The hottest Social media Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
Category
Top Technology Topics

inviting you to break the law

bad cattitude • 213 implied HN points • 17 Oct 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Free speech Government Control Social media Legal issues Censorship
  1. The government can sometimes tempt people to break the law and then punish them for it. This is called entrapment, and it happens online as well.
  2. Social media companies are pressured to censor certain speech, which blurs the line between being a carrier of information and an editor. This can lead to them losing legal protections.
  3. Censoring some views in favor of others stifles free speech. The answer to harmful speech isn't to silence it, but to allow more open discussion.

448: Tyranny of Marginal Users, Twitter Paywall, Airbnb AI, Softbank, Microsoft + Nintendo?, Renaissance Tech, and Rodrigo y Gabriela

Liberty’s Highlights • 432 implied HN points • 20 Sep 23
🕹 Technology Social media Artificial Intelligence Gaming Documentaries Virtual reality
  1. Question the norm and be open to different ways of doing things.
  2. Be cautious of catering solely to marginal users in product design.
  3. Consider the implications of platforms like Twitter potentially implementing paywalls.

435: Constellation Software, Twitter vs Threads, Mr. Beast, Air Travel, EVs, CANDUs, OpenAI, TSMC, and Trent Reznor

Liberty’s Highlights • 432 implied HN points • 10 Jul 23
🕹 Technology Social media Interviews
  1. Constellation Software focuses on smaller acquisitions to maintain discipline and high returns.
  2. Twitter is facing challenges with spam, algorithm changes, and leadership, leading to fragmentation.
  3. Open standard ActivityPub offers hope for bringing various social networks together in a federated way.

How to think about social effectiveness to protect creative budgets

The Social Juice • 24 implied HN points • 20 Dec 24
💼 Business Marketing Social media Strategy Branding Analytics
  1. When discussing social media success, it's important to focus on effectiveness, not just creativity. You need to tell a complete story about how your ideas impact the brand and business.
  2. To have a strong approach, measure three key areas: channel effects, brand effects, and commercial effects. This way, you can show not only how many people saw your content but also how it influenced brand awareness and sales.
  3. Always establish clear success measures before starting a project. This helps everyone understand how to evaluate success and can lead to better budget support in the future.

How This Travel Blogger Hit 180,000 Medium Followers & Is Catching Up on Ryan Holiday!

Kristina God's Online Writing Club • 339 implied HN points • 21 Nov 23
🏝 Travel Social media Content creation Audience Growth Digital marketing
  1. A travel blogger named Anne Bonfert grew her Medium following to 180,000 in just three years. This shows that with dedication, it is possible to build a large audience online.
  2. Anne shares important tips on how Medium works, including its recommendation engine. Understanding these tools can help others get their stories noticed more easily.
  3. Connecting with your audience and writing from the heart is essential. Anne's success proves that authenticity and passion can really resonate with readers.
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I Hate You, Please Stan Me

Default Wisdom • 207 implied HN points • 01 Nov 24
🎭️ Culture Fandom Community Entertainment Identity Social media
  1. Fandom can mean different things to different people, and not everyone agrees on what makes a fan. Toxic fandom often involves harassment and bigotry, but not all criticism comes from actual fans.
  2. Healthy fandoms support one another and enjoy discussing their interests, while toxic ones, often called 'standom,' enforce strict loyalty and can lead to aggressive behavior against critics or other fans.
  3. Being cast out from a fandom can hurt deeply, as it affects one's sense of identity and belonging. Fans may feel a mix of fear and aggression as the community's unwritten rules change around them.

With Revenues Declining, Corporate Media Demand Substack Censorship

Public • 515 implied HN points • 18 Jan 24
📰 News Social media Censorship Trust Journalism Criticism
  1. Corporate media is pressuring Substack for censorship due to declining revenues, but claims of widespread Nazism on the platform are exaggerated.
  2. A journalist revealed inaccuracies in an article that sparked the anti-Substack campaign, highlighting errors in claims about a writer's earnings through the platform.
  3. Mainstream media's coordinated attack on Substack, framing it as a platform for Nazis, aims to undermine its threat to legacy media, resembling past efforts seen with social media giants like Facebook and Twitter.

