The hottest Media Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
Category
Top Culture Topics

A Continual Christmas

Where's Your Ed At • 18249 implied HN points • 10 Jan 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Media
  1. Allowing hate speech can lead to a platform becoming a safe haven for harmful ideologies like nazism.
  2. Media properties have a responsibility to act ethically and not empower intolerant and genocidal ideologies.
  3. Journalism should prioritize clarity and truth over the illusion of objectivity, especially when addressing harmful content.

welcome to not boring world

Not Boring by Packy McCormick • 235 implied HN points • 06 Jan 26
💼 Business Media
  1. Not Boring World is a paid section that gathers smart founders, researchers, and creators and helps them co-write longform essays so their best, frontier ideas actually get published.
  2. This is a bet on the written word over podcasts and video: deep, canonical ideas are meant to be written, and the project aims to surface fresh inputs you won't find in LLMs.
  3. They'll build editorial infrastructure and a contributor network to curate those inputs into a coherent 'means and meaning' worldview, funded by subscribers, with community features like chats, debates, and more frequent co-written pieces.

On digital walls, Mark Carney and narrative authority

Taipology • 96 implied HN points • 30 Jan 26
🌍 World Politics Media
  1. Digital walls are going up in the West as platforms and authorities tighten moderation, ban content, and shadowban dissenters. Some users will jump to new apps, but most people stay put out of inertia.
  2. Narrative authority — the power to set the agenda and "name reality" — determines which issues get attention, and the West’s default control of that power is eroding as other platforms and countries gain influence.
  3. This shift means a global decentralization of narrative power: expect more opaque censorship and defensive measures in liberal countries while China keeps strict speech controls, not a sudden turn toward universal free speech.

Media unaware the WSJ is for open borders

Unsafe • 2358 implied HN points • 28 Jan 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Media
  1. The Wall Street Journal supports open borders despite being considered conservative on other issues.
  2. The media should stop equating conservative values with the WSJ's stance on immigration.
  3. Sen. James Lankford, though a conservative Republican on some issues, supports a wide-open border policy.

Fun, play, and discovery

Austin Kleon • 4456 implied HN points • 29 Sep 23
🎭️ Culture Media
  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!
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Delete social media

The Rectangle • 226 implied HN points • 16 Jan 26
🎭️ Culture Media
  1. Delete social media apps from your phone — it usually frees up time and cuts the low-level dread that comes with endless scrolling.
  2. Don’t get sucked into the cult of optimisation; making yourself more efficient should let you enjoy life, not turn living into an endless self-improvement project.
  3. Be pragmatic and kind to yourself: deletion can be flexible (use a spare phone or redownload briefly), but do it to make real time for the things you actually care about.

What Are You Reading (In July?!?!)

Culture Study • 2359 implied HN points • 08 Jul 25
🎭️ Culture Media
  1. Reading can be a great way to enjoy vacation time, but sometimes it's best to finish books before leaving home.
  2. The book 'The Pretender' by Jo Harkin is an engaging story about a boy discovering his true identity, set in Tudor England.
  3. It's fun to discuss what everyone else is reading and share recommendations, so everyone can find something new to enjoy.

So When Are We Allowed to Ask the Patrick Mahomes Question?

Freddie deBoer • 5321 implied HN points • 10 Feb 25
🎾 Sports Media
  1. Patrick Mahomes has had a noticeable decline in his performance over the last two seasons, which is surprising for someone viewed as one of the best quarterbacks. People should be allowed to discuss this drop in stats and performance even if his team continues to win.
  2. Despite still being a good quarterback, his recent numbers do not match the elite standards he set earlier in his career, which raises questions about his current ability. His style of play has shifted from aggressive to more conservative, leading to fewer big plays.
  3. Sports media often avoids criticizing star players like Mahomes due to their past success and the team's winning record. However, if other quarterbacks experienced similar declines, they would likely face significant scrutiny, suggesting that it's time for a more honest conversation about Mahomes.

