The hottest Substack posts right now

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How In-Context Learning Emerges

Last Week in AI • 437 implied HN points • 21 Jul 23
🕹 Technology Machine Learning Neural Networks AI Large Language Models
  1. In-context learning (ICL) allows Large Language Models to learn new tasks without additional training.
  2. ICL is exciting because it enables versatility, generalization, efficiency, and accessibility in AI systems.
  3. Three key factors that enable and enhance ICL abilities in large language models are model architecture, model scale, and data distribution.

What Reid Hoffman Understands About the Human Balancing Act

The Geek Way • 99 implied HN points • 18 Mar 24
💼 Business Innovation Entrepreneurship Management Organization Leadership
  1. Reid Hoffman is regarded as a brilliant entrepreneur and investor who has made significant impacts in Silicon Valley and the tech sector.
  2. Understanding first principles for running an organization can be linked to evolutionary principles, providing insights into human organizational behavior.
  3. The balancing act between being ultrasocial and self-interested is a fundamental principle in human nature and can explain various challenges in the business world.

AI in Browsers: Features and Opportunities

The Strategy Deck • 157 implied HN points • 18 Jan 24
🕹 Technology Web Innovation Market Analysis Browsers AI
  1. Browsers like Microsoft Edge and Opera are leading the way in integrating AI features and technologies.
  2. The browser market has seen significant shifts in market share over the past decade, with Chrome dominating but competitors like Safari and Opera making gains.
  3. The future of browsers involves integrating AI assistants for enhanced user experiences and leveraging browser data for personalized services.

Do emerging and frontier markets diversify?

Klement on Investing • 1 implied HN point • 03 Mar 26
💰 Finance Risk management Emerging Markets Portfolio Theory Asset allocation Investments Global Markets
  1. Correlations between developed, emerging, and frontier markets rise as the investor’s time horizon lengthens, so diversification benefits shrink over longer horizons.
  2. Despite higher long-run correlations, optimal minimum-variance portfolios still hold a meaningful share of emerging and frontier markets—typically around 20% or more—even at the longest horizon tested.
  3. Typical investor allocations to emerging markets (around 10–15%) are likely lower than the allocation suggested by these optimal portfolios, implying many investors may be underinvested.
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Frame Rate, experiments, messes

Sunday Letters • 39 implied HN points • 09 Jun 24
🕹 Technology AI Learning Engineering Software Innovation
  1. AI technology is developing quickly, and if you don’t engage with it yourself, you might be caught off guard by new advancements. It's better to stay updated by trying things out.
  2. Many people still don’t experience AI firsthand and only learn about it from news. Trying out tools like GPT-4 can help you understand its potential.
  3. Being spontaneous and messy in your approach is key to creativity. Don't worry about making things perfect; experimentation can lead to great innovations.

A Look at the UK's National Cyber Security Centre's Vulnerability Management Guidance

Resilient Cyber • 119 implied HN points • 25 Feb 24
🕹 Technology Cybersecurity Compliance Software updates Risk Assessment Vulnerability Management
  1. Organizations should have a clear policy to automatically apply software updates. This helps close the gap between when vulnerabilities are identified and when they are fixed, making it harder for bad actors to exploit them.
  2. Knowing what assets you own and who is responsible for them is crucial. Without this information, vulnerabilities could go unaddressed, leading to increased security risks.
  3. The business should take ownership of the risks related to vulnerabilities, not just the security team. It’s important for leadership to understand and document the decisions regarding risks associated with remediation.

TBM 273: Transition and Reflection

The Beautiful Mess • 1057 implied HN points • 18 Feb 24
💼 Business Workplace dynamics Leadership
  1. Humans shape environments, and environments shape humans -- there's no dichotomy. This insight helps in understanding complexity and progress.
  2. Self-awareness and understanding others' beliefs are crucial at work -- it minimizes clashes and can lead to better teamwork and company growth.
  3. Seek coherence across different areas of work -- aligning various frames and systems is essential for company success.

Recommended Reading, Part I: Moral Philosophy

Contemplations on the Tree of Woe • 1017 implied HN points • 21 Feb 24
📖 Philosophy Ethics Moral Philosophy
  1. The curriculum lays out a detailed progression through moral philosophy starting with Ayn Rand and then exploring Alasdair Macintyre's work, culminating in a comparison of their differing ethical frameworks.
  2. The reading list focuses on books that challenge modern ethical frameworks and call for a return to Aristotelian ethics, emphasizing the balance between rational and social aspects of human nature.
  3. Supplemental reading includes works by Aristotle, Ayn Rand, and other philosophers, offering further insights into moral philosophy and ethics.