The curious case of the Election Day follower exodus

Conspirador Norteño • 52 implied HN points • 08 Nov 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Elections Social media Political Behavior Media influence
  1. Many people lost followers on X after the recent election, and it's happening to mostly liberal accounts. Some of these losses seem to come from real users quitting.
  2. In contrast, prominent conservative accounts mostly gained followers during this time, indicating a shift in engagement on the platform.
  3. There was also a crackdown on fake accounts leading to follower loss, which means some losses are due to accounts being banned rather than people leaving.

They Will Never, Ever Stop Lying About Everything, But Don't Give Them The Attention They Want

Singal-Minded • 1813 implied HN points • 15 Mar 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Twitter Rumors Online behavior Accountability Social media
  1. They will never stop lying about everything, but don't give them the attention they want.
  2. Ignore the rumors and defamatory comments online to avoid getting caught up in negativity.
  3. Focus on your work and don't engage with those who aim to bring you down on social media.

Big racks

quite useless • 412 implied HN points • 20 Sep 23
🎭️ Culture Social Issues Inequality Social media
  1. Arms races can lead to inefficiencies and waste, like in economic and beauty standards competition.
  2. Positional social competition can create pressure and dissatisfaction even among winners.
  3. Implementing progressive consumption tax can help reduce material and digital arms races by altering spending behaviors and neutralizing competitive dynamics.

The Mathematics of PsyWar

Who is Robert Malone • 10 implied HN points • 14 Jan 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Propaganda Public Policy Social media Psychology Government
  1. Governments and companies use advanced technology and psychology to influence how we think and behave, similar to controlling drones. This means our actions might be shaped without us even knowing.
  2. Social media platforms analyze our interactions and opinions using mathematical models, which helps them manipulate our feelings and responses in real-time.
  3. When we engage online, we are part of a system where our thoughts and communications are tracked and influenced for various purposes, including commercial and political agendas.

Selling account names in the blue, blue skies

Conspirador Norteño • 36 implied HN points • 28 Nov 24
🕹 Technology Social media Online Scams Data Analysis Internet culture
  1. Handle squatting is when people register social media handles to sell them later. Even though Bluesky allows custom domain names as handles, some still try to squat.
  2. Buying account names is risky and usually a bad idea. It's better to create your own accounts instead of getting them from spammers.
  3. Some recent accounts on Bluesky show repetitive bios and were created in batches, indicating possible spam activity. One such account even changed its bio to seem more legitimate.

Trying in public...works?

Trying In Public • 39 implied HN points • 02 Jul 24
💼 Business Marketing Personal Growth Social media E-commerce Consulting
  1. Trying in public can be beneficial, even if it's intimidating. By sharing your work or thoughts, you may discover that others are waiting for someone to voice the same ideas.
  2. Using quizzes for marketing can be a creative and engaging strategy. Consider starting with the result you want to sort people into and mapping questions based on that.
  3. Engaging with feedback and experimenting with new ideas can lead to growth and learning. Don't be afraid to try new tools or trends to see what resonates with your audience.

Beyond the attention economy, true power lies in access to individuals

storyvoyager • 7 implied HN points • 21 Jan 25
🕹 Technology Social media Digital Privacy Data security
  1. Access to individuals is the key to power in today's digital world. Just like past authoritarian regimes used information to control people, social media platforms use our data for economic gain.
  2. TikTok's popularity raises concerns about privacy and power. Its ability to collect user data makes it a potential national security threat, highlighting how digital platforms can influence politics and society.
  3. The future of social media could either deepen inequalities or promote positive change. As technology evolves, we need to decide how we want to use these platforms to influence our lives and the world.

California Judiciary cancelled its purchase of ChatGPT Plus

All-Source Intelligence Fusion • 793 implied HN points • 12 Jan 24
🕹 Technology Artificial Intelligence Government Startups Data processing Social media
  1. The California Judiciary cancelled its purchase of ChatGPT Plus after submitting a $4,080 purchase order on January 2nd.
  2. The procurement was intended for a proof of concept to see if ChatGPT could aid in website tasks, but was cancelled due to the lack of comparable quotes.
  3. Justice Guerrero announced plans for artificial intelligence at a Judicial Council meeting, focusing on developing model rules for state courts regarding AI usage.

