The hottest Narrative Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
Category
Top Faith & Spirituality Topics

Why I didn't wear a tie

Eclecticism: Reflections on literature, writing and life • 10 implied HN points • 04 Jan 25
📚 Literature Narrative
  1. The author decided not to wear a tie this year at a family New Year party, breaking a long-standing tradition.
  2. This decision was influenced by a family member's recent serious health scare, which made the author want to feel less formal and more connected.
  3. The story highlights how personal and emotional events can change our perspectives and choices about traditions.

Stories We Tell Each Other.

Trying to Understand the World • 7 implied HN points • 12 Feb 25
💾 History Narrative
  1. History is full of unexpected twists and turns. Small decisions can change everything, and what seems inevitable often wasn't.
  2. Different perspectives shape how we understand events. The media often focuses on flashy stories rather than the complex, underlying issues.
  3. Writing about history or events isn't neutral. Every writer picks what to include and how to frame it, which influences how people interpret the past.

I'll Defend My Guy Nick Wright Against My Guy Freddie deBoer

House of Strauss • 23 implied HN points • 23 Jan 24
🎾 Sports Narrative
  1. The show 'First Things First' is highly praised and successful in captivating its audience through storytelling.
  2. Successful sports talk involves taking the audience on a journey through engaging narratives rather than just shouting or acting crazy.
  3. The success of 'First Things First' is attributed to its mix of entertainment, accountability for past opinions, and the show's ability to anchor viewers in the present moment.

screeeeeeeeeeeeee

Nice Try • 39 implied HN points • 03 Oct 21
📚 Literature Narrative
  1. The sound of the neighborhood can be surprising and even annoying, like a shrill noise that seems to come from everywhere. This can lead to funny situations, like watching someone struggle to park a limousine.
  2. Interactions with neighbors can lead to unexpected moments, such as discovering a new pet bird next door that makes a loud noise. This can create amusing conversations and a sense of community.
  3. Everyday life can have silly and strange events, like a bride trying to get into a car or someone getting frustrated with a piece of trash. Observing these things can add humor and curiosity to regular activities.

where fires burn | fiction

Tumbleweed Words • 7 implied HN points • 09 Jan 25
⚔ Fiction Narrative
  1. The story reflects on a desolate world where people are suffering and struggling to survive. It paints a picture of desperation and loss, reminding us of humanity's need for hope.
  2. The main character encounters a woman and her child, symbolizing the fight for life even in the harshest conditions. Their situation evokes feelings of sadness and highlights the importance of compassion.
  3. The man's question, 'Where is tomorrow?', captures the essence of uncertainty and longing for a better future. It resonates with anyone who's ever felt lost or in need of change.
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Experiments in style: A merry dance

Eclecticism: Reflections on literature, writing and life • 7 implied HN points • 08 Dec 24
📚 Literature Narrative
  1. Experimenting with different writing styles can help improve your writing skills. Trying out new genres and formats can change the tone and perspective of a story.
  2. A humorous take on a misadventure can add a light-hearted dimension to storytelling. Using funny situations, like a character bumping into walls while sleepwalking, makes the narrative more engaging.
  3. Involving readers through competitions or challenges can create interaction. Asking them to identify elements in a story, like types of dances, adds fun and engagement to the reading experience.

#IAmRising

Sector 6 | The Newsletter of AIM • 19 implied HN points • 11 Apr 22
🕹 Technology Narrative
  1. Women are making strides in various fields, and events celebrating their contributions are important.
  2. Changing the workplace culture can help in addressing long-standing issues and inequalities.
  3. It's essential to reshape the conversation around women in society to promote equality and understanding.

Visualizing the Art of Repair

Creative Destruction • 19 implied HN points • 20 Oct 23
🎭️ Culture Narrative
  1. Repair, maintenance, and restoration build meaningful relationships with the things around us.
  2. The art of repairing objects transforms us, teaching new skills and knowledge.
  3. Repairing methods arise from necessity, creativity, and a lack of abundance.

