The hottest Media Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
Category
Top Culture Topics

Can Hollywood Be Saved? One Man Is Trying, And The Industry Hates Him For It

Unmasked • 29 implied HN points • 09 Nov 25
🎭️ Culture Media
  1. Hollywood is facing major problems as box office revenues have dropped, and studios like Disney and Marvel aren't doing well. Many people are worried about the future of the movie industry.
  2. Political messages in movies seem to be pushing away a large part of the audience. Some actors are more focused on their political views than on entertaining everyone.
  3. Paramount Pictures is trying to make movies that appeal to a broader audience. This approach is being criticized by others in Hollywood, but it could be a step toward revitalizing the industry.

Hell is for Children

Disaffected Newsletter • 399 implied HN points • 20 Feb 23
🎙 Podcasts Media
  1. Children face many challenges and hardships in their lives.
  2. It's important to listen to their struggles and understand their feelings.
  3. We should work together to create a better, safer environment for kids.

A state of flow

Austin Kleon • 1119 implied HN points • 22 Oct 21
🎭️ Culture Media
  1. Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi is known for the concept of 'flow', which describes a state of being fully immersed in an activity. It’s important to recognize moments when we feel completely engaged and focused.
  2. Joy Williams is a talented short story writer whose work can be enjoyed through various podcasts. Listening to authors read their stories can provide a deeper appreciation for their writing.
  3. David Epstein’s book 'Range' discusses the benefits of being a generalist in a world that often rewards specialization. It’s a good reminder that having a diverse range of skills and interests can be very valuable.

Fuck around & find out (who you fucked)

Situation Normal • 257 implied HN points • 08 Dec 24
🎭️ Culture Media
  1. Climate change is a big concern for many people. Most agree it's a serious issue that needs attention.
  2. People often feel overwhelmed by politics and media. Some choose to avoid it and prefer discussing other topics.
  3. Social connections are important, even if casual. Sharing interests can lead to new friendships or dates.
Get a weekly roundup of the best Substack posts, by hacker news affinity:

The Greatest World Cup Ever

Pen>Sword • 259 implied HN points • 28 Dec 22
🎾 Sports Media
  1. The World Cup in Qatar showcased cultural fusion, breaking stereotypes and promoting inclusivity.
  2. The event emphasized the importance of true cultural exchange and challenged biases from Western perspectives.
  3. The tournament highlighted subaltern solidarity, resilience against Western supremacy, and represented a significant moment in history.

Slain Palestinian Children Have Names, Too

Pen>Sword • 419 implied HN points • 06 Aug 22
🌍 World Politics Media
  1. When we see the faces and learn the names of victims of violence, it makes them real and helps us remember them.
  2. It's important to commemorate Palestinian children killed by violence, as they have names, stories, and families too.
  3. By remembering and sharing the names of Palestinian victims, we can honor their lives and keep them alive in our consciousness.

Close Encounters With Trump At The NATO Summit

Michael Tracey • 98 implied HN points • 27 Jun 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Media
  1. Getting to ask a question at a big event like a NATO summit is really competitive. It's often about who can wave their hand the most or be the loudest to get noticed by the speaker.
  2. Trump's press conferences are different from Biden's. Trump's interactions feel more spontaneous and less scripted, allowing for a wider variety of questions from different journalists.
  3. Navigating events like these can be confusing because information isn't always clear. Sometimes you just have to rely on tips or luck to figure out what's happening and where.

Most 'Romulus' Limited VHS Preorders Went to eBay Scalpers

Textual Variations • 265 implied HN points • 01 Dec 24
🎭️ Culture Media
  1. Many pre-orders for the limited VHS edition of 'Alien Romulus' went to scalpers instead of fans. This made it hard for real fans to buy the edition at a reasonable price.
  2. The quick sell-out of the VHS copies raised concerns about how many copies were available and whether collectors had the chance to buy them. It looks like scalpers bought a lot of them to sell at much higher prices later.
  3. The situation highlighted how companies like Disney and Walmart could do better in communicating with their audience and preventing scalping. Better planning could help ensure that real fans get a fair chance to buy limited editions.

The influencer holy grail

Simon Owens's Media Newsletter • 249 implied HN points • 11 Dec 24
💼 Business Media
  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.

