The hottest Substack posts right now

according to Hacker News
Category
Disaffected Newsletter 899 implied HN points 13 Apr 23
  1. Substack has introduced a feature called 'Notes' that users cannot turn off. This feels like forced participation to many writers.
  2. Many writers joined Substack to avoid the constant notifications and pressure of social media like Twitter.
  3. The changes to Substack have made some users reconsider their support for the platform and their plans to continue using it.
Thái | Hacker | Kỹ sư tin tặc 1517 implied HN points 12 Jul 22
  1. Solving cybercrime cases during a pandemic can be challenging but rewarding, leading to new ideas and career advancements.
  2. Investigating cyber incidents requires thinking like a hacker to anticipate their next moves and gather crucial evidence.
  3. Learning from mistakes and conducting thorough investigations are crucial in cybersecurity to prevent future attacks and uncover hidden clues.
Insight Axis 434 implied HN points 19 Oct 23
  1. Change is often accompanied by pain, and that's okay. Accepting the pain is crucial for growth.
  2. To make a change, it's important to follow your fear, as it can show you where you need to grow.
  3. Embodying change means accepting the discomfort and fear, knowing they do not define you.
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Odds and Ends of History 737 implied HN points 03 Dec 24
  1. If you used the Bluesky MP follows bot, it's a good idea to change your Bluesky password for safety. There's a small chance harmful code was on the server, but it seems unlikely any personal data was taken.
  2. The issue arose from outdated Wordpress code on a server that was unintentionally exploited, highlighting the importance of keeping software updated. Neglecting updates can lead to security problems.
  3. The creator of the bot took immediate action by shutting it down and ensuring no more data was at risk. He is being transparent about the issue to help others understand the risks and best practices.
Crossplay 235 implied HN points 30 Jan 24
  1. JDRF used Roblox to create spaces for kids with type 1 diabetes to connect and learn about the condition.
  2. When trying to engage with a younger audience on platforms like Roblox, it's important to understand the platform and its audience well.
  3. Charity Walk Simulator in Roblox by JDRF incentivized players to walk and learn about diabetes, showing success with over 2,500 virtual bears given away in 24 hours.
The Micromobility Newsletter 235 implied HN points 30 Jan 24
  1. A new bill for lithium-ion battery safety standards in the US has rare bipartisan support in Congress.
  2. Jersey City is implementing a system for secure charging and storage of electric bikes.
  3. Several companies worldwide are ramping up electric vehicle production and investing in sustainable practices.
SeattleDataGuy’s Newsletter 612 implied HN points 07 Jan 25
  1. Iceberg will become popular, but not every business will adopt it. Many companies want simpler solutions that fit their needs without needing lots of complicated tools.
  2. SQL isn't going anywhere; it still works well for managing and querying data. People have realized that a bit of order in data is important for getting meaningful insights.
  3. AI use will become more practical, focusing on real-world applications rather than just hype. Companies will find specific tasks to automate using AI, making their workflows more efficient.
QTR’s Fringe Finance 28 implied HN points 06 Jan 26
  1. State-run monetary policy acts like theft because creating money for private banks concentrates wealth with insiders and helps cause recurring financial crises.
  2. Money and banking should be separated from the state; legal tender laws and special banking privileges (like protections for fractional-reserve lending) enable monetary piracy and should be repealed so people can choose competing currencies.
  3. A free market for money, grounded in private property and competition, would produce sounder money and make financial actors accountable to customers rather than the state.
Trevor Klee’s Newsletter 3283 implied HN points 18 Mar 23
  1. The Catholic Church venerated Aristotle and opposed Galileo because they trusted ancient philosophy over new scientific ideas.
  2. Living in a world where science evolves, we give more weight to current evidence than ancient texts or philosophers.
  3. Lessons from history remind us of the importance of valuing empirical evidence over established theories.
benn.substack 639 implied HN points 27 Dec 24
  1. Data-driven companies get a lot of attention, but many people still prefer investing in companies led by experienced individuals. This shows that experience holds significant value in business decisions.
  2. People like to be seen as unique or contrarian, but they often know what others like. This means that even when choosing something different, they still have a sense of the mainstream.
  3. There’s a funny perspective on what robots are, with younger generations seeing different meanings in technology compared to older ones. What one generation sees as a robot, another might just see as a gadget.
coldhealing 452 implied HN points 07 Apr 23
  1. Twitter implemented restrictions on interaction with posts containing Substack links to compete with Substack Notes.
  2. Platforms strive for dominance and monetization through user retention and restricting links to other platforms.
  3. Despite challenges and artificial inconveniences on social media, users seek diverse platforms for different purposes.
