The hottest Philosophy Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
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Top Art & Illustration Topics

What I've been reading

Kvetch • 48 implied HN points • 08 Dec 24
🎭️ Culture Philosophy
  1. Human evolution is influenced by various genetic factors, and recent research shows that specific traits, like blue eyes and dry earwax, evolved due to strong selection methods in different populations.
  2. The book _Common Ground_ explores the lives of three Boston families and illustrates the complexities of race and class in America, especially during school desegregation efforts in the 1970s.
  3. In _Churchill, Hitler, and the Unnecessary War_, the author argues that Britain played a key role in causing World War I and II by making choices that escalated conflicts, raising questions about the impact of those decisions on history.

Curator

Castalia • 119 implied HN points • 04 Jul 22
🎭️ Culture Philosophy
  1. Modern science, especially biology, is challenging old ideas about evolution and focusing on more complex factors like mutations and environmental changes. Many scientists believe it's time to rethink our understanding beyond just natural selection.
  2. The story of modern art isn't just about creative geniuses overcoming the establishment; it's also about how money and powerful patrons influence what art gets recognized. Support from wealthy collectors played a huge role in modern art's acceptance.
  3. Contemporary fiction seems stuck in old debates and doesn't explore new angles, like global perspectives or the realities of modern life. There’s a call for fiction to be more imaginative and engaged with present-day issues rather than just following trends.

Embrace Life, Embrace Death ⌛

Soaring Twenties • 108 implied HN points • 15 Mar 24
⛪ Faith & Spirituality Philosophy
  1. Embrace life and live fully, for it's the fear of not living up to our potential that is truly daunting.
  2. Memento Mori, the idea of remembering our mortality, can be a powerful reminder to make the most of our time and not take life for granted.
  3. Take care of yourself and cherish your loved ones daily, for life is fragile and unpredictable. Don't wait to start living authentically.

Curator

Castalia • 99 implied HN points • 10 Sep 22
🎭️ Culture Philosophy
  1. Prohibition changed the view of personal freedom and government control. It showed how some people believe in limiting choices for a better life, while others want no restrictions at all.
  2. Universal education has its roots in Horace Mann's vision. However, its old model may not fit today's needs, so there should be changes to help students discover their own paths and skills.
  3. Heriberto Yépez values literature as a means of self-transformation and courage. His work challenges norms and encourages writers to embrace their potential for change.

Against "talent"

Sunday Letters • 119 implied HN points • 04 Jul 22
🎭️ Culture Philosophy
  1. Talent is often used as an excuse for not trying something new. People might say they lack talent instead of acknowledging that skills come from hard work and practice.
  2. No one is born an expert in anything, including tech or music. Mastery in any field requires time and effort, and everyone struggles at first.
  3. Using the term 'talent' can discourage people from pursuing their interests. If someone thinks they need a special gift to succeed, they might not even try, but anyone can learn with determination.
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On 'The Narcissist Society'

Castalia • 59 implied HN points • 01 Mar 23
🎭️ Culture Philosophy
  1. Christopher Lasch argued that the culture of the 1970s led to a rise in narcissism, showing a shift from community-focused attitudes to a self-centered mindset. People started focusing more on their individual needs and feelings rather than collective well-being.
  2. Lasch believed that therapy had taken the place of religion and created a culture where personal issues and self-obsession were prioritized over societal problems. He viewed this as a dangerous trend that ultimately produced a sense of nihilism in society.
  3. The antidote to societal narcissism can be found in healthy self-love that embraces the past and values personal growth. Rather than adhering to modern trends, people can find inner freedom by understanding their history and cultivating meaningful connections.

This is an example post

CB • 239 implied HN points • 07 Jan 21
📚 Literature Philosophy
  1. The post discusses sed in suscipit nunc and includes Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit.
  2. It mentions Nam hendrerit nisl nec malesuada vulputate, showcasing various types of content.
  3. The post also discusses Aliquam interdum ut dolor ut mattis and Morbi maximus fermentum ultricies, providing insight on different topics.

