The hottest Internet culture Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
Category
Top Culture Topics

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.
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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.

Digital footprints are meaningless now

Embedded • 1 HN point • 07 Aug 23
🕹 Technology Social media Online Privacy Digital Presence Internet culture
  1. Digital footprints are becoming less significant due to the overwhelming amount of information online.
  2. Younger generations are generating an excessive amount of digital content, creating a cloud of information that is hard to navigate.
  3. People are becoming more open and authentic online, sharing personal details that were previously considered private.

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.

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 Media Trends
  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.

¿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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Puzzling digital doppelgangers

Links I Would Gchat You If We Were Friends • 0 implied HN points • 14 Jan 22
🎭️ Culture Retail Influencers Social media Internet culture E-commerce
  1. Purchasing items online can lead to encountering identical products with different brand names and prices, ultimately coming from the same manufacturer.
  2. Many third-party sellers on platforms like Amazon utilize white label manufacturing, where generic products are branded and sold as different items at varying prices.
  3. During supply chain challenges like the pandemic, the popularity of white label goods, including furniture and home items, has increased significantly.

Digitally pickled

Links I Would Gchat You If We Were Friends • 0 implied HN points • 05 Nov 21
🎭️ Culture Entertainment Social media Internet culture Influencers Digital Trends
  1. Few things live up to the hype that precedes them, like the metaverse being just Mindcraft in different packaging.
  2. The newsletter recommends intriguing articles like the one about the cultural revisionism industry and Jake Paul's profile in The New Yorker.
  3. South Korea's evolution into a global cultural force, marked by state policies, YouTube metadata, and Gangnam Style, is explored in detail.

It's a no bones day for me

Links I Would Gchat You If We Were Friends • 0 implied HN points • 22 Oct 21
🎭️ Culture Social media Internet culture Entertainment
  1. The newsletter features a mix of intriguing topics like rebrands and social phenomena, such as teen tics possibly linked to social media exposure.
  2. An analysis of different rebrands (including Facebook and Q) and their repercussions provides a fascinating insight into the world of changing corporate identities.
  3. Exploration of closed online communities like Raya and efforts to combat conspiracy theories in Germany point towards evolving digital landscapes and societal challenges.

This feels like a Rorschach test

Links I Would Gchat You If We Were Friends • 0 implied HN points • 20 Aug 21
🎭️ Culture Social media Influencers Technology Internet culture Fashion
  1. The post touches on various trending topics like Yik Yak, OnlyFans, and the #Rushtok controversy.
  2. There's a selection of recommended articles, including one about digital beauty filters perpetuating colorism.
  3. The post provides insights on unexpected successes like the board game 'Wingspan' and the impact of Amazon on the name 'Alexa'.

Let’s not get meta about it

Links I Would Gchat You If We Were Friends • 0 implied HN points • 02 Jul 21
🎭️ Culture Influencers Internet culture Politics Social media Art
  1. The newsletter mentions interesting articles to read, like one about a scamming influencer and another about 'main character energy'.
  2. There is an article highlighted on parasocial friendships that readers might find intriguing.
  3. The newsletter also touches on evolving social media trends, like the shift in trolling practices and the rise of 'anti-MAGA trolls'.

Too pretty, too famous

Links I Would Gchat You If We Were Friends • 0 implied HN points • 04 Jun 21
🎭️ Culture Social media Internet culture Media Art Entertainment
  1. Thompson, a famous beekeeper, faced criticism on social media for the way she presents herself, sparking discussions on authenticity and stereotypes in beekeeping.
  2. People portraying their lives on social media often present a glamorized version of reality, leading to questions about authenticity and representation.
  3. Criticism based on appearances can be problematic and may reflect deeper societal issues, as seen in various online controversies related to famous individuals.

A long-time open secret

Links I Would Gchat You If We Were Friends • 0 implied HN points • 28 May 21
🎭️ Culture Social media Communities Influencers Internet culture
  1. The writer finds little joy in personal internet use, despite being an internet writer for a decade
  2. Finding comfort after a loss in an unexpected online dog community showcases the power of shared experiences online
  3. Shared interests can lead to strong online connections, even in unexpected places like workout groups or pet groups

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 calamari guy isn’t voting for Biden

Links I Would Gchat You If We Were Friends • 0 implied HN points • 22 Aug 20
🎭️ Culture Internet culture Literature Media Social Issues Pop culture
  1. The Democratic National Convention affected people emotionally, making them cry or sob due to its effective messaging and format.
  2. Interesting articles worth reading include an analysis of internet astrology, a profile of a prominent woman in modern romance novels, and an unflattering look at quack orthodontists.
  3. Family vlogging on the internet is scrutinized for toxicity and several thought-provoking stories on various topics are recommended for further reading.

The news ain't all bad

Links I Would Gchat You If We Were Friends • 0 implied HN points • 05 Aug 20
🎭️ Culture Social Issues Music Internet culture Entertainment Food & Drink
  1. TikTok has faced issues of Black appropriation, and creators utilize the platform for social causes like climate change and racism education.
  2. Cottagecore is a trending aesthetic embraced by Taylor Swift, covered by different sources in relation to music and fashion.
  3. Ed Yong's latest article delves into the failures of America during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Crisis averted

Links I Would Gchat You If We Were Friends • 0 implied HN points • 29 May 20
🎭️ Culture Internet culture History Media Social Issues Online Platforms
  1. Y2K and COVID-19 both show the importance of trusting experts and unseen work in crisis response.
  2. Historical events like Y2K can teach us valuable lessons about mitigating disasters and recognizing the reality of threats.
  3. Success in averting a catastrophe doesn't mean the threat wasn't real - it often reflects the effectiveness of prevention efforts.

Yes, fine, but it’s been done.

Links I Would Gchat You If We Were Friends • 0 implied HN points • 24 Apr 20
🎭️ Culture Marketing Social media Media Pop culture Internet culture
  1. Steak-umms brand is being revitalized by a 28-year-old marketer's engaging pandemic tweets
  2. Social media marketing often uses familiar tropes like 'millennial angst' and working-class appeal to create engagement
  3. The internet content landscape during the pandemic reflects a mix of joy, sadness, and randomness in digital relationships

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.

An act of jokey desperation

Links I Would Gchat You If We Were Friends • 0 implied HN points • 27 May 23
🎭️ Culture Digital Nomads 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