The hottest Opinion Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
Category
Top Culture Topics

A Note from Bari—and Our Best Deal of the Year

Common Sense with Bari Weiss • 92 implied HN points • 28 Nov 25
📰 News Opinion
  1. A strong sense of gratitude for the team and the growing reader community, celebrating how their supporters make the work possible.
  2. A big expansion in content and reach, including new podcasts, columnists, livestreams, an app, live events, major investigations, and a partnership to reach more people.
  3. A direct call to become a paid subscriber with a limited 25% off first-year offer (and a gift option), framed as a way to join a large community committed to plain-speaking journalism.

Bret Stephens averts his eyes.

INDIGNITY • 412 implied HN points • 18 Jan 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Opinion
  1. Bret Stephens expresses moral outrage over genocide accusations against Israel
  2. Stephens questions the politicization of genocide accusations
  3. The article delves into the complexities of moral indignation and accusations during conflicts

MR WRONG: Ken you believe this crappy Barbie opinion?

INDIGNITY • 334 implied HN points • 26 Jan 24
🎭️ Culture Opinion
  1. The author expresses optimism even in challenging situations, believing things will get better.
  2. A critique is made about a columnist's negative perception of the Barbie movie, with a focus on the reviewer's approach.
  3. The mention of sandwich recipes from a vintage book shows a unique blend of content within the post.

Hidden Open Thread 383.5

Astral Codex Ten • 412 implied HN points • 29 May 25
🎭️ Culture Opinion
  1. This post is designed for paying subscribers only. It's important to support content creators by subscribing if you enjoy their work.
  2. There is a comment section for readers to engage and share their thoughts. It's a good way to connect with others who have similar interests.
  3. The post may include various topics for discussion, making it a flexible space for sharing ideas and perspectives. It's a nice way to explore different viewpoints.
Get a weekly roundup of the best Substack posts, by hacker news affinity:

ADL Takes Aim at my Substack

Kevin’s Newsletter • 530 implied HN points • 05 Apr 23
📰 News Opinion
  1. The Anti-Defamation League criticized a Substack writer for alleged antisemitic content
  2. The writer refutes the accusations made by the ADL with detailed explanations and counterarguments
  3. The writer invites the ADL to engage in a debate to discuss the accusations further

Disappearing media

SHuSH, by Kenneth Whyte • 255 implied HN points • 09 Feb 24
📰 News Opinion
  1. Authors write books to be part of a bigger conversation and gain media coverage for visibility and sales.
  2. Traditional media outlets are struggling, with many layoffs and declining trust from the public.
  3. Emerging digital media has not yet reached the employment levels of traditional journalism, and news trust among the American public is low and declining.

Friday Funnies: The Goal of Socialism...

Who is Robert Malone • 30 implied HN points • 02 Jan 26
💥 Comics Opinion
  1. It claims socialism ultimately leads to communism and uses cartoons and humor to make that argument.
  2. The messaging is mocking and provocative, using insults to challenge people who disagree or don’t see the point.
  3. It promotes activism against vaccine mandates, sharing a Hawaii speaking tour schedule and a link to a group that opposes mandatory vaccinations.

Life after Twitter

lawrence’s Substack • 499 implied HN points • 21 Apr 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Opinion
  1. The author is moving away from Twitter to focus on writing about various subjects like Tesla, energy policy, music, and more.
  2. The author expresses discontent with current political situations and ideologies, rooting for individual freedom and less government interference.
  3. There is a strong support for aiding Ukraine in its fight for freedom against Russia and the author advocates for US intervention to weaken Russia and send a message to China.

The Deep Slumber of A Decided Opinion

Hold That Thought by Sarah Haider • 393 implied HN points • 29 May 23
🎭️ Culture Opinion
  1. Wokeism focuses inward on personal truths rather than outward on universal truths or solutions.
  2. Sloppy scholarship and narrow perspectives in woke movements hinder understanding and progress on social justice.
  3. The inherited prosperity and privilege in America contribute to susceptibility to simplistic persuasion and emotional appeals.

