The hottest Substack posts right now

according to Hacker News
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Companies are the new City-States

The Novelleist • 619 implied HN points • 10 Feb 25
💼 Business Innovation Corporate culture Economics Globalization
  1. Companies are becoming wealthier and more influential than many countries. For example, Apple has a market value that's larger than the GDP of most nations.
  2. Businesses are more flexible and can adapt quickly to changes. They often provide better working conditions and rights, such as parental leave and healthcare, ahead of government regulations.
  3. Companies can address social issues like education and housing, stepping in where government services may fall short. This makes them more effective at creating positive change in society.

The Bull Case (Is That Nothing Matters Anymore)

QTR’s Fringe Finance • 64 implied HN points • 02 Dec 25
💰 Finance Cryptocurrency Investing Market Trends Economic Policy Stock Analysis
  1. Inflation may keep driving up prices, while governments avoid taking responsibility. This could hurt middle and lower classes over time.
  2. Market behavior might not reflect real economic data anymore, so a sudden surge of cash could lift stock prices drastically without waiting for the economy to catch up.
  3. Even if a downturn happens, it might end quicker than expected. The market has changed, and old rules about valuations may not apply anymore.

One trick to better your freelancing

Kenny’s Sub • 179 implied HN points • 25 Mar 24
💼 Business Client Relations Freelancing Hiring Contracts
  1. Hiring others can really help your freelancing business. It lets you see how different people work and what good service looks like.
  2. The way freelancers respond to your messages says a lot about them. Good communication is key and helps you decide who to hire.
  3. Keep your job postings clear and ask simple questions. This helps filter out freelancers who aren't paying attention to what you need.

Bretton Goods is becoming Speculative Decoding

Bretton Goods • 38 implied HN points • 27 Dec 25
🕹 Technology Research Software Engineering AI Machine Learning AI safety Tech Policy
  1. The blog is changing focus from explaining why countries get rich to studying AI — especially how to tell what AI systems are actually doing.
  2. The author shifted careers from policy and macroeconomics to computer science and now works on AI evaluations and reducing hallucinations through internships and a job at Elicit.
  3. Bretton Goods will be archived and its audience moved to a new Substack, Speculative Decoding, with a commitment to roughly one post a month about AI evaluations, safety, policy, and related research.

IT'S HAPPENING

How the Hell • 792 implied HN points • 22 Dec 24
🕹 Technology Robotics Research Innovation Software AI
  1. Researchers have created a new simulation engine called Genesis, which could enable the development of general-purpose robots. This means robots might soon be able to perform a wide range of tasks like humans.
  2. Recent advancements in AI, particularly in reasoning models from companies like OpenAI and Google, are pushing us closer to achieving advanced AI capabilities. This includes AI that can think logically and solve complex problems effectively.
  3. The rapid progress in AI, especially with the latest models, has led to a genuine feeling of hope for the future. People believe we could soon see robots, AI scientists, and even ambitious projects like colonizing Mars becoming a reality.
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The Rise of the Joint-Mission Startup

Pratap’s Substack • 277 implied HN points • 22 Feb 24
💼 Business Consulting Startups AI Enterprise Innovation
  1. AI can do much more than just make companies more efficient. It can actually change how we work and team up with machines.
  2. Working together as partners is key for big companies when using AI, not just buying software. They need deep collaboration to succeed in a new AI world.
  3. Startups have a big chance to tackle larger problems by creating complete solutions instead of just quick fixes. This approach can reshape how businesses operate.

5 Challenges of Scaling Paid Ads for Early Stage Startups

Nail It and Scale It • 59 implied HN points • 25 Jun 24
💼 Business Growth Startups Marketing Advertising Scaling
  1. It's hard to find out why ads aren't working. There can be many reasons, like targeting the wrong audience or having a bad website design.
  2. Early stage startups often struggle to scale quickly due to internal issues. When they get more leads, they might need to pause ads to catch up, which can hurt their momentum.
  3. Finding product-market fit takes time and constant testing. Just because something works now doesn't mean it will work later, so keep experimenting with different strategies.

What is a Visionary?

The Joyous Struggle • 533 implied HN points • 22 Jun 23
📖 Philosophy Transformation Humanity Consciousness Future
  1. Visionaries see the future and offer direction, often through inspiring ideas and stories.
  2. Visionaries work to bring new worlds into being through language and action, shaping collective perception.
  3. Today's visionaries need to address challenges in a digital and planetary context, inspiring viable and desirable futures through qualities like fluency in different realities, questioning paradigms, and envisioning transformative struggles.

