The hottest Substack posts right now

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Is Y Combinator worth the money (equity)? Brutally honest review of W22 batch experience

Oleksii Sidorov • 815 HN points • 29 Mar 23
💼 Business Startups Investment Entrepreneurship Funding Networking
  1. The Y Combinator program tends to treat all companies similarly, despite differences in stage and industry.
  2. The networking opportunities within the program may be limited due to the large number of companies and lack of common ground.
  3. The main value of participating in Y Combinator often revolves around fundraising, but the benefits may vary depending on the specific situation of the company.

Big impact can be small

Sunday Letters • 39 implied HN points • 24 Mar 24
🕹 Technology Innovation Product Design AI User Experience Software Development
  1. Small actions can have a big impact over time. Just think how turning on a light used to be a big hassle, but now it's super easy.
  2. Making tasks easier leads to wider use. If a product is simple to use, more people will adopt it without thinking twice.
  3. Focus on common problems and make solutions accessible. Like how we turned on lights without much thought, your solutions should be just as easy for everyone to use.

AI Hallucinations: Proven Unsolvable - What Do We Do?

Mind Prison • 73 implied HN points • 17 Jun 25
🕹 Technology AI Ethics Software Development Cybersecurity Data science Machine Learning
  1. AI hallucinations happen because AI relies on patterns from limited data, which can't cover everything. This means AI will always make mistakes when trying to understand things outside its knowledge.
  2. We need to treat all AI outputs with caution since they can all be hallucinations. It's important to check and verify what the AI says, especially in critical situations.
  3. The issue of hallucinations is built into how AI works, so trying to completely fix them isn't possible. Instead, we should focus on verifying AI results to ensure reliability.

Video on About pages, discover Substacks by country, and more

Substack • 392 implied HN points • 28 Mar 24
🕹 Technology Social media Publishing Videos Resources Community
  1. You can now watch videos on your About pages, making it easier to express your mission and connect with readers.
  2. Substack added a feature to find popular posts by country using a world map, helping you discover new content globally.
  3. You can upload your own transcripts for videos, and share specific moments in a video through timestamped links.

Is Japan’s Inflation Really At a 40-Year High?

Japan Economy Watch • 259 implied HN points • 21 Nov 22
💰 Finance Banking Monetary Policy Economy Inflation
  1. Japan's inflation trend is not accurately represented by the headline figure of a 40-year high, considering the measure used is specific and not reflective of overall inflation.
  2. Year-to-year comparisons of inflation can be misleading, especially for products with price volatility, potentially skewing the true underlying trend.
  3. The causes and implications of inflation must be carefully analyzed to determine the appropriate monetary policy response, balancing economic growth with the impact of higher interest rates.
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Enovix - You've Been Scammed? Maybe (part 2)

ESG Hound • 692 implied HN points • 13 Jul 23
💼 Business Finance Technology Stocks Corruption Investing
  1. The deal between Enovix and YBS seems questionable and based on a non-binding Letter of Intent.
  2. Enovix is a pre-revenue company trading at a high valuation, with plans for a new factory and potential Malaysian involvement.
  3. There are red flags surrounding YBS International, including resignations of corporate secretaries and changes in bank ownership.

The Super Weight in Large Language Models

Gonzo ML • 189 implied HN points • 29 Nov 24
🕹 Technology Tech Innovation AI Research Machine Learning Data science Computational Models
  1. There's a special weight in large language models called the 'super weight.' If you remove it, the model's performance crashes dramatically, showing just how crucial it is.
  2. Super weights are linked to what's called 'super activations,' meaning they help generate better text. Without them, the model struggles to create coherent sentences.
  3. Finally, researchers found ways to identify and protect these super weights during the model training and quantization processes. This makes the model more efficient and retains its quality.

