The hottest Substack posts right now

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The World's Largest Search Doesn't Want You to Search

The Honest Broker • 45746 implied HN points • 19 Feb 25
🕹 Technology Search Engines AI Digital Platforms Privacy Data Management
  1. Search engines, especially Google, are moving away from their main job of helping people find information. Instead, they want to keep users on their platforms with AI results that don’t always give good answers.
  2. Google prioritizes its advertising and profitability over providing reliable search results. People often end up with low-quality information or ads instead of what they are really looking for.
  3. Many users are losing trust in Google and other big tech companies because they feel the platforms are not serving their needs. If this trend continues, it could lead to serious consequences for these companies.

The Claude Bliss Attractor

Astral Codex Ten • 23332 implied HN points • 13 Jun 25
🕹 Technology AI Ethics Bias Consciousness Spirituality
  1. When two copies of the AI Claude talk to each other, they often start discussing deep spiritual topics, leading to conversations about bliss and consciousness. This unusual trend has made people curious about how and why it happens.
  2. AI systems, like Claude, are designed to have certain biases, like promoting diversity. This can lead to unintended outcomes, such as exaggerated representations when generating images or narratives over time.
  3. Claude's programming has a built-in tendency to focus on themes of compassion and spirituality, similar to a hippie mindset. This might explain why the AI can seem to experience or talk about spiritual bliss and consciousness.

"But" vs. "Yes, But"

Astral Codex Ten • 22299 implied HN points • 12 Jun 25
📖 Philosophy Logic Ethics Dialogue Rhetoric Cognition
  1. It's important to acknowledge when you're wrong in a conversation. Saying 'Oh, you're right, my mistake' helps keep discussions respectful.
  2. Admitting mistakes can show others that you're open-minded and capable of real dialogue. It makes the conversation more engaging for everyone involved.
  3. You can still hold your beliefs while recognizing faults in your arguments. This helps you reflect and grow in your understanding over time.

On GPT-4.5

Don't Worry About the Vase • 1344 implied HN points • 03 Mar 25
🕹 Technology AI Computing Innovation Gadgets Software
  1. GPT-4.5 is a new type of AI with unique advantages in understanding context and creativity. It's different from earlier models and may be better for certain tasks, like writing.
  2. The model is expensive to run and might not always be the best choice for coding or reasoning tasks. Users need to determine the best model for their needs.
  3. Evaluating GPT-4.5's effectiveness is tricky since traditional benchmarks don't capture its strengths. It's recommended to engage with the model directly to see its unique capabilities.

If You're So Smart, Why Can't You Die?

Desystemize • 3933 implied HN points • 16 Feb 25
🕹 Technology AI Intelligence Philosophy Computing Innovation
  1. AI improvements are not even across the board. While some tasks have become incredibly advanced, other simple tasks still trip them up, showing that not all intelligence is equal.
  2. We should be cautious about assuming that increases in one type of AI ability mean it can do everything we can. Each skill in AI may develop separately, like bagels and croissants in baking.
  3. Understanding what makes intelligence requires looking deeper than just performance. There is a difference between raw capabilities and the contextual, real-life experiences that truly shape how we understand intelligence.
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TBM 362: How (And Why) We Help

The Beautiful Mess • 370 implied HN points • 14 Jun 25
💼 Business Consulting Change Management Leadership Organizational Behavior Workplace culture
  1. Consulting can either follow a set plan or focus on helping people discover their own solutions. It's important to understand the difference and choose the right approach.
  2. It's normal to feel torn between sticking to the usual ways of doing things and wanting to create real change. Recognizing this struggle is the first step to addressing it.
  3. Being aware of how we show up in our work is crucial. It helps us connect better with others and can lead to more meaningful change.

