The hottest Media Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
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Top Culture Topics

Changing Seasons

Disaffected Newsletter • 539 implied HN points • 05 Jun 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Media
  1. Megyn Kelly spoke out against the use of gender pronouns, suggesting they contribute to a harmful lie that affects women and children.
  2. A Vermont school district was ordered to pay a family $125,000 after punishing them for misgendering a student who made their daughter uncomfortable.
  3. Elon Musk publicly supported banning gender surgeries for children after a conflict with some Twitter employees about a related film promotion.

Writing vs Journalism: Which Tells the Better Truth?

God's Spies by Thomas Neuburger • 50 implied HN points • 19 Nov 25
🎭️ Culture Media
  1. Michael Wolff believes there's a difference between writing and journalism. Writers focus on storytelling and expression, while journalists typically just report the news.
  2. Wolff claims he aims to capture deeper truths about people and events, using his experiences and relationships to tell meaningful stories.
  3. He sees value in understanding the complexities of figures like Jeffrey Epstein and Donald Trump, going beyond just the news to explore human nature and societal flaws.

Why news publishers will probably never solve their keyword blocking problem

Simon Owens's Media Newsletter • 449 implied HN points • 03 Jan 25
💼 Business Media
  1. News publishers struggle with keyword blocking, which prevents ads from appearing next to even safe content. This leads to a loss of potential revenue, as brands avoid placing ads near any political content.
  2. Affiliate links can be affected by browser extensions like Honey, which may replace original links with their own. This means creators might miss out on commissions they rightly earned.
  3. Sports team social media managers are often underpaid compared to other industries, despite the high demands of the job and the expectation of constant engagement.

The week that changed luxury fashion: a final call for the best and worst of marketing.

The Social Juice • 29 implied HN points • 19 Dec 25
💼 Business Media
  1. Luxury labels rushed into generative AI and ended up with shallow, low-quality work that sparked backlash because many uses lacked a clear creative purpose.
  2. The most effective campaigns leaned into human craft, emotion and local storytelling—holiday ads that used real artisans, nostalgia and thoughtful activations stood out.
  3. Brands are retooling for 2026 by investing in always-on brand tracking, cutting prices or SKUs, striking new partnerships and reshuffling agencies as consumers prioritise affordability.

Shopping Is Not a Legitimate Hobby

Common Sense with Bari Weiss • 440 implied HN points • 14 Jan 25
🎭️ Culture Media
  1. Shopping isn't a real hobby. It often lacks the skill and creativity needed for true hobbies.
  2. Many people enjoy talking about buying things, but this can feel shallow compared to hobbies that involve making or doing.
  3. There's a distinction between enjoying a product and having a meaningful hobby that involves skill and passion.
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Charlie Kirk and a Failed Culture War

Political Currents by Ross Barkan • 18 implied HN points • 11 Jan 26
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Media
  1. The Republican push to sanctify Charlie Kirk after his assassination failed to take hold, as internet mockery and new headlines quickly erased reverence.
  2. Conservative leaders’ cruel reactions to an ICE agent shooting an unarmed woman revealed stark hypocrisy and undercut claims of moral superiorit y.
  3. ICE’s plunging approval shows that MAGA cannot simply manufacture cultural consent, and opposition to aggressive immigration enforcement has become more politically viable.

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 Media
  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.

How Eric Newcomer scaled his startups newsletter into a $2 million business

Simon Owens's Media Newsletter • 499 implied HN points • 06 Dec 24
💼 Business Media
  1. Eric Newcomer started a newsletter focused on startups and venture capital, which has become very successful. He went from traditional journalism to creating his own business.
  2. His newsletter is projected to earn $2 million a year, mostly from events he hosts. This shows that live events can be great for generating income.
  3. Working closely with a wealthy audience helped him grow his business. Being focused on a specific, affluent group made his newsletter more appealing and profitable.

What is love?

Disaffected Newsletter • 439 implied HN points • 24 Jul 23
🎙 Podcasts Media
  1. Love for children and each other should be real and caring, not just for show. Many people confuse true love with performative acts that are more about themselves.
  2. Parental rights can be complicated and sometimes unfairly taken away, as shown in the case of Ted Hudacko. This raises concerns about the impact of laws on family well-being.
  3. Current events highlight deep issues in society, like discrimination and mismanagement of resources, affecting many people's lives.

Happy New Year

Disaffected Newsletter • 879 implied HN points • 30 Dec 22
🎙 Podcasts Media
  1. The author is starting a new chapter in life as they wrap up a 20-year career. It's a big change for them.
  2. There's a mix of excitement and sadness that comes with change. They acknowledge feeling a bit melancholic about what is being lost.
  3. The author looks forward to sharing new content in the upcoming year and appreciates the support from their subscribers.

