The hottest Narrative Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
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Top Faith & Spirituality Topics

Institutional code and human behavior (2)

Space chimp life • 0 implied HN points • 20 Apr 24
🎭️ Culture Narrative
  1. Processes are a collection of actions that help achieve a goal. They can vary depending on how you define them, like swimming or walking.
  2. Stories and reenactments can shape behavior by creating shared understandings of roles. They convey lessons and expectations in a way that can influence people without direct language.
  3. Shame and rituals, like dance or religion, can enforce social codes and behaviors. They help society manage roles and relationships, guiding how people interact with each other.

Retalings

Something to Consider • 0 implied HN points • 15 Jun 24
📚 Literature Narrative
  1. The story creatively blends elements of sports and classic literature, highlighting the struggles of the character James Finnican as a football player.
  2. Finnican faces harsh criticism and scrutiny from the media after a significant mistake on the field, reflecting the pressures athletes often endure.
  3. The tale emphasizes themes of failure, reputation, and the impact of public opinion, as Finnican's life and identity are largely shaped by his performance and the reactions to it.

A very sick love letter

Splattern • 0 implied HN points • 25 Oct 23
🎭️ Culture Narrative
  1. Being sick can make you reflect on your relationships and feelings deeply. It's important to take the time to express your thoughts to those you care about.
  2. Connecting emotionally is essential before building a romantic relationship. Trying exercises like eye-gazing can help explore those feelings.
  3. Listening to different perspectives on work-life balance can open your eyes to how people live around the world. Conversations can lead to valuable insights about happiness and stress.

I just met Bob Dylan 🎨

Tranquil Thoughts • 0 implied HN points • 14 Feb 23
🎭️ Culture Narrative
  1. Meeting your heroes can be surprising and sometimes not meet your expectations. It's okay because they are just people too, like you.
  2. Finding art you connect with can be meaningful and help you feel at home in new places. It can also lead to curiosity about the person behind that art.
  3. We all have the power to change the world around us. If we have ideas or dreams, we should go out and make them a reality, just like the artist 'Blob Dylan' did.

A matter of no importance

Logos • 0 implied HN points • 29 Dec 20
📚 Literature Narrative
  1. The narrator feels sad because he pushed away a woman who cared for him, showing that sometimes we hurt those we care about without even realizing it.
  2. He struggles with societal expectations of being tough and uncaring, believing that vulnerability makes him weak, which only increases his feelings of loneliness and sorrow.
  3. Eveline, the woman he pushed away, represents kindness and dignity, showing that true sophistication comes from being caring rather than callous.
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Short-range dependance

do clouds feel vertigo? • 0 implied HN points • 26 Jan 24
📚 Literature Narrative
  1. Bob wants to spoil Alice's book reading by starting a few pages ahead. He realizes there's a balance between starting too far ahead or too close to her current reading.
  2. Alice enjoys page-turners where the story keeps getting exciting, which makes it easier for Bob to guess the next part. The density of the story affects how spoilers work in their reading game.
  3. Eventually, Alice catches onto Bob's plan and decides to read something like dictionaries, which makes it impossible for Bob to spoil anything.

Stories with two characters

do clouds feel vertigo? • 0 implied HN points • 15 Jan 24
📚 Literature Narrative
  1. Stories often use two characters to create interesting conflicts, like a hero and a villain. These relationships help drive the story forward and keep readers engaged.
  2. Dualities like good vs. evil or supply vs. demand help us understand complex ideas. They let us see different sides of a situation and how they relate to each other.
  3. Using duality in storytelling helps break down chaos and build clear relationships. This makes it easier to communicate deeper messages within the story.

Coming Soon

do clouds feel vertigo? • 0 implied HN points • 27 Jan 23
📚 Literature Narrative
  1. Challenge the way things are and ask tough questions. It's important to think differently and be open to new ideas.
  2. Use stories and comparisons to understand big ideas. They help us think about complicated things in a simpler way.
  3. The stories we tell ourselves matter. They shape how we see the world and can give us freedom to think and feel differently.

Lost in the Woods with Jenna Wortham

The Fairest Writer • 0 implied HN points • 30 Mar 21
🎭️ Culture Narrative
  1. Sometimes, you can get too focused on your goals and forget to take care of yourself. It's important to embrace spontaneity and allow things to happen naturally.
  2. Working too hard doesn't always lead to the best results. Sometimes, letting go and allowing your writing to take its own course can actually make it more fulfilling.
  3. Building friendships with other creative people can help you see things differently and find more balance in your work and life.

