The hottest Narrative Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
Category
Top Faith & Spirituality Topics

What Do You Do With a Problem Like Achilles?

Painful Signs, Or, Joel's Substack β€’ 99 implied HN points β€’ 05 Mar 24
πŸ“š Literature Narrative
  1. Book 21 of the Iliad portrays Achilles' extreme violence and cosmic impact, highlighting the danger he poses and his conflict with gods.
  2. The narrative in the Iliad marks Achilles' actions as excessive and transgressive, questioning the traditional heroic depictions in battle.
  3. Ancient readers and scholia saw the behavior of Achilles in book 21 as excessive and indicated a shift in the epic's storytelling approach.

An In-Depth Profile of JSR and The Hinternet

Justin E. H. Smith's Hinternet β€’ 293 implied HN points β€’ 05 Feb 25
πŸ“š Literature Narrative
  1. Justin Smith-Ruiu shares his unique blend of nonfiction and speculative fiction, creating stories that reflect his personal vision. His work is described as vast and deeply engaging, allowing readers to explore surreal narratives.
  2. He emphasizes that the internet can offer a new kind of storytelling, different from traditional forms. He believes writing should match the digital medium's potential, rather than just mimic paper formats.
  3. JSR's journey to creative writing was a personal realization that he needed to pursue his true passions without waiting for others' approval. He values freedom in expression and encourages making things happen on one's own terms.

Are Video Games Art?

coldhealing β€’ 235 implied HN points β€’ 20 Mar 23
🎨 Art & Illustration Narrative
  1. Video games can be considered art if they evoke emotions in the player
  2. Interactivity sets video games apart, but not all games reach the level of art
  3. Different types of video games offer unique artistic value, from fantasy fulfillment to creative expression

That Day but Mostly This Day, Tomorrow

Greed β€’ 176 implied HN points β€’ 30 Nov 23
πŸ“š Literature Narrative
  1. The story depicts a day in a Greek setting with detailed descriptions of places and experiences.
  2. It explores themes of childhood, family dynamics, and cultural differences during a vacation.
  3. The protagonist's journey involves observations, interactions, and reflections on identity and personal struggles.

TITAA #47.5: IKEA Diagrams of Demons

Things I Think Are Awesome β€’ 216 implied HN points β€’ 15 Oct 23
πŸ•Ή Technology Narrative
  1. The post discusses using an IKEA-diagrams LoRa of SDXL for fun, generating impossible things like 'happiness' and 'poetry.'
  2. The diagrams in the post show steps to make a robot, angel, and golem, each with unique and interesting instructions.
  3. The post also touches on AI tools for code and reinforcement learning from an AI perspective.
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Do not date me

Thicket Forte β€’ 659 implied HN points β€’ 12 Nov 22
πŸ˜‚ Humor Narrative
  1. The person feels unworthy of dating because of past embarrassing or strange experiences, like almost drowning while trying to impress someone.
  2. They joke about their physical flaws, like having bad eyesight and not being able to look at someone properly.
  3. They express worries about their lack of skills or knowledge for a future together, and feel they wouldn't be a good partner in tough situations.

Age of Invention: Cort Case

Age of Invention, by Anton Howes β€’ 1297 implied HN points β€’ 07 Jul 23
πŸ’Ύ History Narrative
  1. Henry Cort, a key figure in the British Industrial Revolution, may have stolen iron-making improvements from enslaved Jamaican metallurgists.
  2. The origin of Cort's inventions is still debated, with limited evidence to prove the claims made by Jenny Bulstrode in an academic paper.
  3. The narrative presented by Bulstrode requires multiple unproven assumptions and lacks concrete evidence.

Berkeley Events: Deconstructing the Tarot & Pierce the Valley

Tarot Offerings β€’ 216 implied HN points β€’ 12 Mar 23
🎨 Art & Illustration Narrative
  1. Jessica Dore will be offering two events on Earth Day in Berkeley, Deconstructing the Tarot and Pierce the Valley.
  2. The Deconstructing the Tarot workshop will explore new meanings in Tarot cards through philosophical ideas like deconstruction and poststructuralism.
  3. Pierce the Valley event will involve storytelling of the Grail Legend and practicing 'doubly-listening' to open up to new meanings.

What Odradek is like

The Leftovers β€’ 119 implied HN points β€’ 06 Jan 24
πŸ“š Literature Narrative
  1. Odradek is a mysterious, ominous presence described as a flat star-shaped spool with tangled threads of various colors that lurks in different places and can be difficult to define or understand.
  2. Talking openly about Odradek has become a common topic among various groups and individuals, but many people who experience Odradek's effects may refrain from discussing it directly, despite its persistent presence.
  3. Odradek takes on different shapes and forms, evolving from a spool of thread to a multifaceted entity that can impact individuals in various ways.

