The hottest Media Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
Category
Top Culture Topics

Some Thoughts On The Mystery Drones

Caitlin’s Newsletter • 2095 implied HN points • 14 Dec 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Media
  1. There have been many sightings of large drones on the east coast of the US, but the government claims it doesn't know who owns them or where they are from.
  2. Some reported sights may just be people misidentifying regular aircraft or stars, but there are still documented cases of unusual flying objects that don't fit these explanations.
  3. The US government either doesn't know what's happening with these drones or is not being honest about it, leading to a lot of speculation and concern among the public.

Suzy Weiss: How Disney Girls Grow Up

Common Sense with Bari Weiss • 853 implied HN points • 14 Jun 25
🎭️ Culture Media
  1. Sabrina Carpenter's new album cover sparked a lot of debate online. Some people felt it was empowering, while others thought it was degrading.
  2. There's a contrast between Carpenter's past as a Disney star and her current provocative image. This shift raises questions about how we view female artists in pop culture.
  3. The discussion about the album cover highlights broader conversations about feminism and sexuality. It shows how art can challenge traditional views and provoke strong opinions.

Why Russiagate Is the Scandal That Shouldn’t Go Away

Common Sense with Bari Weiss • 626 implied HN points • 29 Jul 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Media
  1. There's a belief that Donald Trump was a Russian asset during his presidency, but many argue this narrative seems ridiculous now. Trump's actions often went against what Russia wanted, like supporting Ukraine and criticizing Putin.
  2. Russiagate had a huge impact on politics and media for years, leading many to distrust the elite and the establishment. This situation has fueled a rise in populism across all political sides.
  3. New information from Tulsi Gabbard hints that the idea of Trump as a Russian asset may have come from the top levels of the Democratic Party and the government, showing how deep these narratives can go.

The Monday Media Diet with Chris Nashawaty

Why is this interesting? • 723 implied HN points • 30 Jun 25
🎭️ Culture Media
  1. Reading physical newspapers and magazines provides a unique experience that's hard to replace with digital media. The tactile feel of paper and ink makes it more enjoyable for many readers.
  2. Hard Case Crime books are a thrilling dive into classic crime fiction that's not only fast-paced but also very entertaining. They bring old-school hardboiled stories back to life for modern readers.
  3. Conversations about film history can be incredibly engaging, and books like 'Pictures at a Revolution' show how pivotal moments in cinema reflect larger cultural changes. It's a great prompt to explore other recommended reads.
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What is a Man?

Break Free with Karen Hunt • 1356 implied HN points • 22 Jul 23
🎭️ Culture Media
  1. Andrew Tate and Jason Aldean are receiving attention for different reasons, but both are accused of racism.
  2. There is a deliberate effort to accelerate division among different classes and races in society.
  3. The focus should be on common values like family, community, and love, rather than getting caught up in extremist ideologies or online influencer distractions.

Can Everyone Take a Deep Breath About the Barbie Movie

Discourse Blog • 727 implied HN points • 25 Jan 24
🎭️ Culture Media
  1. The Barbie movie received multiple nominations and wins, despite not being recognized by the Academy for certain categories.
  2. Fans and actors involved shared their disappointment over the Oscar snubs, highlighting the movie's success and cultural impact.
  3. The article questions whether the movie's existing achievements are enough or if recognition from the Academy is necessary.

How USAID Funded Ukraine’s Propaganda Machine. Plus. . .

Common Sense with Bari Weiss • 1567 implied HN points • 19 Feb 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Media
  1. USAID has been involved in funding media in Ukraine, some of which reportedly suppress important stories, raising concerns about press freedom.
  2. There are ongoing legal battles in Hollywood, particularly between Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni, which highlight the complexities of the #MeToo movement.
  3. Recent incidents in Australia involving nurses making harmful comments highlight growing concerns about antisemitism in the country.

Did Obama’s National Security Team Break the Law?

Common Sense with Bari Weiss • 621 implied HN points • 28 Jul 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Media
  1. Tulsi Gabbard claims that documents she released show a conspiracy by Obama’s team to falsely suggest Russia helped Trump win the 2016 election. This claim has sparked intense reactions, especially on social media.
  2. Despite the uproar, analysts argue there’s no evidence that Obama committed treason and that some of Gabbard's claims might be incorrect.
  3. However, the documents do seem to contain new information that could have serious legal consequences.

