The hottest Social Critique Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
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Top Culture Topics

Why does every Jacobin comment section look like this?

Philosophy bear • 343 implied HN points • 11 Feb 25
📖 Philosophy Political theory Social Critique Ideological analysis Cultural Studies Commentary
  1. People in Jacobin's comment section often seem unhappy. It's interesting to wonder why so many voices lean toward negativity.
  2. There seems to be a unique attitude among commenters across different ideologies, especially on the left. This may hold clues about the wider leftist community.
  3. Understanding the reasons behind this grumpy attitude could be key to helping socialism move forward without obstacles.

My Intellectual Heroes, Part 2

Life Since the Baby Boom • 691 implied HN points • 13 Jan 25
🎭️ Culture Literature Philosophy Biographies Social Critique Atheism
  1. Christopher Hitchens was a brilliant writer known for his unique talent with words. He could create outstanding articles quickly, even after enjoying drinks with friends.
  2. Hitchens didn't always agree with everyone, but he valued strong thinking and consistency in ideas. His journey shifted over time, reflecting changes in his beliefs.
  3. He was unafraid to challenge societal figures like Mother Teresa and Henry Kissinger, criticizing them for their actions regardless of their popularity. Hitchens focused on truth and human values in his work.

Only A Truth-Based Relationship With Reality Can Satisfy

Caitlin’s Newsletter • 1927 implied HN points • 24 Nov 24
📖 Philosophy Truth-seeking Human condition Cognitive Bias Social Critique Mindfulness
  1. People really want a true understanding of reality, even if they don't always realize it. Society pushes false ideas and distractions that keep us from finding real happiness.
  2. Chasing after material things, social status, or knowledge often leads to disappointment because they are based on lies. True satisfaction comes from aligning our beliefs and actions with reality.
  3. To find happiness, we must confront our personal falsehoods and the lies in society. This journey to truth can be tough, but it's necessary for building a better world.

Thoughts of Chairman Mao on GenZ

Life Since the Baby Boom • 1383 implied HN points • 06 Dec 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Political theory Education & Policy Social Critique Public Policy
  1. Many younger people today have a lot of education but lack real-world experience. This can lead to confusing ideas about life and work.
  2. There’s a suggestion that younger generations should engage in hands-on jobs or military service to gain practical skills and understanding.
  3. The older generations could help by admitting mistakes in how they educated younger people and offer real job training to help reduce issues like student debt.

Chris Hedges: The Nature of Good and Evil

The Chris Hedges Report • 150 implied HN points • 28 Jan 25
📖 Philosophy Ethics Morality Human nature Social Critique
  1. Everyone has the capacity for both good and evil within them. It's important to recognize this duality in ourselves and others.
  2. In tough times, we often see real kindness and humanity shine through. These moments remind us of the best parts of people.
  3. It's vital to critique power structures rather than fall into hatred for groups or individuals. Focusing on power allows for healthier discussions.
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Today Is My Birthday

Rob Henderson's Newsletter • 2215 implied HN points • 18 Dec 24
📚 Literature Memoir Non-fiction Social Critique Personal narrative
  1. The memoir _Troubled_ shares a personal journey from a difficult childhood in foster care to pursuing education at elite universities like Yale and Cambridge. It highlights the importance of resilience and overcoming hardships.
  2. The author discusses the concept of 'luxury beliefs', showing how ideas that seem beneficial to the upper class can actually harm lower classes. This points out a disconnect between elite perspectives and the realities faced by struggling families.
  3. Supporting the book can make a difference, as it raises awareness about the issues faced by foster children and encourages readers to think critically about social policies and class divides.

justice for lily bart!

sweater weather • 4029 implied HN points • 10 Nov 23
📚 Literature Analysis Novel Social Critique
  1. The House of Mirth is a novel that delves into themes of tragedy, social status, and moral transformation.
  2. The story of Lily Bart reflects the harsh realities of social expectations, mimetic desire, and the impact of societal pressures.
  3. The narrative draws parallels between Lily's experiences in the novel and modern-day influencer culture, highlighting the dangers of surrendering individuality to algorithms and societal norms.

A Philosopher from the 1960s Knew All About Our Doomscrolling

OK Doomer • 104 implied HN points • 06 Dec 24
📖 Philosophy Ethics Existentialism Social Critique Historical Analysis Cultural Theory
  1. Doomscrolling is not just a bad habit; it's a way people try to understand threats and protect themselves. It's about getting the facts to feel in control.
  2. Telling people to stop doomscrolling or ignoring bad news isn't a good solution. It can actually make the problems worse by promoting toxic positivity.
  3. Historically, institutions have labeled undesirable behaviors as mental health problems, which often ignores the real issues. This creates stigma instead of solutions.

For more lifeboats: The only just academic job market is a tight academic job market

Philosophy bear • 135 implied HN points • 14 Nov 24
📖 Philosophy Ethics Job Market Social Critique Higher education
  1. Lifeboat ethics talks about how to share limited resources when not everyone can have what they want. It's an important conversation in academia to think about who gets what.
  2. Many discussions in philosophy focus on how to share jobs and recognition, but we need to pay attention to creating more opportunities rather than just dividing what's there.
  3. Increasing the number of academic positions can help reduce inequality and give people a better chance, especially those who face challenges in their careers.

