The hottest Society Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
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Top World Politics Topics

We Need More Content!

Regress Studies • 825 implied HN points • 01 Feb 24
🎭️ Culture Media Social influence Art Society Beliefs
  1. People often believe that creating specific memetic content will influence others to adopt certain ideologies.
  2. The call for cultural production in today's society is often for someone else to create media that will change the beliefs of third-party observers.
  3. Consuming content is not a traditional solution to major problems, and often people demand certain media creations to fix societal issues without clear solutions.

Deserving

New Means • 1611 implied HN points • 16 Apr 23
🎭️ Culture Society Ideology History Myths Beliefs
  1. Capitalism thrives on the dangerous faith that everyone deserves very little except for the wealthy elite.
  2. The concept of deserving is deeply ingrained in society and has evolved to emphasize extreme luxury and material possessions.
  3. In a capitalist society, rights and needs are not guaranteed but must be fought for through struggle, organization, and collective agreement.

Should She Apologize to Her Young Staff for Taking Off Her Clothes, Running Around Naked and Enjoying the Hell Out of Herself????

Ask E. Jean • 1572 implied HN points • 17 Feb 23
🎭️ Culture Ethics Society Identity
  1. A woman is questioning whether she should apologize to her young staff for enjoying herself while running around naked in a charity event.
  2. She is contemplating setting a positive example for her female staff by either embracing her actions or apologizing for them.
  3. The woman is having a dilemma in balancing empowerment and setting a good example for young women while facing public scrutiny for her actions.

Andrea Chalupa call tomorrow noon EST

Daniel Pinchbeck’s Newsletter • 6 implied HN points • 05 Feb 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Activism Media Government Society Culture Technology
  1. There's a live Zoom call with Andrea Chalupa tomorrow at noon EST. It's a great opportunity to hear her insights on important topics.
  2. The article discusses issues in the psychedelic therapy movement, highlighting criticisms and how it has shifted away from its original intentions. It suggests that psychedelics need to reconnect with their roots to truly bring about positive change.
  3. AI is a big topic right now, especially how it may change jobs and society. OpenAI's CEO says we need to rethink how society is structured as AI develops.

William Penn's Statue of Limitations

Society & Standpoint • 923 implied HN points • 08 Jan 24
🎭️ Culture History Politics Ideology Society
  1. Progressives want to remove William Penn's statue for not being inclusive enough, despite his past efforts towards tolerance.
  2. The concept of a 'statue of limitations' is coined to illustrate how progressives judge historical figures based on contemporary standards.
  3. Progressives view history as a forward arrow towards a utopia, leading them to constantly reassess and potentially tear down statues as standards change.
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To spoil the child

Disaffected Newsletter • 1238 implied HN points • 15 Nov 23
🎭️ Culture Society Generational Values Education Parenting
  1. Many young people today think they know more than older generations, but this may not be the case. They have been praised for low-quality work and may not realize their knowledge is limited.
  2. There is a belief that young people have better morals and understand society better than adults. This belief can lead to dismissing valuable experience from older generations.
  3. This shift in values, where youth is elevated over age, could pose significant challenges for society. It's important to recognize and address these issues rather than see them as progress.

This is How The World Ends. Not with a Bang, but a Smile.

OK Doomer • 126 implied HN points • 30 Nov 24
🎭️ Culture Literature Mental health Society Philosophy Self-help
  1. There's a growing trend of courses teaching people how to smile, reflecting a culture obsessed with appearing happy despite feeling otherwise. Many are pressured to smile even when they don't feel like it, which can be unhealthy.
  2. T.S. Eliot's poem 'The Hollow Men' speaks to the emptiness of society and resonates more today as we face crises and pressures to conform, like forcing smiles.
  3. Forcing yourself to smile can worsen mental health issues, and it's important to acknowledge how societal expectations around smiling can be harmful.

Things Can Always Get Worse

OK Doomer • 169 implied HN points • 13 Nov 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Government Policy Health Public Opinion Society
  1. Things can always get worse, even when it feels like they can't. There is often a deeper problem beneath the surface.
  2. Political actions and public opinions can often lead to more confusion and issues, especially when important health topics are mishandled.
  3. There is a concerning trend where misinformation and extreme ideas are gaining traction, which can create panic and conflict on important health matters.

