The hottest Substack posts right now

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Some Regulatory Certainty

Points And Figures • 612 implied HN points • 28 Feb 25
🔮 Crypto Regulation Innovation Investment Market Trends Financial Technology
  1. The SEC has decided that crypto memecoins are not considered securities, giving the industry more regulatory clarity. This is a positive change compared to the confusion that existed before.
  2. While crypto hasn't become essential for everyone's daily life yet, there are potential future uses, like tokenizing assets or using stablecoins for easier international payments.
  3. Regulation can sometimes create unfair advantages for big companies and stifle competition. It's important to be aware of these effects while also ensuring that people aren't misled by things like memecoins.

SEO & UX: Search Engine Optimization Best Practices

Jakob Nielsen on UX • 19 implied HN points • 05 Mar 25
🕹 Technology SEO UX Web Development Digital marketing Content Strategy
  1. SEO is changing from a focus on tricks to prioritizing what users actually want. It’s about giving people good experiences rather than trying to fool search engines.
  2. Quality content is key for SEO now. Instead of pumping out lots of low-quality articles, businesses should create useful, in-depth content that truly answers user questions.
  3. Building trust and authority online is crucial. Websites need to show expertise and be credible, as Google favors content from trusted sources.

Coreweave is going public!

Alex's Personal Blog • 65 implied HN points • 04 Mar 25
💼 Business Economics Startups Investing Tech industry Market Trends
  1. Coreweave is going public and has seen impressive revenue growth, largely due to a specific focus on AI workloads. They claim that their services are specially built to handle the demands of AI, allowing for high efficiency.
  2. The company is heavily reliant on just a few big customers, with Microsoft providing a significant portion of its revenue. This raises concerns about sustainability if Microsoft decides to cut back on their services.
  3. While Coreweave's expenses are high from investing in infrastructure, they expect to break even on these investments fairly quickly. However, future demand for their services is crucial for their ongoing success.

No Pats On the Back

Points And Figures • 772 implied HN points • 27 Feb 25
💼 Business Entrepreneurship Venture Capital Investment Strategies Economic Development
  1. Chicago lacks the investment and willingness to take risks that cities like Silicon Valley and New York have. This makes it hard for startups to get support.
  2. Entrepreneurial ecosystems thrive when they focus on merit and tolerance for failure. Chicago is seen as outdated in these aspects.
  3. The culture in Chicago often emphasizes who you are instead of what you can achieve, which can hinder innovation and growth.

The most neglected words of the Agile Manifesto

Ageling on Agile • 119 implied HN points • 31 Oct 24
🕹 Technology Software Development Agile Methodology Process Improvement Collaboration Project management
  1. The Agile Manifesto emphasizes that we're always discovering better ways to develop software, not just relying on established methods. It's about improving and adapting continuously.
  2. Though there are popular Agile methods like Scrum and XP, the key is to find what works best for your unique organization. Every team is different, and a one-size-fits-all approach may not fit your needs.
  3. The first sentence of the Agile Manifesto is often overlooked, but it encourages ongoing exploration in software development. This mindset fosters innovation and flexibility rather than strict adherence to any single method.
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The mainstream media is no longer mainstream

Simon Owens's Media Newsletter • 474 implied HN points • 18 Jun 25
💼 Business Media Streaming Influencers E-commerce Subscriptions
  1. Social media has become the main source of news for many Americans, replacing traditional TV. This means independent media now plays a bigger role in shaping public interest and discussions.
  2. Streaming services have officially surpassed traditional TV in viewership. This shift makes it easier for these platforms to become profitable as they continue to attract more and more viewers.
  3. Whatnot, a live shopping app, is gaining popularity and showing that video shopping can work in the U.S. It's interesting to see how social media influencers can generate sales in real-time, something that's been popular in Asia for a while.

Weekly Top Picks #100

The Algorithmic Bridge • 148 implied HN points • 03 Mar 25
🕹 Technology AI Newsletter Publishing Content creation Online Communities
  1. The weekly newsletter just reached its 100th edition, so instead of the usual picks, there's an Ask Me Anything (AMA) session this time.
  2. You can ask about anything related to AI, newsletter writing, or even personal opinions that might spark discussion.
  3. The author encourages open questions and suggests that using tools like ChatGPT can help in forming inquiries.

