The hottest Social media Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
Category
Top Technology Topics

Algorithms and the Homogenization of Taste

The Analog Family • 379 implied HN points • 09 Feb 24
🎭️ Culture Social media Trends Consumer behavior Travel Personal Identity Art
  1. Social media algorithms influence our tastes by showing us similar things repeatedly, which can make our preferences less personal and more generic. Instead of discovering unique experiences, we often end up picking places that are popular online.
  2. The rise of these algorithms leads to a homogenization of culture, where everyone likes the same music, wears similar clothes, and follows the same trends. This makes our experiences and choices feel less special and diverse.
  3. To combat this, it's important to seek out personal experiences and make choices based on curiosity and spontaneity, rather than popularity. Trying new things and exploring without reliance on online reviews can lead to more memorable and meaningful moments.

Dispatch from a Clusterfuck

Situation Normal • 167 implied HN points • 19 Jan 25
🎭️ Culture Media Social media Disaster Communication Community
  1. Social media can create confusion during disasters by spreading misinformation instead of clear communication. It's hard to find the truth when everyone is shouting different stories online.
  2. We have lost some human connection with news in the age of social media. Instead of personal calls, we often just get notifications and likes on platforms, making tough moments feel even more isolating.
  3. While social media has its downsides, there are still valuable resources like Watch Duty that provide real-time, accurate information during emergencies. Supporting such services can help communities stay safe.

The curious case of "TikTok refugees" on Rednote/Xiaohongshu

Pekingnology • 158 implied HN points • 14 Jan 25
🕹 Technology Social media Migration Data Privacy Content Moderation User Behavior
  1. Many TikTok users in the U.S. are moving to a Chinese app called RedNote due to fears of a TikTok ban. This has led to an increase in the app's popularity.
  2. RedNote is like a mix of TikTok and Instagram, mainly used by young people to share lifestyle tips. However, it hasn't been widely known outside of Chinese-speaking areas until now.
  3. The move raises concerns about content moderation and privacy. RedNote may struggle with foreign-language content and could face pressure from Chinese regulations as more American users join.

In Search of the “Reasonable Man”

Symposium • 432 implied HN points • 18 Jan 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Freedom of Speech Content Moderation Online Platforms Social media
  1. The debate about Substack and 'Substack Nazis' raises questions about freedom of speech and tolerance.
  2. Moderation on platforms like Substack should aim to keep out trolls and explicit Nazis while allowing for diverse discussions.
  3. A 'reasonable man' approach to content moderation could help platforms like Substack navigate difficult decisions.
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Language models as community moderators

Escaping Flatland • 766 implied HN points • 07 Jun 23
🕹 Technology AI Social media AI Models
  1. Community moderation is effective because it mirrors real-life social interaction and distributes the task of policing the internet.
  2. Algorithmic content filtering on social media platforms may lead to lower conversation quality and increased conflict.
  3. AI models can support community moderation in self-selected forums, potentially enabling the growth of larger moderated communities.

“A title similar to the curious content that makes users click to see”

Conspirador Norteño • 48 implied HN points • 15 Dec 24
🕹 Technology Social media Spam Detection AI Impact Content creation Plagiarism
  1. Social media networks are being flooded with spammy posts that link to fake news sites. These are typically run by accounts that pretend to be real people using stolen profile images.
  2. Many spam accounts were created in batches, suggesting automated processes are involved. This makes it easier to spot the fake accounts since they often post the same content repeatedly.
  3. The spam accounts are not limited to one platform; they are also found on different social media like X (formerly Twitter). They mainly promote articles that are simply copied from popular news sites.

Numlock News: October 24, 2023 • Moon, Scares, Deus Ex Machina

Numlock News • 707 implied HN points • 24 Oct 23
💼 Business Advertising Entertainment Real Estate Social media Research
  1. Author promoted the launch of their new book 'You Are What You Watch' and shared a discount code for purchases.
  2. Jump scares in horror movies have been declining since the mid-2010s, hitting a 20-year low in 2021.
  3. Growth of Korean AI-driven Bible chatbot service used by 20% of Protestant ministers to write sermons.

From TikTok to Substack: Should we welcome digital refugees?

storyvoyager • 18 implied HN points • 13 Jan 25
🎭️ Culture Digital Culture Community Building Social media Cultural differences Content creation
  1. Substack is trying to attract TikTok users who might be looking for a new home if TikTok gets banned. This could bring a lot of new voices to the platform.
  2. Some current Substack users are worried that TikTok creators will change the community's vibe. They fear that the special, thoughtful atmosphere of Substack might be lost.
  3. Despite the concerns, this could be a unique chance for Substack to grow and mix creative styles. It could help create more meaningful and in-depth content without losing its roots.