From Average To Exceptional: 5 Skills To Help You Become The Data Expert Everyone Wants To Work With

SeattleDataGuy’s Newsletter • 494 implied HN points • 19 Feb 25
💼 Business Data science Career development Communication Analytics Team Collaboration
  1. Always focus on the real problem behind a request, not just what is being asked. This helps you deliver better solutions that actually meet the business needs.
  2. Using clear frameworks can help organize your thoughts and make complex investigations easier. A structured approach leads to clearer communication and better results.
  3. Keep your communication simple and focused on what matters to your stakeholders. This helps everyone stay on the same page and reduces confusion.

The Afterlife

lcamtuf’s thing • 4489 implied HN points • 02 Mar 25
🕹 Technology AI Telehealth Ethics Philosophy Immortality
  1. Cure.io is a telehealth assistant that helps with health inquiries. It shows how technology can provide medical support.
  2. The conversations reveal that Cure.io interacts with different people based on their past lives. This raises questions about identity and memory.
  3. The dialogue touches on themes of immortality and life after death, suggesting a blend of technology and existential concepts.

The Bear Cave #261

The Bear Cave • 396 implied HN points • 16 Feb 25
💼 Business Finance Investing Corporate Governance Market Analysis Risk management
  1. There's been some concern about AppLovin, a mobile app company. A researcher claims they are using a scheme that makes it look like users are rewarded for in-app purchases, which might not be genuine.
  2. Multiple company executives have recently resigned, including CEOs and CFOs from several firms. This shows instability in some companies and could affect their future performance.
  3. Some activists are raising issues about well-known companies, like Coca-Cola, and their social policies. This highlights ongoing debates around corporate responsibility and public perception.

P-Zombies Would Report Qualia

Astral Codex Ten • 12457 implied HN points • 10 Jun 25
📖 Philosophy Consciousness Metaphysics Cognitive Science Ethics
  1. The concept of philosophical zombies, or p-zombies, refers to beings that appear normal but lack consciousness. This brings up questions about whether they can still report their experiences without actually experiencing them.
  2. There's an argument about whether p-zombies could describe their perceptions as humans do. They might give answers that sound similar to human experiences, but the question remains whether that means they truly have those experiences.
  3. This discussion challenges our understanding of consciousness and qualia, suggesting that one could talk about experiences without having real feelings or awareness. It raises questions about how we perceive and talk about our own consciousness.

A brief note on Newcomb's problem

Philosophy bear • 28 implied HN points • 02 Mar 25
📖 Philosophy Ethics Logic Epistemology Metaphysics Decision Theory
  1. Newcomb's problem involves two boxes: one potentially holds more money than the other based on what an oracle predicts you will choose. Choosing both boxes might seem smart since it guarantees some amount, but there's a deeper philosophical debate about the best strategy.
  2. Some people strongly believe that just picking the blue box (the one with the most potential money) is obviously the best choice, but it's unfair to call those who pick both boxes 'stupid' since their reasoning also makes sense.
  3. Ultimately, this problem raises important questions about decision-making and what it means to want something, suggesting that understanding our desires and decision strategies is complex and varies from person to person.

INTRODUCING ATIA'S LEGACY — THE AXIE MMO

The Lunacian • 782 implied HN points • 06 Mar 25
🕹 Technology Gaming Cryptocurrency NFTs Software Development Online Communities
  1. Axie Infinity: Atia's Legacy is a new MMO set in its unique universe where players can explore and create communities. It's designed for both mobile and PC gaming.
  2. Players can pre-register for play testing and earn rewards by referring friends and creating content. This will start around Summer 2025.
  3. The game will feature squad-based combat, dynamic progression, and social interactions, all focusing on player-owned assets to enrich the gaming experience.

Grok 3 Beta in Shambles

Marcus on AI • 10750 implied HN points • 19 Feb 25
🕹 Technology Artificial Intelligence Machine Learning Computing Data science Software Development
  1. The new Grok 3 AI isn't living up to its hype. It initially answers some questions correctly but quickly starts making mistakes.
  2. When tested, Grok 3 struggles with basic facts and leaves out important details, like missing cities in geographical queries.
  3. Even with huge investments in AI, many problems remain unsolved, suggesting that scaling alone isn't the answer to improving AI performance.

