The hottest Social theory Substack posts right now

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Top Philosophy Topics

Social Theory for the Mid-21st Century: Part III. How Can the Experiences of Past Societies of Domination Be Relevant for Us?

Brad DeLong's Grasping Reality • 269 implied HN points • 17 Nov 24
📖 Philosophy Social theory
  1. Past societies often operated under systems of domination, where a small elite would take resources from the majority. This made it difficult for anyone to improve their situation without facing threats or violence.
  2. Technological progress today is much faster than in earlier times. This rapid change creates new challenges that previous societies never had to deal with, making lessons from the past less applicable.
  3. Understanding the internal workings of elite groups in past societies can provide some insights today. However, we shouldn't assume we are bound by their limitations because our circumstances are very different.

Social Theory for the Mid-21st Century: Part II. From -73000 to 2055: Malthusian Poverty to Modern Economic Growth

Brad DeLong's Grasping Reality • 269 implied HN points • 17 Nov 24
📖 Philosophy Social theory
  1. Throughout history, technological growth has drastically changed, particularly in the last 150 years. This period saw growth that's far beyond anything in earlier times.
  2. Today's society is much better off than before, with greater access to resources and technology. Most people have standards of living that are far superior compared to the past.
  3. Understanding our economic growth is complex. It's important to measure not just resources, but also how people work together and use ideas to improve life.

subverting human flourishing

bad cattitude • 185 implied HN points • 17 Dec 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Social theory
  1. Marxism promotes ideas that often disrupt successful societies. It's believed that these ideas need to be imposed because they aren’t naturally accepted.
  2. Attempts to change human nature and society according to ideological beliefs often lead to negative outcomes. History shows that these changes can result in great harm.
  3. Arguments that promise improvement through radical social change are seen as misleading. People should be cautious and recognize that what works within a society is usually effective for a reason.

Compassion ceilings

Philosophy bear • 214 implied HN points • 17 Nov 24
📖 Philosophy Social theory
  1. Some jobs limit how compassionate a person can be. This means people in certain roles cannot show their full kindness because of their job requirements.
  2. If the most compassionate people are excluded from roles, the overall compassion in that group decreases. This can lead to a culture that is less caring and more harsh.
  3. Compassion ceilings can have negative effects, even if the actions causing them aren't seen as wrong. The result is a workplace or society that is less understanding and more likely to harm others.
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The Pseudo-Science of Female Submission

Erik Examines • 134 implied HN points • 22 Feb 25
📖 Philosophy Social theory
  1. The idea that women are meant to be owned by men is based on old, false beliefs. It's an attempt to make a harmful view seem rational by using misleading arguments.
  2. Freedom and individual rights are usually seen as positive, but some people twist this idea to suggest that women shouldn't have autonomy. This is not based on science or truth, but rather a desire to maintain control.
  3. Claiming that society or the state owns women is a form of manipulation. Laws exist to protect individuals, not to enslave them, and everyone, regardless of gender, benefits from freedom and rights.

You are not an end user

storyvoyager • 5 implied HN points • 18 Jan 26
📖 Philosophy Social theory
  1. Digital platforms harvest our data, work, and art as free goods and treat people mainly as end users whose purpose is to generate attention and purchases.
  2. Algorithms shape what we see and how we behave, pushing creativity toward sameness, turning relationships into transactions, and leaving people nostalgic and isolated.
  3. Without digital sovereignty—control and ownership of our digital selves—we become nodes in someone else’s infrastructure and risk losing agency and even physical freedom as technology advances.

Building Forward

Anima Mundi • 61 implied HN points • 15 Jun 25
📖 Philosophy Social theory
  1. Focus on creating with care and intention, rather than urgency or scarcity. It's about honoring what truly matters to you.
  2. Instead of trying to grow fast and break things, think about how you can nourish and tend to what you create. Building should be about growth, not destruction.
  3. Take your time to build something meaningful. It's important to create with presence and to find joy in the slow process, not just chase after more.

The New Hereditarian Man

From the New World • 237 implied HN points • 19 Feb 24
📖 Philosophy Social theory
  1. The New Soviet Man concept was imaginary, as evident from the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991.
  2. Egalitarian sentiment persists despite evidence of biological differences, leading to challenges in discussing individual disparities.
  3. Institutions like rule of law and free markets can serve as solutions to counteract egalitarian pathologies and promote rational behavior.

No, evolutionary theory does not justify your worst political nightmare

Optimally Irrational • 79 implied HN points • 06 Jan 25
📖 Philosophy Social theory
  1. Evolutionary theory doesn't support any specific political ideology, even though some people misuse it for their own agendas. It's important to focus on the science itself without letting politics influence our understanding.
  2. While evolution can seem harsh, it also highlights the importance of cooperation. Our ability to work together is key to our success as a species, not just competition.
  3. Misunderstanding evolutionary ideas can lead to false claims about human behavior, such as justifying sexism or selfishness. Recognizing the facts of evolution can help us build better societies that account for human nature.

