The hottest Social Issues Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
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Top Culture Topics

Real Talk about Race and Murder Rates

Handwaving Freakoutery • 1233 implied HN points • 20 Apr 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Race relations Crime Rates Family Dynamics Social Issues Economics
  1. The key to solving the murder problem in the United States lies in repairing the family unit across all demographics.
  2. Murder rates in the US do not correlate with gun ownership by race; 'it's the guns' is not explanatory for the differences in murder rates.
  3. Single motherhood, particularly the absence of fathers, is a major factor in predicting high murder rates across different racial demographics in the US.

Disgusting

Erdmann Housing Tracker • 337 implied HN points • 07 Feb 24
🌍 World Politics Social Issues Community Dynamics Aesthetics Social Change
  1. A community's shared beliefs can drive reactions of disgust and aesthetics are deeply intertwined with morals and affiliations.
  2. Local housing regulations often have classist roots, leading to unintended consequences like increased homelessness and cost of living pressures.
  3. Aesthetics in housing can be used as a tool for status, hindering change and progress in neighborhoods, but changes have historically occurred when societal attitudes shift.

Sex self-ID anyone? Easy, cheap, and unlimited - now on offer in New Zealand.

A B’Old Woman • 439 implied HN points • 28 May 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Gender identity Legislation Social Issues Legal rights Activism
  1. In New Zealand, people can now easily change the sex listed on their birth certificate to male, female, or non-binary without needing any proof or limits on how many times they can do it.
  2. Many think changing sex markers on birth certificates might make them less valuable because they are now more about how a person feels than a factual record of their gender.
  3. There is a push to recognize gender identity legally, but the terms 'gender' and 'sex' are still viewed differently in discussions about rights and services.

Sunday Strip: The Free Market of Ideas

Who is Robert Malone • 31 implied HN points • 17 Nov 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Political Commentary Public Opinion Social Issues Media influence Cultural critique
  1. The free market of ideas allows for many opinions and discussions to thrive. It's important to hear different views to understand complex issues better.
  2. Some believe that modern feminism has shifted focus from equality to unfair treatment of men. This change can create misunderstandings and conflicts in relationships.
  3. Engaging in conversations, like the one between Russell Brand and Robert Malone, helps spread various viewpoints. It's fun and insightful to share ideas and learn from one another.

Open Thread #34 - This One's On You

Fisted by Foucault • 88 implied HN points • 31 Dec 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics International Public Policy Elections Social Issues
  1. People are making predictions about major world events for 2025, like the situation in Ukraine and the conflict in Syria. It's interesting to hear different opinions on what's coming up.
  2. There's also a focus on US politics and issues like immigration and the influence of 'wokeness.' These topics can shape the political landscape significantly.
  3. In personal news, people are reflecting on their New Year's resolutions and what entertainment they're looking forward to. It shows how individuals set goals and enjoy life as the new year begins.
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Weekly Dose of Optimism #119

Not Boring by Packy McCormick • 113 implied HN points • 08 Nov 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Elections Public Opinion Political strategies Health Policies Social Issues
  1. The recent elections showed that direct communication and prediction markets are changing how we understand politics. Candidates are using more direct ways to connect with people, and prediction markets help us find the truth in a messy information world.
  2. New technology like underwater drones is being developed to help the environment, specifically to restore seagrass and gather important data. This kind of innovation can play a big role in caring for our oceans.
  3. Recent studies suggest that early-life nutrition affects long-term health, showing that sugar rationing in childhood can lower the risk of diseases like diabetes. It highlights how what we eat early can shape our future health.

The New Calendar of Saints

Wrong Side of History • 422 implied HN points • 08 Mar 24
🎭️ Culture History Religion Social Issues
  1. The modern secular calendar is filled with numerous celebrations and awareness days throughout the year, highlighting important social and cultural themes.
  2. Different countries observe different history months, like Women's History Month and Black History Month, leading to variety in cultural commemorations globally.
  3. There is an ongoing trend of reinterpretation in modern society, where historical figures and events are reexamined and sometimes redefined to fit contemporary values and narratives.

Alexandra Olympia Peristeraki: Enaboukaligala

Do Not Research • 139 implied HN points • 29 Jan 24
🎭️ Culture Memory Labor History Social Issues Documentary
  1. The story features a 93-year-old retired factory worker from Greece reminiscing about his time in a highly toxic environment.
  2. Google Street View is used as a time capsule to show the remains of the worker's narration captured from 2009 to 2019.
  3. The narrative combines found footage from different industrial settings to showcase the struggles of the working class past and present.

