Substacks recommended by The Rip Current with Jacob Ward

Recommended by The Rip Current with Jacob Ward

A tech and online culture publication by Taylor Lorenz, featuring original reporting on how the internet is reshaping politics, business, media, and culture.

Taylor has a knack (maybe a curse) for online attention, but is also a very smart reporter, and takes her beat very seriously.

- The Rip Current with Jacob Ward

Drop Site News

By Ryan Grim and Jeremy Scahill

Independent news on politics and war

Original reporting on a very difficult beat.

- The Rip Current with Jacob Ward

Popular Information

By Judd Legum

Independent accountability journalism.

Legitimately breaks news.

- The Rip Current with Jacob Ward

Read Max

By Max Read

Explaining the weird new future and recommending weird old books

Deep yet light, a true pleasure.

- The Rip Current with Jacob Ward

Uncharted Territories

By Tomas Pueyo

Understand the world of today to prepare for the world of tomorrow: AI, tech; the future of democracy, energy, education, and more

Letters from an American

By Heather Cox Richardson

A newsletter about the history behind today's politics.

The OG with great context. She's why this business model works.

- The Rip Current with Jacob Ward

Thinking Freely with Nita Farahany

Somewhat frequent thoughts on how to think freely in the digital age

I refer to Nita’s work in more or less every public appearance I make, and I think her concept of “cognitive liberty” is the most viable path to truly regulating what’s wrong in the modern attention and manipulation economy.

- The Rip Current with Jacob Ward

Ctrl Alt Right Delete

By Melissa Ryan

A weekly newsletter that covers the MAGA Right, white nationalism, disinformation, and online toxicity.

Brave chronicler of bad people, and watches what you won't tolerate.

- The Rip Current with Jacob Ward

AI PANIC

By Nirit Weiss-Blatt

A newsletter tracking the Artificial Intelligence hype and panic.

Life With Machines

A cultural movement (and show) for people who want to live well with AI, not just endure it. Bringing clarity, critique, curiosity (and some comedy) to the AI discourse. A production by Baratunde.

Baratunde is a keen observer while being truly fun to listen to — an unusual combination in my world — and he's been following this space for a long, long time. I have a lot of respect and admiration for his work and his vibe.

- The Rip Current with Jacob Ward

After School by Casey Lewis

an examination of youth culture

Decoding online youth culture is A) impossible and B) absolutely necessary. Casey works this beat hard.

- The Rip Current with Jacob Ward

Sarah Kendzior’s Newsletter

Politics, history, travel, pop culture.

She called all of this early, God help her.

- The Rip Current with Jacob Ward

Thinking about...

By Timothy Snyder

Opening the future by understanding the past.

Rule number one of his book On Tyranny: Do not obey in advance.

- The Rip Current with Jacob Ward

Sinocism

By Bill Bishop

Get smarter about China

A Short Walk Through the Meaning of Life

By Scott Mowbray

A Search for What Matters, Before It's Too Late

Zeteo

By Mehdi Hasan

Zeteo is a new media organization that seeks to answer the questions that really matter, while always striving for the truth. Founded by Mehdi Hasan, Zeteo is a movement for media accountability, unfiltered news and bold opinions.

My former colleague and one of the industry's greatest interviewers.

- The Rip Current with Jacob Ward