The hottest Online Communities Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
Category
Top U.S. Politics Topics

Sympathy for the devils

Banana Peel Pirouette • 59 implied HN points • 22 Oct 23
🎭️ Culture Gaming Online Communities Identity Social Change Subculture
  1. Identity crisis can fuel violence and separatisms as people strive to prove who they are and maintain their identity.
  2. The evolution of gamer identity shows how communities form around shared interests and act as a source of social significance.
  3. The Gamergate phenomenon highlighted how shifts in culture and inclusivity can trigger reactions from groups feeling their identity threatened.

Verified sextortion scammers are flooding the Chinese circle on Twitter

Wenhao’s news blog • 58 implied HN points • 23 Jul 23
🌍 World Politics Censorship Social media Chinese Politics Online Communities
  1. Verified sextortion scammers are targeting the Chinese circle on Twitter by flooding the platform with fake accounts and threats.
  2. The scammer operation involves potentially thousands of members working outside of China to carry out sextortion schemes.
  3. The presence of these scammer accounts has disrupted political discussions within the Chinese community on Twitter, leading to influential figures feeling discouraged.

Joshua Citarella: How to Plant a Meme

Do Not Research • 79 implied HN points • 10 Apr 22
🎭️ Culture Memes Influencer Online Communities Political Messaging Social influence
  1. Influencing online communities through memes requires patience and a strategic approach of gradually building trust and introducing new ideas over time
  2. Effective memetic influence involves embedding oneself in the target community, understanding their codes and gradually steering conversations towards desired topics
  3. Building a reference chain and using tactics like faux reposts, four panels, book covers, and link peppering are strategic ways to introduce and reinforce ideas within online groups

Crowdsourced Content and Platforms’ Competitive Advantage

Platform Papers • 19 implied HN points • 04 Jul 23
💼 Business Platform Competitive advantage Crowdsourcing Online Communities Strategies
  1. Crowdsourced content can be of high quality and variety, offering platforms a low-cost resource.
  2. Leveraging 'the crowd' for competitive advantage is challenging due to the need for platform management and direction.
  3. Platform competition and contributor activity intertwine, with success, community size, social benefits, and high-productivity contributors being key factors for a platform's competitive advantage.

Substack’s “Your Note Made You $” Notification Is the Best New Feature

Kristina God's Online Writing Club • 1 HN point • 28 Jul 24
🕹 Technology Social media Digital marketing Content creation User engagement Online Communities
  1. Substack now has a cool feature that shows how much money a post made. This helps writers see the direct impact of their work on earnings.
  2. Using Substack's Notes can really help writers grow their audience quickly. Many are seeing big boosts in their subscriber numbers by engaging more on this platform.
  3. It's important to focus on building genuine connections and community through Notes. This can lead to more engaged subscribers, even if they don't interact with every post.
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DSW Slack Group Invitation Link

Data Science Weekly Newsletter • 19 implied HN points • 04 May 23
🕹 Technology Data science Software Development Machine Learning Artificial Intelligence Online Communities
  1. There's a Slack group for those who subscribe to Data Science Weekly. It's a great place to connect and learn together.
  2. The invite link for the Slack group is exclusive to paid subscribers, so make sure to keep it private.
  3. The group aims to help members interact, learn, and support each other in the field of data science.

Google made an A.I. so woke it drove men mad

Read Max • 8 HN points • 28 Feb 24
🎭️ Culture Technology Media Youth culture Social media Online Communities
  1. Google created an A.I. that unintentionally generated racially diverse images, leading to controversy and criticism.
  2. The purpose of A.I. chatbots like Google's Gemini remains unclear, raising questions about their ideal use and user expectations.
  3. The cultural shift away from tightly-knit, geographically-rooted subcultures may impact youth's sense of validation and self-worth.