"People smile and tell me I'm the lucky one"

Disaffected Newsletter • 1518 implied HN points • 18 Sep 23
🎭️ Culture Art Music Society Nostalgia Identity
  1. People feel nostalgic for the past and believe we've lost important values like family and community. The modern world seems to ignore what came before.
  2. There's a sense that music today lacks the beauty and melody of earlier times. Many songs now are more about rhythm and spoken word than actual singing.
  3. Reflecting on the past can help us remember loved ones and their struggles. There’s hope in seeing how family can learn from past mistakes and create better futures.

How would anarchist societies protect themselves?

The Novelleist • 553 implied HN points • 13 Nov 24
📖 Philosophy Anarchism Society Conflict Protection Governance
  1. Anarchist societies might struggle with conflict and violence without a police force or official laws, as history shows many groups resolved issues through harsh means.
  2. The idea of countries without states not going to war seems optimistic; history shows that powerful groups have often conquered more peaceful societies.
  3. It's unclear how communities could operate without structured work and schools while still getting things done, and more examples are needed to understand how this could work in practice.

Freedoom

¡Do Not Panic! • 1434 implied HN points • 28 Mar 23
🎭️ Culture Society Media Environment Beliefs Freedom
  1. People socially construct their reality, which can clash with natural brute facts.
  2. Post-truthism has become mainstream, with various political groups denying natural realities like the ongoing pandemic.
  3. Society's focus on individuality and consumerism creates a culture in denial, ignoring the collision course with natural realities like climate change.

the paris diaries

Mind Mine • 1434 implied HN points • 21 Jul 23
🎭️ Culture Travel Personal Growth Philosophy Society Lifestyle
  1. The author explores the concept of feeling like a foreigner in one's own home but finding a sense of belonging in other places.
  2. Observations on the enjoyment and slower pace of life in Paris compared to North America, appreciating the French culture of savoring moments.
  3. Reflections on the idea of choosing one's own path in life and the importance of embodiment and physical connection in personal growth.

Hide

Becoming Noble • 1335 implied HN points • 21 Oct 23
🎭️ Culture Masculinity Society Silence Privacy
  1. The modern culture of transparency threatens our psychic freedom by imposing false values affecting our speech, behavior, and mental states.
  2. Major organizations prioritize transparency over trust due to their large scale, using surveillance and control mechanisms that compromise trust in society.
  3. Cultural forces like office culture and therapy culture work to eliminate secrecy and individuality to promote openness, homogenization, and vulnerability, affecting men's natural leadership qualities.

Disaffected: Episode 158

Disaffected Newsletter • 659 implied HN points • 11 Feb 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Government Society Public Policy Healthcare Media
  1. There's a sense that many people in the West are out of touch with reality. This disconnect can lead to serious problems for society.
  2. President Biden is showing signs of memory issues, and this has been highlighted in a recent report. It raises concerns about his ability to remember important events.
  3. There are alarming trends in society, like extreme actions taken by some parents regarding their children's health. This suggests we may be facing significant social issues.

Age of Invention: The Second Soul, Part I

Age of Invention, by Anton Howes • 1281 implied HN points • 08 Mar 24
💾 History Europe Taxes Geography Society
  1. Salt was a crucial product in the past, impacting agriculture, food preservation, and even the economy of various regions.
  2. The control and taxation of salt played a significant role in the rise and fall of empires and states, showcasing the power dynamics associated with this essential commodity.
  3. Different geographical factors influenced the success of salt taxes, with regions like north-west Europe reaping the most rewards from this practice.

Trust and Accountability

In My Tribe • 394 implied HN points • 15 Dec 24
🎭️ Culture Sociology Trust Accountability Cooperation Society
  1. Cooperation in society happens when people can gain rewards for working together, and when there are consequences for dishonesty. It's not about being inherently good or bad.
  2. High-trust societies don't just happen; they depend on rules and systems that encourage honesty and discourage cheating.
  3. Understanding human cooperation is complicated, especially as social groups grow bigger. It's a key part of how societies function.

What is a Man?

Break Free with Karen Hunt • 1356 implied HN points • 22 Jul 23
🎭️ Culture Gender Society Media Hollywood Tradition
  1. Andrew Tate and Jason Aldean are receiving attention for different reasons, but both are accused of racism.
  2. There is a deliberate effort to accelerate division among different classes and races in society.
  3. The focus should be on common values like family, community, and love, rather than getting caught up in extremist ideologies or online influencer distractions.