The Powers That Were

Breaking the News • 1859 implied HN points • 01 Aug 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Media
  1. American institutions are important for protecting people's rights and need support, especially in challenging times. It's about strengthening what helps us as a society.
  2. There are major issues like misinformation, leadership troubles, and cultural conflicts affecting governance today. These problems point to weaknesses in our political system.
  3. Media institutions that once held significant power and influence are now struggling, illustrating how quickly strong organizations can decline and the importance of their role in democracy.

We Are, Of Course, Being Lied To About Iran

Caitlin’s Newsletter • 2747 implied HN points • 14 Jun 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Media
  1. There are many lies surrounding the conflict between Iran and Israel, specifically regarding Iran's alleged nuclear weapons program. People should question these claims because historical evidence shows Iran has not been building nuclear weapons.
  2. Some officials are spreading false narratives to justify military actions against Iran. It's important to look for substantial evidence before believing such claims.
  3. Past experiences show that governments and media often lie to gain public support for wars. It's crucial to remain skeptical and demand clear evidence about these situations.

Matti Friedman: Is Gaza Starving? Searching for the Truth in an Information War.

Common Sense with Bari Weiss • 2035 implied HN points • 27 Jul 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Media
  1. There's a confusion about the truth during wars, making it hard for people to know what's really happening. This can lead to misunderstandings and anger.
  2. Some reports about Gaza experiencing famine seem exaggerated or false, and there have been claims that conditions were better than portrayed. It's important to question these narratives.
  3. Many stories in the media about Israel have been proven incorrect over time, showing how misinformation spreads easily. It highlights the need for careful fact-checking.

Blake Lively Reshoots the End of Her Story

Culture Study • 5988 implied HN points • 12 Jan 25
🎭️ Culture Media
  1. Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni became part of a media storm over their movie 'It Ends With Us'. Each accused the other of bad behavior on set, shaping how people saw them, especially online.
  2. TikTok has a huge influence on how celebrities are perceived today. Unlike traditional media, TikTok users create narratives that can quickly spread and affect a celebrity's image.
  3. The power of publicity in Hollywood is shifting. Celebrities can now use social media to shape their narratives, but they can also fall victim to online campaigns that expose their flaws, as seen with Lively.

Breaking Biden: episode 178

Disaffected Newsletter • 439 implied HN points • 30 Jun 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Media
  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.

A Sex Strike isn't Going to Work

Rob Henderson's Newsletter • 7576 implied HN points • 17 Nov 24
🎭️ Culture Media
  1. Cultural appropriation happens when one group takes aspects of another group's culture without understanding its significance. American women joining the South Korean 4B movement might be seen as doing this, as they are adopting a struggle that is not theirs.
  2. A collective sex strike faces many challenges. It requires everyone to agree and act together, which is hard since individuals might choose to break the strike and miss out on the potential benefits without facing consequences.
  3. Looking at history, past movements didn't always work out as planned. Striking for change isn't as simple as withholding something, especially in a democracy where individual freedoms and choices are valued.

"Why Doesn't Hamas Release The Hostages?", And Other Reader Questions

Caitlin’s Newsletter • 1657 implied HN points • 22 Aug 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Media
  1. The conflict in Gaza is more about land and power than simply freeing hostages. Some argue that Israel's actions are driven by a long-standing desire for territorial control.
  2. Many people see hostages as important but ignore that thousands of Palestinians are held without charges. This makes it hard to justify the ongoing violence and demands for unconditional releases.
  3. Awakening to deeper truths involves recognizing both personal and societal issues. Understanding yourself helps you see the bigger picture of what's wrong in the world, urging you to take action.

Hope, Small but Strong

Animation Obsessive • 7355 implied HN points • 11 Nov 24
🎭️ Culture Media
  1. Michael Sporn created unique animated films that told important stories, even if they were often overlooked. His work was heartfelt and showcased real human experiences.
  2. The film 'Champagne' tells the story of a girl living in a shelter, highlighting her struggles and hope for the future. It's well-made and received awards despite being lesser-known today.
  3. Sporn's animation style was creative and personal, using improvised techniques that added warmth and charm to his films, showing that art can thrive even under tight budgets.

