The hottest Media Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
Category
Top Culture Topics

News & Views: July

The Abbey of Misrule • 473 implied HN points • 12 Jul 25
🎭️ Culture Media
  1. The author recently returned from a long family road trip in the USA, which helped him feel rejuvenated after some health issues. It was a refreshing change from his usual routine.
  2. There's a new campaign called 'Writers Against AI' aimed at artists resisting the rise of AI in creative work. The author believes AI dims the true essence of human creativity.
  3. The author will soon share a mini-series and essays about his book and the implications of AI. He invites other writers to participate in a logo design contest for the campaign.

I Am a Small Part of the Reason Why the Transgender Rights Movement Went Flying off the Rails

I Might Be Wrong • 12 implied HN points • 20 Feb 26
🎭️ Culture Media
  1. Public support for transgender rights — especially allowing people to use bathrooms that match their gender — has dropped sharply in recent years, showing a clear backlash.
  2. Messaging and tone from media and activists matter a lot; mockery, threats, or poorly judged rhetoric can age badly and push people away.
  3. Small choices in how the movement is presented can have big, lasting effects, so honest reflection and a course correction are needed to rebuild support.

They do build statues of critics

rachaelmeager • 376 implied HN points • 31 Mar 24
🎭️ Culture Media
  1. Critics play an important role in helping us understand art better. They can explain themes, context, and why certain works resonate or fail.
  2. It's okay to dislike a popular artist or piece of art. Sharing these feelings can help others who feel the same way find connection and validation.
  3. Art criticism isn't just negative; it's an essential part of our culture. It helps guide audiences in their experiences and understanding of art.

sunday speech pool

bad cattitude • 79 implied HN points • 14 Dec 25
🎭️ Culture Media
  1. How you say something often matters more than the words themselves.
  2. Changing your tone, accent, or delivery can flip the meaning and change how people respond.
  3. This post is behind a paywall and intended for paid subscribers.
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TGIF: Every Sperm Is Sacred

Common Sense with Bari Weiss • 3528 implied HN points • 23 Feb 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Media
  1. President Biden faced criticisms regarding his communication style and response to questions, showcasing potential weaknesses in his public image.
  2. Donald Trump is engaging in unique marketing strategies by selling high-priced branded sneakers, stirring up reactions from the opposition party.
  3. Trump's legal issues, particularly a civil fraud trial in New York, demonstrate the complex intersection of legitimate legal concerns and potentially politically motivated prosecutions.

Zvi's 2024 In Movies

Don't Worry About the Vase • 1299 implied HN points • 13 Jan 25
🎭️ Culture Media
  1. Watching movies in theaters is way better than at home. The experience with big screens and better sound makes a big difference.
  2. People become more picky about movie quality when they watch more films. This means great movies stand out more when you watch less overall.
  3. Tracking and reviewing the movies you watch can help you learn about your own tastes and make better choices in the future.

LibsofTikTok is hiring an investigative journalist to launder her hate campaigns

Taylor Lorenz's Newsletter • 1731 implied HN points • 01 Nov 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Media
  1. Libs of TikTok is looking to hire an investigative journalist to enhance their media image and legitimacy.
  2. The job involves verifying sources and facts, but it is associated with a controversial far-right media brand.
  3. Recent events show that their posts have led to significant backlash, including bomb threats to businesses.

The Exhaust of Attention

Justin E. H. Smith's Hinternet • 501 implied HN points • 02 Jul 25
🎭️ Culture Media
  1. Attention can be tracked through data like email 'opens', but we can't be sure how many are real readers. It’s a way to see if people care about what we write.
  2. The idea of 'attention exhaust' shows how our interest lingers after we engage with something. It's like a leftover trace that reminds us we cared at some point.
  3. Measuring attention is evolving from old methods that seemed magical to more precise digital ways. But we still sometimes look for value in forgotten things, showing the need to care for what gets overlooked.

Homework and Slop

Some Unpleasant Arithmetic • 22 implied HN points • 27 Jan 26
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Media
  1. Liberal democracy is in deep trouble: growing state violence, elite deference to strongmen, and declining civic trust show the system is weakening.
  2. Identity politics and a culture of authenticity have shifted politics from individual rights toward group-based, tribal thinking, and technology plus weakened education standards encourage shallow, surface-level thought that amplifies those problems.
  3. Markets, democracy, and civic society are deeply interconnected, and treating markets as if they stand above democratic control has increased inequality and hollowed out civic life; rebuilding liberalism means re-linking economic policy, social rights, and civic institutions.

