The hottest Social norms Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
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Top Culture Topics

The Problem with the Middle Class

Anxiety Addiction & Ascension • 59 implied HN points • 30 May 23
🎭️ Culture Society Class Social norms Elite Consumerism
  1. The middle class often holds a grand delusion of status and entitlement to justify their place in a system that benefits the elite and takes from them.
  2. Middle class individuals tend to show servility to the elite, adopting their lifestyles and beliefs to feel closer to them, despite a lack of true status.
  3. Many in the middle class exhibit a lethargic credulity, blindly accepting the narratives and systems in place through distractions and conveniences provided by consumerism.

Things Gay Men Like

Disaffected Newsletter • 239 implied HN points • 21 Jul 22
🎭️ Culture Identity Lifestyle Entertainment Social norms Fandom
  1. Gay men enjoy a range of interests, including antiques and classic cars. These hobbies often reflect a sense of nostalgia and style.
  2. Many gay men share a fondness for soap operas and pop culture icons like Madonna, showing their appreciation for drama and entertainment.
  3. Social gatherings like brunch and a playful lifestyle are also important, highlighting the value of friendship and fun in their lives.

My 50-year High School Reunion

Heart Speak by Susan of Agile Hearts • 58 implied HN points • 13 Jun 23
🎭️ Culture Personal experiences Social norms
  1. The author chose not to attend their 50-year high school reunion due to personal reasons and feeling disconnected from their high school experience.
  2. The author values knowing themselves and being able to make decisions that work best for them even if it goes against social expectations.
  3. The author reflects on the importance of setting boundaries and not feeling pressured to attend events that do not align with their current interests or well-being.
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On Gifts

findingbetter • 39 implied HN points • 03 Jul 23
🎭️ Culture Gifts Relationships Social norms Emotions
  1. Gift-giving is both meaningful and stressful because it recognizes relationships but can easily go wrong.
  2. Each gift tells a story with different elements like the occasion, giver, recipient, and audience involved.
  3. There are important considerations when giving gifts, such as understanding the recipient's expectations and balancing satisfaction for all involved.

Haters and Losers

Some Unpleasant Arithmetic • 11 implied HN points • 20 Nov 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Gender Issues Political Ideology Social norms Cultural Shifts
  1. Young men are facing serious educational challenges, doing worse in school than women, which leads to long-term issues in earning potential and job opportunities.
  2. The decline of traditional blue-collar jobs and the shift to more white-collar work has hurt men financially, making them feel insecure and resentful, especially when women are succeeding in their careers.
  3. Men today often struggle with finding meaning in their roles as breadwinners and partners since many women have their own financial independence, which changes the dynamics in dating and relationships.

What if everyone *did* just?

Of All Trades • 9 implied HN points • 03 Dec 24
🎭️ Culture Social norms Public Health Waste Management
  1. In Japan, children are given more freedom, allowing them to safely navigate their surroundings on their own. This level of trust in kids would seem unusual in many other countries.
  2. Japanese people take personal responsibility for public spaces, which leads to clean streets despite fewer public trash bins. They often carry their trash home if no place to dispose it is available.
  3. Wearing masks due to mild illness is a common practice in Japan, showing concern for others. Unlike in some countries, many Japanese workplaces support taking sick days without extra hurdles.

The game theory of seduction and marriage... with Jane Austen

Optimally Irrational • 38 implied HN points • 14 Feb 24
🎭️ Culture Literature Psychology Romance Interactions Social norms
  1. Finding a romantic partner can be complex, involving significant time, effort, and thought due to the high stakes involved in love and seduction.
  2. In Jane Austen's novels, the economic considerations of marriage underscore the immense importance of women's choices in selecting a partner.
  3. Navigating romantic interactions involves understanding higher-order beliefs and carefully managing ambiguity, a key aspect seen across different time periods in the courtship process.

