The hottest Substack posts right now

according to Hacker News
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How we built a business out of recession - chapter 28 - lets get personal

The ZIPster • 44 implied HN points • 13 Dec 24
💼 Business Entrepreneurship Startups Finance Growth Sales
  1. Running a small business means wearing many hats and staying proactive, especially when things get busy. It’s easy to forget important tasks when you're juggling too much at once.
  2. Bringing in the right people, like a good finance director, can really help keep a company on track, especially when cash flow is tight. That support can be a lifeline during tough times.
  3. Being mindful of your image and decisions is crucial in business. Making flashy choices can draw unwanted attention and distract from the goals you should be focusing on.

"Worthless Degrees" and the Hidden Hand of Values

Humanities in Revolt • 119 implied HN points • 18 Feb 22
📖 Philosophy Values Humanities Ethics Critical Thinking
  1. Critics of humanities and liberal arts often overlook the vital necessity of these fields in shaping critical thinking skills and cultural knowledge, which contribute to individual flourishing and democratic society.
  2. Human values play a significant role in shaping our lives, influencing our beliefs, decisions, and societal norms.
  3. Factual claims are rooted in sensory perceptions, while value-based statements determine what is important or significant to us, showcasing the essential interplay between facts and values in human understanding.

3rd Look at Local Housing Markets in November

CalculatedRisk Newsletter • 43 implied HN points • 16 Dec 24
💰 Finance Economic Indicators Market Analysis Sales Data Real Estate Housing Markets
  1. November home sales are expected to show a slight increase compared to October, with forecasts at 3.97 million annually. This is a positive sign for the housing market.
  2. This marks the second year-over-year gain in home sales since July 2021, indicating a potential recovery in the market.
  3. The data will be released by the NAR on December 19th, offering insight into how the housing market is currently performing.

Is the US economy heading for a soft landing? Part 2/2

Global Markets Investor • 19 implied HN points • 21 Dec 23
💰 Finance Labor Market Inflation Recession Market Analysis Economy
  1. The US economy shows signs of avoiding a recession through strong GDP growth, tracked through economic nowcasts.
  2. Retail sales and inflation rates support a soft landing scenario, with consistent growth and falling inflation.
  3. The labor market strength, with healthy wage growth and low unemployment rates, indicates resilience in the US economy.
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Leadership co-processing with LLMs

The Engineering Manager • 13 implied HN points • 31 Jul 25
🕹 Technology AI Leadership Productivity Innovation Management
  1. Using Language Learning Models (LLMs) can help managers think through problems better. They act as a creative assistant, pushing you to explore different angles and ideas.
  2. Pairing up with an LLM during discussions can enhance teamwork. It allows you to document your thought process and helps ensure you don't miss important details or insights.
  3. LLMs can also serve as a personal coach or executive assistant. They support planning and prioritizing tasks, helping leaders manage their workload and navigate organizational challenges.

Europe's Financial Crime Hunters

False Positive • 19 implied HN points • 21 Dec 23
💰 Finance Surveillance Regulations Financial Markets Money Laundering
  1. ACER, an EU agency, functions as supranational detectives to monitor energy markets in all member states and detect international manipulation.
  2. Energy market liberalization created opportunities for financial crimes like manipulation through financial contracts rather than actual energy trading.
  3. The EU is establishing AMLA to combat cross-border money laundering, introducing a supranational monitoring system to address weaknesses in the current national-level approach.

360° SaaS GTM assessment: 10 areas to diagnose your SaaS GTM health

Startup Business Tips 🚀 • 47 implied HN points • 17 Nov 24
💼 Business Marketing Sales Growth Strategy SaaS
  1. Diagnosing your Go-To-Market (GTM) strategy is crucial for the success of your SaaS business. You need to have a clear plan before jumping into execution, or you might waste resources.
  2. Your GTM strategy should include elements like understanding your ideal customers, defining your market position, and creating clear messaging. This helps in attracting and converting potential clients effectively.
  3. Regularly reviewing both your GTM strategy and execution helps you identify what works and what doesn't. This way, you can adjust your tactics to improve performance and achieve your growth goals.

Roads to self-employment and beyond

Kenny’s Sub • 19 implied HN points • 21 Dec 23
💼 Business Product Development Freelancing Agency Entrepreneurship Self-employment
  1. Many people move from a steady job to freelancing, then to running an agency or creating products. This path allows them to gain independence and explore new opportunities.
  2. Freelancing offers flexibility but can feel like juggling multiple smaller jobs. It's important to find a balance and not get stuck doing client work forever.
  3. Building in-demand products is a key goal for many freelancers. This helps them earn more and reduces their reliance on client work.