Data Analysis Journal 452 implied HN points 26 Jul 23
  1. The author reflects on three years of writing a newsletter about analytics, thanking supporters and subscribers.
  2. The author's newsletter aims to document their journey, bridge the gap between academics and industry, and encourage classic data analysis.
  3. The author shares insights on their writing strategy, the power of being small and independent, and future plans for the newsletter.
Growth Croissant 452 implied HN points 12 May 23
  1. Improving retention by solving the customer's problem in a deeper way can have a noticeable impact on retention.
  2. Focus on your core audience for a 10x improvement in solving their problem, even if it means neglecting parts of your audience for better problem-solving.
  3. Running surveys, especially cancel surveys, can provide valuable feedback to enhance your product, understand audience needs, and improve retention.
Liberty’s Highlights 452 implied HN points 22 Mar 23
  1. Find things that bring joy and sprinkle them in your life for small moments of delight.
  2. Consider how multi-lingualism can influence personality and thinking.
  3. Building things quickly can lead to more value and efficiency while avoiding additional costs.
Category Pirates 452 implied HN points 15 Mar 23
  1. Category Science uses broader and weirder data analysis for business growth.
  2. Understanding customer outcomes drives the Net Promoter Score and business decisions.
  3. Top-performing content aligns with factors like hyper-targeted audience, clear outcomes, frameworks, practical applications, and effective marketing.
Gad’s Newsletter 56 implied HN points 01 Dec 25
  1. AI infrastructure investment is skyrocketing, with tech giants investing billions in data centers and chips. This could lead to major changes in how AI is developed and used in the future.
  2. The bullwhip effect is making the supply chain for AI unpredictable, causing spikes in demand that may not match actual needs. This could result in periods of overordering and shortages.
  3. Despite potential oversupply and price drops, the long-term demand for AI technology is expected to be strong. This means the current build-out is more likely part of a lasting change in the tech landscape rather than a temporary bubble.
Venture Curator 179 implied HN points 05 Mar 24
  1. Investors value the velocity of return on customer acquisition cost (CACD) more than the LTV/CAC ratio. They want to know how quickly their investment in acquiring customers is returned as customer lifetime value.
  2. Customer cohorts are crucial: Not all customers have the same value. By tracking the LTV/CAC ratio by customer cohort, businesses can optimize their marketing efforts and focus on acquiring high-LTV customers.
  3. Startup success is tied to the correlation between customer acquisition cost (CAC) and customer lifetime value (LTV). A high LTV/CAC ratio indicates a successful business model, while a low ratio can lead to financial challenges and potential startup failure.
The Fintech Blueprint 235 implied HN points 29 Jan 24
  1. Brex announced a 20% reduction in its workforce, aligning with a broader fintech trend of operational streamlining.
  2. Fintech industry is becoming leaner due to funding cuts and emphasis on profitability.
  3. Despite significant job cuts in tech, the general unemployment rate remains below 4%, indicating a luxury funding problem.
Five Links (and three graphs) by Auren Hoffman 202 implied HN points 27 Jul 25
  1. Data companies are not a good fit for venture capital because they grow slowly and don't need large amounts of funding. They can be profitable but don't usually scale quickly like software companies do.
  2. The number of hedge funds and other businesses buying data is actually declining, and despite expectations, AI hasn't significantly changed this trend.
  3. The best data companies are often private and attract interest from private equity firms rather than venture capital. They offer steady profits but not the explosive growth that VCs typically look for.
SeattleDataGuy’s Newsletter 730 implied HN points 21 Nov 24
  1. It's important to avoid building complex systems just for the sake of it. Focus on creating infrastructure that actually helps your team and the business.
  2. If you don’t plan your data model, you’ll end up with a messy one. Always take the time to design it properly to make future work easier.
  3. Good communication is really powerful. Being able to share your ideas clearly can help you get support and make a bigger impact in your projects.
Cybernetic Forests 279 implied HN points 03 Jan 24
  1. The article discusses the implications of AI infrastructure and the lack of input from the right experts in the field.
  2. It highlights the presence of concerning content within AI training datasets like LAION-5B, raising ethical issues in generative AI systems.
  3. The author mentions being quoted in a Wired Magazine article about Generative AI in relation to Mickey Mouse, hinting at upcoming content on this topic.
