The hottest Politics Substack posts right now

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Top Links 797 Upgrading America's military-industrial complex. The Rise and Fall of China’s ‘Fentanyl King’ & the "hole left by the Christian dark ages" ;)

Chartbook • 386 implied HN points • 12 Jul 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Politics
  1. America's military-industrial complex is getting more advanced. This means they are improving their technology and systems for military use.
  2. China's 'Fentanyl King' story highlights the rise and fall of influential individuals in the drug trade. It shows how powerful figures can impact society.
  3. The mention of the 'hole left by the Christian dark ages' suggests there were significant losses in knowledge or culture during that time. It's a reminder of how history can shape our present.

The day had just taken a seat

Austin Kleon • 2777 implied HN points • 19 Aug 22
🎭️ Culture Politics
  1. Understanding today's politics can be easier if you look at professional wrestling. It's a surprising connection that many people are finding interesting.
  2. Finding a book that ends perfectly is a joy. Craig Brown's book about The Beatles really nailed its conclusion.
  3. It's important to be kind to yourself, especially when facing challenges. Sometimes, just taking small steps forward can make a difference.

An Investigation into Species HS01

Contemplations on the Tree of Woe • 1108 implied HN points • 20 Dec 24
🎭️ Culture Politics
  1. Drones are being spotted in major U.S. cities, but there's a lot of confusion about their purpose. Some people think they could be military drones from other countries, while the government insists they are just civilian drones.
  2. A strange theory suggests that aliens are invading Earth, and they'll reveal themselves in 2025. This idea comes from a researcher studying our species, who claims aliens are worried about our civilization.
  3. The reproductive patterns of humans show a big divide. While some populations are rapidly growing, others are declining due to cultural and social changes that discourage having children.

A Library of Books That Really Changed Minds

Reactionary Feminist • 22 implied HN points • 24 Jan 26
🎭️ Culture Politics
  1. Readers who change their minds draw on a wide range of books — fiction, philosophy, history, science, and religious works — not just contemporary bestsellers. These diverse genres offer different ways to challenge assumptions and reshape worldview.
  2. Many of the books that shifted people’s views are critiques of modern progressive ideas, managerial elites, or prevailing secular dogmas. They often question ‘woke’ orthodoxy, identity politics, and the cultural power of experts.
  3. The books that most often change minds are long, rigorous, and committed to truth rather than tribal comfort. Serious recommendations and sustained, argument-driven writing help bring readers to new perspectives.

Leftism's Not Dead

Letters from Fiddler's Greene • 766 implied HN points • 08 Jul 23
🎭️ Culture Politics
  1. Leftist authors often rely on expensive academic books to deflect criticism.
  2. Engaging in meaningful dialogue and understanding opposing perspectives is crucial for intellectual growth.
  3. Both Christianity and leftism must confront their challenges in a complex, modern world.
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Daniel Walker Howe, in memoriam; The Monroe Doctrine; Sontag reconsidered

Unpopular Front • 32 implied HN points • 11 Jan 26
🎭️ Culture Politics
  1. A reader-supported model is being pushed, with a modest subscription pitch and a recently released paperback promoted to help fund the work.
  2. Daniel Walker Howe’s death is noted, and his scholarship argues that the Age of Jackson—a mix of authoritarian populism, patronage, and racially charged politics—still casts a long shadow over American life.
  3. Recent media appearances and conversations are highlighted, including televised segments and interviews (like a discussion of Black Pill), with recordings and events available to watch online.

How a Philosopher You've Never Heard of Predicted The End of The World

OK Doomer • 422 implied HN points • 02 Jul 25
📖 Philosophy Politics
  1. Communication is key to understanding each other, but today, people are talking at each other without really listening. This makes it hard to find common ground.
  2. Our biggest problems come from a few greedy people, not from things like terrorism or immigration. If we don't address this, our society might fail.
  3. In today's world, people live in their own bubbles and reject facts that don't fit their beliefs. True solutions require us to share a single reality, but many aren't willing to do that.

Over the Cliff

Field Guide to the Anthropocene • 373 implied HN points • 02 Feb 24
🌞 Climate & Environment Politics
  1. Environmental consequences of another Trump administration could be dire due to dismantling regulations and environmental protections.
  2. The Project 2025 plan outlines radical changes including anti-science bias, climate denial, and drastic rollbacks on environmental regulations.
  3. The plan not only threatens environmental protection but also could have serious impacts on climate, air and water quality, wildlife, and even government structure.

