The hottest Traditions Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
Category
Top Culture Topics

Season's Greeting

Two Pages Double Spaced • 17 implied HN points • 11 Nov 24
🎭️ Culture Holidays Traditions Literature Politics Music
  1. Voting and following election results can feel like a big event, similar to watching a sports game with friends.
  2. The arrival of fall brings cozy activities, like enjoying pumpkin treats and lighting candles, which can help create a sense of warmth and community.
  3. The holidays can be a time for reflection and imagination, reminding us that each season requires our participation and effort to truly enjoy it.

The "Greatest Show on Earth"

Variations on a Theme • 99 implied HN points • 02 Jan 24
🎭️ Culture Art Society History Events Traditions
  1. In 1919, the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circuses combined to create the 'Greatest Show on Earth' in New York City, marking a significant moment in circus history.
  2. John Ringling, a key figure behind this merger, built his circus empire and amassed an impressive collection of art, leading to the establishment of the John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art in Sarasota, FL.
  3. Reflecting on the legacy of John Ringling and the challenges faced during the COVID-19 pandemic, the post explores themes of art, culture, authoritarianism, and the evolving nature of entertainment and society.

no. 71: heavy metal rempah

let them eat cake • 139 implied HN points • 25 Jun 23
🍲 Food & Drink Cooking Traditions Family Community Cuisine
  1. In Singapore, cooking certain dishes like rempah and kueh is seen as a communal activity, done with family and friends.
  2. Singaporean cuisine is largely cooked within homes and doesn't have strict recipes, making it communal and unique to each family.
  3. The process of preparing rempah can be personal, with adjustments made based on individual preferences, leading to a sense of satisfaction and nostalgia.

100 things that made my year

Austin Kleon • 799 implied HN points • 31 Dec 21
🎭️ Culture Art Literature Media Social Traditions
  1. Making a list of 100 things that made your year can help reflect on the good moments. It's a nice way to appreciate the little things in life.
  2. Sharing favorite quotes can be a fun way to connect with others and find more inspiration. It shows how words can impact us differently.
  3. Setting resolutions doesn't have to be stressful. You can choose simple challenges, or even opt to take a break and just be for a while.
Get a weekly roundup of the best Substack posts, by hacker news affinity:

Merry Christmas

Disaffected Newsletter • 339 implied HN points • 26 Dec 22
🎭️ Culture Traditions Celebrations Holidays Art Community
  1. It's important to spread joy and express warm wishes during the holiday season. A simple 'Merry Christmas' can make someone's day better.
  2. Connecting with others, whether through social media or in person, helps strengthen relationships during festive times.
  3. Supporting creators and writers by subscribing to their content can make a big difference in their ability to share their work.

Three Things, Week 41.23

The Analog Family • 119 implied HN points • 11 Oct 23
🎭️ Culture Food Traditions Mental health Travel Art
  1. Canadian Thanksgiving is a more relaxed holiday compared to the American version. It focuses on gathering with family, enjoying nature, and sharing good food without the pressure of consumerism.
  2. The term 'acedia' describes a state of boredom and lack of joy due to too much time spent on screens. Young people might miss out on enjoying simple pleasures because they're used to constant stimulation from social media.
  3. In light of current conflicts, the olive tree symbolizes peace and understanding. Reflecting on experiences abroad reminds us that all lives are touched by violence, and compassion is crucial.

Sipping the Sacred Brew: One-On-One With a Taita From The Colombian Amazon

Tripsitter • 119 implied HN points • 25 Aug 23
🎭️ Culture Traditions Healing Cultural Preservation Medicine Global impact
  1. Yagé is deeply rooted in tradition and must be respected and served with knowledge and experience.
  2. The global expansion of ayahuasca brings both benefits and risks, with a potential loss of cultural traditions.
  3. Regulation and proper training are essential to address the rise of fake Taitas and ensure the preservation of the sacred plant medicine.

The Brothers Sun: A Look into Taiwanese Family life, Gangsters and Startups

The Hard Fork by Marvin Liao • 58 implied HN points • 30 Jan 24
🎭️ Culture Family Traditions
  1. The TV show reflects the dynamics of Taiwanese families, focusing on face culture, passive aggressiveness, high expectations, and sibling rivalry for performance improvement.
  2. Taiwanese/Chinese culture can lead to emotionally stunted individuals driven by shame and anger, affecting relationships and individuals' emotional balance.
  3. Lessons for startup and life include the importance of making decisions, willingness to make mistakes, and the need for quick decision-making to reach market truth.