The Tech Right's Plot to Dismantle Itself

KERFUFFLE • 173 implied HN points • 30 Jun 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Media
  1. A recent article suggested a campground is tied to far-right tech billionaires, but the connections are really weak and confusing. Many people found it hard to take the claims seriously.
  2. At a recent campout, attendees had different views but focused on respectful discussions about their disagreements. They enjoyed activities like hiking and fishing, emphasizing real connections over online interactions.
  3. The overall vibe was about valuing face-to-face relationships in nature rather than worrying about tech elites. It seems like traditional labels of left and right don’t fit well in this context.

The Daily Mail proves my point

Men Yell at Me • 235 implied HN points • 24 May 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Media
  1. Trans girls do not threaten cis girls; they are actually the ones facing threats. Everyone, including all children, deserves to compete in sports and be treated with love and protection.
  2. There's research that shows trans girls do not have an unfair advantage in sports. It’s important to focus on facts rather than fear.
  3. The response from major publications can reflect broader societal attitudes. The fact that a national paper spent time on a niche topic shows the ongoing normalization of transphobia in culture.

The NYT fell for Elizabeth Holmes just like the investors did

Science Forever • 318 implied HN points • 09 May 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Media
  1. Elizabeth Holmes has been successful in reputation laundering with the help of her PR firm, as seen in the NYT article that paints a flattering image of her
  2. Investors tend to prioritize personality over substance, as shown in the Holmes saga, where she convinced influential individuals to invest in a technology that was not feasible
  3. Media outlets like NYT have fallen for the charismatic facade of individuals like Holmes, choosing style over substance, despite the harmful consequences of their actions

Do we as viewers become more sensitive to screen violence over time?

Textual Variations • 132 implied HN points • 08 Aug 25
🎭️ Culture Media
  1. Many people seem to feel more sensitive to violence in movies as they get older. This change can surprise those who used to watch scary films without a problem.
  2. Seeing real-life violence in news and media might make it harder for viewers to handle fictional violence. It's like the more we see, the more it affects us.
  3. This shift in sensitivity raises questions about how our experiences shape what we can tolerate in films. It makes you wonder if it’s normal to become more uneasy about violent content over time.

The future of advertising and cinema is under threat, and what happens next feels inevitable.

The Social Juice • 36 implied HN points • 05 Dec 25
💼 Business Media
  1. The advertising industry is facing significant challenges, with major companies like Omnicom cutting thousands of jobs due to mergers. This points to a tough future for many working in media and advertising.
  2. Netflix's recent acquisition of Warner Bros for $72 billion marks a huge shift in the entertainment landscape, showing how major players are consolidating power in the media industry.
  3. Consumer preferences are changing as shown by the rising importance of festive ads. A majority of adults feel that these ads impact their shopping choices during the holiday season.

See No Evil

Disaffected Newsletter • 479 implied HN points • 26 Jun 23
🎙 Podcasts Media
  1. There's a focus on young people in fast food jobs and how they seem disconnected from reality.
  2. A guest talks about the challenges of finding good help in a confusing mental health landscape.
  3. A new therapy service is launching that aims to be more supportive of traditional views without the political agenda.

Love or rehab of Justin Trudeau's complicity in the genocide in Gaza.

C.O.P. Central Organizing Principle. • 24 implied HN points • 18 Dec 25
🌍 World Politics Media
  1. The corporate music industry pushes marketable white female pop stars over talented Black artists, using misogynistic tactics and even pressuring cosmetic changes to fit a manufactured image.
  2. Justin Trudeau is accused of complicity in atrocities in Gaza and Ukraine, and attempts to rehabilitate his public image through celebrity appearances are seen as cynical and unacceptable.
  3. Western political and media elites are blamed for enabling war, human rights abuses, and betraying public trust, and there is a strong call for accountability to stop further harm and restore moral standing.

Ask Me Anything (OR ELSE)

Singal-Minded • 137 implied HN points • 29 Jul 25
🎭️ Culture Media
  1. The author is attending a live event in New York and encourages people to join. It's a chance to see some interesting speakers and enjoy the atmosphere.
  2. In a future post, the author will answer questions from paying subscribers, urging them to comment and vote on their favorite questions.
  3. The author has a lighthearted tone and mentions an amusing personal detail about not drinking alcohol, making their post feel approachable and relatable.

Is The Truth Out There?