Another writing session tomorrow!

The Fairest Writer • 0 implied HN points • 27 Jul 20
📚 Literature Narrative
  1. There will be a Zoom writing session tomorrow for those looking to write with a group. It's a great chance to be more focused and share what you've worked on.
  2. The writer is also participating in a reading series at the same time as the writing session. It's a fun opportunity for fans to listen to them read their work.
  3. The writer is enjoying a book about narrative patterns, which is inspiring new ideas for their own writing. They believe exploring different structures can help readers connect with themselves more deeply.

Why Writing a Book Is Like Falling in Love

The Fairest Writer • 0 implied HN points • 04 May 20
📚 Literature Narrative
  1. Loving the writing process is more important than just wanting a book published. When you focus on writing for yourself, it makes your work better.
  2. Using personal experiences in your writing can help clarify complex feelings. It’s about expressing your truth rather than trying to fit into someone else's expectations.
  3. If you truly care about your book and enjoy the writing, chances are others will appreciate it too. Writing from the heart helps connect with readers.

Sometimes the Mystery is that there is no Mystery

TOP SECRET UMBRA • 0 implied HN points • 11 Oct 24
💾 History Narrative
  1. Sometimes the truth about events, like Amelia Earhart's disappearance, is less exciting than the myths that surround them. Earhart wasn't a perfect pilot and made mistakes that led to her tragic fate.
  2. Earhart was a famous figure but her overconfidence in flying and navigation skills contributed to her disappearance. Her ventures sometimes went beyond her abilities.
  3. There's a fascination with Amelia Earhart that continues decades after her disappearance, highlighting how people are drawn to both her achievements and the mystery surrounding her story.

The Family Curse

Captive Liberty • 0 implied HN points • 18 Oct 24
📚 Literature Narrative
  1. Iphigenia and her family had a curse where each woman lost vision in their left eye after being told to bathe in a lake on a specific day. This repeated for generations.
  2. The nixie, a water spirit, cursed the family because of a past deception by Iphigenia's ancestor Helena. He wanted revenge by taking their eyes each generation.
  3. In the end, Marta outsmarted the nixie by showing him a three-eyed fish from a TV show, which lifted the curse and allowed her family to live free from his demands.

Bodies Bodies [4]

The Author Is Dumb • 0 implied HN points • 08 Dec 24
📚 Literature Narrative
  1. A new technology called Pythia has the potential to analyze a huge amount of data to make predictions about various events. This could include things like changes in markets or climate.
  2. The story explores uncertainty and confusion among characters as they deal with an unexpected phenomenon called The Body in the sky, leading to discussions about its meaning and implications.
  3. The characters are juggling personal challenges while trying to navigate their professional lives, showing the tension between work stress and their personal relationships.

Bodies Bodies [7]

The Author Is Dumb • 0 implied HN points • 29 Dec 24
📚 Literature Narrative
  1. David feels empty and struggles to find something engaging to watch on TV. The constant change of images and sounds adds to his sense of distraction.
  2. He is worried about his job and feels uncertain about his direction in life, especially after a complaint from a student.
  3. There is tension in his personal life, as he communicates with Anna about worries for their family and friends, showing a longing for connection and understanding.

Bodies Bodies [10]

The Author Is Dumb • 0 implied HN points • 19 Jan 25
⚔ Fiction Narrative
  1. Communication is key when faced with uncertainty. It's important to share information rather than keeping it classified.
  2. The public reacts strongly to unknown situations. Without clear answers from authorities, people might believe rumors or wild ideas.
  3. Collaboration is crucial. Different teams need to work together to find solutions and avoid panic, especially when resources are limited.

Bodies Bodies [8]

The Author Is Dumb • 0 implied HN points • 05 Jan 25
📚 Literature Narrative
  1. The story shows a man who feels watched and can't look away from the sky. He seems stuck in his thoughts, not paying attention to anyone around him.
  2. As he stares, a crowd gathers, confused and frustrated, trying to get his attention. They want to know what he's looking at and why he won't respond.
  3. In the end, the man finally speaks, telling the crowd they're being watched too. This makes everyone turn their gaze to the sky together, creating a shared moment of curiosity.