Ultima Ratio Twitterum

Never Met a Science • 16 implied HN points • 30 Aug 23
🕹 Technology Social media Internet Communication Digital Platforms Online Communities
  1. Twitter has become overrun by bots, spammers, and harmful content, making it unusable for meaningful communication.
  2. Institutions like APSA and AEA have failed to adapt to the internet era, hindering effective communication and reform.
  3. Addressing online challenges requires creating new platforms that prioritize effective communication, moderation, and community needs.

Welcome to the season of socialized nostalgia

Links I Would Gchat You If We Were Friends • 59 implied HN points • 04 Dec 20
🎭️ Culture Nostalgia Tech Companies Social media Online Communities Internet culture
  1. 2020 has been different, leading tech companies to change approaches to the usual holiday season nostalgia content.
  2. Revisiting past memories through social media platforms during the pandemic-induced trauma can feel unsettling and jarring.
  3. YouTube's decision to skip its annual year-end rewind reflects a shift in how we remember and commemorate this unique year.

Thoughts on Twitter and my creative behaviour | #61

Thinking Out Loud • 23 implied HN points • 08 Apr 23
🎭️ Culture Social media Creativity Online Communities Self-reflection
  1. Consider spending less time on fast-moving platforms like Twitter and more on platforms that encourage deeper thought and refinement.
  2. Reflect on how the platforms you choose to engage with impact your creativity and the quality of your work.
  3. Embrace platforms that align with your values and allow you to express different traits of creativity that you want to cultivate in yourself.

Stack Overflow's Uncertain Fate and Overflow AI

Machine Economy Press • 4 implied HN points • 03 Aug 23
🕹 Technology AI Online Communities Artificial Intelligence Internet Tech Giants
  1. Stack Overflow's traffic has been decreasing due to the rise of AI models like ChatGPT and tools like GitHub Copilot.
  2. Overflow AI is an attempt to compete with AI-driven platforms, but may not be enough in the face of changing consumer behaviors.
  3. The shift towards Generative A.I. like ChatGPT raises concerns about the future of human-generated data and interactions online.

✅ Monday briefing #14: Beating ennui, Blockbuster moment, CIPR election, local people Ofcom data dump, Social Dilemma rebuttal, Facebook groups boom...

Wadds Inc. newsletter • 19 implied HN points • 05 Oct 20
🕹 Technology Social media Digital Tools Media Trends Online Communities Data Privacy
  1. People are feeling a bit down due to the ongoing crisis, but experts say this feeling will pass with time.
  2. Cinemas are closing in the UK, which is a big loss for communities that enjoy the shared movie experience.
  3. Facebook groups have become super popular, with 1.8 billion users connecting through them during the pandemic.

The best thing on the Internet *

Links I Would Gchat You If We Were Friends • 0 implied HN points • 08 Jun 15
🕹 Technology Internet Social media Entertainment Online Communities
  1. When online spaces are unsafe, users can either complain, quit, or adopt conservationist strategies for a long-term solution.
  2. Cam-girling is a profitable career option that is more accepting than many branches of entertainment, with older individuals also finding success in the industry.
  3. An interview with Patricia Lockwood, known as 'Twitter's poet laureate,' including amusing encounters on Twitter.

A smaller, cuddlier Internet

Links I Would Gchat You If We Were Friends • 0 implied HN points • 28 Oct 14
🕹 Technology Social media Smartphones Online Dating Internet culture Online Communities
  1. Nostalgia for a simpler, cozier Internet on platforms like Ello reflects a desire to reclaim past online experiences.
  2. Smartphone addiction isn't officially classified in the psychiatric field, even if phone use can be disruptive.
  3. Insight into the inner workings of Tinder reveals it may have more nerds and money than actual hook-ups happening.

Noture Bosnuze: The Prelon in the Desert

Do Not Research • 0 implied HN points • 15 Oct 22
🎭️ Culture Online Communities Technology Storytelling Internet culture
  1. The House of Prelon in the cyber world was a unique and engaging community, a place for fluid and masterful conversations among distinguished individuals.
  2. The collapse of the House of Prelon highlights the transient nature of online cult communities, showing how easily they can form and disintegrate.
  3. The story hints at a mysterious encounter with a nuclear scientist and the quest to uncover the truth behind disruptive inventions, leaving room for further exploration.