Eight Years Pathless & Money Reflections | #299

Boundless by Paul Millerd • 350 implied HN points • 02 Jun 25
💼 Business Consulting Self-employment Income Streams Creative work Personal Finance
  1. Writing has become the main source of energy and joy. Even though it took time to make money from it, the creative freedom it provides is very fulfilling.
  2. After eight years of being self-employed, the income earned is similar to when employed. Building skills and improving the relationship with money have been key to this journey.
  3. Working independently has helped develop many skills, but it sometimes misses out on the joy of collaboration. Being open to teamwork in the future could bring new satisfaction.

Recruiting Brainfood - Issue 333

Recruiting Brainfood • 530 implied HN points • 26 Feb 23
💼 Business Recruitment Economy Remote working SOURCING
  1. Earn top talent's trust by focusing on transparency, reciprocity, unity, speed, and truthfulness in the candidate experience.
  2. Study reports on candidate experience benchmarks and global HR tech to stay informed and improve recruitment operations.
  3. Consider the impact of remote work on local economies and explore the concept of Universal Basic Income as technology advances.

The Bitter Religion: AI’s Holy War Over Scaling Laws

The Generalist • 920 implied HN points • 14 Nov 24
🕹 Technology Engineering Artificial Intelligence Computing Innovation Research
  1. The AI community is divided over whether achieving higher levels of computation will lead to better artificial intelligence or if there are limits to this approach. Some think more resources will keep helping AI grow, while others fear we might hit a ceiling.
  2. There’s a growing debate about the importance of scaling laws and whether they should continue to guide AI development. People are starting to question if sticking to these beliefs is the best path forward.
  3. If doubt begins to spread about scaling laws, it could impact investment and innovation in AI and related fields, causing changes in how companies approach building new technologies.

Economic Methodology

David Friedman’s Substack • 242 implied HN points • 01 Aug 25
💼 Business Political Economy Economics Economic Theory Methodology Labor Market
  1. Economic models don't need to be realistic; what's important is whether they can make accurate predictions about the future. A good model will simplify complex truths while still capturing what really matters.
  2. Being a true economist means being willing to change your views based on evidence, not just sticking to ideology. If someone’s beliefs don’t change even when faced with solid economic arguments, they might just be an economist during work hours.
  3. History shows that both Keynes and Friedman had valuable insights, even if their ideas contradict each other. Each has built on the work of the other, which is how economics progresses, just like in any science.

Who pays for 'authenticity'?

imperfect offerings • 199 implied HN points • 12 Mar 24
🕹 Technology Generative AI AI literacy Expertise
  1. Universities are investing in AI literacy for their staff and students, covering various important topics like privacy, bias, and ethics.
  2. Peer-supported discovery and open education communities play a crucial role in empowering individuals to engage with new technologies.
  3. The development and use of generative AI models come with challenges related to bias, authenticity, and the trade-offs between safety and performance.

25-Year-Old Entrepreneur Savannah Jordan on How She Built a Multi-Million-Dollar Marketing Agency in Three Years

The Profile • 773 implied HN points • 09 Aug 23
💼 Business Marketing Authenticity Entrepreneurship Success Resilience
  1. Savannah Jordan built a multi-million-dollar marketing agency by dedicating herself fully and pushing through challenges.
  2. Seeking mentorship and learning from mistakes helped Savannah establish Alpha after a previous startup experience.
  3. To stay ahead in marketing, constant research, observing trends, and embracing authenticity are key strategies.

BERKSHIRE HATHAWAY’S TOBACCO HISTORY

Reflections on "Going Down Tobacco Road" and Investing • 530 implied HN points • 18 Jul 23
💰 Finance Investments Market Analysis Bonds Financial risk
  1. Warren Buffett invested in tobacco businesses like R.J. Reynolds, showing a historical investment pattern.
  2. Buffett sold his R.J. Reynolds stock in 1984, missing out on higher returns, showcasing his investment strategy.
  3. Buffett made a successful investment in RJR Nabisco bonds in 1989, demonstrating his keen awareness of financial risks and rewards.