Elevance's Q2 profits make Wall Street investors (and company executives) happy and wealthy

HEALTH CARE un-covered • 359 implied HN points • 20 Jul 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Healthcare Economics Corporate Governance Social Issues Policy Analysis
  1. Elevance's profits for the second quarter were better than expected, making Wall Street investors very happy. The company is on track to earn even more this year than previously thought.
  2. The company spent less on patient care compared to previous years, which boosted their profits. However, this came at the expense of providing necessary care for low-income and vulnerable populations.
  3. Elevance is growing mainly through its Medicare and Medicaid programs, while its private insurance enrollment is declining. The growth in revenue comes from premium increases and government subsidies.

The Saturday Selection, Vol. 25

Why is this interesting? • 120 implied HN points • 26 Oct 24
🎭️ Culture Social Issues Travel Entertainment Technology Art
  1. New Zealand limits airport hugs to three minutes to help everyone have a turn. This makes sure the area isn't too crowded for others waiting to embrace loved ones.
  2. Many famous inventions were created by accident, like the tea bag and the Post-it note. This shows how sometimes mistakes can lead to great discoveries.
  3. Some people are using AI to create voices of famous people like Marques Brownlee to sell products without his permission. He is not pleased about this trend.

Actual libel (not the fake kind)

Disaffected Newsletter • 659 implied HN points • 27 Jan 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Law Media Free speech Social Issues Legal Cases
  1. Libel is hard to prove, but it can be done if someone shows actual malice. This means they knowingly spread false information.
  2. A specific case was mentioned where calling someone a murderer could be legally risky, especially when the courts found them not guilty.
  3. Understanding libel law is important, especially for journalists, as it helps them avoid making false claims that can hurt people's reputations.

The Death and Life of Great American Cities

The Jolly Contrarian • 39 implied HN points • 05 Jun 24
🎭️ Culture History Books Social Issues Urban planning Community
  1. Jane Jacobs challenged 1960s urban planning policies that sought to reorganize communities from the top-down, advocating for a bottom-up approach that respects local knowledge and decision-making.
  2. Jacobs' observations highlighted the importance of streets over buildings, the negative impact of planned parks, the value of mixed-use spaces, and the benefits of incorporating diversity in communities to promote vitality.
  3. She emphasized that the richness and adaptability of a community depend on real diversity, which may conflict with the drive for efficiency and homogenization in modern management and city planning.

Dingus of the week: Nic Pizzolatto

Men Yell at Me • 419 implied HN points • 23 Feb 24
🎭️ Culture TV shows Literature Music Entertainment Social Issues
  1. The 'Dingus of the Week' is Nic Pizzolatto for his reactions to the TV show True Detective's latest season, which featured indigenous women and received criticism from him.
  2. Some recent positive highlights include a strippers' bill of rights, a stingray in North Carolina who reproduced without a mate, and Beyonce becoming the first Black woman to top the country charts.
  3. Celebrating personal victories, like having a book published, can be surprisingly down-to-earth, even involving mundane tasks and moments with loved ones.

There is no such thing as community, and we're all lonely

The 21st Century Proletarian • 139 implied HN points • 20 Jan 24
🎭️ Culture Society Labor Social Issues Internet Social relationships
  1. Loneliness in society can be linked to the impact of labor under capitalism.
  2. Proposed solutions to the 'loneliness crisis' often focus on individual actions rather than systemic changes.
  3. Maintaining a healthy work-life balance and more leisure time are crucial in addressing social isolation and loneliness.

Why I Am Voting for Trump

Natural Selections • 107 implied HN points • 29 Oct 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Elections Political Ideology Government Social Issues Public Policy Media
  1. Trump is independent and doesn't answer to the old power structures in politics. Many people prefer his honesty over politicians who seem insincere.
  2. He is focused on health, including food safety and pharmaceutical practices. The idea is to support real, science-based approaches instead of relying on big companies.
  3. Trump's policies during his first term led to better job creation and a focus on small businesses, which many believe is crucial for American families and the economy.

Ministry of Health NZ discards the word 'women' in favour of inclusive language, but men are still ‘men’.

A B’Old Woman • 399 implied HN points • 03 May 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Gender Issues Public Policy Health Policy Social Issues
  1. New Zealand's Ministry of Health is using terms like 'pregnant people' instead of 'women', which some people find confusing. Despite this change, they still refer to men as 'men'.
  2. The Plain Language Act was created for clear communication, but many feel that using terms like 'pregnant people' does not meet this goal. People want clear language that everyone can understand.
  3. There are concerns that some people in government, especially those focused on academic language, may not understand everyday people's needs. This leads to communication that doesn’t always make sense to the general public.

We live in a time of anti-feminist backlash

Men Yell at Me • 367 implied HN points • 13 Mar 24
🎭️ Culture Feminism Gender Equality Activism History Social Issues
  1. We are currently experiencing an anti-feminist backlash, and this issue has been persistent throughout history.
  2. Feminists face challenges in fighting for equality, with movements like Me Too being depicted negatively by anti-feminist forces.
  3. To combat the backlash, feminists must continue demanding equal rights and creating a world where gender doesn't limit opportunities.