Software Developer Influencers: The Modern Snake Oil Salesmen

Based Meditations • 278 implied HN points • 19 Aug 23
🕹 Technology Influencer Culture Market Career Programming
  1. Becoming a software developer is highly appealing due to the potential for high salaries and the option to work from home
  2. Influencers in the software development space often oversimplify the requirements and challenges of breaking into the industry
  3. Having a degree, building a strong portfolio, and understanding the nuanced demands of the software industry are crucial for success

New discovery features, chat paywall settings, and recent Substack meetups

Substack • 497 implied HN points • 29 Oct 24
🕹 Technology Community Engagement Business Model Content creation User Experience Product Updates
  1. Substack has introduced a feature that allows free subscribers to see some chat replies, but only paid subscribers can read full threads. This is a way to encourage upgrades.
  2. There's a new invite button for chats, letting subscribers invite friends to join the conversation, which helps grow the community.
  3. The search feature is now better on mobile, and readers can find related notes easily, making it simpler to discover new content.

There's no such thing as "machine learning."

Top Carbon Chauvinist • 19 implied HN points • 20 Jul 24
🕹 Technology AI Data science Computing Philosophy Machine Learning
  1. Machines don't really learn like humans do. They can take in data and improve performance, but they don't understand or experience learning in the same way we do.
  2. The term 'machine learning' can be misleading. It's more about machines mimicking learning processes rather than actually experiencing them.
  3. Understanding how machines operate helps clarify their limitations. They can process large amounts of information but lack conscious experience or true comprehension.

New paradigm?

Sriram Krishnan’s Newsletter • 137 implied HN points • 06 Feb 24
🕹 Technology AI Data Privacy Licensing
  1. Content creators may need to start monetizing bot traffic as AI bots mimic human behavior on the internet.
  2. New or gated information on the internet is gaining higher value as freely available content gets indexed and scraped.
  3. Licensing collectives for independents and the debate of privacy vs. monetization are evolving trends impacting web traffic and content consumption.

How Can You Use Airbnb's & Stripe's Strategy To Build Your MVP? | The First Six Month Of Fundraising For NVIDIA | VC Remote Jobs & More

Venture Curator • 199 implied HN points • 11 Dec 23
💼 Business Funding Technology Startup Strategy Venture Capital Entrepreneurship
  1. Successful startups focus on building a Minimal Viable Product (MVP) with the 'Viable' part being crucial, not just the 'Minimal' part.
  2. Key to MVP success is launching quickly, getting feedback from customers, and iterating based on that feedback.
  3. Early adopters are crucial for testing MVPs; founders should build products for customers with urgent needs, even if the MVP is not perfect.

Opportunity, Risks and Going Down the Rabbit Hole

DeFi Education • 2298 implied HN points • 27 Jun 21
🔮 Crypto Blockchain Regulations Finance Decentralization Investing
  1. The decentralized finance (DeFi) market has a huge opportunity for growth, involving trillions of dollars in alternative assets and investment funds. This growth can be driven by lower costs and continuous fiat money printing.
  2. There are significant risks in DeFi that investors should be aware of. Many projects could fail, due to scams, hacks, or market volatility, and it’s essential to keep learning and stay informed about the changes.
  3. Understanding terms like Impermanent Loss is crucial for anyone getting into DeFi. If the prices of paired tokens don't move together, you could lose money, which shows why timing and smart investing are important.

Economics Links

In My Tribe • 394 implied HN points • 24 Dec 24
💰 Finance Economic Theory Macroeconomics Interest Rates Consumption Inflation Government Policy
  1. Cato's wish list includes ideas for government reform, like raising Social Security retirement ages. Some of these suggestions might not be politically popular, but they show a push for change from a libertarian angle.
  2. There's a big difference in how academics and policymakers view the impact of interest rates on consumption. Academics think higher rates could boost future consumption, while policymakers see them as a negative for the economy.
  3. Scott Sumner highlights the issues with measuring inflation. He argues that inflation numbers are often confusing and imprecise, which also affects how we understand productivity changes.

More fun and games with high voltage...

atomic14 • 173 implied HN points • 14 Jun 25
🕹 Technology Innovation DIY Hardware Engineering Electronics
  1. High voltage projects can be tricky but also fun. You can get some wild voltages and sparks, which makes experimenting exciting.
  2. Sometimes, your equipment might not work as expected. Issues like voltage ripple can affect how things like LEDs operate.
  3. Finding the right tools is important. Some boards are better for driving specific loads, like nixie tubes, and can work smoothly with other components.

Google opens another traffic spigot for publishers

Simon Owens's Media Newsletter • 449 implied HN points • 22 Nov 24
💼 Business Media Advertising Publishing Technology Finance
  1. Google Discover is now a major source of traffic for publishers, but it may lead to less meaningful connections with their audiences. Publishers often end up serving low-quality ads to visitors who leave quickly.
  2. Podcasters are looking to change the trend of having the same guests on many shows to make interviews more unique and engaging. Many hosts are tired of recycled content that doesn’t stand out.
  3. Apple is starting to sell ads in Apple News directly, which could mean more revenue for publishers. This shift may help Apple balance its user privacy principles with the need to generate advertising income.