Perennial Problems, Projects & Philosophies - Part 2

Weekly Wisdom • 99 implied HN points • 11 May 23
📖 Philosophy Spirituality Philosophy Ethics Religion Traditions
  1. The project aims to explore the convergence and divergence of different traditions and schools of thought to understand cultural breadth.
  2. Traditional systems of thought that have endured for centuries hold value and merit consideration alongside modern perspectives.
  3. Comparative soteriology analyzes the ideals and aims of various religious, spiritual, and philosophical traditions, offering insights into different paths to attainment.

A Pilgrimage for Book People

Castles in the Sky • 302 implied HN points • 13 Mar 23
🎭️ Culture Books Memoirs Traditions Community History
  1. The annual pilgrimage to the Brandeis Book Sale was a significant tradition for the author's family, highlighting the reverence for books and the impact of the sale on their lives.
  2. The pilgrimage involved a long road trip, unique family dynamics, and a deep appreciation for books, as seen through the eyes of the author growing up around book people.
  3. Brandeis Book Sale represented more than just a sale - it was a cultural phenomenon where book people gathered, making it a sacred space and a reflection of civilization preserved in books.

The Mushroom Santa: The Fungal Folklore of Old St. Nick 🎅🎄

Tripsitter • 59 implied HN points • 24 Dec 23
🎭️ Culture Traditions Mythology History Religion Celebrations
  1. The story of Santa Claus may have been inspired by the psychedelic Amanita muscaria mushrooms and the practices of Siberian shamans.
  2. There are compelling similarities between Santa and ancient Siberian shamanic traditions, such as the use of red and white attire, flying reindeer, and the chimney connection.
  3. The Christmas holiday has evolved over time, incorporating elements from different cultures and traditions like replacing and incorporating elements from earlier Roman holidays.

SPOOKtober 2023 Update

Mind & Mythos • 79 implied HN points • 31 Oct 23
🎭️ Culture Holidays Traditions Family Childhood Celebration
  1. Halloween is not traditionally celebrated in Australia, but it is becoming more popular. Many kids now expect to celebrate it, including going trick-or-treating.
  2. The author is unsure how Halloween became such a big event in the US. They find it a bit confusing but recognize its growing acceptance in Australia.
  3. This update is mainly for paid subscribers, highlighting that the content is intended for a specific audience.

Norse vs. Germanic

Norse Mythology & Germanic Lore • 59 implied HN points • 04 Dec 23
🎭️ Culture Mythology Religion Languages Traditions Beliefs
  1. Germanic refers to language, culture, and religion, not just bloodlines, race, or ethnicity.
  2. Norse, a subset of Germanic, is a term for medieval Scandinavian speakers of North-Germanic languages.
  3. Germanic mythology shares similarities with other Indo-European traditions, like the thundergod motif, but divergences in stories can lead to variations in how gods are perceived.

Meet Raven, Purveyor of Warmth

The Analog Family • 159 implied HN points • 20 Mar 23
🎭️ Culture Lifestyle Traditions Family Technology Home
  1. A wood-burning cookstove can create a cozy and welcoming atmosphere in a home. It attracts people with its warmth and can even help dry clothes and cook food.
  2. Maintaining a wood-burning stove requires effort and skills, but it can provide practical benefits that modern technology might not offer. This includes lessons about physical work and self-sufficiency.
  3. Despite the convenience of modern gadgets, some traditional methods, like using a cookstove, remind us of our basic needs for warmth and food, connecting us to the past.

J-3 offsuit and the Monster Ballads Poker Game

Matt’s Five Points • 179 implied HN points • 10 Dec 22
🎭️ Culture Games Relationships Leisure Memories Traditions
  1. Home poker games can turn into special experiences filled with laughter and friendship. They create memories that last beyond the games themselves.
  2. The atmosphere and community in a poker game often matter more than the actual cards being played. Serious conversations can happen in a fun, relaxed setting.
  3. Even if a poker game ends or changes, the bonds formed and the memories created can be revisited and celebrated years later.

solstice

let them eat cake • 119 implied HN points • 21 Dec 22
🍲 Food & Drink Cuisine Traditions
  1. The winter solstice is a day where Han Chinese traditionally eat tangyuan, a dish symbolizing family unity.
  2. Tangyuan dumplings can be simple, like 'ee' without filling, representing values and family cohesion.
  3. Other important days for food rituals in the Chinese calendar include the 15th day of the lunar new year, the Dragon Boat festival with zongzi, and the Mid-Autumn festival with mooncakes.