Come for the culture, stay for the conversation

Substack • 359 implied HN points • 01 May 24
🕹 Technology Online Communities Digital Communication Subscription Models User Experience Social media
  1. You can now paywall your chat to only allow paying subscribers, which helps keep discussions focused and friendly. This can also be a great incentive for people to subscribe to your content.
  2. The chat features have been upgraded to make it easier to navigate, search for old conversations, and manage notifications. This makes participating in chats smoother and more enjoyable.
  3. Substack chats provide a private space for subscribers to connect and discuss topics they love, creating a sense of community among readers and writers. It's like a special hangout just for fans.

DRM Gone Wild: The Polish Train Liberation Controversy

Fight to Repair • 78 implied HN points • 21 Dec 23
🕹 Technology Hardware Software Repair Manufacturers
  1. Polish hackers faced legal pushback after repairing a train that a manufacturer attempted to render inoperable remotely, highlighting the risks of DRM and anti-competitive behavior.
  2. DRM controls extend to various devices like farm equipment and cars, restricting repairs to authorized technicians and limiting consumer choice, highlighting the need for right to repair laws.
  3. Companies use DRM and legal threats to control products, emphasizing profit over consumer rights, leading to the rise of the 'landlord economy' where users pay for ownership and usage rights.

Career choices: What to focus on?

Wednesday Wisdom • 151 implied HN points • 22 Jan 25
💼 Business Job Market Career development Employment Trends Skills Training Professional Growth
  1. Focus on core skills, like coding, that are still necessary for landing a job. Make sure to practice your coding skills regularly, even if your job isn't primarily about coding.
  2. Identify what you enjoy and have some skill in, but also recognize if it has career potential. It's important to like what you do, but the market needs to support it too.
  3. Don't stress too much about making the perfect career choice. Instead, commit to understanding your field deeply and adapt as new opportunities arise.

How to Deploy Microsoft Sentinel Effectively

Rod’s Blog • 59 implied HN points • 01 Feb 24
🕹 Technology Cloud Computing Security Automation Data Management AI
  1. To get the most out of Microsoft Sentinel, organizations should carefully plan and prepare their deployment by assessing security needs and goals.
  2. Choosing the right subscription and pricing model is crucial for optimizing the benefits of Microsoft Sentinel, based on data requirements, user protection, and features needed.
  3. Effective management of Microsoft Sentinel involves monitoring data ingestion, leveraging AI and ML capabilities, automating workflows, and learning from security incidents and feedback.

Clouded Judgement 1.16.26 - Platform of Platforms

Clouded Judgement • 6 implied HN points • 16 Jan 26
💰 Finance Financial Metrics Public Markets Valuation
  1. AI agents are becoming the new users of software, automating cross-system workflows and doing the connective work humans used to do between systems of record.
  2. Legacy, domain-specific SaaS products are often rigid and may struggle to deliver cross-system experiences, risking being reduced to simple CRUD data stores unless they build or capture the agent layer on top.
  3. Public SaaS benchmarks show a median EV/NTM revenue multiple of about 4.4x with much higher multiples for high-growth companies, and typical operating metrics like ~76% gross margin, ~108% net retention, and long CAC payback periods.

Opus 4.5, Z-Image, DeepSeekMath-V2, FLUX.2, Fara-7B, Hunyuan 3D global, Supertonic TTS, ltx Retake and more

AI Brews • 15 implied HN points • 28 Nov 25
🕹 Technology AI Software Machine Learning Open Source Product Development
  1. FLUX.2 can create super detailed images and infographics with up to 10 references combined. This means it can help artists and designers make more complex visuals easily.
  2. Z-Image is a powerful image generation model that works well even on regular computers. It can produce amazing images while accurately handling both English and Chinese text.
  3. The Retake feature from ltx studio lets users quickly change parts of a video after it's made. This saves time by keeping most of the video the same while only adjusting specific scenes.