Vote for the August 2025 + Post Topic

Computer Ads from the Past • 512 implied HN points • 20 Aug 25
🕹 Technology Media
  1. It's time to vote on the topic for the next post. Everyone gets a say in what content should be covered.
  2. There are various historical computer ads up for discussion. These ads show how technology has changed over time.
  3. Free subscribers can try out the service for a week. This gives them a chance to see more content and consider a paid subscription.

Suzy Weiss: My Afternoon with the Vibe Coders

Common Sense with Bari Weiss • 876 implied HN points • 07 Jun 25
🎭️ Culture Media
  1. Technology is becoming more involved in everyday life, especially in cities like New York. It's changing how people interact and live.
  2. There are ongoing conflicts and competitions within the tech world. These rivalries can impact innovation and the development of new technologies.
  3. Cultural figures like Jesse Armstrong and Taylor Swift also influence discussions in the tech space. Their actions and statements add to the broader conversation about technology and society.

Why BroBible's staff bought the website back from the media company that had acquired it

Simon Owens's Media Newsletter • 124 implied HN points • 08 Dec 25
💼 Business Media
  1. BroBible's team bought the site back from a media company because they felt it was being neglected and they wanted to regain their creative freedom. They believed they could adapt better to the media landscape as an independent business.
  2. Since becoming independent, BroBible has grown in staff and diversified its revenue through programmatic advertising, events, and social media content. This has allowed them to reconnect with their audience and produce engaging content.
  3. The focus now is on fast and impactful cultural reporting, with plans for more on-the-ground coverage. BroBible aims to capture immediate moments and trends, keeping their brand relevant and connected to their readers.

The Trouble with Trump

Break Free with Karen Hunt • 1336 implied HN points • 20 Mar 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Media
  1. The political landscape is tumultuous and complex, with hidden forces at play.
  2. Public perception can be manipulated through media narratives and social divisions.
  3. Maintaining critical thinking and staying grounded in reality is crucial in a world filled with misinformation and chaos.

Then and Now: Stop Motion

Animation Obsessive • 2152 implied HN points • 22 Nov 24
🎭️ Culture Media
  1. Stop motion animation has been around for over a hundred years. It involves taking photos of objects in small movements to create the illusion of motion.
  2. The '50s and '60s were a golden age for stop motion, and we're seeing another rise in popularity in the 2010s and 2020s.
  3. People appreciate the handcrafted look of stop motion compared to digital animation. It has unique qualities like texture and imperfections that make it special.

What’s the Deal with Laura Loomer?

Common Sense with Bari Weiss • 602 implied HN points • 31 Jul 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Media
  1. Laura Loomer, a right-wing figure, has been active in attacking Dr. Vinay Prasad, leading to his resignation at the FDA.
  2. Loomer accused Prasad of sabotaging President Trump's plans, referring to his past support for progressive causes.
  3. Prasad's exit from the FDA came just after Loomer's public allegations against him, showing her influence in political circles.

The Trump Russian Oil Sanctions Con Is Collapsing

Phillips’s Newsletter • 138 implied HN points • 13 Dec 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Media
  1. Trump’s oil sanctions on Russia were largely a bluff and are now unraveling, showing they aren’t as powerful or effective as they were made out to be.
  2. Mainstream media and commentators amplified the deceptive story about those sanctions and have largely stayed silent instead of admitting they helped spread it.
  3. The situation highlights how establishment institutions often protect those in power and suggests Europeans should be cautious about following official American guidance without scrutiny.

Suzy Weiss: Are You Enterpained?

Common Sense with Bari Weiss • 653 implied HN points • 19 Jul 25
🎭️ Culture Media
  1. People are openly sharing their struggles and therapy experiences, often for entertainment, creating a trend called 'enterpainment'.
  2. Music and pop culture are shifting towards themes of sadness and emotional challenges, with artists focusing on breakups and personal battles.
  3. Celebrities, like Justin Bieber, are discussing their mental health publicly, reflecting a growing acceptance of vulnerability and seeking help in front of others.

The Brand Savior Complex and the New Age of Self Censorship

The Social Juice • 31 implied HN points • 07 Feb 26
💼 Business Media
  1. Brands are trying to become media and 'save' communities by farming attention with events and content, but that’s a short-term patch that won’t build durable value and often replaces real public solutions.
  2. People are self-censoring and changing how they speak to avoid sounding like AI or performative, driven by algorithms and social policing, which undermines honest feedback and makes social listening less reliable.
  3. Real brand growth needs distribution, product experience, and meaningful actions rather than celebrity stunts, irony, or nostalgia — the flood of gambling ads shows how careless marketing can normalize harm.

