The hottest Youth Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
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Top Culture Topics

WATCH: American Miseducation. A New Documentary from The Free Press

Common Sense with Bari Weiss • 3232 implied HN points • 31 Jan 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Protests Ideology Youth Education
  1. There has been a rise in pro-Palestinian protests in New York City, targeting iconic institutions like the Rockefeller Christmas tree lighting ceremony, Memorial Sloan Kettering's Cancer Center, the American Museum of Natural History, and the U.S. Holocaust Museum.
  2. Some of the protesters express anti-Semitic sentiments and comparisons, advocating for the liberation of Palestinians but often resorting to derogatory language against Israelis, using terms like Zionist, settler-colonialist, and occupier.
  3. There is concern about the influence of ideologies like decolonization and intersectionality on American campuses, leading to sympathy towards terrorism among the Gen Z population, highlighting a shift away from the pursuit of truth in academia.

I have a problem: a desistor's manifesto - part 3

Parents with Inconvenient Truths about Trans (PITT) • 2456 implied HN points • 24 Jan 24
🎭️ Culture Gender Activism Social Issues Media Youth
  1. Concerns about individuals bending gender to harm others in spaces like restrooms and prisons.
  2. Issues with men being awarded and competing in women's categories, affecting fairness and opportunities for women.
  3. Criticism of coercion to accept certain terms, limitations on free speech, and lack of logical debate in the context of trans ideologies.

The Progressive Youth Chimera

The Liberal Patriot • 2279 implied HN points • 11 Jan 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Youth Voters Demographics
  1. Demographics are not destiny in politics. Voter preferences can change and influence election outcomes.
  2. The perception of youth as uniformly progressive may be inaccurate. Many young voters identify as moderate or conservative on various issues.
  3. Shifts in voter preference within generations can neutralize any advantage gained from generational changes in demographics.
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Is The Rent Killing Sex?

The Discourse Lounge • 550 implied HN points • 25 Feb 24
🎭️ Culture Sexuality Urbanism Youth Social media Relationships
  1. High housing costs and living arrangements impact young people's sexual activity, but it may not be the sole reason for the decline in sex among the youth.
  2. Social media and digital content consumption are influencing the decline in sexual activity among young people, shifting priorities from physical activities like partying to phone engagement.
  3. The decrease in early marriages and relationships, along with the availability of dating apps providing many options for sex, are other significant factors contributing to the decrease in sexual activity among young people.

Hollywood's New Private School Arms Race

The Ankler • 569 implied HN points • 03 Feb 24
🎭️ Culture Education Social Issues Entertainment Youth Inequality
  1. Los Angeles' private schools are becoming more competitive with an increased focus on rebranding and marketing.
  2. Private schools in Los Angeles are facing challenges such as demographic shifts, DEI curriculum overhauls, and mental health issues among students.
  3. The private school market in Los Angeles remains competitive, with parents heavily investing in the admissions process and schools needing to navigate the needs of both parents and students.

Harry Potter and the Magical Phone

After Babel • 1471 implied HN points • 01 Dec 23
🎭️ Culture Books Technology Social media Youth Education
  1. Harry Potter story reimagined for Gen Z revealing the impact of social media on mental health.
  2. Social media platforms like Instagram, Twitter, and TikTok can contribute to issues like depression, distorted views, and unrealistic expectations.
  3. The story emphasizes the importance of protecting young individuals from the potential dangers of unrestricted access to online content.

Free speech is in trouble

Silver Bulletin • 779 implied HN points • 02 Nov 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Youth Liberalism Conservatism Free speech College
  1. Free speech is facing challenges, especially among young liberals who show low tolerance for controversial speech.
  2. College students have varying levels of tolerance for controversial speakers, with notable differences between conservative and liberal viewpoints.
  3. The decline in support for free speech is not limited to elite universities, indicating a broader generational shift.