The Symphony of Strategic Roadmapping: A Personal Perspective on Product Prioritization

Product Power by Samet Ozkale • 78 implied HN points • 21 Dec 23
💼 Business Communication Product Management Prioritization Strategy Resource Allocation
  1. Product roadmapping is like conducting a symphony with prioritization setting the rhythm.
  2. Key elements of a product roadmap include vision, strategy, roadmap, prioritization, and backlog.
  3. Balancing stakeholder needs in roadmapping, aligning short-term goals with long-term vision, and agile adaptation are crucial for successful product development.

Console #191 -- Interview with Bernhard of ACID Chess - Chess computer for nerds, by nerds

Console • 472 implied HN points • 07 Jan 24
🕹 Technology AI Software Development Programming Neural Networks Open Source
  1. ACID Chess is a chess computer program written in Python that can analyze the movements of pieces on a chessboard through image recognition.
  2. The creator of ACID Chess balanced working on the project with a full-time job by dedicating time in evenings and weekends while finding it to be a good balance.
  3. The creator of ACID Chess believes AI will simplify various aspects of software development, and open-source software will continue to thrive with challenges in monetization for small developers.

Our first Substack!

Permit.io’s Substack • 59 implied HN points • 01 Feb 24
🕹 Technology Open Source Access Control Identity Management Web Development
  1. Authentication and Authorization are often confused but are important parts of any app. Understanding how they differ helps ensure your app is secure.
  2. Many developers struggle with HTTP error codes 401 and 403, which can cause confusion. It's essential to know what these errors really mean in the context of your app.
  3. Using best practices in API design for Authentication and Authorization is crucial. There are many helpful tools and resources available to make the implementation process smoother.

Pay Attention to Small Weights

Gonzo ML • 63 implied HN points • 06 Jul 25
🕹 Technology AI Machine Learning Data science Optimization Neural Networks
  1. Small weight updates during model training can lead to better results, especially since large weights might hold key features that we don't want to change.
  2. Using a method called NanoAdam, we can focus on smaller weights, which allows for more efficient memory usage and better performance during fine-tuning.
  3. It seems that large gradients often come from small weights, suggesting that sometimes it’s smarter to update these smaller weights instead of the larger ones.

Your Emotions Aren't Your Heart of Hearts

apxhard • 51 implied HN points • 31 Jul 25
📖 Philosophy Psychology Ethics Morality Reasoning Family
  1. Your emotions are not the same as your true self. It's important to understand that feelings are just a part of you, not the whole you.
  2. Finding a balance between emotion and reason is key. When we connect our thinking and feeling, we can make better choices and understand ourselves more clearly.
  3. Family should be our main focus for values, not just individual desires. Caring for our family helps guide our emotions and decisions in a way that benefits everyone.

The Bear Cave #157

The Bear Cave • 863 implied HN points • 19 Feb 23
💰 Finance Activist Reports Recent Resignations Earnings Tweets Investigations
  1. New activist reports were published on companies like Etsy and Goosehead Insurance, highlighting issues like counterfeit goods and financial practices.
  2. Recent resignations of notable executives from companies like Bally's Corp and Rocket Companies Inc were disclosed, signaling leadership changes.
  3. Upcoming earnings to watch include reports from companies like Coinbase and Planet Fitness, with previous investigations uncovering various issues.

💥 Tech Talks Weekly #19

Tech Talks Weekly • 19 implied HN points • 21 Jun 24
🕹 Technology Programming Software Conferences Development JavaScript
  1. This week features new talks from 14 different tech conferences, making it a great time to catch up on what's happening in the industry.
  2. There's a focus on specific topics like Domain Driven Design and the future of technologies like Java, highlighting the latest trends and best practices.
  3. Readers are encouraged to spread the word about Tech Talks Weekly and give feedback to help improve future content.