Christopher Hitchens vs. Christmas Cheer

Philosophy for the People w/Ben Burgis • 259 implied HN points • 24 Dec 23
🎭️ Culture Opinion
  1. A certain group believes atheists dislike Christmas, but data shows 85% of non-religious Americans still celebrate the holiday.
  2. Christopher Hitchens took a Grinch-like stance on Christmas, but atheists can find reasons to enjoy the season.
  3. There is a case for atheists to appreciate and participate in Christmas or other holiday traditions without religious beliefs.

Nikki mirage

INDIGNITY • 196 implied HN points • 31 Jan 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Opinion
  1. The article discusses George Will's column about the Republican presidential primary and Nikki Haley's influence.
  2. George Will's piece reflects a sense of despair among anti-Trump Republicans.
  3. The column emphasizes Haley's 'exuberant pugnacity' and the idea of 'Making America Normal Again.'

If You Can’t See That Adam Rubenstein Was Treated Unfairly, You’re Being A Jerk

Singal-Minded • 1268 implied HN points • 29 Feb 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Opinion
  1. Adam Rubenstein was treated unfairly in his journalistic career due to misinformation spread by his own colleagues.
  2. The incident involving Rubenstein's sandwich preference was used as a focal point to smear him professionally, showcasing a lack of empathy and journalistic integrity in some of his peers.
  3. The response from certain journalists highlights a lack of reflection and remorse in the industry, pointing to broader issues concerning truth and fair reporting in journalism.

Hidden Open Thread 364.5

Astral Codex Ten • 481 implied HN points • 15 Jan 25
🎭️ Culture Opinion
  1. This is a post for paid subscribers only, meaning not everyone can access the content. It encourages people to consider subscribing to enjoy the benefits.
  2. The post is about an open thread, which suggests it allows discussion or sharing of thoughts among subscribers. This helps build community and engage readers.
  3. The mention of a specific date indicates that the content may be time-sensitive or related to ongoing discussions, prompting readers to check it out soon.

Maybe Your Opinion Is Just a Feeling About a Story

The Ruffian • 503 implied HN points • 07 Dec 24
🎭️ Culture Opinion
  1. Opinions can often be influenced by emotions rather than facts. It's important to recognize when your feelings about a story shape your views.
  2. The debate around the Elgin Marbles shows that we can change our minds when we learn more and see different perspectives about a historical issue.
  3. Identifying and understanding the narratives around controversial topics can help us make more informed decisions and avoid biases based on tribal feelings.

What's got my attention this week #17

The Shift With Sam Baker • 299 implied HN points • 01 Sep 23
🎭️ Culture Opinion
  1. The Shift With Sam Baker is a reader-supported publication with exclusive content for paid subscribers.
  2. The post includes recommendations for reading, articles about transgression, introversion-extroversion divides, and breast cancer experiences.
  3. Kim Cattrall is featured on the cover of Vogue Greece, sparking interest and discussions.

Hidden Open Thread 382.5

Astral Codex Ten • 206 implied HN points • 21 May 25
🎭️ Culture Opinion
  1. The post is for paid subscribers only, so not everyone can access its content.
  2. There is an option to subscribe for those interested in the material.
  3. The thread invites various discussions or comments, encouraging reader engagement.

About that supposed Nazi problem at Substack

Tilting At Windmills • 137 implied HN points • 15 Jan 24
📰 News Opinion
  1. Some were pressuring Substack to remove so-called Nazis from the platform, but it seems like that might not actually be a big issue.
  2. There was concern about Substack profiting from newsletters of questionable content.
  3. The author discusses the lack of a real Nazi problem on Substack, suggesting that the concern may not be as serious as thought.

How to Write Op-eds, Barbenheimer, and more

My New Band Is • 216 implied HN points • 27 Jul 23
🎭️ Culture Opinion
  1. Elizabeth Spiers is offering an opinion writing workshop on Zoom on August 9th and 16th from 7pm to 9pm ET.
  2. She recently wrote about Barbenheimer memes for The New York Times.
  3. Elizabeth Spiers is moving My New Band Is newsletter to a different platform to avoid promoting racists and transphobes.

