The hottest Substack posts right now

according to Hacker News
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Three Short Arguments in AI Policy

From the New World • 32 implied HN points • 06 Mar 24
🕹 Technology AI Policy Government Policy Open Source National Security Machine Learning
  1. Incentivizing open-source development in AI can increase efficiency in training, lower barriers to entry for engineers, and make fixing security issues easier.
  2. Outdated government policies are hindering technological advancements in AI, as highlighted by recent scandals at companies like Google.
  3. Promoting 'dual-use' technologies that have civilian and military applications is crucial for national defense and economic prosperity, restricting them could harm national security and competitiveness.

Introducing Onmeta on Ronin!

Ronin’s Newsletter • 49 implied HN points • 18 Aug 23
🔮 Crypto Emerging Markets
  1. Onmeta partnership gives more options to exchange fiat for crypto on Ronin, benefiting users in India and the Philippines.
  2. Onmeta enables UPI, bank transfers in India, and GrabPay, GCash, PayMaya in the Philippines.
  3. Onmeta allows for microtransactions as low as 100 INR or PHP, settling in less than 60 seconds, making token access faster for gamers.

Engineering Culture and Team Dynamics in a Challenging Climate

peoplefirstengineering • 12 implied HN points • 15 Jan 25
🕹 Technology Culture Workplace Leadership Team Dynamics Engineering
  1. Engineering culture is really important. It can help teams work better together and overcome tough times in the industry.
  2. Improving team dynamics and culture is hard work, but it pays off. When people feel motivated and safe, they can contribute more effectively.
  3. Since there's no one-size-fits-all approach, leaders need to pay attention to what works for their specific teams and focus on building supportive environments.

Wrath of the AI-Zilla

SAURABH SAHA • 11 implied HN points • 04 Feb 25
🕹 Technology Machine Learning AI Product Management Economic Impacts Automation
  1. Many people feel confused and scared about AI, especially since its rapid growth began in 2022. Some workers worry their jobs might become obsolete due to new technologies.
  2. Only a small percentage of people truly understand AI and how to build its applications. Most people just use AI tools without knowing how they work under the hood.
  3. As AI continues to advance, it could create a divide between those who know how to work with it and those who don't, leading to fewer job opportunities for many and greater wealth for a select few.
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Clouded Judgement 6.6.25 - How to Spot ERR

Clouded Judgement • 6 implied HN points • 06 Jun 25
💼 Business Investing Finance Entrepreneurship SaaS Market Trends
  1. It's important for companies to know the difference between ARR (annual recurring revenue) and ERR (experimental run rate revenue). ARR is more stable while ERR can fluctuate a lot, which can affect business decisions.
  2. Some signs of ERR include using products on a trial basis or having fuzzy ROI expectations. Companies should look out for these signs to understand if their revenue is dependable.
  3. Businesses should pay attention to where budgets come from and how contracts are structured. Knowing these details can help avoid unexpected revenue drops.

Society's Technical Debt and Software's Gutenberg Moment

Irregular Ideas with Paul Kedrosky & Eric Norlin of SKV • 63 HN points • 21 Mar 23
🕹 Technology Economics AI Automation Programming
  1. Every wave of technological innovation is triggered by something once costly becoming cheap enough to waste.
  2. Software production has been too complex and costly, leading to society-wide technical debt.
  3. The cost and complexity of software production are collapsing, leading to a dramatic wave of innovation with AI playing a significant role in reshaping the software industry.

✅ Monday briefing: Future of news, B2B earned media effectiveness, Glassdoor review, writing about violence, Vogue overreach, B Corp change, GCS plan, climate survey, mental health support, and more..

Wadds Inc. newsletter • 39 implied HN points • 23 May 22
💼 Business Marketing Public Relations Industry Trends Communication Media
  1. Journalists are very picky about pitches; only 4% get a response. A good pitch should be short and sent on Fridays.
  2. B2B content from journalists gets way more engagement. It's a better way to reach your audience and get noticed online.
  3. Writing about violence should be done carefully. It's important to respect victims and portray the issue accurately.

Disassembling Crossroads, part 2

Dan’s MEGA65 Digest • 11 implied HN points • 01 Feb 25
🕹 Technology Gaming Software Programming Emulation Retro Computing
  1. Disassembling retro games like _Crossroads_ helps us understand how they work. Tools like Ghidra make it easier to translate complex machine code into more readable assembly language.
  2. The process of disassembly involves examining machine code and turning it into something we can understand. With tools, we can learn how programs manipulate memory and control hardware.
  3. Using Ghidra can reveal important insights into game design and programming techniques used in the past. It shows how similar concepts apply to modern programming on systems like the MEGA65.

From Rockets to Roadmaps: An Engineer's Guide to Product Success

Dev Interrupted • 14 implied HN points • 03 Dec 24
🕹 Technology Engineering Culture AI Applications Product Management Team Dynamics Software Development
  1. Engineers can drive product vision, leading to faster and more innovative development. This shifts the focus from just coding to solving real business problems.
  2. With AI making coding easier, engineers who understand customer needs and market trends will stand out. Their blend of technical skills and business savvy is crucial for success.
  3. Collaboration and teamwork are key in software development. It's not just about individual contributions but how teams work together to create better solutions.

