The hottest Media Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
Category
Top Culture Topics

Ayaan Hirsi Ali: Glastonbury—and the Purge of the Jews

Common Sense with Bari Weiss • 6580 implied HN points • 29 Jun 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Media
  1. The Glastonbury festival saw performances intertwined with strong anti-Israel sentiments, showcasing a loud protest atmosphere. Many attendees were actively chanting against the Israeli military.
  2. Some performers used their platforms to express controversial views, including calls for harm against Israeli defense forces. This sparked discussions and backlash across various media.
  3. The coverage of these events highlights a growing trend of linking criticism of Israel with broader social movements, raising concerns about how this affects perceptions of Jewish communities.

A Canadian Tradition

Animation Obsessive • 1255 implied HN points • 28 Nov 25
🎭️ Culture Media
  1. The National Film Board of Canada has created many beloved animated films since the 1940s. They have a great collection of these films available online, with many free to watch.
  2. One standout film is 'At Home with Mrs. Hen,' made by animator Tali Prevost, which offers a joyful experience based on her life as a mother.
  3. The Film Board's website is a treasure trove for animation lovers, featuring Oscar winners and unique cartoons, making it easy to spend hours exploring.

Could Substack Challenge YouTube?

The Honest Broker • 5685 implied HN points • 16 Jul 25
🕹 Technology Media
  1. Big companies are competing hard for people's attention with video content. They're always trying to make better platforms for viewing videos.
  2. There's a debate about who will dominate the video market, with major names like YouTube, Netflix, and TikTok in the mix.
  3. Surprisingly, a new player could emerge and shake things up, even if it seems unlikely right now.

The 6 New Rules of Communicating

The Honest Broker • 19582 implied HN points • 15 Nov 24
🎭️ Culture Media
  1. People trust leaders more when they sit down and have casual conversations instead of standing up and giving speeches. It makes things feel more relaxed and real.
  2. Speaking with people instead of at them is important. Using everyday language and being informal makes communication more friendly and relatable.
  3. Storytelling and humor are better than just giving quick soundbites. People enjoy hearing real stories that connect with them on a personal level.

New column by me in the Wall Street Journal: The Epstein ‘Transparency’ Travesty

Michael Tracey • 76 implied HN points • 04 Mar 26
📰 News Media
  1. A major newspaper column offers a distinct, possibly first-of-its-kind perspective on the Epstein Files within mainstream American media.
  2. A profile in an entertainment outlet quoted something the interviewee says they didn’t say, and the interviewee emphasizes avoiding the loaded phrase “conspiracy theory” in favor of a more measured stance.
  3. The column is being shared via a free online link and will appear in the newspaper’s print edition, and the related profile was unexpected but came across as generally positive.
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War, fake videos, and engagement farming

Conspirador Norteño • 48 implied HN points • 08 Mar 26
🕹 Technology Media
  1. Spammy pages are using AI to generate fake videos of the Middle East conflict and posting them across platforms like Facebook, X, Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube.
  2. Many clips show clear signs they’re fake — unrealistic explosions, no real damage, people speaking fluent American English in non‑English locations, and made‑up weapons or effects.
  3. Recommendation algorithms are amplifying these videos, and as long as clicks and views pay off, content farms will keep repurposing and renaming accounts to farm engagement.

Who is Elara Voss?

Read Max • 4847 implied HN points • 07 Aug 25
🎭️ Culture Media
  1. Elara Voss is a fictional name used frequently in AI-generated writing, emerging as a popular character name for science fiction and fantasy tales.
  2. The name doesn't reference a real person, and its popularity reflects trends in AI and language models that generate similar names.
  3. The term 'stomp clap hey' describes a type of folk music that rose to fame, with debates about its origins linking it to various bands and cultural movements.

On "Internews"

TK News by Matt Taibbi • 13541 implied HN points • 08 Feb 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Media
  1. USAID has secretly funded a group called Internews Network with nearly half a billion dollars. This money has helped create a lot of media outreach and training for journalists.
  2. Internews Network has worked with thousands of media outlets and has produced many broadcasts that have reached millions of people.
  3. There are concerns about Internews supporting social media censorship, which raises questions about freedom of speech and information.

