The hottest Internet culture Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
Category
Top Culture Topics

Things in Culture that might help you as a marketer

The Social Juice • 17 implied HN points • 16 Feb 24
🎭️ Culture Marketing Internet culture Music Entertainment Social media
  1. Language interpretation is crucial in marketing, as different cultures may interpret the same message differently.
  2. Understanding the cultural context is important in marketing, like how certain ads at the Super Bowl may not resonate with everyone.
  3. Embrace hate as an opportunity, like Taylor Swift's success in leveraging negative narratives for positive outcomes.

Go gentle into that good night

WORLD GONE WRONG • 117 implied HN points • 24 Jun 23
🕹 Technology Social media Cryptocurrency Data Privacy Internet culture
  1. Web 2.0 is coming to an end, leading to uncertainty about the future of online platforms.
  2. Social networks may not be well-equipped to handle the scale of connecting billions of people.
  3. The concept of global interconnectedness through technology raises questions about human scale compatibility and the need for building healthier systems.

Meet the teen who tried watching 'The Lorax' every day for a year

The Rectangle • 113 implied HN points • 14 Apr 23
🎭️ Culture Film Internet culture Social media Online Trends
  1. A teenager attempted to watch 'The Lorax' every day for a year but had to stop due to declining mental health.
  2. The pressure of internet audience can impact creators, causing some to continue despite personal struggles.
  3. It's important to remember there's a real person behind online content, and to prioritize mental well-being over online commitments.

Danger, Will Robinson! Content warning!

Social Warming by Charles Arthur • 98 implied HN points • 17 Feb 23
🕹 Technology Social media Artificial Intelligence Internet culture
  1. Mastodon is like a unique social network where users can hop between different 'boats' unlike Twitter's giant 'cruise ship'.
  2. Content warnings on Mastodon can be mysterious, as users often use them without clear reasons.
  3. The interaction between humans and AI like ChatGPT and Sydney from BingGPT is becoming increasingly bizarre and unpredictable.
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Max Dauven: Heracles series

Do Not Research • 19 implied HN points • 24 Aug 23
🎨 Art & Illustration Photography Internet culture Online Communication
  1. The photographic works in the Heracles series explore visual language related to men's rights activists, esoteric fitness influencers, and incel culture on the internet.
  2. Understanding the visual languages of online subcultures is important as they heavily influence online behavior, which is slowly gaining recognition in mainstream media.
  3. Analog photographic techniques are used to bridge online imagery with artistic photography, making it accessible to a wider audience beyond subcultural online forums.

A selfie trend of pandemic proportions

Links I Would Gchat You If We Were Friends • 199 implied HN points • 15 Jan 21
🎭️ Culture Social media Trends Internet culture Music Health
  1. Some people are taking 'vaxxies' - photos of themselves before or after getting vaccinated, which can be both informative and potentially boastful on social media.
  2. Vaccination photo shoots aim to educate and encourage vaccination, but they can sometimes come off as self-centered, particularly on social media platforms.
  3. There are concerns that 'vaxxies' might inadvertently discourage people who haven't received the vaccine, leading to further division and disparities in access.

Jak Ritger: Digital Economy Models

Do Not Research • 39 implied HN points • 16 Oct 22
🎭️ Culture Internet culture Digital economy Social media Media Critique
  1. Digital producers are undervalued by platforms, so they must seek support outside the platform to sustain their work.
  2. Attention bubbles in viral stories offer opportunities for new narratives and community building at different stages of the story's cycle.
  3. Producers can create interdependent ecosystems by bridging silos, allowing for broader audience access and collaboration in the digital space.

How to safeguard your sanity in the last days of the election

Links I Would Gchat You If We Were Friends • 99 implied HN points • 30 Oct 20
🎭️ Culture Internet culture Politics Social media Pop culture Social Issues
  1. Consider taking breaks from social media to preserve your mental well-being, try focusing on positive distractions like creating Pinterest boards filled with puppies.
  2. Avoid election stress by engaging in activities that help you relax and stay away from constant polling updates and online political debates.
  3. Remember the importance of voting to contribute towards a sense of normalcy and to have a say in the future, regardless of the chaos around.

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.

xleepy fay: femcel z-dolls and the memetic urge surfing of their irl compulsive insanity

Do Not Research • 19 implied HN points • 16 Oct 22
🎭️ Culture Generation Z Online Culture Social Issues Youth culture Internet culture
  1. The current generational gap leads to a crisis where older governing systems clash with the beliefs and needs of the younger generation, especially Gen Z.
  2. Femcel z-dolls navigate a digital world filled with information overload, developing a keen eye for discerning truth from propaganda.
  3. Online communities provide an outlet for femcel z-dolls to fulfill their urge for transgressive behavior in a memetic way, seeking relief and connection in a futureless reality.

Nick Bird: I will Not Rest Until Every Coal Car in America is Covered with Politigram Memes.

