The hottest Social media Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
Category
Top Technology Topics

The machine stops

Social Warming by Charles Arthur • 78 implied HN points • 14 Apr 23
🕹 Technology Social media
  1. Flywheels help store energy and stabilize systems by smoothing out fluctuations.
  2. Mislabeling media outlets can lead to consequences like their withdrawal from social media platforms.
  3. Measuring real clickthroughs is crucial for determining the impact of social media presence.

How much would you pay not to use Twitter? Or vice-versa?

Social Warming by Charles Arthur • 78 implied HN points • 19 May 23
🕹 Technology Social media
  1. Consider how much you would pay or what special features you would require to access social networks like Facebook, Twitter, TikTok, Instagram, or Snapchat.
  2. Offering the right features for paid subscriptions is crucial for social networks to succeed, as seen in the example of Twitter Blue.
  3. Understanding what users are willing to pay for on social networks is important, especially as the industry shifts towards freemium models.
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Murder in the Electric Cathedral

Murder, She Cooked • 78 implied HN points • 05 Jul 23
🍲 Food & Drink Social media
  1. One of The Snoop Sisters taught Jessica Fletcher English Literature - what a surprise!
  2. There's a lot of fighting over the former teacher's will, possibly due to a large sum of money involved.
  3. Consider following up "Murder in the Electric Cathedral" with a double bill of "The Snoop Sisters" for some entertaining fun.

The Gen Z-fication of the Femme Fatale

The Digital Native • 78 implied HN points • 06 Mar 23
🎭️ Culture Social media
  1. Femme fatales have been powerful and controversial characters throughout history, representing strong women with control over their lives.
  2. Hollywood redefined the femme fatale as a symbol of power, autonomy, and charm, breaking stereotypes and paving the way for bold female characters in media.
  3. Gen Z is rebranding femme fatales as 'dark feminine,' appreciating characters like Maddy from Euphoria who show a mix of boldness, charisma, and vulnerability.

The Work of Net Zero

Oliver Bateman Does the Work • 78 implied HN points • 07 Aug 23
🎭️ Culture Social media
  1. Quality over quantity is crucial in social media reach for some individuals
  2. Maintaining a static follower count or even encouraging negative growth can be a deliberate choice
  3. Striving for quality content and avoiding pandering is a key focus for some in the social media realm

Food, Politics and Social Media

Black Lodges • 78 implied HN points • 09 Mar 23
🍲 Food & Drink Social media
  1. Access to food can be affected by political decisions like resource distribution and infrastructure availability.
  2. Government agricultural policies can impact food production and distribution.
  3. Political decisions on labor laws and working conditions in the food industry can impact food quality and availability.

KOSA is back. Or is it?

Tech + Regulation • 39 implied HN points • 26 Feb 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Social media
  1. The Kids Online Safety Act (KOSA) aims to improve online safety for children and teens. It includes new rules for social media platforms to protect young users from risks like bullying and harmful content.
  2. KOSA introduces a 'duty of care' that requires platforms to actively prevent online harm to minors. This means they have to find a balance between allowing access to information and not promoting harmful content.
  3. The bill also changes how advertising works for younger users. Platforms will need to inform them why they see certain ads and limit certain design features that encourage excessive use.

Annotating booktok and its evolution

The Digital Native • 39 implied HN points • 31 Jan 24
🎭️ Culture Social media
  1. Booktok originated as the book side of TikTok and has evolved from bookstagram and studyblr.
  2. Booktok showcases a shift towards overemphasis on smut and dark romance, leading to concerns about content consumption.
  3. Booktok's landscape includes categories such as 'horndogs,' 'mean girls,' and those who focus on the plot, calling for a return to discussing storylines over smut.

Two years of Artificial Ignorance

Artificial Ignorance • 92 implied HN points • 11 Feb 25
🕹 Technology Social media
  1. Consistency in publishing is key. Writing regularly helps build your voice and keeps your audience engaged.
  2. Feedback from readers is really important. It's tough to improve without knowing what your audience enjoys or wants.
  3. Trying new things is a part of the journey. Some experiments, like podcasts or workshops, might not go as planned, but they teach valuable lessons for the future.

The loneliness epidemic

Arnab’s Substack • 16 HN points • 09 May 24
🏥 Health & Wellness Social media
  1. TikTok introduced a new era in social networking, with its algorithm acting as a broadcast medium, but it also brought new problems by shifting the storytelling dynamic between creators and consumers.
  2. Humans naturally crave bi-directional relationships within smaller tribes, as seen historically and in current social media trends where platforms are transitioning towards broadcast models for engagement.
  3. The upcoming AI revolution is expected to elevate your connections and interactions by personalizing stories, potentially addressing some issues caused by the shift towards content consumption on platforms like TikTok.

