The hottest London Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
Category
Top Culture Topics

Give despair a chance

Wrong Side of History • 322 implied HN points • 08 Feb 24
🌍 World Politics Religion Violence Anti-Semitism London Security
  1. A Conservative Member of Parliament in London decided not to run for re-election due to threats from violent extremists.
  2. There have been several anti-Semitic incidents in London, including arson attacks, assaults, and threats to Jewish individuals.
  3. Despite these incidents, London is generally a safe city, but there are areas with security concerns.

Slouching towards dystopia in London

Wrong Side of History • 384 implied HN points • 16 Jan 24
🌍 World Politics Housing Crisis London Wealth Inequality
  1. The gap between rich and poor in London is widening, leading to a dystopian portrayal in media and reflecting real housing crisis issues.
  2. London faces a severe housing crisis with 1.2 million people waiting for social housing, causing downstream consequences like overcrowding and undesirable living conditions.
  3. Housing costs in London are impacted by supply and demand imbalances, making the problem both complex and simple to understand.

London is Open

Wrong Side of History • 356 implied HN points • 18 Jan 24
🌍 World Politics London Housing Crisis
  1. London is facing a housing crisis with high costs and limited supply in certain areas.
  2. A recent property development meant for the open market was taken over by Camden Council to house Afghan refugees.
  3. The decision to allocate housing to refugees sparked controversy over prioritization for housing resources.
Get a weekly roundup of the best Substack posts, by hacker news affinity:

Six of One - A Counter to Kateh

Vittles • 66 implied HN points • 15 Mar 24
🍲 Food & Drink Restaurants Cuisines London
  1. Six of One is a column featuring London restaurant recommendations from six different writers.
  2. Molana is a Persian restaurant in London known for its perfect rice, grilled meats, and traditional Persian dishes.
  3. Notting Hill's dining scene is becoming increasingly expensive and less accessible to the local community, with restaurants like Straker's setting high price standards.

Dickensian London

Cosmographia • 778 implied HN points • 29 Sep 23
📚 Literature Classics Historical Fiction Author analysis London
  1. Charles Dickens' portrayal of 19th century London captures the essence of the city through its streets, alleys, and society, reflecting the city's ongoing metamorphosis.
  2. 19th century London experienced significant growth due to the Industrial Revolution, resulting in a juxtaposition of opulence and poverty with challenges like pollution and overcrowding.
  3. Dickens' unique approach of portraying the reality of London's streets with characters from all walks of life sets him apart as a literary great and keen observer of the city's resilience and spirit.

The death of a pub: Rochester Castle, N16

The Leftovers • 119 implied HN points • 29 Jan 24
🎭️ Culture London Community Urban Development
  1. Pubs are important social spaces that foster community, diversity, and human connection. The disappearance of pubs in London reflects a broader issue of losing social spaces in cities.
  2. The Rochester Castle, despite being a Wetherspoon, has historical significance and unique charm that has made it a cherished gathering place for diverse locals.
  3. The potential sale of the Rochester Castle threatens to displace many regulars, including vulnerable groups like pensioners, highlighting the negative impact of commercial decisions on community interaction and well-being.

On Barbie and Oppenheimer, inevitability and guilty

The Newsletter of (Not Quite) Everything • 530 implied HN points • 26 Jul 23
🎭️ Culture Film Demographics History London Storytelling
  1. _Barbie_ and _Oppenheimer_ films are compared with a focus on the inevitability and guilt associated with historical events.
  2. Film _Oppenheimer_ explores themes of guilt and responsibility regarding the Manhattan Project and the use of atomic bombs.
  3. Population shifts in London over the decades have seen fluctuations, with various factors influencing the city's growth and decline.

On Julian Assange

John’s Substack • 8 implied HN points • 18 Feb 24
🌍 World Politics Julian Assange London Extradition Elon Musk Twitter
  1. Prominent individuals, including David Sacks and Elon Musk, are tweeting videos in support of Julian Assange's upcoming extradition hearing in London
  2. The 'Assange Defense' organization is live streaming these supportive videos on their YouTube channel, starting on 19th February 2024 at 8:30 am GMT
  3. John J. Mearsheimer has provided a video for the 'Assange Defense', joining others who have also contributed to this cause

Every writer should edit a magazine (at least for a year)

The Leftovers • 99 implied HN points • 15 May 23
📚 Literature Writing Magazines Editing London
  1. Editing a literary magazine can provide a valuable understanding of the literary world and help writers avoid self-absorbed behavior.
  2. The novel 'Scamp' by Roland Camberton offers a glimpse into bohemian late-1940s London and the struggles of launching a literary magazine.
  3. Starting and maintaining a literary magazine can be a rewarding experience, offering a platform for writers and fostering a sense of community.

The roundness of number twenty

The Leftovers • 99 implied HN points • 20 Jul 22
📚 Literature London
  1. The author reflects on the passage of time, emphasizing the significance of the present moment without delaying important actions for the future.
  2. There is a sense of urgency to express oneself and share thoughts now rather than waiting for a distant future.
  3. The piece conveys a message about seizing the current moment and not procrastinating on important tasks or expressions.

St John Marylebone

Greed • 0 implied HN points • 05 Dec 23
🍲 Food & Drink Restaurant Review London
  1. St John Marylebone is described alongside The Ivy Cafe in London.
  2. The original prestige of The Ivy has diminished due to expansion and dilution of quality.
  3. Access the full article with a 7-day free trial subscription to Greed.