The hottest Substack posts right now

according to Hacker News
Category

Unraveling the Internals of Video Streaming services

Engineering At Scale • 45 implied HN points • 22 Dec 24
🕹 Technology System Design Video Streaming Performance
  1. Video streaming is a big part of internet traffic today, making up over 82% of it. Understanding how video streaming works is important, especially for tech job interviews.
  2. Key concepts in video streaming include frames, pixels, bitrate, and resolution. These terms help define video quality and how videos are stored and transmitted.
  3. Video encoding and transcoding are crucial for making video files smaller and compatible with different devices. This process ensures smooth playback without losing too much quality.

Bet on YouTube

Political Currents by Ross Barkan • 46 implied HN points • 21 Dec 24
🕹 Technology Social media Digital innovation Tech Companies Streaming Content creation
  1. YouTube is growing and could become the main streaming service, taking over traditional TV as more people cut their cable. It’s very popular and has a huge library of music and videos.
  2. While many tech innovations are disappointing, YouTube stands out as a great platform for finding unique content like deep cuts in music and various genres of videos.
  3. Even though big companies like Google and Meta seem powerful, there’s a lot of creativity and energy in smaller communities on YouTube that could change things in the future.

The Mac Turns 40!

Danielle Newnham • 19 implied HN points • 26 Jan 24
🕹 Technology Podcasts Event Watch Book Interview
  1. The Mac turned 40 years old, celebrating its legacy in technology and design.
  2. Bill Gates shared insights on optimism and relevant topics in an engaging interview.
  3. A new book, 'Women Mean Business', highlights over 500 insights from female leaders in the business world.
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Saturn RPG hacking roundup: Grandia Digital Museum, Samurai Spirits Bushido Retsuden, & Marica: The Real World

Rings of Saturn • 43 implied HN points • 04 Jan 25
🕹 Technology Gaming Software Development Debugging Hacking
  1. Games like Grandia Digital Museum have hidden debug modes that let players access special features. You can enable these modes by changing settings in the game's files.
  2. Shinsetsu Samurai Spirits Bushido Retsuden allows players to activate a debug menu with a patch. This lets them test backgrounds and other game elements easily.
  3. In Marica: Shinjitsu no Sekai, players can unlock a debug screen using a specific cheat code. This screen offers more control and allows visiting different game locations.

How to design a Database Management System [System Design Sundays]

Technology Made Simple • 39 implied HN points • 06 Feb 23
🕹 Technology Query Language System Design
  1. A Database Management System (DBMS) is a tool to manage data, providing an abstraction to store and retrieve data without directly interacting with databases.
  2. DBMS operates using a Query Language, offering guarantees for performance, but the specifics can vary between different systems.
  3. Guarantees provided by a DBMS include serving different data storage purposes, using a client/server model, and incorporating components like transaction managers, lock managers, and storage engines.

Why Wages Slowed More In Japan Than Elsewhere

Japan Economy Watch • 159 implied HN points • 13 Dec 21
💰 Finance Wages Income Labor Market Economic Theory Wealth
  1. Wages in Japan have not just slowed down but actually fallen, unlike in other rich countries where wages have been suppressed.
  2. The widespread slump in wage growth goes against economic theory, signaling a shift in how consumer demand and wages have traditionally grown alongside output.
  3. One main reason for Japan's wage decline is the rise of poorly paid non-regular workers, showcasing the impact of political factors on wage disparities.

Shift-Left Analytics

SUP! Hubert’s Substack • 50 implied HN points • 22 Nov 24
🕹 Technology Database Management Data Quality Machine Learning Real-Time Processing Data Analytics
  1. Shift-left analytics means doing analysis early in the data process. This helps in getting insights faster and making quick decisions.
  2. It focuses on checking data quality right away, so only reliable data is used. This leads to more accurate insights and avoids problems caused by bad data.
  3. Collaboration between teams is encouraged in this approach. By working together from the start, everyone can ensure their analyses are useful and aligned with business goals.

🌞 the dawn of a new era!

vrk loves paper • 39 implied HN points • 28 Jun 23
🕹 Technology Startups Personal Projects Creative Tools Software
  1. The author has left their job to pursue personal projects, specifically creating software focused on paper crafts. They feel excited and ready for this new adventure.
  2. They redesigned their personal website to showcase their work and story, aiming to make it fun and inviting for visitors.
  3. The author is exploring new topics each month, with a focus on printing photos this month, while also being open to other creative side projects.