Jordan Peterson, Revisited: Is Peterson the Most Interesting Thinker of Our Time?

Mind & Mythos β€’ 259 implied HN points β€’ 30 May 23
πŸ“– Philosophy Narrative
  1. Jordan Peterson's ideas have resonated with many young men during a time when traditional masculinity was criticized. His practical advice encourages personal growth in a relatable way.
  2. Peterson emphasizes the importance of understanding the world through both scientific facts and the stories we tell. These narratives can help us navigate life by showing us how to act and what is significant.
  3. He suggests that traditional beliefs and rituals have value because they offer guidance that empirical reasoning alone can't provide. Many past ideologies, despite their flaws, aimed to create a better society but often resulted in disaster.

It Was All a Dream! (But What If It Wasn't?)

Story Club with George Saunders β€’ 24 implied HN points β€’ 30 Nov 25
πŸ“š Literature Narrative
  1. Stories ask us to believe in them completely, even if they are just dreams. It's like making a deal with the author to trust the narrative.
  2. When a story ends with 'it was all a dream', it can feel like the author has broken our trust. We invested in the story, and then it wasn't real.
  3. The concept of dreams in stories can make us rethink what reality is, both in fiction and in our own lives.

The Algebraist

Eliot Peper β€’ 176 implied HN points β€’ 26 Mar 23
πŸ“š Literature Narrative
  1. Rough drafts are like fresh powder for the imagination.
  2. Revision can be exhausting and frustrating, but it works in making a story better.
  3. Revision helps in transforming a story from a caterpillar to a butterfly.

The Power to Control the World

Painful Signs, Or, Joel's Substack β€’ 79 implied HN points β€’ 16 Feb 24
πŸ“š Literature Narrative
  1. Ekphrasis in literature involves describing a work of art within a verbal or textual creation, shedding light on the text's awareness of its literary nature.
  2. In the epic of Achilles' shield, the imagery of a peaceful city compared to a city at war invites reflection on conflict resolution and the importance of judgment in storytelling.
  3. Comparing the shield of Achilles to other artistic representations, like the Allegory of Good and Bad Government frescoes, highlights the dichotomy between well-governed and strife-ridden cities and the role of audience judgment in interpreting such depictions.

Election Countdown: 305 Days to Go.

Breaking the News β€’ 666 implied HN points β€’ 05 Jan 24
πŸ‡ΊπŸ‡Έ U.S. Politics Narrative
  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.

FrΞ±ction /

Fathom β€’ 117 implied HN points β€’ 10 Dec 23
πŸ“š Literature Narrative
  1. The text explores a moment between a parent and child, highlighting the transition from childhood to adulthood.
  2. The child's curiosity and deep questions about life are a central theme.
  3. The concept of fractions is used metaphorically to discuss emotions like heartbreak.

EXTRACTS: Final Jeopardy!

All Visible Objects β€’ 79 implied HN points β€’ 04 Feb 24
πŸ“š Literature Narrative
  1. Jeopardy questions about Herman Melville and Moby-Dick can be quite challenging and sometimes misleading, requiring in-depth knowledge of the book.
  2. Jeopardy has made factual errors about Melville and Moby-Dick, including incorrectly identifying the port the Pequod sails from and mixing up dates from the novel.
  3. Some Jeopardy clues have questionable or confusing phrasing when referencing Melville's quotes, life events, and genealogy, requiring a careful understanding to navigate.

Franklin

Nice Try β€’ 259 implied HN points β€’ 19 May 23
πŸ“š Literature Narrative
  1. The story features a brother who has wild and dangerous adventures, highlighting the carefree yet reckless nature of childhood.
  2. The brother experiences significant moments, like almost drowning and getting soaked in diesel, that illustrate the risks he takes.
  3. Despite his troubles, the bond between the brothers remains strong, even as they face challenges without parental guidance.

I Wrote a Book

The Reclamation Era β€’ 79 implied HN points β€’ 31 Jan 24
πŸ“š Literature Narrative
  1. The author finished writing a book after many months of hard work and revisions, organizing her thoughts and ideas like puzzle pieces.
  2. She felt a strong emotional connection to her late friend while writing, which motivated her to complete the book.
  3. The final manuscript turned out to be 191 pages long, which has special significance to her as it's her lucky number.

Notes on Being Licked

The Lifeboat β€’ 252 implied HN points β€’ 16 Nov 24
πŸ“š Literature Narrative
  1. People often communicate in ways that lead to misunderstandings and confusion. Just like in Chekhov's plays, everyone has their own thoughts that don't always connect with others.
  2. Language consists of more than just words; it includes different interpretations and personal meanings. This can lead to a disconnect where everyone sees the world differently.
  3. In society, agreeing on common rules or understanding can help create trust. Without this, people may feel isolated and misunderstood, even among friends and family.

on one-sidedness

bookbear express β€’ 187 implied HN points β€’ 03 Feb 25
🎭️ Culture Narrative
  1. Some books tell stories about women who love men who don't love them back, which can feel pretty sad. Society often views this kind of love as something weak or pitiful.
  2. People usually try to match the energy that others give them in relationships. If someone doesn't seem interested, many believe it's best to move on, but staying in love can feel like a problem you need to fix.
  3. Limerence, or intense infatuation, can have meaning and might push you to change something in your life. But sometimes, it feels frustrating and pointless, leaving you unsure of what to do next.