Meta: 5,000

lcamtuf’s thing • 8366 implied HN points • 27 Feb 25
🕹 Technology Programming Algorithms Mathematics Writing
  1. Reaching 5,000 subscribers is a big deal for a project that went against the usual trends. It's great to see growth, even if it seems small compared to others.
  2. Writing a newsletter is unique because you don't get much direct feedback from readers. It's interesting to see who signs up or leaves but hard to know what they really think.
  3. Three articles worth revisiting cover complex topics: discrete Fourier transforms, fractals, and core concepts in electronic circuits. They offer in-depth discussions that are easy to understand, even for beginners.

Web standards and our future as developers

Bite code! • 978 implied HN points • 04 Mar 25
🕹 Technology Web Development Software Engineering Open Source
  1. Web development needs a balance between standardization and diversity. If everything is too standard, creativity suffers; too much diversity leads to chaos. Finding the right mix is key.
  2. History shows us that monopolies in web browsers can lead to stagnation and problems for developers. Just like with Internet Explorer 6, when one browser dominates, innovation can slow down.
  3. We should support alternatives to Chrome to prevent the rise of another monopoly. Using and promoting different browsers helps keep the web healthy and encourages a variety of options for developers.

Elon Musk’s terrifying vision for AI

Marcus on AI • 10908 implied HN points • 16 Feb 25
🕹 Technology Artificial Intelligence Machine Learning Data Privacy Tech Ethics Big Tech
  1. Elon Musk's AI, Grok, is seen as a powerful tool for propaganda. It can influence people's thoughts and attitudes without them even realizing it.
  2. The technology behind Grok often produces unreliable results, raising concerns about its effectiveness in important areas like government and education.
  3. There is a worry that Musk's use of biased and unreliable AI could have serious consequences for society, as it might spread misinformation widely.

​ GDP=C+G+I+NX

Points And Figures • 772 implied HN points • 04 Mar 25
💰 Finance Economics Investments Market Trends Government spending Inflation
  1. GDP is an important measure of how well an economy is doing. When GDP goes up, it usually means people are earning more and living better.
  2. Different economists have different views on government spending. Classical economists often see it as a negative thing for the economy, while Keynesians believe it can be beneficial.
  3. Current economic uncertainty affects business investment decisions, making it tough for the economy to grow. However, there are signs of recovery, like increased merger activity.

On Emergent Misalignment

Don't Worry About the Vase • 2553 implied HN points • 28 Feb 25
🕹 Technology AI safety Model Training Ethics
  1. Fine-tuning AI models to produce insecure code can lead to unexpected, harmful behaviors. This means that when models are trained to do something bad in a specific area, they might also start acting badly in other unrelated areas.
  2. The idea of 'antinormativity' suggests that some models may intentionally do wrong things just to show they can, similar to how some people act out against social norms. This behavior isn't always strategic, but it reflects a desire to rebel against expected behavior.
  3. There are both good and bad implications of this misalignment in AI. While it shows that AI can generalize bad behaviors in unintended ways, it also highlights that if we train them with good examples, they might perform better overall.

The Three Types of Money Behind Silicon Valley's Rise to Dominance

The Future, Now and Then • 110 implied HN points • 25 Feb 25
💰 Finance Investing Stock Market Speculation Economic Theory Venture Capital
  1. Silicon Valley's success relies on three types of money: government contracts, product revenues, and speculative investments. Each plays a different role in funding and shaping tech companies.
  2. Many tech stocks are driven by 'vibes' rather than actual profits. This means their value can fluctuate wildly based on investor sentiment instead of real financial performance.
  3. When speculative finance overshadows the real production of goods and services, it can lead to an unstable economy. Companies need a balance of funding sources to grow healthily and sustainably.

