The hottest Media Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
Category
Top Culture Topics

An Important Webworm PSA

Webworm with David Farrier • 8726 implied HN points • 17 Oct 23
📰 News Media
  1. The author is sharing an important message in this post.
  2. The post reflects on feedback from a previous newsletter about various political topics.
  3. Readers are encouraged to subscribe for a 7-day free trial to access more content.

This is getting ridiculous!

Today's Edition Newsletter • 9001 implied HN points • 25 Sep 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Election Media Threats Presidency
  1. The Washington Post poll results were deemed implausible and called an outlier, highlighting issues with presidential polling.
  2. Reject the influence of sensationalized polls on politics and focus on the real issues at hand.
  3. Trump's veiled threat against General Mark Milley is concerning and potentially in violation of pretrial release conditions.

The Monday Media Diet with Nadine Choe

Why is this interesting? • 1387 implied HN points • 10 Feb 25
🎭️ Culture Media Fashion Hospitality Podcasts Literature
  1. Podcasts are great for learning and understanding different perspectives. They let you hear from interesting people in a simple and engaging way.
  2. Reading various newsletters can keep you updated on current trends, especially in hospitality and fashion. Finding unique voices in journalism makes the stories more enjoyable.
  3. Exploring your inner self, like through psychedelics, can help you understand your thoughts and reactions better. This understanding can improve your life and relationships.

Spend it all every time

Austin Kleon • 7593 implied HN points • 10 Nov 23
🎭️ Culture Art Writing Media Creativity Community
  1. It's important to share all your good ideas right now and not hold back for later. You might find that more inspiration comes your way when you give your best work now.
  2. Writing should be approached with the mindset that each piece is your last chance. Don’t be afraid to put everything you have into it because new ideas will always come.
  3. Everything in life can inspire your work, so be open to stealing ideas from your experiences. This can lead to richer creativity and storytelling.
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Ode to the slattern

Disaffected Newsletter • 1758 implied HN points • 14 May 24
🎭️ Culture Identity Gender Literature Media Psychology
  1. The slattern is a unique character type in stories, often portrayed as messy and chaotic but intriguing. Many people are drawn to these flawed characters because they are relatable and fun to explore.
  2. Growing up with a complex relationship with one’s mother can shape how individuals view and mimic female figures in media. This dynamic can lead to a stronger connection with the 'bad women' archetype in pop culture.
  3. Emulating these characters can feel empowering, even if there is awareness of their flaws. Playing around with the slattern persona can be a playful way to explore one's childhood experiences and relationships.

Mainstream media also has audience capture

Wyclif's Dust • 1073 implied HN points • 28 Oct 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Media Partisanship Trust Public Opinion Journalism
  1. Mainstream media has higher standards but still faces declining trust and increased criticism from the public. People seem to prefer media that closely matches their political beliefs.
  2. As media costs go down, more specialized outlets emerge, often catering to narrower political viewpoints. This fragmentation shifts mainstream media to become more partisan over time.
  3. The mainstream media wants to appeal to a broad audience but struggles because their original audience is drifting away to more extreme and specialized sources. This leads to an 'audience capture' effect.

Queensbury Rules: Episode 181

Disaffected Newsletter • 559 implied HN points • 22 Jul 24
🎙 Podcasts Media Culture Social Issues Entertainment Discussion
  1. The show discusses the topic of cancel culture and invites listener comments. It's important to share your thoughts on it.
  2. The host wants to know what people think about cancel culture, showing engagement with the audience’s opinions.
  3. The newsletter is reader-supported, encouraging subscriptions to help continue the discussion and content.

Violent Crime, Last Boys, Misinformation

Rob Henderson's Newsletter • 1439 implied HN points • 30 Jan 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Crime Misinformation Social Status Political polarization Media
  1. Many men are okay with marrying someone without a steady job, but most women prefer someone who is employed. Women seem to prioritize looks less than men do when it comes to choosing a partner.
  2. A lot of romantic relationships start as friendships, and these friendships often last for a few years before partners begin dating.
  3. Violent crime in the U.S. increased significantly between the late 1950s and late 1960s, doubling in just ten years.