Have a problem? Write an essay

Jeff Giesea • 1 HN point • 13 May 24
📚 Literature Narrative
  1. Writing essays can help you process your thoughts and emotions. It feels like going on a journey where you discover what you truly want to say.
  2. Essays are a way to connect with others and share experiences. They can help you feel less alone and create meaningful connections, similar to the friendships formed during a trek.
  3. Writing is a valuable tool for personal growth and understanding. It can lead to new insights and lets you explore your ideas and feelings in depth.

12/04/24: Birria, and Biryani

Daydreams • 6 implied HN points • 05 Dec 24
⚔ Fiction Narrative
  1. LaoLan has repositioned warships near Wintmill, signaling potential invasion plans. The situation is tense and requires immediate attention.
  2. The mysterious disappearance of a powerful weapon has left Wintmill's officials in the dark. Without knowing what it can do, it raises significant concerns about national security.
  3. There are psychological operations in play that manipulate communication and perception. Understanding these tactics is crucial to maintain clarity and response strategies.

The Burial of Horse-Taming Hektor

Painful Signs, Or, Joel's Substack • 1 HN point • 09 Apr 24
📚 Literature Narrative
  1. The Iliad's ending with the burial of Hektor, tamer of horses, hints at a larger story cycle and leaves room for interpretation and speculation about the narrative journey.
  2. The epic poem's reshuffling of mythical time and emphasis on Hektor's burial over other events symbolizes the end of an era and the beginning of a new one, highlighting moral complexities and divine-human interactions.
  3. Hektor's burial acts as a vessel for his fame and signifies the power of epic poetry to carry meaning and create something new, inviting readers to engage with the narrative beyond its physical end.

20250119

Curious futures (KGhosh) • 4 implied HN points • 19 Jan 25
📚 Literature Narrative
  1. Missile attacks have now caused more deaths among airline passengers than traditional accidents. This shows a shift in safety concerns for flying.
  2. In-flight Wi-Fi is getting better with new tech like Starlink, allowing passengers to enjoy streaming while flying. It's a fun way to pass the time, but it raises questions about privacy.
  3. The trend towards alcohol-free drinks is growing, reflecting a change in lifestyle choices. Passengers seem to enjoy these healthier options while traveling.

I'm writing a climate fiction series

storyvoyager • 4 implied HN points • 11 Jan 25
⚔ Fiction Narrative
  1. The series 'There Is Hope' is a climate fiction that explores life on a planet affected by climate change, focusing on the search for hope amidst suffering.
  2. It includes multiple interconnected stories set in a dystopian future where different groups struggle for survival and humanity.
  3. The author aims to create a realistic picture of a world that transitions from devastation to a better future, blending both dark and hopeful narratives.

The Cooperatives: The fortune teller

storyvoyager • 4 implied HN points • 10 Jan 25
⚔ Fiction Narrative
  1. The story features an AI protagonist named Ghost, who seeks help from a fortune teller in a world struggling with climate change. It's a blend of sci-fi and eco-fiction that highlights the importance of hope amidst despair.
  2. As the plot unfolds, we see the Ghost navigate human emotions and the dangers of digital existence, emphasizing the connection between technology and nature. This battle raises questions about identity and survival.
  3. The climax revolves around the Ghost's attempt to expose harmful actions against the last forest on Earth, showcasing a collective awakening about environmental protection. It's a call to action to save our planet.

Writing a Year in Review

Perspectives • 11 implied HN points • 28 Dec 23
🏥 Health & Wellness Narrative
  1. Reflecting on a year's events can help us appreciate the highs and lows that shape our lives.
  2. Writing a year in review with family can be a meaningful activity to capture important moments.
  3. Looking back at the past year can provide valuable insights and help us reconnect with our memories and relationships.

With sidelong gazes and carefree sketches

Carefree Sketches • 19 implied HN points • 12 May 21
🎨 Art & Illustration Narrative
  1. The author's Substack, Carefree Sketches, presents everyday life through a unique perspective of 'sidelong gazes and carefree sketches.'
  2. The author, Ebuka Igbokwe, invites readers to reflect on how we present ourselves to others and encourages them to explore his other writings on Medium and Substack.
  3. Readers are encouraged to subscribe to the Carefree Sketches newsletter to not miss the first issue and are prompted to share it with friends.