Choosing a microcontroller

lcamtuf’s thing • 6530 implied HN points • 08 Feb 25
🕹 Technology Microcontrollers Embedded Systems Programming Automation
  1. When picking a microcontroller for simple projects, stick to 8-bit options like AVRs. They are easy to use and work well for tasks that don’t need a lot of speed or memory.
  2. For more demanding applications, like video processing or complex calculations, go for higher-end 32-bit microcontrollers. They are more powerful and can handle heavy data loads.
  3. If you need wireless connectivity and processing power, single-board computers are the way to go. They run full operating systems but can be more expensive and less efficient than microcontrollers.

Deep dive in hybrid battery packs

Intercalation Station • 159 implied HN points • 30 Oct 24
🕹 Technology Batteries Energy Electronics Automotive Innovation
  1. Hybrid battery packs mix different battery chemistries to improve performance. This allows for better energy management and potentially raises the accuracy of state-of-charge readings.
  2. These new packs can perform better in low temperatures and support faster charging. By combining different cell types, they can work more efficiently across different conditions.
  3. While hybrid batteries have advantages, they can also be more expensive and heavier. This extra cost might make them less appealing for some applications, though prices for certain battery types are dropping.

Build AI or Be Buried By Those Who Do

Contemplations on the Tree of Woe • 3574 implied HN points • 30 May 25
🕹 Technology AI Machine Learning Innovation Automation Data science
  1. There are three main views on AI: believers who think it will change everything for the better, skeptics who see it as just fancy technology, and doomers who worry it could end badly for humanity. Each group has different ideas about what AI will mean for the future.
  2. The belief among AI believers is that AI will become a big part of our lives, doing many tasks better than humans and reshaping many industries. They see it as a revolutionary change that will be everywhere.
  3. Many think that if we don’t build our own AI, the narrative and values that shape AI will be dominated by one ideology, which could be harmful. The idea is that we need balanced development of AI, representing different views to ensure freedom and diversity in thought.

The Paris AI Anti-Safety Summit

Don't Worry About the Vase • 4390 implied HN points • 12 Feb 25
🕹 Technology AI safety International relations Policy Analysis Regulation Public Perception
  1. The recent Paris AI Summit shifted focus away from safety and risk management, favoring economic opportunities instead. Many leaders downplayed potential dangers of advanced AI.
  2. International cooperation on AI safety has weakened, with past agreements being ignored. This leaves little room for developing effective safety regulations as AI technologies rapidly evolve.
  3. The emphasis on voluntary commitments from companies may not be enough to ensure safety. Experts believe a more structured regulatory framework is needed to address serious risks associated with AI.

Literate Testing

Rethinking Software • 99 implied HN points • 14 Jun 25
🕹 Technology Software Programming Testing Development Documentation
  1. Literate programming is great for keeping your code and documentation together. It helps you write tests in a clear and organized way without needing extra frameworks.
  2. With literate programming, you can easily mock functions and test them directly, even in languages like C that are usually tricky to test. This makes the testing process simpler and more enjoyable.
  3. Placing tests right next to your code helps you keep everything organized and makes writing tests feel less like a chore. You start to see tests as part of your coding process rather than an extra step.

the biggest business myth is that PE-backed companies are well run

Five Links (and three graphs) by Auren Hoffman • 121 implied HN points • 22 Jun 25
💼 Business Private Equity Company performance Corporate strategy Investment Analysis
  1. Private equity (PE) companies used to be seen as well-run, but many are now poorly managed and bloated. Unlike the past, there's no guarantee that a PE-backed company is better run than others.
  2. PE firms today often focus more on financial engineering and increasing their fees rather than actually improving the companies they buy. This has led to companies becoming more complicated without much actual performance improvement.
  3. If a top PE firm acquires a company from another top PE firm, the acquired company may not be able to provide significant improvements. The trend shows that the initial efficiency that PE firms once promised is largely missing now.