So, here we are ...

Tim Culpan’s Position • 19 implied HN points • 30 Aug 24
🕹 Technology Media
  1. The author recently left a long career at Bloomberg and started a Substack to stay connected with followers. They weren't expecting such a positive response with many signing up and offering financial support.
  2. The author values their audience and will focus on Asia's technology scene moving forward. They want to keep their readers engaged with honest and critical insights.
  3. The author is interested in feedback and has created a poll to understand what their audience wants. However, they hint they'll ultimately follow their own path regardless of the results.

NPR hasn't gotten more liberal. It's become more capital-D Democratic

White Hot Harlots • 239 implied HN points • 22 Apr 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Media
  1. NPR has shifted towards being more aligned with the Democratic party rather than being more traditionally liberal in its coverage.
  2. Commercial networks may avoid certain topics due to financial interests, whereas NPR's funding model allows it to cover a wider range of issues without worrying about ratings.
  3. The dynamics and messaging within the Democratic party have changed, leading to NPR reflecting this shift by emphasizing identity issues and being less critical of establishment Democrats.

A Man Walks Into A Bar

Everything Is Amazing • 488 implied HN points • 13 Jul 25
🎭️ Culture Media
  1. People often think that Americans don't understand irony, but that's not true. Many Americans use humor in a clever way that might not be obvious at first.
  2. The 1980s show _Cheers_ has a lasting impact and is still loved by many. It captured a vibe that many people can relate to even today.
  3. Cultural misunderstandings can lead to funny moments when discussing humor between different countries. It's good to remember we all have our own styles!

Media Spreads Dangerous Disinformation About Trump Rally

Michael Shellenberger • 1659 implied HN points • 28 Oct 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Media
  1. The media accused Trump of hosting a racist rally, but many claims about the event were misleading. No actual racist or anti-Semitic remarks were reported at the rally.
  2. Connections made between the rally, past events, and public figures don't prove anything racist or harmful. The mentions of historical rallies or comedians don't reflect the current situation accurately.
  3. Issues like Puerto Rico's trash problem were mentioned in a way intended to critique the island's waste management, not to offend its people. The humor in some comments can be taken out of context and misunderstood.

Pity the Poor Bastards Who Have to Try to Racially Balance Every Big Event

I Might Be Wrong • 19 implied HN points • 10 Feb 26
🎭️ Culture Media
  1. Entertainment often forces racial "entry points" into shows to try to make every group feel represented, which can create tokenism and awkward shoehorning of performers.
  2. Every booking gets read as a win or loss by different political and racial camps, so backlash happens no matter who is chosen and the debate becomes a zero-sum culture war.
  3. Executives are stuck trying to please everyone, an impossible task, and the better solution is to stop prioritizing race as the main factor and treat culture as different expressions of shared experiences.

TGIF: I Serve at the Pleasure of Barbecue

Common Sense with Bari Weiss • 3315 implied HN points • 15 Mar 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Media
  1. Biden faced backlash for using the term 'illegal' but then claimed he didn't apologize: highlights the Biden administration's border philosophy and communication blunders.
  2. The Biden administration is releasing an additional $10 billion to Iran: shows the conflicting approaches within the administration's foreign policy.
  3. Elon Musk cancelled his partnership with Don Lemon on X/Twitter: illustrates that rich individuals like Musk don't take criticism well and can quickly change their minds.

Changing the Channel with Kirsten Powers

Changing The Channel • 936 implied HN points • 12 Sep 23
🎭️ Culture Media
  1. Don't be afraid to change the channel in your life, even if it means leaving behind comfort or stability.
  2. It's important to align with your authentic self and values to find fulfillment and avoid being stuck.
  3. Embrace change and take steps towards what you truly love and find purpose in, even if it's not the easier path.

Transcript - America This Week, Jan 17, 2025: "The Annotated Final Speech of Joe Biden"

TK News by Matt Taibbi • 1243 implied HN points • 18 Jan 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Media
  1. Biden's farewell address felt odd and disconnected. It didn't seem urgent or relevant, almost like it was recorded in a strange way.
  2. He talked a lot about threats to democracy but seemed to contradict himself by not taking responsibility for those threats. It felt like he was both warning us and praising the very things he was cautioning against.
  3. Biden claimed credit for a ceasefire deal in the Middle East, but it was unclear how much he truly had to do with it. People believe the deal was more about politics than actual negotiation success.