The Future of Farcaster with Dan Romero

The Generalist • 380 implied HN points • 14 Mar 24
🕹 Technology Social media Blockchain Decentralization Monetization Scaling
  1. Farcaster, a disruptive social network, is built on a permissionless protocol, attracting attention by charging every user a fee to prevent spam.
  2. Farcaster competes head-to-head with Elon Musk in the social arena, aiming to offer a fundamentally different social experience rather than just a Twitter clone.
  3. Introducing innovative features like 'Frames' mini-applications within the feed has been a game-changer for Farcaster, sparking interest among developers and users.

The Ultimate Founder-Led LinkedIn Guide

Startup Business Tips 🚀 • 73 implied HN points • 02 Feb 25
💼 Business Marketing Entrepreneurship Social media Branding SaaS
  1. A strong LinkedIn presence can help founders build their personal brand and authority, attracting more leads and opportunities. People want to engage with real people, not just logos.
  2. Creating valuable content and sharing personal stories can make you stand out on LinkedIn. It's essential to show your expertise while being authentic.
  3. Engaging with your audience regularly and responding to comments can improve visibility and build relationships. Active participation is key for success on the platform.

TikTok Has Clarified the "Are Social Media Companies Publishers or Platforms?" Question

I Might Be Wrong • 7 implied HN points • 22 Jan 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Social media Policy Government Free speech Technology
  1. TikTok is under scrutiny for its data collection practices, raising concerns about privacy and security. It's important to understand what information TikTok gathers from its users.
  2. There is a big debate about whether social media companies should be seen as publishers or platforms. This classification affects potential regulations and legal responsibilities.
  3. The situation with TikTok highlights issues related to government control and influence over social media. It's a complicated topic that mixes technology, privacy, and politics.

Cringe communication on LinkedIn. Yay, 🙌 or Nay? 🙅‍♀️

Business & Marketing with Nika • 19 implied HN points • 04 Aug 24
💼 Business Communication Social media Marketing Professionalism Branding
  1. Communication on LinkedIn has shifted from formal to casual. It’s now common to see memes and selfies, which can feel a bit cringe.
  2. Being informal can help break the ice, but it’s important to maintain a professional image. Be careful when being casual, especially with potential clients or employers.
  3. When using LinkedIn, think about the tone you want to use. Make sure it fits your audience, and be aware of how your communication style might affect future interactions.

In Search of Artistic Integrity

if not, Paris • 393 implied HN points • 27 Feb 23
🎭️ Culture Art Literature Society Authenticity Social media
  1. Authentic art should not be defined by market value, but by its ability to connect with and inspire individuals
  2. The pressure for artists to focus on self-promotion and follower counts can lead to alienation from the true essence of their work
  3. Choosing anonymity as an artist can be a powerful statement against the expectations of mass popularity and societal norms

Why the political clock is ticking for TikTok

Silver Bulletin • 373 implied HN points • 08 Mar 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Policy Bipartisanship Legislation Social media Political Behavior
  1. Politics is not always a zero-sum game, with some shared interests among legislators. Bipartisanship can arise when faced with common goals.
  2. TikTok is facing legislative challenges in the US due to concerns about its ties to China. There is strong bipartisan support for a bill that could force TikTok to divest from its Chinese parent company.
  3. The TikTok ban issue highlights the complex intersection of politics, misinformation concerns, and generational differences. The bill seems to be gaining momentum due to the lack of a clear political winner and the psychological effect of a common enemy.

Athletes Doing the Trump Dance, Sports Journos Going to BlueSky

House of Strauss • 41 implied HN points • 20 Nov 24
🎾 Sports Athletes Journalism Media Politics Social media
  1. There is a growing separation between athletes and sports journalists. It seems like journalists are feeling pushed out or disconnected from the athletes they cover.
  2. Many sports journalists are leaving Twitter/X for a new platform called BlueSky. This shift shows concerns about the current social media landscape and its impact on communication.
  3. The changing dynamics in the sports world reflect broader societal shifts. Athletes are taking control of their narratives while traditional media is struggling to keep up.