From corporate slave to bored freelancer to boring businesses

Kenny’s Sub • 19 implied HN points • 21 Dec 23
💼 Business Entrepreneurship Passive Income Product Development Freelancing Startup
  1. After working in a corporate job, Ayush realized he wanted more control over his life and income. He decided to quit and pursue entrepreneurship to build passive income and assets.
  2. He experimented with various online business ideas, including freelance work and e-commerce, but found more success in digital products and software. He aimed to focus on products that can grow and generate income over time.
  3. Ayush learned the importance of focus and long-term planning in business. He now emphasizes building sustainable businesses with evergreen demand and higher leverage, like software, instead of just temporary spikes from services or e-books.

Internet writing was already obsolete

I have thoughts • 39 implied HN points • 19 Dec 22
🕹 Technology Creative Writing AI Digital Tools AI Ethics Digital Art
  1. Good writing requires time, practice, and thought - there's no quick fix for improving writing skills.
  2. AI can excel at repetitive tasks but lacks originality, ideas, and opinions.
  3. There's a growing dissatisfaction with low-quality, SEO-focused internet writing, creating space for authentic, creative, and meaningful content to flourish.

Bravo to NPI

Jérôme à Paris • 145 implied HN points • 23 Sep 23
💰 Finance Offshore Wind Clean Energy Renewable Energy Investment
  1. Northland Power signed major financings for offshore wind projects in Poland and Taiwan.
  2. Northland Power and their partners were able to find solutions to complete the projects despite challenges like inflation and geopolitical tensions.
  3. The industry needs more companies like NPI and Enterprize Energy that are focused on getting things done.

The Multipreneur Manifesto

Late Checkout - a Substack by Greg Isenberg • 171 implied HN points • 22 Jun 23
💼 Business Marketing Team Building Community Building Venture Capital Entrepreneurship
  1. Shift from the 'go big or go home' mentality to embracing multi-entrepreneurship.
  2. Multipreneurs create multiple products annually to establish a network of interconnected companies.
  3. Success as a multipreneur involves building small, dedicated teams for each venture and leveraging global talent and technology.

End Of the Purpose Era & IRL Meetups | #246

Boundless by Paul Millerd • 130 implied HN points • 11 Nov 23
💼 Business Employee Satisfaction Company performance Purpose Job Satisfaction Marketing
  1. Purpose within companies can sometimes become convoluted and disconnected from the core product or service.
  2. Employees and consumers are seeking more clarity and sincerity in company communications.
  3. The pursuit of purpose in work can lead to burnout if it doesn't align with personal values and goals.

5,700 tons of bitcoin miners

Miner Weekly • 39 implied HN points • 18 Mar 23
💰 Finance Cryptocurrency Bitcoin Mining Feature Corporate News
  1. The U.S. saw significant shipments of bitcoin miners in January 2023 and September 2022, contributing to the surge in bitcoin's hashrate.
  2. Bitmain's AntMiner S19 product line dominated the identified miner shipments to the U.S., with MicroBT also shipping a significant amount of WhatsMiner parts.
  3. Regular updates on import records of bitcoin miner shipments can provide insights into the hardware market dynamics in the U.S., including different shippers and consignees.

Creatures and Machines

New World Same Humans • 114 implied HN points • 14 Jan 24
📖 Philosophy Ethics Technology Human nature
  1. The next great division could be between those who want to live as creatures and those who want to live as machines.
  2. The ongoing technology revolution could lead to a conflict between those embracing human-machine fusion and those wanting to remain fully human.
  3. New stories, visions, and ways of coexisting are needed to navigate the differences in attitudes towards technology and human nature.

Super Sized: Tesla’s Supercharger Network Takes Over

Jon’s Newsletter • 39 implied HN points • 09 Jun 23
🕹 Technology Business strategy Market Trends
  1. Tesla's Supercharger network has quickly become the charging standard for other automakers like Ford and GM. This shift shows how serious the industry is about EVs.
  2. Elon Musk's decision a decade ago to create a proprietary charging network was crucial for Tesla's success, ensuring customers could confidently drive their cars longer distances.
  3. Tesla's efficient approach to building and deploying charging stations has given it a competitive edge, while many other charging networks struggle with non-functional stations.