Mourning for GPT-4o Boyfriends + Beijing Hates the H20?

ChinaTalk • 504 implied HN points • 15 Aug 25
🕹 Technology Media
  1. China is worried about foreign chips, especially Nvidia's H20 GPUs, and suspects they might have hidden surveillance features. They think these chips could jeopardize their security and want to promote local alternatives.
  2. Many people in China are emotional about losing access to GPT-4o, a version of an AI they felt connected to. They believe new versions lack the warmth and emotional depth they valued in older models.
  3. Chinese state media is calling out local electric vehicle makers for their poor safety in testing. This is surprising since state media often praises domestic products, but it shows they want to improve industry standards.

Front Row at the American Loony Bin

donaldjeffries • 1316 implied HN points • 01 May 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Media
  1. Americans are being led by an unprecedented mix of corruption, incompetence, and madness.
  2. Political leaders, particularly in Washington, exhibit behaviors that are often irrational, incompetent, and embarrassing.
  3. The overall societal landscape in America seems to resemble a large mental institution, with a lack of sanity, honesty, and wise leadership.

The Latest Media Death Is Somehow Even Darker Than Usual

Discourse Blog • 668 implied HN points • 01 Feb 24
📰 News Media
  1. The Messenger, a media company, shut down abruptly after burning through a large investment and employing 300 journalists with no severance.
  2. The way The Messenger handled layoffs was exceptionally cruel and poorly managed, even by industry standards.
  3. The closure of The Messenger is an example of how some companies fail to treat their employees with decency during layoffs.

The 20th Century Is the Only Century

Justin E. H. Smith's Hinternet • 570 implied HN points • 27 Jul 25
🎭️ Culture Media
  1. The 20th century feels like the only real century for many people because of the cultural moments and media it produced. It was a time when creativity thrived and set the stage for everything that followed.
  2. Artists like Sammy Davis Jr. and Little Richard showed the power of identity and performance in music. They navigated their careers through cultural shifts, either evolving or holding on to their roots.
  3. Michael Jackson represents a blend of past influences and new forms of expression. His legacy is complex, revealing how artists can be both celebrated and misunderstood in their lifetimes.

Tuesday Thread: What Games Are You Playing?

Culture Study • 1654 implied HN points • 28 Jan 25
🎭️ Culture Media
  1. There's a new series where people share about their work lives and how they manage their time. It will help others learn how different professionals organize their days.
  2. The focus is on understanding how people protect their time and handle tasks like emails. This can give useful insights for managing one's own work.
  3. Participants will do their interviews using Google Docs, making it easy for everyone to share and read their experiences.

The NPC Question 2

Egg Report • 1297 implied HN points • 09 Sep 23
📖 Philosophy Media
  1. Recognizing our own agency and capacity for danger is a prerequisite for participating in public life.
  2. In our modern electronic media environment, there is pressure to always put on an act and believe in it, hindering self-reflection.
  3. Intimacy is not about absence of rules but integration; true friendship involves shared understanding and civility.

Network News And The Wannabe Dictators

Richard Lewis • 1297 implied HN points • 17 Jun 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Media
  1. FOX News used a provocative chyron about Biden and Trump, stirring controversy.
  2. Media outlets across the political spectrum have engaged in hyperbolic language towards political figures, including calling Trump a dictator.
  3. Biden's actions and statements have also been scrutinized for behavior that could align with the characteristics of a dictator, challenging the perception of who fits that label.

The Line Must Be Drawn Here

The Column • 1297 implied HN points • 24 Mar 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Media
  1. A critique of permitting developers to make apartments without bedroom windows to address housing shortage.
  2. The push to lower housing standards by eliminating regulations is becoming more mainstream.
  3. The argument that bedrooms with sunlight and fresh air are unnecessary is criticized for pushing standards to the bare minimum.

Every traditional media outlet is launching a creator division

Simon Owens's Media Newsletter • 499 implied HN points • 12 Aug 25
💼 Business Media
  1. Media companies are starting creator divisions to work with independent creators. This means more opportunities for people to share their content and ideas.
  2. TikTok influencers are becoming a new form of news anchor for younger audiences. They deliver news quickly in a way that fits with how younger people consume content.
  3. Creating a successful newsletter doesn't always require a strong personal brand. For example, some people focus on the quality of their content instead of promoting themselves.