Why I cover A.I. the way I do, good obscure action movies, and other questions from readers

Read Max • 869 implied HN points • 08 Dec 23
🕹 Technology AI Movies Web Social media Internet culture
  1. Media coverage decisions are driven by various factors like newsworthiness, commercial concerns, and career advancement.
  2. Authentic relationships between humans and bots in the future are uncertain but can be influenced by societal perceptions and control.
  3. Exploring lesser-known direct-to-video action movies and foreign films can provide new excitement for fans of the genre.

PC game discovery in China: how does it work?

The GameDiscoverCo newsletter • 196 implied HN points • 31 Jan 24
🕹 Technology Gaming Social media Market Trends Game Development Influencer Marketing
  1. In China, PC games are discovered through popular themes and genres like prison break planning and Wuxia-style RPGs.
  2. Key Chinese services for game discovery include platforms like Bilibili and Douyin, similar to YouTube and TikTok.
  3. Game developers can boost player engagement by giving away in-game cosmetics through personalized codes.

Be the Star! Get a Special Shoutout as Reward for Sharing Kristina God’s Newsletter

Kristina God's Online Writing Club • 379 implied HN points • 21 Sep 23
🕹 Technology Social media Online Writing Content creation Digital marketing Community Building
  1. Sharing a newsletter can help build a community and increase engagement. Engaging with readers makes them feel appreciated and involved.
  2. Newsletters should provide clear value to subscribers by fulfilling their needs or interests. This can include answering questions or offering insights.
  3. There are incentives for referring new subscribers, like shoutouts on social media. These rewards encourage people to help grow the newsletter.

Twitter-why?

Disaffected Newsletter • 1059 implied HN points • 20 Dec 22
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Social media Rights Censorship Public Discourse LGBTQ+ Issues
  1. Twitter denied reinstating an account multiple times, claiming it incited violence against marginalized communities. The account owner insists this accusation is false and calls for fair treatment.
  2. The account has lost significant funding from Patreon, impacting its ability to promote their show and causing financial strain.
  3. The owner expresses frustration with Twitter's lack of communication and transparency, emphasizing the importance of truth and fair treatment in online platforms.

Anthony Fauci Exposes Yale’s Gregg Gonsalves as Academic Activist Who Fakes Data Claims

The DisInformation Chronicle • 710 implied HN points • 17 Jan 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Health Policy Social media Media Public Trust Academic standards
  1. Fauci admitted the 6-feet social distancing guideline lacked scientific evidence.
  2. Gonsalves, an activist turned academic, has a history of diagnosing all medical crises as AIDS-related.
  3. Gonsalves made unsupported medical claims in a legal declaration, citing a news article as evidence.

Why Bluesky feels right

GOOD INTERNET • 40 implied HN points • 20 Nov 24
🕹 Technology Social media Innovation User Experience Networking Digital Culture
  1. Bluesky is gaining popularity as an alternative to Twitter because it feels more lively and engaging. Users like that it focuses on good content rather than just sensational posts.
  2. One cool feature of Bluesky is 'Starter Packs,' which let you follow curated lists of users based on interests. This helps people find new accounts to follow easily.
  3. Bluesky encourages sharing links and connections with other sites. This approach contrasts with many social media platforms that limit external links, promoting a more open and collaborative online experience.

Submerging the Twittersphere

The Hunt for Tom Clancy • 373 implied HN points • 08 Apr 23
🕹 Technology Social media
  1. The author is taking a break from using Twitter to promote their content due to Elon Musk's recent actions.
  2. Elon Musk made a move to ban Substack and Substack-related links from his platform.
  3. The Hunt for Tom Clancy author has explanations and theories regarding Elon Musk's actions.

We Already Solved Subscription Fatigue

Default Wisdom • 159 implied HN points • 19 Nov 24
🕹 Technology Social media Subscriptions Algorithms Content creation Digital economy
  1. Subscription models on social media can actually improve the user experience. They may create a better environment by encouraging more intentional use rather than endless scrolling.
  2. The problem isn’t subscriptions themselves, but the overwhelming number of individual subscriptions to small creators. Bundled options could make things simpler for users.
  3. Many people feel overwhelmed by how much they pay for subscriptions online. By making users think harder about what they subscribe to, it might lead to more careful choices.