"Crowned Masterpieces of Eloquence" Introduction

Anarchonomicon • 707 implied HN points • 15 Apr 23
🚌 Education Politics
  1. The collection 'Crowned Masterpieces of Eloquence' provides a unique window into early 1900s speeches and reveals the power of oratory in shaping history.
  2. While oratory may be a lost art today, historical speeches have the ability to surprise and enlighten readers with perspectives from different eras.
  3. Trump's distinct persona and communication style, though not a classical orator, stand out in a field of polished, scripted politicians, showing a different approach to public speaking.

In Real Life

Becoming Noble • 697 implied HN points • 05 May 23
🎭️ Culture Politics
  1. Sam Hyde's 'Candyman' persona and demand to fight Hasan Piker are seen as groundbreaking performance art that renews a focus on action art.
  2. The Right is seen as the true artistic avant-garde, breaking away from the constraints of a declining society and embracing physical and spiritual energies.
  3. The revival of art is seen as essential in a late-stage civilization, where action art, with its raw energy and authenticity, is proposed as a powerful medium for expression.

The Case Against (Most) Books

Richard Hanania's Newsletter • 4657 implied HN points • 10 May 23
📚 Literature Politics
  1. Consider opportunity costs when deciding to read a book cover-to-cover versus shorter pieces like articles.
  2. Categories for books worth reading fully: history books, books of historical interest, and works by brilliant storytellers on important topics.
  3. Be cautious of valuing ancient writings for wisdom over modern insights; focus on gaining wisdom from a diverse range of sources, including contemporary writers.

Calling the Lonely Charts Club!

Chartbook • 801 implied HN points • 11 Feb 25
🎭️ Culture Politics
  1. There's a fun initiative where people can create personal ads looking for partners who share similar interests, especially in political economy and culture.
  2. The project encourages creativity in writing these ads, making them unique and tailored to individual preferences.
  3. People can submit their ads anonymously through a Google form, making it easier to express themselves.

The Candace Owens Question

Tumbleweed Words • 10 implied HN points • 16 Feb 26
🎭️ Culture Politics
  1. She relies on shocking, cliffhanger-style claims and dramatic delivery to keep people hooked, but often provides few solid receipts.
  2. Her quick marriage into aristocratic circles and choice of whom to defend or attack point to selective loyalties and strategic ties to elite power.
  3. Her overall pattern looks like calculated fame-chasing and performance, focused on social climbing and monetized controversy rather than consistent, evidence-based argument.

Who gets to be funny?

Men Yell at Me • 338 implied HN points • 23 Jul 25
😂 Humor Politics
  1. Humor in politics can divide people into groups, creating an 'us versus them' mentality. Some find it funny, while others see it as cruel.
  2. Laughter can distract us from serious issues, making it harder to address important problems in society. We sometimes laugh when we should be paying attention.
  3. Not everyone gets to be funny; who is considered funny often depends on power dynamics. Some people make jokes while others are made the butt of the joke.

Could ‘Hamilton’ Be Made Today?

Common Sense with Bari Weiss • 259 implied HN points • 20 Aug 25
🎭️ Culture Politics
  1. The musical 'Hamilton' is seen as a reflection of a specific cultural moment in America, particularly its significance between 2009 and 2017.
  2. Events like the White House Poetry Jam in 2009 highlight how art and music can inspire hope and action.
  3. Current political changes make the enthusiasm around 'Hamilton' and similar artistic expressions feel like a thing of the past.

It's Not Racist to be a "Culturist"

Outspoken with Dr Naomi Wolf • 2 implied HN points • 13 Mar 26
🎭️ Culture Politics
  1. We are living in an all-out cultural war that is shaping politics and social life.
  2. People are often discouraged from naming or discussing this conflict because they fear being labeled "racist."
  3. Refusing to acknowledge or confront this cultural battle is presented as harmful and can itself be seen as racist, so it’s important to address it openly.

The Curse of the Dispensation

America in Crisis • 99 implied HN points • 04 Jun 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Politics
  1. Democrats shifted focus from the working class in favor of other constituencies like women and college students after a 1968 defeat
  2. The decline of Democratic dominance in 1968 was attributed to poor foreign policy choices like excessive military spending during peacetime
  3. Over time, holding onto a dominant party status can lead to complacency and eventual downfall, as seen in the transitions from the Roosevelt to Reagan dispensations

Welcome to Disaffected

Disaffected Newsletter • 2997 implied HN points • 29 May 22
🎭️ Culture Politics
  1. The author experienced a difficult childhood with a mother who had personality disorders, leading to a realization about the impact of such behavior on family dynamics.
  2. There is a connection between personal experiences of emotional manipulation and the larger cultural and political climate today, suggesting many leaders exhibit similar traits to those seen in dysfunctional families.
  3. Understanding these personality disorders can help us recognize and address the emotional instability present in society, which is crucial for making positive changes.