Is Tom Brady Worth $375 Million To Fox?

Huddle Up • 29 implied HN points • 10 Feb 25
🎾 Sports Broadcasting Athletes Contracts Media NFL
  1. Tom Brady recently finished his first season as a broadcaster in the NFL. His debut was closely watched as he announced some big games.
  2. His broadcasting contract with Fox is worth $375 million, which raises the question if he will bring in that amount in value.
  3. The TV ratings and viewership numbers from his broadcasts will be important to determine his impact and worth to the network.

An archival detective story and other links; a great, stupid action espionage TV show; and more!

Read Max • 711 implied HN points • 25 Nov 24
🎭️ Culture Media Literature Film Music Television
  1. There are interesting links including a detective story and articles on sports gambling and hustle culture. They cover both fun and serious topics.
  2. A recommended spy show is described as 'great' and 'stupid', suggesting it's entertaining and light-hearted.
  3. An album of Armenian-influenced electronic music is highlighted, indicating a diverse taste in music.

Trudeau regime puts Canadian detective on trial for investigating link between infant deaths and mRNA vaccines

The Dossier • 8372 implied HN points • 11 Oct 23
🌍 World Politics Investigation Vaccines Media Legal Trial
  1. A Canadian detective is on trial for investigating a potential link between infant deaths and mRNA vaccines.
  2. The detective faced misconduct charges for inquiring about COVID-19 vaccination status of deceased infants' parents.
  3. The detective's trial was complicated by a leaked investigation, wiretap controversy, and allegations of a cover-up.

How Eric Newcomer scaled his startups newsletter into a $2 million business

Simon Owens's Media Newsletter • 499 implied HN points • 06 Dec 24
💼 Business Entrepreneurship Startups Tech Media Revenue Models
  1. Eric Newcomer started a newsletter focused on startups and venture capital, which has become very successful. He went from traditional journalism to creating his own business.
  2. His newsletter is projected to earn $2 million a year, mostly from events he hosts. This shows that live events can be great for generating income.
  3. Working closely with a wealthy audience helped him grow his business. Being focused on a specific, affluent group made his newsletter more appealing and profitable.

Crossing a line

Thinking about... • 1203 implied HN points • 12 Feb 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Authoritarianism Freedom Media Democracy War
  1. Living under Russian occupation is incredibly dangerous for Ukrainians. They risk torture or worse for simply expressing their opinions or having Ukrainian symbols.
  2. While war restricts freedom in Ukraine, people there still experience more personal freedom and expression than under Russian control. They can speak their minds without fear of their own government.
  3. There is a growing concern that America might head towards a regime similar to Russia's, where media is controlled, and people's freedoms are increasingly restricted. It's important to stay aware of this and recognize the lines we must not cross.

More of what I'm reading about the election, a masterpiece "erotic thriller," and four songs I'm digging

Read Max • 816 implied HN points • 17 Nov 24
🎭️ Culture Literature Music Film Art Media
  1. There's a collection of interesting reading material about the election that can help understand what's going on.
  2. A unique 'erotic thriller' book is recommended, noted for its dreamy qualities and great music rather than typical thriller elements.
  3. Four cool songs are also highlighted, showing a mix of various forms of entertainment to enjoy.

Weapons and Words

Desk Notes by Charles Schifano • 194 implied HN points • 10 Jan 25
🎭️ Culture Art Literature Media History Philosophy
  1. Two brothers used violence to silence freedom of expression, showing the extreme conflict between ideas and brutality. This tragic event highlights how important it is to protect free speech, even when it offends.
  2. The piece discusses how humor and irony can express deep truths, which can often be misunderstood. Satire allows us to examine serious subjects without resorting to violence.
  3. Philippe Lançon's experience after the attack shows the struggle to understand trauma through art and literature. It reminds us that even in the face of horror, we can find ways to make sense of our lives and the world around us.

