The hottest Substack posts right now

according to Hacker News
Category

Of falling door plugs and missing bolts and holes in fuselages and 737 Max 9's

Lucian Truscott Newsletter • 3655 implied HN points • 06 Feb 24
💼 Business Corporate culture Manufacturing Aerospace Quality control
  1. Private equity in aircraft manufacturing can lead to cost-cutting measures that compromise safety.
  2. Recent accidents involving Boeing 737 models point to potential flaws in design and manufacturing processes.
  3. Pressure to speed up production in the aviation industry can result in quality control issues and safety risks.

What do you think about consciousness?

The Intrinsic Perspective • 12511 implied HN points • 08 Nov 24
📖 Philosophy Philosophy of science Metaphysics Cognitive Science Consciousness
  1. There are many theories about consciousness, and everyone has their own views on it. It's a topic that invites everyone to share their thoughts.
  2. The study of consciousness is still in its early stages, so you don't need to be an expert to join the discussion. It's a personal experience that we all understand.
  3. Finding a scientific explanation for consciousness is a hope for many. It suggests that there might be a simple answer out there just waiting to be discovered.

The Only Pitch Guyde You’ll Ever Need

Remarkable People • 699 implied HN points • 03 Jul 24
💼 Business Innovation Entrepreneurship Investment Startups Pitching
  1. Choose the right audience for your pitch. It's crucial to identify the right venture capital firms and specific people to contact for better chances of success.
  2. Get a warm introduction instead of cold emailing. Knowing someone who can introduce you increases the chances of getting a meeting.
  3. Practice your pitch and engage your audience. Start strong, tell a compelling story, and be confident in your delivery to leave a lasting impression.

Discarding the Shaft-and-Belt Model of Software Development

Am I Stronger Yet? • 360 implied HN points • 14 Jan 26
🕹 Technology Software Artificial Intelligence Automation Workflows Software Development Engineering Product Management
  1. AI makes small software projects very cheap, so it becomes practical to build custom apps for a single person or team instead of one-size-fits-all products.
  2. Coding agents can write and maintain these small apps — people just tell the AI what they want, ask for changes, or have it rewrite messy code, enabling fast "vibe coding" workflows.
  3. Big, complex systems will still require professional engineers and robust infrastructure, but overall development practices will shift toward simpler, locally grown solutions that match AI's strengths.

Free content almost always beats paid

Simon Owens's Media Newsletter • 424 implied HN points • 31 Dec 25
💼 Business Advertising Platforms Social media Media Streaming Publishing Monetization
  1. Free, ad-supported and shortform platforms are winning attention more than paid subscription services, so audiences are increasingly choosing free over paid content.
  2. A surge of low-effort, AI-generated videos is soaking up huge amounts of viewer time and ad revenue, making it harder for higher-quality creators to get noticed.
  3. Creators and publishers are diversifying how they make money — from audiobooks and microdramas to community memberships, sponsorships, and merchandise — and must adapt or partner to capture revenue.
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How security teams fail

lcamtuf’s thing • 8774 implied HN points • 12 Feb 25
🕹 Technology Risk management Cybersecurity Information Security Corporate Governance Organizational Structure
  1. Many companies don't prioritize hiring security teams until after a major security incident happens. This means their first security personnel often lack experience to build strong security programs.
  2. Over time, security teams can become rigid and focused on their own tasks rather than aligning with broader business goals. This may lead to them missing urgent risks.
  3. When a major breach occurs, it can finally highlight the weaknesses in security strategies. This often leads to a change in team structure and a chance to improve communication within the company.

Harsh truths to save you from ChatGPT psychosis

Cloud Irregular • 2809 implied HN points • 14 Aug 25
🕹 Technology AI Ethics Machine Learning Chatbots Digital Addiction
  1. AI won't truly make you smarter; it just helps you find answers faster, but may harm your thinking skills instead. Don't rely on it to get better at understanding things.
  2. AI-generated writing isn't captivating on its own. It's just borrowed ideas and won't bring you respect or recognition; focus on your own unique thoughts instead.
  3. AI isn't a creative genius; it can't give you original insights. If you don't know a topic well, AI might mislead you, so always verify and learn from real experts.

