The hottest Social media Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
Category
Top Technology Topics

UPDATE: Missouri v. Biden, Part 3, by Tracy Beanz

Human Flourishing • 1985 implied HN points • 29 May 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Legal Censorship Government Media Social media
  1. In Missouri v. Biden case, the judge referenced Orwell's 1984, highlighting similarities to current censorship issues.
  2. The White House pressured social media companies to remove content, including that of vaccine-injured individuals sharing their stories.
  3. Social media companies complied with government demands for censorship, impacting discussions on personal rights and mistrust in institutions.

Folk search engines

escape the algorithm • 878 implied HN points • 20 Feb 24
🕹 Technology Search Engines Algorithms Social media
  1. Consider using small, alternative search engines for more unique and diverse results.
  2. Explore unconventional search methods, even on mainstream search engines like Google, to find less algorithm-optimized content.
  3. Utilize platforms like Reddit, Facebook Groups, and Discord for searching as they offer distinct content and avoid heavy SEO tactics.

'Just put your phone away' - Dec 2024 catch up service #1

Brain Pizza • 595 implied HN points • 18 Dec 24
🕹 Technology Smartphones Social media Digital Culture Communication Consumer behavior
  1. Putting your phone away improves conversation quality. It's easier to connect and enjoy talking to each other without distractions.
  2. Smartphones are a big part of our lives, and almost everyone has one. They have changed how we communicate but can sometimes take away from real-life interactions.
  3. Being aware of smartphone usage can help us be more present in conversations. Taking a break from our devices can do wonders for our social experiences.

These Dodgers employees do not exist

Conspirador Norteño • 60 implied HN points • 10 Jan 25
🕹 Technology Social media AI Online Privacy Digital Culture Fake news
  1. There are fake Facebook accounts that pretend to be Los Angeles Dodgers employees. They use AI-generated faces and photos of real people.
  2. These fake accounts haven't posted much content and mostly just have profile pictures. Many of them are friends with each other online.
  3. The purpose of these accounts is unclear, but they often check into random locations, which may not mean anything. It's a strange situation.
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Doctors migrating to bluesky is like Harris declining to speak with Joe Rogan

Vinay Prasad's Observations and Thoughts • 219 implied HN points • 15 Nov 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Election Dynamics Political Ideology Public Discourse Media influence Social media
  1. Some doctors are leaving social media platforms like X for newer sites like Bluesky, especially after the recent elections. This change seems more emotional than principled since they didn't leave when their views were challenged earlier.
  2. Kamala Harris declined to speak with Joe Rogan because she was worried about upsetting her progressive supporters. This shows a reluctance to engage with differing opinions.
  3. People with far left views often avoid conversations with those they disagree with, which can harm communication and understanding. This avoidance might damage academic and public discourse over time.

Links #694: Kategate, sharenting, and two visions for YouTube's future

Links I Would Gchat You If We Were Friends • 678 implied HN points • 16 Mar 24
🎭️ Culture Social media Internet culture Conspiracy Theories Royal Family
  1. The problematic image issue involving Kate Middleton was due to a botched Photoshop job using multiple takes of the same photo.
  2. Many people overvalue their ability to discern truth from misinformation, contributing to the spread of conspiracy theories online.
  3. Reports have highlighted disturbing cases of children being coerced into self-harm by predatory online groups, raising concerns about online safety.

"Republic.com 2.0" is a terrible book title

Never Met a Science • 61 implied HN points • 06 Jan 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Political Communication Academic Research Social media Empirical Studies
  1. Academic research often focuses heavily on citing previous works, sometimes forgetting to build on fresh ideas. It's important to also look forward and explore new questions.
  2. There’s a debate about how much theory should inform empirical research. Striking a balance between solid theory and real-world relevance is crucial for effective studies.
  3. The conventions of academic writing can limit exploration of current issues in digital media. Researchers should prioritize relevant topics instead of strictly following old academic norms.

Myth and Metrics: How social media robs us of ritual, and how to revive it

The Bigger Picture • 1777 implied HN points • 28 Sep 23
🎭️ Culture Social media Myth Attention Connection Ritual
  1. Social media captures and monetizes attention through stoking outrage and shallow engagement, impacting social cohesion and politics.
  2. Digital communication lacks the depth and relatedness of traditional rituals, focusing on extensive content rather than meaningful connections.
  3. Repetitive practices and storytelling in rituals, like traditional music sessions, offer deep attention and a sense of belonging that can counter the shallow experiences of social media.