In This Dystopia

Caitlin’s Newsletter • 1899 implied HN points • 05 Aug 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Media
  1. Many people ignore harsh realities around them while being distracted by entertainment. It's like partying right next to serious problems and pretending everything is fine.
  2. Public discussions often feel superficial or hypocritical, where people express concern but aren't willing to make meaningful changes. It's as if they're more interested in appearances than taking action.
  3. Despite the grim situations happening in the world, there is a sense of denial. People worry about the future, but many feel powerless to change anything, leading to a feeling of drifting along with the crowd.

The Colbert Cancellation and Why Comedy Must Now Be Political

Richard Hanania's Newsletter • 2121 implied HN points • 28 Jul 25
🎭️ Culture Media
  1. What people find funny is mostly shaped by their values and beliefs. Different groups will laugh at different things based on their political and social views.
  2. Comedy today is more divided than before because people's opinions on what’s funny often clash. This means comedians can't appeal to everyone like they used to.
  3. The rise of political media has created a deeper divide in comedy. Comedians now often respond to political issues, making it hard for them to reach a wide audience without being polarizing.

Say His Name: Rupert Pupkin

Common Sense with Bari Weiss • 102 implied HN points • 05 Feb 26
🎭️ Culture Media
  1. Comedy is time-sensitive: most jokes only work in the present, so observational humor ages quickly and can go stale.
  2. American comedy changed deeply between the 1960s and 1980s, moving away from social observation toward a mentality built more on shared delusion than on making sharp, timely observations.
  3. Cultural and political shifts both reflect and drive changes in humor; the election of Ronald Reagan came to symbolize that new comedic era, though performers’ mindsets had already begun to shift earlier.

Culture Links, 1/2/2026

In My Tribe • 227 implied HN points • 02 Jan 26
🎭️ Culture Media
  1. Conservatism is split over whether its purpose is to preserve a universal moral order or to defend a particular civilizational identity. This debate boils down to whether politics should be grounded in universal rights and duties or in protecting a specific way of life.
  2. Social media use is shifting from public, performative posting toward passive, TV-like consumption and private group chats, which could reduce public shaming and attention-seeking. Dating apps are losing users while young people revive real-world connections, suggesting some tech disruptions are tempering over time.
  3. There is a biological window for safer, healthier childbearing, and delaying parenthood raises the risks of fertility and pregnancy problems. Cultural pressure to postpone marriage and children until after extended education and career-building may therefore be harmful.

Matt Yglesias and the secret of blogging

Read Max • 2081 implied HN points • 23 Jul 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Media
  1. Regular posting is key for success in blogging. If you keep posting often, you'll likely attract more readers over time.
  2. There's not much risk in posting frequently, even if some people get upset. Most people quickly move on from any negative reactions.
  3. Instead of focusing on making every post perfect, just keep writing. The more you write, the better you become and the more chances you have to grow your audience.

The Tiger Mother Roars Back

Common Sense with Bari Weiss • 5907 implied HN points • 13 Jan 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Media
  1. Amy Chua, known for her strict parenting style, faced a lot of backlash when her book came out. Even though she was criticized, she continued to stand by her methods.
  2. J.D. Vance, a former student of Chua, found inspiration in her teachings and later wrote his own successful book, _Hillbilly Elegy_. Their connection shows how mentoring can help shape people's futures.
  3. Chua's influence extends beyond just her students, as her ideas about tough love in parenting resonate with many, sparking discussions about parenting styles and cultural differences.

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 Media
  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.

I interviewed the Jubilee CEO on platforming bigotry

Taylor Lorenz's Newsletter • 2149 implied HN points • 22 Jul 25
🎭️ Culture Media
  1. Jubilee is a popular YouTube channel known for its debate-style videos. They cover a wide range of topics, including sensitive issues like body image and political beliefs.
  2. The CEO of Jubilee has shared that they have a big team and a large office in Los Angeles, which helps them produce high-quality content consistently.
  3. One of their videos, featuring a debate between a Republican and multiple Kamala Harris voters, became one of the most-watched pieces during the last election, showing their influence in online discussions.