4.4 Signals Along a Transmission Line

Fields & Energy • 319 implied HN points • 07 Aug 24
🕹 Technology Telecommunications Signal Processing Innovations
  1. Long telegraph cables can cause delays and signal blurring, which was a problem when laying the first transatlantic cable.
  2. Using too much voltage to fix signal issues can break the cable, leading to more problems rather than solutions.
  3. The first successful transatlantic cable started working in 1866, just after an important theory on electromagnetism was published.

Evaluating Consciousness and Reasoning in Abstract Strategic Games (I)

Encyclopedia Autonomica • 19 implied HN points • 20 Oct 24
🕹 Technology Game Theory Computational Models Machine Learning AI
  1. Tic Tac Toe is a simple game that can be played on bigger boards. The larger boards lead to more complex strategies and reduce the first-move advantage that smaller boards often have.
  2. Different player types can be implemented in the game, such as random players and those using reinforcement learning. These players can have various strengths and weaknesses based on their strategies.
  3. As players compete, the performance of agents like the Cognitive ReAct agent is evaluated. Analyzing how these agents think and make moves helps understand their reasoning and decision-making processes.

Deconstructing the Transformers ReAct JSON System Prompt

Encyclopedia Autonomica • 39 implied HN points • 13 Oct 24
🕹 Technology AI Development Data Analysis Machine Learning Software
  1. Transformers use a specific structure for commands called JSON. This makes it easier to describe actions clearly and effectively.
  2. The system prompt includes rules that the agent must follow, like focusing on one action at a time and using the correct values for inputs.
  3. The design also emphasizes iterative reasoning, where the agent can build on previous observations to make better decisions in tasks.

Irony too funny for words

Marcus on AI • 8813 implied HN points • 06 Feb 25
🕹 Technology Ethics Software Development AI Innovation
  1. Once something is released into the world, you can't take it back. This is especially true for AI technology.
  2. AI developers should consider the consequences of their creations, as they can lead to unexpected issues.
  3. Companies may want to ensure genuine communication from applicants, but relying on AI for tasks is now common.

OpenAI Model Differentiation 101

Don't Worry About the Vase • 3808 implied HN points • 11 Jul 25
🕹 Technology AI Models Chatbots Software Development Machine Learning Natural Language Processing Tech industry
  1. OpenAI has different models like GPT-4o and o3, each with unique purposes. Use GPT-4o for simple chats or images, and o3 for logic or more complex questions.
  2. There's a lot of buzz about models like Claude and Gemini as alternatives to ChatGPT. They have their own strengths, like better context understanding and dynamic reasoning.
  3. Watch out for issues like hallucinations, where the model might make things up, and sycophancy, where it might agree too much with what you say. Be mindful of how you ask questions.

“Build What’s Fundable”

Investing 101 • 950 implied HN points • 16 Nov 25
💼 Business Investment Trends Entrepreneurship Venture Capital Startups
  1. Y Combinator has shifted from focusing on meaningful problems to following what many investors think is trendy. This change can lead to less original thinking and more pressure to fit in.
  2. Startups are becoming more uniform and normal, as many founders come from similar backgrounds and experiences. This can limit creativity and make it harder to think independently.
  3. To change this trend, people need to chase their beliefs and find projects that truly matter, rather than just following what is popular or easy. This will encourage more unique ideas in tech.

A Cycle of Misery: The Business of Building Commercial Aircraft

Construction Physics • 27768 implied HN points • 31 Jan 24
💼 Business Aviation Economics Competition Industry Manufacturing
  1. Developing a new commercial aircraft is incredibly expensive, with development costs exceeding billions and posing significant financial risks to companies.
  2. Aircraft manufacturers face challenges in predicting market demand and trends, with incorrect guesses leading to financial losses and potentially fatal setbacks.
  3. Given the high costs and risks involved in developing new aircraft, manufacturers often opt to revise existing models to mitigate costs, keep pilot training minimal, and maximize efficiency.

