I’m on a social media hiatus. No big dramatic reason, I just came to the realisation that I am addicted to having a numerical score awarded to my every thought and whim, and that maybe that isn’t very healthy, brain-wise. So far, I feel much better for it. The problem, however, is finding somewhere on the internet that I can have appropriate down-time from what I’m doing. I need The Toast to come back. I need The Hairpin. I need Allie Brosh to decide that she does like making Hyperbole and a Half, after all.
Where do you waste time online? The Cut is fun, but I’m a little bored of hyper-zeitgeist feminism with a perfectly groomed arched eyebrow and witty jokes about skincare. Give me something a little weirder, a little spikier, a little more dumb. I’m all ears.
I miss all the websites you've just mentioned. Like Naomi in this thread has said, email lists like yours might be the way to go! I like Domestic Sluttery and Nicole Knows, and here in the UK, the Guardian's long reads. And then there's always Reddit...
I love DS! Yes and definitely up for more Substack recommendations, send them my way. I just want to read more funny people. And absolutely nothing that begins with "the world is on fire". When did everyone start saying "the world is one fire" so fucking much?
Don't know if this is quite what you're looking for but I love the Pocket Hits email which sends you a list of interesting articles covering all kinds of topics, from philosophical meditations to up-to-the-minute long reads. I find myself saving loads of them for future reference.
I tried Pocket and it did my head in! They only seemed to send me articles about What Millennials Are Doing. I think I just miss the cluster of unique voices that blogs used to have, but the idea of getting into new blogs (are people even doing *blogs* anymore?) feels like a mammoth task.
I too am in the world of the newsletter - lots of them are funny, sweet, personal and bloggy. Obvs the Sentimental Garanage one is one of my faves but Edith Zimmerman (again) Lauren La Borde, Joanne Fuertes (seriously excellent will have a book deal in about 3 weeks) and my own 🙂
Amen to that sister! Now...this may sound not entirely up your alley...but I've found great joy in watching How to Grow The World's Largest Pumpkin videos on YouTube. And old SNL sketches. Because they are funny. And 1980s aerobics instructional videos. Even better. Especially if you have a snack to hand.
I enjoy reading all the advice columns on Slate. I started as just a Dear Prudence reader, but How to Do It and Care and Feeding are also hilarious and enlightening.
The Niche is a blog that started off as very derivative of The Toast, but they've gotten to be a little weirder and a lot more gayer over time, and I kind of love them? Highly recommend wasting an afternoon or two going back through their archives. https://the-niche.blog/
I've sort of replaced all the blogs I used to visit with newsletters which come to me, which feels sort of decadent.
My most anticipated is Sam Irby's, which you probably already get -bitchesgottaeat.substack.com. I have never seen Judge Mathis, for all I know he doesn't exist, but I will read a recap of the episodes as long as she keeps sending them.
Edith Zimmerman who edited the Hairpin waaay back has a comic newletter: drawinglinks.substack.com, Anne Helen Peterson's newsletter is great annehelen.substack.com, and I'm sure I've forgotten others
buddhadoodles.com is a lovely little break from the norm. Very pleasant and mindful! Tricycle.com and Elephant Journal are also lovely! The Oatmeal, of course, is hysterical and reminds me what a silly jackass I can be. There's a few thoughts! Hey, I love what you're doing here and I tune in every time you release a new piece! I often find myself in stitches reading your material. Thanks for the good work you do in a shitty world. :)
The Smith Journal, a now closed print magazine from Australia, which still has articles online. Interesting and irreverent.
I will check them out!
I miss all the websites you've just mentioned. Like Naomi in this thread has said, email lists like yours might be the way to go! I like Domestic Sluttery and Nicole Knows, and here in the UK, the Guardian's long reads. And then there's always Reddit...
I love DS! Yes and definitely up for more Substack recommendations, send them my way. I just want to read more funny people. And absolutely nothing that begins with "the world is on fire". When did everyone start saying "the world is one fire" so fucking much?
Don't know if this is quite what you're looking for but I love the Pocket Hits email which sends you a list of interesting articles covering all kinds of topics, from philosophical meditations to up-to-the-minute long reads. I find myself saving loads of them for future reference.
I tried Pocket and it did my head in! They only seemed to send me articles about What Millennials Are Doing. I think I just miss the cluster of unique voices that blogs used to have, but the idea of getting into new blogs (are people even doing *blogs* anymore?) feels like a mammoth task.
Pajiba is my go~to. And LaineyGossip.
I too am in the world of the newsletter - lots of them are funny, sweet, personal and bloggy. Obvs the Sentimental Garanage one is one of my faves but Edith Zimmerman (again) Lauren La Borde, Joanne Fuertes (seriously excellent will have a book deal in about 3 weeks) and my own 🙂
Amen to that sister! Now...this may sound not entirely up your alley...but I've found great joy in watching How to Grow The World's Largest Pumpkin videos on YouTube. And old SNL sketches. Because they are funny. And 1980s aerobics instructional videos. Even better. Especially if you have a snack to hand.
I enjoy reading all the advice columns on Slate. I started as just a Dear Prudence reader, but How to Do It and Care and Feeding are also hilarious and enlightening.
The Niche is a blog that started off as very derivative of The Toast, but they've gotten to be a little weirder and a lot more gayer over time, and I kind of love them? Highly recommend wasting an afternoon or two going back through their archives. https://the-niche.blog/
I've sort of replaced all the blogs I used to visit with newsletters which come to me, which feels sort of decadent.
My most anticipated is Sam Irby's, which you probably already get -bitchesgottaeat.substack.com. I have never seen Judge Mathis, for all I know he doesn't exist, but I will read a recap of the episodes as long as she keeps sending them.
Edith Zimmerman who edited the Hairpin waaay back has a comic newletter: drawinglinks.substack.com, Anne Helen Peterson's newsletter is great annehelen.substack.com, and I'm sure I've forgotten others
buddhadoodles.com is a lovely little break from the norm. Very pleasant and mindful! Tricycle.com and Elephant Journal are also lovely! The Oatmeal, of course, is hysterical and reminds me what a silly jackass I can be. There's a few thoughts! Hey, I love what you're doing here and I tune in every time you release a new piece! I often find myself in stitches reading your material. Thanks for the good work you do in a shitty world. :)