What Interviews Should I Look For?

Computer Ads from the Past • 384 implied HN points • 11 Aug 25
🕹 Technology Media
  1. The author is enjoying finding and sharing interesting interviews from old computer magazines. It's like digging for treasures from the past.
  2. The author is asking readers for suggestions on who they would like to see interviewed next. It’s a way to involve the audience in choosing future content.
  3. Readers are encouraged to share their thoughts in the comments. This helps create a community and shapes the direction of future posts.

15 things I consumed this week

Maybe Baby • 546 implied HN points • 20 Jun 25
🎭️ Culture Media
  1. The weather is nice, especially now that it's summer solstice for the northern hemisphere. It's a great time to enjoy the longer days and warm weather.
  2. There’s an interesting essay about Joan Didion that dives into her life and relationships, highlighting both her ambition and the complexities of being a writer.
  3. This content is meant for paid subscribers, indicating that it's exclusive and may contain more in-depth personal insights and recommendations.

The Nazi Cult and the German Speech Police

eugyppius: a plague chronicle • 121 implied HN points • 28 Nov 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Media
  1. An American living in Berlin had his home raided by police after publishing a book with a swastika on the cover. This shows how seriously Germany deals with symbols associated with Nazism.
  2. The same individual was previously convicted for sharing the book's cover art on social media. This highlights the strict laws around hate speech and Nazi symbols in Germany.
  3. The situation raises questions about freedom of expression, especially when it conflicts with laws designed to prevent hate speech. It's a complex issue that many people are concerned about.

On Gloss

From the Desk of Alicia Kennedy • 923 implied HN points • 27 Feb 23
🎭️ Culture Media
  1. Travel magazines often provide a glossy, superficial view of a destination.
  2. The language used in travel media can influence readers' perceptions and desires.
  3. Magazines may not always tell the full, complex story of a destination, leaving out important socio-economic realities.

Beware of Lords and Princes?

Reactionary Feminist • 14 implied HN points • 08 Feb 26
🎭️ Culture Media
  1. A small group of wealthy financiers and high-profile cultural figures often form informal patronage networks, which recreate old aristocratic dynamics and create temptations and power imbalances.
  2. Historical patronage sometimes funded great art and science and wasn’t automatically corrupt; whether it’s defensible depends on who the patron is and what they demand.
  3. Modern publishing and the internet have gutted traditional writer incomes, forcing many cultural figures to become multi-platform influencers or rely on patrons, which brings real ethical and reputational risks.

Anatomy of the consensus-borg

Archedelia • 923 implied HN points • 02 Apr 23
📰 News Media
  1. The consensus-borg relies on various tactics to maintain narrative discipline.
  2. Sociological questions around generating consensus and truth are important, without falling into conspiracy theories.
  3. There is a machinery of narrative control that is top-down and influences the shaping of reality.

Beware STAT News and Other Pharma-Sponsored Media Outlets

The DisInformation Chronicle • 415 implied HN points • 22 Jul 25
🏥 Health Politics Media
  1. Watch out for news sources like STAT News that may be influenced by pharmaceutical companies. They might not tell the full story about drug safety.
  2. The FDA stopped the use of a gene therapy called ELEVIDYS after serious issues arose, including participant deaths. It's important to question how such treatments got approved in the first place.
  3. There may be a conflict of interest when media outlets promote certain drug companies. It's wise to consider who funds the news and the motivations behind it.

#209: The death of sex, 3 years later

Maybe Baby • 1058 implied HN points • 16 Feb 25
🎭️ Culture Media
  1. Culture has become less about genuine connection and more about digital interactions, which can feel unfulfilling. Many people are missing out on real emotional experiences that come from touch and presence.
  2. There's a growing tension in politics where both the left and right have problems engaging with different viewpoints. Instead of understanding each other, they often stick to their own narratives, which doesn't help anyone.
  3. Technology has taken over many aspects of life, making interactions feel faster but less meaningful. While some tech is helpful, it often alienates people from each other, making real connections harder to find.