New read-aloud voices, quote restacks, and Note stats

Substack • 551 implied HN points • 18 Dec 24
🕹 Technology Product Updates Content creation Social media User engagement Community Building
  1. Substack has introduced new ways to share quotes, making it easier for readers to customize and share their favorite parts of posts. This fresh look helps quotes stand out better.
  2. Publishers can now track how their Notes are performing with stats showing new subscribers, clicks, and shares. This can help creators understand what their audience likes.
  3. There are new text-to-speech voices available to enhance the listening experience for readers. Publishers can pick different voices for their posts, making listening more enjoyable.

Long Take: How can Farcaster avoid the death trap of decentralized social media?

The Fintech Blueprint • 864 implied HN points • 07 Feb 24
🕹 Technology Social media Blockchain Fintech Crypto Web3
  1. Farcaster aims to blend social media with Web3 capabilities to create a more engaging platform.
  2. When shifting platforms, it's important to innovate without compromising the core user experience.
  3. Decentralized social media platforms like Steemit, EOS Voice, and BitClout have struggled due to prioritizing financial features over user engagement.

Live video is available to all publishers in the Substack app

Substack Blog • 449 implied HN points • 14 Jan 25
🕹 Technology Social media Content creation Video Streaming Online Publishing User engagement
  1. Live video is now available to all Substack publishers. This feature lets you connect with your audience and collaborate with other creators in real time.
  2. Collaborative livestreams are really effective. Working with other publishers can help you reach more people and keep your audience engaged.
  3. After your live session, you can share recordings and AI-generated clips on social media. This helps keep the conversation going and attract more subscribers.

Internet: a user manual

Escaping Flatland • 1749 implied HN points • 02 May 23
🕹 Technology Internet Social media Productivity Information Consumption Habits
  1. The internet is like an alien entity that we are still learning to navigate, and it requires practice to use it well.
  2. Approach internet use as a practice, with structure and clear goals to focus your efforts and make better decisions.
  3. Block or prune distracting or negative online habits to make space for things that truly bring value and joy.

Explaining in Five Paragraphs the Scam Donald Trump Just Pulled on 150 Million American TikTok Users

Proof • 378 implied HN points • 19 Jan 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Political News Government actions Public Opinion Campaigns Social media
  1. Donald Trump temporarily shut down TikTok in the U.S. for 14 hours, creating drama before claiming to 'save' it. This left 150 million users feeling anxious about the app's future.
  2. The situation seemed like a political stunt where Trump might be trying to gain support by making users grateful for TikTok's return, despite him having a history of wanting it banned.
  3. The uncertainty around TikTok's status now makes many users wonder if it will actually stay available or if more political games will continue to affect their access.

Links #695: Digital twins and anxiety Googles

Links I Would Gchat You If We Were Friends • 579 implied HN points • 23 Mar 24
🎭️ Culture Art & Illustration Internet Social media Music Health Misinformation
  1. Shrimp Jesus, a meme that has gained popularity on Facebook, has a quirky origin and has been sold as art for years.
  2. AI technology is advancing to create digital twins of human organs, raising questions about lifestyle changes and human-technology relationships.
  3. There is a trend of female influencers spreading health misinformation, which includes promoting unconventional diets and false narratives about birth control.

"This can happen to you"

Links I Would Gchat You If We Were Friends • 618 implied HN points • 14 Mar 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Conspiracy Theories Misinformation Legislation Immigration Social media
  1. Mainstreaming of trafficking myths linked to QAnon by concerned moms has increased during the pandemic
  2. Misinformation about trafficking and its portrayal in online narratives can be harmful and misdirect resources
  3. Trafficking victims are often marginalized or vulnerable, and trafficking is not limited to just sex trafficking

The Unchecked Libidinal Energy of Politics: A Review of Nancy Mace’s Twitter Account

Default Wisdom • 392 implied HN points • 23 Jan 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Political Analysis Social media Public Relations Media influence
  1. Nancy Mace's Twitter account mixes politics and playful engagement, using flirtation and humor to connect with her audience. This shows a shift in how politicians can interact with the public.
  2. Her approach breaks traditional political boundaries, inviting more lighthearted and personal exchanges between constituents and their leaders. This changes the way people view and relate to their representatives.
  3. While Mace’s social media tactics are innovative, her actual political proposals need to keep up to make a real impact. Balancing fun online with serious policy-making is key for her success.

My Family Was Hunted by Nazis. But I Was Fired After ‘Defending Hitler.’

Common Sense with Bari Weiss • 5499 implied HN points • 26 Jul 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Journalism Social media Political Extremism Discourse Freedom of Speech
  1. The author was fired from their job at _The Seattle Times_ after a Twitter post comparing Lenin and Hitler, leading to accusations of defending Hitler.
  2. The author's work as a journalist focused on stories of structural oppression in Asia, including sexism and neo-Nazi trends, driven by personal family history.
  3. The situation highlights the challenges of engaging in divisive discussions online and the impact of social media controversies on personal and professional life.