In Praise of Passivity

Fake Noûs • 277 implied HN points • 23 Sep 23
📖 Philosophy Social theory
  1. History shows that solutions without proper knowledge often do more harm than good.
  2. Public ignorance and the dismissal of expert advice are major obstacles in policymaking.
  3. Rational ignorance, lack of clear motives, and the complexity of social issues contribute to our inability to effectively address societal problems.

Letter to Future Dissidents

Tessa Fights Robots • 35 implied HN points • 27 May 25
📖 Philosophy Social theory
  1. Being a dissident can feel lonely because you see things that others don't. It's tough when you want to fit in but feel different from everyone around you.
  2. Sometimes, when you start speaking your truth, you might find that the world doesn't want to hear it. It can be disappointing when your insights aren't accepted right away.
  3. In the fight for freedom and truth, you may face betrayal from those you trust. It's important to stay true to your values and keep going, even when things get tough.

Curator

Castalia • 99 implied HN points • 17 Dec 22
📖 Philosophy Social theory
  1. Mimesis is a powerful force in our lives, meaning we often look to others to decide what to want or do. While it's strong, we still have the freedom to make choices within that influence.
  2. Fukuyama's ideas about the 'end of history' suggest that liberal democracy has won but might overlook the ongoing ideological conflicts that still exist. His views can be criticized for being overly optimistic about the state of the world.
  3. Peer review in science has been criticized for not working well, as it often misses errors and limits innovative ideas. Instead of helping, it may create a closed-off system that stifles true progress.

Drunk on the Narrative

Charles Eisenstein • 2 implied HN points • 11 Jan 26
📖 Philosophy Social theory
  1. A second video in the Sanity Project 2026 series has been released, and more short videos will be posted frequently.
  2. Comments on the Substack videos are being turned off to avoid spreading the creator too thin, and discussion is being moved to a dedicated forum on Mighty Networks (naascommunity.org).
  3. The Substack is reader-supported and readers are invited to subscribe or support the work with a free or paid subscription.

Searching for the Root of the Tree of Evil

Nothing Human • 90 implied HN points • 08 Jun 24
📖 Philosophy Social theory
  1. People want to help solve many problems in the world, but it's hard to choose which one to focus on. Some think we should tackle the root causes rather than just the symptoms of these issues.
  2. The scientific method has helped humanity make big advancements by learning from nature. There are some who believe we need to do the same with our social problems, focusing on understanding how to work together better.
  3. Building better cooperation among people could be the key to solving many of our problems today. We need systems that can help us trust and understand each other on a larger scale.

Letter #16: Separation and Reunion

Charles Eisenstein • 2 implied HN points • 01 Jan 26
📖 Philosophy Social theory
  1. Standard online formats feel inadequate because ubiquitous AI-generated content makes authentic human communication harder to find.
  2. The scarcity of real connection has grown through the digital age, intensifying people’s longing for genuine, person-to-person exchange.
  3. Some writing is gated behind paywalls, linking access to perceived authenticity with paid subscription models.

Liberalism Versus Democracy 2

From the New World • 32 implied HN points • 07 Feb 25
📖 Philosophy Social theory
  1. Liberalism hides the political aspect of society instead of getting rid of it. It uses a way of talking about politics that keeps its true nature hidden.
  2. Polarization, or disagreement, helps people understand their true values. It's not about making people hate each other; it's about revealing differing opinions.
  3. Social harmony can sometimes be enforced in a way that isn't natural. When that enforced order weakens, people's honest disagreements come to light.

Nancy Mace: Congresswoman, Marine, trans icon

Indian Bronson • 42 implied HN points • 20 Nov 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Social theory
  1. Nancy Mace is a notable public figure, being a congresswoman and the first woman to graduate from a military college. Her story shows how women can break through barriers in traditionally male roles.
  2. The discussion around gender identity and rights in public spaces, like bathrooms, is controversial. Many believe these issues need careful consideration and boundaries to protect everyone.
  3. The conflict between modern conservatism and progressivism reflects deeper societal changes. As attitudes evolve, what was once seen as progressive might eventually be viewed as conservative.

In Defence of Power

Mon0’s Substack • 19 implied HN points • 13 Nov 23
📖 Philosophy Social theory
  1. Power is often seen as bad, but it can actually be used for good. For example, parents guiding their children or the legal system keeping society safe are just uses of power.
  2. Many people wrongly believe that the powerful are always the oppressors. In reality, sometimes the less powerful can also act in harmful ways towards others.
  3. Using power requires responsibility and intelligence. Instead of fearing it, we should learn how to use power wisely to make positive changes in our lives and communities.

