The hottest Social media Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
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Top Technology Topics

Algorithms are making political speech more extreme

Taylor Lorenz's Newsletter • 3582 implied HN points • 09 Nov 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Political speech Social media Algorithms Communication Misinformation
  1. Algorithms are changing how politicians speak. They now exaggerate and hyperbolize to get more likes and shares, which can lead to more extreme views.
  2. Social media has replaced traditional broadcasting, making it harder for politicians to reach their audience directly. Now, they must adapt their messages for platforms that promote viral content.
  3. Facial recognition technology is increasingly used by governments to track and suppress protesters. This makes it riskier for people to express dissent, as they can be easily identified and punished.

The Grinch has knee surgery tomorrow

Taylor Lorenz's Newsletter • 2896 implied HN points • 02 Dec 24
🎭️ Culture Memes Social media Humor Gen Z Internet Trends
  1. The blue Grinch knee surgery meme has become super popular online, especially among younger people on TikTok and Instagram. It's a funny way to bond over absurd humor and connect with others.
  2. This meme is part of a trend where simple, ironic jokes can create communities and even go viral. People enjoy the low-pressure environment of sharing memes like this.
  3. Interestingly, some people are trying to turn this meme into a cryptocurrency called 'knee coin' to make money off of its popularity. This shows how memes can sometimes become more than just jokes.

Letter to Zoomer men

Jeff Giesea • 1177 implied HN points • 07 Jul 24
🎭️ Culture Mental health Social media Youth culture
  1. Don't give in to feelings of hopelessness or nihilism. There are still opportunities to create a meaningful life.
  2. Although you face unique challenges, your generation has the power to build new systems and institutions for the future.
  3. Stay positive and find joy amidst struggles. Your youth and perspective can lead to big changes down the road.

Britain should ban TikTok

Odds and Ends of History • 1675 implied HN points • 21 Jan 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Policy Debate National Security Social media Government Regulation Public Opinion
  1. There is currently a discussion about banning TikTok in Britain and the U.S. due to national security concerns. Some people believe the app poses threats, but there is no ban in the UK for now.
  2. Not all arguments for banning TikTok are valid or helpful. Many points made in the debate seem irrelevant and distract from the main concerns.
  3. The debate on TikTok is about more than just fun videos. Some argue that even harmless content could have implications for national security.

The First Hit Generative AI Product After ChatGPT? Somehow, It’s Snapchat+

Big Technology • 17388 implied HN points • 05 Jan 24
🕹 Technology AI Social media Generative AI Subscription Messaging
  1. Snapchat+ is a popular AI-powered subscription service with generative AI features.
  2. The success of Snapchat+ shows that generative AI may be best as a feature within existing apps rather than standalone products.
  3. Generative AI technology is being utilized to enhance user experiences and could be a new revenue stream for companies.
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The woman behind the viral Texas breakup speaks

Taylor Lorenz's Newsletter • 3941 implied HN points • 23 Oct 24
🎭️ Culture Social media Relationships Digital Communication Youth culture
  1. A musician named Jillian Lavin shared her painful breakup story, where she moved to Texas for her boyfriend, who later ended things with a note. Her video went viral, sparking lots of reactions online.
  2. Different social media platforms reacted differently to Lavin's story. People on Twitter were harsher, while those on Instagram showed more compassion and understanding.
  3. Lavin expressed that despite her viral fame, she'd give it up to be back with her ex-boyfriend, highlighting the emotional toll of the breakup and the public's reaction.

Why Did Social Media Go to War Against Writers?

The Honest Broker • 23970 implied HN points • 22 Sep 23
🕹 Technology Social media Platforms Writers Content creation
  1. Social media platforms like Twitter and Facebook are becoming hostile towards writers, leading many to leave.
  2. Substack and similar platforms are providing alternative models that support writers and creators more effectively.
  3. The economics of social media platforms prioritize generating revenue from ads and scrolling, making it challenging for long-form content like articles to thrive.