KidCrusher 350s Are Very Legal and Very Cool

Systematic Hatreds • 746 implied HN points • 22 Jan 24
🎭️ Culture Transportation Society Safety Gender Environment
  1. The term "mature content" in movies often glamorizes adulthood but really means responsibility like taxes and laundry.
  2. Contemporary U.S. pickup trucks like the KidCrusher 350s are criticized for being oversized and causing safety concerns, especially for children.
  3. Owning and driving large trucks like the KidCrushers reflects a toxic mix of legal freedom and appealing power that may not match practicality or safety.

Fertility Links, including a conversation with Lyman Stone

In My Tribe • 258 implied HN points • 21 Jan 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Society Family Gender Marriage Fertility
  1. Fertility rates are dropping globally, mostly because fewer people are forming couples, which includes both married and unmarried partnerships.
  2. Smartphones and technology are isolating people by providing entertainment at home, which makes it harder for them to build social skills and form connections.
  3. Creating communities that encourage interactions and closeness can help strengthen relationships and possibly improve marriage rates.

complementary

Mind Mud • 1316 implied HN points • 20 Feb 23
🎭️ Culture Gender Society Film Relationships
  1. Men and women tend to relate to movies differently: women identify with characters to experience catharsis while men are inspired by strong characters for self-improvement.
  2. Women are more focused on beauty and reducing suffering, while men are driven by problem-solving and power.
  3. Femininity embraces its ambiguity, allowing women to define their own paths and success beyond traditional archetypes.

If You See the World as a Dead Machine, Atrocities Make Sense

Default Wisdom • 66 implied HN points • 19 Dec 24
📖 Philosophy Ethics Existentialism Metaphysics Society Human nature
  1. Seeing the world as just a machine can help explain why people commit horrible acts. It makes it easier to understand their actions.
  2. This view of the world can lead to a sense of detachment from others and their suffering. When you see people as parts of a machine, it's easier to ignore their pain.
  3. Recognizing the machine-like nature of the world can change how we think about society and morality. It raises questions about our responsibilities toward each other.

Front Row at the American Loony Bin

donaldjeffries • 1316 implied HN points • 01 May 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Government Leaders Society Culture Media
  1. Americans are being led by an unprecedented mix of corruption, incompetence, and madness.
  2. Political leaders, particularly in Washington, exhibit behaviors that are often irrational, incompetent, and embarrassing.
  3. The overall societal landscape in America seems to resemble a large mental institution, with a lack of sanity, honesty, and wise leadership.

Sobering morning thoughts

Disaffected Newsletter • 1638 implied HN points • 12 Aug 23
🎭️ Culture Society Philosophy Identity Behavior Authority
  1. Many people feel unhappy with how society just goes along with everything rather than questioning it. This can be really scary.
  2. There's a lot of frustration towards people who don't stand up against unfair authority. This lack of resistance leads to feelings of despair.
  3. The writer feels that many people, especially men, are too passive and afraid to challenge societal expectations. This makes them disappointed and angry.

I’m not letting the fascists have sex

Sex and the State • 36 implied HN points • 03 Jan 25
🎭️ Culture Sexuality Feminism Politics Media Society
  1. There's a tension between wanting to control women's bodies and celebrating their sexuality. It's a push and pull that reflects deep cultural conflicts.
  2. Some people celebrate women's sexual appeal while also promoting control over it, which shows a contradiction in their beliefs.
  3. Leftist debates about sexuality are often unnecessary and created, not fundamental issues, highlighting the complexities in social attitudes towards sex.

The reality crisis

Archedelia • 1277 implied HN points • 11 Apr 23
🎭️ Culture Philosophy Society Self-governance Authoritarianism
  1. There is a focus on self-governance in philosophical inquiry and reclaiming reality.
  2. The concept of the situated self adapting to external reality versus the atomized self reshaping the world to fit itself.
  3. The rise of an inward-oriented liberal self leading to a loss of self-government, reliance on experts, and a potential path towards totalistic technocracy.

Fertility Links, 12/8/2024

In My Tribe • 394 implied HN points • 08 Dec 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Demographics Fertility Policy Society Marriage
  1. By 2050, the working-age population will mostly come from Africa and India, with Nigeria's population matching that of the entire EU. This shift will affect global dynamics significantly.
  2. To boost fertility rates, experts suggest giving parents financial incentives right when children are born, rather than long-term support. They also recommend policies that encourage marriage, as married couples tend to have more children.
  3. In Britain, there's a need to change how families are treated in the tax system. Encouraging larger families through better policies and communication about the fertility crisis could help address declining birth rates.