📣 Mobility Innovation Awards at Micromobility America

The Micromobility Newsletter • 530 implied HN points • 22 Jun 23
🕹 Technology Electric Vehicles E-Bikes
  1. Micromobility America is hosting the Mobility Innovation Awards for the first time to honor advancements in the mobility sector.
  2. The event will feature a live pitch competition for established transportation leaders showcasing innovation in electric mobility and urbanization.
  3. Industry leaders and companies are coming together to spotlight innovative solutions that can potentially transform travel and transportation.

Super Integration Fighter III

Health API Guy • 530 implied HN points • 10 Apr 23
🕹 Technology Integration APIs Data Exchange
  1. Integration with healthcare organizations can be achieved through three primary paths: direct-to-database, robotic process automation (screen-scraping), and sanctioned interfaces.
  2. Direct-to-database integration offers high potential but comes with challenges like varying schemas, brittle connections, and strict security protocols.
  3. Robotic process automation (screen-scraping) provides automation of repetitive tasks, easier access to data shown on user interfaces, and less complex security challenges compared to direct-to-database integration.

Resilience Series Part 1: TFF Group

Business Breakdowns • 530 implied HN points • 12 Sep 23
💼 Business Investing Finance Company analysis Market Trends Economics
  1. The TFF Group is a resilient company with more than a century of family ownership and vertical integration.
  2. Resilience in business means prioritizing longevity over short-term gains, owning the entire supply chain for longevity, and maintaining profitability during downturns.
  3. Studying companies like TFF Group, which focus on resilience, provides valuable insights into strategies for long-term success.

The Community Round - equity crowdfunding to hack superfans, distribution, & growth 🤝

Channels of Growth • 530 implied HN points • 08 Jul 23
💼 Business Crowdfunding Marketing Entrepreneurship Startups Investing
  1. Launching a Community Round can bring on investors who are also your product's early adopters.
  2. Giving users equity can increase their commitment and drive word-of-mouth referrals.
  3. Raising a Community Round is most effective when you already have a product and a supportive community base.

The Pace of Change Depends on Your Gaze

Cybernetic Forests • 179 implied HN points • 24 Mar 24
🕹 Technology Culture Infrastructure Commerce AI Governance
  1. The speed of technological change is determined by where we focus our attention. Slowing down to understand the structures in place is key.
  2. AI hype often moves at the pace of fashion, while AI infrastructure evolves slowly. It's important to differentiate between new trends and substantial advancements.
  3. Governance, infrastructure, and culture play crucial roles in shaping AI's future. Participating in shaping these aspects can have a significant impact on the development and use of AI.

Confucius Says “lol, lmao”

The Upheaval • 2026 implied HN points • 15 Feb 24
📖 Philosophy Wisdom Governance Trust Leaders History
  1. According to Confucius, the basics of governance consist of having enough armaments, food, and the trust of the common people.
  2. Confucius emphasizes that the trust of the people is the most crucial element for a state to stand, even above food and armaments.
  3. The modern political leaders seem to have forgotten these fundamental principles, failing to prioritize security, defense, and the trust of the common people.

Thinking in N not T

moontower: a stoner dad explains options trading to his kids • 314 implied HN points • 10 Jan 24
💰 Finance Financial Modeling Investments Risk Analysis Market Dynamics
  1. When analyzing data, consider thinking in terms of the number of unique data points (N) rather than the total number of observations (T).
  2. Samples drawn from the same regime reduce the effective number of data points, impacting the reliability of quantitative analysis.
  3. Account for autocorrelation in data to avoid biases in estimating return volatilities and risk, ensuring better comparisons across different investments.

YC Strategy 'Cash In, Cash Out, Milestones Achieved' To Raise Funding | Peter Thiel On 'Make A Product A Few Love' | VC Remote Jobs & More

Venture Curator • 439 implied HN points • 15 Nov 23
💼 Business Startups Venture Capital Entrepreneurship Remote Jobs Funding
  1. Y Combinator's strategy for raising funding includes focusing on 'Cash In, Cash Out, Milestones Achieved' to impress investors.
  2. Peter Thiel emphasizes the importance of making a product that a few people really love, rather than trying to please a large group at the start.
  3. When seeking venture capital funding, it is crucial to have a clear plan for the amount of money you need, the runway required before the next round, and the milestones you aim to achieve.