Letter to Young Americans

American Dreaming • 546 implied HN points • 24 Nov 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Youth Nationalism Social justice Freedom of Speech Critique
  1. Young Americans are expressing disillusionment and cynicism towards the US and the West.
  2. These attitudes are linked to a school of thought called postcolonialism, which can lead to left-wing fascism under the guise of social justice.
  3. The author urges young Americans to reevaluate their views and emphasizes the value of freedom of speech in America.

College Days, Then and Now

Restoring Truth • 176 implied HN points • 30 Jan 24
🎭️ Culture Youth Education Politics Humor
  1. College life has changed with the influence of social media and modern technology
  2. Current college campuses have a significant presence of leftist ideologies among faculty and students
  3. There is a concern about the impact of radical activism on college campuses and the future of students

The Luddite Kids saying NO to Smartphones

Break Free with Karen Hunt • 1415 implied HN points • 17 May 23
🎭️ Culture Youth Tech Media Wellness Psychology
  1. Young people are starting to reject smartphones and social media for improved mental health and real-life connections.
  2. The increasing use of technology has led to a mental health crisis among students, with many struggling to attend school.
  3. Children are influenced by social media influencers and marketing to buy things, alter their appearance, and follow trends, leading to dissatisfaction and body dysphoria.

Bursting the Conservative Bubble

Break Free with Karen Hunt • 1218 implied HN points • 02 Jun 23
🏥 Health Politics Gender identity Youth AI Art
  1. Conservatives boycotting companies for promoting the transgender agenda may not be effective as the focus is on influencing the younger Generation Z.
  2. Boycotting a few companies may not be enough to stop the transgender agenda that is progressing towards a future where AI and technology dominate.
  3. Young people are increasingly embracing fluid gender identities and diverse pronouns, reflecting the evolving societal norms.

Why would we want to be online forever?

Very Fine Day • 42 implied HN points • 27 Feb 24
🎭️ Culture Media Internet Youth Content
  1. The assumption that the future of media will always be online is flawed as the free internet is declining.
  2. Content creation on the internet is now a crowded space with competition from all age groups and professional creatives.
  3. The future of media and content is uncertain, with possibilities like the resurgence of print and increasing skepticism towards online content.

Young Voters Are Furious at Biden. That’s Nice.

American Dreaming • 212 implied HN points • 10 Nov 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Election Polls Voting Youth Foreign Policy
  1. Critics argue that young voters are angry at Biden due to his support for Israel, but data shows this may not be impacting his re-election chances.
  2. Despite concerns about young progressive voters turning away from Biden, the data indicates that they are not a significant voting bloc and may not sway elections.
  3. Changing his stance on Israel/Palestine would not benefit Biden politically, as it could alienate reliable voters to cater to a smaller, less reliable group.

Richard

Sounds Good! • 78 implied HN points • 23 Jan 24
📚 Literature Poetry Memoir Friendship Youth Social Interactions
  1. The author is working on a new poetry project named 'Richard', with old and new poems in the sequence.
  2. The author reminisces about past experiences and relationships, reflecting on themes of sacrifice, friendship, and personal growth.
  3. There is a focus on storytelling, memories, and personal reflection through a mix of poetry and prose.

New Nicotine vs. Good Ol’ Fashioned Weed

The Broccoli Report • 39 implied HN points • 09 Feb 24
🏥 Health & Wellness Addiction Cannabis Youth Mental health
  1. The nicotine industry is evolving with new products like Zyn pouches that appeal to a wellness-focused generation and provide stronger nicotine doses than cigarettes.
  2. Zyn's popularity among young adults has raised concerns about underage use and addiction, leading to calls for federal oversight in response to its rapid sales growth.
  3. There are valuable lessons for the cannabis industry to learn from the oral fixation trend seen with products like Zyn, as well as important considerations when dealing with addictive substances.

