The hottest Youth Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
Category
Top Culture Topics

The loneliness epidemic

Arnab’s Substack • 16 HN points • 09 May 24
🏥 Health & Wellness Loneliness Social media AI Youth Relationships
  1. TikTok introduced a new era in social networking, with its algorithm acting as a broadcast medium, but it also brought new problems by shifting the storytelling dynamic between creators and consumers.
  2. Humans naturally crave bi-directional relationships within smaller tribes, as seen historically and in current social media trends where platforms are transitioning towards broadcast models for engagement.
  3. The upcoming AI revolution is expected to elevate your connections and interactions by personalizing stories, potentially addressing some issues caused by the shift towards content consumption on platforms like TikTok.

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.
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Cruising Speed

Castalia • 139 implied HN points • 20 Oct 22
🎭️ Culture Music Art Literature Personal Stories Youth
  1. Derek was a talented drummer who had a carefree, rebellious spirit in high school, which made him stand out. He found his passion in music early but struggled with maturity and relationships as he grew older.
  2. Despite facing challenges like drug use and a short-lived band career, Derek still managed to find some success in music. He had a loyal girlfriend and performed in various bands, showing that he had a devoted following.
  3. Tragically, Derek's life ended unexpectedly in an accident, which shocked many. His friends and family recognized his talent, but there was also a narrative about his struggles and choices that shaped how people remembered him.

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.

Humanizing Boys: How Disney's Luca Shows Us Another Masculinity is Possible

Humanities in Revolt • 119 implied HN points • 22 Jul 22
🎭️ Culture Gender Masculinity Representation Youth Media
  1. The movie Luca challenges conventional male socialization by celebrating male emotional connection and offering a different vision of masculinity.
  2. Luca showcases a friendship that involves meaningful conversations, emotional expression, and support, which contrasts with traditional aggressive and violent masculinity.
  3. Societal norms and stereotypes constrain boys' identity development by enforcing narrow definitions of masculinity, limiting their exploration of all facets of humanity.

Do you spend a lot of time gaming? You are probably ugly.

Klement on Investing • 2 implied HN points • 25 Oct 24
🎭️ Culture Gaming Society Trends Youth Research
  1. Video games make a lot of money, much more than movies do, with many teenagers and young adults spending several hours each week playing them.
  2. Research suggests that less attractive people tend to play more video games because they have fewer friends and social opportunities.
  3. However, the study's findings aren't very strong, and the only clear trend is that girls tend to game less than boys.

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.

Alexander Quiquero: Critique of Josh

Do Not Research • 19 implied HN points • 15 Feb 22
🎭️ Culture Internet Sociology Critique Ethics Youth
  1. Critique of Josh Citarella's writing approach, labeling it as academic, colonialist, and lacking true understanding of internet dynamics.
  2. Emphasizes the importance of handling sociological subjects delicately, considering the complexities of internet realms and the interplay between the internet and reality.
  3. Advocates for a more nuanced and comprehensive approach to documenting internet history, stressing the need for an 'ectoplasmic understanding' to capture the true essence of online interactions.

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.

The Great Rebellion in The Kingdom of Long Hours

Once Upon A News • 0 implied HN points • 21 Mar 23
🌍 World Politics Protest Youth Labor Rights
  1. The rulers proposed a 69-hour work week in the Kingdom of Long Hours, causing unrest among the hardworking citizens.
  2. The young generations, including millennials and Gen Z, united to protest against the decree for more work hours.
  3. The rulers, faced with the uprising, vowed to listen to the voices of the younger generations and reconsider their proposal to protect the rights of their workers.

Nick Bird: They Speak to you Like You Are Children

Do Not Research • 0 implied HN points • 15 Feb 22
🎭️ Culture Media Politics Internet Youth Psychology
  1. Many individuals do not perceive the urgency for change in today's societal and political circumstances.
  2. Media and communication often patronize audiences by speaking to them in a condescending manner, like children.
  3. It is crucial for young people to critically navigate online information and avoid falling into dangerous or unproductive ideological traps.

Young people are flocking to bullshit. But it comes with risks.

Photon-Lines Substack • 0 implied HN points • 24 Jul 23
🎭️ Culture Youth Beliefs Self-Improvement History Generations
  1. Younger generations are increasingly interested in astrology and using it for self-improvement and introspection.
  2. The global astrology industry is rapidly growing in popularity due to better accessibility through technology and increased interest during times of uncertainty like the pandemic.
  3. While astrology may not have scientific backing, many find comfort and connection in it, using it as a tool for personal growth and curiosity.

Rammstein, Early YouTube, & Teenage Angst in Rural America

Homo Ludens • 0 implied HN points • 18 Jun 24
🎭️ Culture Music Youth Society Identity History
  1. Growing up in rural America during difficult family situations can lead to anger and resentment.
  2. The experience of living in different places can offer contrasting perspectives on poverty and social dynamics.
  3. Music, like Rammstein, can have a profound impact on individuals by providing a sense of identity and hope in challenging times.

Vui dde^? ho.c

Thái | Hacker | Kỹ sư tin tặc • 0 implied HN points • 17 Jul 07
🎭️ Culture Competition Youth Aging
  1. Participation in intellectual competitions may reveal the role of luck in outcomes; success and failure can depend significantly on chance elements.
  2. Intellectual competitions should prioritize reasoning over memory-based questions to truly assess intelligence.
  3. The function of the human brain is primarily for thinking and reasoning, not just storing information; critical thinking is a better measure of intelligence than rote memory.