Bodies Bodies [12a]

The Author Is Dumb • 0 implied HN points • 02 Feb 25
⚔ Fiction Narrative
  1. David feels awkward at social events and often finds himself trying to support Anna while she mingles. He'd rather avoid small talk and just go home.
  2. Alvin is developing a project that predicts future events using technology, which David finds hard to accept or believe. This creates tension between them.
  3. Anna is well-liked and confident, able to navigate social situations effortlessly while David struggles with his feelings of inadequacy and frustration.

Bodies Bodies [11]

The Author Is Dumb • 0 implied HN points • 26 Jan 25
📚 Literature Narrative
  1. David is feeling stressed about a student's complaint regarding his teaching approach. He believes the complaint is more about the student’s expectations than his teaching style.
  2. Dr. Meriweather is concerned about David's well-being and thinks he might be losing passion for his work. He suggests that David should take time off to recharge and focus on his family.
  3. David acknowledges he has been drifting and may need to reflect on his teaching and personal life. He recognizes that he needs to reconnect with what he is teaching.

Bodies Bodies [13]

The Author Is Dumb • 0 implied HN points • 23 Feb 25
📚 Literature Narrative
  1. Friends often engage in reckless games, like running into traffic, to feel something exciting and alive. It shows how teenagers sometimes seek thrills together.
  2. The struggle of growing up with social media is tough. One person reflects on being treated like a product by parents who cared more about views than their child.
  3. Relationships can change when people focus too much on appearances or success instead of genuine connection, leading to misunderstandings and conflict.

Bodies Bodies [12c]

The Author Is Dumb • 0 implied HN points • 16 Feb 25
⚔ Fiction Narrative
  1. David feels out of place at the dinner, especially when Anna shines in social situations. While he struggles to connect with others, he admires Anna's charisma and intellect.
  2. The conversation at the table turns to deep topics about the nature of reality, with some guests speculating about higher dimensions. It's clear that David thinks a lot of this talk is just confusing noise.
  3. After drinking too much, David ends up sick in the bathroom, feeling embarrassed and vulnerable. Anna comes to check on him, reminding him of their younger days and showing she cares.

Kitty's Bordello

Pizza Party • 0 implied HN points • 25 Jun 25
⚔ Fiction Narrative
  1. There's a focus on togetherness and celebrating with friends, like having a pizza party. It emphasizes how sharing food can bring people closer.
  2. The work seems to invite readers to join a community or support creative ventures. It shows the importance of community in creative expressions.
  3. The title hints at themes of hope and possibly fun, suggesting a lighthearted or positive perspective in the storytelling.

The Defeated Detective: Chapter 4-5

Strange Stories by Shantnu • 0 implied HN points • 12 Oct 25
⚔ Fiction Narrative
  1. The main character is in a chaotic situation after blacking out and finding himself near dead bodies. Strange occurrences seem to change his perception of reality, making it difficult for him to separate what's real from what's not.
  2. He meets a detective looking for his missing sister, who vanished after getting a creepy mirror. The detective believes something sinister is involved because the sister’s belongings were left behind and there are strange circumstances surrounding her disappearance.
  3. A new secretary appears unexpectedly, claiming she's looking for experience. The main character is suspicious of her motives even as he assigns her to gather information, showing his struggle to trust others while dealing with chaotic and mysterious events.

The Defeated Detective

Strange Stories by Shantnu • 0 implied HN points • 06 Oct 25
⚔ Fiction Narrative
  1. Royce, the detective, is struggling with clients and is very lonely in his empty office.
  2. He encounters the ghost of a murdered homeless woman who needs his help to solve her murder.
  3. Royce discovers that the woman was ritually sacrificed, suggesting a deeper and more sinister crime at play.

The Pipe-Riding City I Saw Half-Asleep

Kartick’s Blog • 0 implied HN points • 17 Nov 25
📚 Literature Narrative
  1. The dream featured a unique transport system where people rode on a moving pipe without any safety systems. It was a tough environment that required a lot of balance and skill.
  2. In this dream world, objects only came in one size per shape. For example, if you wanted a ball, it could only be small, while bigger objects had to be cubes.
  3. The dream presented a surreal and harsh reality, where basic laws of geometry and size didn't apply like they do in our world.