The Trump campaign has no grassroots Gen Z meme energy

Jeff Giesea • 818 implied HN points • 08 Aug 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Media
  1. The Trump campaign lacks the young, grassroots support it had in 2016. It feels slow and less exciting compared to before.
  2. Kamala Harris is gaining momentum with strong support from young people and the media. Her recent rallies have drawn large crowds, showing enthusiasm for her campaign.
  3. Harris is innovating and adapting faster than Trump, which helps her in fundraising and polling. This gives her an advantage as the election approaches.

The Key Art Edition

Why is this interesting? • 1266 implied HN points • 25 Nov 25
🎭️ Culture Media
  1. Key art on streaming services is important because it quickly tells viewers about the show. Good key art attracts attention and invites viewers to explore.
  2. Streaming platforms like Netflix use different key art for each user based on their preferences. This can cause confusion and disagreement about what to watch since each person sees a different version.
  3. There's a worry that Netflix's approach to choosing key art through algorithms leads to less creative and interesting images. Instead of unique artwork, we might just end up with bland thumbnails.

Bari Weiss: American Regeneration

Common Sense with Bari Weiss • 6070 implied HN points • 02 Jul 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Media
  1. The importance of unity is highlighted through Benjamin Franklin's cartoon from 1754, which called for American colonies to come together against common threats. Fighting together was seen as crucial for survival back then.
  2. The cartoon represents America's early form of media and communication, showing how ideas could spread before modern technology existed. It was like the first American meme when it was published.
  3. As we celebrate Independence Day, it's a reminder not just of historical events, but of the ongoing choice to uphold the values of freedom and togetherness that those events represent.

Sometimes it sounds like this

Austin Kleon • 5275 implied HN points • 09 Feb 24
🎭️ Culture Media
  1. Françoise Gilot's memoir about her life with Picasso is a great read. It shares interesting stories and gives insights into her artistic journey.
  2. Writing books can be really helpful for all kinds of writers. Many people shared their favorites, showing there's a wide range of useful resources out there.
  3. Listening to curated music mixes can spark creativity. Exploring different artists and themed playlists can be a delightful way to enjoy music and find inspiration.

The Culture Scene Is Total Madness

The Honest Broker • 13298 implied HN points • 03 Feb 25
🎭️ Culture Media
  1. The culture scene is changing in odd ways, like Madonna trying stand-up comedy and a Van Gogh being sold for just $50 at a garage sale. It's making people question what is really important in art and entertainment.
  2. Vinyl record sales are confusing right now. Different reports say sales are either dropping significantly or growing, leaving many unsure about the future of the music industry.
  3. Some writers on Substack are starting to sell ads, which is surprising. This could change how independent authors make money and could lead to more big brands wanting to advertise in newsletters.

My Post on *Furious Minds*

In My Tribe • 501 implied HN points • 06 Jan 26
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Media
  1. The new right breaks into three distinct strands: postliberals who reject neoliberal economics, Claremonters who use catastrophist urgency to justify political action, and national conservatives who focus on opposing international progressive elites and winning elections.
  2. Right‑leaning intellectuals are concentrated in a few institutions, so the movement often appears as a small, tightly networked circle rather than a broad, dispersed intellectual community.
  3. A heavy, academic left‑leaning critique and dense political philosophy can turn readers off; many prefer market‑oriented libertarian or mainstream conservative voices to academic polemics.

In Defense of Terry Moran

TK News by Matt Taibbi • 6746 implied HN points • 12 Jun 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Media
  1. Media companies need to decide if reporters should have personal opinions or just report the news. It's confusing for journalists when they are expected to be both.
  2. Terry Moran was fired for expressing his view about a political figure on Twitter, which raises questions about how personal social media use affects reporters' jobs.
  3. This situation shows the conflict in today's media. Reporters are told to be public personalities but also face backlash for sharing their thoughts.

let's talk about renee good

bad cattitude • 466 implied HN points • 11 Jan 26
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Media
  1. Renee Good is portrayed not as an innocent bystander but as an organized anti‑ICE activist who deliberately shadowed, harassed, and blocked ICE officers.
  2. Available video and officer footage are used to claim her truck backed toward and struck an agent and that the agent fired through the windshield, making the officer's split‑second perception of a lethal vehicle threat central to the shooting.
  3. The writeup argues these activist groups stage aggressive, media‑focused confrontations to shape optics, and that national media often strips context, which deepens political polarization and creates dangerous situations.

