The hottest Tragedy Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
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Top U.S. Politics Topics

Update: The Family Who Died at Eagle Pass

Steady • 22288 implied HN points • 17 Jan 24
🌍 World Politics Immigration Border Humanitarian Tragedy
  1. Nearly 700 people died or disappeared in 2022 trying to come to the United States, making it the deadliest land route for migrants.
  2. Three people died crossing the Rio Grande at Eagle Pass, Texas: a woman and her two children, while her sister and nephew were rescued.
  3. The family attempted to cross the river by forming a human chain, but tragically, three of them were swept underwater by strong currents.

The Night Whitney Houston Died

Sarah Kendzior’s Newsletter • 5691 implied HN points • 13 Feb 24
🎭️ Culture Music Politics War Tragedy America
  1. Whitney Houston and other 1980s artists shaped American culture, making it feel eternal to many, even as the country faced challenges.
  2. The night Whitney Houston died was significant for many around the world, showing the impact of her music transcending borders and cultures.
  3. The juxtaposition of Whitney Houston's death with the tragedies in Gaza on Superbowl Sunday highlights the importance of raising our voices against inhumane actions and standing up for values, patriotism, and humanity.

The soul moved the pen, and broke it.

The Common Reader • 1275 implied HN points • 18 Mar 24
📚 Literature Style Art Consciousness Tragedy Letters
  1. Flaubert's intense and disturbed personality was essential to his artistic style and work.
  2. Flaubert's commitment to creating a perfect novel like 'Madame Bovary' involved intense emotional investment in his writing.
  3. Flaubert's belief in detachment for the sake of art and the importance of creating style through observation rather than raw emotion are key aspects of his writing advice and artistic process.

The Von Erich Curse

Richard Hanania's Newsletter • 1560 implied HN points • 22 Feb 24
🎭️ Culture Wrestling Family Tragedy American culture
  1. The Von Erich family faced a series of tragedies and cursed outcomes, leading to a significant impact on their lives and professional wrestling careers.
  2. The Von Erichs were emblematic of an era in wrestling where personal struggles and behind-the-scenes challenges often contradicted the public image portrayed.
  3. The Von Erich story serves as a cautionary tale about the effects of social contagion, family dynamics, and the perils of fame and the wrestling industry.
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A Racist Smear. A Tarnished Career. And the Suicide of Richard Bilkszto.

Common Sense with Bari Weiss • 5379 implied HN points • 03 Aug 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Diversity Education DEI Race Tragedy
  1. Kike Ojo-Thompson claimed Canada is more racist than the United States.
  2. Richard Bilkszto challenged this claim and faced public shaming, leading to dire consequences.
  3. The tragic outcome underscores the potential real-world consequences of contentious diversity, equity, and inclusion training sessions.

Priam And Achilles, Pity and Fear

Painful Signs, Or, Joel's Substack • 59 implied HN points • 01 Apr 24
📚 Literature Epic poetry Tragedy
  1. The emotional impact of storytelling in the Iliad involves creating blends between personal experiences and the narratives heard, fostering sympathy and empathy.
  2. Pity plays a crucial role in the interactions between characters like Priam and Achilles, shaping their shared experiences of suffering and wonder.
  3. The epic genre, particularly in the Iliad, emphasizes feelings of pity and fear which have parallels with the elements of tragedy, according to Aristotle's theory.

Trauma

backstory • 290 implied HN points • 13 Jan 24
💾 History War Personal Stories Tragedy Memory Legacy
  1. Trauma can have a lasting impact, even from seemingly minor incidents
  2. Family history and past experiences can shape how we view the world
  3. Events from history can have long-lasting effects on individuals and societies

World marathon record-holder Kelvin Kiptum dies in a car crash in Kenya

Beck of the Pack • 137 implied HN points • 12 Feb 24
🎾 Sports Running Marathons Athletes Tragedy Records
  1. Kelvin Kiptum, the world marathon record-holder, tragically died in a car crash in Kenya at the young age of 24.
  2. Kiptum set remarkable marathon records, including a stunning 2:00:35 in the 2023 Chicago Marathon, hinting at his incredible potential in the sport.
  3. His untimely death at 24 years old draws parallels to other young athletes whose lives were cut short, like Steve Prefontaine and Sammy Wanjiru.

An Ode to Anaam

Pen>Sword • 479 implied HN points • 10 Nov 23
🌍 World Politics Displacement Tragedy Refugees Injustice Conflict
  1. Anaam's story reflects the long-lasting impact of displacement and tragedy, stretching across decades.
  2. The struggles of refugees, like Anaam, continue through generations, showing the cycle of suffering and loss.
  3. Despite being unseen, the quiet strength and resilience of individuals like Anaam speak volumes beyond words.