Free Speech II

Tom Thought • 19 implied HN points • 02 May 23
🎭️ Culture Discourse Social norms Freedom of Speech Controversy
  1. Cities have different approaches to free speech: some prioritize open expression even if offensive, while others value avoidance of offense.
  2. Freedom of speech is shaped by cultural norms more than legal rules, requiring a balance between expression and consequences.
  3. Creating spaces for healthy discourse involves balancing free expression with a commitment to fostering diverse ideas and viewpoints.

The importance of being half-earnest

Logos • 19 implied HN points • 15 Aug 23
🎭️ Culture Identity Satire Social norms Self-awareness Communication
  1. Being half-earnest means being serious but not too serious. It helps you connect with others while keeping things lighthearted.
  2. Making 'power moves' can be helpful in a workplace, but it's important to keep the focus on the team's goals rather than your own ego.
  3. It’s good to check your motives and poke fun at yourself to stay grounded. This can help you do the right thing for the right reasons without feeling pretentious.

The Economics of brat

Some Unpleasant Arithmetic • 7 implied HN points • 21 Oct 24
🎭️ Culture Music Economics Social norms Arts Trends
  1. Partying can actually be a smart choice. Having a wide social circle can help you get better job opportunities and earn more money.
  2. Being cool and attractive really matters. Studies show that good-looking people often earn higher wages and have better chances in their careers.
  3. Making connections and forming friendships is important. Knowing the right people can help you succeed, but being around heavy drinkers can lead to risky behaviors too.

The hitchhiker paradox

Fictitious • 4 implied HN points • 17 Nov 24
🎭️ Culture Travel Human behavior Social norms Adventure Storytelling
  1. Hitchhiking seems fun and adventurous, but it can be difficult to find people actually doing it nowadays. People have different travel options now, making hitchhiking less popular.
  2. Hitchhiking can be boring and frustrating, especially when you have to wait a long time for a ride. It's also tough to depend on strangers to help you out.
  3. Drivers who pick up hitchhikers might feel like they get a chance to do something good, but they also prefer casual, easy rides rather than deep conversations. It's more about the gesture of kindness than a fun trip.

The Man Cave Up in the Sky

escape the algorithm • 39 implied HN points • 03 Mar 22
🎭️ Culture Trends Social norms Gender Roles
  1. The concept of the 'man cave' is alive and well in Zillow listings, offering a nostalgic escape for many
  2. Man caves serve as a sanctuary for men to balance traditional masculine activities with vulnerability and tenderness
  3. The aspirational nature of man caves represents a longing for a future space where masculinity and domesticity can coexist harmoniously

At the fairs

The Uncertainty Mindset (soon to become tbd) • 19 implied HN points • 08 Feb 23
🎭️ Culture Social norms Happiness Events Philosophy Lifestyle
  1. It's important to change how we think about not-knowing. Instead of seeing it as a bad thing, we can view it as a chance to be curious and explore new ideas.
  2. Dealing with not-knowing isn't about getting rid of it but learning to accept and work with it. This helps us adapt and discover new opportunities.
  3. Slowing down and reflecting can be beneficial, especially in a fast-paced world. Taking time to think helps us understand what truly matters.

Butler, Bros, and Beyond

Perambulations • 3 implied HN points • 06 Sep 23
🎭️ Culture Masculinity Gender Roles Science fiction Social norms
  1. Constructing a positive vision of masculinity with sci-fi can explore different gender roles and challenge societal expectations.
  2. A good vision of masculinity should focus on virtues like variance, but also consider how to implement them in the real world.
  3. Embracing a vision of masculinity that includes virtuous characteristics and the ability to navigate societal expectations can provide a meaningful path for many men.