Fearing the Reapers

Sarah Kendzior’s Newsletter • 5411 implied HN points • 31 Jan 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Media
  1. The past influences the present and future, revealing deep-seated issues in history.
  2. Media plays a crucial role in shaping public perception and preserving historical truths.
  3. Political dynamics, such as the interplay between leaders and the public, have significant impacts on society and history.

Why Are So Many British Women Getting Abortions? Plus. . .

Common Sense with Bari Weiss • 310 implied HN points • 30 Jan 26
📰 News Media
  1. Abortions in England and Wales are at their highest level since legalization, with roughly one in three pregnancies ending in termination. Easier access to medication, growing normalization of abortion, and a generation of women who feel unready or too imperfect to parent are major factors in the rise.
  2. Social media can serve as a broad public fact-checker, pushing back on and correcting official narratives in high-profile cases like the Alex Pretti killing. Crowdsourced scrutiny sometimes exposes government inaccuracies faster than traditional channels.
  3. Blaming data centers for energy crises misses the root cause: weak, outdated power grids that can’t support modern industrial growth. Improving grid capacity and planning is the real solution, not demonizing data infrastructure.

follow the money, not the media

bad cattitude • 277 implied HN points • 26 Jan 26
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Media
  1. Mass media today acts like a coordinated propaganda machine that sets the debate and emotional frames. Simply distrusting it isn't enough; you have to refuse to play by its terms.
  2. The unrest in Minneapolis appears staged and organized by paid activists, local politicians, and provocateurs who use dramatic images and tactics to provoke confrontations and shape public perception. This makes protests look like humanitarian crises even when they involve law‑enforcement actions.
  3. The core issue is political and financial corruption: large flows of money and entrenched machines are protecting a grift. Follow the money to see who benefits and why the chaos is being manufactured.

War of Attrition & War Propaganda

Glenn’s Substack • 619 implied HN points • 26 Jul 24
🌍 World Politics Media
  1. In a war of attrition, defeating the enemy is more important than capturing land, but this can lead to heavy casualties and slow progress.
  2. The media often downplays the reality of casualties to maintain public support for the conflict, creating a false image of victory.
  3. Calls for peace and negotiations are often dismissed or punished, even though they could help save lives and end the fighting.

In Election Aftermath, Hollywood Smashes Records for Lack of Self-Awareness

TK News by Matt Taibbi • 18171 implied HN points • 07 Nov 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Media
  1. Jimmy Kimmel and other Hollywood figures showed a lack of self-awareness after the recent election. They seemed surprised by the outcomes and how others viewed their influence.
  2. Kimmel's emotional response highlighted the disconnect between Hollywood elites and everyday voters. Many people feel misunderstood by the media and entertainment industry.
  3. There's a growing debate about the future of late-night talk shows. Kimmel's remarks suggest that their relevance might be fading as viewers have different expectations today.

Stochastic Terror

Disaffected Newsletter • 779 implied HN points • 15 Jul 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Media
  1. The media can influence public perception and actions, which has been evident in political events, including attempts on leaders' lives. It's important to be aware of how narratives are shaped.
  2. Society often overlooks the reality of women's violence, which can lead to misunderstandings about abusive behaviors, even when they are clearly happening.
  3. There are diverse topics discussed in the media that range from serious issues to light-hearted humor, showcasing varied perspectives and cultural commentary.

Why sports leagues are going all in on the Creator Economy

Simon Owens's Media Newsletter • 124 implied HN points • 12 Feb 26
💼 Business Media
  1. Sports leagues are using social creators as low‑risk content partners, giving VIP access so creators produce lots of promotional material without threatening broadcast rights or big ad spends.
  2. The creator economy is maturing into real business power: creators are launching companies, attracting investment, and being funneled into TV, retail, and sponsorship deals that turn audiences into revenue streams.
  3. Journalism faces a new credibility risk from AI‑generated fake experts and quotes, so newsrooms must adopt fast vetting practices and trusted expert networks to protect accuracy and trust.