Do Not Research • 19 implied HN points • 15 Oct 22
🎭️ Culture Art Internet culture Social media Ideas Subcultures
  1. Graffiti writers aim for maximum visibility through strategic location choice and sheer quantity, with a focus on covering freight cars due to their mobility across the continent.
  2. In the world of online memes, clout is more beneficial for front-end distributors than producers, highlighting the importance of influencing influencers and remaining small to avoid competition.
  3. Meme producers, like graffiti writers, engage in a lifestyle of creating semi-anonymous content that aims to convey, generate, or negate specific ideas intentionally, ultimately shaping the online marketplace of ideas.

The secret life of 🐕

Links I Would Gchat You If We Were Friends • 59 implied HN points • 12 Feb 21
🕹 Technology Social media Emoji Internet culture Digital Content
  1. Emojis have hidden textual meanings that prompt automatic suggestions on devices, leading to unexpected pairings like 'dog' suggesting the Chinese takeout container emoji.
  2. Extraneous keywords are associated with emojis, vary by platform, and can reflect the community's usage behaviors.
  3. Social media platforms can suggest emojis based on keywords, and the review process for these pairings may not always catch unintended or offensive connections.

DM me for orders

Links I Would Gchat You If We Were Friends • 59 implied HN points • 05 Feb 21
🎭️ Culture Social media Economy Trends Internet culture
  1. Many individuals, particularly women, have ventured into direct-to-consumer businesses on Instagram to navigate economic uncertainty during the pandemic.
  2. These Instagram shops offer a direct-to-consumer model, bypassing middlemen and conducting transactions through platforms like Cash App or Venmo.
  3. The rise of small online businesses during the pandemic reflects a mix of creative side hustles and potential income protection strategies in response to economic challenges.

Welcome to the season of socialized nostalgia

Links I Would Gchat You If We Were Friends • 59 implied HN points • 04 Dec 20
🎭️ Culture Nostalgia Tech Companies Social media Online Communities Internet culture
  1. 2020 has been different, leading tech companies to change approaches to the usual holiday season nostalgia content.
  2. Revisiting past memories through social media platforms during the pandemic-induced trauma can feel unsettling and jarring.
  3. YouTube's decision to skip its annual year-end rewind reflects a shift in how we remember and commemorate this unique year.

Checking in with the real housewives of QAmom

Links I Would Gchat You If We Were Friends • 39 implied HN points • 13 Nov 20
🎭️ Culture Social media Influencers Conspiracy Theories Internet culture Media Analysis
  1. Instagram influencers may unknowingly promote QAnon conspiracy theories by using hashtags and catchphrases associated with it.
  2. Some QAnon adherents are doubting their beliefs after the election while others are intensifying their commitment, as seen through platforms like Parler.
  3. The future behavior of Instagram influencers who mix lifestyle content with QAnon messaging will be intriguing to watch post-election.

Joshua Citarella: Memetic Tactics: The Slow Red Pill

Do Not Research • 19 implied HN points • 14 Jul 21
🕹 Technology Social media Content Strategy Digital Platforms Internet culture
  1. The 'slow red-pill' strategy involves gradually exposing an audience to extremist content by mixing in radical posts with popular conservative content on social media.
  2. Online radicalization tactics are not limited to the American far-right but have been used globally, like in Myanmar by the military to spread propaganda.
  3. Fighting online radicalization requires addressing the societal roots of the problem rather than just relying on content moderation by big tech companies.

Turns out the internet is real life after all

Links I Would Gchat You If We Were Friends • 0 implied HN points • 04 Mar 22
🕹 Technology Social media Internet culture Algorithm Digital Content E-commerce
  1. TikTok's recommendation algorithm and user engagement lead to content that is titillating and participatory, influencing the way users consume information.
  2. The increase in social media users has led to a higher volume of content being created and shared, impacting how information and narratives spread, especially in times of conflict.
  3. The perception of social media has shifted significantly over the years, with mainstream media now acknowledging the importance of the social media narrative in shaping public opinion and influencing beliefs.

Not-so-obvious

Links I Would Gchat You If We Were Friends • 0 implied HN points • 25 Feb 22
🎭️ Culture Internet culture Pop culture Social media Science Entertainment
  1. Hank the Tank, a 500-pound bear, is breaking into homes near Lake Tahoe for snacks, gaining fame and support from people.
  2. Potato controversies, like Mr. Potato Head losing the 'Mr.' title, show how common sense can clash with scientific explanations, sparking debates.
  3. Fun science facts, like monkeys in Japan preferring salty sweet potatoes or evidence that knives made from frozen feces don't work, highlight the importance of funding research for interesting discoveries.

