The hottest Societal norms Substack posts right now

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Are we the walking wounded?

Disaffected Newsletter • 2997 implied HN points • 24 Jul 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Trauma Mental health Societal norms Political Climate Public Trust
  1. Many people in America are dealing with trauma from recent events, affecting everyone regardless of political beliefs. This trauma can change how we see the world and interact with others.
  2. The past few years have revealed many illusions about stability in our lives, leading to chaos, increased anger, and the breakdown of social norms.
  3. Personal losses from recent experiences have made it hard for many to trust others again, leaving them feeling scared and exhausted. This is true for a lot of people right now.

In Defense of Undertakers

Disaffected Newsletter • 1059 implied HN points • 19 Mar 24
🎭️ Culture Consumer Advocacy Societal norms
  1. Funeral directors are often unfairly blamed for taking advantage of grieving families. Many people don't plan ahead or shop around for funeral services, but still end up upset with the costs after losing someone.
  2. While it's easy to complain about prices, we also need to recognize our part in the funeral process. Many customers don't take the time to explore their options, which leads to regret later.
  3. The way we handle death has changed a lot over time. Instead of being a family responsibility, it has become a commercial service, and we should reflect on how we contribute to that system.

Bottom-half marriage is a completely different institution

Sex and the State • 84 implied HN points • 17 Dec 24
🎭️ Culture Marriage Gender Roles Societal norms Relationships Economic Factors
  1. Marriage offers different benefits for people in different social and economic classes. For many men, especially those from lower-income backgrounds, marriage may not feel like a good deal due to potential losses in a divorce.
  2. Women are more likely to initiate divorce, challenging the idea that men are always at a disadvantage in marriage. However, this doesn't capture the full picture of how marriage affects different groups.
  3. The experience of marriage varies greatly between individuals in the top and bottom halves of the economic spectrum, suggesting they are essentially different institutions with unique dynamics and implications.

Is it weight loss? Or is it patriarchy?

Men Yell at Me • 237 implied HN points • 09 Feb 25
🎭️ Culture Gender Issues Societal norms Body Image
  1. Weight loss can bring up deeper issues about gender roles and self-worth. Many women feel pressured to conform to beauty standards, impacting their relationships.
  2. The pressures around weight loss create feelings of rage in women who don’t feel empowered in their own lives. Social expectations often dictate how women perceive their rights and needs.
  3. Thin privilege is a real concept, highlighting how society favors certain body types. Achieving thinner bodies often leads people to feel they can ask for more in their personal lives.

Are Women Equally Violent to Men?

Erik Examines • 89 implied HN points • 10 Dec 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Gender Issues Violence Feminism Societal norms Leadership
  1. Research shows that women in history, specifically queens, actually expanded territories more than kings. This suggests that while women may have engaged in wars, they were also effective leaders capable of achieving significant goals.
  2. Many claims about women being equally violent as men lack context. Particularly in relationships, women often use violence defensively or due to past trauma, rather than to control or dominate.
  3. The narrative that men are the real victims in domestic violence overlooks the reality that women face greater threats from their partners. Men typically use violence to control women, making it harder for women to leave abusive situations.
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Why is it so easy to hate women?

Men Yell at Me • 315 implied HN points • 23 Dec 24
🎭️ Culture Gender Issues Media Criticism Societal norms Public Discourse Feminism
  1. People often jump at the chance to criticize women in the public eye, sometimes without understanding the full story. This shows a pattern where women are easily targeted and attacked.
  2. In the case of Blake Lively, many turned against her based on manipulated narratives that distorted her character. This highlights how quickly public opinion can sway against women.
  3. Not all women have the same resources to defend themselves against these attacks, which makes it harder for some to fight back when they are wrongly criticized.

I need to stop being Sisyphus

Disaffected Newsletter • 959 implied HN points • 12 Sep 23
🎭️ Culture Gender Issues Relationships Societal norms Personal Growth Mental health
  1. It's hard to please everyone, especially when it comes to people's opinions about men. You can't change people's views, no matter how hard you try.
  2. Chasing the idea of being seen as a 'good man' can lead to frustration. It's like trying to roll a boulder uphill with no end in sight.
  3. Instead of trying to meet unrealistic expectations, focus on being true to yourself and your values. That's more important than seeking approval from others.

Health New Zealand seems allergic to using the word 'woman' - but not the word 'man'.