The Impact of Social Media on Cybersecurity

Rod’s Blog • 39 implied HN points • 27 Jan 24
🕹 Technology Social media
  1. Social media is a significant source of cyber threats, as cybercriminals use it to steal personal information, spread malware, and launch phishing attacks.
  2. Social media platforms are vulnerable to cybercrime due to the vast user base they have, making them attractive targets for cybercriminals.
  3. To stay safe on social media, it's important to be cautious about what you share, use strong passwords, be wary of suspicious links, keep software updated, and utilize two-factor authentication.

sunday memepool 2: the call

bad cattitude • 103 implied HN points • 22 Dec 24
🎭️ Culture Social media
  1. Many people are invited to take action or participate, but only a few will actually respond. It's important to stand out and take the initiative when the opportunity arises.
  2. Engagement is key; being active can lead to unique chances and connections. Don't wait for others to make the first move.
  3. Responding positively to calls or challenges can open doors for new experiences. It's about being ready and willing to seize those moments when they come.

I’m ditching Twitter for Lent

Matt’s Five Points • 359 implied HN points • 01 Mar 22
🎭️ Culture Social media
  1. Taking a break from Twitter can help improve your thinking and writing skills. It's good to step away from social media sometimes.
  2. The writer wants to focus on topics they know best, like Congress and card games. It's better to stick to what you really understand.
  3. Leaving social media could be seen as a sacrifice or an act of service. It's a way to reset and find clarity in your thoughts.

You Can't See Me, But I Can Make You Rich

Trying In Public • 15 HN points • 09 May 24
💼 Business Social media
  1. The rise of Faceless Accounts on Instagram allows individuals to build an online presence without showing their face, using stock video footage to create a curated aesthetic.
  2. The popularity of 'Master Resell Rights' courses tied to the Faceless Account trend raises questions about the effectiveness and authenticity of marketing strategies in online businesses.
  3. The pressure to maintain an 'aesthetic' online presence on platforms like Instagram can overshadow the importance of genuine connection, expertise, and trust in building a sustainable business.

When your post hits #1 on Hacker News

Tech and Tea • 345 implied HN points • 21 Oct 23
🕹 Technology Social media
  1. Getting the #1 spot on Hacker News can bring a significant increase in traffic and engagement.
  2. It's important to write what you want rather than just what you think will be popular on platforms like Hacker News.
  3. Cross-posting content on different platforms can help reach different audiences and bring unique benefits.

20 years of social posts (+ weekly update)

12challenges • 257 implied HN points • 01 Mar 24
🕹 Technology Social media
  1. The diagram shows how much social media has changed over the last 20 years, with a shift towards platforms like TikTok.
  2. The idea of using the diagram as a menu to choose preferred social media options is intriguing, revealing possible disparities in usage.
  3. The author seeks suggestions to improve the diagram's presentation and structure, anticipating future articles about social media platforms.

Ageism, Part I: Hate Speech

Ladyparts • 339 implied HN points • 27 Jan 22
🎭️ Culture Social media
  1. Rising ageism leads to real and systemic harm, yet remains a tolerated form of discrimination.
  2. The impact of hate speech related to ageism can be hurtful and disrespectful, causing emotional distress.
  3. Online interactions and satire about generational differences can escalate to offensive and derogatory comments, highlighting the prevalence of age-related discrimination.

Trillion Dollar Twit

Diane Francis • 299 implied HN points • 26 May 22
💼 Business Social media
  1. Elon Musk is seen as a skilled businessman but sometimes acts immaturely for his age. This mix of traits makes him an unusual and unpredictable figure.
  2. His decision to buy Twitter for a huge amount of money shows boldness, but it has also led to a series of controversial tweets. These tweets have sparked a lot of discussion and mixed reactions from the public.
  3. Musk's behavior raises questions about how he will manage Twitter and whether his leadership style will be effective for the platform's future.

The Internet's Meaning Crisis

Kneeling Bus • 273 implied HN points • 31 Jan 24
🎭️ Culture Social media
  1. The internet is flooded with content that doesn't matter, leading to a meaning crisis.
  2. Parasocial media, while flawed, attempts to make people care about online content.
  3. The challenge is to navigate the digital landscape to find what matters and develop systems to care about it.