The Pettis Paradigm and the Second China Shock

Noahpinion • 16059 implied HN points • 16 Jan 25
💰 Finance International Trade Macroeconomics Economic Policy
  1. China has a large trade surplus, which is complex and not solely based on traditional economic theories. Many think its economy is getting help through government loans and subsidies.
  2. There are many opinions on how to deal with China's trade practices, especially the idea of using tariffs. Some believe that tariffs can help change China's focus from exporting to better domestic consumption.
  3. Economics is complicated, and experts often disagree on how to fix trade issues. Current solutions might not work as intended, and some past policies have not improved the situation as hoped.

The leading AI models are now good historians

Res Obscura • 15240 implied HN points • 22 Jan 25
🕹 Technology AI Models Historical Analysis Generative AI Research Methods
  1. AI models are getting really good at history, especially in specific areas. They can help with tasks like translating old texts and offering historical context.
  2. While some people worry that AI tools lead to cheating in education, they can also enhance research efficiency. They help researchers to gather information and insights quickly.
  3. Despite AI's advancements, human creativity and understanding are still irreplaceable. There's a recognition that the unique human experience and thoughts are valuable and cannot be fully replicated by AI.

How to destroy a world

Data People Etc. • 53 implied HN points • 24 Feb 25
🕹 Technology AI Data science Software Systems Influencers
  1. Frameworks can be used for both building and breaking worlds. It's important to understand how to exploit weaknesses in these structures.
  2. To weaken a dominant system, you can undermine its narrative, disrupt key players, and challenge established norms. This approach can create doubts and resistance.
  3. Destroying a world can teach us about resilience. Strengthening systems and protocols is crucial to support and maintain their relevance in changing times.

Solipsism>>Determinism

Bet On It • 196 implied HN points • 24 Jun 25
📖 Philosophy Free will Determinism Mind Epistemology
  1. Libertarian free will means you have real choices, unlike determinism which says you can only act one way based on past events.
  2. Your own thoughts and decisions feel real to you, and denying them goes against personal experiences and observations.
  3. Even though solipsism (the idea that only your mind is certain) seems crazy, it makes more sense than determinism, which asks you to ignore your direct experiences.

The House of Huawei

ChinaTalk • 444 implied HN points • 17 Jun 25
💼 Business Corporate culture Entrepreneurship International Trade Telecommunications Geopolitics
  1. Ren Zhengfei, the founder of Huawei, grew up facing hardship during the Cultural Revolution but turned this struggle into his motivation for success. His challenging past helped him build a strong company culture focused on hard work and resilience.
  2. Huawei has grown by exploring high-risk international markets where other companies hesitated, such as Libya and Iraq. This strategic risk-taking allowed Huawei to create valuable global partnerships and expand its business.
  3. The company has faced significant scrutiny from the West, particularly the United States, over security concerns related to its technology. However, Huawei has continued to thrive by emphasizing its importance to China's tech development and fostering a unique corporate culture.

Infographics: Centrally Cleared U.S. Treasury Market Flows

Concoda • 178 implied HN points • 13 Jun 25
💰 Finance Market Trends Trading Investments Economy Monetary Policy
  1. The U.S. Treasury market uses a central counterparty to manage trades. This helps ensure that transactions are processed smoothly and securely.
  2. Understanding the flow of money in the U.S. Treasury market is important for seeing how the economy functions. It gives insights into larger financial trends.
  3. Infographics can help simplify complex information about the Treasury market, making it easier to understand for everyone. Visuals often make learning about finance more accessible.

What would you do if you had pizza money?

Tech and Tea • 263 implied HN points • 20 Feb 25
💰 Finance Personal Finance Financial Independence Investing Wealth Management
  1. The pizza money scenario encourages people to think about their relationship with money and what they're willing to sacrifice for financial independence. It reveals whether people prioritize financial gain or their daily comfort.
  2. Responses to the pizza question vary widely, showing that some people are focused on maximizing wealth while others prefer to maintain their lifestyle. This highlights how different priorities shape our choices.
  3. The absurdity of the situation helps clarify what truly matters in life. It encourages introspection and helps people identify their values, leading to better alignment between life choices and personal goals.