To Tweet, or not to Tweet?

CB • 1158 implied HN points • 19 Dec 22
📚 Literature Social media
  1. The text reflects on the decision to continue or quit social media platforms like Twitter, highlighting the challenges of dealing with trolls and negative interactions.
  2. It emphasizes the idea of taking a break from social media to escape online toxicity and the stress caused by internet interactions.
  3. The passage examines the inner struggle between staying online, facing online challenges, and the desire to disconnect and find peace in real life.

‘We the People Are for TikTok’

Common Sense with Bari Weiss • 176 implied HN points • 21 Jan 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Social media Influencers Legislation National Security
  1. TikTok faced serious legal issues that could have led to its ban in the U.S. due to national security concerns. Many influencers were worried about losing the platform.
  2. Donald Trump announced a temporary delay on the TikTok ban, allowing the app to continue operating for now. This news sparked celebrations among influencers and supporters.
  3. During a TikTok-sponsored party, influencers celebrated the app's reprieve, showcasing a community that heavily relies on the platform for their fame and income.

China's CCP-controlled 'Little Red Book' app drives home two messages: America stinks and China rules

The Dossier • 168 implied HN points • 17 Jan 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Social media Censorship Privacy Data security Political propaganda
  1. The 'Little Red Book' app is heavily controlled by the Chinese government, promoting ideas like 'America stinks' and 'China rules'.
  2. Users experience strict censorship on sensitive topics, which is very different from American social media where more free expression is allowed.
  3. Downloading this app carries risks due to Chinese data laws that allow the government access to personal user data, posing privacy concerns for American users.

Culture Remix

In Bed With Social • 534 implied HN points • 31 Dec 23
🎭️ Culture Art Trends Brand Innovation Social media
  1. Culture today involves remixing and transformation of existing ideas, not just creating new ones.
  2. Collaboration and co-creation between brands and consumers is becoming more prevalent in the era of brand remix.
  3. Remix culture reflects the complexity of society and offers potential for innovation and expression.

The Dumbest Online Right In-Fighting You'll Read About This Week (I Know I Shouldn't Be Writing About It)

Default Wisdom • 266 implied HN points • 09 Dec 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Right-wing Political Commentary Culture Wars Social media Political Factions
  1. The term 'Woke Right' is being used in discussions about divisions within the online right, but its meaning is unclear. It seems to link various factions' behaviors to cultural policing and identity issues.
  2. Right-wing groups have their own ways of gatekeeping and moral testing, similar to issues seen on the left. This suggests that toxic behavior can show up across the political spectrum, not just from one side.
  3. Critics from classical liberal backgrounds may not mesh well with more extreme right factions, and their differences shouldn't be ignored. Instead of labeling them as 'woke,' it's better to critique ideas based on their own merit.

Bogus accounts in the blue skies

Conspirador Norteño • 80 implied HN points • 16 Nov 24
🕹 Technology Social media Digital Culture Online Privacy User Behavior
  1. Bluesky is getting a lot of new users, but some of those accounts are fake. These inauthentic accounts often use the same photos and bios, making them easy to spot.
  2. The bogus accounts post similar things, like photos of fitness centers and coffee, and use identical captions. This makes it clear they aren't real people.
  3. These fake accounts seem to follow popular liberal users from X and try to blend in. As more people join Bluesky, the influence of these inauthentic accounts could grow.

This landscape does not exist

Conspirador Norteño • 32 implied HN points • 28 Dec 24
🕹 Technology AI Social media Digital Content Spam Detection Online behavior
  1. Facebook is flooded with AI-generated images, often coming from pages that aren't run by regular users. These images sometimes get a lot of attention, but they mainly come from content farms.
  2. Many Facebook pages post the same AI-generated images around the same time, with slight changes to avoid detection. This suggests they might all be operated by the same group of people.
  3. The AI-generated images often look strange and unrealistic, with obvious glitches like odd-looking roads and animals. They tend to have brighter colors than real photos, making them easy to spot.