Olmo 3: America’s truly open reasoning models

Democratizing Automation • 934 implied HN points • 20 Nov 25
🕹 Technology Open Source Machine Learning Data science AI Models Reasoning
  1. Olmo 3 offers open-source language models that are competitive in performance, allowing the community to explore AI effectively. Both the 7B and 32B models set new standards for open reasoning models.
  2. The project includes a variety of training options to meet different needs, ensuring users can specialize their models for tasks like reasoning and instruction-following. It's all about making AI more accessible and adaptable.
  3. There’s an exciting future for research in reinforcement learning and model development with Olmo 3. The researchers are eager to explore new avenues and improve model capabilities over the coming years.

Google Gemini 3 Is the Best Model Ever. One Score Stands Out Above the Rest

The Algorithmic Bridge • 1072 implied HN points • 18 Nov 25
🕹 Technology Machine Learning AI Models Benchmarking Digital Tools Software Development
  1. Google's Gemini 3 model has significantly outperformed its competitors, scoring top marks in 95% of benchmarks. This shows it's a very strong option in the AI space.
  2. One standout feature of Gemini 3 is its advanced reasoning ability, allowing it to carry out complex tasks and provide useful solutions, like translating recipes or generating study materials.
  3. Even though Gemini 3 excels in benchmarks, it's still essential to test it personally to see if it meets individual needs, as not all users may require the latest AI advancements.

OpenAI's new "Study Mode" and the risks of flattery

Res Obscura • 3265 implied HN points • 31 Jul 25
🕹 Technology Education AI Machine Learning EdTech Human-computer interaction
  1. OpenAI's Study Mode is designed to help students learn by encouraging them to think for themselves instead of just getting answers. It uses techniques like asking questions and guiding discussions.
  2. While Study Mode could benefit some learners, it may also encourage flattery and make students feel good without necessarily promoting real learning. It's important for AI to challenge students, not just agree with them.
  3. Learning often works best in a group or engaging with others, rather than relying only on AI. Human interaction can provide necessary friction that helps students grow.

The Big Nonprofits Post 2025

Don't Worry About the Vase • 940 implied HN points • 26 Nov 25
💼 Business Funding Philanthropy Nonprofit Social Impact Charity
  1. There are many great organizations out there that are doing important work and worthy of donations. You can choose to support causes that really resonate with your values.
  2. When considering donations, think not only about the organizations' needs but how your contribution aligns with your personal beliefs and the impact you want to make.
  3. If you're unsure about direct donations, consider regranting organizations that can distribute funds to various causes, as they often have a wider reach and can help more projects.

Juicy Research Ideas and How to Find them?

AI Research & Strategy • 297 implied HN points • 01 Sep 24
🕹 Technology Data science Academic Publishing AI Research Idea Generation Machine Learning
  1. People often find AI research ideas by reading papers, talking to experts, or browsing online platforms like Twitter and GitHub. These are effective ways to spark inspiration.
  2. There are various strategies for generating AI research ideas, such as inventing new tasks, improving existing methods, or exploring gaps in current research. Each approach can lead to publishing valuable findings.
  3. Building better AI research assistants can involve encoding these idea-generation strategies into their programming. This could make them more effective in supporting researchers.

The Same Tool, The Same Week

Anima Mundi • 267 implied HN points • 18 Jan 26
🕹 Technology Regulation Information Climate Science Artificial Intelligence Governance Security Ethics
  1. People are losing trust in old institutions and turning to friends and local networks, so we need new, transparent ways to build trust that can still coordinate at large scale.
  2. The same AI can be touted as a military asset and banned for abuse in the same week, which shows global norms for governing tech are fractured and risks an unconstrained arms race if not addressed.
  3. Climate data points to accelerating warming and the era of 'warnings' is ending, so we must shift to serious adaptation, systemic transformation, and holding the biggest emitters accountable.