The '#1 restaurant in Austin' doesn't exist

Taylor Lorenz's Newsletter • 4120 implied HN points • 14 Oct 24
🍲 Food & Drink Social media AI Impact Food culture
  1. The '#1 restaurant in Austin' is actually fake and only exists on social media. People are liking and sharing photos of food that was created by artificial intelligence.
  2. Many restaurants now use AI to produce realistic food images, making it hard to tell what's real and what's not. This trend makes people more likely to believe that outlandish food items are real.
  3. The rise of AI-generated food content is blending with real food culture, leading to a situation where it’s tough to distinguish genuine culinary offerings from those that are just for social media attention.

My Journey From 300 to 15000 Followers on LinkedIn

VERY GOOD PRODUCTIZED GUIDES • 319 implied HN points • 12 Aug 24
💼 Business Social media Marketing Networking Lead Generation Entrepreneurship
  1. Growing your LinkedIn followers takes consistency and patience. Posting regularly can help you connect with more people and keep your audience engaged.
  2. Content is key to grabbing attention on LinkedIn. Share personal stories, expert insights, and occasional calls-to-action to build connections and generate leads.
  3. Engaging with others on the platform boosts visibility. Comment on posts, reach out to new connections, and collaborate with top creators to expand your network.

'Libbing out' is the latest irony-fueled coping mechanism

Taylor Lorenz's Newsletter • 3403 implied HN points • 05 Nov 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Political trends Social media Youth Engagement Democratic Party
  1. Young progressives are using a term called 'libbing out' to humorously embrace mainstream Democratic politics. It's a way for them to ignore their usual cynicism and feel optimistic, even if just for a little while.
  2. 'Libbing out' is partly a reaction to feeling overwhelmed by the state of politics. People want a break from all the negativity and are choosing to focus on a more comfortable political fantasy, even if it's temporary.
  3. While 'libbing out' helps people cope, it's also critiqued as a shallow approach that doesn’t address deeper political issues. Many believe that simply supporting Democrats won't solve bigger problems in the system.

IG meme pages rejoice!

Taylor Lorenz's Newsletter • 2567 implied HN points • 04 Dec 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Social media Content Moderation Political speech Censorship Tech Companies
  1. Meta's content moderation has had too many mistakes, often removing harmless posts by creators. They want to improve how they enforce rules to protect free expression.
  2. Memes and funny content, especially on Instagram, have been heavily affected by Meta’s strict moderation. Creators are frustrated with the inability to distinguish between humor and real misinformation.
  3. The conversation around internet freedom is changing, with voices like Joe Rogan suggesting that recent shifts in moderation policies are paving the way for more free speech. However, many argue that these changes started before recent events.

Why are young liberals so depressed?

Slow Boring • 8117 implied HN points • 01 Mar 23
🏥 Health & Wellness Mental health Social media Political Ideology Therapy Emotional Well-being Youth Mental Health
  1. The mental health of young liberals is influenced by a mix of factors including social media, politics, and societal issues.
  2. Political ideology plays a role in the mental health of adolescents, with liberal girls showing higher levels of depression.
  3. Encouraging positive emotional responses and avoiding catastrophizing can be beneficial for mental health.

I was just given a lifetime ban from Instagram for thanking Yemen for trying to stop the genocide of Palestinians.

The North Star with Shaun King • 4676 implied HN points • 06 Feb 24
🌍 World Politics Human Rights Diplomacy Conflict Social media Censorship
  1. Shaun King was banned from Instagram for thanking Yemen for trying to stop the genocide of Palestinians.
  2. Meta's decision sets a dangerous precedent by deleting Shaun King's account and preventing any appeal.
  3. Shaun King stands by his support for Yemen and Palestine despite the unjust ban from Instagram.