Events like the Western States 100-Miler may now start kindly telling DEI extortionists to take a long hike

Beck of the Pack • 137 implied HN points • 16 Jan 24
🎭️ Culture Media Race Politics Sports Social Issues
  1. Events like the Western States 100-Miler are facing challenges with Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) extortionists.
  2. There is a shift in the cultural landscape due to a pandemic of consumer backlash and overseas issues.
  3. DEI initiatives are evolving, but remain a point of contention in various sectors like running and academia.

A DRAFT Syllabus for Econ 113: American Economic History :: Spring 2025 :: UC Berkeley

Brad DeLong's Grasping Reality • 76 implied HN points • 09 Dec 24
🚌 Education Economic History American history Higher education Social Issues
  1. American exceptionalism is a key theme in understanding the country's economic history, exploring what makes it unique compared to other nations.
  2. The course examines significant historical events, like the rise of manufacturing and the impact of immigration, which shaped the American economy over the centuries.
  3. Inequality and economic mobility are crucial topics, focusing on how these issues have evolved from the 1940s to the present day.

Beloved liar, cheater, coward, and quitter Latoya Snell BAILS from ANOTHER race, collects ANOTHER sham medal, and belches out MORE nonsense from Scamtown

Beck of the Pack • 117 implied HN points • 29 Jan 24
🎭️ Culture Running Social Issues Criticism Fitness Satire
  1. Latoya Snell is criticized for bailing from races and collecting medals under false pretenses
  2. The running industry is portrayed in a negative light regarding ethics and integrity
  3. The author expresses frustration with the lack of accountability in the running community

Anti-Wokeness Is a Mental Autoimmune Disorder

KERFUFFLE • 51 implied HN points • 10 Jan 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Political Commentary Social Issues Media Critique Public Policy
  1. The argument connecting diversity initiatives to wildfires lacks real evidence and is more about stirring emotions than facts. It's not a logical explanation of what’s happening with the fires.
  2. Critics often use inflammatory rhetoric to distract from serious discussions about wildfires, changing the topic to political agendas instead.
  3. Blaming 'wokeness' for complex issues like wildfires serves only to push certain narratives, without addressing the actual causes or the effectiveness of emergency responses.

Chaos reigns across Great Britain | article

Tumbleweed Words • 7 implied HN points • 05 Jan 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Political Analysis Government Accountability Social Issues Public Policy Civic engagement
  1. Many people are upset about the lack of accountability in the UK government regarding serious issues, especially involving children. It's important for society to recognize these problems and demand change.
  2. There is a feeling that the current leadership in Britain operates like a criminal group, punishing those who speak out against injustices. This environment can lead to fear and silence among citizens.
  3. Unity and public outcry are crucial for avoiding further decline in society. Citizens need to stand together and call for a new government to bring about real change.

Join my Conversation with Lyman Stone

In My Tribe • 45 implied HN points • 16 Jan 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Demography Fertility Public Policy Social Issues Global trends
  1. There will be a Zoom talk about worldwide fertility decline. It's a chance to learn about why it's happening and what could be done about it.
  2. The talk is happening on January 20 at 8:45 PM New York time. Attendees can join and ask questions after the discussion.
  3. The event is for paid subscribers, and the conversation may be recorded for later viewing on YouTube.

Elon Musk May Have Just Revealed the Real Reason For His UK Sexual Violence Lies

Proof • 53 implied HN points • 09 Jan 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Social Issues Public Discourse Media influence Racism
  1. Elon Musk made false claims about the demographics behind sexual violence in the UK, attributing it to Pakistanis, which many view as racist.
  2. Official government and media sources indicate that much of the gang-related sexual violence in the UK involves predominantly white individuals.
  3. These misleading statements from Musk not only contribute to harmful stereotypes but also distract from the actual data and reality of the situation.

The Green Party MP and the cosy connection to a "radical right-wing Christian fascist"

A B’Old Woman • 299 implied HN points • 13 Jun 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Political Ideologies Political parties Social Issues Cultural Commentary Gender Politics
  1. Julie Anne Genter, a Green Party MP, cycled to the hospital to give birth, showing her determination and strength. It's a unique story that highlights the lengths some people will go to during important life moments.
  2. The origins of the bicycle may be tied to European inventors, and some of their beliefs may not align with modern views on gender. This raises questions about how we view historical figures today.
  3. The use of terms like 'radical right-wing Christian fascist' can become common in certain circles, which might create barriers in discussions. It's important to be aware of how language can influence our understanding of different beliefs and opinions.