The hottest Internet culture Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
Category
Top Culture Topics

kitten corner: wanted: DOGE county sheriff

bad cattitude • 178 implied HN points • 14 Nov 24
😂 Humor Comedy Satire Parody Internet culture Memes
  1. There is a playful theme of cats and dogs in this piece, highlighting some humorous competition between them. Cats seem to think they deserve more attention than dogs, creating a fun rivalry.
  2. The mention of 'DOGE county sheriff' suggests a lighthearted take on popular internet culture and memes, making it engaging to readers. It's funny to think about dogs being in charge in a town.
  3. The piece shows the connection of social media to modern life and interactions, like referencing a tweet shortly after another post. It teaches us that social media is fast and can spark quick conversations.

Doomscroll: Matty Healy

Joshua Citarella's Newsletter • 656 implied HN points • 22 Oct 24
🎭️ Culture Internet culture Pop Music Aesthetics Public Space
  1. Counter-culture has become more like a safe, marketable trend rather than a true rebellion. It's lost its original edgy vibe over time.
  2. Social media is changing how we experience public spaces and culture. We need to think about what a completely privatized world might look like.
  3. Conversations about culture and creativity are crucial. They can help us understand our current challenges and how to move forward.

Halloween has gone full brain rot

Taylor Lorenz's Newsletter • 2597 implied HN points • 24 Oct 24
🎭️ Culture Internet culture Social media Holidays Festivals
  1. Halloween costumes are now often based on internet memes, reflecting how much online culture influences our lives. Instead of traditional costumes, many people dress as viral moments or characters from social media.
  2. The trend of meme costumes can create confusion and alienation at Halloween parties. Costumes that depend on obscure references can make it hard for people to connect and enjoy the holiday together.
  3. Despite some people wanting a return to classic costumes, meme costumes allow for more creativity and self-expression. They let us remember and reflect on our shared experiences in today's internet-driven world.

Selling account names in the blue, blue skies

Conspirador Norteño • 28 implied HN points • 28 Nov 24
🕹 Technology Social media Online Scams Data Analysis Internet culture
  1. Handle squatting is when people register social media handles to sell them later. Even though Bluesky allows custom domain names as handles, some still try to squat.
  2. Buying account names is risky and usually a bad idea. It's better to create your own accounts instead of getting them from spammers.
  3. Some recent accounts on Bluesky show repetitive bios and were created in batches, indicating possible spam activity. One such account even changed its bio to seem more legitimate.

How to not click on dodgy links

How to Survive the Internet • 159 implied HN points • 04 Oct 24
🕹 Technology Cybersecurity Phishing Online safety Digital Literacy Internet culture
  1. Be careful with emails from authority figures; they're likely to be phishing scams aimed at tricking you into sharing personal info.
  2. Phishing is a growing problem, with billions of spam emails sent daily, yet many still get through and lead to cyber attacks.
  3. Studies show that humans are often the weak link in cybersecurity, continually clicking on harmful links despite warnings and training.
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✨ ✨Custom Video Requests!✨✨

Default Wisdom • 66 implied HN points • 08 Nov 24
🎭️ Culture Internet culture Subscriptions Media Production Community Building
  1. The writer is aiming for 1,000 paid subscribers for their newsletter. They are currently close and want to encourage more subscriptions.
  2. They are offering a 50% discount on yearly subscriptions and custom video requests about Internet culture topics.
  3. Paid subscriptions will help produce more content, do deeper reporting, and support contributors, winning the title of the best Internet culture newsletter.

The great silent majority of American basicness

Garbage Day • 3341 implied HN points • 08 Jan 24
🎭️ Culture Trends Social media Pop culture Music Internet culture
  1. The rise of the Stanley Quencher cup as a popular item is a result of savvy marketing and internet buzz
  2. Short-form videos like TikTok are influencing the way content is created and shared online
  3. The concept of monoculture in media is evolving, with Spotify playlists reflecting carefully constructed branding rather than true diversity

The Specific Catharsis of 'That Guy"

Culture Study • 7220 implied HN points • 13 Sep 23
🎭️ Culture Social Commentary Gender Dynamics Internet culture
  1. The TikTok filter 'That Guy' accurately portrays a specific type of man with entitlement issues.
  2. The filter highlights the dynamics between men and women, showing how some men view women as objects to possess.
  3. The meme provides catharsis by showcasing and ridiculing behaviors of 'That Guy' and shedding light on societal roles in enabling such behavior.