Is the red heart emoji MAGA? ❤️

Taylor Lorenz's Newsletter • 3075 implied HN points • 12 Nov 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Digital Communication Societal Trends Social media
  1. Some people now worry that using the red heart emoji means they're supporting a political party, especially after recent elections. This makes them think twice before using it.
  2. Emojis are evolving and can carry political meanings. Different emojis are being used by various groups to express their beliefs or identity online.
  3. People may feel anxious about certain emojis, like the red heart, due to changing contexts. Some are switching to different colors or types of hearts to avoid misunderstandings.

Hessen Interior Minister announces measures to combat "unfiltered opinions" on social media, state media expert calls for the regulation of internet memes, and other insanity from the Federal Republic

eugyppius: a plague chronicle • 216 implied HN points • 15 Jan 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Regulation Social media Democracy Disinformation
  1. Germany's government is getting very worried about people's opinions on social media. They're planning new measures to control these 'unfiltered opinions.'
  2. There's a push to regulate internet memes, showing just how serious officials are about controlling what people can say online.
  3. Some officials believe that criticism of the public media could harm democracy, which raises concerns about free speech and the ability to discuss different viewpoints.

Spam in the firehose, part III

Conspirador Norteño • 32 implied HN points • 14 Feb 25
🕹 Technology Social media Spam Detection User Behavior Online Trends
  1. There is a large network of fake accounts on Bluesky, all created to follow real users quickly and in groups. These accounts look almost identical, using default profile images and very little personal information.
  2. The spam accounts often follow a mix of different types of real accounts, including celebrities and businesses, but they usually don't have much content themselves. They mainly repost or reply with very simple comments.
  3. The way these fake accounts behave, like following in large swarms, makes it easy to spot them. They create a clear pattern that shows they aren't real users.

Oklahoma Appoints Libs Of TikTok "To Make Schools Safer," Violent Threats Follow Her Posts

Erin In The Morning • 4127 implied HN points • 23 Jan 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Education LGBTQ+ Violence Social media Legislation
  1. Chaya Raichik, creator of Libs of TikTok, was appointed to make schools safer but her posts led to violent threats.
  2. Raichik's appointment to the Library Media Advisory Committee has sparked controversy due to her history of targeting LGBTQ+ individuals.
  3. Despite criticism, Oklahoma Superintendent Ryan Walters supports far-right influencers and causes, impacting LGBTQ+ policies in the state.

Mark Zuckerberg's commitment to free speech is as deep as Exxon's commitment to clean energy

The Future, Now and Then • 198 implied HN points • 09 Jan 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Political speech Social media Content Moderation Political Influence Corporate Responsibility
  1. Meta's commitment to free speech and content moderation is often temporary and depends on political convenience. They respond to crises when pressured but quickly revert to leniency when the heat is off.
  2. Zuckerberg's recent shift in moderation policies suggests a move towards cheaper, less effective community-driven solutions instead of rigorous fact-checking, potentially increasing harm towards marginalized groups.
  3. There's a growing debate about whether big tech companies deserve special treatment from the government, with some arguing that they should follow the same rules as everyone else despite their influence.

We All Need to be Loved

We're Gonna Get Those Bastards • 5 implied HN points • 11 Jun 25
🎭️ Culture Relationships Loneliness Marriage Mental health Social media
  1. Loneliness can cause serious health issues and is a big problem today, often made worse by social media and dating apps.
  2. Having love and belonging in our lives is more important than having food or a home. Love helps us grow and achieve our goals.
  3. If you're in a relationship, it's important to cherish it. Everyone deserves love, and it can lead to greater happiness and success in life.

My Wronggest Content

Jacob’s Tech Tavern • 656 implied HN points • 26 Nov 24
🕹 Technology Social media Software Development Marketing Content creation Programming
  1. Posting wrong code online can lead to getting helpful feedback from others. Sometimes people are quick to point out mistakes, but that can help you learn.
  2. Using social media regularly can grow your audience. Posting interesting and engaging content helps attract more subscribers.
  3. Accepting criticism is important. It can be tough to hear people say your work is bad, but it's a chance to improve and grow.

Meet the Censored: Me?