File Won't Open

Nice Try • 19 implied HN points • 16 Jul 21
📚 Literature Narrative
  1. Sometimes files just won't open, which can be really frustrating.
  2. It's important to figure out if the issue is with the file itself or the program you're using.
  3. Trying different devices or software can sometimes help you access the file.

Experiments in style: Inappropriate epithets

Eclecticism: Reflections on literature, writing and life • 8 implied HN points • 17 Mar 24
📚 Literature Narrative
  1. Experimenting with writing styles by reworking text into different genres or styles can help improve writing skills.
  2. Using adjectives inappropriately can create intriguing effects in storytelling by making readers think about the words' deeper meanings.
  3. Constraints, like using adjectives from specific sections of a dictionary, can be a creative exercise to enhance writing and explore new narrative possibilities.

52 inches

Fictitious • 1 implied HN point • 03 Aug 25
📚 Literature Narrative
  1. The main character struggles with family issues and embarrassment while dealing with a broken TV. They feel awkward about explaining their situation to their child.
  2. There’s a fun, light-hearted moment with the child where they try to watch TV and learn something new, showing their relationship and his curiosity.
  3. The story hints at nostalgia and past experiences, like fixing antennas, which adds depth to the character's background and connects the past with their current life.

branching paths

visa's voltaic verses ⚡️ • 15 implied HN points • 11 May 23
📖 Philosophy Narrative
  1. Life is full of possibilities and various paths can be taken at any moment.
  2. Nominative determinism suggests people are drawn to careers that align with their names.
  3. Information architecture is complex and involves understanding how information is laid out especially for its users.

where the fire burns 2 | fiction

Tumbleweed Words • 3 implied HN points • 17 Jan 25
⚔ Fiction Narrative
  1. The main character reflects on the pain of losing comfort and warmth in life. He misses simple joys like the taste of sugar and the affection of his loved ones.
  2. The story highlights the harsh reality of control and oppression, as the boy faces Law Enforcers who take away his job and freedom without remorse.
  3. There’s a sense of hopelessness and struggle, as the characters deal with their bleak surroundings, and the loss of a sense of community and safety.

An eruption of the implicate order

Charles Eisenstein • 8 implied HN points • 28 Feb 24
📖 Philosophy Narrative
  1. Encountering unexpected events can lead to a sense of synchronicity and connection to a deeper intelligence beyond everyday experiences.
  2. The traditional narrative of objective reality may limit our understanding of the world and our creative potential.
  3. Healing the world requires moving beyond existing stories and roles, embracing new perspectives, and treating others with openness and compassion.

Aloe Vera

As Ever • 2 implied HN points • 15 Feb 25
📚 Literature Narrative
  1. Relationships can be confusing and sometimes feel like they're built on almosts. People often hesitate to fully engage, missing out on important connections.
  2. Intimacy can be awkward, especially when trying to get closer to someone you care about. Little moments, like applying sunscreen, can lead to deeper connections.
  3. Silence in a relationship can either bring people closer together or create a barrier. It's important to talk about the past and be open about feelings for a healthier bond.

Curiouser and curiouser

Charles Eisenstein • 5 implied HN points • 20 Feb 24
⛪ Faith & Spirituality Narrative
  1. Reality can be perceived differently by different people - bifurcation of reality is a concept to consider.
  2. Beliefs and perceptions can shape the reality we experience - choosing the beliefs that resonate with the best parts of ourselves can be empowering.
  3. In times of societal fragmentation, creating pockets of coherence and love can help in reuniting fractured perspectives and narratives.