Spam in the firehose

Conspirador Norteño • 128 implied HN points • 06 Dec 24
🕹 Technology Social media Spam Detection Data Analysis Online Security Programming
  1. Monitoring the Bluesky firehose can help quickly spot fake accounts. By looking for repeated names and profiles, it's easier to identify spam activity.
  2. A large number of spam accounts often share similar biographies. One group had over a thousand accounts with variations of the same few phrases.
  3. Many spam accounts use stolen images as profile pictures. This makes them look less authentic and easier to identify as spam.

What happened in marketing: RIP TikTok, Instagram's weird redesign and next social media app

The Social Juice • 36 implied HN points • 19 Jan 25
💼 Business Marketing Advertising Social media Technology Consumer Trends
  1. TikTok is facing a potential ban in the US, but the app is still trying to keep its users engaged. Creators are moving their audiences to other platforms like Instagram and YouTube.
  2. Instagram's redesign has not been well received. Many users are complaining about the new changes, particularly how it displays liked Reels.
  3. Google is facing antitrust issues and struggles with maintaining its search market share. Their new policies and updates are causing confusion among advertisers.

My Internet: Brynn Wallner

Embedded • 963 implied HN points • 12 Jan 24
🎭️ Culture Social media Online Trends Podcasts Music Fashion
  1. Brynn Wallner uses Instagram for work but doesn't feel comfortable keeping up with the online discourse for leisure.
  2. Brynn Wallner appreciates the creative potential of AI but is concerned about its sourcing information without proper fact-checking.
  3. Brynn Wallner enjoys Lana Del Rey's internet presence and follows Leila Rahimi's eclectic music playlists on Spotify.

Introducing Axie Buddies!

The Lunacian • 276 implied HN points • 21 Oct 24
🔮 Crypto NFTs Gaming Community Social media Digital Art
  1. Axie Buddies is a new Instagram account showcasing fun Axie art in a doodle style. It's a great way to find fresh content about Axie Infinity.
  2. There are contests happening now where you can win Axies by sharing the Axie Buddies account with your friends. Just follow, like, and share their posts to participate!
  3. The creators of Axie Infinity want you to help spread the word about Axie Buddies, as every new follower could become part of the Axie community. They’re looking for your ideas on fun Instagram content too!

Sometimes, marketing comes down to a personal decision

{grow} by Mark Schaefer • 19 implied HN points • 02 Oct 24
💼 Business Marketing Strategy Entrepreneurship Social media Branding
  1. Marketing works better when you follow your own unique path instead of just copying others. Making personal choices can help your strategy stand out.
  2. There’s too much focus on marketing 'best practices,' which can make everything look the same. Doing something different can become your competitive edge.
  3. Instead of worrying about what everyone else is doing, focus on being authentic and sharing your true story. People connect better with real emotions and experiences.

German Economics Minister renews calls for widespread internet censorship, claims that an "axis of autocrats" is using domestic "populists" to poison democratic discourse via social media algorithms

eugyppius: a plague chronicle • 196 implied HN points • 12 Nov 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Political speech Censorship Election Impact Social media
  1. German Economics Minister Robert Habeck wants to regulate the internet to protect democracy. He believes social media is being used by 'autocrats' to spread misinformation.
  2. Habeck feels that growing nationalism and populism threaten liberal democracies. He says these issues need urgent attention to avoid further division in society.
  3. He views algorithms on platforms like TikTok and X as tools undermining public discourse. Therefore, he pushes for greater control over these platforms to ensure freedom of expression is not manipulated.

Aimee Walleston: War Lore

Do Not Research • 439 implied HN points • 15 Apr 24
🎭️ Culture Film Photography Art Social media Journalism
  1. Many people struggle to engage with fiction and film outside of their own beliefs and expectations, as seen in reactions to a movie trailer depicting a civil war scenario.
  2. The way we interact with images, particularly technical images, has changed drastically, leading to a shift in how we interpret and relate to them.
  3. There is a tendency in today's society to manipulate and be manipulated by images, often refusing to engage critically and instead seeking comfort in familiar narratives, even if they are fictional or misleading.

The self(ie)

The Free Mind • 1572 implied HN points • 06 Jul 23
🎭️ Culture Social media Identity
  1. Social media is turning people into everyday propagandists.
  2. Filters on apps can drastically alter people's perceptions of themselves.
  3. Consider the impact of social media and filters on self-image.