Some Unpleasant Arithmetic • 14 implied HN points • 07 Jan 26
🎭️ Culture Media
  1. People turn to conspiracy theories when life feels scary or unfair; anxiety, isolation, and normal thinking biases make hidden explanations seem satisfying.
  2. Belonging and status drive belief too — being "in the know" bonds people into groups, and social media and echo chambers amplify and spread those beliefs.
  3. Conspiracy beliefs cause real harm like lost trust, public-health failures, and political extremism, but they often grow from genuine grievances about economic decline and failing institutions.

Betting the kingdom

SuperJoost Playlist • 178 implied HN points • 08 Feb 24
🕹 Technology Media
  1. Disney's $1.5 billion investment in gaming highlights the shift of entertainment firms towards the gaming industry.
  2. Microsoft's potential move to release Xbox games on PlayStation has stirred controversy among fans.
  3. Nintendo's decline in earnings, future of the Switch, and Roblox's strategy of user-generated content indicate interesting trends in the gaming industry.

December 22, 2025

Letters from an American • 25 implied HN points • 23 Dec 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Media
  1. The president is focused on grand, self‑aggrandizing projects — from proposed “Trump‑class” golden battleships to a massive White House ballroom — suggesting a priority on spectacle and his personal legacy.
  2. The Justice Department’s slow, heavily redacted release of Epstein files has fueled accusations of a cover‑up and prompted public demands, including from Bill Clinton, for the full records to be made public.
  3. The conservative movement is splintering, with infighting and defections to rival GOP groups. A high‑profile decision to pull a major news segment, which was then leaked and widely shared, has intensified worries about censorship and media influence.

We Just Felt Like It

Disaffected Newsletter • 539 implied HN points • 21 May 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Media
  1. The Washington Post reported misleading information about a Florida law, suggesting serious negative implications for minority health.
  2. A Minnesota lawmaker had an angry outburst in the House, demonstrating strong support for controversial medical treatments for kids.
  3. There have been protests in Germany regarding insufficient funding for Long Covid, and a teacher faced backlash for sharing LGBTQ-themed content in the classroom.

The Saturday Selection, Vol. 35

Why is this interesting? • 422 implied HN points • 04 Jan 25
🎭️ Culture Media
  1. The article highlights interesting links shared in group chats, focusing on diverse topics for weekend reading.
  2. One featured piece discusses how two actors found a creative outlet in Grand Theft Auto during the pandemic.
  3. Another article looks at trends in substance use among U.S. teens, revealing interesting shifts in behavior.

3 médias bonus

L'Atelier Galita • 199 implied HN points • 20 Jan 24
📰 News Media
  1. The Media is an alternative cooperative media outlet with a focus on independence, collaboration, and diversity.
  2. The Media faced challenges with funding due to a dysfunctional economic model and a shift towards advertising.
  3. Blast, a media outlet created by a former dissident of The Media, gained more popularity despite both facing similar issues.

The Absurdity of Big Chess

Obvious Bicycle • 460 implied HN points • 19 Dec 24
🎭️ Culture Media
  1. Big Chess, the growing online community around chess, has a lot of content creators and viewers who often rely on computer analysis instead of understanding the game fully. Most casual players can't really grasp the complexity of grandmaster-level chess.
  2. There are huge skill gaps in chess; the difference between a regular player and a grandmaster is immense. Even the top grandmasters have skills that seem almost unreachable for average players.
  3. Despite knowing they don't fully understand what's happening, many people still enjoy watching top-level chess. They might appreciate the excitement, want to see great plays, or are simply drawn to the brilliance of the players.

kitten corner: LA story

bad cattitude • 190 implied HN points • 08 Jun 25
🎭️ Culture Media
  1. Marketing needs to be thoughtful and reflective of the message you want to send. It's important to consider the image and branding carefully.
  2. When creating movements or campaigns, the visuals used can greatly influence public perception. A strong image can either support or detract from your message.
  3. Even newcomers to marketing can understand that the right imagery plays a crucial role in any campaign, highlighting the need for strategic thinking.

We are banning slop from The Dossier

The Dossier • 142 implied HN points • 23 Jul 25
📰 News Media
  1. The Dossier is committed to removing low-quality or misleading content, referred to as 'slop', from its publication. This is to help readers find valuable and accurate information.
  2. The focus will shift from chasing clicks and analytics to providing meaningful stories and insights that educate and engage readers at a deeper level.
  3. Moving forward, The Dossier aims to be a reliable source for unique knowledge and ideas, ensuring the content is thoughtfully curated for subscribers.

Christmas Mailbag!