Aswath Damodaran's Narrative and Numbers

Joe Tourville • 4 implied HN points • 31 May 23
💰 Finance Narrative
  1. Investors often make the mistake of favoring either storytelling or data in corporate valuation instead of blending both.
  2. Compelling narratives can drive corporate value while numbers provide grounding and empirical evidence.
  3. Narrative-based valuation by Aswath Damodaran emphasizes the marriage of narratives and numbers for a more comprehensive view of a company's worth.

Michael Lewis, FTX and Effective Altruism as a MacGuffin

Machine Learning Everything • 2 HN points • 16 Oct 23
💼 Business Narrative
  1. Effective altruism was portrayed as a MacGuffin in the story, being emphasized but ultimately devoid of real significance.
  2. Solving puzzles was an underrated skill that brought success, as seen with SBF at Jane Street.
  3. The portrayal of effective altruism and altruistic actions in the narrative did not match up, highlighting a disconnect between intentions and actions.

Motion picture stories

The Author Is Dumb • 1 implied HN point • 16 Mar 23
🎭️ Culture Narrative
  1. Cinema can go beyond just storytelling and overwhelm audiences with various experiences.
  2. Film as a medium has traditionally been thought of mainly for delivering narratives.
  3. Exploring cinema as a form of overwhelming sensory experience, like music, may lead to new and more intriguing possibilities.

David Noel: Loli No Knock

Do Not Research • 0 implied HN points • 20 Apr 21
🎨 Art & Illustration Narrative
  1. David Noel is exploring an emergent warrior culture with a focus on firearms and tactical equipment through a visual narrative.
  2. He has been collecting thousands of images from online spaces to share on social media since 2018.
  3. The video 'UtopiaExit.mov' is a key part of his re-presentation of these images based on his experiences as a veteran and online gun community participant.

Universes Brimming with Life, (Im)possibility, and Extreme Violence: My Problems with Space Opera

Homo Ludens • 0 implied HN points • 04 May 24
📚 Literature Narrative
  1. Classic space opera often presents a shiny, idealized future with abundant life and simplistic solutions to complex problems.
  2. Hard science-fiction and contemporary space opera challenge these classical assumptions by presenting a more nuanced and realistic view of the universe, where life may be rare and technology comes with consequences.
  3. The traditional tropes of space opera, like easy interstellar travel and grand heroics, are being re-evaluated in modern storytelling to offer more complex and thought-provoking narratives.

Why Story Matters

The Renaissance Man • 0 implied HN points • 17 Jul 24
📚 Literature Narrative
  1. Stories help us feel connected and understood. They show us that we are not alone in our struggles.
  2. Reading fiction can teach us important lessons about life in a way that non-fiction often can't. It helps us process our emotions and thoughts.
  3. Telling or sharing stories can open up conversations and help us connect with others, making our experiences more meaningful together.

Playing Games

The Ideal Gas Newsletter • 0 implied HN points • 23 Feb 23
🎭️ Culture Narrative
  1. Games fulfill our self-actualization needs predictably, offering rewards without unknowns.
  2. Games model real-world complexity with instant feedback and decision-making.
  3. Games provide a unique medium for players to interact with narratives and experience consequences firsthand.

"You built a time machine... out of a Transformer model?"

Collisions • 0 implied HN points • 25 Jul 23
🎨 Art & Illustration Narrative
  1. When using AI tools for video generation, ground the content in narration or dialogue between characters for a more compelling story.
  2. Enhance the generated footage with shot composition, lighting, and attention to detail like character reactions and emotions.
  3. Utilize music and foley work to amplify emotions in the footage and maintain viewer engagement.

The big infodump chapter

Meaningness • 0 implied HN points • 02 Dec 23
📚 Literature Narrative
  1. The post discusses the big infodump chapter of a Tantric Buddhist vampire romance novel, where characters compare notes and pieces fall into place, setting the stage for what's to come.
  2. The narrative structure of the post is the final episode of Act II, establishing the relationship with the supernatural mentor.
  3. The author's spouse's guide to a foundational Dzogchen meditation approach, 'Opening Awareness,' is newly available in a Kindle edition, focusing on meditation that leads to vivid perception, interpersonal clarity, and responsible action.