Did CCDH and AAMC Cooperate on COVID Censorship?

Who is Robert Malone • 11 implied HN points • 01 Jan 26
🏥 Health Politics Media
  1. The AAMC and CCDH acted as complementary parts of the same censorship‑oriented ecosystem. AAMC enforced norms inside medicine while CCDH pressured platforms and public discourse.
  2. Coordination came through shared funders, overlapping advisory networks, and participation in government‑led partner calls rather than a clearly documented contract. There’s strong circumstantial evidence of synchronized messaging and influence.
  3. CCDH projects like the "Disinformation Dozen" shaped platform moderation and government talking points, and AAMC statements often echoed that rhetoric, helping to marginalize dissenting medical voices.

Me and Alan Dershowitz

John’s Substack • 19 implied HN points • 04 Dec 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Media
  1. The relationship between Alan Dershowitz and Jeffrey Epstein is significant, especially regarding efforts to discredit critics of Israel. This shows how personal motives can play into public debates.
  2. Dershowitz's portrayal of his past actions as merely academic discourse contrasts sharply with the aggressive tactics he used against critics before. This highlights a change in public attitudes toward discussions about Israel.
  3. Dershowitz appears to be on the defensive compared to his previous aggressive stance. This shift illustrates a broader change in the conversation about Israel and its supporters.

Dominion v. Fox: Very Much Aforethought Regarding Malice And So Many Other Things

The Chancery Daily • 359 implied HN points • 17 Apr 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Media
  1. The Dominion v. Fox trial in the Delaware Superior Court involves high-profile personalities and is expected to be a dramatic and historic event.
  2. The case touches on themes of norm-breaking and the challenges of handling significant legal cases in courts such as Delaware's Court of Chancery.
  3. The trial, expected to last six weeks, is anticipated to result in an appeal to the Delaware Supreme Court or potentially even the Supreme Court of the United States due to First Amendment considerations.

How to Win at Gambling and in Life

Kneeling Bus • 185 implied HN points • 28 Feb 25
🎾 Sports Media
  1. Courtsiding is when someone at a game places bets based on what they see in real time, taking advantage of the delay in betting apps. This shows how technology can create new opportunities to win in gambling.
  2. Sports betting is changing the way we consume sports media, with odds and spreads becoming more common on screens. This shift reflects a deeper trend where everything is becoming about numbers and predictions.
  3. As gambling expands into everyday life, people might start betting on personal actions. This can create new ways to have agency, suggesting that even if traditional success seems difficult, there are still ways to find success in unexpected places.

Underdog Founders - Chris went all-in on digital content before we had smartphones.

ChatGPT4 as a CEO and Underdog Founders • 98 implied HN points • 09 Jan 24
💼 Business Media
  1. Chris focused on creating really good content and allowed time to pass, which led to the growth of her digital startup.
  2. Chris redefined how communities connect through online-first media by following her gut and taking a patient approach to trends.
  3. Honeycombers expanded to different regions and launched new verticals, showcasing the financial viability of online content platforms.

Episode 111: A Republic If You Can Keep It

Disaffected Newsletter • 359 implied HN points • 13 Mar 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Media
  1. The government has been dishonest about the Capitol incident on January 6, and this has affected conservatives unfairly. They have hidden important information from the public.
  2. A city council in Burlington, Vermont is pushing new laws that seem to target specific groups. This has caused concern for some members of the community, including the local Republican Party chairman.
  3. The episode also includes a segment that mixes humor with current events. It offers a light-hearted look at serious topics.

Thoughts on Pluribus

Daniel Pinchbeck’s Newsletter • 16 implied HN points • 08 Dec 25
🎭️ Culture Media
  1. A sci-fi premise imagines an alien-derived virus that turns almost everyone into a psychically linked hivemind, with a few unaffected outsiders anchoring the story.
  2. The show acts as a multivalent allegory tying together themes like AI, the tension between individualism and collective consciousness, spiritual awakening, and political systems such as fascism or communism.
  3. The hivemind metaphor is read as a warning about a real-world "mind-virus": authoritarianism and manipulative media/tech consolidation can spread like an infection and threaten freedom and dissent.

