The hottest Media Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
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Top Culture Topics

The Shaman and the Web

Default Wisdom • 136 implied HN points • 09 Jan 25
🎭️ Culture Society Art Media Spirituality Lifestyle
  1. The connection between ancient practices and the modern world is significant. It shows how traditional wisdom can still be relevant today.
  2. Technology is changing how we communicate and connect with each other. It can enhance or challenge our understanding of community.
  3. Understanding the role of storytelling and shared experiences is important. They can bridge gaps and create deeper connections among people.

The UFO craze was created by government nepotism and incompetent journalism

The Intrinsic Perspective • 18042 implied HN points • 09 Jun 23
🔬 Science UFOs Journalism Government Conspiracy Theories Media
  1. Conspiracy theories thrive in today's society due to declining trust in traditional institutions.
  2. Journalists promoting fake conspiracy theories for clicks diminishes overall skepticism and credibility.
  3. The UFO craze is influenced by government funding, key figures like Harry Reid, and media sensationalism, rather than substantial evidence.
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Matt Gurney: Do I really need to demand a consistent standard from you all AGAIN?!

The Line • 2790 implied HN points • 19 Jan 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Ethics Media Gender Political criticism Public Discourse
  1. Consistent standards need to be demanded in various situations to ensure fairness and ethics.
  2. It's important to question the transition of media figures into politics and maintain public confidence in journalism.
  3. Criticism should be based on professionalism and not used as a shield against valid scrutiny or critique.

Orf vs. the Memory Hole: Rats!

TK News by Matt Taibbi • 5698 implied HN points • 26 Jan 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Speech Opposition Media
  1. The post discusses the controversy surrounding a quote from a Veterans' Day speech by Donald Trump, where he referred to political opponents as vermin and threatened to root them out.
  2. There is a reference to a media reaction that involved the exploding-media-heads style, hinting at a strong and immediate response to Trump's statement.
  3. To access the full content, readers are encouraged to subscribe to Racket News for a 7-day free trial.

MAGA has Built a Castle of Lies, But it is Grounded on Two Truths

Phillips’s Newsletter • 170 implied HN points • 08 Jan 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Political corruption Political Influence Media Elections Political History
  1. Presidents in the US have been increasingly cashing in on their positions over the last 50 years. It's become normal for them to make money after leaving office.
  2. Both major political parties have shared a troubling trend where past presidents and their families make large sums of money, often without clear expertise.
  3. Trump's approach amplifies and exaggerates a long-standing issue in politics, not something entirely new. It's about making an existing problem much more visible and lucrative.

Trump's Ballot Access Case On Trial

TK News by Matt Taibbi • 5328 implied HN points • 08 Feb 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Legal Supreme Court Election Media
  1. The Supreme Court is reviewing Colorado's decision to remove Donald Trump from the ballot, drawing attention from the press.
  2. There are delusions and strong opinions surrounding Trump's response and the impact it may have on society, as reflected in media coverage.
  3. The case about Trump's ballot access is a topic of discussion and analysis in current news.

Against Branding (and Sarah Fay)

Castalia • 4895 implied HN points • 01 Sep 23
🎭️ Culture Writing Branding Identity Expression Media
  1. Writing should be about exploration and self-discovery, not just about building a brand or following. Writers should feel free to express their thoughts without worrying about market trends.
  2. The idea of 'branding' can limit creativity and individual expression. People should resist pressure to conform to easy, recognizable formats in their writing.
  3. Substack was meant to be a platform for genuine writing, not just a marketplace for consumer-driven content. It's important to keep the spirit of originality and experimentation alive.

Gamifying the Self for Status and Profit

Freddie deBoer • 5847 implied HN points • 15 Jan 24
🎭️ Culture Social media Media Journalism
  1. Web 2.0 principles underlying online platforms can be toxic and damaging to journalism and media.
  2. The pressure for individuals in the reporting and opinionating business to be on Twitter created a culture where tweeting was perceived as necessary for existence in the industry.
  3. Twitter and similar constant mass-broadcasting services can lead to peer pressure, conformity, and hinder independence of thought in journalism and commentary.

Thank God for Re-runs

Disaffected Newsletter • 2497 implied HN points • 29 Jan 24
🎭️ Culture Television Nostalgia Generational Media Education
  1. Re-runs of old TV shows helped connect generations. They showed a version of life that parents and grandparents recognized but kids see as old-fashioned.
  2. Modern technology has changed quickly, and young people today don't have the same cultural links to the past that older generations had. This leaves them feeling disconnected.
  3. The absence of re-runs and gradual cultural change might contribute to a lack of understanding or appreciation for older ways of life, leading to discomfort with things from the past.

The political takeover over journalism

Striking 13 • 2555 implied HN points • 26 Jan 24
🌍 World Politics Media Politics Journalism Power Values
  1. Journalism and politics are increasingly blurred, making it hard to differentiate between the two.
  2. Some individuals operate simultaneously as journalists and politicians, creating a dangerous scenario where roles get mixed up.
  3. Journalism is not just about spectators; it holds the power to change history and should be grounded in truth and journalistic values.