A Novel for the Trump Age

Political Currents by Ross Barkan β€’ 22 implied HN points β€’ 18 Nov 25
πŸ“š Literature Narrative
  1. Writing a novel takes practice and effort, much like sports or music. It's important to focus on creating and not get stuck overthinking.
  2. Interesting characters are more important than likeable ones. Even if a character has flaws, their story can still be engaging and meaningful.
  3. Novels should explore the complexity of human experiences without being overly moralistic. Readers want to connect with characters that reflect real-life messiness and contradictions.

Fade Into You

Castalia β€’ 159 implied HN points β€’ 05 Aug 23
πŸ“š Literature Narrative
  1. The main character struggles with sleeplessness and feelings of anger about his life choices. He feels stuck in a loop of longing for a past relationship.
  2. He continues to keep in touch with his ex, Lydia, who is dealing with her own problems. Their conversations reveal a complicated mix of care and frustration as they navigate their emotional boundaries.
  3. Despite advice to move on and forget about Lydia, the character finds himself clinging to memories and music that remind him of her, highlighting the difficulty of letting go.

To All This Fuckery

The Lifeboat β€’ 195 implied HN points β€’ 03 Jan 25
πŸ“š Literature Narrative
  1. The story explores deep thoughts and feelings about beauty and life's complexities. The main character feels disconnected while everyone else interacts, highlighting a struggle to feel present.
  2. Friendship and shared moments are shown to be important. The gathering at the dacha is cozy and enjoyable, even while the protagonist remains skeptical of their friendships.
  3. Drinking alcohol is a new experience for the protagonist, leading to thoughts about identity and control. She reflects on her life, her dreams of escape, and how these moments shape her perspective.

Good Luck / episode three

Nice Try β€’ 99 implied HN points β€’ 15 Dec 23
πŸ“š Literature Narrative
  1. The narrator identifies as a 'turkey baby', a term of endearment from their mother. This connection to their childhood highlights a sense of nostalgia and identity.
  2. During a snowstorm, the narrator faces traffic and decides to walk to a nearby bar for a drink. This decision shows their desire for warmth and comfort amidst the chaos of life.
  3. While at the bar, the narrator reflects on their past experiences of proving their age with a birth certificate. This brings up themes of identity and the humorous challenges faced while growing up.

Word Homicide

Desk Notes by Charles Schifano β€’ 72 implied HN points β€’ 11 Jul 25
πŸ“š Literature Narrative
  1. Cutting out words in writing is often necessary, even if it feels sad. It helps create a smoother piece, like making sure all parts fit together.
  2. Sometimes writings feel like lost thoughts or orphans, waiting for a place they belong. These words may have value, but not every idea finds a home in the final draft.
  3. Feeling empty after achieving goals can be common. It's sometimes better to fail because at least you have a reason for that emptiness.

12. Why You Should Read Fiction

Insight Axis β€’ 138 implied HN points β€’ 14 Jun 23
πŸ“š Literature Narrative
  1. Fiction helps extract meaningful experiences and can often be more 'true' than reality.
  2. Reading fiction improves skills like remembering characters and history, which are valuable in non-fiction and technical writing.
  3. Language evolved for storytelling, making fiction a crucial part of human communication and creativity.

Resonance

johan’s substack β€’ 19 implied HN points β€’ 10 Jun 24
🎨 Art & Illustration Narrative
  1. Resonance in human-AI collaboration can create new, hybrid structures of meaning that transcend individual limitations.
  2. Resonance involves emotional connections, cognitive harmonies, and creative synergies between human and AI.
  3. Resonance blurs lines of authorship as text becomes a multi-dimensional space of shared meanings in the semioscape.

Reductionism as a Scientific Mythos

NeuroLogos β€’ 137 implied HN points β€’ 29 Mar 23
πŸ“– Philosophy Narrative
  1. Reductionism is the idea of understanding phenomena by breaking them down into small parts, but it may not fully explain the complexity of things like human biology.
  2. Myths, even if not entirely true, can serve as memory technologies and offer meaning and context to cultures.
  3. Reductionism can limit scientific imagination, lead to misconceptions about theory and experiment relations, and impact how individuals perceive their own agency and the solutions to societal problems.