The Real-World Ravages Of Inflation

Behavioral Value Investor • 111 implied HN points • 28 Jan 24
💰 Finance Government Policy Revenue management Economics Investing Inflation
  1. Inflation can erode purchasing power over time, leading to financial strain for workers like teachers.
  2. Budget constraints due to inflation can create challenges for both employees and employers in reaching fair agreements.
  3. Understanding historical trends can help predict future economic outcomes and guide investment decisions.

5 Years Ago

Spilled Coffee • 32 implied HN points • 26 Feb 25
💰 Finance Economic History Personal Finance Stock Market Market Trends Investing
  1. The stock market can bounce back even after big drops like during the COVID-19 pandemic. If you had invested back when the market was at its highest before the crash, you would have seen a big gain over time.
  2. Missing just a few days in the market can really hurt your long-term investment returns. It's important to stay invested, even during uncertain times.
  3. Major world events can cause market crashes, but history shows that the stock market often continues to rise over time. This means it's wise to stick with your investments, no matter what happens.

How To Identify A Good Programmer

Morad’s Substack • 7 HN points • 24 Apr 24
🕹 Technology Intelligence Learning Programming Experience
  1. Passion is a key indicator of a good programmer - they should be enthusiastic about programming, even outside of work.
  2. Good programmers love learning and are self-teaching, constantly exploring new technologies without needing formal training.
  3. Intelligence is crucial for a good programmer - they are smart, have various interests, and usually start programming before university or formal education.

When cash is still king

Klement on Investing • 3 implied HN points • 03 Dec 25
💰 Finance Monetary Policy Central Banking Payments
  1. Everyday cash use is falling, but the total value of banknotes in circulation has risen sharply, largely because people hold more large-denomination notes.
  2. Low or negative interest rates lower the opportunity cost of holding cash, so people hoard big bills as a store of value and the velocity of those notes falls when rates are low and rises when rates increase.
  3. Large banknotes make it easier to pay off the books or hide gifts, so the growth in big bills likely reflects tax evasion and a larger shadow economy, which reduces government tax revenue.

Vulnerability Disclosure Programs (VDP) and PSIRT's

Resilient Cyber • 79 implied HN points • 18 Dec 22
🕹 Technology Incident Response Vulnerability Management Software Development Cybersecurity Automation
  1. Vulnerability Disclosure Programs (VDP) help software suppliers communicate vulnerabilities to users. Having a clear VDP builds trust and prepares organizations for potential security issues.
  2. A Product Security Incident Response Team (PSIRT) focuses on managing and responding to security issues in products. PSIRTs help organizations effectively analyze vulnerabilities and communicate solutions to their consumers.
  3. Maturity levels for PSIRTs range from basic to advanced, with advanced teams being proactive and integrating security into product development. This approach ensures better security practices and communication throughout the supply chain.

The Most Misleading Chart

Spilled Coffee • 44 implied HN points • 11 Dec 24
💰 Finance Economic outlook Stock Market Consumer Debt Investment Strategies
  1. A commonly shared chart about U.S. credit card debt is misleading and creates unnecessary panic. It's crucial to look at the bigger picture to understand what this number really means.
  2. Despite rising credit card debt, consumers are still confident and spending money, which is often a good sign for the economy and stock market.
  3. When you see alarming headlines about growing credit card debt, remember that it's important to consider the overall context and how it reflects consumer behavior.

The Incredible Shrinking Transistor

Bits and Bytes • 41 implied HN points • 17 Dec 24
🕹 Technology AI Innovations Microprocessors Semiconductors
  1. Transistors are shrinking and becoming more powerful, with a goal of reaching one trillion transistors in a small chip by 2030. This will help meet the increasing demand for computing power, especially for AI.
  2. To keep improving transistor technology, new innovations in materials and designs are needed. The challenge is to make these transistors more energy-efficient, allowing them to run on lower voltages while still performing well.
  3. Upcoming technologies like the RibbonFET and potentially stacked transistors are expected to enhance performance and efficiency. These developments aim to tackle the energy demands of modern computing and ensure we can continue to create faster, smaller devices.

Data Pipelines - Streams to Parquet

Bytewax • 19 implied HN points • 19 Dec 23
🕹 Technology Data Storage Stream Processing Data Pipelines Data processing
  1. One common use case for stream processing is transforming data into a format for different systems or needs.
  2. Bytewax is a Python stream processing framework that allows real-time data processing and customization.
  3. Bytewax enables creating custom connectors for data sources and sinks, making it versatile for various data processing tasks.