ha~nh tie^'n

Thái | Hacker | Kỹ sư tin tặc • 0 implied HN points • 15 May 08
🎭️ Culture Social norms Self-Improvement
  1. Be mindful of the questions you ask others, certain inquiries can be seen as offensive or intrusive
  2. The concept of 'ha~nh tie^'n' involves portraying oneself as highly accomplished to persuade others of their success
  3. It's often better to remain silent and observe, as those who talk less tend to be more competent than those who speak a lot

vô văn hóa

Thái | Hacker | Kỹ sư tin tặc • 0 implied HN points • 14 Jan 09
🎭️ Culture Etiquette Social norms Self-reflection
  1. Calling out others for being uncultured has ironically become a unique cultural aspect. People label behaviors like littering or being noisy as uncultured.
  2. Critically reflect on one's own actions and be stern with oneself, while being forgiving towards others. It's easier to notice and criticize others' mistakes than our own.
  3. The advice from reading is: be tolerant of others but rigorously strict with yourself. Blaming circumstances for one's own mistakes is unproductive.

Shaming with and without naming

world spirit sock stack • 0 implied HN points • 23 Feb 24
📖 Philosophy Ethics Morality Values Social norms Human behavior
  1. Shaming can lead to positive utilitarian outcomes in two ways: by instilling fear to avoid wrongdoing and by internalizing values to reduce such behaviors.
  2. Naming the person being shamed can lead to more fear-based avoidance, while not naming them might result in more internalization of values.
  3. Choosing whether to name the person in shaming efforts can impact the outcomes by influencing how individuals align with social norms and values.

Tiny differences between America and the UK

Tranquil Thoughts • 0 implied HN points • 16 Jul 23
🎭️ Culture Cultural differences Social norms Everyday life Language Humor
  1. Public restrooms in the US have big gaps in the doors, making it awkward to use them. In the UK, bathrooms are more private, and you can relax without feeling exposed.
  2. In America, people walk consistently on the right side of the sidewalk. It's an unspoken rule that even confuses some visitors from the UK.
  3. US grocery stores use strong paper bags that aren't common in the UK. These bags are reusable and sturdy, making shopping easier.

From Population Control to Social Norms: A Century of Social Engineering

Satisologie: Systems//Creativity • 0 implied HN points • 01 Jan 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Social norms Think Tanks Human Rights Sustainable Development
  1. Population control has been a big topic because of fears about too many people using up resources and harming the environment. Many believed that without control, we could face famine and poverty.
  2. Think tanks and foundations like the Rockefeller Foundation pushed for population control strategies, believing it would help society manage resources better. They funded programs for family planning and education to promote smaller families.
  3. Over time, the focus has shifted from controlling population to ensuring human rights and sustainability. Today, issues like sexuality and reproductive rights are central to discussions that were once about just managing growth.

The unwritten clock of human behaviour

Tranquil Thoughts • 0 implied HN points • 07 Feb 23
🎭️ Culture Human behavior Social norms Cultural observations
  1. You can notice the passage of time by observing people's behaviors, rather than just looking at a clock or calendar.
  2. Certain events and trends, like the busy gym in January, can happen in predictable patterns every year.
  3. Every month has its own unique signs, like holiday decorations or weather changes, which can help you identify the time of year.

What do you do? 🙋🏾‍♂️

Tranquil Thoughts • 0 implied HN points • 09 Sep 23
🎭️ Culture Identity Conversations Social norms Personal Growth Self-Expression
  1. When asked about what you do, it's common to talk about your job. But your job is just one part of who you are.
  2. You have many layers to your identity beyond your work, like your hobbies and interests. These things can help you connect with others on a deeper level.
  3. Instead of just giving a job title, try sharing something personal or interesting about yourself. It can lead to better conversations and real connections.

Is Technology Getting Too Far Ahead of Culture?

The Digital Anthropologist • 0 implied HN points • 24 Jun 23
🎭️ Culture Technology Social norms Behavior Traditions
  1. Culture needs time to adapt to new technologies on a societal level, impacting norms, behaviors, traditions, and structures.
  2. Some technologies have caused negative impacts, like social media behaving as a bully or smartphones isolating individuals.
  3. Successful integration of technology with culture requires patience, empathy, and understanding of how change should happen, leading to a better societal state.