We Have to Go Back

Paroxysms • 179 implied HN points • 24 Aug 22
🎭️ Culture Social media
  1. The show 'The Resort' uses old technologies to explore human connections in a hypermediatized world.
  2. Streaming platforms releasing episodes weekly create a sense of anticipation like traditional TV viewing.
  3. Nostalgia for the past can be a way to critique or react against the complexities of the present.

"X" Has Become a Hate Machine

Unpopular Front • 106 implied HN points • 03 Dec 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Social media
  1. The platform 'X' has shifted to allowing more hate-filled content, where racist and misogynistic posts are becoming common. This reflects a change in how moderation practices are handled.
  2. People are noticing an increase in harmful content in their feeds, suggesting that the platform's algorithm is promoting these negative messages as normal. This could influence users' attitudes and behaviors.
  3. There's frustration with the idea that social media, especially 'X', is being used to push a specific political agenda. Some users feel trapped between platforms that either promote hate or are overly liberal.

sunday memepool 2: cheer up

bad cattitude • 110 implied HN points • 24 Nov 24
😂 Humor Social media
  1. Sometimes, life can feel overwhelming or tough. It's important to find ways to lift your spirits when you're feeling down.
  2. Humor and lighthearted content, like memes, can be great tools to cheer ourselves up. They help remind us not to take life too seriously.
  3. Sharing feelings and laughter with others can create connection and support, which is really helpful during hard times.

✨ Invite Your Friends to Get Michelin Star Experience from Storefronts of Bangkok

Digest // Storefronts of Bangkok • 39 implied HN points • 16 Jan 24
🍲 Food & Drink Social media
  1. Referring friends to subscribe can give you special benefits like a Michelin Star Experience, T-Shirts, and Restaurant Coupons.
  2. Sharing the Digest // Storefronts of Bangkok post using the provided referral link may earn you special rewards.
  3. You can earn different rewards like a T-shirt, a restaurant coupon, or a Michelin Star experience based on the number of friends who subscribe through your referral link.

Going deep with Depths of Wikipedia's Annie Rauwerda

escape the algorithm • 159 implied HN points • 02 Nov 22
🎭️ Culture Social media
  1. Traveling, exploring, and experiencing different places can lead to unique opportunities and perspectives, like unexpectedly owning a piece of undersea internet cable.
  2. Delving into the depths of the internet, like Wikipedia, can reveal hidden treasures and interesting stories that showcase the human effort behind online platforms.
  3. The internet offers a space for diverse communities and shared interests, enabling connections, creativity, and the exchange of valuable information.

The Last Days of Discourse

Unpopular Front • 78 implied HN points • 11 Feb 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Social media
  1. The media landscape seems diverse but is actually dominated by sensationalism and noise, making it hard for people to have meaningful discussions.
  2. There's a belief among some tech leaders that technological progress must come with a strict social order, rejecting equality movements like civil rights and feminism.
  3. Social media might actually be creating new forms of community rather than weakening them, but the political elite is struggling to adapt to these rapid changes.

sunday memepool: entrance exam

bad cattitude • 102 implied HN points • 08 Dec 24
😂 Humor Social media
  1. It's important to be ready for challenges, like an entrance exam for a new experience. You never know what might come your way.
  2. Life can feel like a test, with ups and downs that you need to navigate. Staying prepared helps you handle whatever comes at you.
  3. Being part of a community or group can make tough moments easier to face. Sharing experiences with others can provide support and insights.

Is This Really Happening?

New World Same Humans • 91 implied HN points • 12 Jan 25
🕹 Technology Social media
  1. 2025 is expected to be a significant year for change, especially with new political alliances forming around technology.
  2. There's a growing divide between those wanting to speed up technological advancements and those wanting to slow them down due to concerns about their impact on society.
  3. AI is becoming more powerful, possibly leading to major shifts in many aspects of life, and we might soon agree that we are nearing a stage called Artificial General Intelligence.

The curious case of the Trump News Commentary accounts

Conspirador Norteño • 32 implied HN points • 25 Jul 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Social media
  1. There are many social media accounts that pretend to share news about Trump but don't actually produce any original content. They're mostly just reposting things to get attention.
  2. These accounts engage in a lot of repetition, posting the same messages over and over again. This makes them seem more popular and can trick people into thinking they are credible.
  3. Most of these accounts follow and interact with each other, which helps to create a network that spreads their content quickly. This boosts their visibility and engagement online.