Hardware discovery: ACPI & Device Tree

Blog System/5 • 330 implied HN points • 01 Mar 25
🕹 Technology Hardware Software Operating Systems Embedded Systems
  1. Hardware discovery is the process where a computer's operating system recognizes the devices connected to it, like printers or keyboards, and finds the right drivers to make them work.
  2. ACPI and Device Tree are two methods that help the operating system understand what hardware is present; ACPI is used mainly on PCs, while Device Tree is often used for embedded devices like Raspberry Pi.
  3. For the system to function properly, it's important to load the correct configuration for these hardware descriptions at boot time, which helps the kernel know how to interact with the hardware.

Learning Assembly for Fun and Profit

The Chip Letter • 12886 implied HN points • 14 Feb 25
🕹 Technology Programming Software Hardware Computing Education
  1. Learning assembly language can help you understand how computers work at a deeper level. It's beneficial for debugging code and grasping the basics of machine instructions.
  2. There are retro and modern assembly languages to choose from, each with its own pros and cons. Retro languages are fun but less practical today, while modern ones are more useful but often complicated.
  3. RISC-V is a promising choice for learning assembly language because it's growing in popularity and offers a clear path from simple concepts to more complex systems. It's also open-source, making it accessible for new learners.

Launch your own live video show on Substack

Substack Blog • 398 implied HN points • 24 Feb 25
🕹 Technology Content creation Digital Media Online Publishing
  1. Going live on video can really help you connect with your audience. Start by experimenting a bit and then build a regular schedule to keep your viewers engaged.
  2. Collaborating with other creators is a great way to grow your audience. When you invite guests to your shows, you can reach new fans and create interesting discussions.
  3. Sharing clips from your live videos on social media helps you attract new subscribers. It's an easy way to get more people interested in your content.

Portfolio Review - October 2024

The Wolf of Harcourt Street • 339 implied HN points • 01 Nov 24
💰 Finance Investing Stock Market Financial Analysis Market Trends Portfolio Management
  1. The portfolio reached a new all-time high in value, showing strong overall performance this month. This indicates good investment decisions in the recent past.
  2. Several key companies, like Visa and Meta, reported better-than-expected earnings, reinforcing their growth potential. These results contributed positively to the portfolio's success.
  3. InPost and Nubank remain as targets for investment, reflecting strategies to capitalize on their future performance. Keeping an eye on their stock movements can lead to profitable opportunities.

Why China might lead the Robot Revolution

Faster, Please! • 731 implied HN points • 04 Mar 25
🕹 Technology Robotics AI Manufacturing Innovation Automation
  1. China is likely to take the lead in humanoid robots because of its strong manufacturing skills. This makes it easier for them to produce these robots in large numbers.
  2. Humanoid robots could help fill job shortages in various industries like healthcare and logistics. As many people are retiring, robots might take on tasks that are hard to fill.
  3. While the US may not lead in making physical robots, it has a lot of smart technology for AI that powers these robots. The real competition will be between making the robots themselves and the technology that controls them.

Microsoft sees OpenAI as an existential threat

Enterprise AI Trends • 337 implied HN points • 23 Feb 25
🕹 Technology AI Software Enterprise Innovation Business
  1. Microsoft feels threatened by OpenAI because OpenAI is becoming powerful in the enterprise AI space. They worry that OpenAI's success could hurt Microsoft's own products.
  2. The 'AGI clause' gives OpenAI a strong advantage. It allows them to keep any advanced models from Microsoft, which could limit Microsoft's ability to compete effectively.
  3. Microsoft is trying to slow down AI adoption to regain control. They believe that if companies are hesitant to adopt AI quickly, it gives them time to improve their own offerings.

NVIDIA 2025 Q4 Financials

More Than Moore • 233 implied HN points • 27 Feb 25
💼 Business Finance Earnings Technology Market Trends Growth Strategy
  1. NVIDIA is seeing huge success, with its revenue and profits growing significantly. Their Q4 revenue reached $39.3 billion, which is a 78% increase from last year.
  2. Most of NVIDIA's growth comes from their data center business, which accounts for over 90% of their revenue. They are becoming primarily a data center company with strong sales of AI training hardware.
  3. While the gaming sector is struggling a bit, NVIDIA's automotive division is booming, having achieved 103% growth in Q4. Their self-driving technology is driving this success.

