The hottest Substack posts right now

according to Hacker News
Category

Marketing day

André Casal's Substack • 19 implied HN points • 19 Aug 24
💼 Business Startups Marketing Entrepreneurship Product Development
  1. Working hard on marketing doesn't always guarantee great results. Spending 12 hours led to only a few followers and impressions.
  2. Creating original content might attract more attention than just reaching out to people. Focusing on product improvement could be more valuable.
  3. It's important to track the right metrics for success. Being aware of sign-ups can help identify areas that need improvement.

Algorithms start out as magic. But then become captive to corporate interests.

Asimov’s Addendum • 19 implied HN points • 19 Aug 24
🕹 Technology Big Tech Competition Data Privacy Algorithms AI
  1. Google has been found to have abused its power to control search engine results, limiting competition. This means they had an unfair advantage to keep other companies from competing effectively.
  2. Algorithms that start off as amazing tools can end up being exploited for corporate gain. The way Google uses its algorithms looks like magic at first but turns out to serve its own business interests.
  3. To foster fair competition in the tech industry, we need more transparency and rules about how algorithms work. This could lead to better choices for users and support new companies to grow.

The 'delayed opinions givers' - engineering teams everybody hates

Leading Developers • 70 implied HN points • 02 Dec 25
🕹 Technology Software Engineering Developer Tools Collaboration Team Management Engineering Culture Product Development
  1. Prioritize unblocking other teams and put their urgent needs before your own most of the time, because being helpful builds trust and speeds up the whole company.
  2. Don’t give delayed attention — slow reviews and late answers cause wasted developer weeks, messy merges, technical debt, and demoralized engineers, so respond promptly to requests you agree to handle.
  3. Make work visible and set boundaries: use simple trackers so requests don’t get lost, help teams the first few times while teaching them to do better, and escalate or block repeat abusers.

Most ideas fail, and that's fine

inexactscience • 79 implied HN points • 18 Jun 24
📖 Philosophy Humanism Existentialism Meaning Ethics Absurdism
  1. Most ideas don't succeed, and that's normal. It's common for businesses and projects to fail, so we shouldn't feel bad about it.
  2. Understanding failure rates can help us plan better. Knowing that failure is typical helps give a clearer picture of what's possible and can keep expectations realistic.
  3. The process of trying is valuable, even if we don't succeed. Like the myth of Sisyphus, finding meaning in our efforts makes the journey worthwhile, regardless of the outcomes.
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Some Important Information, and a Warning

OK Doomer • 300 implied HN points • 27 Jul 25
🕹 Technology Censorship Software Online Security Cloud Storage Privacy
  1. Google is tightening its control on content, making it important for people to consider moving away from their services. It's better to change now rather than keep giving them your information.
  2. With growing censorship from big tech companies, it can be smart to switch to personal and secure alternatives like Linux or non-corporate cloud storage options.
  3. The writer has launched a new publication that focuses on creative content, aiming to offer lighter perspectives on writing and culture amidst heavier topics.

Issue #117

Infra Weekly Newsletter • 4 implied HN points • 03 Mar 26
🕹 Technology DevOps Developer Tools CI/CD Infrastructure Build Systems
  1. OS‑level and toolchain dependencies are often left unmanaged, so CI becomes the only place the full environment reliably exists and developers end up in a commit→push→wait debugging loop.
  2. Tooling sits on a spectrum: asdf/mise pin runtime CLIs, Devbox gives a consistent per‑project shell, and Nix provides declarative, reproducible builds — treating the environment as a first‑class artifact makes local‑first, reproducible pipelines practical.
  3. YAML+embedded shell turns pipelines into untestable code, so keep build/test logic in locally runnable artifacts (Nix/Devbox) and reserve YAML for orchestration, permissions, and deployment policy.

Ticker Take: a weekly newsletter on investing.