TK News by Matt Taibbi • 22417 implied HN points • 13 Apr 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Social media Free speech Media Coverage Censorship Journalism
  1. The project to uncover Twitter Files revealed a complex and organized system of content policing involving various government agencies and tech platforms.
  2. Suspension of journalist accounts for sharing information about Elon Musk's private jet highlighted the tensions between free speech and censorship.
  3. Elon Musk's involvement in the transparency of Twitter was met with conflicting reactions, ultimately leading to unexpected clashes with platforms like Substack.

TikTokers are spreading North Korean propaganda to sell supplements

Taylor Lorenz's Newsletter • 3582 implied HN points • 09 Oct 24
🎭️ Culture Social media Influencers Propaganda Marketing Consumer behavior
  1. Some TikTok users are sharing North Korean stories to promote supplements. They claim life in North Korea is better than in the U.S.
  2. These videos often use AI-generated images and stories to grab attention and sell products. They can be bizarre and hard to believe.
  3. After being reported, many of the accounts promoting this content were taken down, but some continue to operate and push these products.

Like fighting through molasses

Disaffected Newsletter • 1758 implied HN points • 25 Apr 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Free speech Legal rights Social media Cultural Issues
  1. People today often mix up their emotions with facts, making it hard to discuss important topics clearly. It's important to separate how we feel from what is actually true.
  2. When discussing free speech, some people feel the need to say they don't support hate to show they are 'good' people. This distracts from the main point about legal rights.
  3. Understanding the difference between emotions and facts can help maintain freedom of speech. Both sides of a discussion should focus on the facts, even if they disagree on feelings.

The Forbidden Fruit of Politically Volatile Dick

Default Wisdom • 506 implied HN points • 01 Dec 24
🎭️ Culture Gender Studies Social media Political Discourse Feminism Masculinity
  1. The Gender War on social media shows how right-wing men and left-wing women attract each other based on their perceived strengths and weaknesses. This tension often leads to extreme views and oversimplified narratives about gender roles.
  2. Many discussions about the Manosphere and movements like the 4B are too simplistic. The realities of these movements are often misrepresented in popular media, failing to capture the cultural and contextual nuances behind them.
  3. Relationships between people from opposing sides (like leftists and rightists) often explore themes of power and vulnerability. These dynamics can highlight underlying attractions that aren't just about politics but also psychological complexities.

Antisocial media

Conspirador Norteño • 48 implied HN points • 08 Feb 25
🕹 Technology Social media AI Ethics Digital Culture Content creation
  1. Many Facebook accounts post AI-generated images that trick users into feeling emotions like sadness or sympathy. These images often look real but are just made by computer programs.
  2. The same AI images get shared by different accounts, leading to repetitive and spammy content on the platform. Users might see the same sad story or image posted multiple times.
  3. Some of these accounts create stories to go with their images, making them seem more genuine. But it's all part of an effort to capture attention using artificial content.

Is Spotify the new YouTube?

Taylor Lorenz's Newsletter • 2448 implied HN points • 15 Nov 24
🕹 Technology Social media Streaming Content creation
  1. Spotify is introducing a program for creators that lets them earn money from video podcasts based on views, similar to YouTube. This gives creators more ways to make money beyond just ads.
  2. The number of users watching video podcasts on Spotify is growing quickly, showing that there's a chance for creators to attract audiences from YouTube.
  3. However, creators may face challenges in getting visibility on Spotify since it doesn't have an algorithm like YouTube to promote their content effectively.

Open Thread 353

Astral Codex Ten • 2821 implied HN points • 28 Oct 24
🎭️ Culture Community Discussion Events Social media Learning
  1. People are questioning the optimism around solar power's future, showing that not everyone agrees on its potential. This discussion is happening after a recent conference.
  2. There's a bootcamp for learning about quantitative trading happening soon, but it's not designed to make you rich or improve job prospects in that field. It's more for those who just want to learn out of interest.
  3. The host is planning to limit advertising for events unless they're really important. This is to keep things focused and avoid overwhelming everyone with promotions.