Looking back on AI in 2024

Generating Conversation • 46 implied HN points • 19 Dec 24
🕹 Technology AI Machine Learning Software Development Data science
  1. AI companies need to show clear value to succeed. This means saving money or making profits, not just improving productivity.
  2. Building customer trust is key for AI products. Letting customers test and experience the product firsthand is often more effective than complicated evaluation tools.
  3. User experience with AI tools is really important. Good AI needs to be easy and enjoyable to use, which is a challenge that still needs solving.

Jobs and Ops at Insider, ITV, Iliffe Media, Channel 4, and Many, Many More.

Journo Resources - The Opportunities • 59 implied HN points • 23 May 23
💼 Business Job Opportunities Media industry
  1. Creativity and ideas are crucial in journalism, both for job applications and freelance work.
  2. Managing stress and setting realistic expectations can help maintain creativity.
  3. Various job opportunities in journalism are available, including internships, apprenticeships, and roles in different media organizations.

Weekly Dose of Optimism #85

Not Boring by Packy McCormick • 106 implied HN points • 15 Mar 24
🕹 Technology Space Exploration Biotechnology Blockchain Renewable Energy Artificial Intelligence
  1. SpaceX successfully launched Starship into orbit, showcasing the power of moonshots to make people feel part of something bigger and optimistic about the future.
  2. Cognition AI, built by gold-medalist coders, can code based on requests, marking a significant advancement in AI technology.
  3. Extropic AI's thermodynamic chips could revolutionize computing by leveraging nature's randomness for energy efficiency, potentially accelerating the next era of computing.

How to Create Good Documentation in Software Engineering and Tech[Technique Tuesdays]

Technology Made Simple • 59 implied HN points • 19 Oct 22
🕹 Technology Data science Software Engineering Tech Documentation Machine Learning
  1. Good documentation in software engineering is crucial as it provides clarity to the team about goals and work done, enhancing productivity.
  2. Key pillars of good documentation include having a vision for the company and products, outlining resource/situational constraints, detailing data sources and processing, tracking projects in progress, sharing actual code, and establishing ownership.
  3. Benefits of good documentation in tech include aligning teams, clarifying vision and plans, reducing onboarding time, and promoting asynchronicity in an increasingly remote working environment.

sqlmesh model kinds - 2

davidj.substack • 47 implied HN points • 09 Dec 24
🕹 Technology Data Management Data Warehousing APIs Software Development
  1. There are three types of incremental models in sqlmesh: Incremental by Partition, Unique Key, and Time Range. Each type has its own unique method for handling how data updates are processed.
  2. Incremental models can efficiently replace old data with new data, and sqlmesh offers better state management compared to other tools like dbt. This allows for smoother updates without the need for full-refresh.
  3. Understanding how to set up these models can save time and resources. Properly configuring them allows for collaboration and clarity in data management, which is especially useful in larger teams.

Any Cables Monthly #17

AnyCable Broadcasts • 19 implied HN points • 02 Jan 24
🕹 Technology Programming Innovations Web Development Software Development
  1. Exciting real-time development initiatives are coming in 2024, like AnyCable+ and Laravel Reverb.
  2. Action Cable server adapterization project aims to improve Rails Action Cable for easier use with different server implementations.
  3. Potential real-time component upgrade in Laravel with 'Laravel Reverb' and mysterious project 'SolidCable' from DHH.

Gaia Network: An Illustrated Primer

Engineering Ideas • 19 implied HN points • 25 Jan 24
🕹 Technology Research Decision-making Artificial Intelligence Science Funding AI safety
  1. The Gaia Network aims to improve science by making research more efficient and accountable.
  2. The Gaia Network can assist in funding science by providing quantitative impact metrics for awarding prizes and helping funders make informed decisions.
  3. Gaia Network serves as a distributed oracle for decision-making, aiding in a wide range of practical applications from farming operations to strategic planning and AI safety.

GroupBy #16: Uber's Anomaly Detection & Alerting System, many layers of data lineage

VuTrinh. • 19 implied HN points • 02 Jan 24
🕹 Technology Machine Learning Data Engineering Software Development Data Analytics Cloud Computing
  1. Uber has developed an anomaly detection system called uVitals, which helps identify issues before they become major problems. It analyzes data patterns to catch anomalies early.
  2. Data modeling is essential for creating structured databases that allow for better analysis and comparisons. It's important for data projects to have clear designs.
  3. As the field of data engineering evolves, new roadmaps and resources are emerging to guide professionals in developing necessary skills. Staying updated can help engineers advance their careers.