Silver Lining in the Black Clouds?

Daniel Pinchbeck’s Newsletter • 32 implied HN points • 09 Jan 26
🎭️ Culture Politics
  1. Political and institutional breakdown has exposed deep corruption and failing systems. That danger could also create an opening to rebuild society if authoritarian collapse is averted.
  2. A systemic redesign is needed that replaces extractive capitalism with stewardship and shared commons, using tools like universal basic income, demurrage-style currencies, community-based living, and decentralized direct democracy. Technology should be guided by biomimicry and used to coordinate ecological restoration rather than surveillance.
  3. Lasting change requires an inner shift in values and consciousness by repurposing media to produce pro-social subjectivity and by cultivating practices (including responsible psychedelics and spiritual disciplines) that foster empathy and a sense of global, cooperative belonging.

Why We’re Obsessed with JFK Conspiracies

Common Sense with Bari Weiss • 741 implied HN points • 19 Feb 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Politics
  1. Many people are really curious about JFK's assassination and the theories surrounding it. These theories often stem from a mix of history and pop culture.
  2. The 1991 movie _JFK_ played a big role in shaping public interest in these conspiracy theories. It questioned the government's involvement in the assassination and got people talking.
  3. Recently, the idea of releasing more documents on JFK's assassination has garnered attention, especially with Donald Trump's involvement. It shows that the topic is still relevant and controversial today.

Did online influencers save boxing or ruin it?

Simon Owens's Media Newsletter • 274 implied HN points • 30 Jul 25
🎭️ Culture Politics
  1. Online influencers are bringing lots of attention back to boxing, but some people worry they are ruining the sport's true essence with gimmicky fights.
  2. Fox is successfully expanding its media presence by partnering with various personalities, while other networks like CNN struggle to adapt.
  3. Influencers are becoming powerful tools for governments, helping to promote tourism and soft power through engaging content on social media.

A Slack Tide Christmas Sale

Slack Tide by Matt Labash • 61 implied HN points • 18 Dec 25
🎭️ Culture Politics
  1. A holiday sale cuts the annual subscription from $50 to $35 (about 9.6 cents a day) and gift subscriptions are available, though the discount only applies to annual plans.
  2. The newsletter will take a holiday break but may post a year-in-review Q&A around New Year’s and will rerun a critical piece about politicized Christmas ornaments and related merchandise.
  3. The tone is satirical and critical, mocking the political commercialization of Christmas, frequent partisan email blasts, and tasteless merch that feel like cash-grabs.

The Joker: 'I'm Just Ahead of the Game'

God's Spies by Thomas Neuburger • 70 implied HN points • 10 Dec 25
🎭️ Culture Politics
  1. We’re in a late-stage madness where a tiny, ultra-wealthy elite holds power and often behaves recklessly and corruptly.
  2. The ruling class lacks a consistent moral code — they break rules when it suits them while expecting everyone else to follow theirs, which erodes civilization’s norms.
  3. Those in charge care more about staying in power than preserving order, so they tolerate or even welcome chaos as long as they remain on top.

American Vacuum

Justin E. H. Smith's Hinternet • 777 implied HN points • 26 Jan 25
🎭️ Culture Politics
  1. The culture in America often values quick opinions over deep thinking. This makes it hard for creative and thoughtful ideas to grow.
  2. Young people in America face barriers in education and media that limit their intellectual development. Many don't even realize what they're missing out on.
  3. There are three main issues affecting American culture today: focusing too much on the present, lacking appreciation for art, and searching for meaning only through hard facts.

How Did Jon Stewart Get Like This?

I Might Be Wrong • 12 implied HN points • 11 Feb 26
🎭️ Culture Politics
  1. Jon Stewart's recent interview revealed surprising gaps in his economic knowledge and often reduced complex issues to a caricature of extreme free-market thinking.
  2. Economists and commentators reacted with shock and criticism, saying his performance exposed real misunderstandings rather than clever skepticism.
  3. That shift appears to have been brewing for years, with a widely noticed 2009 interview with a financial TV host marking an early turning point toward his current outlook.