Hard Money and Hard Men

Postcards From Barsoom • 3906 implied HN points • 13 Oct 24
🔮 Crypto Bitcoin Blockchain Finance Economics Philosophy
  1. To create good times, we need to focus on becoming great individuals first. It's not just about what you do, but about who you choose to be.
  2. In our current world, there's a lot of distraction and mediocrity. We must resist this and strive for excellence by not settling for average.
  3. History shows us the importance of strength and preparation. To appreciate peace, you must understand the value of being ready for conflict.

Deep Into the Depths

Atlas of Wonders and Monsters • 339 implied HN points • 27 Feb 25
🕹 Technology AI Research Innovation Computer Science
  1. AI tools have started using the term 'deep' to suggest they dig into more complex information, but this may often not be the case. Many still just skim the surface instead of really exploring.
  2. While AI is getting better at research by gathering information quickly, true deep research requires more human-like exploration and understanding. It's about going beyond just looking up facts.
  3. Don't be fooled by the hype around AI's 'deep research' capabilities. They are useful, but they aren't as profound or groundbreaking as some might claim.

Slashing my ".bashrc" in half

Bite code! • 1834 implied HN points • 20 Feb 25
🕹 Technology Software Programming Development Tools Open Source
  1. Using new tools like Atuin and Starship can make your terminal experience much simpler and faster. They help reduce the size of configuration files like .bashrc while still providing great features.
  2. The rise of Rust has led to better command-line tools that are efficient and user-friendly. These tools replace many old commands and plugins with minimal effort needed from users.
  3. It's okay to stop using some tools or plugins if they aren't effective for your needs. Keeping your setup clean and understandable is more important than having every possible feature.

How to Think About ChatGPT

Holly’s Newsletter • 2916 implied HN points • 18 Oct 24
🕹 Technology Artificial Intelligence Machine Learning Software Development Computing Data science
  1. ChatGPT and similar models are not thinking or reasoning. They are just very good at predicting the next word based on patterns in data.
  2. These models can provide useful information but shouldn't be trusted as knowledge sources. They reflect training data biases and simply mimic language patterns.
  3. Using ChatGPT can be fun and helpful for brainstorming or getting starting points, but remember, it's just a tool and doesn't understand the information it presents.

Evolution: A Sign of Resilience

The Wolf of Harcourt Street • 779 implied HN points • 25 Oct 24
💼 Business Finance Market Analysis Investment Strategies
  1. Evolution's revenue grew by 15% for the second quarter in a row, showing strong demand in its Live segment. This is great news as most of their money comes from this area.
  2. Despite facing challenges like labor issues and cyber-attacks, Evolution has been able to keep its business model scalable. They managed to serve more players with fewer staff, which helps with costs.
  3. The company is expanding globally, opening new studios in places like Colombia and the Czech Republic. They plan to keep growing, aiming to tap into more markets like Brazil and the Philippines.

Downstream Problems

The Breaking Point • 199 implied HN points • 29 Oct 24
💼 Business Sales Marketing Leadership Decision-making Growth
  1. Focus on solving the root problem, not just the surface issues. Fixing the wrong thing will only lead to more problems.
  2. Quality leads are crucial for a successful sales process. Even a flawed process can succeed if the leads are strong and motivated.
  3. Looking upstream for solutions can help fix multiple problems at once. If you improve one area, other issues may also resolve.

Yes, Americans are much richer than Japanese people

Noahpinion • 28353 implied HN points • 24 Dec 24
💰 Finance Economics Wealth Income
  1. Americans generally have a higher standard of living compared to Japanese people, especially when you look at their salaries. Even though Japan has a strong economy, many people earn significantly less than their American counterparts, especially for starting jobs.
  2. Living standards in Japan might seem appealing due to factors like safety and good public transportation, but these benefits can be overshadowed by long working hours and less leisure time. While Japan is safe and has beautiful cities, many people still work hard and face economic struggles.
  3. While GDP can show how wealthy a country is, it doesn't capture everything about quality of life. Americans have access to more modern conveniences and have higher average salaries, but Japan offers a safer and healthier living environment, which makes comparing them more complicated.