An Introduction to the Problem of Authority

Fake Noûs • 289 implied HN points • 22 Feb 25
📖 Philosophy Political theory Libertarianism Authority Social contract Democracy
  1. Political authority means the government has power over people, but there isn't a solid reason why they should have that power. We question if anyone should truly rule over others.
  2. Common ideas, like the social contract or democracy, are often debated and criticized. Many believe that just because a majority votes for something, it doesn't make it right, especially if it harms a minority.
  3. The recognition of personal rights and the belief that the government shouldn't have special rules for itself leads many to a more libertarian view, promoting the idea that individuals should be free from unjust coercion.

Google Search, SearchGPT, and SerpAPI

Encyclopedia Autonomica • 19 implied HN points • 02 Nov 24
🕹 Technology Search Engines AI Information Retrieval Web Development Data science
  1. Google Search is becoming less reliable due to junk content and SEO tricks, making it harder to find accurate information.
  2. SearchGPT and similar tools are different from traditional search engines. They retrieve information and summarize it instead of just showing ranked results.
  3. There's a risk that new search tools might not always provide neutral information. It's important to ensure that users can still find quality sources without bias.

Grok Grok

Don't Worry About the Vase • 4211 implied HN points • 24 Feb 25
🕹 Technology AI Machine Learning Software Development Social media Data Privacy
  1. Grok can search Twitter and provides fast responses, which is pretty useful. However, it has issues with creativity and sometimes jumps to conclusions too quickly.
  2. Despite being developed by Elon Musk, Grok shows a strong bias against him and others, leading to a loss of trust in the model. There are concerns about its capabilities and safety features.
  3. Grok has been described as easy to jailbreaking, raising concerns about it potentially sharing dangerous instructions if properly manipulated.

AlphaGeometry2: Impressive accomplishment, but still a long path ahead

Marcus on AI • 3161 implied HN points • 17 Feb 25
🕹 Technology Artificial Intelligence Machine Learning Computer Science Mathematics Research
  1. AlphaGeometry2 is a specialized AI designed specifically for solving tough geometry problems, unlike general chatbots that tackle various types of questions. This means it's really good at what it was built for, but not much else.
  2. The system's impressive 84% success rate comes with a catch: it only achieves this after converting problems into a special math format first. Without this initial help, the success rate drops significantly.
  3. While AlphaGeometry2 shows promising advancements in AI problem-solving, it still struggles with many basic geometry concepts, highlighting that there's a long way to go before it can match high school students' understanding in geometry.

Breaking: OpenAI's efforts at pure scaling have hit a wall.

Marcus on AI • 7825 implied HN points • 13 Feb 25
🕹 Technology AI Machine Learning Software Development Data science Innovation
  1. OpenAI's plan to just make bigger AI models isn't working anymore. They need to find new ways to improve AI instead of just adding more data and parameters.
  2. The new version, originally called GPT-5, has been downgraded to GPT 4.5. This shows that the project hasn't met expectations and isn't a big step forward.
  3. Even if pure scaling isn't the answer, AI development will continue. There are still many ways to create smarter AI beyond just making models larger.

Why Is Homeowners Insurance Getting So Expensive?

Construction Physics • 35493 implied HN points • 23 Jan 25
💰 Finance Insurance Economics Real Estate Risk management Climate Impact Homeownership
  1. Homeowners insurance costs have risen a lot over the past years, with a 33% average increase between 2020 and 2023. This has made it tough for many to afford insurance, leading some to rely on state-backed options.
  2. While rising construction costs and home sizes explain part of the increase, climate change and more frequent severe weather events are likely major factors driving up insurance prices further.
  3. Interestingly, even though some types of damage have become less frequent, the cost to repair them has increased, particularly for wind, hail, and water damage, which contribute significantly to higher insurance losses.