Jon’s Newsletter • 119 implied HN points • 19 May 24
💰 Finance Cryptocurrency Stock Market Investing Economics Insurance
  1. Investing in utilities could be a smart move as demand for power grows due to the rise of AI and data centers.
  2. The stock market has shown strong recent performance, with predictions of further gains this year based on solid earnings and market momentum.
  3. There's a noticeable trend in retail investors participating in meme stocks, indicating a lasting shift in how a generation approaches investing in the stock market.

How to Invest in AI Sovereignty — Sovereign Albion w/ Andrew Bennett

State of the Future • 7 implied HN points • 12 Feb 26
🕹 Technology Hardware Industrial Policy Venture Capital Edge Computing AI Semiconductors
  1. The future of AI hardware is heterogeneous computing — many specialised chips (like compound semiconductors and photonics) will handle edge workloads for latency, privacy, and cost reasons rather than everything running in giant data centres.
  2. Europe and the UK can win by focusing on niche, strategic semiconductor areas and building specialist funds and industry partnerships instead of trying to match global capex-heavy players on their own turf.
  3. Successful AI industrial strategy needs fast, experimental, venture-style public support and a cultural shift toward bigger ambition and patient capital to back risky founders and long-term roadmaps.

16 Musings on AI’s Impact on the Labor Market

The Algorithmic Bridge • 838 implied HN points • 23 Jan 25
🕹 Technology AI Impact Job Creation Labor Market
  1. Generative AI may replace many jobs in the short term because it makes work easier, while demand doesn't increase right away. But in the long run, new jobs will appear to replace the old ones.
  2. Adapting to this change is important, especially for older workers and those in poorer areas who have fewer opportunities to switch careers. Digital tools change jobs faster than physical machines, impacting the workforce more rapidly.
  3. It's essential for companies to help their workers learn to use AI as a tool for better skills. The future will reward those who can build good relationships in their jobs and adapt to new technologies.

Thoughts on the Survival and Flourishing Fund 2024 Round

Don't Worry About the Vase • 1075 implied HN points • 20 Nov 24
💼 Business Philanthropy Social Impact
  1. There are many good charities to support right now, and the quality of applications has improved a lot since the last round. This makes it a great time for charitable giving.
  2. The process for evaluating charities has changed, including a new requirement for them to first receive speculation grants to be considered for funding. This has helped raise the overall quality of the applications.
  3. Time is tight when deciding which charities to fund, making it crucial to quickly assess the most promising options. It's important to focus on those organizations that show strong potential and trustworthy signals.

You Already Own Nothing

DeFi Education • 1458 implied HN points • 22 Feb 23
🔮 Crypto Ownership Digital Assets Blockchain Legal rights Economic Systems
  1. Ownership is based on legal rights and often requires group agreement. Just saying something is yours isn't enough; the law has to back it up.
  2. In tough situations, like political or economic crises, ownership can be taken away by governments. This shows that owning something comes with conditions.
  3. Cryptocurrency offers a new way to own things without needing a central authority. It relies on technology to prove ownership, making it more secure against seizures.

New to DeFi? *Start Here* Glossary of DeFi Terminology as Well

DeFi Education • 5255 implied HN points • 29 Jun 21
🔮 Crypto Technology Finance Cryptocurrency Blockchain DeFi
  1. DeFi means doing banking activities using code instead of traditional banks. It’s changing how people manage money online.
  2. Common DeFi terms, like APR and APY, help you understand how interest works. APR is straightforward, while APY accounts for compounding interest, making it higher.
  3. Risks in DeFi include potential losses and scams like 'rug pulls.' It's important to do your research and understand these risks before getting involved.

TBM 370: Dependencies Aren't Your Problem

The Beautiful Mess • 290 implied HN points • 03 Aug 25
💼 Business Management Strategy Operations Productivity Team Dynamics
  1. Dependencies become a problem when teams are overwhelmed and lack clear priorities. It's crucial to have open discussions about what should be prioritized rather than just managing tasks.
  2. Many companies use complex tracking systems for dependencies, but they often overlook the real costs involved. Focusing on the value of work is more important than just managing schedules.
  3. To improve workflow, teams need to shift their focus from simply managing dependencies to maximizing the value they can create. This means investing in better processes and capacity allocation.