How do we measure whether China's economy is "ahead" of America's?

Noahpinion • 20059 implied HN points • 04 Jan 25
💰 Finance Economics Trade GDP Currency Growth
  1. There are different ways to measure the size of economies, like using nominal GDP or purchasing power parity (PPP). Depending on the method, we can get very different perspectives on whether China's economy is ahead of America's.
  2. The exchange rate can change the perception of an economy's size, especially if a country's currency is weak. If China's yuan strengthens, it could suddenly appear larger than the U.S. economy in nominal terms.
  3. When comparing economies, it's important to consider local prices and living standards. For a more accurate view of how people live and what they can afford, using PPP is crucial despite its complexity and potential inaccuracies.

Why do bad things happen to good people?

Civic Renaissance with Alexandra Hudson • 299 implied HN points • 28 Oct 24
📖 Philosophy Ethics Existentialism Humanity Adversity Justice
  1. Bad things can happen to good people, and it’s a question that has troubled many. Boethius believed that suffering is part of life, and how we respond to it matters.
  2. Suffering can teach us important lessons, like gratitude and empathy. It can help us appreciate the good in our lives and understand others better.
  3. Instead of letting hardship make us bitter, we can use it to grow and change for the better. Reflecting on our experiences can help us find meaning and build resilience.

PyIceberg: Current State and Roadmap

Ju Data Engineering Newsletter • 396 implied HN points • 28 Oct 24
🕹 Technology Data Engineering Software Development Big Data Open Source Cloud Computing
  1. Improving the user interface is crucial for more teams to use Iceberg, especially those that use Python for their data work.
  2. PyIceberg, which is a Python implementation, is evolving quickly and currently supports various catalog and file system types.
  3. While PyIceberg makes it easy to read and write data, it has some limitations, especially compared to using Iceberg with Spark, like handling deletes and managing metadata.

#3: The ad that checks you're rich

12challenges • 85 implied HN points • 27 Feb 25
💼 Business Advertising Marketing Satire Media Technology
  1. There's a humorous ad concept that checks if you're wealthy before you can click it. It's meant to point out the silliness of clicking on ads for things we can't afford.
  2. The idea is that ads wasting money can harm everyone, so this ad aims to avoid that waste by making sure only those who can actually buy stuff see it.
  3. This initiative shows a creative approach to advertising and is part of a larger plan to create more satirical ads that poke fun at everyday marketing tactics.

My Intellectual Heroes, Part 3

Life Since the Baby Boom • 1383 implied HN points • 12 Feb 25
📖 Philosophy Behavioral Economics Cognitive Psychology Human behavior Intellectual history Decision-making
  1. Daniel Kahneman showed that people often don’t act like the rational thinkers we expect. He studied how we make decisions and found many biases that affect our judgment.
  2. He worked with Amos Tversky and together they explored how our minds trick us. Their ideas laid the foundation for behavioral economics, changing how we think about choices.
  3. Kahneman's book 'Thinking Fast and Slow' explains our two types of thinking: fast reactions and slower, more careful thinking. Understanding this can help us make better decisions.

Engineer to CEO in 3 years: These key lessons got me there

High Growth Engineer • 717 implied HN points • 23 Feb 25
💼 Business Leadership Career growth Startups Entrepreneurship Management
  1. Simplify your communication by sharing only the important details. It's better to answer the main question first and add more info later if needed.
  2. Look for gaps in your team or company where you can help. Taking initiative and proposing solutions can help you grow in your career.
  3. Listen to your team and find out what problems they face. Removing obstacles makes it easier for everyone to work better together.