The MAGA Crack-up. Plus. . .

Common Sense with Bari Weiss • 482 implied HN points • 15 Jan 26
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Media
  1. The MAGA coalition is fracturing as internal fights among high-profile figures are reshaping the movement. That split makes Trump look powerful abroad but more contested and weaker at home.
  2. Britain’s fertility rate has dropped to a record low and births may soon be outnumbered by deaths, risking population shrinkage without immigration. This decline points to deep social and economic shifts influencing family decisions.
  3. A meme cryptocurrency tied to Eric Adams raised millions and then saw a $2.5 million withdrawal, suggesting a likely rug pull and highlighting how easily crypto can become political spectacle or scam. The episode underscores the real risks in novelty political fundraising via tokenized assets.

Big Technology Turns Five: Here’s What I’ve Learned

Big Technology • 5504 implied HN points • 27 Jun 25
🕹 Technology Media
  1. Big Technology is thriving after five years of operation. It's clear that there's still a strong interest in tech journalism.
  2. Collaboration and community support are essential for success in this field. It really does take a village to create great content.
  3. New platforms like YouTube and tools like ChatGPT are helping drive growth and engagement in unexpected ways.

Two Drinks with. . . Bill Maher

Common Sense with Bari Weiss • 853 implied HN points • 19 Dec 25
🎭️ Culture Media
  1. His home podcast studio is very casual and cannabis-friendly — he smokes during recordings and prefers getting high over having drinks.
  2. He just got his first Golden Globe nomination but says he won’t go to the ceremony and would be annoyed by a room full of "super-woke" Hollywood people.
  3. He projects a provocative, irreverent persona, shown by keeping an anatomically correct Whitney Cummings sex doll in his studio and making blunt, playful remarks.

Get Rich in Your Parent's Basement

The Honest Broker • 13464 implied HN points • 10 Jan 25
🎭️ Culture Media
  1. The media and entertainment industry is changing. Indie creators are making more money now, thanks to platforms like YouTube that pay them fairly.
  2. Streaming services like Netflix are struggling because they're trying to cater to viewers with less attention. Making content for casual watching can backfire and lose loyalty from audiences.
  3. Big tech companies are starting to mimic each other. For example, Microsoft is pretending to be like Google instead of standing out on its own, showing a lack of true innovation.

The Epstein Myth Unravels: Why Capitulating to Hysteria Only Fueled Prince Andrew's Downfall

Michael Tracey • 121 implied HN points • 23 Feb 26
📰 News Media
  1. Widespread media and public hysteria amplified uncorroborated allegations and helped precipitate Prince Andrew's downfall despite weak supporting evidence.
  2. Investigators reportedly found inconsistencies and a lack of corroboration in the central accuser's claims, with little evidence for the alleged large-scale trafficking and secret blackmail scheme.
  3. Royal settlements and public concessions unintentionally fueled the panic instead of calming it, showing the need to prioritize evidence and reason over worldview-driven myths.

It's time to reboot Back to the Future

Odds and Ends of History • 871 implied HN points • 23 Dec 25
🎭️ Culture Media
  1. Blockbuster fatigue: Big-budget franchises and recycled IPs have dulled the appeal of going to the cinema.
  2. Online critics and endless content: Instant critical consensus and access to almost all films make people less willing to risk new releases, so they often rewatch familiar favorites instead.
  3. Back to the Future reboot potential: Despite reverence for the original, a thoughtful reboot could be a major critical and commercial success if it’s handled with care.

The year, run down

Austin Kleon • 6354 implied HN points • 29 Dec 23
🎭️ Culture Media
  1. Reading has a big impact on joy and learning. Books like 'Don Quixote' and 'Dune' brought a lot of happiness this year.
  2. There are many enjoyable ways to spend time with family, like movie nights with kids and discovering new shows after they go to bed.
  3. Music and video games can also be a source of fun and excitement. Creating playlists and playing games like 'Zelda' added to the year's enjoyment.