Social norms as classifiers

normality’s Substack • 39 implied HN points • 25 Jul 24
📖 Philosophy Morality Ethics Cognition Social norms Cooperation
  1. Humans create social norms to help detect and punish cheating behavior. These norms act like classifiers that help separate honest mistakes from dishonest actions.
  2. The Knobe effect shows that people often see bad actions as intentional, while good actions are viewed differently. This can lead to inconsistencies in moral judgment based on our understanding of intentions.
  3. It's important to continuously review and update our social norms. When norms fail, they can harm innocent people, so we need to make sure they are fair and effective.

Issue #6 - Hey Data, Show Me The Money!!!

The Data Ecosystem • 119 implied HN points • 19 May 24
💼 Business Data Analytics Finance Investment Strategy
  1. Investing in data is a strategic move, not just about spending money. It's important to align data efforts with business goals to see real value.
  2. When pitching for data investment, focus on the benefits it will bring. Clear communication of value can help rebuild trust with leadership.
  3. Measuring the success of data investments through defined KPIs is essential. This helps in making future improvement and investment decisions.

Claire Vo: The CPO who automates herself with AI

CommandBlogue • 19 implied HN points • 19 Aug 24
🕹 Technology Tech Trends Artificial Intelligence Product Management Startups Software Development
  1. AI is changing how product managers work. It helps them complete tasks much faster, which could mean fewer PMs are needed in the future.
  2. The role of PMs might shift more towards being makers, meaning they will need to have skills in design and engineering to stay relevant.
  3. To break into product management, it's important to show what you can do by building something real for the companies you're interested in, rather than just sending a resume.

No, religion isn't required for morality

Optimally Irrational • 85 implied HN points • 21 Nov 25
📖 Philosophy Political Philosophy Ethics Metaethics Moral Psychology Social Philosophy
  1. Human moral intuitions likely evolved before formal religions and often shaped religious teachings rather than the other way around.
  2. People (including children) treat basic moral rules as independent of divine commands and will reject the idea that something is right just because a god says so.
  3. Evolutionary and game‑theoretic forces explain fairness and reciprocity (like the Golden Rule) as tools for long‑term cooperation, and religions that moralize behavior helped stabilize and spread those cooperative norms.

If You’re New to Data, Read This Before You Build Anything

SeattleDataGuy’s Newsletter • 365 implied HN points • 19 Jun 25
🕹 Technology Technical Skills Career growth Communication Data science
  1. It's better to work with other experienced engineers early in your career. This way, you can learn from their decisions and improve your skills more quickly.
  2. Don't get distracted by flashy tech trends or buzzwords. Focus on solving real business problems instead of getting caught up in the hype.
  3. Communication is key in data roles. Make sure you understand your audience and always lead with the main point when sharing your work.

Always. Be. Blogging.

Silver Bulletin • 1057 implied HN points • 22 Nov 24
💼 Business Subscription Models Entrepreneurship Marketing Content creation Digital Media
  1. Blog regularly to grow your audience. Consistent posting keeps your readers engaged and helps you establish a routine.
  2. Make your content stand out with catchy headlines and good structure. A strong opening and good promotion can lead to more readers and subscribers.
  3. Think about your unique insights and be ready to share them when relevant news happens. Timeliness and originality can help your writing hit home runs.

Ready to Rock 2024? Share Your Questions about the Future of Substack!

Kristina God's Online Writing Club • 379 implied HN points • 09 Jan 24
🕹 Technology Digital marketing Social media Content creation Online Platforms User engagement
  1. You can ask questions about the future of Substack in an interview with Christina Loff. This is a great chance to find out more about what's coming for the platform.
  2. Sharing your thoughts helps improve the Substack community. By asking questions, you can help shape the discussion about new features and growth strategies.
  3. Substack is focusing on community engagement this year. Getting involved can help you make the most out of the platform, whether you're a writer or a reader.