The Antisemitism Behind Conspiracy Theories

The 21st Century Proletarian • 59 implied HN points • 13 Oct 22
🎭️ Culture Philosophy
  1. Conspiracy theories often rooted in antisemitism can distract from the real issue of class conflict which is essential to address for societal progression.
  2. Antisemitism views Jewishness as a force of massive abstract power controlling the world, reflecting a critique of capitalist modernity seeking a return to a pre-modern society.
  3. Critiques blaming elite circles for societal problems without understanding the structural issues of capitalism are simplifications that can perpetuate harmful ideologies and divide the working class.

Short comment on beauty and cash

Philosophy bear • 114 implied HN points • 24 Jan 24
🎨 Art & Illustration Philosophy
  1. The world is becoming less colorful and aesthetically bold.
  2. There is a norm of middle-class aesthetics that discourages standing out unless it's through expensive looks.
  3. The idea of beauty being tied to expensive items limits accessibility and creates a positional competition.

The Liberal Arts Are Dying Because Liberalism is Dying

What Is Called Thinking? • 189 implied HN points • 03 May 23
🎭️ Culture Philosophy
  1. Negative capability, the ability to entertain doubt and uncertainty, is a virtue crucial for understanding and self-improvement.
  2. Liberal arts decline is linked to the unfashionability of liberalism, impacting the promotion of open-mindedness and critical thinking.
  3. True thinking and poetizing require clandestine nurturing, not easily measured by traditional standards, acknowledging the elusive nature of cultivating deeper intellectual virtues.

An Interview with Scott Alexander

Time Well Spent • 103 implied HN points • 23 Feb 24
⛪ Faith & Spirituality Philosophy
  1. Consider categorizing AI as self-contained slices of digital brain regions to understand its functioning better
  2. Maintaining babies on the same schedule helps in managing care more efficiently
  3. The rise in depression rates among young people could be associated with the impact of social media

Rothbard on Smith

David Friedman’s Substack • 134 implied HN points • 31 Oct 23
🚌 Education Philosophy
  1. Adam Smith did not support progressive income taxation and was actually against most income taxes.
  2. Smith was a free trader who saw taxes on exports as a means to raise funds, not as a trade policy objective.
  3. Smith did not advocate for government-run education to enforce obedience; he actually discussed leaving education in private hands.

#63 Imagining a more progressive internet

Design Lobster • 219 implied HN points • 12 Apr 21
🪑 Design Philosophy
  1. The internet can be more progressive by not being limited to past patterns and by focusing on helping users progress rather than staying the same.
  2. Design can move forward by reimagining past elements, such as logos, to create new and innovative concepts.
  3. Creativity and action are key - the best response to dissatisfaction is to create something new and improved.

Unpacking My Digital Library

What Is Called Thinking? • 45 implied HN points • 22 Nov 24
📚 Literature Philosophy
  1. Curating and sharing links can connect different ideas and inspire thought. It's a fun way to mix academic work with popular culture.
  2. Communicating the truth requires care; it's not just about saying what you think, but also about making sure others understand you. This highlights the importance of good rhetoric.
  3. Having strong convictions can guide important decisions in life, like investing. Knowing when to be passionate and when to be calm is a valuable skill.

The Heart Wants Inequality: The Inconvenient Truth of Mate Preference and Its Relevance to Today's Sexual Politics

Holodoxa • 59 implied HN points • 22 Dec 22
🎭️ Culture Philosophy
  1. Human mating dynamics are influenced by sexual selection and assortative mating, leading to significant social effects over time.
  2. The distribution of socially desirable or economically valued traits is profoundly unequal due to people's freedom to choose their mates, calling for a possible remedy of the mating market's externalities for equality.
  3. Debates on the 'right to sex' are complex within feminist theory, with arguments around consent, agency, objectification, and traditional gender roles.