The Cooper's Hill Cheese Race

Shore Leave • 39 implied HN points • 29 Dec 23
🎭️ Culture Festivals Traditions Travel Community
  1. The Cooper's Hill Cheese Race is more about the thrill of the race than the cheese itself. People come together to run down a steep hill and enjoy the excitement of it.
  2. The event gathers a diverse crowd, including many tourists who are drawn to the uniqueness of the race. The atmosphere becomes lively and filled with fun as participants prepare for the challenge.
  3. Despite the lighthearted nature of the race, injuries can and do happen. The chaotic energy of the event, along with its silly premise, creates a memorable and exhilarating experience for everyone involved.

REPOST: My Favorite Thanksgiving Traditions

I Might Be Wrong • 5 implied HN points • 28 Nov 24
🎭️ Culture Traditions Television Thanksgiving Family Humor
  1. Thanksgiving is often about spending time with family, even if that means not saying much and watching TV together to avoid awkward conversations.
  2. There are funny and unique traditions during Thanksgiving, like watching the Macy's Parade and remembering the odd sights and experiences it brings, like seeing famous bands on floats.
  3. People enjoy quoting funny movies during holiday events, like quoting 'Best In Show' during the dog show, even if it annoys everyone else.

Stranded in Iliad 8 with Nestor and Diomedes

Painful Signs, Or, Joel's Substack • 39 implied HN points • 01 Dec 23
📚 Literature Analysis Traditions Narrative Scholarship
  1. Book 8 of the Iliad sets the stage for the crisis that leads to Achilles' return in Book 9, showcasing themes of divine control and human leadership in the face of absence.
  2. Neoanalysis in Homeric scholarship examines the original versions of the poems before they were edited or altered, shedding light on the complexities of textual transmission and interpretation.
  3. The challenges of neoanalysis include risks of oversimplification in tracing narrative connections, potentially overlooking audience experiences and the evolution of traditional narratives.

Thanksgiving and Dr Maté

Splattern • 39 implied HN points • 24 Nov 23
🎭️ Culture Family Traditions Nature Health Wellness
  1. The writer enjoyed a Thanksgiving run on a beautiful trail, appreciating nature in their home state.
  2. This year was special because the writer's entire immediate family got together for Thanksgiving, which hasn't happened in a long time.
  3. The gathering felt healing and fun, marking a positive change since the family's previous issues.

Christmas Edition: Ahhhh! A Christmas tree!

Klement on Investing • 2 implied HN points • 19 Dec 24
🎭️ Culture Holidays Traditions Health Environment Well-being
  1. Getting a real Christmas tree can be better for the environment if you keep it for several years. An artificial tree may only be better after four years of use.
  2. Shopping for real Christmas trees might help improve your mood and make you feel more relaxed. This is backed by a study that showed people felt restored after the experience.
  3. Choosing a real tree can contribute to a cozy holiday environment where you can enjoy time with family. It's a nice way to add some festive spirit to your home.

Ted Lasso & Smigus Dyngus

The Chase • 39 implied HN points • 07 Apr 23
🎭️ Culture TV shows Traditions Music Books
  1. The term Smigus Dyngus is an obscure inside joke that the author's family has used for years.
  2. Smigus Dyngus is a centuries-old pagan tradition from Central Europe involving soaking young women with water on Easter Monday.
  3. Today, Smigus Dyngus has evolved into a more gender-inclusive water fight tradition in many places around the world.

Can Science Fiction Fill the Religious Void?

The Bigger Picture • 159 implied HN points • 03 Feb 22
⛪ Faith & Spirituality Traditions Symbolism
  1. Science fiction is a way for science to create its own mythos, filling the void left by religious narratives.
  2. Sci-fi concepts like metaverses and transhumanism relate back to ancient stories and traditions, offering a modern take on age-old themes.
  3. While sci-fi can provide imaginative and dreamlike spaces, it may not fully address the deeper sources of meaning that are essential for society.

Further on Greens - Growing, Quickening and Aiding the Animation

Journal of Gurdjieff Studies • 19 implied HN points • 01 Jan 24
⛪ Faith & Spirituality Beliefs Traditions Practices
  1. Gurdjieff emphasized the consumption of fresh and raw greens like herbs and lettuce, highlighting their importance in his cuisine.
  2. Certain greens like cress and mustard were praised for their quick growth, symbolizing a deeper allegory of renewal and growth, especially during festive occasions.
  3. The significance of consuming green vegetables raw right after harvest may tie back to their active elements and the connection with nature.