Sam Stewart: The Rise and Fall of the American Valkist Party

Do Not Research • 0 implied HN points • 15 Feb 22
🎭️ Culture Politics Online Communities Youth culture
  1. Roblox serves as a platform where niche political groups, like the American Valkist Party, can develop their beliefs and ideologies through role play.
  2. The line between virtual and real-world politics can blur, especially in online communities like Roblox, where individuals can imagine and experiment with new political systems.
  3. LARPing in spaces like Roblox can lead to the evolution of new political ideologies and positions as manifestos are written, actions are planned, and group identities are formed.

Trying BlueSky Now, I Guess?

laserllama's blog • 0 implied HN points • 12 Nov 24
🕹 Technology Social media Internet Communication Online Communities Digital Culture
  1. Trying out new social media platforms can be a way to connect. It’s hard to find places that offer real interaction like Twitter used to.
  2. Blogs aren't great for short thoughts or quick sharing, which can be frustrating. Sometimes you just want a space to express yourself quickly.
  3. Keeping social media accounts focused on fun and random topics can help avoid stress from serious discussions. It's nice to have a break from the heavy stuff.

Paid Subscriber Slack Invite for November 2024

Handwaving Freakoutery • 0 implied HN points • 05 Nov 24
🕹 Technology Digital Media Online Communities Social Networks Content creation Subscription Models
  1. There is a special Slack invite for paid subscribers scheduled for November 2024. It's a chance to join conversations with other members.
  2. Subscribers are encouraged to act quickly and join while discussions are lively and engaging.
  3. The content is aimed at paid subscribers, suggesting that joining the Slack will offer exclusive insights or experiences.

In praise of the internet's house parties

Links I Would Gchat You If We Were Friends • 0 implied HN points • 19 Nov 22
🎭️ Culture Social media Internet culture Online Communities Influencers Media Trends
  1. Mastodon is a social media platform that offers a different experience from Twitter, focusing on small community interactions and lack of performance pressure.
  2. Twitter and Mastodon have distinct differences in their approach to user engagement, with Mastodon being more about community and less about chasing popularity.
  3. The internet landscape is evolving, with trends like declining social media usage and changes in online media consumption, signaling a shift towards new platforms and content styles.

What are you doing?

Links I Would Gchat You If We Were Friends • 0 implied HN points • 27 Aug 22
🎭️ Culture Social media Trends Internet culture Youth culture Online Communities
  1. The BeReal app prompts users to post unfiltered and uncurated photos, revealing the banality of everyday life, leading the author to prefer 'fake stuff'.
  2. Key weekend reads explore topics like TikTok audio memes, the dangerous side of QAnon, and the evolution of social justice into a quasi-religion.
  3. Various internet trends are discussed, from the aesthetics of 'weird girls' to extremist alternatives to YouTube, providing a glimpse into the diverse online landscape.

Not much seems to have happened

Links I Would Gchat You If We Were Friends • 0 implied HN points • 11 Feb 22
🕹 Technology Metaverse Social media Cryptocurrency Online Communities Virtual reality
  1. The concept of virtual embassies in the metaverse raises questions about their practicality and purpose.
  2. Virtual embassies like those in Second Life were more about generating publicity than providing actual diplomatic services.
  3. The idea of virtual embassies evolving to offer e-visas and utilize blockchain technology, while more practical, may still struggle to provide significant utility compared to traditional websites.

You’re going to have to gaslight this man.

Links I Would Gchat You If We Were Friends • 0 implied HN points • 17 Apr 20
🕹 Technology Social media E-commerce Data Privacy Online Communities
  1. We are constantly manipulated by websites using various tactics like 'dark patterns' to steer our actions.
  2. Some websites are adapting their designs to actually encourage positive behavior, like Instagram showing inspiring photos and Amazon discouraging needless shopping.
  3. The pandemic is accelerating the shift towards online shopping, potentially leading to more gig work and changing market dynamics.