Visualize Protectionist Luxembourg

Bet On It • 241 implied HN points • 23 Jun 25
💼 Business International Trade Economics Globalization Consumer behavior
  1. Luxembourg's economy relies heavily on international trade. A big part of what it buys and sells comes from other countries, which is very important for its success.
  2. If Luxembourg raised its tariffs significantly, residents would face high prices and a worse quality of life because they depend on imports for most goods.
  3. Luxembourg serves as a great example showing that trade is not a threat but an opportunity. The country demonstrates the importance of both imports and exports in keeping the economy strong.

The hard thing about building AI applications

Generating Conversation • 140 implied HN points • 27 Feb 25
🕹 Technology AI Software Innovation Product Design User Experience
  1. Good AI should figure things out for you before you even ask. It should make your life easier by anticipating what you need without requiring a lot of input.
  2. Trust is key for AI systems. They should be honest about what they don't know and explain their level of confidence. This helps users rely on them more.
  3. AI should take complex information and boil it down to what's important and easy to understand. It should help you find insights quickly without overwhelming you with details.

Global LP Perspectives in a Changing Market

Tippets by Taps • 10 implied HN points • 24 Jun 25
💼 Business Venture Capital Private Equity Investment strategy Market Trends AI Development
  1. Liquidity is a big issue for investors everywhere. They are waiting for returns, especially in regions like Australia where companies like Canva are under a lot of pressure to go public.
  2. AI is seen as a huge opportunity by all investors. They feel they can't miss out on the companies shaping the future, even if they are frustrated by the current lack of liquidity.
  3. The US, especially Silicon Valley, is still the main hub for tech and AI innovation. Many investors want to get involved there while waiting for their local markets to grow.

On OpenAI's Model Spec 2.0

Don't Worry About the Vase • 985 implied HN points • 21 Feb 25
🕹 Technology AI Machine Learning Software Development Data Ethics Tech Policy
  1. OpenAI's Model Spec 2.0 introduces a structured command chain that prioritizes platform rules over individual developer and user instructions. This hierarchy helps ensure safety and performance in AI interactions.
  2. The updated rules emphasize the importance of preventing harm while still aiming to assist users in achieving their goals. This means the AI should avoid generating illegal or harmful content.
  3. There are notable improvements in clarity and detail compared to previous versions, like defining what content is prohibited and reinforcing user privacy. However, concerns remain about potential misuse of the system by those with access to higher-level rules.

Basic Linear Algebra Subprogramming

arg min • 178 implied HN points • 29 Oct 24
🕹 Technology Computing Mathematics Optimization Data science Algorithms
  1. Understanding how optimization solvers work can save time and improve efficiency. Knowing a bit about the tools helps you avoid mistakes and make smarter choices.
  2. Nonlinear equations are harder to solve than linear ones, and methods like Newton's help us get approximate solutions. Iteratively solving these systems is key to finding optimal results in optimization problems.
  3. The speed and efficiency of solving linear systems can greatly affect computational performance. Organizing your model in a smart way can lead to significant time savings during optimization.

What's new in Svelte: November 2024

The (Unofficial) Svelte JS Newsletter • 19 implied HN points • 01 Nov 24
🕹 Technology Software Frameworks Development Libraries Community
  1. Svelte 5 has been released with new features making coding easier. This includes helpful additions like snippets for filling slots and new DOM properties.
  2. The Svelte community is active with a hackathon called SvelteHack 2024, encouraging developers to create new projects for prizes.
  3. There are many new libraries and tools for Svelte that help build apps more effectively. These resources can boost efficiency and creativity in projects.

What Hotelier Ari Heckman thinks about building brand worlds IRL

the case for brand 💼 • 137 implied HN points • 28 Feb 25
💼 Business Hospitality Branding Entrepreneurship Design Marketing
  1. Ari Heckman focuses on creating unique brand worlds for his hotel projects, blending art and commerce. This approach helps make each hotel feel special and connected to the local culture.
  2. He emphasizes the importance of being involved in both the creative and operational sides of business. Balancing creative ideas with sound business practices can lead to better results.
  3. The idea of evolving beyond just being a hotel brand is key for Ash. They want to be seen as a lifestyle brand, offering more than just lodging, like products and experiences that connect with their brand story.