Coming this September

Striking 13 • 618 implied HN points • 27 Jul 23
🎭️ Culture Politics
  1. Ian Dunt has a new project starting in September focused on rain, misery, and politics.
  2. Stay up to date by subscribing to Ian Dunt's project on iandunt.substack.com.
  3. The post teases something dreadful coming in September.

The only outcome

Disaffected Newsletter • 1059 implied HN points • 24 May 23
🎭️ Culture Politics
  1. The current state of society in the West was bound to happen due to cultural paths taken over the last 70 years. We can't ignore that we are responsible for our situation today.
  2. There is a deep-rooted narcissism among people who lack understanding of true freedom and history, which has been shaped by a controlling government.
  3. For real change to occur, society might need to confront some painful truths and experiences, possibly through a crisis, so that people can take responsibility for their lives.

The Good Life: Buen Vivir, Hygge, Solarpunk & Degrowth.

Sunshine and Seedlings: A Newsletter by HydroponicTrash • 609 implied HN points • 06 Apr 23
🎭️ Culture Politics
  1. Imagining a postcapitalist, ecological, and equal future is vital for creating change.
  2. Buen Vivir, Hygge, Solarpunk, Social Ecology, and Degrowth are interconnected in promoting community well-being, sustainability, and decolonization.
  3. The concepts of Buen Vivir and Hygge can give insight into a degrowth future, emphasizing interconnectedness, community action, and well-being for all.

How California cursed the world

Blackbird Spyplane • 1558 implied HN points • 21 Feb 23
🎭️ Culture Politics
  1. Malcolm Harris's book 'Palo Alto' dives into the dark side of Silicon Valley's impact on the world
  2. The California narrative of utopianism masks a history of exploitation and manipulation
  3. Resistance and liberation efforts against the colonialist-capitalist-militarist system are highlighted in the book

It's going to be a big year

NN Journal • 437 implied HN points • 01 Jan 24
🏥 Health Politics Politics
  1. NN Journal's focus for 2024 will be on politics and health.
  2. The author thanks for support in 2023 and looks forward to continued support in 2024.
  3. 2024 promises to be a big year for politics on both local and national levels.

MAGA misogyny

Trickle-Down Wellness • 294 implied HN points • 02 Feb 24
🎭️ Culture Politics
  1. Men's aggression towards women in male-dominated spaces reflects deeper issues
  2. Younger women leaning liberal, while younger men move right politically
  3. Men who exhibit certain red flags as partners are less likely to be appealing to women

The Pandemic Revealed the Most Cowardly Society of All Time

QTR’s Fringe Finance • 58 implied HN points • 13 Dec 25
🎭️ Culture Politics
  1. The pandemic provoked unprecedented global lockdowns and widespread fear. Vaccination was pushed as a social duty to “protect others,” even though vaccines were not authorized or proven to stop transmission.
  2. Mandates and campaigns pushed many low-risk groups, especially children, to get vaccinated; the piece says effectiveness waned quickly and cites studies reporting adverse events, long‑term health associations, withheld data, and censorship of dissenting voices.
  3. The crisis produced deep moral and cultural effects: society became more obedient and fearful, accepted sacrificing the young to protect the old, failed to produce a meaningful cultural movement in response, and saw massive wealth transfer to billionaires.

The Monday Media Diet with Dan Sinker

Why is this interesting? • 1025 implied HN points • 28 Oct 24
🎭️ Culture Politics
  1. Consuming too much news can cause anxiety, especially with events like elections coming up. It's easy to fall into a cycle of constantly refreshing for updates, but it won't change the outcome.
  2. Enjoying different forms of media can provide a needed break from stress. Listening to entertaining podcasts or watching a funny show can help lighten the mood.
  3. Reading good books, especially by talented writers like Hanif Abdurraqib, can be very rewarding. Their well-crafted words offer a chance to reflect on important themes and enjoy powerful storytelling.

If you come at the king

Wrong Side of History • 261 implied HN points • 23 Jul 25
💾 History Politics
  1. The Medici family in Florence rose from humble beginnings as moneylenders to become powerful rulers and art patrons during the Renaissance. They changed how people saw wealth, showing that money could bring honor.
  2. Florence was unique for its time, prioritizing trade and commerce over noble lineage, which allowed wealthy merchants to gain influence in politics. This shift in power dynamics changed the course of the city.
  3. Despite their success, the Medici had to navigate a dangerous political landscape, facing enemies and rival families, which ultimately led to intrigue and violence in their quest for power.