Election Countdown: 305 Days to Go.

Breaking the News • 666 implied HN points • 05 Jan 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Media
  1. Presidential elections are often influenced by economic and other indicators like job creation, inflation trends, crime rates, and deficit levels.
  2. Media narratives about political figures can shift over time, impacting public perception and election outcomes.
  3. It's important for the media to avoid legitimizing hate speech and to critically analyze the rhetoric and actions of political figures.

No yelling!

Austin Kleon • 879 implied HN points • 11 Feb 22
🎭️ Culture Media
  1. Reading and re-reading thoughtful works can deepen your understanding, like Rebecca Solnit's writings about Virginia Woolf.
  2. Exploring archives and profiles of creative figures, such as the woman behind 'Goodnight Moon,' can be really inspiring.
  3. Finding new music and podcasts can enhance your listening experience, like discovering Cate Le Bon's albums or Annie Murphy Paul's ideas on thinking.

Links to Consider, 11/10/2024

In My Tribe • 273 implied HN points • 10 Nov 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Media
  1. The connection between the government and society has grown stronger over the last 30 years, changing how power is used and its effects on freedom.
  2. There is a growing concern that the people in charge of local businesses no longer represent the interests of their communities, leading to a disconnect in local governance.
  3. Technology may challenge our ability to grasp complex issues, which makes the idea of limited government even more important to protect individual freedoms.

Ignore the exit polls

The Dossier • 282 implied HN points • 05 Nov 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Media
  1. Exit polls are often misleading and can manipulate how voters feel. They are not reliable indicators of actual election outcomes.
  2. These polls can create fear or doubt among voters, affecting their decisions at the polls. It’s important to stay confident and ignore this noise.
  3. Instead of relying on exit polls, focus on voting and trust that your voice matters. The real results will be clear when the polls close.

The lucrative business of lying to you about AI [Finance Fridays]

Technology Made Simple • 159 implied HN points • 20 May 23
💼 Business Media
  1. AI Misinformation, whether positive or negative, creates urgency, distorts expectations, and glamorizes certain factors to profit off misleading the public.
  2. Both AI hype and criti-hype follow a playbook of generating emotional responses in individuals to make sales, leading to financial gain for those spreading misinformation.
  3. Misinformation about AI can hide real issues within the system, making it challenging to address genuine concerns and improvements.

“Give Me Sydney Sweeney’s Tits Or Give Me Death”

QTR’s Fringe Finance • 73 implied HN points • 30 Jul 25
🎭️ Culture Media
  1. Sydney Sweeney's ad campaign stirred a lot of debate about beauty standards. Some people feel that seeing attractive models like her is a bad thing, while others think it's normal and refreshing.
  2. There's a cultural shift happening where being good-looking was seen as something to apologize for in recent years. Many believe it's okay to celebrate attractiveness again and not feel guilty about it.
  3. The outrage over Sweeney's ad suggests that people are tired of being told what they can or can't appreciate. Many want to embrace beauty without shame and see it as a natural part of life.

The lizard republic contemplates moving its capital

Banana Peel Pirouette • 158 implied HN points • 08 Jul 23
🎭️ Culture Media
  1. Twitter users have a love-hate relationship with the platform but find it essential due to its influence in the media industry.
  2. Being on Twitter is crucial for individuals in various professions like journalism, literature, and academia to build and maintain their reputation.
  3. Twitter, despite being disliked by many, remains a powerful tool for individuals to gain visibility, recognition, and advance their careers in the competitive landscape of social media and knowledge work.

The New York Times

Life in the 21st Century • 157 implied HN points • 24 Feb 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Media
  1. The New York Times has been deeply involved in political fights and often misleads the public.
  2. The rise of broadcast media in the 20th century led to the idea of objective journalism.
  3. The New York Times has been criticized for pushing misleading information regarding important matters like the Iraq war and Russiagate.

My new standup special just went live on YouTube

The Rubesletter by Matt Ruby (of Vooza) | Sent every Tuesday • 213 implied HN points • 10 Jan 25
🎭️ Culture Media
  1. A new standup special just came out on YouTube, and it's all about funny topics like dating, cancel culture, and more. It's meant to be a laugh and worth checking out.
  2. The special is his first release after a previous project involving performing on substances, and it's focused entirely on traditional standup humor.
  3. Sharing the special can help it gain more views, which is important for its success on YouTube. So if you enjoy it, consider sharing it with friends.

