The hottest Media influence Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
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How The Intellectuals Lost (Many Times Over)

Castalia • 2 HN points • 22 Aug 24
🎭️ Culture Intellectual history Media influence Societal Trends
  1. Intellectuals used to have a lot of power in society, but their influence has diminished over time due to literacy changes and the rise of mass communication. Now, it seems like high culture is fading away.
  2. The shift towards democracy and mass entertainment has made it harder for intellectuals to maintain their status. Instead of valuing education and knowledge, people often focus on common interests and easy-to-digest entertainment.
  3. Intellectuals have sometimes allied themselves with outdated ideas, such as socialism, which has hurt their credibility. Now that cultural prestige is less important, those who love ideas can enjoy them without worrying about social status.

Nyhetsbrev steigan.no 15.11.2024

steigan.no • 8 implied HN points • 15 Nov 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Elections Foreign Policy Political Analysis Media influence Government Policy
  1. Ukrainian forces are facing significant challenges, with experts predicting that the front line may shift westward. This indicates a potential collapse in their defensive positions as they withdraw from better-prepared areas.
  2. There are ongoing discussions about potential political shifts in Ukraine, including the possibility of elections amid the war. This reflects internal strife and the need for new leadership as current military strategies come under scrutiny.
  3. Western nations, particularly in Europe, are experiencing political consequences for their support of Ukraine, with elections indicating a drop in support for politicians backing the war. This suggests that citizens are becoming wary of the ongoing conflict's impact on their own countries.

Curator

Castalia • 119 implied HN points • 30 Mar 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Race relations Political Ideologies Cultural critique Media influence Historical Analysis
  1. Wokeness is seen by some as a call for a fresh start, especially within the Black community, moving away from past injustices towards a new political entity.
  2. Ernst Junger's writings highlight a fascination with death and a disdain for boring, comfortable living, linking militarism to a critique of modern society.
  3. A.O. Scott's retirement from film criticism signals changes in how movies are perceived, and the role of reviews in shaping art is being questioned as they affect creators deeply.

Liz Truss is right – Britain has become more left-wing

Comment is Freed • 110 implied HN points • 21 Sep 23
🌍 World Politics Public Opinion Government Role Welfare Media influence
  1. The British public has shifted towards more left-wing views over the years based on surveys and data
  2. There has been a significant increase in support for government responsibility in areas like reducing income differences and providing a decent standard of living for the unemployed
  3. There is a noticeable change in attitude towards welfare recipients, with more people believing that many who receive benefits deserve help

Interconnection

Natural Selections • 20 implied HN points • 19 Nov 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Elections Public Opinion Political Behavior Media influence Social movements
  1. The writer reflects on how political differences can strain friendships. They recognize that sharing opinions can sometimes lead to misunderstandings or even the end of a relationship.
  2. They observe that fear and anxiety can be perpetuated through stories—like how people were scared during Covid and are now fearful of political changes. This behavior seems to repeat regardless of the specific fear.
  3. The writer emphasizes the importance of having honest conversations with friends, even when opinions differ. They hope for mutual understanding instead of being divided by politics.
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Let's Talk About Union Busting Through Media Narratives

The 21st Century Proletarian • 59 implied HN points • 26 Mar 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Labor Rights Media influence Unionization
  1. Media often portrays workers fighting for their rights as villains, amplifying employer interests to create negative narratives against unions.
  2. Employers use divisive tactics to pit union members against non-union workers, fostering a false belief that their interests conflict.
  3. Growing union membership among workers is crucial to shifting the narrative, building solidarity, and empowering workers to advocate for fair treatment.

