The hottest Performance Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
Category
Top Finance Topics

Petula Clark - The other British invasion

Rock 'n' Roll with Me • 459 implied HN points • 02 May 24
🎶 Music Pop Rock History Performance Culture
  1. Petula Clark had a huge impact in the 1960s music scene with several hit songs, showcasing her talent and staying power even at age 91.
  2. She collaborated with songwriter Tony Hatch to create many popular songs and was a top-charting artist, rivaling even The Beatles.
  3. Petula also had a successful career in film and television, gaining recognition for her acting and her efforts to promote inclusivity in entertainment.

Post to the Host

Garrison Keillor and Friends • 1179 implied HN points • 08 Jan 24
🎨 Art & Illustration Performance Literature Travel Music History
  1. Fans share personal stories and experiences with Garrison Keillor, showing deep appreciation and connection with his work.
  2. Garrison Keillor responds to fan messages and comments with wit, humor, and humility, engaging with his audience in a friendly manner.
  3. Audience members express excitement, plans, and hopes for attending Garrison Keillor's upcoming shows, showcasing their anticipation and admiration.

Are you delivering what you promised?

System Design Classroom • 279 implied HN points • 07 Jun 24
🕹 Technology Software APIs Systems Testing Performance
  1. Load tests help you see how well your API works with normal users. They show how many users it can support without slowing down.
  2. Stress tests push your API to its limits to find out what happens when it's overloaded. They help you prepare for crashes and see how fast it can recover.
  3. Spike tests check how your API handles sudden increases in traffic. They are important for making sure your service can handle bursts, especially during promotions.
Get a weekly roundup of the best Substack posts, by hacker news affinity:

The Anointed

Political Currents by Ross Barkan • 36 implied HN points • 24 Jan 25
🎭️ Culture Literature Media Society Art Performance
  1. Having someone recognize your talent can feel important, but real success often comes from hard work and persistence. It’s not just about getting that big break; it’s about consistently putting in the effort.
  2. The media landscape is constantly changing, and many traditional outlets are struggling to survive. It's tough for writers today to find their place in an environment where less funding and fewer opportunities exist.
  3. Today, being 'anointed' or becoming famous in the cultural scene is not as common as it once was. Many traditional routes to success have shifted, and while there are famous figures, the pool of new stars has narrowed significantly.

Oscar, Actors and the Double Exposure Effect

The Ankler • 923 implied HN points • 05 Feb 24
🎭️ Culture Film Actors TV shows Performance Entertainment
  1. Actors can benefit from the Double Exposure Effect when they have multiple great performances out at the same time, boosting their chances in award competitions.
  2. Timing is crucial in the entertainment industry; a well-timed release can elevate an actor's Oscar campaign, while an ill-timed one can damage it.
  3. The overall career and public perception of an actor can also influence their chances in award shows like the Oscars, showcasing the importance of a strong body of work.

James Taylor: The Creator Series #1

Rock 'n' Roll with Me • 239 implied HN points • 08 Jun 24
🎶 Music Songwriting Performance Music Industry Artist spotlight Cultural influence
  1. James Taylor believes songwriting is more of a mysterious process that comes from within. He says that sometimes, it feels like he's just the first person to hear the songs that were already there.
  2. Performing in front of small audiences helped him grow as a musician. He values those early experiences because they allowed him to test his skills and connect with audiences.
  3. For James, music is not just a job, but a way to connect with a community. He feels that playing music creates a shared emotional experience with the audience, which can be very powerful.

James Taylor's "Fire and Rain" + "You Can Close Your Eyes" with his son Henry Taylor

Rock 'n' Roll with Me • 239 implied HN points • 04 Jun 24
🎶 Music Artists Songs History Performance Culture
  1. James Taylor's song 'Fire and Rain' was inspired by his struggles with addiction and the loss of a friend. He wrote it during tough times in his life.
  2. The song became a huge hit in the 1970s, helping to launch the singer-songwriter movement and leading to James' successful music career.
  3. Over the years, 'Fire and Rain' has been covered by many artists and is considered a classic, recognized for its emotional depth and beautiful sound.

Due North

Black Music and Black Muses • 727 implied HN points • 09 Feb 24
🎭️ Culture Music Identity Race Family Performance
  1. Children of famous parents like North West and Blue Ivy inherit both spectacle and talent, performing what they are given.
  2. Grooming and understanding in relationships can hold complexities, influenced by societal norms and individual experiences.
  3. Celebrities like Michael Jackson faced grooming, identity struggles, and the pressures of performance throughout their lives.