On the canceled extended version of "X-Men" (2000)

Textual Variations • 331 implied HN points • 24 Dec 24
🎭️ Culture Film Media Entertainment History Literature
  1. There was a planned extended version of the first X-Men movie, called X-Men 1.5, which was meant to include new scenes about Cyclops and Storm's origins. However, it was canceled due to budget issues.
  2. Director Bryan Singer wanted to include these new scenes to add depth to the characters, but it didn't happen because the money was needed for the sequel, X2.
  3. Even though the scenes were never made, later X-Men movies revisited some of these ideas, showing that the concept was valued by filmmakers.

The Unraveling of a Royal Fairytale

Culture Study • 7348 implied HN points • 13 Mar 24
🎭️ Culture Royalty Celebrity Media Photography Entertainment
  1. The royal family's image control is rooted in their historical role as commodities, affecting how public perceive their every move.
  2. Princess Catherine's carefully crafted image contrasts with the destabilizing effect of Meghan Markle's outspokenness and mixed-race identity.
  3. The unraveling of the royal fairytale is symbolized by the mishandling of Princess Catherine's health crisis, exposing the monarchy's struggles to maintain control in a changing media landscape.

Arab tourist in Berlin provokes outrage by firing a rocket through a child's bedroom window on New Year's Eve, later complains to the press that he is a victim of German racism

eugyppius: a plague chronicle • 299 implied HN points • 05 Jan 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Racism Migration Public Safety Crime Media
  1. A tourist in Berlin caused a lot of trouble by shooting fireworks into a child's bedroom on New Year's Eve. This act resulted in a huge backlash from the community.
  2. The tourist, later identified as Atallah Younes, didn't seem to know the risks involved and was shocked by the angry reactions on social media.
  3. Younes was arrested at the airport on charges related to the incident, highlighting the serious consequences of his actions that night.

Are The Publicists On Strike Too

Hung Up • 7763 implied HN points • 15 Sep 23
🎭️ Culture Entertainment Celebrity Lifestyle Media Arts
  1. The entertainment industry has been affected by strikes of writers and actors, leading to a standstill in major studios and streamers.
  2. Ashton Kutcher and Mila Kunis faced backlash for supporting a friend accused of sexual assault, handling the situation poorly.
  3. Drew Barrymore is navigating the return of her talk show amidst industry strikes, choosing to go without a publicist and potentially risking controversy.

Elon Musk Is Dangerous To Society

Where's Your Ed At • 21068 implied HN points • 13 Sep 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Technology Finance Media Government Corruption
  1. Elon Musk has significant influence due to his wealth and power, and his actions can negatively impact global events.
  2. Musk's decisions, personal beliefs, and interactions with authoritarian regimes raise concerns about his potential misuse of power.
  3. Coverage of Musk should shift to recognize him as a harmful actor who prioritizes his desires over societal well-being.

You should pay attention to Kai Cenat

Taylor Lorenz's Newsletter • 2687 implied HN points • 22 Nov 24
🎭️ Culture Media Live Streaming Entertainment Content creation Pop culture
  1. Live streaming is gaining popularity and becoming a larger part of how we consume media. More people are looking for communal experiences online.
  2. Kai Cenat's recent subathon has broken records and shows the strong connection between streamers and their audiences. His success highlights a shift in how we engage with entertainment.
  3. Various platforms like YouTube Gaming, Kick, and TikTok Live are growing, leading to more options and diversity in live streaming. This change shows that viewers are exploring different types of content and creators.

Hollywood Morality

Fake Noûs • 920 implied HN points • 02 Nov 24
🎭️ Culture Film Morality Media Philosophy Entertainment
  1. Hollywood often struggles with moral philosophy and promotes a kind of morality that seems unrealistic. Instead of dealing with complex situations, they opt for simple solutions that make heroes look good.
  2. In Hollywood, self-defense is tricky; heroes must wait for an attack before fighting back, even when it's clear they're in danger. This approach can make characters seem foolish and overly lenient.
  3. The way Hollywood portrays morality ignores real-world consequences. Their stories often end with characters benefiting from luck rather than genuine moral choices, which can lead to dangerous ideas about how to handle conflict.