The influencer holy grail

Simon Owens's Media Newsletter • 249 implied HN points • 11 Dec 24
💼 Business Media Marketing Influencers Investment Journalism
  1. Influencers want to create content that mixes cooking, fashion, and home decor. This mix attracts sponsors and gives a chance to sell lots of different products to followers.
  2. Local news is struggling, and a small yearly investment could help fix it. Just a bit of money could ensure every county in the US has a local news journalist.
  3. A newsletter called Sunday Long Read became popular by curating long-form articles. It shows how a focused idea can attract a loyal audience and even expand into new areas like podcasts.

The Latest Filing In Kari Lake v. Katie Hobbs in Arizona

Emerald Robinson’s The Right Way • 4285 implied HN points • 21 Nov 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Election Legal Media
  1. Maricopa County did not properly certify the voting machines, which is a serious issue.
  2. The county failed to conduct required testing on vote-center tabulators, raising questions about the election's integrity.
  3. Arizona's Supreme Court may need to address the potential criminal fraud and consider decertifying the election.

Why Spotify is struggling to copy YouTube's playbook

Simon Owens's Media Newsletter • 424 implied HN points • 15 Nov 24
🕹 Technology Streaming Media Podcasts Digital Publishing Influencers
  1. Spotify wants to be like YouTube by creating more video podcasts, but it's facing challenges. Many podcasts are hosted on different platforms, which makes it hard for Spotify to control everything.
  2. YouTube grew its ad business by having both video hosting and distribution. Spotify is trying to bring podcasters to its own platform, but many are reluctant to let one company have so much power.
  3. The shift in how Google ranks websites is affecting smaller publishers a lot. Many are losing traffic because the new updates target what Google considers 'low quality' sites.

Complicated Plots, Undetected

In My Tribe • 1199 implied HN points • 27 Dec 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Government Intelligence Elections Media Public Policy
  1. Keeping secrets is really hard, and it's important for countries to figure out how to protect sensitive plans from being leaked. The recent October 7 attack showed how much trust someone needs to have in their team to keep everything quiet.
  2. Communication is key in military strategy. Disrupting your enemy's communication can be just as powerful as using weapons. Militaries need to focus on not just protecting their own communication but also finding weaknesses in the enemy's.
  3. Modern politics struggles with transparency, as seen with the cover-up of President Biden’s health issues. People in charge might prioritize their positions over honesty, which can lead to serious problems for the country.

above the law

bad cattitude • 287 implied HN points • 02 Dec 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Government Law Elections Media Corruption
  1. Big government can lead to corruption and a lack of morality. When government grows, it often becomes less accountable and more corrupt.
  2. A recent pardon by the president for his son raises concerns about accountability. It seems to protect powerful figures from facing the consequences of their actions.
  3. To create a better government, people need to reclaim power from the current system. A smaller, more accountable government could lead to a more moral society.

T.V. Digest #21 Kicks off the Scrapbook line

Textual Variations • 132 implied HN points • 04 Jan 25
🎭️ Culture Film Television Media Art Writing
  1. The Scrapbook series allows for quicker and more flexible writing on various topics like movie reviews and recent media news.
  2. Each Scrapbook post can mix different ideas and topics, making it easier to share thoughts that don't fit into standard articles.
  3. Researching for articles can lead to unexpected insights and larger pieces than originally planned, as shown with the piece on the extended X-Men version.

I have a problem: a desistor's manifesto - part 3

Parents with Inconvenient Truths about Trans (PITT) • 2456 implied HN points • 24 Jan 24
🎭️ Culture Gender Activism Social Issues Media Youth
  1. Concerns about individuals bending gender to harm others in spaces like restrooms and prisons.
  2. Issues with men being awarded and competing in women's categories, affecting fairness and opportunities for women.
  3. Criticism of coercion to accept certain terms, limitations on free speech, and lack of logical debate in the context of trans ideologies.

Introducing a New Saturday Series: The Prophets

Common Sense with Bari Weiss • 4382 implied HN points • 02 Mar 24
🚌 Education Technology Literature Philosophy History Media
  1. Marshall McLuhan's insights into the impact of electric technology on society were ahead of his time, making him a visionary from the past.
  2. McLuhan believed that new electronic media changes the way people use their senses, affecting how they think and respond, leading to new identities and societal forms.
  3. Despite not being universally understood, McLuhan worked to empower people to understand and choose how they engage with technology in their lives.

Why Was This Groundbreaking Study on DEI Silenced?

Unsafe Science • 348 implied HN points • 27 Nov 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Diversity Equity Inclusion Media Research Policy
  1. A recent study showed that Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) programs might increase hostility and promote extreme views instead of helping people be more understanding. This is concerning because these programs are widely used in schools and workplaces.
  2. Major media outlets like The New York Times and Bloomberg chose not to report on this study, which raises questions about their independence and if they are protecting certain narratives instead of sharing important information.
  3. The findings of the study suggest that DEI trainings can lead to misunderstandings and foster negative attitudes towards others, rather than solving issues of bias and inequality.