Good News, Bad News

The Security Industry • 15 implied HN points • 25 Nov 25
🕹 Technology Data Platforms Cybersecurity Artificial Intelligence Startups Acquisitions Industry Trends
  1. The annual cybersecurity directory will stop after 2025 because publishing a complete, up-to-date vendor list risks enabling competitors to copy the database. This protects the business value of the dataset.
  2. AI Security is exploding — about 290 companies founded 2022–2025 use AI to secure systems or apply AI to security tasks. That rapid growth means many startups will be acquired and the category will need frequent updates.
  3. A forthcoming book will comprehensively profile all AI security companies using the full dataset, providing the first market-wide view of the space. It will be published in mid-January with signed copies available at the RSA conference.

✅ The great social media migration

Wadds Inc. newsletter • 2 HN points • 02 Sep 24
🕹 Technology Media Social media Communications Public Relations Content Moderation
  1. Many users are frustrated with X due to misinformation and toxic conversations, pushing them to consider other platforms. It's a tough decision since X has been important for news and networking.
  2. Some companies and professionals are staying quiet on X, making it hard to leave a platform that has been so integral to their work and connections.
  3. There's a growing interest in new platforms like Threads, which are trying to offer more decentralized and user-controlled social media experiences.

How Hermès Sells "Time"

SatPost by Trung Phan • 435 implied HN points • 17 Feb 24
💼 Business Heritage Marketing Luxury Brands Retail Finance
  1. Hermès sells luxury by focusing on craftsmanship, heritage, and long-term thinking, with iconic bags like the Birkin and Kelly embodying these values.
  2. The concept of 'time' is central to Hermès' brand, with leadership emphasizing selling time and creating desire through managed supply and quality craftsmanship.
  3. The history and heritage of luxury brands like Hermès play a significant role in their perceived value, illustrating a strong correlation between brand longevity and luxury status.

Fighting The Fed

Points And Figures • 426 implied HN points • 27 Feb 24
💰 Finance Economics Markets Investing Banking Trading
  1. Interest rate futures, including SOFR and Fed Funds, are indicating market expectations of rate cuts by the Federal Reserve by the end of the year.
  2. The author predicts that the Federal Reserve will not lower rates in 2024 due to concerns about inflation and unemployment.
  3. Considering predictions about the Fed and interest rates, strategies like buying real estate without waiting for lower rates, buying out-of-the-money puts, and playing butterfly spreads are suggested.

Who is the Henry Ford of robotics?

Robots & Startups • 19 implied HN points • 29 May 24
🕹 Technology Robotics AI Conferences Innovation
  1. The development of robotics is paralleling the early days of commercial automobile rollout, showing similarities in market growth
  2. Current robotics growth is hindered by resource capacity, but this constraint is expected to ease leading to rapid company expansions, notably in humanoid robotics
  3. The field of robotics is seeing advancements in AI learning, which raises questions about its impact on robotics and how different communities can leverage these technologies

The curious case of "TikTok refugees" on Rednote/Xiaohongshu

Pekingnology • 158 implied HN points • 14 Jan 25
🕹 Technology Content Moderation Social media User Behavior Migration Data Privacy
  1. Many TikTok users in the U.S. are moving to a Chinese app called RedNote due to fears of a TikTok ban. This has led to an increase in the app's popularity.
  2. RedNote is like a mix of TikTok and Instagram, mainly used by young people to share lifestyle tips. However, it hasn't been widely known outside of Chinese-speaking areas until now.
  3. The move raises concerns about content moderation and privacy. RedNote may struggle with foreign-language content and could face pressure from Chinese regulations as more American users join.

Cambria S3 Gold Rush is LIVE!

Ronin’s Newsletter • 12 implied HN points • 06 Dec 25
🔮 Crypto GameFi Play-to-Earn NFTs Blockchain Tokens
  1. Season 3 is live for a limited time with a growing ETH and RON prize pool, and your final payout is determined by how much Silver you hold at the end of the season.
  2. This season is guild-focused with clearer contribution tracking, customizable reward splits, reduced Paymaster taxes, and a support program to help new guilds—guilds are created by Viceroys who deposit 10+ Royal Charters or hold a founder NFT.
  3. New gameplay systems include Ruined Dungeons, a Heat Index that shows how contested areas are, tradeable Marks, and one-run Boosts; you need a Royal Charter to play fully, pick a role (Adventurer, Paymaster, or Guild member), prepare energy and gear, then cash in loot at the Royal Treasury for Silver and Royal Favor.