A B’Old Woman • 439 implied HN points • 29 Nov 23
🏥 Health Politics Women's Health Gender Issues Public Policy Health Communication Societal norms
  1. Health New Zealand often avoids using the term 'woman' in its communications, especially in discussions about maternity. This is surprising since it uses 'man' frequently, leading to feelings of discrimination.
  2. When discussing men's health, the language is very inclusive with terms like 'fathers' and 'brothers'. In contrast, women's health language seems limited, making it hard to identify who is being referred to in maternity contexts.
  3. Many people are concerned that avoiding 'woman' and 'mothers' while promoting language for men is problematic. This raises questions about how women's identities are represented in healthcare communications.

Cycling New Zealand restores single-sex competition; and new report says NZ hospital wards should be “single-gender” (whatever that means).

A B’Old Woman • 419 implied HN points • 03 Oct 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Gender Issues Health Policy Sports Policy Human Rights Societal norms
  1. Cycling New Zealand has decided to restore single-sex competitions. This change is aimed at ensuring fair competition for female cyclists against biological males who transition after puberty.
  2. A new report suggests that hospital wards in New Zealand should be single-gender. The authors argue that sharing rooms between men and women could compromise patient safety and dignity.
  3. There is a growing debate around gender identity and its impact on sports and healthcare. Some believe it's important to recognize biological differences, while others advocate for more inclusive language and policies.

On The Fear Culture

Castalia • 259 implied HN points • 27 May 23
🎭️ Culture Workplace dynamics Psychology Societal norms Hierarchy
  1. In many workplaces, fear drives people's actions more than money. People often act scared to maintain their status and avoid losing prestige.
  2. The culture of fear in organizations can lead to conformity and a lack of courage among employees. This leaves many feeling hollow and unable to stand up for their values.
  3. When organizations face crises, their true fragility is revealed. Those who have climbed the corporate ladder through fear often struggle to uphold their institutions' values when challenged.

Why Aren’t Hollywood Movies Classy Anymore?

Shades of Greaves • 58 implied HN points • 16 Feb 23
🎭️ Culture Film Morality Societal norms
  1. Modern movies and TV shows often include mature themes like nudity, profanity, and violence, which can make them uncomfortable compared to the classic Hollywood era.
  2. There's a concern about the decline of moral values in films, with modern movies sometimes glorifying negative behaviors like gang violence and drug abuse.
  3. The nostalgia for the elegance of classic cinema reflects a desire for media that upholds traditional American values and societal structures.

The Beauty Quandary

Polymathic Being • 77 implied HN points • 17 Sep 23
🎭️ Culture Beauty Evolutionary Psychology Societal norms Gender Studies Perception
  1. Beauty is a complex topic that influences various aspects of our lives, from societal perceptions to evolutionary biology.
  2. Looking good involves presenting ourselves in a way that signals health, status, and genetic viability.
  3. Our appearance can impact our social and economic outcomes, and understanding these dynamics can help us address biases and stereotypes.

Being Patrick Bateman

Anxiety Addiction & Ascension • 39 implied HN points • 29 Mar 22
🎭️ Culture Film Literature Societal norms Identity Existentialism
  1. The author reflects on their journey of trying to fit into the corporate machine by emulating characters like Patrick Bateman, Don Draper, and Jay Gatsby.
  2. There's a paradox in the desire to conform and fit in while also seeking identity and individuality within the structured societal norms.
  3. Ultimately, the lesson learned is to strive to be oneself rather than mold into what the machine demands, recognizing the importance of personal authenticity and contribution to life's powerful play.

On capitalism and the ethics of the endtimes

Matt’s Five Points • 0 implied HN points • 19 May 11
📖 Philosophy Ethics Capitalism Libertarianism Societal norms Market Dynamics
  1. Rapture insurance is a product being sold that promises to take care of pets if their owners disappear during the Rapture. Some people think it’s silly, but others see a market for it.
  2. It's debated whether it should be legal to sell rapture insurance, especially considering it can't be verified if it will pay out. However, as long as fraud is avoided, it might not be a problem.
  3. Price gouging on rapture insurance raises questions about market fairness. While prices should reflect risk, it's unsettling if people exploit fear for profit, especially during uncertain times.

Little Children

Castalia • 0 implied HN points • 13 Feb 23
🎭️ Culture Film analysis Contemporary Issues Societal norms Character Study
  1. In 'Little Children', many characters feel a sense of loss or emptiness due to the pressures of suburban life. Their desires clash with their responsibilities, leading to feelings of castration, both figuratively and literally.
  2. The film shows how people in this community are often drawn to affairs and fantasies instead of facing their real-life issues. It highlights the struggle between desire and normalcy.
  3. There's a strong focus on the darker sides of sexuality in the movie, showing how sexual urges can lead to dangerous and complex situations. It questions whether there's a way to reconcile a healthy life with these intense desires.