Import AI 371: CCP vs Finetuning; why people are skeptical of AI policy; a synthesizer for a LLM

Import AI • 439 implied HN points • 06 May 24
🕹 Technology AI Research Data Analysis Medical AI Image Generation Internet culture
  1. People are skeptical of AI safety policy as different views arise from the same technical information, making it important to consider varied perspectives.
  2. Chinese researchers have developed a method called SOPHON to openly release AI models while preventing finetuning for misuse, offering a solution for protecting against subsequent harm.
  3. Automating intelligence analysis through datasets like OpenStreetView-5M will enhance training machine learning systems for geolocation, leading to potential applications in both military intelligence and civilian sectors.

Links #694: Kategate, sharenting, and two visions for YouTube's future

Links I Would Gchat You If We Were Friends • 678 implied HN points • 16 Mar 24
🎭️ Culture Social media Internet culture Conspiracy Theories Royal Family
  1. The problematic image issue involving Kate Middleton was due to a botched Photoshop job using multiple takes of the same photo.
  2. Many people overvalue their ability to discern truth from misinformation, contributing to the spread of conspiracy theories online.
  3. Reports have highlighted disturbing cases of children being coerced into self-harm by predatory online groups, raising concerns about online safety.

Toxic friends, Temu victims and the outskirts of reality

Links I Would Gchat You If We Were Friends • 758 implied HN points • 25 Feb 24
🎭️ Culture Personal essays Internet culture Media industry
  1. The resurgence of personal essays is evident across various platforms and mediums, adapting to the changing online landscape.
  2. There appears to be a shift towards more personal storytelling as a response to the mundane and commercial nature of traditional and social media.
  3. The rise of personal narratives and essays may be tied to the decline of traditional media, showcasing a desire for more authentic and human connection in the digital age.

Tradwife obsessions, online archnemeses and a requiem for TinyLetter

Links I Would Gchat You If We Were Friends • 718 implied HN points • 02 Mar 24
🎭️ Culture Internet culture Online Publishing Social Issues Fashion Trends Content creation
  1. The newsletter is splitting into two parts - an essay during the week and the link round-up on weekends to address length concerns.
  2. Readers can now opt-in for an additional experimental section called IRL for more personal content.
  3. The changes in newsletter format were based on reader feedback and the author's desire for more flexibility.

The internet is for 12-year-olds

Read Max • 2950 implied HN points • 09 Jul 23
🕹 Technology Social media Content creation YouTube Internet culture Online Platforms
  1. Many content creators online are pressured to create content aimed at 12-year-olds due to the large number in the audience.
  2. Internet platforms lack adult mediation between young viewers and content creators, leading to a focus on adolescent content.
  3. Successful creators may reintroduce wholesome content into the online sphere, standing out in a sea of material targeting younger audiences.

Ruby Thelot: A Cyberarchaeology of Checkpoints

Do Not Research • 319 implied HN points • 22 Apr 24
🎭️ Culture Online Culture Community Internet culture
  1. The book 'A Cyberarchaeology of Checkpoints' by Ruby Thelot delves into the vanished online community of 'Checkpoints,' which were personal life updates shared in a now-deleted YouTube video's comments section.
  2. While the original video was removed, a user named Rebane2001 meticulously archived the 'Checkpoints,' preserving a decade of human experiences and emotions captured in these digital narratives.
  3. The book not only contains the archived 'Checkpoints' but also includes a reflective essay on their cultural significance, an interview with Rebane2001, and an exploration of digital memory in the modern era, challenging readers to consider what remains of our digital footprint.

The TikTokification of ASMR

Embedded • 452 implied HN points • 07 Feb 24
🎭️ Culture Internet culture Community Digital Content Art
  1. ASMR has evolved and gained mainstream acceptance over the years, transitioning to TikTok as a popular platform for ASMR content.
  2. Content creators like CozyLotusASMR are finding success by focusing on nature and the outdoors, showcasing ASMR in unique ways.
  3. Knowing your audience and adapting content to different platforms like YouTube and TikTok is key to engaging viewers and building a community.

Why I cover A.I. the way I do, good obscure action movies, and other questions from readers

Read Max • 869 implied HN points • 08 Dec 23
🕹 Technology AI Movies Web Social media Internet culture
  1. Media coverage decisions are driven by various factors like newsworthiness, commercial concerns, and career advancement.
  2. Authentic relationships between humans and bots in the future are uncertain but can be influenced by societal perceptions and control.
  3. Exploring lesser-known direct-to-video action movies and foreign films can provide new excitement for fans of the genre.