AI Video Should Be Illegal

The Algorithmic Bridge • 711 implied HN points • 11 Nov 25
🕹 Technology Media
  1. AI video creates deepfakes that can easily mislead people, damaging trust in society. This technology can mimic real people saying harmful things, which is scary and dangerous.
  2. Making AI videos illegal could protect society from misinformation, but it might also shield corrupt people from accountability. It's a tricky balance between safety and justice.
  3. Instead of banning AI videos, society might need to adapt its approach to trusting and verifying information. If everyone expects deepfakes, then finding the truth may become even harder.

Nobody Cares About the News Anymore and the Business Is Built on That Lie

Startup Strategies • 85 implied HN points • 05 Feb 26
📰 News Media
  1. Most people don’t actually care about the news anymore.
  2. People only glance at headlines or blurbs and don’t want to read full articles because they’re long, complex, and often boring; they compete with entertainment like Netflix.
  3. The news industry is deeply broken and is built on the false idea that people will consume traditional news the way they used to.

I've Been Watching These 17 YouTube Videos

The Honest Broker • 6416 implied HN points • 14 Dec 24
🎭️ Culture Media
  1. YouTube has become a major platform, making more money than Netflix and attracting billions of user hours daily. It's like the new TV for many people.
  2. There is a lot of low-quality content on YouTube, but you can still find great videos if you know where to look.
  3. Artist exploitation in the music industry is still a big issue, with many musicians not earning money from their own work, and changes in technology are bringing past musicians back into the spotlight.

Your December Questions, Answered (1 of 2)

Singal-Minded • 227 implied HN points • 05 Jan 26
🎭️ Culture Media
  1. Most of the time when we think we’re right it’s more luck than careful, independent reasoning. We know so little and rely on experts, so humility is the sensible stance.
  2. Studies suggest many kids with childhood-onset gender dysphoria who didn’t socially or medically transition later accept their sex, but that research doesn’t automatically apply to adolescents who come out later. Adolescent-onset appears to be a new and poorly studied presentation, especially in the U.S., so long-term outcomes are uncertain.
  3. Some activists and clinicians have made strong causal claims (for example, that kids will die without immediate treatment) that aren’t well supported and can be harmful or self-fulfilling. Because of this uncertainty, caution and better research are needed before making broad medical or policy decisions.

Hungry Theater

Public Universal Friend • 79 implied HN points • 31 Aug 24
🎭️ Culture 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.

What Happens in a Second?

Animation Obsessive • 2870 implied HN points • 23 May 25
🎭️ Culture Media
  1. The length of the film 'The Adventures of Prince Achmed' varies between different editions. Some versions are 65 minutes long while others are longer due to differences in playback speed.
  2. There's a debate about how long the film originally was, with some believing it could be as long as 90 minutes. This confusion stems from how silent films are understood and played today.
  3. The discussion around the film highlights a broader issue about silent films in general and how one second can mean different things in different contexts. It's a fun puzzle that has had people talking for many years!

The spread of British decline porn

Wrong Side of History • 436 implied HN points • 02 Dec 25
🎭️ Culture Media
  1. Many Americans have a negative view of Britain, often based on exaggerated stories and online videos. They may think Britain is chaotic, even though it's generally safer than many American cities.
  2. Short-form videos online have changed how people see Britain, showing negative images that create a gloomy impression. This differs from the more positive views that came from British cultural exports like movies and music.
  3. The proliferation of decline-themed content on social media feeds into these negative perceptions. It's important to recognize that much of what people see doesn't paint the full picture of life in Britain.

TGIF: The Client List

Common Sense with Bari Weiss • 2077 implied HN points • 18 Jul 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Media
  1. The content is satire, which means it uses humor to comment on real issues. So take it lightly and enjoy the laughs.
  2. There's a new app for The Free Press, designed to be user-friendly and visually appealing. It's aimed at making it easier for readers to access their content.
  3. Supporting independent journalism is important, and subscriptions help fund this work. By subscribing, you can unlock more investigative stories and opinions.