Why Pocket is Rolling with Rollkit

Olshansky's Newsletter • 45 implied HN points • 29 Sep 23
🕹 Technology Security Decentralization Framework Blockchain Networking
  1. Pocket Network is implementing the Shannon Upgrade as a micro-rollup using Rollkit and Celestia.
  2. Pocket Network provides developers with reliable, performant, and cost-effective RPC access to the open internet.
  3. The decision to pivot to Rollkit allows Pocket to focus on core utility, delegate security to Data Availability layers, and scale the number of relays the network can handle.

Building CAUSL - Episode 4: Building Publicly

CAUSL Effect • 19 implied HN points • 13 Mar 23
💼 Business Innovation Leadership Marketing Startups Entrepreneurship
  1. Building publicly can be risky because it exposes you to failure, but it can also be a powerful way to share your journey. People love to follow stories, especially ones that show growth and struggle.
  2. Authenticity matters a lot when sharing your story. By being honest and open about what you're experiencing, you build trust with your audience.
  3. Sharing your journey could inspire others to take risks too. Even if the outcome isn't perfect, the hope is that others will find motivation and encouragement in your story.

Because there's not enough fun datasets

Jacobo’s Substack • 1 HN point • 23 Jun 24
🕹 Technology Data Analysis Datasets Open Source Data Collection GitHub
  1. The dataset shared focuses on PSG ticket price evolution for the 2023 - 2024 season, collected through scraping the Ticketplace marketplace.
  2. The data format is simple, featuring columns for timestamp, fixture, category, quantity, and price, providing a basis for analyzing ticket pricing trends and making predictions.
  3. The release of this dataset is aimed at facilitating student projects and filling the gap for attractive, open-source datasets for data analysis.

What is a “Prepared Mind” and why does it matter?

Equal Ventures • 59 implied HN points • 18 Apr 21
💼 Business Venture Capital Investing Startups
  1. Having a "prepared mind" means having an informed perspective in a specific industry or space, enabling meaningful partnerships with founders.
  2. In traditional venture capital, past experiences of VCs in specific industries were crucial for adding value to startups.
  3. As venture expands to new sectors, having a "prepared mind" tailored to those industries becomes essential for effective support and investment.

Cloud, Data, AI, GenAI

Laszlo’s Newsletter • 37 implied HN points • 03 Jan 24
🕹 Technology GenAI AI Data Cloud
  1. Cloud computing provides flexibility in resources and enables experimentation without high upfront costs.
  2. Establishing a strong data stack is crucial before implementing AI/GenAI to ensure data quality and reliable insights.
  3. Traditional AI involves well-defined tools for extracting business-relevant information from data, while generative AI like Prompt Engineering and Finetuning require sophisticated infrastructures and specific business goals.

Douyin's E-Commerce Efforts & Increasing Taobao-fication

Tech Buzz China Insider • 19 implied HN points • 13 Nov 22
🕹 Technology E-commerce Advertising Logistics Marketplace Livestreaming
  1. Douyin is focusing on expanding its traditional marketplace e-commerce as it nears saturation with livestreaming e-commerce
  2. E-commerce content like livestreaming negatively impacts user retention, so Douyin is limiting such content to less than 10%
  3. Challenges for Douyin's livestreaming e-commerce include limited SKU exposure, high return rates, and the need to enhance logistics for better competitiveness

The Cobus Quadrant™ Of Conversation Design Capabilities

Cobus Greyling on LLMs, NLU, NLP, chatbots & voicebots • 19 implied HN points • 09 Feb 23
🕹 Technology AI Design Development Platforms
  1. Conversation design focuses on creating the flow of dialogue between users and AI. It’s about defining how users interact and how responses are managed.
  2. Different AI platforms offer unique features for conversation design, like dialog flow management or visual design tools. Some tools are easier to use while others provide more advanced capabilities.
  3. Keeping the user experience in mind is crucial for successful conversation design. Understanding what the user needs helps to create smoother and more effective interactions.

Why and How Does Python Use Bloom Filters in String Processing?

Confessions of a Code Addict • 46 HN points • 14 Sep 23
🕹 Technology Implementation Programming Data Structures Python
  1. Python uses Bloom filters in its string data structure to speed up certain string processing functions like strip and splitlines.
  2. The unique Bloom filter implementation in CPython uses an unsigned long type to represent the bit vector, making storing and querying items more efficient.
  3. CPython determines the position in the bit vector for adding and querying characters by using the lower n-bits of the character, avoiding costly hash computations.