Traffic: How America got Facebookified in the 2010s

theconnector • 157 implied HN points • 09 May 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Media
  1. The book 'Traffic' explores how websites pandering to people's lowest instincts gained popularity in the 2010s.
  2. The narrative in 'Traffic' highlights the shift towards worshipping unique visitors and engagement metrics in the digital media landscape.
  3. Ben Smith's 'Traffic' discusses how chasing viral content and high engagement levels may have clouded editorial judgment in media.

"O Lord make my enemies ridiculous"

Worcester Sucks and I Love It • 157 implied HN points • 17 Sep 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Media
  1. Political dynamics in local politics can be analyzed in terms of factions and movements rather than individual candidates.
  2. Transparency and accountability are crucial in local government, especially regarding police misconduct.
  3. Remaining vigilant and condemning acts of intimidation in politics is essential for maintaining a fair and just democratic process.

Lessons From the End of Newspaper Sports Coverage

Second Rough Draft • 157 implied HN points • 20 Jul 23
💼 Business Media
  1. Local newspaper sports coverage is ending due to changes in printing locations and earlier press deadlines.
  2. Nationalization of news, including sports, is increasing, impacting local news coverage.
  3. Shifts towards national sports coverage are affecting local publishers and tightening the financial pressure on newspaper publishers.

The one thing everyone on social media agrees on

The Rubesletter by Matt Ruby (of Vooza) | Sent every Tuesday • 570 implied HN points • 28 Feb 24
🎭️ Culture Media
  1. Many people on social media seem to share a common dislike for the New York Times, perceiving it as biased.
  2. Despite differing opinions on which political direction the NY Times leans towards, the widespread criticism suggests it may actually be achieving balance in its reporting.
  3. Critics of the Times should consider the importance of rigorous journalism and ask if there are better alternative publications out there.

I’m Begging the Media to Start Unpacking the Word “We”

I Might Be Wrong • 9 implied HN points • 08 Jan 26
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Media
  1. Reporters should stop using vague "we" and clearly say which actor is doing something or benefiting — the government, a private company, or ordinary people.
  2. Political rhetoric and friendly coverage often blur governments, companies, and citizens, making it sound like the public will directly gain from deals when usually firms or foreign states do.
  3. Precise language matters for accountability and public understanding, so journalists should unpack who actually acts or profits even if it won’t sway the most partisan audiences.

Vol. 1, Issue 48 - Johto Times End of Year Feature 2023

Johto Times • 99 implied HN points • 31 Dec 23
🎭️ Culture Media
  1. The Johto Times newsletter started in February 2023 and quickly grew to over 500 subscribers. It aims to share nostalgic content about Pokémon, especially from the late 90s and early 2000s.
  2. The author values preserving Pokémon history and has conducted many interviews with fans and creators from that era. They also formed a group called Project R.O.A.R to uncover and share lost media.
  3. Looking forward, the newsletter plans to use social media more for connection and is considering creating a dedicated website. They want to continue sharing memories and exploring the rich history of Pokémon.

Under the microscope: 101 Dalmatians II: Patch's London Adventure (PlayStation)

Rings of Saturn • 58 implied HN points • 23 Aug 25
🎭️ Culture Media
  1. You can find cheat codes in the game 101 Dalmatians II, like a code for 100 lives. It's fun to explore these hidden features!
  2. The game shares a lot of code with E.T. and even with Dora the Explorer, showing how game developers reuse ideas.
  3. There are interesting Easter eggs and similar cheat codes across different games, which can lead to discovering more secrets from the same developers.

Exposing the Fraudsters

The Radar • 39 implied HN points • 23 Apr 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Media
  1. Fraud has historically preceded major meltdowns, causing social unrest, economic collapses, and political instability.
  2. Fraud is widespread in everyday life, not just as criminal acts but in various forms of intentional misrepresentation.
  3. Dishonesty and fraud, both large and small, have become normalized in society, but individuals have the power to shift towards honesty and transparency to curb fraudulent behavior.