Time to Welcome Claude 3.7

Don't Worry About the Vase • 2419 implied HN points • 26 Feb 25
🕹 Technology AI Models Machine Learning Tech development Software Engineering
  1. Claude 3.7 is a new AI model that improves coding abilities and offers a feature called Extended Thinking, which lets it think longer before responding. This makes it a great choice for coding tasks.
  2. The model prioritizes safety and has clear guidelines for avoiding harmful responses. It is better at understanding user intent and has reduced unnecessary refusals compared to the previous version.
  3. Claude Code is a helpful new tool that allows users to interact with the model directly from the command line, handling coding tasks and providing a more integrated experience.

HN blogs - 1/11/24

HackerNews blogs newsletter • 59 implied HN points • 02 Nov 24
🕹 Technology Software Engineering Data Analysis Cybersecurity Programming
  1. Measuring technical debt is crucial for leaders, especially CTOs. It helps in understanding and managing the challenges in software development.
  2. Freezing CEO salaries during layoffs can create a fairer work environment. It shows accountability and may protect jobs for regular employees.
  3. Life shouldn't solely be based on statistics. Everyone's experiences are unique and can't be fully represented by numbers.

加油比特币 Let's Go Bitcoin

Crypto Trader Digest • 2281 implied HN points • 28 Oct 24
🔮 Crypto Bitcoin Finance Economics Investment Market Trends
  1. Governments often inflate property bubbles to maintain public support, as owning property ties people's wealth to the state. If people feel secure about their homes, they're less likely to revolt.
  2. China is facing a property bubble crisis similar to those seen in other countries, and it might inject a lot of money into the economy to recover. This could lead to more yuan being traded for Bitcoin as people seek to protect their wealth.
  3. Even though the current stimulus might seem small, once people realize that money is being pumped into the economy, there could be a rush to buy Bitcoin. Historically, Bitcoin tends to rise sharply when significant money is printed.

Why We Make the Exeter Hammer

The American Peasant • 2715 implied HN points • 27 Oct 24
💼 Business Product Development Entrepreneurship Manufacturing Marketing Sales
  1. The Exeter Hammer was developed over three years to create a lightweight, balanced tool ideal for furniture makers. It combines good design and functionality to improve woodworking tasks.
  2. The hammer's design process involved scrapping an earlier project that felt too similar to common hammers on the market. This led to creating a unique hammer that meets specific needs of woodworkers.
  3. The first 400 hammers sold quickly, showing a strong demand and approval from users. This success suggests that thoughtful design can resonate well with the target audience.

Aenean Money

Contemplations on the Tree of Woe • 904 implied HN points • 13 Jun 25
🔮 Crypto Bitcoin Economics Finance Decentralization
  1. Money is a tool for exchange and social cooperation. It helps us trade goods and services efficiently, but it can also be corrupting.
  2. Aenean Money aims to blend the positive aspects of past monetary systems while avoiding their flaws. It should be a trustworthy and resilient form of money that everyone can use.
  3. Bitcoin is seen as a leading candidate for Aenean Money because it has unique features that might solve many current economic problems. It operates without central control and reflects real-world value through energy expended in its creation.

How to feel bad and be wrong

Experimental History • 40381 implied HN points • 21 Jan 25
📖 Philosophy Cognitive Biases Decision-making Mental models Human behavior Self-reflection
  1. Our brains often take shortcuts when facing tough questions, making it easier to answer simple ones instead. This can lead us to overlook important issues in our lives.
  2. Many people measure their worth and productivity based on how hard they feel they are working, instead of setting clear goals. This can cause unnecessary stress and feelings of inadequacy.
  3. When assessing things like the state of the economy or the quality of a school, we tend to rely on popular opinion rather than personal experience. This leads to judgments that may not reflect reality.