Business and Economics links, 1/12

In My Tribe • 364 implied HN points • 12 Jan 25
💼 Business Entrepreneurship Market Analysis Investment Finance Economics
  1. Co-founder relationships are really important for startup success. If co-founders don't get along, it can lead to the startup failing.
  2. Economic analysis often relies on metaphors, which can lead to different interpretations. It's normal for people to disagree about economic ideas.
  3. The debate over resource prices shows that neither side always wins. Long-term data suggests that market dynamics can be complex and unpredictable.

Better Descriptive Statistics for Low-Latency Profiling

Low Latency Trading Insights • 137 implied HN points • 06 Feb 24
🕹 Technology Performance analysis Algorithm Data Collection Statistics
  1. Better descriptive statistics are needed for low-latency profiling to accurately capture rare events and spikes.
  2. Descriptive statistics like mean, median, skewness, and kurtosis may be misleading in non-normally distributed data.
  3. Self-adjusting histograms with log-based ranges can provide more accurate data representation and efficient storage.

From selling access to selling work (and what it means for you)

Kyle Poyar’s Growth Unhinged • 512 implied HN points • 30 Oct 24
💼 Business SaaS Business Models Pricing Strategies Revenue management AI Integration
  1. Companies are shifting from charging for access to software to billing for the actual work done by AI. This means businesses will charge based on how much the AI helps them, like charging per task completed.
  2. With these new pricing models, customers can pay only when they see results. However, it can be tricky to figure out who deserves credit for any success achieved.
  3. As the industry evolves, businesses will have to rethink how they predict revenue and manage customer relationships, making it more about actual usage and outcomes instead of just subscriptions.

How to AI

The Intersection • 277 implied HN points • 19 Sep 23
🕹 Technology Machine Learning AI Generative AI Deep Learning Digital Design
  1. History often repeats itself in the adoption of new technologies, as seen with the initial skepticism towards digital marketing and now with AI.
  2. Brands are either cautiously experimenting with AI for PR purposes or holding back due to concerns like data security, plagiarism, and unforeseen outcomes.
  3. AI's evolution spans from traditional artificial intelligence to the current era dominated by generative AI, offering operational efficiency, creative enhancements, and transformative possibilities.

Leveraging an AI Security Framework

Resilient Cyber • 79 implied HN points • 11 Apr 24
🕹 Technology Software Development AI Security Data Management Risk Assessment Cybersecurity
  1. The Databricks AI Security Framework (DASF) helps identify and manage risks in AI systems. It's important for security experts and AI developers to know how to keep AI safe while still allowing innovation.
  2. Data operations have the highest number of security risks, like data poisoning and poor access controls. If the raw data is compromised, it can affect the entire AI system.
  3. Different stages of AI development, like model training and deployment, have unique risks to watch for, such as model theft and prompt injection attacks. Understanding these risks helps keep AI applications secure.

Notes on Chapter 27

Life Since the Baby Boom • 461 implied HN points • 21 Nov 24
🕹 Technology Investing Internet Software Innovation Startups
  1. IBM partnered with Apple to create Taligent, hoping to finally compete with Microsoft in the PC market. They planned to introduce a 'guest operating system' idea like their mainframes, but not everyone believed it would succeed.
  2. Miriam's divorce from Matt is final, and she's likely to marry someone Matt dislikes. This adds tension to their already complicated relationship.
  3. Len, now a retired investor, is being courted by a VC firm that wants his help with clients. His retirement status makes him less of a threat, allowing him to offer support without competition.

The Real Significance of the new AI

In My Tribe • 425 implied HN points • 04 Dec 24
🕹 Technology AI Robotics Wearables
  1. New AI tools let us talk to computers like we talk to people. This makes using technology easier and more natural.
  2. With these advances, we may soon use smart wearables like glasses and watches with natural language rather than buttons.
  3. The new AI also opens up possibilities for better interactions with robots, making them simpler to train and use.

Dan Easton - GEET Gotchas & Tips

Remote View • 275 implied HN points • 25 Feb 23
🕹 Technology Engineering Meetup Innovation
  1. Experienced GEET engineer Dan Easton shared valuable information in a live call to help people building GEET modified engines.
  2. The forum allowed individuals to share experiences and address questions about GEET technology.
  3. Henk Jurrien highlighted the importance of not using brass on exhaust pipes in GEET reactors.