Bitcoin ETFs: winners and losers

Ecoinometrics • 255 implied HN points • 09 Feb 24
💰 Finance Bitcoin ETFs Cryptocurrencies Economy Investing Macroeconomics
  1. Bitcoin ETFs have winners like BlackRock and Fidelity, along with losers like Grayscale, showing the importance of scale in this market.
  2. Bitcoin and Ethereum are showing decreasing correlation, hinting at potential opportunities for more diverse trading options in the crypto market.
  3. Historically, US presidential election years do not necessarily prevent economic downturns, revealing the limitations politicians have in propping up the economy.

The State Of The Legal Talent Market: A Data-Driven Analysis

Original Jurisdiction • 299 implied HN points • 09 Feb 24
💼 Business
  1. In 2023, law firm hiring was slower compared to 2021 and 2022, with a significant decrease in corporate attorney hires.
  2. Kirkland & Ellis led in entry-level talent hires, while experienced attorney hires decreased in 2023.
  3. Demand for transactional attorneys decreased in 2023, particularly in capital markets and M&A, but there was an uptick in corporate and litigation hiring towards the end of the year.

The Trial of Sam Bankman-Fried

DeFi Education • 519 implied HN points • 09 Oct 23
🔮 Crypto Blockchain Regulation Fraud Investing Financial Technology
  1. Sam Bankman-Fried's trial is focusing on accusations of fraud that led to big losses for FTX customers. It's important to pay attention to how the trial unfolds, especially the testimonies from key witnesses.
  2. People often trusted centralized exchanges like FTX instead of managing their own crypto safely. Understanding cognitive biases can help investors avoid making the same mistakes in the future.
  3. Investing in crypto without learning about it can lead to serious losses. Gaining knowledge and understanding the technology is key to making smart investments and avoiding scams.

When Change Outruns Us

Fish Food for Thought • 42 implied HN points • 24 Dec 25
💼 Business Strategy Management Leadership Change Management Organizational Culture Human Resources Organizational Design
  1. When companies change faster than people can adapt, employees get exhausted and stop learning. That creates compliance without conviction and a culture that frays.
  2. Growth needs time to absorb change—quiet intervals for people to make sense, rebuild habits, and consolidate learning. Slack and recovery are not inefficiencies but necessary infrastructure for durable capability.
  3. Leaders should value direction and readiness over raw speed and watch for signs of saturation, slowing the tempo to let changes take root. Measure progress by clarity and strengthened capabilities, not by how many initiatives are launched.

Technology should reintegrate humans into planetary life

storyvoyager • 8 implied HN points • 16 Feb 26
🕹 Technology Sustainability Design Ethics Environmental Tech Ecology
  1. Trying to dominate or 'master' nature comes from fear and isolates us, so we should stop treating the living world as an enemy and accept we won't fully control it.
  2. Technology should reintegrate humans into planetary life by immersing us in ecosystems rather than pulling us into abstract, life-simulating worlds.
  3. Design tech to enhance our senses and empathy—like listening to trees, feeling animal heartbeats, or sensing earthquakes—so we can connect with nature without violence or exploitation.

Death Knell of the NVD?

Resilient Cyber • 199 implied HN points • 11 Mar 24
🕹 Technology Cybersecurity Software Data Management Vulnerability Management Open Source
  1. The NIST National Vulnerability Database (NVD) is an important source for understanding software vulnerabilities, but it is facing significant issues. Many vulnerabilities lack timely analysis and critical information.
  2. There is a need for better tagging and categorization of vulnerabilities, such as associating Common Vulnerability Enumeration (CVE) identifiers with specific products. Without this, organizations struggle to know what vulnerabilities affect their systems.
  3. Alternatives to the NVD like the Sonatype OSS Index and the Open-Source Vulnerabilities (OSV) Database are emerging, but they focus primarily on open-source software. The effectiveness and reliability of the NVD remain crucial for broader security practices.

I've found the last missing piece 🔍

André Casal's Substack • 19 implied HN points • 13 Aug 24
💼 Business Product Development Marketing Entrepreneurship Startups
  1. The founder had productive calls with developers, gaining insights to improve their project after the launch. It's important to listen to experienced people to refine your ideas.
  2. They enhanced their landing page by adding testimonials and changing the pricing strategy, which could help attract more customers. Good copy and clear pricing can make a big difference.
  3. The next steps include generating social proof and setting up a Product Hunt pre-launch page, showing a plan to engage potential users and increase visibility before launch.