Firmware Vibing

atomic14 • 346 implied HN points • 04 Jul 25
🕹 Technology Software Hardware Gadgets Innovations Coding
  1. There's a new one-button keyboard that makes coding simpler and fun. It's designed just for 'vibe coding'!
  2. The keyboard uses advanced technology to manage power efficiently, making it more effective than older designs.
  3. Creating low profile keys was tricky due to size differences, but it worked out in the end, making for a unique typing experience.

First Contact!

Technohumanism • 39 implied HN points • 24 Jul 24
🕹 Technology Conservation Machine Learning Robotics AI Communication
  1. CETI is using advanced technology to understand sperm whales' communication. This shows how AI can help us connect with other species.
  2. There's a humorous aspect to this first contact, highlighting the unexpected ways we might communicate with animals.
  3. The idea raises questions about the limits and responsibilities of using AI in understanding and interacting with wildlife.

A peak behind the curtains of a 20k/month consultancy

Kenny’s Sub • 239 implied HN points • 10 Mar 24
💼 Business Entrepreneurship Client Relations Networking Freelancing Consulting
  1. Balancing client work and personal projects is important. Setting aside specific times or days to work on personal goals can help prevent getting overwhelmed by client demands.
  2. Being genuine and helping others can build strong professional relationships. Sharing experiences and engaging authentically on platforms like LinkedIn can lead to valuable connections.
  3. It's crucial to keep pushing out of your comfort zone. Reflecting on your goals and staying focused on your 'why' can motivate you to pursue long-term ambitions instead of getting stuck in the short-term grind.

wikipedia customizations for everyone on your list!

LOL (lots of links) • 628 implied HN points • 13 Jun 23
🕹 Technology Tools
  1. You can customize your Wikipedia layout with various gadgets and tools like dark mode, article quality rating indicators, and citation hover features.
  2. There are tools available like Wiki shoot me, WikiNav, Wikifeedme, to contribute and enhance your Wikipedia experience.
  3. Wikipedia also offers features like a Copyvio Detector for checking plagiarism and tools for structured search and advanced search for diverse functionalities.

Vignettes: War #3

Myth Pilot • 628 implied HN points • 10 Apr 23
🌐 International Operations Investigation Military War
  1. Captain Price transformed a struggling company into a top-performing unit through rigorous training and leadership.
  2. Captain Price conducted unauthorized missions on deployment, sparking a major investigation.
  3. There were rumors that Captain Price's missions involved search patterns and interrogations, hinting at a secretive agenda.

Inflation: it's "complicated"

Stay-At-Home Macro (SAHM) • 628 implied HN points • 25 May 23
💰 Finance Inflation Market Power Labor Market
  1. Inflation is influenced by a variety of factors such as supply disruptions, commodity prices, labor market strength, and demand for goods.
  2. The discussion around workers having the upper hand in the labor market is complex and requires consideration of inflation expectations, wage growth, and job market tightness.
  3. Inflation expectations are stable, showing that markets and consumers anticipate a return to normal inflation levels, which is crucial for combating inflation.

3 Key Areas for Mitigating Non-Human Identity (NHI) Risks

Resilient Cyber • 39 implied HN points • 24 Jul 24
🕹 Technology Incident Response Automation Cybersecurity Identity Management Risk management
  1. Organizations need to keep track of all non-human identities, like service accounts and API keys. This helps in monitoring and managing security across different systems.
  2. When a third party experiences a security breach, it's crucial to quickly identify which non-human identities are affected. Rapid response can help limit potential damage and keep business running smoothly.
  3. Detecting unusual behavior in non-human identities is key to spotting security threats. Using automated tools can help security teams stay on top of potential risks efficiently.