Nyhetsbrev steigan.no 26.10.2024

steigan.no • 8 implied HN points • 26 Oct 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Government actions Media influence Public Health Political Commentary Social Issues
  1. Volodymyr Zelensky rejected a visit from the UN Secretary-General after his trip to Russia. This shows the tension between Ukraine and Russia is still very high.
  2. Hans Rotmo was an influential figure in Norwegian pop music, known for breaking norms and using political themes in his songs. His impact on music is still celebrated even after his passing.
  3. A new TV series about Franz Kafka explores his life and relationships. It highlights how his personal experiences shaped his famous literature.

My Vapid Generation

Castalia • 139 implied HN points • 15 Nov 22
🎭️ Culture Technology impact Social Commentary Media influence Cultural critique
  1. The internet changed how we communicate and share information, making it hard to escape its influence. People became obsessed with social media and online status, which reshaped our values and interactions.
  2. My generation was the first to really fall for these new technologies, often being too trusting and optimistic about their impact. As a result, we ended up being perfect subjects for this digital experiment.
  3. Looking back, we realize our lack of interest in history and important issues made us complacent. This led to an era where our choices and behaviors contributed to our own troubles in the digital world.

Parasocial Activity

Malt Liquidity • 6 implied HN points • 03 Nov 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Elections Prediction Markets Public Opinion Media influence Political Discourse
  1. Prediction markets are like betting games where people guess outcomes. The prices in these markets reflect people's opinions, not the actual chances of things happening.
  2. It's hard to trust polls and models because they often just show guesses instead of real data. They can't accurately predict the winner of an election since every event is unique.
  3. Discussions about prediction markets can become confusing and frustrating. They often don't help us understand real odds and can turn political debates into meaningless chatter.

On Saying No To Narcissism

Castalia • 119 implied HN points • 07 Nov 22
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Political Analysis Social Commentary Narcissism Media influence Public Behavior
  1. Narcissism can be a strong advantage in society. People who are narcissistic often grab attention and twist situations to meet their own selfish goals.
  2. To deal with narcissists, it’s important to set boundaries and not get manipulated. Just like handling difficult children, it's about staying firm and not engaging in their games.
  3. Our culture often fails to learn from the dangers of narcissism. We need to develop qualities like self-restraint and the ability to look away from those who dominate public attention.

Nyhetsbrev steigan.no 31.10.2024

steigan.no • 6 implied HN points • 31 Oct 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Foreign Policy Military Affairs Economic Policy Social Issues Media influence
  1. The German car industry is facing a major crisis, which could put around two million jobs at risk. This decline in the industry can have serious economic consequences throughout Germany.
  2. In the story of 'Illusion Weavers,' people realize that the power of the illusionists lies in their ability to create fear and control. By shining light on the truth, the citizens can reclaim their freedom from these shadowy figures.
  3. Media narratives are shifting as the situation in Ukraine changes. There's a growing recognition that Ukrainian forces are struggling and that public support for the ongoing conflict might wane.

A Right Royal Mystery

Common Sense with Bari Weiss • 37 implied HN points • 13 Mar 24
📰 News Royal Family Speculation Media influence Mystery
  1. Princess Kate has been out of the public eye for almost two months, sparking speculation and concern
  2. An image of Kate with her children posted on social media was criticized for being doctored, leading to even more scrutiny
  3. The situation has prompted online sleuths and news outlets to delve into the mystery surrounding Kate's absence and the authenticity of the shared image

Reason for Optimism

Natural Selections • 15 implied HN points • 12 Nov 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Elections Political parties Public Opinion Political Ideology Media influence
  1. People have different beliefs based on the information they receive. It's important to remember that just because someone thinks differently, it doesn't mean they're foolish.
  2. Science is a process of exploring truths and correcting mistakes, and we should not blindly trust anyone claiming to be the ultimate authority on it.
  3. Despite the chaos in politics and society, there's a reason to be hopeful. Many individuals from different backgrounds are coming together to work for a better future.