The devil is old

Wednesday Wisdom • 113 implied HN points • 21 Feb 24
🕹 Technology Mathematics Concurrency Software Development Programming Physics
  1. Experience and age often bring wisdom, knowledge, and a unique perspective.
  2. In technology, while tools and capabilities have evolved, fundamental principles like people dynamics, math, and physics remain constant.
  3. Despite advancements, people still struggle with basic math, concurrent programming, and effective communication in group settings.

The Adani Group vs Hindenburg Research[Finance Fridays]

Technology Made Simple • 39 implied HN points • 04 Feb 23
💰 Finance Investing Personal Finance Social media influence Market Analysis
  1. Tech finance is currently volatile with companies facing investigations, layoffs, policy changes, and financial struggles.
  2. Hindenburg Research published a critical report on Adani Group, accusing them of a massive fraud scheme, sparking a heated discussion.
  3. The situation highlights the importance of critical analysis, especially on social media, and serves as a reminder to stay vigilant about personal finances and job security.

How Meta’s (Facebook) challenge to GPT-3 will affect you [Storytime Saturdays]

Technology Made Simple • 79 implied HN points • 16 Jul 22
🕹 Technology Research AI Open Source Machine Learning Tech industry
  1. Meta (Facebook) released a language model challenging GPT-3 for free, impacting the AI industry.
  2. This move challenges the traditional big tech practices and could lead to more open-source contributions.
  3. The competition among big tech companies for dominance can benefit consumers and drive innovation in the tech industry.

Scalable Embedding based retrieval for target side value

Recommender systems • 23 implied HN points • 17 May 25
🕹 Technology Data science Social Networks Software Development Algorithms Machine Learning
  1. Scalability is key for embedding-based recommendation systems, especially when dealing with billions of users. Finding effective ways to limit the search can help manage this challenge.
  2. It’s important to deliver value not just to viewers but also to the recommended targets, as this can improve user retention. Balancing recommendations for both sides can create a better experience.
  3. Using advanced algorithms can help ensure viewers don’t get overwhelmed with too many recommendations while also making sure that every target gets the attention they need. This balance is crucial for effective recommendations.

Stream Genomics - Cameras

ASeq Newsletter • 14 implied HN points • 28 Jul 25
🕹 Technology Imaging Genomics Sensors Cameras Biotechnology
  1. Stream Genomics uses special cameras that capture changes in pixels instead of taking regular still images. This helps in detecting fast events more effectively.
  2. These cameras have higher dynamic range, meaning they can handle bright lights without losing details. They also produce less noise compared to regular cameras, which makes imaging clearer.
  3. There's still some uncertainty about how much these cameras can help in reducing noise for tasks like single molecule sequencing, but they show promise for better signal detection.

20251123

Curious futures (KGhosh) • 4 implied HN points • 23 Nov 25
🕹 Technology AI Security Ethics Work Futures Education
  1. AI companions are becoming a central strategic battleground, and widespread control or influence over them will create huge social and intelligence advantages.
  2. Humanlike AI companions blur the line between code and emotion, shaping relationships and emotional labor while risking declines in critical thinking and changes in how people learn and connect.
  3. Wider tech and security trends — from gigification and data-labeling to sophisticated login-based attacks and drone threats — are creating economic and safety pressures that make horizon scanning, governance, and defense urgently needed.

MMTers Love When Governments Burn Money

QTR’s Fringe Finance • 14 implied HN points • 29 Jul 25
💰 Finance Inflation Monetary Policy Economic History Taxation
  1. Historically, some governments have burned money they received in taxes instead of spending it. This shows a different approach to managing currency and taxes.
  2. Modern Monetary Theory (MMT) suggests that the way governments handle money matters differently than traditional views, claiming that taxes serve to create demand for fiat currencies.
  3. However, there are criticisms of MMT, particularly regarding its historical accuracy about how money is created and the role of taxes, suggesting that it may misinterpret past events.

Stage 2: Nuclear Power's Economics Suck

Gordian Knot News • 219 implied HN points • 19 Mar 23
💼 Business Economics Energy Market Costs Regulations
  1. Nuclear power in the West is incredibly expensive and time-consuming to build, hindering its potential to combat global issues like climate change.
  2. Historically, nuclear power has been cost-competitive with coal, but rising costs due to regulations and construction delays have made it less viable.
  3. The core issue with nuclear power's economics lies in the perception of any radioactive release as intolerable, leading to excessive safety measures that drive up costs.