ATW Livestream Tonight at 8 PM ET/7 PM CT

TK News by Matt Taibbi • 2185 implied HN points • 18 Nov 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Media
  1. There will be a livestream discussing the recent presidential election and its aftermath. It's a good chance to catch up on the latest news.
  2. California is still counting its election results, with only 93% tabulated so far. This delay has led to some jokes about when they'll finish counting.
  3. Hosts Matt Taibbi and Walter Kirn will talk about high-profile figures visiting Mar-a-Lago. They might explore the significance of such visits in the current political climate.

Links For July 2023

Astral Codex Ten • 7846 implied HN points • 06 Jul 23
🎭️ Culture Media
  1. Towns named Santa Claus exist as tourist attractions.
  2. A Twitter account highlights silly names from Census records.
  3. A Belgian man supported genocide in Rwanda and served prison time.

ATW Livestream Tonight at 8 PM ET/7 PM CT

TK News by Matt Taibbi • 2123 implied HN points • 25 Nov 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Media
  1. There is a livestream event called 'America This Week' happening tonight at 8 PM ET. It's a chance to catch up on the latest news and media topics.
  2. The hosts, Matt Taibbi and Walter Kirn, plan to add some festive fun to the discussions since it's around Thanksgiving time.
  3. Viewers can watch the livestream on platforms like YouTube and Rumble, or follow updates on social media.

Are Super Bowl Commercials Actually Worth The Price?

Huddle Up • 28 implied HN points • 06 Feb 26
💼 Business Media
  1. A single Super Bowl spot can transform a brand overnight, driving massive sales and wide cultural attention even from just one airing.
  2. Ad rates and total campaign costs have exploded — a 30‑second spot costs millions and, with required network buys, production, talent, and digital amplification, top campaigns can reach $20–30M or more; because ad inventory is limited and demand is huge, networks earn hundreds of millions each year.
  3. Those price tags make Super Bowl ads practical mainly for very large marketers, and measuring success is complex, requiring companies to weigh immediate sales against brand lift, earned media, and long‑term ROI.

The expert class is failing, and so is Biden’s presidency

Silver Bulletin • 2066 implied HN points • 02 Dec 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Media
  1. The expert class has struggled in recent years, failing to effectively manage significant events like wars, financial crises, and the pandemic. This has led to a loss of public trust in their judgment.
  2. Biden's presidency is viewed as unsuccessful, partly due to his decisions like pardoning his son. Many see this as a sign of weakness and it could give Donald Trump more confidence to act similarly without facing backlash.
  3. There is a growing connection between education and political power, with educated voters increasingly aligning with the Democratic Party. However, this has resulted in a disconnect with average voters, leading to political losses for Democrats.

ATW Livestream Tonight at 8 PM ET/7 PM CT

TK News by Matt Taibbi • 2276 implied HN points • 04 Nov 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Media
  1. Live stream discussing Election Day happens tonight at 8 PM ET/7 PM CT. It's a chance to hear predictions and polls.
  2. The mood seems heavy as it's described as 'the end of an era' with Election Day approaching. Regardless of the result, anxiety is expected to continue.
  3. Fans of current events can look forward to lively discussions and insights during the live stream, making it an engaging watch.

15 things I consumed this week

Maybe Baby • 715 implied HN points • 27 Jun 25
🎭️ Culture Media
  1. Reading can take you on unexpected journeys, like one person's experience of trying to quit sugar. It's relatable and thought-provoking.
  2. Social media reactions, like those during a big event, can create a shared experience that feels special and memorable.
  3. Connecting with others through shared interests or stories, whether online or offline, can enhance your life in meaningful ways.

The Great Consolidation

Deep Pulusani - Risk • 333 implied HN points • 30 Sep 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Media
  1. Banks, media, and big corporations are becoming fewer and more powerful, concentrating wealth and political influence and leaving local communities, small businesses, and ordinary people underserved.
  2. As power concentrates, regulators weaken or rely on self-reporting, which lets environmental harm, unfair bailouts, and pervasive surveillance and opaque algorithms go unchecked.
  3. Counterforces include decentralizing technologies (like cryptography, open algorithms, and decentralized money) and renewed local, relational community organizing, both of which restore privacy, accountability, and distributed power.

When Money Ruins Media

New Means • 1277 implied HN points • 02 Jul 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Media
  1. Billionaires and capitalism are having a negative impact on media and social media.
  2. A small number of extremely wealthy individuals have significant control over information flow.
  3. There is a need to shift social media towards non-profit or public control to prioritize public good over profit.