Not the strain of virality you'd expect

Links I Would Gchat You If We Were Friends • 0 implied HN points • 24 Jun 22
🎭️ Culture Food & Drink Internet culture Social media Religion Fashion
  1. Recent food safety scandals highlight issues with consumer awareness of contaminated products and slow responses from companies and government agencies.
  2. Food recalls are often voluntary, leading to delays in informing consumers about potential health risks associated with contaminated products.
  3. The average response time for companies to initiate recalls after potential issues are detected by the FDA is slower than expected, showing room for improvement in food safety protocols.

What are you doing?

Links I Would Gchat You If We Were Friends • 0 implied HN points • 27 Aug 22
🎭️ Culture Social media Trends Internet culture Youth culture Online Communities
  1. The BeReal app prompts users to post unfiltered and uncurated photos, revealing the banality of everyday life, leading the author to prefer 'fake stuff'.
  2. Key weekend reads explore topics like TikTok audio memes, the dangerous side of QAnon, and the evolution of social justice into a quasi-religion.
  3. Various internet trends are discussed, from the aesthetics of 'weird girls' to extremist alternatives to YouTube, providing a glimpse into the diverse online landscape.

¿Por qué no?

Links I Would Gchat You If We Were Friends • 0 implied HN points • 05 Nov 22
🎭️ Culture Languages Social media Internet culture True Crime Influencers
  1. Many Duolingo users are spending hours cheating just to earn points and climb leaderboards, leading to concerns about misuse and lack of real learning.
  2. The gamification features in Duolingo incentivize users to cheat and farm XP, with some even spending money on premium subscriptions and in-app purchases.
  3. Duolingo seems to be taking action against cheating tactics, but these actions align with its goal of boosting revenue and engagement, raising questions about the effectiveness of the platform for language learning.

In praise of the internet's house parties

Links I Would Gchat You If We Were Friends • 0 implied HN points • 19 Nov 22
🎭️ Culture Social media Internet culture Online Communities Influencers
  1. Mastodon is a social media platform that offers a different experience from Twitter, focusing on small community interactions and lack of performance pressure.
  2. Twitter and Mastodon have distinct differences in their approach to user engagement, with Mastodon being more about community and less about chasing popularity.
  3. The internet landscape is evolving, with trends like declining social media usage and changes in online media consumption, signaling a shift towards new platforms and content styles.

What a time to be alive

Links I Would Gchat You If We Were Friends • 0 implied HN points • 10 Apr 23
🕹 Technology Social media Artificial Intelligence Tech industry Online behavior Internet culture
  1. Elon Musk made changes to Twitter including changing the logo to a doge, inspired by past interactions with a meme stonker.
  2. Boys online are influenced by influencers selling misogyny, while the creator economy faces an existential crisis.
  3. Companies like Lululemon attempted to shift to selling services over products, reflecting a broader trend in business.

An act of jokey desperation

Links I Would Gchat You If We Were Friends • 0 implied HN points • 27 May 23
🎭️ Culture Social media Innovation Internet culture Literature
  1. The post discusses digital nomads, Nextdoor politics, Instagram beauty standards, old dogs, soft-swingers, and more
  2. The newsletter highlights interesting articles including the impact of digital nomads on local communities, Nextdoor's role in local politics, and how digital culture is reshaping beauty standards
  3. The author reflects on their writing process, apologizes for an unexpected hiatus, and shares popular links from previous newsletters

The Titan memes are not that deep

Links I Would Gchat You If We Were Friends • 0 implied HN points • 25 Jun 23
🎭️ Culture Internet culture Media Analysis Humor Social Issues Pop culture
  1. Cruel disaster jokes may not be as deep as they seem, often reduced to symbols of resentment towards institutions.
  2. The rise of AI is creating many new low-paid jobs like annotating photos for AI learning systems.
  3. Online shopping trends reflect deeper societal shifts, like the changing dynamics of women's labor and the pursuit of household power.

The reviews are in!!!! NYT is raving about EXTREMELY ONLINE

Taylor Lorenz's Newsletter • 0 implied HN points • 02 Oct 23
🎭️ Culture Book review Internet culture
  1. The book 'Extremely Online' received a glowing review from The New York Times, calling it a terrific history of the online creator economy.
  2. The book has been named among the best books to read this fall by The New York Times and Town & Country magazine.
  3. Various publications have praised 'Extremely Online' for its insightful assessment of the ways social platforms have impacted our lives.

The last all-ages social media site

Links I Would Gchat You If We Were Friends • 0 implied HN points • 15 Apr 22
🎭️ Culture Social media Technology Generations Entertainment Internet culture
  1. YouTube is surprisingly popular among various age groups, not just the youth, with boomers being the fastest-growing demographic on the platform.
  2. Interesting articles recommended for reading cover topics like AI ethics, house-flipping algorithms, and the changing language influenced by the internet.
  3. Various trends and topics such as metaverse fashion, crypto for kids, and the increasing heteronormativity of the internet are discussed in the newsletter.