The hottest Social Commentary Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
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Top Culture Topics

The Truthiness of Hasan Minhaj

Good Reason • 3 HN points • 28 Sep 23
🎭️ Culture Comedy Satire Entertainment Social Commentary Media industry
  1. Comedians often exaggerate and fabricate stories, but there are limits to how far they can go.
  2. Shows like 'The Daily Show' and 'The Colbert Report' used comedy to critique mainstream news media and promote intellectual discourse.
  3. There is a risk of catering to audience expectations and generating 'clapter' in comedy, leading to echo chambers and a focus on emotional truth over factual truth.

I just wanna do FUN STUFF!

Anxiety Addiction & Ascension • 0 implied HN points • 21 Jun 22
🎭️ Culture Society Morality Globalization Principles Social Commentary
  1. Some people prioritize 'fun stuff' over principles and morality, leading to compliance with mandates they originally opposed.
  2. Believing in principles and standing strong against coercion is crucial to prevent further encroachments on personal freedoms.
  3. Middleclass urban professionals often value 'fun stuff' more than personal pride and ideals of liberty, making them susceptible to manipulation and control.

The club

The Leftovers • 0 implied HN points • 10 Oct 21
🎭️ Culture Social Commentary Society
  1. In clubs, there are members who love being exclusive, non-members who aspire to join, and non-members who reject the club altogether.
  2. The pattern of loving and hating clubs can continue as new clubs form and evolve, posing challenges and uncertainties.
  3. Clubs can perpetuate elitism and exclusivity, causing divisions between those inside and outside the group.

"Links" Weekend Edition: We all know how that ended

Links I Would Gchat You If We Were Friends • 0 implied HN points • 09 Oct 15
🎭️ Culture Internet Social Commentary Media Literature Technology
  1. There was a real, heated debate in the 1920s about whether all cats should be dead.
  2. You can download digital culture #longreads from the post as an ebook or click directly into the links that interest you.
  3. The post also includes links to various interesting articles about topics like Reddit, Twitter, smartphone addiction, and online vigilantes.
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Nicholas Aloisio-Shearer: Reject Modernity, Embrace Tradition II: I Have Been In This Place Before

Do Not Research • 0 implied HN points • 16 Oct 22
🎨 Art & Illustration Exhibition Digital Art Social Commentary Internet culture
  1. The exhibition showcases jacquard woven tapestries inspired by the Apocalypse Tapestry from the 14th Century, merging biblical allegories with internet culture and contemporary image production.
  2. The artworks in the exhibition blend traditional artistic techniques with modern internet imagery, creating a bridge between historical tapestry production and current computational logic.
  3. The pieces in the collection draw on a variety of sources, including 3D print repositories, internet memes, and religious iconography, reflecting a fusion of technology, mythology, and cultural critique.

Julianna Ham: Cultural Learnings of a Post-Borat America

Do Not Research • 0 implied HN points • 16 Oct 22
🎭️ Culture Comedy Documentary Ethics Social Commentary Reality
  1. American comedic film and TV can be categorized into two eras, pre and post the 2006 film Borat, reflecting the changing cultural landscape in America.
  2. The emergence of 'reflexive mockamentary' genre in filmed comedy showcases a trend where protagonists interact with real-world subjects in a deceptive manner, revealing the complexities of human behavior under social influence.
  3. The genre blurs the line between reality and fiction, raising ethical and philosophical questions about the power dynamics between the 'addressant' who knows the truth, and the 'addressee' who is unaware, highlighting the human desire to explore the limits of truth and absurdity.

Reuben Dendinger: Review of Gillian Wearing: Wearing Masks

Do Not Research • 0 implied HN points • 15 Feb 22
🎨 Art & Illustration Exhibition Identity Postmodernism Social Commentary
  1. Gillian Wearing's art explores individual self-expression, but it also raises questions about collective identity and political content.
  2. The postmodern period's emphasis on fluid identity and masks reflects a shift towards extreme individualism and consumer-focused culture.
  3. Wearing's work challenges the depoliticized view of identity and highlights the importance of recognizing class-based exploitation and collective struggle.