Jevons Paradox

davidj.substack • 35 implied HN points • 29 Jan 25
💼 Business Technology Efficiency Resource Management Economics Investment
  1. Jevons Paradox shows that when something becomes cheaper to use, people tend to use more of it, which can actually lead to higher overall consumption. This means that efficiency gains may not reduce usage as expected.
  2. When teams save money through efficiency, they're likely to spend their budgets on new projects instead of cutting costs. They want to use their saved money to create more value.
  3. Using tools that are easier and more efficient can lead to discovering new ways to use them, increasing overall spending on those tools instead of cutting back. This often justifies bigger budgets for future projects.

Economic Calendar for the Week of February 23rd

Alex's Personal Blog • 32 implied HN points • 23 Feb 25
💰 Finance Earnings Reports Market Trends Economic Events Global Economy
  1. There are several important earnings reports coming up this week from companies like Zoom and Nvidia. These can give us insights into how these businesses are doing.
  2. Key U.S. economic events include jobless claims and consumer confidence data, which are important to track for understanding the economy's health.
  3. Global economic updates like inflation rates from different countries will also be released, giving a broader picture of the economic situation worldwide.

Activating to Prevent AI Catastrophe

Daniel Pinchbeck’s Newsletter • 12 implied HN points • 01 Aug 25
🕹 Technology Environmental Concerns AI Ethics Mental health Social Impact Public Policy
  1. AI has the potential to really change our lives, but it also poses big risks. We need to talk about how to benefit from AI without getting hurt by it.
  2. Creating a Universal Basic Income could help everyone adapt to job changes caused by AI. This way, people can focus on improving their skills without the fear of losing everything.
  3. We should form groups of everyday people to discuss and oversee AI's use and effects. This helps ensure that decisions about AI work for everyone, not just a few powerful companies.

How do we make sense of all of this?

Sunday Letters • 39 implied HN points • 18 Jun 23
🕹 Technology Complex Systems Workplace Data science AI Innovation
  1. It's normal to feel overwhelmed with all the rapid changes in technology and AI. Many people are struggling to keep up, and that's okay.
  2. Using first principles can help us find clarity in confusing situations. Focusing on what's truly important and how things work can guide our understanding.
  3. Looking at data and history can help us make sense of current trends. By finding patterns and using math, we can better understand the complexities of new technologies.

GroupBy #14: What it takes to be a Senior IC at Meta, Netflix Data Engineering Summit

VuTrinh. • 19 implied HN points • 19 Dec 23
🕹 Technology Data Engineering Big Data Artificial Intelligence Cloud Computing Software Development
  1. To be a Senior Individual Contributor at Meta, focus on quickly adding value and aligning with the organization's goals. It's about making an impact and building good relationships within the team.
  2. Data modeling involves creating a shared understanding between business and data teams. It's essential for delivering valuable insights and ensuring everyone is on the same page.
  3. Job hopping in data engineering can be successful with the right approach. Make sure to deliver value early on and always be ready for new opportunities while enjoying your work-life balance.

The Wide and Wondrous World of Centaurs and Agents

Future History • 170 implied HN points • 23 Jun 23
🕹 Technology Automation Software Applications Machine Learning AI
  1. Centaurs and Agents are a new type of software that blend human input with autonomous decision-making capabilities.
  2. Individuals benefit more from Centaurs than companies due to easier adoption and productivity gains.
  3. Small, specialized AI applications will be in high demand, bridging the gap between different software systems and reducing tedious tasks.

Who Killed Twitter 1.0?

Tech Ramblings • 39 implied HN points • 09 Jul 23
🕹 Technology Digital marketing Social media Business strategy Tech Culture Leadership
  1. Twitter struggled to grow because of poor leadership and weak management. Instead of making smart business decisions, they ended up being an easy target for a takeover.
  2. The company failed to innovate and improve, leading to stagnant stock prices. While other tech companies thrived, Twitter's management kept hiring without making meaningful changes.
  3. Even after Musk's takeover, Twitter faces challenges because it still hasn't solved its underlying issues. Competing platforms are emerging, creating a real threat to its future.

How SMS Fraud Works and How to Guard Against It

Mindful Musings • 206 HN points • 28 Feb 23
🕹 Technology Security Data Protection API Fraud Engineering
  1. Understanding how SMS fraud works involves premium phone numbers, gaming for profit, and exploiting vulnerabilities in services.
  2. Protecting against SMS fraud can involve measures like obfuscating endpoints, blocking sketchy IPs, and implementing rate-limiting on SMS sending.
  3. Twilio has the potential to offer SMS fraud protection using data on fraudulent numbers and carriers.