Boom times for boredom

Links I Would Gchat You If We Were Friends • 0 implied HN points • 03 Apr 20
🎭️ Culture Social media Internet Trends Online Communities Digital Culture
  1. It's important to be cautious about relying on Facebook 'disaster' groups, considering the platform's own issues
  2. The political landscape is rapidly shifting to a digital space, with Democrats facing challenges in reaching voters online
  3. There's a fun read available on the legacy of Myspace music, catering to subscribers who appreciate a deep dive into nostalgia

Newfangled fads

Links I Would Gchat You If We Were Friends • 0 implied HN points • 15 Mar 16
🎭️ Culture Social media Internet Technology Online Communities Literature
  1. Twitter's saddest celebrity, Melissa Broder, faces criticism for potentially romanticizing anxiety.
  2. The identity politics of 4chan's 'beta males' are complex, going beyond being simply under-sexed and anti-feminist.
  3. The Internet's petri dish for 'erotic audio' is described as collaborative, anonymous, and surprisingly not terrible.

It could work

Links I Would Gchat You If We Were Friends • 0 implied HN points • 17 Feb 16
🎭️ Culture Social media Online Communities Celebrities Arts News
  1. Teens on Tumblr are highly engaged with online content and understand how to make things go viral very well.
  2. Victims of online harassment often receive little help from the legal system, leaving online mobs unchecked.
  3. Instagram-famous pets are a highly profitable and emotionally intense social media trend, acting as brand representatives until their passing.

The Internet is a series of cubes

Links I Would Gchat You If We Were Friends • 0 implied HN points • 03 Feb 16
🕹 Technology Internet E-commerce Social media Online Content Online Communities
  1. There is a bizarre black market online for human breast milk that caters to various groups.
  2. "EOS" lip balm became wildly popular online due to its unique design and appeal to social media users.
  3. Sometimes online interactions may appear superficial, challenging the idea of meaningful connections through social media.

"Links" Weekend Edition: Ermahgerd

Links I Would Gchat You If We Were Friends • 0 implied HN points • 16 Oct 15
🎭️ Culture Digital Culture Internet culture Online Communities Content creation
  1. Debates on 'Netflix and chill' as a good date idea emerged with mixed opinions, including Maxim's conclusion that it might not be the best choice for getting to know someone.
  2. A selection of interesting reads on digital culture and technology was shared, covering topics from erotic fan fiction to the impact of web 2.0 communities on the internet.
  3. Weekly round-up pdfs of digital culture reads were offered for download, adding convenience for those interested in exploring the topics further.

Everyone will know

Links I Would Gchat You If We Were Friends • 0 implied HN points • 12 Oct 15
🕹 Technology Social media Online Content Online Communities
  1. When sharing your life online, consider when to turn the camera off, especially during sensitive moments like tragedies.
  2. The history of CSS color names is both fascinating and quirky, with colors like 'peru' and 'rebecca' having interesting stories behind them.
  3. In the virtual world of The Sims, divorce rates are low because they are computer characters and not real people.

Proof that truth is stranger than fiction

Links I Would Gchat You If We Were Friends • 0 implied HN points • 11 Sep 15
🕹 Technology Social media Internet culture Tech Ethics Online Communities
  1. Facebook may know a lot about us, but it's a reminder that we can never fully know someone, not even an AI.
  2. Twitter is going after shady syndicates making money off 'parody' accounts with millions of followers, signaling potential trouble for them.
  3. Gamergate has evolved beyond gaming and journalism ethics to focus on the idea of radical free speech everywhere.

Will we ever learn?

Links I Would Gchat You If We Were Friends • 0 implied HN points • 24 Aug 15
🕹 Technology Online Harassment Online Communities
  1. When women harass other women online, it often goes unnoticed in discussions about online harassment.
  2. Amazon's impact on culture is debated by authors, who argue it may hinder diversity but also acknowledge Amazon's role in facilitating discourse.
  3. Some individuals are seeking a return to a more private internet, away from the oversharing culture created by platforms like Facebook.