Fun, play, and discovery

Austin Kleon • 4456 implied HN points • 29 Sep 23
🎭️ Culture Art Music Literature Media Entertainment
  1. Writing should be fun and a way to explore your thoughts. It's all about discovering what you want to say.
  2. Creativity is about the process, not perfection. Filling a notebook is more important than looking good.
  3. Being open and honest in your work helps you grow, whether in writing, music, or acting. Just get started and keep creating!

How Stupid Do They Think We Are?

startupdreams • 317 implied HN points • 11 Dec 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Government Defense Media Public Opinion Foreign Relations
  1. There are reports of drones flying over New Jersey, and Congress is concerned, but no one knows what they are. It seems surprising that such mysterious drones could evade radar and air defenses.
  2. A Congressman claimed that these drones might be launched from an Iranian 'mothership,' which seems hard to believe. It raises questions about the technology and motives behind this claim.
  3. Many people feel skeptical and frustrated by the government's explanations, suggesting this situation resembles previous misleading claims that led to unnecessary conflicts.

Sunday Strip: When the headlines are so Hilarious...

Who is Robert Malone • 42 implied HN points • 02 Feb 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Media Government Current Events Satire Public Opinion
  1. Some recent news headlines are really funny and people are questioning why we need memes when reality is so amusing.
  2. Katie Couric believes that rotating press office space could lead to more misleading news and is focused on important social issues with her new media company.
  3. The conversation around media outlets suggests that some are seen as less credible, leading to claims that they only spread fake news.

The Monday Media Diet with Joe Weisenthal

Why is this interesting? • 1206 implied HN points • 23 Dec 24
🎙 Podcasts Media Interviews Reviews Music Culture
  1. Joe Weisenthal loves using Twitter in the morning to catch up on fast finance news, but he also checks his email and Bloomberg for important updates.
  2. He enjoys reading Substack newsletters, especially about country music and geopolitics, and he recommends some that he thinks others should follow too.
  3. Weisenthal has spent years exploring media theory and believes it helps understand today's changes in society and technology, particularly with social media.

Breaking Biden: episode 178

Disaffected Newsletter • 439 implied HN points • 30 Jun 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Elections Debates Political Commentary Media Conservatism
  1. Biden had a really tough time in the recent debate, and it was so bad that it might make you cry or laugh.
  2. Mike Harlow, a former leftist turned conservative, shares his experience of transitioning in New York City and discusses reactions from others in the LGBTQ+ community.
  3. The show also covers various topics, including interesting cultural discussions and funny moments related to politics.

CROSSPOST: Alexandra Petri: It Has Fallen to Me, the ["Washington Post"] Humor Columnist, to Endorse Harris for President

Brad DeLong's Grasping Reality • 584 implied HN points • 27 Oct 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Elections Candidates Media Democracy Political Commentary
  1. The Washington Post decided not to endorse a candidate for the 2024 presidential election, saying they want to return to their historical roots of neutrality.
  2. The humor columnist publicly endorsed Kamala Harris because she believes it's important to care about the future and the kind of world her child will be born into.
  3. She argues that democracy is fragile and must be actively supported, and that it's crucial to speak out against candidates who threaten it, like Donald Trump.

New Zealand's first summit of UNSILENCED gender critical speakers now on video.

A B’Old Woman • 719 implied HN points • 28 May 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Gender Issues Public Policy Activism Media Culture
  1. A summit called 'UNSILENCED' was held in New Zealand for gender critical speakers to express their views after being silenced for a long time. This event aimed to showcase concerns about gender ideology.
  2. Various speakers shared personal stories and insights, highlighting the impacts of gender ideology on people, especially women and children. Their testimonies called for greater understanding and caution regarding this issue.
  3. The event received mixed reactions, with some support and considerable criticism. Despite challenges, the speakers emphasized unity among people with differing viewpoints to confront the ideology they oppose.

The Sexy Alien, the Blair Witch and the Rejected Hunter

Textual Variations • 198 implied HN points • 19 Dec 24
🎭️ Culture Film Media Pop culture Reviews Entertainment
  1. _Alien Resurrection_ is a unique film that combines surreal visuals with erotic themes. It's different from typical horror movies and stands out for its strange and beautiful imagery.
  2. The movie emphasizes mood and feelings over traditional storytelling, making it feel more like a dream than a straightforward narrative. This artistic choice adds to its weirdness.
  3. Despite mixed reviews over the years, many argue that _Alien Resurrection_ deserves more appreciation and can be seen as the third best movie in the Alien franchise. It plays with themes that push boundaries in cinema.

Hungry Theater

Public Universal Friend • 79 implied HN points • 31 Aug 24
🎭️ Culture Arts Literature Performing Social Media
  1. The author expresses a feeling of helplessness and chaos at the start of a new project, indicating mixed emotions about change.
  2. There are moments of deep conversation and creativity shared with friends, illustrating the importance of connection and brainstorming.
  3. The central goal of the project is to encourage a poet to join a specific platform, showing a desire to inspire others.