The Story of the Ice Balloon

Cosmographia • 1078 implied HN points • 24 Jul 23
💾 History Exploration Tragedy Discovery Adventure Mystery
  1. The story highlights the fine line between courage and folly. Andrée's bold expedition to the North Pole by hot air balloon ultimately ended in tragedy.
  2. The late 19th century was the 'Heroic Age of Antarctic Exploration,' with individuals like Scott and Shackleton driven by a fervor to conquer the poles.
  3. The ill-fated journey of Andrée, Strindberg, and Frænkel serves as a cautionary tale about ambition, courage, and the consequences of daring exploration.

A New Widow and Her Orphan

Painful Signs, Or, Joel's Substack • 39 implied HN points • 15 Mar 24
📚 Literature Poetry Greek mythology Classic literature Narrative analysis Tragedy
  1. Andromache's lament in the Iliad for Hektor showcases the profound grief of a widow and her orphaned child, expressing the devastating impact of loss on families and communities.
  2. Andromache's speeches highlight themes of trauma and projected pain, emphasizing the tragic fate awaiting her son Astyanax as a symbol of lost potential and unfulfilled promise.
  3. The epic portrays the horrors of war through the lens of violence against children like Astyanax, revealing the irrevocable destruction violence brings to cities and the emptiness of glory in the face of irreparable loss.

PINK MOON 2023

The Lunar Dispatch • 766 implied HN points • 07 Apr 23
💾 History Tragedy Survivor Preservation
  1. Preservation of historical sites on the Moon is a growing concern.
  2. The Titanic's wreckage is a battleground between conservationists and protectionists.
  3. Marconi's ambition for an all-hearing radio raises questions about preserving human speech for posterity.

Titanic Connections

backstory • 242 implied HN points • 24 Jun 23
💾 History Maritime Connections Tragedy
  1. The Titanic connections led to various interesting stories and events
  2. The town of St. John's is deeply rooted in maritime history beyond just the Titanic
  3. The enduring fascination with the Titanic stems from the multitude of unique stories and incidents related to the tragedy

The Lesbian Tragedy of 'Gia'

Paging Dr. Lesbian • 235 implied HN points • 12 Feb 23
🎭️ Culture Film Philosophy LGBTQ+ Art Tragedy
  1. Tragedy has different interpretations in art, with Aristotle seeing it as artistically and morally useful, Socrates finding it discouraging, and Nietzsche believing it relieves from the world's suffering.
  2. Lesbian and queer art intersects with the debate on tragedy, challenging perceptions of queerness as already tragic and exploring the importance of naming and portraying tragedy.
  3. The film 'Gia' portrays a tragic lesbian story, emphasizing the complexities of Gia as a character and highlighting the impact of her relationships and struggles, urging a deeper consideration of tragedy in queer narratives.

Qiqihar Gym Roof Collapse Leaves Thousands Mourning

Chinarrative • 78 implied HN points • 30 Jul 23
📰 News Tragedy
  1. The roof collapse at a school gym in Qiqihar, China, killed 11 people during a volleyball practice due to construction materials being piled illegally and waterlogged, leading to immense strain on the roof.
  2. The rescue effort in the aftermath involved hundreds of volunteers and professionals, facing challenges like debris, waterlogged perlite, and unknown locations of trapped individuals.
  3. The community mourned the loss of promising young athletes, with memories shared of the victims and tributes laid at the school gate for those who lost their lives.

VOL 66: Titanic Sub Crash: Humans Enduring Pursuit of Exploration

MAP's Tech Newsletter. • 19 implied HN points • 23 Jun 23
💾 History Exploration Maritime Disasters Tragedy
  1. The pursuit of exploration is deeply ingrained in human nature, as shown throughout history by daring explorers like Ferdinand Magellan and David Livingstone.
  2. Accidents are a reality in risky pursuits like deep-sea exploration, but these incidents do not deter human interest in exploring the unknown.
  3. Despite the risks, the drive for exploration and discovery persists as a fundamental aspect of humanity, exemplified by individuals like Hillary and Norgay conquering Mount Everest.

Cruel Optimism

Brain Lenses • 19 implied HN points • 14 Mar 23
📖 Philosophy Optimism Tragedy Economic System
  1. Cruel optimism is a concept of being held back by our desires and fantasies.
  2. Affect theory focuses on our subjective experiences and how they impact our optimism.
  3. There's a potential to swap cruel optimism for authentic optimism by addressing underlying issues.