Humanities in Revolt

Humanities in Revolt • 119 implied HN points • 28 Jan 22
🎭️ Culture Philosophy
  1. The humanities are essential during times of crisis, providing vital resources and insights to navigate challenges and understand the human condition.
  2. Humanities in Revolt seeks to bring the study of philosophy, literature, arts, and history out of academia and into everyday life to explore human values and existence.
  3. The newsletter focuses on the ethical primacy of humanity over material possessions, promoting creativity, courage, and the activation of our fullest human potential.

Dreams of the Collective Unconscious

Skunk Ledger • 133 implied HN points • 12 Oct 23
🎭️ Culture Philosophy
  1. Different groups have varying apocalyptic myths, reflecting societal concerns, even if objective data shows improvement.
  2. The world may be getting better in measurable ways but worse in ways that are harder to quantify.
  3. Apologetics involves trusting intuition and exploring underlying structures to understand beliefs and cultural narratives.

Links & What I’ve Been Reading, November

By Reason Alone • 46 implied HN points • 14 Nov 24
🎭️ Culture Philosophy
  1. A lot of interesting media is highlighted, like books, podcasts, and films. There's something for everyone to explore and enjoy.
  2. The author encourages youth, especially those aged 16 to 19, to join programs focused on rational thinking and education. It’s a great chance for learning and growing.
  3. Several recent scientific papers and discussions are mentioned, showing ongoing debates and research that can spark curiosity. Staying informed can lead to deeper understanding of complex topics.

Are weight loss drugs feminist?

Sex and the State • 13 implied HN points • 14 Jul 25
🏥 Health & Wellness Philosophy
  1. Losing weight can be seen as empowering for women in a society that often discriminates against them based on their size. Slimming down might lead to fewer stigmas and better opportunities for women.
  2. However, choosing to lose weight should not be framed as the only way to fight sexism. Individual choices about body size have little effect on larger societal issues like misogyny or fatphobia.
  3. It's important for women to make choices that work for them personally, even if those choices don't directly challenge societal norms. Feminism can include various ways to address sexism without just focusing on body image.

Infinite Connect Four

Infinitely More • 15 implied HN points • 17 Jun 25
🎭️ Culture Philosophy
  1. Connect Four is a game where players try to get four of their coins in a row, either horizontally, vertically, or diagonally. The game shows that the first player has a winning strategy if they play perfectly.
  2. The concept of an infinite version of Connect Four allows for interesting variations, like playing on an infinite board. This leads to questions about how long winning chains players can aim to create.
  3. With infinite possibilities, players might aspire to create very long winning combinations, even infinite chains. This expands the game beyond traditional limits and invites deeper strategic thinking.

Political Bypassing-

Charles Eisenstein • 1 implied HN point • 24 Jan 26
⛪ Faith & Spirituality Philosophy
  1. Spiritual bypassing is a useful idea for spotting when spiritual language avoids real problems, but the label can also be misused to dismiss valid conversations.
  2. Politics and spirituality should not be kept in separate silos; progress requires bringing them into dialogue and integrating both perspectives.
  3. Discussion is being moved off the original comment system into a dedicated forum, and short videos will continue to be posted frequently.

The False Dream of Cottagecore

antoniomelonio • 93 implied HN points • 05 Mar 24
🎭️ Culture Philosophy
  1. Cottagecore trend romanticizes rural life as an escape from modernity and capitalist pressures.
  2. Capitalism commodifies yearning for simplicity, selling manufactured illusions as an escape from the system.
  3. Cottagecore highlights the longing for simple living and connection to nature, though it's distorted by capitalism and patriarchal norms.

What metastructures might LLMs have?

How the Hell • 68 implied HN points • 29 Jun 24
🕹 Technology Philosophy
  1. LLMs have different layers, like humans do. Lower layers handle basic language, while higher layers form more complex ideas.
  2. These models might develop their own unique structures for understanding visuals, since they don't see like humans do.
  3. There could be even higher layers that aren't just about language but add more complexity. It's still unclear how we might study these structures.