15 things I consumed this week

Maybe Baby • 620 implied HN points • 22 Nov 24
🎭️ Culture Art Music Literature Theater Media
  1. Watching art critiques can change how we think about creative work. It challenges our views and might make us rethink what art really is.
  2. Trying new things each week helps keep our minds fresh and engaged. It's a good way to discover more about what we like and care about.
  3. Going to see a show, like 'Wicked', can be a fun way to experience storytelling. Live performances bring a unique energy that can be really enjoyable.

How the Indigo Blob runs a bluff

Silver Bulletin • 397 implied HN points • 20 Dec 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Elections Media Government Public Policy Political Analysis
  1. Biden's age-related decline is often hidden by the White House. Many around Washington know about it, but it's not openly discussed.
  2. Media coverage has been inconsistent about Biden's age. While some outlets pointed it out, others downplayed or ignored the issue.
  3. Claims of a conspiracy regarding Biden's ability seem to have some truth. There was effort to manage how his decline was presented to the public.

What Does A Healthy Culture Look Like?

Castalia • 1498 implied HN points • 13 May 24
🎭️ Culture Art Literature Music Media Society
  1. A healthy culture should be open and decentralized. This means it shouldn't be controlled by a few powerful people, allowing many voices to be heard.
  2. Quality work is important, but everyone should have the chance to share their art. A good culture encourages creativity and supports new ideas.
  3. Art and money are different things. While artists need support to create, financial success doesn’t always mean the art is good. The focus should be on creativity rather than just profits.

"This Is a Hell of a Statement I'm About to Make—But He Superseded Miles"

The Honest Broker • 7846 implied HN points • 09 Feb 24
🎶 Music Streaming Jazz Culture Media Investment
  1. Spotify is facing challenges with fake artists, playlists, and financial losses, raising concerns about the music streaming service's business model.
  2. The shift from macroculture to microculture is evident in the media industry, with traditional legacy outlets experiencing layoffs while alternative platforms like Substack thrive.
  3. There is a trend towards investment firms buying song catalogs, the decline of live music reviews in mainstream media, and interest in the transformative power of sound highlighted through the work of Hans Jenny in 'Cymatics'.

Top Quickies of the year: Poly people, Kendrick/Drake, therapy, & more

The Rubesletter by Matt Ruby (of Vooza) | Sent every Tuesday • 213 implied HN points • 03 Jan 25
🎭️ Culture Arts Media Entertainment Lifestyle Relationships
  1. There's a new standup special coming soon on YouTube, and you can join a live Q&A during its premiere.
  2. The post highlights some interesting topics from the past year, including polyamory and popular music.
  3. You can stream the full standup special now for a small fee if you're eager to watch it right away.

🐬 Reality Is What You Make of It 🐬

Default Wisdom • 251 implied HN points • 31 Dec 24
🎭️ Culture Trends Society Identity Media Technology
  1. Cultural trends take time to develop and evolve. They don't just start and finish within a single year.
  2. There's a growing belief that our thoughts and imaginations can shape reality. Many people are exploring ideas like manifestation and online connections in more spiritual ways.
  3. Political landscapes are changing, with a mix of niche ideologies emerging. People are labeling themselves more based on aesthetics rather than clear political beliefs.

15 things I consumed this week

Maybe Baby • 680 implied HN points • 15 Nov 24
🎭️ Culture Media Lifestyle Food Health Family
  1. Taking care of a sick family can be really tough. It can feel like you're in a never-ending cycle of illness, especially with little kids.
  2. Staying home while everyone is sick makes you feel kind of trapped. It can be really challenging but finding little joys at home can help.
  3. Being open about struggles, like family sickness, helps build connection. It's important to share and talk about these experiences with others.

What happened in marketing: UK vs Privacy, TikTok returns, Youtube loves AI and Spotify...

The Social Juice • 19 implied HN points • 18 Feb 25
💼 Business Marketing Advertising Technology Media Trends
  1. TikTok is back in the US app stores, which is good news for many users and creators. It shows the platform's resilience despite facing challenges.
  2. YouTube is putting more focus on AI technology, which could change how content is created and shared on their platform. This means innovative tools for creators to work with.
  3. The UK is in a legal battle with Apple over user privacy, highlighting ongoing concerns about how tech companies handle data. It's important for users to stay aware of their privacy rights.