From Gucci to WPP, marketers are rethinking AI, ad agencies, and the rest is marketing campaigns

The Social Juice • 75 implied HN points • 28 Feb 26
💼 Business Media
  1. AI is upending marketing: companies are using generative tools to make ads, cutting roles because of automation, and facing backlash when AI work feels low-quality or ethically shaky.
  2. The agency landscape is being reshaped as holding companies and clients reorganize, consolidate accounts, and rethink commissions and media models to stay lean and more integrated.
  3. Brands are leaning hard into bold creative moves — stunts, cultural partnerships, celebrity tie‑ins and purpose-driven campaigns — to cut through noise and stay culturally relevant.

Writing Today: As Gawker to the 2010s, so The Ringer to the 2020s

Freddie deBoer • 4362 implied HN points • 31 Jul 25
🎭️ Culture Media
  1. Gawker was all about being mean and stylish, which made it popular in the 2010s. It had a vibe of being cool yet cruel, reflecting a certain snarky attitude in media.
  2. The Ringer is a friendly and approachable media brand today, focusing on pop culture and sports. It aims to make everyone feel included, which is different from the harshness of Gawker.
  3. Both Gawker and The Ringer represent their respective eras in media, but they show how the tone and purpose of media have shifted from making bold statements to being more about companionship and fun.

Gaslit Nation

TK News by Matt Taibbi • 13645 implied HN points • 04 Jan 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Media
  1. Many people are frustrated with confusing news and feel like they're being manipulated by those in power. It seems authorities are not being honest with the public.
  2. The term 'Gaslit Nation' suggests that citizens feel deceived and misled about important issues. Trust between the public and officials is eroding.
  3. There's a sense that sensational stories are distracting people from real problems. People want clearer communication from their leaders and more transparency.

Monogamous Humans, Erectile Dysfunction, Growth Minds

Rob Henderson's Newsletter • 965 implied HN points • 16 Dec 25
🎭️ Culture Media
  1. Affirmative action often ends up benefiting already financially well-off members of the target groups, and affluent white women appear to be a large share of those beneficiaries.
  2. Erectile dysfunction among young men has risen sharply, with many heavy pornography users needing extreme content to get or maintain an erection while real-life sex feels dull.
  3. People across the political spectrum can believe similar conspiracy theories, such as hidden harms from GMOs, secret groups spreading disease, banks manipulating the economy, Holocaust denial claims, and sinister motives behind water fluoridation.

The 25 Best Online Articles of 2024

The Honest Broker • 13863 implied HN points • 26 Dec 24
🎭️ Culture Media
  1. The list features 25 of the best longform articles from the past year. These articles cover a variety of topics, showing that good writing can be found in many different subjects.
  2. Supporting quality journalism is important. The writers highlighted in the list often rely on the support of their readers, so consider helping them as a new year's resolution.
  3. Many pieces explore unique personal stories and experiences. From a former Goldman Sachs trader to a psychic, these articles are interesting and reflect a wide range of human experiences.

A Life With Less Pleasure Reading

Culture Study • 3565 implied HN points • 24 Aug 25
🎭️ Culture Media
  1. Reading for pleasure is declining, with many people spending less time on it than before. We need to think about how busy lives are affecting our reading habits.
  2. People might still be reading, but it's often not in the form of traditional books. Many are consuming content online, through social media or podcasts, which isn't always counted as reading for fun.
  3. The pressures of adult life and parenting make it hard to find time to read. Balancing work, family, and leisure can make reading feel like a low priority, even if it's valuable for relaxation and enjoyment.

Who killed Jean Pormanove?

Read Max • 3609 implied HN points • 22 Aug 25
🎭️ Culture Media
  1. Jean Pormanove, a French livestreamer, died after participating in a brutal and humiliating marathon stream with friends. The stream involved a lot of physical challenges and humiliations that he complained about.
  2. Kick, the streaming platform where the event took place, has a reputation for allowing extreme and often toxic content. This environment encourages such harmful behavior among streamers and viewers.
  3. Graven's participation in the streams reflects a deeper cultural issue of bullying and the need for acceptance, showing how social dynamics can push individuals to tolerate harmful situations.