Spread your tiny wings and fly away

Disaffected Newsletter • 1099 implied HN points • 02 Dec 23
🎶 Music Performance Artistry History Genres
  1. The female contralto voice is very special and beautiful, but it's quite rare. Many famous singers, like Karen Carpenter, have this unique vocal range.
  2. As artists grow older and revisit their earlier songs, they often bring new depth and emotion to their performances.
  3. Anne Murray's recent performance shows how time can enhance a song, making it more meaningful than when it was first released.

Introducing I Might Be Wrong Komedy Klass

I Might Be Wrong • 7 implied HN points • 11 Feb 25
😂 Humor Stand-up Comedy Writing Performance Education
  1. Comedy is meant to be fun, not a serious career path. If you're doing it just for enjoyment, that's what counts.
  2. Taking a comedy class can be helpful, but it's not necessary. Many successful comedians never took classes at all.
  3. The new Komedy Klass is a free resource where you can share your comedy work and get positive feedback, making it a supportive space.

S&P Addiction

Investment Talk • 707 implied HN points • 06 Feb 24
💰 Finance Investing Benchmarking Performance Global Markets Wealth Management
  1. Benchmarking can be a humbling but necessary process for investors to evaluate their performance relative to others.
  2. Choosing a benchmark is crucial for measuring investment success, considering time, effort, and opportunity costs involved in managing a portfolio.
  3. Fund managers and advisors use benchmarks for various reasons like performance evaluation, risk assessment, and ensuring accountability to clients.

The Plays About the End of the World

Common Sense with Bari Weiss • 222 implied HN points • 12 Feb 25
🎭️ Culture Theater Art Literature Media Performance
  1. New plays about AI are popping up everywhere, showing how people respond to new technologies. They don't predict an apocalypse, but they reveal our emotions and reactions.
  2. Theater might seem like a strange place to talk about complicated tech ideas. But these plays manage to make tough topics more relatable and human.
  3. Rather than traditional, boring themes, these plays bring fresh perspectives on current issues with technology that are important to us today. They offer entertaining yet thoughtful reflections on our future.

Take the Soap out of the Wrapper

Dada Drummer Almanach • 163 implied HN points • 02 Nov 24
🎶 Music Artists Lyrics Performance
  1. Demos are an important part of the music creation process. They can be rough ideas or complete songs, and they help artists shape their final work.
  2. Joni Mitchell's demo for 'Amelia' shows how a simple line can change the feel of a song. Editing and reordering lyrics can make a big difference in how the song tells its story.
  3. Listening to your own demos can be hard, but it’s also a chance to learn. Great artists like Joni Mitchell also spend time refining their work, which is encouraging for everyone.

The Band's Role on Tour '74 (by Annie Burkhart)

Flagging Down the Double E's • 589 implied HN points • 25 Jan 24
🎶 Music History Art Analysis Critique Performance
  1. The Band's role on the 1974 tour was significant, as they played two sets each night with their own big hits alongside Bob Dylan's songs.
  2. The Band faced struggles and burnout in 1974, with some members dealing with substance abuse and creative decline.
  3. The group's performance in Fort Worth in 1974 showcased their vulnerability and struggle, highlighted by songs like 'The Weight' and 'The Shape I'm In.'

Metrics Are The Map, Not The Territory

Push to Prod • 59 implied HN points • 30 Jul 24
🕹 Technology Metrics Systems Data Analysis Software Performance
  1. Metrics give us a view of our systems, but they won't show the complete picture. It's like looking at a map; it can guide us but doesn't capture all the details.
  2. When we check the data, we might miss important moments because of how we sample information. This can lead to misunderstandings about our system's performance.
  3. Understanding that metrics are imperfect helps us make better decisions. We should use them to create theories, not think they tell us everything.

Issue #7 - The Business Strategy, Where The Data Journey Starts

The Data Ecosystem • 179 implied HN points • 26 May 24
💼 Business Strategy Data Leadership Analytics Performance
  1. A business strategy is the game plan for a company to reach its goals. It involves having a clear vision, mission, and set of goals to guide the organization.
  2. Good business strategies have defined components that everyone in the company knows. This helps avoid confusion and keeps everyone focused on the same objectives.
  3. Data plays a crucial role in shaping modern business strategies. Companies need to integrate data and analytics into their plans to make informed decisions and stay competitive.