Commentator

Castalia • 119 implied HN points • 09 Oct 22
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics War Analysis Media influence Public Health Social media
  1. Russian soldiers in Ukraine are not getting proper support from their leaders, leading to their demoralization. Many have expressed disbelief over what they were told about the war versus the harsh reality they are living.
  2. There is a growing debate about the effectiveness and purpose of higher education, especially with tough courses like organic chemistry. This leads to questions about whether universities should adapt to better serve pre-med students or stick to traditional liberal arts education.
  3. Recent studies confirm that COVID vaccines can affect menstrual cycles, which raises discussions about how health authorities communicated this information. It's important to acknowledge and investigate all potential effects of medical treatments without dismissing concerns.

Commentator

Castalia • 79 implied HN points • 21 Sep 22
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Political Commentary Media influence International relations Far Right Politics Corruption Espionage
  1. The media should report on all stories, even those that might be uncomfortable for certain political groups. There has been a shift in how journalists view their role, leaning towards being more partisan.
  2. Ukraine's counter-offensive revealed serious weaknesses in the Russian military, with Ukrainian soldiers seeming surprised by their opponents' ineffectiveness. This highlights the chaotic nature of Russia's military strategy.
  3. Far-right political parties are gaining traction in Europe, such as the Sweden Democrats, which marks a shift away from liberal values. This highlights rising fears about immigration and societal changes in many countries.

What was the Tech-cession?

Apricitas Economics • 48 implied HN points • 06 Aug 23
💼 Business Tech industry Economic Analysis Employment Trends Media influence
  1. Tech layoffs have significantly reduced and share prices of major tech companies have rebounded, indicating a positive shift in the industry
  2. Although tech-sector job growth has slowed, overall employment in the industry remains high compared to pre-pandemic levels
  3. The tech-cession led to a significant decline in compensation which impacted the broader economy, especially in high-tech areas like California

Why TV Commercials are Now All Pharma Ads

The Carousel • 25 implied HN points • 17 Jan 24
🎭️ Culture Media influence Capitalism Propaganda
  1. TV commercials are now dominated by pharma ads due to a loophole in FDA regulations that allowed direct-to-consumer advertising.
  2. The surge in pharma ads on TV is driven by the need to maintain high revenue levels, even after the initial spike during the pandemic.
  3. Pharma ads target older demographics through traditional TV advertising, as other industries shift more towards digital and social media.

Bruh, why you unfriend me?

Anxiety Addiction & Ascension • 39 implied HN points • 02 Aug 22
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Ideology Social Issues Government Political movement Media influence
  1. The author discusses losing friends due to political differences and a specific unfriending incident with a left-wing friend named Tom.
  2. The author highlights how his friend Tom, a socialist, continued to tolerate varied viewpoints until a disagreement over government authoritarianism and vaccine criticism caused the unfriending.
  3. The unfriending incident prompts the author to reflect on leftism, authoritarian tendencies, changing views on globalism, and how disagreements shouldn't lead to cancel culture.

☑️ Monday briefing: The role of professional communicators during the period of National Mourning

Wadds Inc. newsletter • 59 implied HN points • 12 Sep 22
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Communications Media influence Public Sentiment Crisis Management
  1. During National Mourning, news cycles will focus on the event, making it hard to pitch other stories. People should be mindful of how their topics fit into the current news agenda.
  2. On social media, businesses should be sensitive and avoid using the situation for marketing. It’s important to monitor conversations and be respectful during this time.
  3. All types of media communication should reflect the significance of National Mourning, using appropriate symbols like black borders. Advertising may continue, but brands should think carefully about their messaging.

On the Current Covid "Surge": Misinformation from the Media and the Experts

Silent Lunch, The David Zweig Newsletter • 32 implied HN points • 24 Aug 23
🏥 Health & Wellness Misinformation Public Health COVID-19 Media influence
  1. A rise in Covid cases shows the problem of hypocrisy around public health misinformation.
  2. Media and health professionals use hyperbolic language that can be close to misinformation.
  3. Claims linking Covid spikes to people letting their guard down lack evidence and can be harmful.

