weekend trip.
  2. Double-checking links is important, even with potential issues like a sticking keyboard key.
  3. Interesting articles recommended for weekend reading, including one about Slate Star Codex discourse and the Facebook Oversight Board.

The less sense it makes, the more attractive it becomes

Links I Would Gchat You If We Were Friends • 59 implied HN points • 12 Mar 21
🎭️ Culture Social media Digital Culture Internet Trends Influencer Culture Pop culture
  1. The more nonsensical something is, the more appealing it can be, like with AI romance and internet trends
  2. There are detailed Wikipedia debates about Joe Biden's dogs, questioning their notability and training methods
  3. The rise of NFTs and other unconventional trends shows how the less sense something makes, the more ironic and attractive it becomes in popular culture

Believe it or not

Links I Would Gchat You If We Were Friends • 0 implied HN points • 21 Oct 15
🕹 Technology Social media E-commerce Influencer Culture Virtual reality Internet Trends
  1. Technology has always played a crucial role in shaping social movements, from the civil rights movement to modern movements like #BlackLivesMatter.
  2. A shady get-rich-quick scheme on the internet involves creating fake 'experts' who publish books on Amazon under their names and manipulate reviews for profit.
  3. YouTuber Tyler Oakley represents a new model of gay millennial identity, challenging stereotypes and norms.

Deathbed regrets and hard-won life lessons

Links I Would Gchat You If We Were Friends • 0 implied HN points • 04 Mar 23
🎭️ Culture Existentialism Artificial Intelligence Influencer Culture Social media Self-reflection
  1. Many older TikTok users are using filters to reflect on their past and share life lessons, blurring the line between nostalgia and introspection.
  2. Various thought-provoking articles are recommended for weekend reads, covering topics like AI vs. human consciousness and the impact of influencers.
  3. A roundup of various tech-related topics like the resurgence of work phones, the use of AI for mental health, and the evolving landscape of social media content on platforms like TikTok.