The Occult Technology of the Rollercoaster

Happy Hauntology • 1 HN point • 06 Aug 24
🎭️ Culture Art Rituals Entertainment Mythology Traditions
  1. Rollercoasters are unique machines that don't serve a practical purpose, unlike typical machines that make goods or transport people. They provide thrilling experiences instead, which some believe reflects magical rituals.
  2. The Wicker Man rollercoaster at Alton Towers is designed to feel like a rite of passage for kids. It mixes fear with excitement, symbolically helping children transition into teenagers by confronting their fears.
  3. Newer rollercoasters, like The Ride to Happiness in Belgium, focus less on fear and more on joy and freedom, offering a different kind of magical experience that emphasizes fun and personal liberation.

Let's Talk About the Seasonal Target Birds

The Reclamation Era • 19 implied HN points • 30 Oct 23
🎭️ Culture Holidays Traditions Family Decor Nostalgia
  1. Collecting seasonal birds from Target can become a fun and obsessive hobby. It brings joy to many people during holidays like Christmas and Halloween.
  2. There are different categories for these decorative birds, such as Merry, Whimsy, and Rustic, allowing collectors to classify them creatively. People even sort themselves into bird types like a fun personality quiz.
  3. Finding and completing the collection of these birds can be challenging, with some sold out quickly and others listed on resale sites for much higher prices. It creates a thrill in the hunt for the perfect bird.

Happy Valentine's Day

Street Smart Naturalist: Explorations of the Urban Kind • 99 implied HN points • 14 Feb 22
🎭️ Culture History Art Literature Traditions Geography
  1. The newsletter includes a special Valentine's Day message. It's a nice way to celebrate the day with readers.
  2. A historic map of Seattle from 1907 is featured, showing how the city was expected to grow and change over time.
  3. This specific post is meant for paid subscribers, highlighting exclusive content for those who support the newsletter.

Public holidays as global travel guide

The Global Jigsaw • 19 implied HN points • 11 Sep 23
🏝 Travel Global Celebrations Traditions Cultural Diversity Demographics
  1. Public holidays around the world can provide insights into a country's culture, history, and societal values.
  2. In Japan, public holidays like 'Coming-of-Age Day' and 'Respect for the Elderly Day' reflect traditions, aging demographics, and societal changes.
  3. Celebrating diversity in public holidays can enhance cultural understanding and appreciation.

Thanksgiving Quiz 2024

What's Important? • 4 implied HN points • 27 Nov 24
🎭️ Culture Holidays Traditions Trivia Family
  1. The Thanksgiving Quiz has 20 questions, and people can participate as teams or individuals. It's a fun way to test knowledge during the holiday season.
  2. Winners of the quiz will be recognized in the next article, but there's no real prize aside from the shoutout. It's all about joining in the fun and competition.
  3. The quiz covers a wide range of topics, from movies and geography to sports and history, making it interesting for everyone. It's a cool way to learn new things while enjoying Thanksgiving.

Essay Club: A Defence of Heraldry by G. K. Chesterton

Mind & Mythos • 1 HN point • 14 Jun 24
🎭️ Culture Literature Philosophy Art History Traditions
  1. Heraldry is not just about noble families; it's also a way for everyday people to express their identity. Signs and symbols have always played an important role in how we communicate who we are.
  2. Chesterton believes we lost something beautiful when we tried to make everyone equal. He thinks symbols and decorative art should be embraced, not rejected, to uplift everyone in society.
  3. Democracy, according to Chesterton, needs its own forms of pageantry and symbolism. When we value these things, we can inspire people to reach for greatness rather than settle for mediocrity.

My Father

Natural Selections • 17 implied HN points • 04 Apr 23
🎭️ Culture Family Memoir Food Travel Traditions
  1. The author reflects on her father's life, memories, and impact after his passing.
  2. The father was a strong and adventurous person, eager to teach his children but kept many of his thoughts to himself.
  3. He had a love for nature, mathematics, food, and life, leaving a lasting impression on his family.

Why is "right" the right direction?

Eternal Sunshine of the Stochastic Mind • 3 HN points • 28 Jun 23
🎭️ Culture Language Traditions
  1. Different languages show a connection between the concept of 'right' as a direction and 'right' as something moral or lawful, indicating a common association in human language across cultures.
  2. The association of 'right' with positive notions and 'left' with negative ones is present not just in language but also in cultural practices, indicating a deep-rooted connection between language, culture, and human behavior.
  3. The preference for associating 'right' with good and 'left' with bad seems to have biological origins related to handedness and how our bodies interact with space, as demonstrated by studies on right- and left-handed individuals.