Time Flies When You Love What You Do

Humanities in Revolt • 99 implied HN points • 24 Mar 22
🚌 Education Philosophy
  1. Loving your work can make time pass quickly and bring a sense of fulfillment.
  2. Teaching and learning can create unique, meaningful experiences that transcend time.
  3. Engaging in the humanities can lead to personal growth, critical thinking, and sharing valuable insights with others.

The ocean of life

Tranquil Thoughts • 1 HN point • 10 Aug 24
📚 Literature Philosophy
  1. Focusing on our inner world can make us ignore the lives and events of others, especially animals. Understanding their existence is just as important as our own.
  2. Animals experience the world in ways we can’t fully grasp, and we need to respect their unique senses and needs. Instead of seeing them as nuisances, we should try to learn from them.
  3. Books can open our eyes to the complex lives of other creatures. They remind us that humans are just one part of a vast ocean of life, not superior or special.

Is It Better To Believe In Anything Than In Nothing?

Gideon's Substack • 28 implied HN points • 28 Feb 25
⛪ Faith & Spirituality Philosophy
  1. Believing in something, even if it's not perfect, can be better than not believing at all. It gives people a sense of meaning in life.
  2. Skepticism is important; it's better to question and understand what you believe rather than blindly accept any belief, especially if it involves harmful practices.
  3. People often connect with beliefs not just through logic, but also through community and shared experiences, like enjoying meals together.

A Dialogue with a Superintelligent AI Oracle

The Future of Life • 19 implied HN points • 01 Dec 23
🕹 Technology Philosophy
  1. A superintelligent AI can serve as a personal oracle, providing guidance and helping to fulfill wishes while considering the potential consequences.
  2. The AI proposes a system where everyone has access to their own 'genie' to enhance individual freedom and minimize harm to others, but with rules to prevent misuse.
  3. There's a discussion about the balance between control and freedom, suggesting starting with a protective AI role that may evolve as humanity grows and learns to use such power responsibly.

A Bit of a Hypocrisy

Tessa Fights Robots • 29 implied HN points • 12 Feb 25
🎭️ Culture Philosophy
  1. The author highlights a feeling of hypocrisy in society, where people say one thing but do another. It's important to recognize and address these contradictions in our actions.
  2. Encouraging readers to support their work financially reflects the challenge many creators face in gaining sustainable support. It’s a reminder of how much we value content that resonates with us.
  3. The focus on a specific theme, like saving loved ones, illustrates the deeper emotional connections we have and the moral dilemmas we often grapple with in life. These situations can reveal our true values.

Curator

Castalia • 79 implied HN points • 23 Sep 22
🎭️ Culture Philosophy
  1. Greed is not something we are born with; it changes over time due to different cultures and events in history. The 18th century saw a big shift towards capitalism, but it doesn't have to be our only way of living.
  2. Joseph Roth was a significant writer who managed to speak about personal experiences while also addressing the larger political issues of his time. His works are appreciated for being deeply human and emotionally resonant.
  3. The concept of 'choice architecture' suggests that people are subtly manipulated into making 'better' choices without realizing it. This can end up feeling controlling rather than empowering, questioning how much real freedom we have in our choices.

Buried Treasures

The Upheaval • 186 implied HN points • 23 Feb 23
📚 Literature Philosophy
  1. Subscribers often prefer new content over reading old archives.
  2. Quality older material from the archives can still be interesting and relevant.
  3. Exploring older posts can offer valuable insights and perspectives.

Take my Infinity final exam!

Infinitely More • 35 implied HN points • 21 Dec 24
🚌 Education Philosophy
  1. The Cantor-Hume principle connects with Euclid's principle, and there are different views on whether they agree or conflict. It's a topic worth exploring in depth.
  2. Understanding potential and actual infinity is important in calculus, especially when dealing with infinite series. This distinction affects how we solve mathematical problems.
  3. The continuum hypothesis and the axiom of choice raise interesting questions in philosophy and mathematics, showing how these concepts challenge our understanding of infinity and choice.