Checking in on Twitter

Read Max • 2186 implied HN points • 18 Aug 23
🕹 Technology Social media Tech industry Competitors
  1. The state of Twitter following Elon Musk's acquisition is still uncertain, with questions about website functionality, business sustainability, and user engagement remaining unanswered.
  2. Although Musk announced plans to eliminate the block function on Twitter, it seems like a questionable idea that may not actually materialize.
  3. Changes in Twitter's culture have been observed, with a shift towards tech industry influencers, impacting the dynamics of stories and discussions on the platform.

Four unpersuasive arguments against TikTok

Read Max • 1132 implied HN points • 15 Mar 24
🎭️ Culture Social media Media Analysis Entertainment Books Content creation
  1. There are four unpersuasive arguments for banning TikTok, including concerns about Chinese manipulation, user data security, trade war retaliation, and societal impact not related to China.
  2. MrBeast's transparency with his audience about YouTube business models and growth strategies sets a new standard for authenticity in online content creation.
  3. The future of YouTube and media content creation may shift towards authenticity and relatability, reminiscent of TikTok's success, moving away from the professionalized approach of current YouTube stars like MrBeast.

Sudden internet fame is warping teenagers' lives

Simon Owens's Media Newsletter • 324 implied HN points • 25 Oct 24
🎭️ Culture Social media Media influence Cultural impact
  1. Teenagers can become famous on the internet very quickly. This sudden fame can change how they see themselves and how others treat them.
  2. Being famous online brings real-life challenges that these young people might not be ready to handle. It can affect their daily lives and relationships.
  3. Society needs to understand this new type of fame better. It's something that has never happened at this scale before, and it’s important to talk about its effects.

Blue Sky Mine

Internal exile • 77 implied HN points • 15 Nov 24
🕹 Technology Social media Digital Culture Content creation User engagement Media Critique
  1. Many users are leaving Twitter to join Bluesky, hoping for a better platform. They want a space that isn't dominated by negativity and misinformation.
  2. Bluesky is attracting users who still value text and reading in a world where video dominates social media. This platform might encourage meaningful conversations through writing.
  3. There's hope that Bluesky can create a new kind of online community focused on text-based interaction, instead of just chasing viral content like other platforms.

Everything’s not awful: moving beyond Negativity Bias

Everything is Light • 687 implied HN points • 20 Mar 23
🏥 Health & Wellness Mental health Social media Anxiety Positive thinking
  1. Negativity bias influences us to focus on bad news over good news, shaping our worldview.
  2. Young people face mental health challenges due to factors like heavy smartphone use, social media, and lockdowns.
  3. It's important to recognize the progress and positive advancements happening in the world, rather than solely focusing on negative narratives.

Bicker, Battle, Broil, and Brawl

Bastiat's Window • 373 implied HN points • 23 Jan 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Polarization Election Social media Political Discourse Bipartisanship
  1. 2024 political discourse appears to be heading towards more conflict and controversy.
  2. The polarization in American politics has deepened over the years, impacting relationships and societal cohesion.
  3. Factors contributing to political polarization include historic events like Roe v. Wade, the contentious 2000 election, precision redistricting, and the rise of social media.

BIG OOF: Patreon is enabling an insane stalking campaign

Natalia Mitigates The Apocalypse • 353 implied HN points • 29 Jan 24
🕹 Technology Social media Online Harassment Tech Platforms Content Moderation Digital ethics
  1. Stalking can happen to anyone, not just famous people, and tech companies like Patreon can inadvertently enable stalkers.
  2. Documenting and calling out instances of stalking and harassment can help raise awareness and hold tech companies accountable for their role.
  3. Coping strategies against online harassment include setting boundaries, exercising, practicing meditation, and using creativity to tell your story.

who is the media now?

bad cattitude • 239 implied HN points • 26 Nov 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Media Journalism Public Discourse Political Commentary Social media
  1. Media is changing a lot because regular people can now share news and opinions easily. This means traditional journalists are losing their influence.
  2. Many people don't trust established media anymore. They feel the news isn’t impartial and is often funded by special interest groups.
  3. The conversation about news is more open now, with many voices contributing. This makes it easier to find truth faster than before.

Facebook has become a punchline

Simon Owens's Media Newsletter • 299 implied HN points • 30 Oct 24
🕹 Technology Social media AI Podcasts Media industry Digital Trends
  1. Facebook is now seen as a joke, filled with low-quality content that doesn't engage users seriously.
  2. Feminist blogs that were popular in the 2010s are largely gone now, leaving a gap in discussions about women's rights.
  3. Political campaigns increasingly use social media influencers to promote candidates, often without clear rules, which can mislead voters.