Would you like some surveillance capitalism with your sandwich?

The Joyous Struggle • 197 implied HN points • 14 Oct 22
🕹 Technology Data Privacy Consumer Rights Data security Digital Currency
  1. Technology and capitalism are intertwined, impacting our daily experiences and evolving our lived realities.
  2. Surveillance capitalism, based on data extraction and manipulation, can lead to a loss of personal control and invasion of privacy.
  3. The normalization of compulsory data sharing in society poses a threat to individual autonomy and shifts the balance from citizens to consumers.

Micromobility: An Urban Transportation Revolution

Need to Know by Stephen Leahy • 58 implied HN points • 02 Feb 24
🕹 Technology Electric Vehicles Decarbonization Sustainability Urban living Transportation
  1. Nearly 300 million electric two- and three-wheelers are in use today, showing a global shift towards micromobility.
  2. Micromobility has the potential to significantly reduce oil demand and improve air quality in cities.
  3. Micromobility addresses traffic congestion by providing low-cost, sustainable transportation options for short urban trips.

Banking-as-a-Service: Wrapped

Fintech Business Weekly • 475 implied HN points • 31 Dec 23
💰 Finance Compliance Fintech
  1. The banking-as-a-service industry faced challenges in 2023, such as issues with compliance and partnerships.
  2. There was increased regulatory scrutiny on BaaS entities, with concerns around misleading claims and high interest rates.
  3. Multiple BaaS-related scandals and legal actions occurred throughout the year, impacting various companies in the industry.

Unpacking the Executive Order on AI

The Exformation Newsletter • 98 implied HN points • 09 Nov 23
🕹 Technology AI Regulation Legal Policy Government
  1. The Executive Order on AI has raised concerns about legal challenges and the impact on the rule of law.
  2. Government policy decisions can have long-lasting effects, as seen in examples like the Electronic Communications Privacy Act and technical requirements for new technologies.
  3. The Executive Order gives the White House new authority over 'dual use foundation models,' raising questions about regulation and potential impacts on innovation.

Disillusionment and Learning

The Memory Palace • 19 implied HN points • 28 May 24
📖 Philosophy Cognitive Science Behavioral Psychology Radicalization Learning Theory Belief systems
  1. People often join groups or movements for positive reasons, but they may leave due to internal issues that arise later on.
  2. When someone changes their beliefs, returning to previous beliefs is complicated and often not the same as before.
  3. Revisiting old beliefs or habits can be an active process rather than a passive one; it's about reaching back, not just slipping back into old patterns.

SaaS X-Ray and IPO Markets w/ Stan Zlotsky (Pendo.io)

Hard Mode by Breaking SaaS • 98 implied HN points • 09 Nov 23
💼 Business Technology Management Finance Investing Operations
  1. Investors seek a balance between growth and profitability in tech companies going public.
  2. Investors value companies that have shown a path to profitability and solid management teams.
  3. Understanding unit economics and aligning internal teams with investor metrics are crucial for SaaS companies navigating the IPO journey.

Lessons from History: The Rise and Fall of the Telecom Bubble

Mule’s Musings • 558 implied HN points • 16 Oct 23
💼 Business Economy Technology Finance History Telecom
  1. The Telecom bubble had compounding levels of leverage throughout the value chain, which is a defining difference from today's AI companies.
  2. The barrier to entry in the Telecom industry seemed lower than in the AI industry, allowing for more new entrants.
  3. Supply is reactive to demand, and the telecom bubble showed that supply can quickly outstrip demand, leading to a glut.