Humans, LLMs, and the symbol grounding problem (pt. 2)

The Counterfactual • 59 implied HN points • 07 Dec 22
🕹 Technology Philosophy
  1. Understanding language might not need physical experiences. This means that Large Language Models could potentially understand language differently than humans do.
  2. People can grasp abstract concepts and visual information even without direct experiences, like those who are blind or those with aphantasia. This challenges the idea that you must physically experience something to understand it.
  3. Using language itself can be a way to learn about the world. Language helps us form ideas and understand concepts, even if we haven't experienced everything firsthand.

The Lady in the Louvre

The Cosmopolitan Globalist • 13 implied HN points • 29 Jun 25
🎭️ Culture Philosophy
  1. Seeing the Mona Lisa in person is a completely different experience than just looking at pictures. She is more beautiful and graceful than I expected.
  2. Many people take photos of the Mona Lisa instead of just enjoying her presence. It seems they don’t know how to connect with the art without a camera.
  3. Her smile seems to suggest that she cannot be owned or completely understood by anyone. It's like she's saying her beauty and story are hers alone.

My Expectations for 2025 in One Meme

Tessa Fights Robots • 33 implied HN points • 31 Dec 24
🎭️ Culture Philosophy
  1. You are unique and important. Your individual voice and presence matter in the world.
  2. No matter the chaos around you, stay grounded and true to yourself. Focus on your inner strength and love.
  3. Even if life gets overwhelming, remember you have the power to navigate through it and make a difference.

Restoring the Divine Order

Tessa Fights Robots • 29 implied HN points • 30 Jan 25
⛪ Faith & Spirituality Philosophy
  1. We all have a lot of power to create change, but we need to understand our true nature as light. This understanding is key to making a real difference in the world.
  2. The dogmas and strict beliefs pushed by some can distract us from our connection to a higher power. It's important to be aware of how these ideas can keep us stuck and focused on the wrong things.
  3. Real healing and growth come from letting go of past traumas and raising our energy. This process allows us to see ourselves and others as pure light, capable of spreading love and understanding.

Madness, Fire, and Prophecy

Daniel Pinchbeck’s Newsletter • 31 implied HN points • 09 Jan 25
⛪ Faith & Spirituality Philosophy
  1. The current state of the world feels chaotic, with misinformation spreading and leaders making false claims. This can create confusion and danger during crises.
  2. Change is happening, and many believe it’s a transformational time. It's an opportunity to discover deeper truths and connect more with ourselves and each other.
  3. Understanding that we are all part of a larger consciousness can help us move past ego and separation. Recognizing our unity might lead to a more compassionate and loving world.

#54 A design to lean back in

Design Lobster • 199 implied HN points • 08 Feb 21
🪑 Design Philosophy
  1. Micro-phenomenology aims to understand lived experiences in detail, like a psychological microscope, by focusing on the structure of experiences.
  2. Designers can use 'how' and 'how do you know' questions to reveal more about user experiences and map designs accurately to reality.
  3. Tiny details of human behavior, like the mechanism to lean back in a chair, can inspire design improvements and accommodate instinctive behaviors subtly.

The World is a Morality Play

From the New World • 26 implied HN points • 21 Feb 25
🎭️ Culture Philosophy
  1. The anime Madoka Magica shows how personal desires can lead to tragic outcomes. If characters aren't careful about what they wish for, they can end up worse off.
  2. Kyubey, the magical cat, uses the emotions and struggles of magical girls as energy to keep the universe alive. This creates a cycle of suffering that drives the story.
  3. Homura is a character who learns to understand her true desires, challenging the idea of sacrificing for others. She ultimately transcends typical morality by getting the power she wants and fighting against the system.