Girlhood, mortality hacks and a theory of "Sound Towns"

Links I Would Gchat You If We Were Friends • 618 implied HN points • 10 Dec 23
🎭️ Culture Music Demographics Podcasts Internet culture
  1. Spotify's 'sound towns' feature matches music preferences to specific cities, indicating local listening patterns influenced by demographics.
  2. Research shows that music preferences in cities correlate with factors like race, education, and income, reflecting unique resident mixes.
  3. Spotify Wrapped findings, like matching to college towns, may align with demographics of listeners, such as higher education levels.

How Corruption Happens: Emotional Processing & Echo-Chambers

Divergent Futures • 19 implied HN points • 26 Aug 24
🎭️ Culture Internet culture Content creation Echo Chambers
  1. Growing popularity can change creators, making them less authentic and more like performers. They often have to say what their audience wants to hear instead of what they truly believe.
  2. As creators gain power, they may fall into emotional traps, becoming defensive and judgmental. This often leads to unethical behavior as they lose sight of their original values.
  3. Emotional processing is key to maintaining integrity. Taking time to reflect and surround oneself with honest feedback can help leaders avoid corruption and stay true to their values.

Be specific

escape the algorithm • 399 implied HN points • 23 Jan 24
🕹 Technology Web Tools Internet culture Design Programming
  1. Discover small, niche web tools and libraries that excel at specific tasks, adding personality and uniqueness to your internet experience.
  2. Embrace the simplicity and charm of single-purpose tools that focus on doing one thing well instead of trying to solve everything, celebrating their uniqueness and originality.
  3. Appreciate the creativity and value in combining and utilizing tiny tools and libraries rather than always seeking all-in-one solutions, fostering a culture of innovative use of existing resources.

What Do We Even Mean When We Talk About Porn Today?

Many Such Cases • 739 implied HN points • 15 Aug 23
🎭️ Culture Feminism Internet culture Media Critique
  1. The discussion around sexual culture today is influenced by the past debates of feminism and personal responsibility, highlighting a conflict between sex positivity and conservative views.
  2. The creation and accessibility of online porn have dramatically changed how we experience and discuss sexuality, yet we're still stuck in old arguments.
  3. Current trends in social media and cultural expressions show a blend of exaggerated performances for profit, complicating perceptions of authenticity and personal choice in sexual expression.

The Doc Web

escape the algorithm • 718 implied HN points • 15 May 23
🎭️ Culture Internet culture Self-Publishing Digital Platforms Community Building Expression
  1. A doc created can easily transition from a private space to a public domain with a simple click of a share button.
  2. Google Docs is more than just a word processor; it forms a unique, vast network known as the 'Doc Web' with subtle yet powerful publishing capabilities.
  3. The widespread accessibility and simplicity of Google Docs as a publishing tool can challenge traditional power dynamics and lead to unconventional forms of expression and shared knowledge.

The Scan Artist

escape the algorithm • 279 implied HN points • 30 Jan 24
🎭️ Culture Creativity Social media Literature Art Internet culture
  1. The poem 'Pad' by Steven Zultanski dives into the concept of copy and repetition through a lengthy exploration of objects and capabilities
  2. The Instagram account 'everything.can.be.scanned' is part of a trend focusing on comprehensive stunts, showcasing scanned reproductions of various everyday items
  3. Artists like Kenny Goldsmith and projects like 'everything.can.be.scanned' emphasize on attention to detail and the mundane in their work

Vol. 2, Issue 24 - Interview with We All Live In A Pokémon World

Johto Times • 59 implied HN points • 13 Jun 24
🎭️ Culture Entertainment Media Fan culture Internet culture Gaming
  1. The website 'We All Live In A Pokémon World...' defended Pokémon from unfair rumors and misconceptions, emphasizing the positive themes of friendship and kindness in the franchise.
  2. Pokémon has grown significantly over the years, with new generations creating a sense of community among fans who share their love for the franchise with their families.
  3. Despite facing various issues and criticisms, the Pokémon brand has maintained its popularity by focusing on the joy and connection it brings to fans worldwide.

⬜ Connecticut is a trend

One Thing • 296 implied HN points • 28 Nov 23
🎭️ Culture Influencers Pop culture Internet culture
  1. Influencers are shifting towards embracing the suburbs, with Connecticut becoming a trending location due to its appeal for content creation and lifestyle aesthetics.
  2. Connecticut's evolving image is influenced by pop culture references, creating a mix of traditional suburban ideals and modern internet-driven content.
  3. The state's suburban towns offer an attractive alternative to city living, with proximity to urban areas like Manhattan and a blend of capital dreams with references to other fictional or real places.