Why can't I be a dick to AI?

The Rectangle • 113 implied HN points • 23 Feb 24
🕹 Technology Big Tech Chatbots AI Human-computer interaction Ethics
  1. We often treat AI with politeness and empathy because our brains expect something that talks like a human to be human.
  2. Despite AI being just a tool, companies make them human-like to leverage our trust and make us more receptive to their messages.
  3. There's a societal expectation to be decent even towards artificial entities, like AI, even though they're not humans with feelings and consciousness.

Coming soon

Probable Wisdom • 19 implied HN points • 01 Jan 24
💼 Business Entrepreneurship Innovation Career development
  1. The Probable Wisdom newsletter by Patrick Donohue will offer articles and lessons from his experience as an entrepreneur and innovator, focusing on a probability-based mindset for product development, venture-building, and careers.
  2. The newsletter will discuss the importance of following what is most probable when truth is not within our power, referencing a quote by Renee Descartes.
  3. Readers can subscribe to stay updated on the upcoming launch of the Probable Wisdom newsletter.

Lawler: Early Read on Existing Home Sales in May

CalculatedRisk Newsletter • 19 implied HN points • 13 Jun 25
💰 Finance Economic Indicators Market Trends Real Estate Housing Data
  1. Existing home sales in May are estimated to be around 4.03 million, a slight increase from April but a small drop from last year. It's important to watch how these numbers change over time.
  2. The median price for single-family homes in May went up by only 1% compared to last year. Prices varied by region, with some areas seeing slight increases or decreases.
  3. The National Association of Realtors will release official sales data soon, which will give a clearer picture of the housing market.

From PageRank to DeepRank: Attracting AI-Driven Traffic to Digital Properties

Jakob Nielsen on UX • 34 implied HN points • 28 Feb 25
🕹 Technology Digital marketing SEO AI Web Development Content Strategy
  1. AI is becoming more important than traditional search engines for finding information. If your content is not part of AI training data, people may not discover you.
  2. Using email marketing and newsletters is essential for maintaining connections with loyal customers. This helps in creating a solid fan base even if they don't find you through search engines.
  3. To be noticed by AI, your content should be clear, straightforward, and directly answer common questions. This way, the AI can easily reference and cite your work.

Why Smart Home Tech is Stagnant

The Digital Anthropologist • 39 implied HN points • 16 May 23
🕹 Technology Market Analysis Consumer behavior Smart Home
  1. Smart home technology is struggling because it often fails to prioritize human needs and behaviors over technological capabilities.
  2. Many smart home products are designed based on assumptions about how people live, rather than a deep understanding of their daily lives and cultural norms.
  3. The slow adoption of smart home devices can be attributed to a lack of perceived value by consumers, cultural barriers, issues with device interconnectivity, and a focus on creating behavioral change in consumers rather than meeting their needs.

Bitcoin Lending: The Trojan Horse

The Held Report • 13 implied HN points • 31 Jul 25
🔮 Crypto Lending Investment Finance Regulation Bitcoin
  1. Bitcoin lending can seem convenient, but it often requires giving up control of your Bitcoin to banks and custodians, which goes against the idea of self-custody and sovereignty.
  2. When you deposit Bitcoin with a custodian, they can treat your assets like their own, risking your ownership and leading to potential losses, similar to what happened with past exchanges.
  3. Using platforms like Mezo allows you to borrow against your Bitcoin without losing control, helping you achieve financial goals while keeping your assets secure.

BRIEFLY NOTED: For 2024-03-07 Th

Brad DeLong's Grasping Reality • 107 implied HN points • 07 Mar 24
💼 Business Public Reason Economic History Economics Neofascism
  1. Elon Musk's actions are generating controversy and dividing opinions. His decisions are affecting his employees and leading to legal battles.
  2. Passive investing creates opportunities for active investors through analyzing fundamental news, noise trading, and security analysis.
  3. Peter Drucker viewed corporations as potential leaders for societal betterment by subordinating markets to social needs and environmental protection.

We’re Not Just Using AI — We’re Becoming It

User-Friendly • 20 implied HN points • 30 May 25
🕹 Technology Behavior Society Communication Culture AI
  1. AI is not just a tool; it’s becoming part of our daily lives. It shapes how we think and communicate.
  2. When we use AI, we learn to adjust our input based on its responses. This back-and-forth influences both us and the AI.
  3. Prompting AI is like learning a social skill. How we ask questions shapes the answers we get, creating new ways to interact.