On Leaving The Left and Finding My Center

Journal of Free Black Thought • 118 implied HN points • 21 Oct 24
🎭️ Culture Identity politics Personal Growth Social Critique Mental health Spiritual Journey
  1. Seeing myself as a victim made it hard to know who I truly was. This mindset kept me stuck in a cycle of blame and low self-esteem.
  2. I realized that being in an echo chamber of like-minded people limited my understanding of the world. It helped me see that I could respect different opinions even if I disagreed.
  3. Focusing on personal growth and unplugging from social media has been really valuable. It taught me to connect with people based on character rather than labels.

Jordan Peele's Divided Aesthetic

Castalia • 499 implied HN points • 14 Nov 23
🎭️ Culture Film Aesthetics Race Social Critique Media
  1. Jordan Peele's film _Get Out!_ was groundbreaking because it mixed horror with comedy and highlighted the awkwardness and hidden racism in America. It showed that racism is deep-rooted and not just a product of overt actions.
  2. Peele's later films, _Us_ and _Nope_, struggle with the same themes but seem less clear in their messages. While they aim to critique social issues, the storytelling sometimes veers into confusion.
  3. The success of _Get Out!_ has led to a genre of films that exaggerate social issues and trauma, but this can make the realities of those issues seem cartoonish and oversimplified, leading to less effective critiques.

Bare Existence

Castalia • 179 implied HN points • 30 Apr 23
📖 Philosophy Existentialism Political theory Social Critique Work Culture Power Dynamics
  1. People in low-status jobs often experience 'bare existence,' where their work feels repetitive and lacking in connection. This can lead to a dehumanizing feeling in the work environment.
  2. Power isn't just about money or social class; it shapes how people experience their lives and work, often pushing them into roles that feel empty or robotic.
  3. The struggle for status in society can be brutal, as people fear being reduced to a state of 'bare existence,' leading them to chase power and privilege, even in jobs that don't truly fulfill them.

Eternal High School

Castalia • 79 implied HN points • 27 Dec 22
🎭️ Culture Media Identity Social Critique Television Film
  1. The idea of the high school hero is a myth. Many popular kids often face a decline after school, and high school can be a tough experience for others.
  2. Social media reflects the same competitive social structures found in high school. People's popularity online can feel like a never-ending high school experience, where everyone's reputation is always on the line.
  3. Characters from shows like 'Buffy' and 'Mad Men' explore the idea of identity and reputation. They hint that it’s important to break free from societal pressures and to see ourselves as constantly evolving, rather than fixed identities.

Let us Aspire

Natural Selections • 8 implied HN points • 05 Nov 24
🎭️ Culture Human flourishing Craftsmanship Artistic expression Social Critique
  1. Many people today earn money but don't create or build things anymore. Instead of making, we're becoming consumers, often just using technology without creating anything meaningful.
  2. Having pride in workmanship and making things is important for our happiness. Engaging physically with the world can lead to personal fulfillment and a deeper connection to our communities.
  3. Instead of focusing on breaking systems, we should strive to create and build. Craftsmanship and making beautiful things can lead to a new era of human flourishing.

On 'Bullshit Jobs'

Castalia • 39 implied HN points • 07 Feb 23
🎭️ Culture Social Critique Economic Theory Cultural Commentary
  1. Many people feel their jobs don't really contribute anything meaningful. In fact, studies show that a significant number of workers believe their roles are pointless.
  2. The concept of 'bullshit jobs' challenges how we see work in capitalism. It suggests that some jobs exist not to produce value but rather to maintain a system that may not actually be efficient.
  3. A big issue isn't just the jobs themselves, but how they affect people's souls. We need to focus on creating opportunities for people to do what they love and have dignity in their work.

Book Review: Technological Slavery

Symbolic Capital(ism) • 0 implied HN points • 16 Jun 23
📚 Literature Book review Ideologies Social Critique Revolution Theory
  1. Ted Kaczynski, the Unabomber, was a highly intelligent but ultimately violent individual with a tragic and impactful life story.
  2. Kaczynski's manifesto, _Industrial Society and Its Future_, though not revolutionary, had moments of clarity in critiquing societal rebellion and the co-opting of causes by the System.
  3. Kaczynski's focus on abstractly blaming 'the System' and his lack of concrete solutions or engagement with the realities of society ultimately led him to a violent and futile path.

Ryan Seffinger: The Creative Spirit and the Horizon of the Possible

Do Not Research • 0 implied HN points • 15 Sep 21
📖 Philosophy Political Philosophy Social Critique Existentialism
  1. The left must be wary of getting caught up in protests and demands without a clear alternative political-economic model to capitalism.
  2. Engaging with capitalism while criticizing it creates a paradox - we need to deeply understand and question the systems we're part of.
  3. To envision true innovation beyond the constraints of capitalism, we must broaden our collective imagination and seek solutions outside the current system.