Can anyone slow Nvidia down?

Alex's Personal Blog • 230 implied HN points • 07 Jan 25
🕹 Technology AI Computers Gaming Social media Business
  1. Nvidia's new 50-series GPUs are impressive and expected to boost their popularity among gamers. Many people are excited but it's unclear when they'll be widely available at the announced price.
  2. Nvidia is launching Project Digits, a personal AI supercomputer, priced around $3,000. This makes powerful AI more accessible for developers at home or small businesses.
  3. Meta is changing its policies under new leadership, focusing on less fact-checking and more political content. This shift is seen as catering to a Republican audience, which might affect how news is shared and perceived.

Welcome to the afterlife of ordinary thigns

Soaring Twenties • 139 implied HN points • 20 Jan 25
🕹 Technology Artificial Intelligence Memory Digital Culture Social media Human-computer interaction
  1. Our digital memories are endless because machines keep everything we've posted or photographed. They don't know which moments are really important.
  2. AI creates new 'memories' by analyzing our past, sometimes making connections between events that never actually mattered to us but seem significant to a computer.
  3. The way we remember things is changing as technology evolves. We're not just recalling past experiences; we're also feeling emotions for moments that never truly happened.

The newest AI slop on Facebook exploits suburban fear

Taylor Lorenz's Newsletter • 2746 implied HN points • 29 Oct 24
🕹 Technology AI Social media Digital Culture Online Trends Misinformation
  1. A recent Facebook post claiming that neighbors are egging cars over Halloween decorations is just a viral AI hoax. Many people believe it and react strongly, showing fear and distrust about their neighbors.
  2. AI-generated content is flooding social media and often incites extreme reactions, particularly fears related to neighborhood safety during events like Halloween.
  3. As AI content becomes more extreme, it might lead to worse stories and escalated fears about community issues, especially when it comes to kids and potential mischief.

My afternoon with The Rizzler

Taylor Lorenz's Newsletter • 2955 implied HN points • 18 Oct 24
🕹 Technology Social media Cryptocurrency Digital marketing Content creation Product Development
  1. The Rizzler is a popular third grader who went viral on social media and maintains a normal life despite his fame. His dad supports him but has no plans to push a long-term online career for him.
  2. Using tech like 'dumb phones' won't solve problems with technology use; people need to learn how to manage their time and choices better instead. It’s more about personal control rather than blaming gadgets.
  3. Sam Altman is trying to make an eye-scanning orb a reality for verifying identities with AI, although it's facing challenges like getting people to use it. They're now offering delivery for these orbs, similar to food delivery.

"The Chinese Government Will Lie to You!" said the U.S. Government the Day It Was Caught Lying to Us.

JoeWrote • 165 implied HN points • 16 Jan 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Media Criticism Foreign Policy Social media Public Opinion
  1. The ceasefire in Gaza shows what really happened during the conflict. Now that fighting has stopped, more people can report the true impact on civilians.
  2. The U.S. government and media have misled the public about the reasons behind the ceasefire and the crisis in Gaza. Many now see this as part of a larger pattern of dishonesty.
  3. Concerns over apps like TikTok highlight a divide in perception about security and media control. Some people believe manipulation is happening on both sides, questioning why they should fear one over the other.

TikTok’s Hidden Playbook: Why Short Video Is Eating the World (Again)

Divinations • 18 implied HN points • 19 Feb 25
🕹 Technology Social media Content creation Digital marketing User engagement
  1. TikTok is more than just a social app; it's changing how we interact with content and brands. It's not just about watching videos; it's about building connections and trust with creators.
  2. Short-form video content is reshaping how we seek information and shop online. Many younger people now prefer TikTok for product searches over traditional sites like Google.
  3. TikTok encourages creativity and collaboration among users. Its features let people remix each other's content, making it a fun community where everyone can participate and contribute.