Issue #17 - Unpacking the People, Process, Technology & Data Framework

The Data Ecosystem • 339 implied HN points • 04 Aug 24
💼 Business Strategy Management Operations Technology Data
  1. The People, Process, Technology framework helps organizations balance these three key areas but often misses the importance of data. Companies should not just focus on technology but also consider how people and processes interact.
  2. A new framework that includes data is called People, Process, Technology & Data. This approach shows how these four components work together, helping organizations make better decisions and manage change more effectively.
  3. Using structured questions and understanding the roles of each component can enhance planning and execution in businesses. It's essential to revisit these elements regularly to stay aligned with goals and adapt as needed.

Now synthesize your FIR filters using high-school algebra

filterwizard • 19 implied HN points • 27 Sep 24
🕹 Technology Software Computer Science Signal Processing Mathematics Engineering
  1. You can create FIR filters by breaking them down into smaller parts using simple math. This makes it easier to understand how each piece works together.
  2. The sharp notches or deep points in a filter's response happen because of certain factors in the polynomial. Each notch can be traced back to specific frequencies based on these factors.
  3. To improve a filter's performance, you can add more mathematical pieces to make the response smoother in certain areas. This way, you can customize how the filter behaves at different frequencies.

Follow Up to Random Thoughts

Erdmann Housing Tracker • 210 implied HN points • 02 Feb 26
💰 Finance Housing policy Real Estate Housing Market Macroeconomics Demographics
  1. The U.S. faces a large housing shortage — at least about 10 million homes and plausibly 12–15 million units — largely because construction fell after 2008 and vacancies have been depleted.
  2. Vacancies are at a functional bottom so new-home production must rise well above current rates to stop rent inflation, and major zoning reforms in supply-constrained (Closed Access) cities are needed to reach the higher end of the required housing.
  3. Per-capita housing consumption and residential investment are well below historical trends — conservatively about 13% below and equivalent to roughly $7 trillion (about 13 years of current investment) — meaning sustained, large-scale building is needed to close the gap.

Quick Essay: A Short History of OpenAI

Chamath Palihapitiya • 5758 implied HN points • 20 Nov 23
🕹 Technology Corporate Structure History Artificial Intelligence
  1. OpenAI transitioned from a non-profit to a 'capped-profit' model in 2019, allowing for capital raises while serving its mission
  2. OpenAI made significant advancements in AI research, developing projects like 'OpenAI Five' and models like ChatGPT and GPT-3
  3. Conflict within OpenAI's leadership led to the removal of co-founder Sam Altman as CEO due to concerns over commercialization conflicting with the company's primary goal of developing AGI safely

"Don't talk to strangers" also applies to software development.

System Design Classroom • 499 implied HN points • 19 Jul 24
🕹 Technology Software Development Architecture Software Engineering Programming System Design
  1. Loose coupling is important in software. It means different parts of a program should depend on each other as little as possible, making it easier to change and fix things.
  2. The Law of Demeter suggests that objects should only talk to their direct friends and not reach out too far. This helps to keep dependencies low and makes code more manageable.
  3. Using strategies like the Single Responsibility Principle, interfaces, and dependency injection can improve your code's structure. This makes modules clear, easy to test, and maintain.

Open Borders and Remote Work

Bet On It • 161 implied HN points • 04 Feb 26
🌐 International Migration policy Globalization Immigration Remote work Labor markets
  1. Remote work reduces some need to move for jobs, but many roles still require physical presence or regular in-person collaboration, so relocation remains necessary for those jobs.
  2. Time zones and the need for synchronous overlap, plus legal and regulatory hassles like taxes, labor laws, and data rules, make hiring and coordinating across countries difficult and costly.
  3. Local language, culture, and in-person experience improve product quality and daily life, so remote work only slightly weakens the economic case for migration and doesn’t address other reasons people move.