LARP, InfoLARP, and UniLARPy

Rounding the Earth Newsletter • 5 implied HN points • 22 Nov 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Political theory Media influence Social Behavior Cultural critique
  1. LARP stands for Live Action Role Playing, where people act out stories or events like in reenactments. It's a fun way for people to bring fiction to life.
  2. InfoLARP is when media pretends to be serious news but is actually misleading. It's designed to confuse people and often makes money by targeting particular audiences.
  3. UniLARPy refers to a bigger scheme where certain groups create narratives through media and politics. This can shape public opinion and personal beliefs in a way that's like living in a controlled reality.

no. 44: internet portals

let them eat cake • 79 implied HN points • 12 Sep 21
🎭️ Culture Food & Drink Internet Content creation Media influence
  1. Restaurants on the internet gain exposure to a wider audience than just their physical visitors, influencing people's choices and behaviors.
  2. The content surrounding restaurants online is often created by sources outside of the restaurants themselves, such as food media and influencers.
  3. The online presence and conversations about restaurants contribute to their significance as creative influencers, tying physical businesses to the digital content economy.

What’s Behind the A.I. Hype Really?

The Digital Anthropologist • 19 implied HN points • 20 Apr 23
🕹 Technology Artificial Intelligence Tech Giants Startups Market Impact Media influence
  1. Artificial Intelligence is not a singular entity but a suite of tools used in various combinations. It's more of a marketing term rather than a single software thing.
  2. There are financial motivations driving the hype around AI, including the need for publicly traded companies to deliver shareholder value and tech giants positioning themselves in the market.
  3. Amidst the AI hype, there are scammers and misleading claims promising unrealistic outcomes using AI, resembling MLM schemes. It's important to be cautious and not fall for false promises.

The marketplace of rationalisations

Optimally Irrational • 18 implied HN points • 07 Dec 23
🚌 Education Media influence Information Consumption Political Bias Consumer behavior
  1. Consumers shape the features of the modern public sphere by driving the demand for biased information.
  2. Providers of rationalisations compete on quality in a marketplace where reputation plays a crucial role.
  3. Market dynamics in the information sphere highlight agglomeration economies, the influence of demand on supply, and the risk of audience capture.

Russian propaganda outlets promote presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr.

Weaponized • 28 implied HN points • 09 Jun 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Propaganda Presidential Candidate Conspiracy Theories Foreign interference Media influence
  1. Russian propaganda outlets heavily promote US presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr., raising concerns about potential election interference.
  2. Russian state media articles focus on themes like censorship, anti-vaccine sentiment, and criticism of the US, aligning with Kennedy's views.
  3. Kennedy's ties to Russian state media, promotion of conspiracy theories, and alignment with Kremlin propaganda pose potential national security threats if he participates in the US electoral process.

The Problem With Free Speech Arguments

Cosy Moments • 13 implied HN points • 21 Feb 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Free speech Political Debates Media influence
  1. Debates about free speech need to evolve beyond slogans and articulate why free speech is important.
  2. John Milton and John Stuart Mill defended free speech, but their beliefs may not align perfectly with the reality of modern public discourse.
  3. The 'marketplace of ideas' concept may not always lead to truth or weed out false ideas given the complexities of human nature and manipulation in public debates.

The bird is freed 𓅪 𓅮 𓅨 𓅆 𓆀

Sector 6 | The Newsletter of AIM • 19 implied HN points • 30 Oct 22
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Social Issues Media influence Public Discourse Political Change Free speech
  1. Elon Musk's acquisition of Twitter has stirred up conversations about free speech and its limits. Many people are questioning whether this change will lead to more hate speech online.
  2. Musk's statement 'The bird is freed' seemed to resonate with certain groups, including conservatives and extremists. They feel empowered by the changes in content moderation on the platform.
  3. The rise of controversial content and hate speech raises concerns about the overall impact on social media. It's important to consider how this will affect user experience and online discourse.