Good Luck

Nice Try β€’ 99 implied HN points β€’ 07 Dec 23
πŸ“š Literature Narrative
  1. A man in a blue suit stares longingly at a popsicle shop, showing how sometimes we hesitate to treat ourselves. It's humorous how he eventually buys a popsicle on a cold day, seeming a bit out of place.
  2. The story reflects on the changes in the neighborhood, with a guitar shop replaced by a luxury store, highlighting how businesses can come and go based on what's popular.
  3. The main character is cold and without a coat, symbolizing a kind of refusal to change one's life, which adds a layer of humor and relatability to the situation.

People Are Going to Tell Our Story

Painful Signs, Or, Joel's Substack β€’ 59 implied HN points β€’ 19 Feb 24
πŸ“š Literature Narrative
  1. Book 19 of the Iliad delves into resolving political conflicts, reconciling characters, and preparing for battle.
  2. The exchange of speeches between Achilles and Agamemnon in Iliad 19 reflects concerns about stories and storytelling, showcasing how characters acknowledge their roles in future narratives.
  3. The comparison between Zeus and Agamemnon in a story told by Agamemnon to Achilles emphasizes the complex dynamics of power, authority, and responsibility in their relationship.

Good Gravy

Nice Try β€’ 279 implied HN points β€’ 10 Mar 23
πŸ“š Literature Narrative
  1. Relationships can be complicated and painful, sometimes leading to unexpected situations like being shot by someone you know. Humor and absurdity can help lighten these heavy moments.
  2. The experience of pain and healing can bring people together, as seen with friends stepping in to help after an injury. It's all about how we support each other through difficult times.
  3. Life is full of challenges and disappointments, but finding ways to appreciate and love even the tough experiences can lead to personal growth. Embracing life's chaos can make it feel more meaningful.

Coming soon

The Leap β€’ 39 implied HN points β€’ 06 Apr 24
πŸ“š Literature Narrative
  1. The newsletter will cover a variety of topics like decision making, poker, and literature. It's described as random and flexible, meaning you can expect different subjects each time.
  2. Readers can try the newsletter for free for a week, giving them a chance to see if they like it before committing to a subscription.
  3. There's no strict promise on what will be discussed, making it open and interesting for anyone curious about diverse themes.

Rat Island

Nice Try β€’ 219 implied HN points β€’ 07 May 23
πŸ“š Literature Narrative
  1. People create stories about each other to fill in gaps. If someone doesn’t share their story, others might make up something much stranger.
  2. Friendship can be found in unexpected places. Rat Island and Geese bonded over their laughter and shared experiences at work, showing how connection can help through tough times.
  3. Life is full of changes, and people's roles can shift. Rat Island went from being a lively person to more serious, reflecting how age and experiences can affect our spirits.

A Doublet Disposed

Painful Signs, Or, Joel's Substack β€’ 59 implied HN points β€’ 07 Feb 24
πŸ“š Literature Narrative
  1. The death of Euphorbus in Homer's Iliad serves to resolve narrative tension and bring order to the story, illustrating how loose ends are handled in epic poetry.
  2. Homeric similes in stories like the Iliad engage with thematic elements, advancing the plot while also providing insight into the tension between the overall narrative and specific details.
  3. The brief life and death of Euphorbus in the Iliad can be seen as a way to resolve a narrative paradox, showcasing how Homer's poetry works within the boundaries of established narrative traditions.

On Disliking Stories

Castalia β€’ 219 implied HN points β€’ 27 Mar 23
πŸ“š Literature Narrative
  1. Stories can often be seen as practical jokes, repeating the same patterns that people fall for over and over. This can make writing feel cheap or formulaic.
  2. Some writers want to break free from traditional story structures to explore deeper, more honest experiences. They think the best writing comes from simply sharing real-life observations.
  3. There's value in both traditional storytelling and more experimental writing. Each has its way of connecting with readers, whether through polished craftsmanship or open exploration of truth.

Moscow, Gooseberries, and Inexorable Motion of Time

The Lifeboat β€’ 183 implied HN points β€’ 01 Dec 24
πŸ“š Literature Narrative
  1. Time keeps moving forward, and people often struggle with how to cope with it. Some try to ignore it, while others seek to enjoy the present moment more.
  2. Desires and dreams are a big part of being human, but many people end up feeling regret for what they didn't achieve. This can make life feel empty or unfulfilled.
  3. Stories like 'Three Sisters' and 'Gooseberries' show how people can become trapped by their dreams or stuck in routines, realizing too late that time has passed without them taking action.

Holy Land

Atlas of Wonders and Monsters β€’ 559 implied HN points β€’ 12 Oct 23
🎭️ Culture Narrative
  1. The Holy Land is a culturally and historically rich region that holds significance for multiple religions.
  2. The Holy Land carries great narrative weight due to its role in shaping Western mythology.
  3. The modern-day conflicts in the Holy Land have a complex and implausible backstory that draws attention from around the world.