ATW Livestream Today at 4 PM ET/3 PM CT

TK News by Matt Taibbi • 2025 implied HN points • 21 Jul 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Media
  1. There is a livestream event happening today at 4 PM ET/3 PM CT. It's a good chance to tune in and catch some discussions.
  2. Matt Taibbi and Walter Kirn will be hosting the livestream, diving into recent events and finishing a book discussion.
  3. Viewers can watch the show on platforms like Substack, Rumble, and YouTube. It's an easy way to join the conversation.

Niall Ferguson on Trump’s National Security Strategy. The EU’s New Censorship. Plus. . .

Common Sense with Bari Weiss • 440 implied HN points • 08 Dec 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Media
  1. Trump’s new National Security Strategy sparked heavy backlash and signals a tougher, more confrontational posture toward Europe and key allies.
  2. The European Union is ramping up enforcement against big tech with fines and antitrust probes, which is reshaping online speech and competition.
  3. National security and political battles are intensifying at home, from disputed Pentagon strikes and weapons testing to treatment of the National Guard and high‑stakes gerrymandering fights.

They Became Symbols for Gazan Starvation. But All 12 Suffer from Other Health Problems.

Common Sense with Bari Weiss • 1627 implied HN points • 18 Aug 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Media
  1. Viral photos from Gaza showing starving children may not tell the whole story. Many of the kids in these images have serious health issues like cystic fibrosis and rickets.
  2. A recent case highlighted by The Free Press involved an 18-month-old boy presented as a symbol of hunger. His health conditions were downplayed in reports.
  3. Several other similar images shared by major media lacked context about the children's medical backgrounds, creating a misleading narrative about starvation in Gaza.

Aporia gets a hit piece in the Guardian

ideassleepfuriously • 2122 implied HN points • 01 Feb 24
📰 News Media
  1. The article criticizes a hit piece on Aporia Magazine by The Guardian for associating the magazine with scientific racism and attacking anti-woke activist Chris Rufo.
  2. The piece points out the tactic of using experts to lend authority to playground insults, such as labeling Aporia as 'seriously nasty' and 'scientific racist'.
  3. The article highlights the tactic of quoting out of context, like criticizing statements about racial differences in intelligence, without actually refuting the claims.

Literal prostitutes don’t get to define masculinity

Sex and the State • 110 implied HN points • 28 Jan 26
🎭️ Culture Media
  1. Sex workers often provide emotional labor that bolsters men's sense of masculinity, selling feelings like validation and performance more than just physical sex.
  2. Advertising and many services work by selling emotional experiences or identities (for example, rebellion or nostalgia) rather than just product features.
  3. Many men misidentify why they seek paid sex because masculinity discourages admitting vulnerability, so sex workers can uniquely perceive and meet those hidden needs.

Culture Links, 12/23/2025

In My Tribe • 273 implied HN points • 23 Dec 25
🎭️ Culture Media
  1. Broad claims about whole generations are overblown. On many issues the differences between age groups are small and mixed.
  2. Nostalgia makes the past look better than it was because people forget bad parts and cling to early memories. People often idealize the time before puberty when life felt simpler.
  3. Behavior often changes because a person's situation or social network changes, not because they've learned something permanent. To sustain change you need to alter environments and influencers, not just teach lessons.

The Washington Post Bloodbath Shows The Essence of Being A Leftist Is Being Dismissed As Unserious for Being Correct Too Early

JoeWrote • 110 implied HN points • 06 Feb 26
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Media
  1. Progressive critiques about concentrated corporate influence, U.S. imperialism, and authoritarian tendencies were often correct well before mainstream commentators admitted it.
  2. Mainstream media and centrist figures routinely dismissed these warnings as unserious, then later acknowledged the realities without crediting those who raised them.
  3. Public sentiment often supports humane immigration reform and skepticism of elite power, and recognizing those positions could be politically advantageous for established parties.