In My Tribe 607 implied HN points 05 Jan 25
  1. Your job should be seen like a relationship that you can move on from, not as a marriage. It’s okay to leave a job when you’ve learned what you can and want to grow elsewhere.
  2. Selling a business can feel like watching your child grow up and become independent. You may feel lost afterward, but it’s a chance to explore new passions.
  3. Consider what you enjoy outside of work. If your job isn’t your true passion, find ways to express those interests in your free time instead.
Bet On It 191 implied HN points 05 Aug 25
  1. The effects of radiation don't work in a straight line. At low levels, the harm is minimal and at high levels, they can be dangerously lethal. Instead, the impact follows an S-shaped curve.
  2. Just like spending time with kids has diminishing returns, relationships also follow a similar sigmoidal pattern. A little time can have no effect, but after a certain point, more time won't significantly improve the bond.
  3. This S-shape model isn't just for science; it also applies to moral beliefs and our feelings about pain, hinting that our moral intuitions might follow similar patterns as seen in nature and relationships.
Irrational Analysis 159 implied HN points 19 Mar 24
  1. The newsletter focuses heavily on the semiconductor industry and provides analysis based on public information and independent research.
  2. The author reflects on biases and encourages readers to form their opinions after reviewing the presented information.
  3. Jensen Huang from GTC 2024 Keynote introduces impressive innovations in the semiconductor field, like the RAS technology monitoring system and advancements in hardware design.
Book Post 216 implied HN points 09 Feb 24
  1. Big tech companies are cutting jobs while gaining significant market value, redirecting resources towards the development of artificial intelligence.
  2. There are concerns regarding the control and development of Artificial General Intelligence by large corporations, highlighting the need for more transparency and oversight.
  3. The race for AI development raises questions about the influence and power of tech giants, emphasizing the importance of ethical considerations and regulatory frameworks.
Mind & Mythos 339 implied HN points 02 Dec 23
  1. C. S. Lewis argues that punishment should be based on what a person deserves, rather than just trying to deter others or cure the criminal. This is important for justice to exist.
  2. When punishment is only about deterrence or cure, it can lead to abusing people as mere tools for society's goals, rather than treating them as individuals with rights.
  3. Lewis warns that a system focused just on helping or fixing people can end up being very oppressive, especially if those in power ignore the concept of what someone deserves for their actions.
Gradient Flow 119 implied HN points 18 Apr 24
  1. Large enterprises are shifting towards in-house AI application development using foundation models, impacting the industry by enabling cost savings and customization.
  2. AI adoption rates among U.S. businesses are rapidly growing, expected to almost double by Fall 2024, with a focus on technology and development applications.
  3. Companies like TikTok and KPMG are adopting GenAI in different ways – TikTok invests heavily in content creation, while KPMG focuses on integrating AI into audit and advisory services, showcasing diverse applications of GenAI.
Artificial Ignorance 58 implied HN points 28 Nov 25
  1. Anthropic launched a new coding model, Claude Opus 4.5, which is cheaper than its last version and performs well, helping developers save costs.
  2. There is a memory chip shortage affecting tech companies, making electronics more expensive for consumers, as manufacturers focus on producing chips for AI instead of everyday devices.
  3. China is gaining ground in the AI market by releasing open-source models cheaply, while American companies stick to closed systems, which could reshape how information is shared globally.
Kyle Poyar’s Growth Unhinged 788 implied HN points 13 Nov 24
  1. Launching on Product Hunt was a big effort, but it didn't really help with getting customers. It was a good learning experience, though, and helped shape our messaging.
  2. Hiring digital marketing agencies didn't work out well because we didn't understand marketing ourselves. We realized we needed to learn the basics to direct our strategy effectively.
  3. Spending a lot on affiliate marketing and event sponsorships didn't pay off. Having a great product isn't enough; you need a solid plan to get others to promote it effectively.
Gradient Flow 399 implied HN points 02 Nov 23
  1. Knowledge graphs can enhance large language models (LLMs) by providing structured factual knowledge about the world, improving their reasoning abilities and usefulness for real-world applications.
  2. Augmenting pre-training of LLMs with knowledge graphs through techniques like integrating into training objectives and model inputs can create models proficient in language generation and factual knowledge.
  3. Enterprises can leverage their data to enhance LLM applications with knowledge graphs, as tools exist to automatically turn semi-structured data into structured knowledge graphs.