Introducing post stats in the Substack app

Substack • 658 implied HN points • 26 Jun 24
🕹 Technology App Development User engagement Data Analytics Social media Creative Tools
  1. Substack now has a feature that shows writers detailed statistics about their posts. This helps creators see how well their posts are doing and where new subscribers are coming from.
  2. There is a new Discussion tab that makes it easier for writers to engage with comments and interactions on their posts. This way, they can manage conversations in one place without searching through notifications.
  3. The Substack app is driving a lot of new subscriptions. The app helps users discover content and connects writers to their audience more effectively.

Do politicians need Legos to explain housing on social media?

The New Urban Order • 219 implied HN points • 25 Mar 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Housing Social media Housing Crisis Policy
  1. Using creative and simple methods, like Legos, can effectively convey complex topics like housing supply and demand to a wider audience on social media.
  2. Politicians can make their housing messages more engaging by focusing on simple but impactful messages, avoiding getting lost in technical details.
  3. Creating approachable and visually appealing social media content can help elevate the dialogue around housing issues and engage a broader audience in the conversation.

How Has the Internet Changed Since Tyler Cowen Started Using it?

Default Wisdom • 140 implied HN points • 31 Jan 25
🕹 Technology Internet AI Social media Blogging Communication
  1. The internet has changed a lot since the early days, with tools like email and blogging becoming significant for communication and sharing information.
  2. Social media platforms like Twitter have transformed how people engage online, creating new dynamics in communication.
  3. AI developments, especially with tools like GPT-4, are revolutionizing how we access and organize information, making it an exciting time for tech enthusiasts.

Leftist Men Are Pussies

Default Wisdom • 244 implied HN points • 05 Dec 24
🎭️ Culture Identity politics Online Communities Political Commentary Cultural criticism Social media
  1. Many people learn about political ideas online, with platforms like Tumblr shaping modern identity politics more than traditional classrooms. This shift influenced how journalists and young adults view these topics.
  2. The conversation around political beliefs can shift quickly, especially when people explore new ideas. It's easy to get caught up in finding identity through opposing viewpoints, whether on the left or the right.
  3. Understanding differing opinions can be enlightening, even if you don't agree with them. Engaging with various perspectives helps refine your own beliefs, but it can also be uncomfortable or lead to deep personal questions.

Introducing direct messaging on Substack

Substack • 1072 implied HN points • 28 Feb 24
🕹 Technology Social media Messaging Networking
  1. Substack now offers direct messaging, allowing users to have one-to-one private conversations with other writers and readers in the network.
  2. Direct messages on Substack can be used to build subscriber loyalty, connect with fellow writers for collaboration, and cultivate reader community by engaging directly with the audience.
  3. DMs are a new feature that can enhance relationships within the Substack community, providing opportunities for more personal and meaningful interactions between users.

Social media is an adversarial system, the MSM is inquisitorial

Wyclif's Dust • 1609 implied HN points • 22 Oct 23
🌍 World Politics Social media Mainstream Media
  1. Social media operates as an adversarial system while traditional media functions in an inquisitorial system.
  2. The differences in media systems can be likened to judicial systems of adversarial and inquisitorial natures.
  3. Social media platforms need to engineer systems that surface quality content and resist manipulation in a scalable way.

Take That, China: Our Dumbest Young People Are Invading Your App

I Might Be Wrong • 14 implied HN points • 17 Jan 25
🎭️ Culture Social media Pop culture Youth Trends International relations Humor
  1. A lot of TikTok users are moving to a Chinese app called Xiaohongshu after being upset about bans. It's funny to think that they're going to a Chinese-owned app when they were worried about China.
  2. Chinese users of Xiaohongshu are surprised and a bit frustrated to see so many English videos popping up. They didn't expect so many Americans to join their platform.
  3. This situation kind of feels like a playful prank, where American users are now amping up the chaos in a place they never thought would happen. It's like a funny surprise attack on the Chinese app scene.

Ready to Rock 2024? Share Your Questions about the Future of Substack!

Kristina God's Online Writing Club • 379 implied HN points • 09 Jan 24
🕹 Technology Social media Content creation Online Platforms User engagement Digital marketing
  1. You can ask questions about the future of Substack in an interview with Christina Loff. This is a great chance to find out more about what's coming for the platform.
  2. Sharing your thoughts helps improve the Substack community. By asking questions, you can help shape the discussion about new features and growth strategies.
  3. Substack is focusing on community engagement this year. Getting involved can help you make the most out of the platform, whether you're a writer or a reader.