Dynasty

The Global Jigsaw • 98 implied HN points • 06 Nov 23
🌍 World Politics Elections Democracy Geopolitics Youth
  1. Indonesia's upcoming elections in 2024 reveal a potential political dynasty forming under President Jokowi, despite his image as an anti-dynast.
  2. The removal of age requirements for presidential candidates in Indonesia and familial ties influencing political decisions raise questions about democratic norms.
  3. Lessons from Indonesia's political landscape, where dynastic politics persist, serve as a reminder to other nations, like India, to consider broader changes in political structures and power sharing.

We Can Come Back From The Brink

Hold That Thought by Sarah Haider • 235 implied HN points • 29 May 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Culture Institutions Elections Modernity Youth
  1. Institutions in the US are under assault, but they continue to function and there are mechanisms for resistance and change.
  2. The American people have the power to influence their political landscape through voting, ensuring a system of checks and balances.
  3. Modernity relies on objective realities like physics and mathematics, which will persist despite ideological pressures.

The Litverse Saturday Stat: Gen Z Phone Use

Litverse • 199 implied HN points • 01 Apr 23
🎭️ Culture Youth Technology Literature Trends
  1. Gen Z individuals spend a significant amount of time on their phones, with some averaging up to 12 hours a day.
  2. The rise in phone use could impact traditional academic interests, potentially contributing to declines in humanities enrollments.
  3. There is a discussion and anticipation of a shift towards a post-literate generation, influenced by high phone usage and changing preferences.

Wednesday at the Track Meet

Restoring Truth • 98 implied HN points • 02 Apr 23
🎭️ Culture Sports Education Youth Gender Social Issues
  1. The announcer at the track meet excessively praised the slowest runners, but barely acknowledged the actual winners.
  2. There was a lack of emphasis on identifying winners during the races, with spectators being directed to a website for results.
  3. The school where the track meet took place is implementing unconventional education methods, like not assigning grades and moving away from being college preparatory.

On Learning That I'm No Longer Cool

From the Desk • 45 implied HN points • 07 Mar 23
🎭️ Culture Youth
  1. Coolness is often associated with youth, and as one gets older, it becomes more challenging to maintain
  2. Trying too hard to be cool is uncool - authenticity is valued over pretending to fit in
  3. Embracing uncool interests and passions can bring a sense of freedom and self-acceptance

The NHL, TikToking Past the Graveyard

House of Strauss • 47 implied HN points • 17 Feb 23
🎾 Sports Diversity Marketing Future Youth Popularity
  1. The NHL is undergoing a significant cultural shift focused on inclusivity, particularly targeting issues of race, gender, and sexual orientation.
  2. The league is actively engaging with younger generations, seeking their input through youth advisory boards to shape marketing strategies and develop a more diverse fan base.
  3. While the NHL's efforts on diversity, inclusion, and youth engagement may be well-intentioned, the document suggests a heavy focus on current social justice trends, potentially overshadowing core business strategies like marketing to established fan demographics.

Devour Me, Mummy

Reactionary Feminist • 25 implied HN points • 07 Jun 23
🎭️ Culture Youth Surveillance Digital Culture Online behavior
  1. Thirty percent of zoomers support surveillance cameras in homes, linking to a decline in democratic norms and a rise in authoritarian control.
  2. The shift towards supporting surveillance may be influenced by factors like early childcare experiences and internet citizenship norms.
  3. Younger generations, accustomed to digital surveillance and online authority, are transitioning towards post-liberal subjects.

Rob Henderson's *Troubled*

In My Tribe • 1 HN point • 26 Feb 24
📚 Literature Memoir Youth Social Mobility
  1. Upward social mobility should be a result of focusing on family, stability, and emotional well-being for children.
  2. Teen years can be a time of overwhelming pressure to fit in and be accepted by peers, leading to actions that may not be in one's best interest.
  3. Books like 'Manchild in the Promised Land' and 'Random Family' explore the challenges faced by troubled youth in different cultural contexts, highlighting the importance of fitting in and finding acceptance.