On investment firms, brand & reputation

Buggy Humans in a Messy World • 963 implied HN points • 23 Jun 23
💰 Finance Investment Reputation Communication Performance
  1. Investment firms may not have a brand, but they do have a reputation which is crucial in a commoditized business.
  2. An investment firm's reputation is determined by how well they behave and how they invest.
  3. Good behavior includes walking away from excessive fees and communicating honestly, while good investments involve associating with reputable businesses.

Why you can't bring a roast to a rally

The Rubesletter by Matt Ruby (of Vooza) | Sent every Tuesday • 427 implied HN points • 30 Oct 24
🎭️ Culture Comedy Politics Social Issues Performance Arts
  1. Comedy works best in the right context. A roast at a comedy club is different from jokes at a political rally. The audience needs to understand that it’s supposed to be funny.
  2. Intentions behind jokes matter, but so does the setting. If the environment is charged with negativity or hostility, jokes might not land well.
  3. Fame can be tricky in comedy. Just because someone is popular online doesn’t mean everyone knows them. This disconnect can change how people react to their humor.

"Sunny" - The inspired song that has, in turn, inspired so many other artists

Rock 'n' Roll with Me • 199 implied HN points • 26 Apr 24
🎶 Music Songwriting Influence History Performance Production
  1. Bobby Hebb's song 'Sunny' became a huge hit in 1966 and has been covered by over 500 artists. Its unique sound influenced many songs across different genres.
  2. The inspiration for 'Sunny' came to Bobby after a personal tragedy and seeing a beautiful sunrise, showing how powerful creativity can arise from tough times.
  3. Bobby's career was deeply influenced by his musical family and key figures in music, highlighting the importance of support and mentorship in achieving success.

Can Arsenal really compete at the top?

Grace on Football • 805 implied HN points • 07 Oct 23
🎾 Sports Soccer Teams Players Performance Strategy
  1. Arsenal has shown significant improvement under manager Mikel Arteta, achieving better results and attracting better players.
  2. The team's young core and strong defensive foundation provide hope for future success, even if immediate goals are not met.
  3. Key players like Gabriel Jesus and Declan Rice play crucial roles in the team's tactics and overall performance.

Who I’d pick for the Baseball Hall of Fame

Silver Bulletin • 186 implied HN points • 13 Jan 25
🎾 Sports Baseball Hall of Fame Athletes Performance Culture
  1. Ichiro Suzuki is a top pick for the Baseball Hall of Fame and may get in unanimously. His hit record is impressive and he's respected for his contributions.
  2. Recent Hall of Fame ballots include many international players, which shows baseball's growing diversity. This means that performance from players around the world is important.
  3. When considering Hall of Fame candidates, both statistics and a player's character matter. Some great players, despite their achievements, face scrutiny over their behavior or past controversies.

2023 Annual Report

The Wolf of Harcourt Street • 479 implied HN points • 09 Jan 24
💰 Finance Investments Performance Goals Lessons Learned Newsletter
  1. Achieved a return of 34.3% in 2023 compared to 24.1% for the S&P.
  2. Focused on refining the investment strategy, promoting Growth at a Reasonable Price (GARP) over Growth at Any Price (GAAP), and emphasizing value for long-term market-beating potential.
  3. Learned lessons such as avoiding blind dollar-cost averaging, seeking stocks with low expectations, and collaborating with others to improve quality and results.

Black Swans

Black Music and Black Muses • 687 implied HN points • 27 Feb 23
🎶 Music Artists History Influence Performance Lyrics
  1. Nina Simone's art was a blend of vulnerability and vengeance in her singing.
  2. Nina Simone's career and music reflected a battle between her desire to be a concert pianist and her role as a diva.
  3. Nina Simone's honesty and self-awareness about her path question the idea of success, sacrifice, and the road not taken.

Money League 2022/23

The Swiss Ramble • 334 implied HN points • 29 Jan 24
🎾 Sports Football Revenue Performance Rankings
  1. The top 20 revenue-generating football clubs reported record earnings for the 2022/23 season.
  2. Commercial revenue surpassed broadcasting revenue as the most significant income stream for the clubs.
  3. English clubs saw a decrease in rankings within the Money League, with only one club in the top four places.