Your Support Saved Lives in 2024

Outspoken with Dr Naomi Wolf • 1 implied HN point • 31 Dec 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Election Integrity Activism Legislation Public Health Media influence
  1. Support from readers helped fund important activism work, impacting democracy and freedom. It's crucial for readers to engage in actions that support these causes.
  2. The publication revealed significant victories in election integrity, including new voting laws in various states. This work is essential to ensure fair elections and protect democracy.
  3. DailyClout has created valuable resources and networks that empower citizens to stay informed and involved. Tools like LegiSector help people track important legislation easily.

Was it better when we were manufacturing consent?

Mon0’s Substack • 3 HN points • 30 Nov 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Media influence Public Opinion Political Analysis
  1. Mainstream media often follows a 'propaganda model' where powerful owners and advertisers influence what news is shared. This means the media doesn't always provide the full picture of events.
  2. Alternative media has emerged, often sharing different perspectives and less constrained by traditional filters. While this allows for more diverse opinions, it can focus more on entertainment and engagement rather than accuracy.
  3. The lack of filters in alternative media can be risky, as not all voices are necessarily credible. We might need to be more careful about who we listen to and how we evaluate the information we get.

Availability Cascades and Availability Entrepreneurs

Marc Andreessen Substack • 13 HN points • 28 Feb 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Social Dynamics Media influence Political Impact Online Influence
  1. Availability cascades involve the idea of rumors spreading quickly through a population.
  2. Through availability cascades, people copy each other and feel the need to stay informed on trending topics.
  3. There are availability entrepreneurs who try to trigger cascades by highlighting specific topics and spreading them widely.

The Case for Muddling Through

The Permanent Problem • 7 implied HN points • 11 Apr 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Crisis Democracy Policy Political Extremism Media influence
  1. The author argues that there is a sense of transition and uncertainty facing modern societies, but history shows that resilience and renewal are possible.
  2. Technological advancements, especially in AI, present opportunities for progress but also raise concerns about automation and job displacement.
  3. There is a discussion about the crisis of inclusion, with evidence showing some progress in reducing income inequality in the U.S. through policy measures and economic trends.

Announcing some upcoming changes to Links (... as well as, y'know, some actual links)

Links I Would Gchat You If We Were Friends • 0 implied HN points • 06 May 16
🕹 Technology Social media Internet culture Technology impact Data Privacy Media influence
  1. The 'Links' newsletter is transitioning to a weekly schedule on Thursdays, focusing on the best links of the week.
  2. The changes to the newsletter are driven by a mix of reader feedback and the author's evolving life and job demands.
  3. Readers can provide input on the changes or the newsletter's future, and there's an alternative newsletter suggestion for those who prefer daily emails.

Tiktok bans

White Hot Harlots • 0 implied HN points • 15 Apr 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Privacy Media influence Bipartisan
  1. Congress prioritizes donor interests over citizen privacy concerns.
  2. The focus on TikTok as a threat due to foreign ownership lacks consistency when considering other media platforms.
  3. American media and politics have historically been heavily influenced by foreign nationals with bipartisan acceptance.

I Support the Current Thing

Anxiety Addiction & Ascension • 0 implied HN points • 17 May 22
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Political Analysis Social Issues Media influence Political Ideologies Cultural Shifts
  1. The traditional political divide between left and right has shifted due to the emergence of corporate manipulation and media narratives, leading to a new artificial divide based on identity politics rather than class distinctions.
  2. The rise of terms like systemic racism and white privilege in media discourse from 2012 onwards coincided with a coordinated effort to distract public condemnation away from corporate power and societal inequalities, ultimately dividing the populace.
  3. The establishment, faced with challenges to its power, rebranded itself as 'leftist' by co-opting liberal narratives, steering the mainstream narrative towards woke progressivism, thus manipulating the perception of what 'left' and 'right' represent.