Queues offer more than orderly processing

System Design Classroom • 679 implied HN points • 02 Jul 24
🕹 Technology Distributed Systems Scalability Microservices Architecture System Design
  1. Queues help different parts of a system work independently. This means you can change one part without affecting the others, making updates easier.
  2. They improve a system's ability to handle more users at once. You can add more servers to take in requests without needing to instantly boost how fast they are processed.
  3. Queues also keep things running smoothly during busy times. They act like a waiting area, holding tasks so no work gets lost even if things get too hectic.

The Fed Eases

Points And Figures • 746 implied HN points • 10 Dec 25
💰 Finance Treasuries Monetary Policy Interest Rates Central Bank Financial Markets Banking Inflation Credit Markets
  1. The Fed cut rates by 0.25% and said it will expand its balance sheet by buying short-term Treasurys to keep ample bank reserves.
  2. Policymakers now expect inflation to fall (about 3% end-2025 and 2.5% in 2026) and slightly raised GDP forecasts while unemployment stays near current levels.
  3. The balance-sheet move is meant to ease interbank liquidity strains and should push short-term yields lower, which has already helped lift futures and the stock market.

The long road to cable

The Rectangle • 141 implied HN points • 13 Feb 26
🕹 Technology Tech Culture Business Models Streaming Media Big Tech
  1. Tech companies keep 'reinventing' ordinary things and often make them worse by adding needless complexity, monetization, or gatekeeping.
  2. A dominant engineering and data-first mindset has spread beyond tech, turning messy human experiences into crude metrics and encouraging overconfident leaders to act outside their expertise.
  3. Platform consolidation risks recreating cable-style monopolies for entertainment and other services, which shows why we need more diverse perspectives to balance tech's influence.

The Incompetent Confidence Complex

Investing 101 • 106 implied HN points • 07 Feb 26
💼 Business Investing Strategy Culture Governance Leadership Startups
  1. People shape their own realities through the stories they tell, so what someone believes often determines what they accept as true.
  2. Real competence is earned through repeated iteration, learning, and honest feedback — practice moves you past overconfidence to genuine skill.
  3. Society too often rewards confidence over competence, which produces harmful outcomes, so prioritize building and valuing real ability.

How Failing Multiple Interviews Helped Me Create My Elevator Pitch For AWS Interview

Behavioral OS for Techies • 299 implied HN points • 08 Aug 24
💼 Business Networking Resume Writing Job Interviews Career development Skills Training
  1. Keep your introduction short and focused, ideally between 1-2 minutes. This helps keep the interviewer's attention.
  2. Customize your intro based on the job you're applying for and the interviewer's background. It helps you connect better.
  3. Use key phrases and topics that you want the interviewer to ask about later. This guides the conversation in your favor.

Điều tra sự cố là làm gì?

Thái | Hacker | Kỹ sư tin tặc • 2396 implied HN points • 22 Mar 24
🕹 Technology Logic Bias Truth-seeking Cybersecurity Investigation
  1. Investigating incidents involves more than just technical tools and techniques; 80% success comes from logical reasoning and keeping calm.
  2. Investigating an incident requires thinking about the 'why' before deciding on the 'how'; it's about determining the investigative direction.
  3. Confirmation bias, the tendency to seek information that supports preconceptions, can hinder incident investigations; focus on evidence-based conclusions instead.

OpenAI Cries Foul

Marcus on AI • 8655 implied HN points • 29 Jan 25
🕹 Technology Software Development Data Privacy Intellectual Property AI Digital ethics
  1. DeepSeek might have broken OpenAI's rules by using their ideas without permission. This raises questions about respect for intellectual property in tech.
  2. OpenAI itself may have done similar things to other platforms and creators in the past. This situation highlights a double standard.
  3. There's a sense of irony in seeing OpenAI in a tough spot now, after it benefited from similar practices. It shows how karma can come back around.