Odds and Ends of History • 469 implied HN points • 19 Dec 24
🎭️ Culture Media
  1. The author is currently on vacation in New Zealand and hasn't spent much time on his phone. This shows the importance of taking breaks from technology.
  2. He addresses reader questions in a mailbag format, highlighting curiosity around popular figures like Elon Musk and ongoing projects like HS2.
  3. The discussion includes whether people like Musk are genuinely involved in their companies or just figureheads, raising questions about understanding and knowledge in leadership roles.

Whose Lost Decade?

Some Unpleasant Arithmetic • 21 implied HN points • 20 Dec 25
🎭️ Culture Media
  1. The claim that white millennial men were primarily shut out by “wokeness” is overstated; shrinking humanities and media jobs, elite overproduction, credential inflation, and aging leadership explain much of their diminished opportunities.
  2. Both woke and anti-woke politics have often functioned as elite status games or marketing moves, which distracted energy from concrete material problems and led to elite capture of progressive language.
  3. Real change requires material fixes and collective coordination — more good jobs, reforms to stale hierarchies, and deliberate efforts to shift harmful gender norms — not just fights over elite hiring or word games.

Oscars: Scrap "Top Gun"

Diane Francis • 599 implied HN points • 10 Mar 23
🎭️ Culture Media
  1. The Ukrainian World Congress wants 'Top Gun: Maverick' removed from the Oscars because it is funded by a Russian oligarch.
  2. They believe the film's lack of direct mention of Russia as an enemy is misleading and supports propaganda.
  3. The Congress is asking for a broader rejection of films tied to Russian money due to the ongoing war in Ukraine.

Vol. 2, Issue 13 - Memories of Pokétour 1999

Johto Times • 99 implied HN points • 28 Mar 24
🎭️ Culture Media
  1. The PokéTour 1999 was a big Pokémon event in Australia where fans could get their own Mew and try out the Pokémon Trading Card Game for the first time. It was super exciting for all the kids who attended.
  2. Attendees received special goodies, like exclusive Pokémon cards and cool merchandise, but many didn't realize how valuable those cards would become later.
  3. With the upcoming discontinuation of online services for the Nintendo 3DS and Wii U, fans should be aware that some Pokémon games might lose their online features soon.

Won't somebody please

Disaffected Newsletter • 679 implied HN points • 06 Mar 23
🎭️ Culture Media
  1. We have many celebrities today, but they don't have the same star power as before. They lack the special quality that made stars unique.
  2. Stars used to carry a certain weight and admiration that we might not see in modern celebrities.
  3. The idea of a 'real woman' is being compared to the concept of a star, showing a desire for authenticity in today’s entertainment.

Fool Me Twice

Séamus Malekafzali • 277 implied HN points • 20 Nov 23
🌍 World Politics Media
  1. The post-9/11 and Iraq War era tactics are being used in Israel's war in Gaza, with diminishing returns.
  2. Israel and the US are justifying the Gaza conflict using historical comparisons like the Third Reich and the War on Terror.
  3. The playbook of spreading false information and preparing for war has been seen before, causing distrust and cynicism.

The Epstein humiliation

Michael Tracey • 162 implied HN points • 11 Jul 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Media
  1. The Epstein Files myth has been used by politicians to gain public support, tricking people into believing that important secrets would be revealed if they vote a certain way.
  2. Many high-profile accusations against Epstein were based on claims from Virginia Guiffre, who later admitted to fabricating some of her accusations, which raises questions about the reliability of the whole narrative.
  3. The obsession with Epstein has created a lot of financial gain for some accusers through settlements, but it's also led to erosion of civil liberties and due process for those wrongly accused.

The Creator Economy's paradigm shift

Simon Owens's Media Newsletter • 449 implied HN points • 13 Dec 24
💼 Business Media
  1. The Creator Economy is becoming more powerful than traditional media. Creators are now shaping cultural conversations more than ever before.
  2. Teen moms on TikTok are making lots of money and changing how people view their lives. Social media allows them to support their families and break stereotypes.
  3. Podcasts are growing in popularity and are being watched on TVs. This means video versions of podcasts could get more viewers who enjoy watching them at home.

Best Housekeeping Yet!

Justin E. H. Smith's Hinternet • 397 implied HN points • 13 Jan 25
🎭️ Culture Media
  1. There are big plans for 2025 at The Hinternet, including new features, a call for submissions with a good pay rate, and looking for new contributors and voice actors.
  2. A new publication called The Oort Cloud Review is set to launch soon, and it’s expected to make a significant impact.
  3. The Hinternet is trying to distance itself from low-investment free subscribers and is focusing on fostering genuine engagement from dedicated readers.