The OWGR Wars Ended On Sunday And A Massive Sports Media Announcement

The Quadrilateral • 452 implied HN points • 07 Feb 24
🎾 Sports Media
  1. The PGA Tour's changes and mishaps have inadvertently boosted LIV's case for ranking points.
  2. LIV Golf showed promise with strong competition and a well-produced event, highlighting potential flaws in traditional rankings.
  3. The establishment's shortcomings have facilitated LIV's credibility, calling for a reevaluation of ranking criteria and tournament formats.

The New Joe Rogan Interview with Dr. Robert Malone

Who is Robert Malone • 16 implied HN points • 13 Feb 26
🎙 Podcasts Media
  1. A new two-and-a-half-hour interview on Joe Rogan is now available on Spotify and YouTube.
  2. He was invited by the U.S. State Department to give a keynote at the United Nations Biological Weapons Convention and delivered it via Zoom the same day as the podcast.
  3. He is presented as an original inventor of mRNA delivery and vaccination and a member of the CDC vaccine advisory committee, and he plans to publish notes and video from the UN session and related AI discussions.

Aspiring dystopias, library souls and Gen Alpha's "first mainstream meme"

Links I Would Gchat You If We Were Friends • 638 implied HN points • 16 Dec 23
🎭️ Culture Media
  1. Google's recipe ratings may not accurately reflect the quality of the recipes; ratings are supplied by the sites themselves and can be manipulated for increased site traffic.
  2. Cooking blogs often receive higher ratings than legacy media in Google search results; moderation practices in comment sections may contribute to these discrepancies.
  3. AI-generated recipe descriptions in search results may change the focus from ratings to more user-friendly information, cautioning bakers against relying solely on Google's star system.

The Fall of Meghan and Harry, Inc.

Common Sense with Bari Weiss • 5541 implied HN points • 29 Jun 23
🎭️ Culture Media
  1. People around the world fell in love with Meghan Markle when she got engaged to Prince Harry six years ago.
  2. The couple initially won over public opinion with their fairytale wedding and choice to break royal norms, but popularity has plummeted due to perceived laziness and snobbish behavior.
  3. Meghan and Harry's downfall can be attributed to their pursuit of huge financial deals and a lack of perceived hard work or genuine connection with the public.

Won't somebody think of the men?

My Goodness! From Jo Elvin • 432 implied HN points • 11 Feb 24
🎭️ Culture Media
  1. Some men react strongly to content that is not specifically catered to them, displaying incredulous outrage.
  2. Women's entertainment options are often broad and inclusive, while men sometimes struggle with consuming content not targeted at them.
  3. Top podcasts and media platforms are predominantly hosted by white men, raising questions on audience preference and representation.

FBI Helped Clinton Campaign Orchestrate Russia Collusion Hoax To Distract From Email Investigation, Newly Declassified Intelligence Suggests

Public • 415 implied HN points • 31 Jul 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Media
  1. New intelligence suggests that the FBI may have helped the Clinton campaign create a story linking Trump to Russia.
  2. The goal of this plot was believed to be a distraction from the investigation into Clinton's email use.
  3. This recent information challenges previous claims that there was no government involvement in creating a false narrative about Russian interference.

65 successful media entrepreneurs share their top growth hacks

Simon Owens's Media Newsletter • 374 implied HN points • 04 Aug 25
💼 Business Media
  1. Many media entrepreneurs are sharing their success stories to help others learn how to build and grow their businesses. These stories often include practical tips that can be applied to different media projects.
  2. Building a strong online presence is crucial, whether through newsletters, podcasts, or social media. Engaging an audience consistently can lead to loyal subscribers and increased revenue.
  3. Finding a specific niche can be a great strategy for media startups. Focusing on a particular topic or audience allows entrepreneurs to create content that truly resonates and stands out in a crowded market.

Dingus of the week: Carrie Underwood

Men Yell at Me • 1233 implied HN points • 17 Jan 25
🎭️ Culture Media
  1. Carrie Underwood's career is seen as struggling and her performance at Trump's inauguration is viewed as an attempt to regain relevance.
  2. Critics suggest that artists like Underwood often blame 'woke culture' for their lack of success instead of focusing on their music's quality.
  3. There's a growing trend of celebrities embracing controversial political stances to stay in the spotlight, raising questions about their genuine beliefs.