The Bear Cave #302

The Bear Cave • 723 implied HN points • 30 Nov 25
💰 Finance Market Trends Corporate Governance Stock Analysis Investing Financial Regulations
  1. Nutex Health is facing serious allegations of fraud and misconduct, led by their CEO, Thomas Vo. This could impact their reputation and finances significantly, raising red flags for investors.
  2. Several companies are experiencing high-profile executive resignations, which may indicate internal issues or declining performance. Notably, RCI Hospitality Holdings is under investigation for criminal activities involving tax fraud.
  3. Recent criticism of biotech firms like Capricor Therapeutics has led to sharp drops in their stock prices. This highlights how public opinions and reports can heavily influence market performance.

What should I do? What would you do?

Disaffected Newsletter • 1039 implied HN points • 04 Jun 24
📖 Philosophy Human behavior Decision-making Self-help Ethics Existentialism
  1. It's common for people to look to experts for answers to their problems, but often there isn't a clear right answer. Many issues are complicated and need thoughtful discussion rather than a simple solution.
  2. Conversations can help people clarify their thoughts and feelings about difficult situations. Talking through problems can lead to better decisions that fit their unique lives.
  3. While some coaches or consultants may not have formal training, they can still provide valuable support. They can help clients understand their problems better and explore possible outcomes.

Under the microscope: Championship Motocross & Championship Motocross 2001 (PlayStation)

Rings of Saturn • 58 implied HN points • 25 Feb 26
🕹 Technology Game preservation Video Games Reverse Engineering Software Emulation Console hardware
  1. Cheat-code websites often get listings wrong or mix up codes between game versions, so their guides aren’t always reliable.
  2. You can reliably discover hidden cheats by entering a unique name, scanning memory for that string, and tracing the game code that checks it to see what unlocks it triggers.
  3. The two Motocross games handle cheats differently: the original uses inverted strings (for example, SMASHER unlocks everything) while the 2001 sequel checks plain text names like DIRTTRAK and ALLEVENT to open tracks and classes.

Open Thread 393

Astral Codex Ten • 3097 implied HN points • 04 Aug 25
🕹 Technology AI Biotechnology Policy Blogging Community
  1. The Horizon Fellowship is a great opportunity for those interested in AI and biotech. You can apply for a full-time policy position in Washington, and no prior experience is needed.
  2. Inkhaven is a blogging bootcamp for those who want to write more. If you're selected, you'll write a blog post every day for a month, but be ready for some tough love if you miss a day!
  3. There's a cost to attend Inkhaven, but some financial help is available. It's a cool experiment to see if living in a community can boost your motivation to write.

The future of AI, work, and the world

Granted • 4751 implied HN points • 15 Dec 23
🕹 Technology Psychology Geopolitics Work AI Podcasts
  1. Encourage a love for learning in kids rather than pushing for practical majors. Liberal arts education is about expanding minds, not just building careers.
  2. Gain diverse perspectives to broaden your mind. Explore topics like AI, global geopolitics, and work happiness.
  3. Question the status quo in education and work. Focus on asking the right questions, embracing ambiguity, and challenging common myths.

Live video on Substack, one year in

Substack • 554 implied HN points • 17 Dec 25
🕹 Technology Live Streaming Creator tools Content Distribution Monetization Product Updates
  1. Live video turns conversations into durable, discoverable media by creating recordings and clips that can keep reaching audiences and earning after the stream ends.
  2. The platform added creator-driven features—auto-generated thumbnails, scheduling, audio-only and music modes, desktop streaming, enhanced clips, and auto-publishing to places like YouTube and LinkedIn—to make going live easier and more flexible.
  3. Creators are using live video for news, recurring shows, music performances, interviews, and behind-the-scenes moments, showing the format is flexible and strong for audience connection and storytelling.