How to fix Newsnight

Odds and Ends of History • 737 implied HN points • 05 Feb 24
🎭️ Culture Opinion
  1. Newsnight has faced a decline in viewers and budget cuts over the years.
  2. The show is undergoing changes with a reduced runtime and shift towards interviews and debates.
  3. Suggestions are made on how to improve Newsnight's situation and avoid irrelevance.

Wheelie Bags and Related Petty Gripes

The Commonplace • 933 implied HN points • 11 Sep 23
🎭️ Culture Opinion
  1. Packing light for travel can make journeys easier and more enjoyable.
  2. People often overpack when traveling, leading to unnecessary stress and inconvenience.
  3. Making thoughtful choices about what to bring on a trip can lead to a smoother travel experience.

The Influencer Era

Random Minds by Katherine Brodsky • 140 implied HN points • 25 Feb 25
🎭️ Culture Opinion
  1. Influencers have taken over discussions today. They often share quick opinions that get a lot of attention, even if those opinions are not deeply informed.
  2. People tend to prefer simple, catchy content over complex, researched information. This makes it easy to overlook true expertise in favor of what's entertaining.
  3. We should be more careful about who we listen to and take time to really think about topics. It's important to look for real knowledge instead of just popular opinions.

Taunting and Toxicity

Counting Atoms • 58 implied HN points • 01 Feb 24
🎾 Sports Opinion
  1. The author discusses their dislike for taunting and toxicity in sports, especially with the example of the Ravens player's taunting leading to a penalty
  2. The author points out the inconsistency in denouncing toxic behavior in some contexts, but celebrating it in sports like NFL taunting
  3. The author expresses their resigned acceptance of being out of step with the sports world on their views about taunting

tone deaf talking points

bad cattitude • 254 implied HN points • 18 Mar 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Opinion
  1. Discussing past events and individuals with honesty is important, regardless of personal viewpoints.
  2. The pandemic response resulted in significant personal freedom restrictions and economic consequences.
  3. Taking a different approach to the pandemic may have led to a better outcome, highlighting the importance of questioning decisions made by authorities.

August 15, 2025

Letters from an American • 29 implied HN points • 16 Aug 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Opinion
  1. It's important to take time for yourself and not overwork, as it can lead to burnout. Getting a good night's sleep can help you recharge and see things more clearly in the morning.
  2. Nature can be incredibly beautiful and calming. A visit to places like North Haven Island can provide a refreshing break and a new perspective.
  3. Staying engaged with current events can be fascinating, but it's also good to step back and relax sometimes. Balance is key to maintaining your well-being.

New Year Open Thread and Subscriber Exclusive Video (2026)

The Corbett Report • 4 implied HN points • 05 Jan 26
📰 News Opinion
  1. A New Year greeting invites readers to share their hopes, expectations, fears, and plans for 2026 in an open thread.
  2. Paid members can log in to comment and watch a subscriber-only video that demonstrates new membership management features. Non-members are encouraged to sign up and can contact support for login help.
  3. The site is reader-supported and asks people to subscribe or otherwise support the work to help keep independent media growing.

Et tu, Substack?

Dada Drummer Almanach • 293 implied HN points • 02 Jan 24
🎭️ Culture Opinion
  1. Substack facing criticism for hosting white supremacists and Nazis.
  2. Debate on censorship and demonetization for such content.
  3. Emphasizing the importance of direct communication with subscribers.

I Can’t Help but Feel Like You’re Trying to Intimidate Me Into Pretending to Agree with You

Bet On It • 483 implied HN points • 07 Apr 23
🎭️ Culture Opinion
  1. The post discusses feeling pressured to agree with others
  2. The author reflects on how this feeling arises in different situations like mandatory training or academic institutions
  3. The phrase 'I can’t help but feel like you’re trying to intimidate me into pretending to agree with you' is used as a coping mechanism and shared with the world