Sjef van Beers: Gamer Keyboard Wall Piece #1

Do Not Research • 0 implied HN points • 15 Sep 21
🎨 Art & Illustration Gaming Online Culture Visual art Social Commentary
  1. Online culture often portrays gamers in a negative light, highlighting stereotypes such as being socially inept and aggressive.
  2. The _Gamer Keyboard Wall Piece_ series reimagines the gamer stereotype using gamer subculture visuals to give it a new political identity.
  3. The artwork _Gamer Keyboard Wall Piece #1_ uses RGB lit keys of gamer keyboards as pixels in a video installation that addresses themes like loneliness and anxiety.

Margo Bergamini: Rate Your Shelf

Do Not Research • 0 implied HN points • 06 Apr 21
🎭️ Culture Literature Podcasts Politics Art Social Commentary
  1. The importance of a genuine love for literature and resisting cultural decline in online literary communities.
  2. The emergence of an intellectually ambitious fringe right Twitter group that values intellectual growth and rejects mainstream political movements.
  3. The need for the left to focus not just on material improvements, but also on expanding human freedom and creative capacities to fulfill the promises of modernism.

Alternate Titles

QUALITY BOSS • 0 implied HN points • 25 Oct 23
🎭️ Culture Gender Issues Workplace dynamics Identity Leadership Social Commentary
  1. Starting with a placeholder title can help you launch faster. It’s okay to choose something that captures your message, even if it feels temporary.
  2. The word 'boss' can have mixed feelings, especially for women. It's important to think about how a title reflects your values and the message you want to share.
  3. Trusting your instincts is key. Ultimately, you should choose a title that feels right for you and aligns with your identity and goals.

At a track called Saratoga...

Matt’s Five Points • 0 implied HN points • 06 Jan 12
🎭️ Culture Local Events Community Traditions Leisure activities Social Commentary
  1. The Saratoga Race Course is more than just a place to gamble; it's a cultural event for the local community. People enjoy being outdoors with friends and family, soaking in the beauty and excitement of the track.
  2. To make the most of a day at the track, it's best to arrive early and secure a picnic table. Bringing your own food and drinks is encouraged, as the on-site food isn't as good as what you can bring.
  3. After a day at the track, downtown Saratoga offers a lively nightlife with countless bars and restaurants. It's a great idea to explore the downtown scene before heading home to avoid traffic.

The Drug Tourism Series: 2. Amsterdam [Photographs of Drug Related Places, Scenes & Cultures]

The Drug Users Bible • 0 implied HN points • 14 Oct 24
🎭️ Culture Travel Photography Social Commentary Urban Exploration
  1. Amsterdam is well-known for its history and culture surrounding psychoactive drugs. Visitors should be aware of local laws regarding drug use.
  2. There are many unique places in Amsterdam that cater to drug tourism, like the Hash Museum and various coffee shops. Each offers a different experience and insight into the city's approach to substances.
  3. Safety should always be a priority when exploring drug-related experiences. Learning about harm reduction and researching beforehand can help ensure a more enjoyable visit.

There’s someone on the ice

Numb at the Lodge • 0 implied HN points • 18 Jan 25
⚔ Fiction Literature Fantasy Science fiction Adventure Social Commentary
  1. Greenland has a vast amount of natural resources buried under its ice, but the ice is dangerous and difficult to work with. Trying to build or dig in such an environment can lead to disaster for people and machines.
  2. There are mysterious creatures on the ice called nujaqaqut, often referred to as 'hairy ones.' They resemble humans but behave differently and have a dark reputation for attacking settlers.
  3. The conflict surrounding the nujaqaqut raises questions about humanity, intelligence, and social structures. As humans grapple with their existence, there’s a struggle to define what it means to belong to society.

A universal, absolute, and infinite theory of vibes

Numb at the Lodge • 0 implied HN points • 02 Feb 25
🎭️ Culture Politics Fashion History Philosophy Social Commentary
  1. Vibes can change quickly, like a style shift in fashion. Just like how skinny jeans became popular and then unpopular, society experiences these vibe shifts that affect our thoughts and feelings.
  2. Vibes exist in communities and can influence how people act. They reflect larger changes in culture, politics, and even human history, showing that there's more at play than just individual choices.
  3. Systems like astrology or historical theories can offer structured ways to understand these vibe shifts. They show how patterns repeat over time, guiding us in understanding our past and present.