Freddie Mac House Price Index Up 1.0% Year-over-Year in November

CalculatedRisk Newsletter • 19 implied HN points • 31 Dec 25
💰 Finance Real Estate Regional Trends Economic Indicators Housing Market Home Prices
  1. Freddie Mac’s national house price index rose 1.0% year‑over‑year in November, but that is a new cycle low and monthly gains are very small, so overall growth is slowing and could turn negative sometime in 2026.
  2. Nineteen states and D.C. remain below their prior price peaks and many cities have large drops — Punta Gorda is down about 21% from its recent peak and Austin is down over 17%.
  3. Rising inventory and weak sales are reducing upward price pressure, and Freddie Mac and NAR data suggest other indexes like Case‑Shiller will likely show a similar slowdown.

Well, TikTok's Gone

Default Wisdom • 366 implied HN points • 19 Jan 25
🕹 Technology Internet culture Digital Trends Information Technology User Experience Social media
  1. Many people feel a deep emotional loss now that TikTok is gone. It wasn’t just a time-waster; it was a community where they connected with friends.
  2. TikTok's ability to make ideas stick in people's minds is powerful, which is why some lawmakers were concerned about its influence. They worried it could be used for spreading certain messages too easily.
  3. Some folks are now looking at China differently and even romanticizing life there. This shift seems to stem from frustrations with their own lives and technology in America.

Forgive yourself for speaking on behalf of the world

The Joyous Struggle • 276 implied HN points • 19 Sep 23
📖 Philosophy Humanity Politics Identity Language
  1. The challenge with collective action problems, like climate collapse, is complicated by the ambiguity of the term 'we' in English, lacking the distinction between inclusive and exclusive pronouns.
  2. English's status as a predominant global language, particularly online, influences communication dynamics and power structures due to historical reasons.
  3. The inherent ambiguity in the term 'we' in English complicates addressing pervasive collective challenges, leading to speaking on behalf of everyone without acknowledging the diverse perspectives and interests that exist.

The First Principles of Uncertainty

Deep Pulusani - Risk • 222 implied HN points • 01 May 25
📖 Philosophy Decision-making Leadership Psychology Cognitive Science Existentialism
  1. Uncertainty is a normal part of life and can actually help us stay alert and learn new things. It's important to accept that some things are unpredictable, which makes it easier to handle tough situations.
  2. When making decisions, it helps to separate uncertainties that can be reduced by gaining more information from those that can't be controlled. This way, we can focus on what we can change instead of feeling overwhelmed.
  3. Taking action is a great way to reduce uncertainty. Even small steps can lead to new insights and help us feel more confident in our choices.

10 Charts That Explain the AI Era

Perspectives • 7 implied HN points • 30 Jan 26
🕹 Technology Infrastructure AI Adoption Capital Employment Business Models Platforms
  1. AI adoption has happened extremely quickly, with consumers embracing tools like ChatGPT far faster than past technologies, and we’re still in the early stages of broader impact.
  2. Training and running large AI models is very expensive and investment and infrastructure are concentrated in a few firms, so the ecosystem is still in a heavy build/investment phase rather than a mature, profitable one.
  3. Benefits are uneven: many corporate pilots fail to reach production, executives tend to gain more productivity than frontline workers, women use AI less, and entry-level jobs are being disrupted, so careful redesign and policy are needed to avoid widening gaps.

Bitcoin Tech Talk #382

jimmysong • 137 implied HN points • 05 Feb 24
🕹 Technology Cryptocurrency Economics Bitcoin Blockchain
  1. Citation Cartels manipulate the number of citations to boost university rankings in mathematics.
  2. Fauxductivity refers to tasks that appear productive but are actually not, and 'just-in-time' vs 'just-in-case' optimization is discussed.
  3. Education Consultants help wealthy individuals' children gain admission to top colleges, charging high fees and manipulating institutional preferences.

The great Bounty Board transition has begun!

The Lunacian • 138 implied HN points • 21 Jul 25
🕹 Technology Rewards Community Blockchain Gaming Ecosystem
  1. A new Bounty Board is being launched to combine the existing Standard and Premier boards. This aims to create a more rewarding experience for all players.
  2. Rewards will now focus more on the Premier Bounty Board, encouraging deeper engagement through challenging quests. Feedback from the community is welcomed during this transition phase.
  3. The update also includes removing Captcha requirements and new quest logic to make the process smoother and more intuitive for users.

Mercenaries versus Missionaries in the startup world

Respectful Leadership • 163 implied HN points • 14 Jun 25
💼 Business Hiring Startup Leadership Team Building Innovation
  1. In the startup world, it’s important to hire people who are passionate about the mission, known as 'missionaries.' They care deeply about making a difference.
  2. Hiring based on resumes alone isn't enough. It's better to focus on why candidates are motivated and their true potential.
  3. Embracing ambiguity can actually lead to innovative solutions. Startups should encourage working freely without strict guidelines.