The Tradeoffs of Language

Living Fossils • 15 implied HN points • 29 Jan 25
📖 Philosophy Social theory
  1. Language is a useful tool for communication, but it can also create confusion when it’s too complicated or specialized. Sometimes, people forget that not everyone has the same knowledge.
  2. Using clear and simple language helps everyone understand better and makes communication more effective. It’s better to avoid fancy words when simple ones will do.
  3. In therapy and other helpful conversations, it’s important to use language that clients can easily grasp. This builds trust and understanding between the therapist and the client.

Standing in the Center of the Unknowing as the World Cries. What to Do?

Charles Eisenstein • 10 implied HN points • 17 Dec 24
📖 Philosophy Social theory
  1. There are big questions about how we farm and feed the world, especially concerning the impacts of high-tech agriculture versus organic methods. It's important to rethink how we connect with nature while feeding our population.
  2. Personal healing and intimate connection are crucial in a world filled with chaos and violence. The work of those helping people find healthy relationships can create hope and potentially transform society.
  3. Technology, especially AI, is powerful but also has limits. It might solve surface problems but won't offer real solutions to deeper issues like control and suffering in society.

Dystopian visions: The Snowball Effect

Eclecticism: Reflections on literature, writing and life • 8 implied HN points • 28 Nov 24
📚 Literature Social theory
  1. New inventions can have surprising negative effects, even if they seem harmless at first. Sometimes, people focus on good intentions and overlook possible problems.
  2. A story called 'The Snowball Effect' shows how an idea about social mathematics leads to a small group growing into something massive and uncontrollable. This raises questions about how quickly things can change.
  3. Using techniques from psychology to influence people's behavior can be ethically tricky. When trying to do good, it's important to think about whether the ends justify the means.

Four waves of modernity

World Game • 3 implied HN points • 02 Jun 25
🎭️ Culture Social theory
  1. Europe played a key role in changing and destroying old ideas and systems. This led to new ways of thinking and governance.
  2. The shift brought about major changes in power dynamics, where traditional structures were challenged and replaced.
  3. This transformation wasn't just about politics; it also involved deep changes in culture and philosophy that still influence us today.

At the Crossroads: Nine short recordings

Charles Eisenstein • 1 implied HN point • 27 Jan 25
📖 Philosophy Social theory
  1. Each country faces its own unique challenges, showing that the world is at various crossroads. It's important to recognize and understand these different situations.
  2. Scientific ideas can sometimes seem disconnected from everyday life, but they play a crucial role in shaping our understanding of reality. We should explore how myth and science interact.
  3. Our decisions shape who we are as humans. It's vital to reflect on the forces that guide our choices and the values we hold.

The Social Discount Rate is Plausibly Negative

Something to Consider • 0 implied HN points • 29 Jul 24
📖 Philosophy Social theory
  1. The social discount rate helps us understand how we value our current consumption compared to future consumption. A higher discount rate means we prefer to consume now rather than later.
  2. There are different views on the social discount rate. Some might prioritize current needs and want a high rate, while others might value future generations equally, leading to a zero rate.
  3. In decision-making about resources and moral issues, we should consider hypothetical people, as well as current people's needs. This broader perspective can change how we approach important social issues.

The Collapse of Meaning under Liberalism

Inland Nobody • 0 implied HN points • 14 Dec 25
🎭️ Culture Social theory
  1. Liberalism has given people unprecedented freedom, wealth, and safety, but it has also eroded inherited social and moral frameworks that used to provide stable meaning, leaving many people with thin or fragile senses of purpose.
  2. Smartphones and algorithmic media massively accelerate meaning collapse by constantly exposing people to dissonant information and public humiliation, which erodes self-understanding and increases reactivity.
  3. This crisis of meaning helps explain current political volatility: those with internal meaning navigate freedom better, while people who rely on external meaning often project anxiety into reactionary politics, so liberalism needs new, value-neutral ways to help people build durable meaning without sacrificing freedom.

On winning lotteries

Matt’s Five Points • 0 implied HN points • 05 Jul 11
📖 Philosophy Social theory
  1. Life has factors beyond our control that shape our destinies. It's important to recognize that genetics, geography, and financial status play roles in our opportunities.
  2. Different political views may accept the idea of unequal starting points, but they react differently to the consequences of that inequality.
  3. There are three main 'lotteries' in life: your genetics, where you're born, and your family's financial situation, and it's worth thinking about how you would prioritize these in terms of their impact on your life.