Building CAUSL - Episode 3: Ideal Customer Profiles

CAUSL Effect • 19 implied HN points • 10 Mar 23
💼 Business Marketing Market research Entrepreneurship Customer Service Sales
  1. Finding your ideal customer is important but not easy. You need to identify who can truly benefit from your product and has the budget to spend on it.
  2. It's crucial to consider factors like location, job title, and company size when defining your ideal customer. This helps you focus your efforts on the right leads.
  3. Don't limit yourself to specific industries; every problem can have a solution. Keep an open mind about potential customers to avoid missing out on opportunities.

Out of the Sandbox

Reboot • 32 implied HN points • 24 Feb 24
🕹 Technology Customization Politics China Hacking
  1. Jailbreaking iPhones was a way to explore the full potential of Apple devices beyond the limitations set by the company.
  2. Jailbreaking in China was not only common but essential for accessing features like multilingual support and blocking spam calls.
  3. Through jailbreaking, individuals found a way to challenge authority, explore political subversiveness, and open up to alternative possibilities.

Amtrak is still riding the nostalgia train

Urben Field Notes • 32 implied HN points • 26 Feb 24
💼 Business Infrastructure Transportation Finances Government Policy
  1. Long-distance trains are nostalgic but may not be the most efficient way to provide rail service to small towns and neglected regions.
  2. Expanding long-distance train routes could reach more Americans, but issues include unreliable trip durations, inconvenient schedules, and high costs.
  3. Optimizing rail routes by focusing on shorter, higher-demand trips could be a more cost-effective and efficient way to improve passenger rail service in America.

Let Bitcoin Cook

QTR’s Fringe Finance • 32 implied HN points • 01 Mar 24
💰 Finance Financial advice Market Analysis Cryptocurrency Investing Economics
  1. Let Bitcoin cook - Allow Bitcoin to develop without unnecessary interruption, like letting someone keep working when they're on a roll.
  2. Celebrate modestly - Acknowledge success with humility and prepare for potential challenges; avoid excessive bragging or taunting.
  3. Encourage organic interest - Rather than forcing ideas, allow individuals to discover and understand Bitcoin naturally to build genuine, long-term adoption.

Serving Up Truth with a Side of Whopper: Should Burger King be More Transparent?

Gad’s Newsletter • 47 implied HN points • 04 Sep 23
💼 Business Customer Behavior Transparency Marketing Strategy
  1. Burger King faced a lawsuit for allegedly portraying their burgers as bigger than they are, questioning the importance of transparency in advertising
  2. Customers tend to make rational decisions based on information provided, adapting and learning quickly to make informed choices
  3. Being honest and transparent with customers can lead to loyalty and better decision-making, as seen in studies on credit card transparency

Applying the Core 4 framework (Part 2)

Engineering Enablement • 11 implied HN points • 29 Jan 25
🕹 Technology Software Engineering Business impact Performance Metrics Continuous Improvement Developer Productivity
  1. Using Core 4 metrics helps link developer productivity projects to important business outcomes. This way, everyone can understand the impact of these projects.
  2. Investing in improving developer processes can save a lot of time and money. For example, fixing slow review times can free up hours that can be used for more productive work.
  3. Regularly measuring progress helps teams keep improving. It's important to revisit these metrics to find new areas to enhance and continue moving forward.

Would you like a robot companion or a konpanion?

Robots & Startups • 1 HN point • 22 Jun 24
🕹 Technology AI Events News Robots
  1. Naming a robot company or product requires careful consideration for SEO and international appeal.
  2. The significance of choosing culturally appropriate and well-translated product names is crucial, as demonstrated by several major brands' mishaps.
  3. Investors have been interested in beauty, skincare, and haircare startups, which have shown resilience through effective marketing strategies like TikTok and celebrity endorsements.

This is how I start working with a client

The Ask Newsletter — by Ellen Donnelly • 10 implied HN points • 19 Feb 25
💼 Business Coaching Entrepreneurship Personal Development Business Operations Client Relations
  1. When starting with a new client, I prioritize getting to know them through a discovery session. This helps both of us see if we’re a good fit for working together.
  2. During the discovery session, I listen to the client’s vision and goals. It’s a helpful chat that aims to clarify their direction and identify any action steps.
  3. After the discovery call, I send a recap email and a coaching agreement. I also ask clients to reflect on some questions before our first session to get the most out of our time together.

The uniformity measure

Fileforma Research • 1 HN point • 22 Jun 24
🕹 Technology Data Analysis Customization Algorithms Compression
  1. Neuralink's Compression Challenge requires beating ZIP at compressing audio files, revealing unexpected complexities in brain data compression
  2. Claude Shannon's use of logarithms in measuring entropy lacks proof, highlighting the need for alternative entropy measures like the uniformity measure
  3. The proposed uniformity measure offers a way to calculate a sample's proximity to a uniform distribution, providing a new method for entropy measurement

20250727

Curious futures (KGhosh) • 4 implied HN points • 27 Jul 25
🕹 Technology Data Privacy Creative Tools Innovation Digital Culture AI
  1. There's a new project called CC signals aimed at creating a fairer AI system. It encourages sharing and benefits everyone instead of just a few.
  2. Creativity and imagination are super important in shaping our future. They help us push back against the negative impacts of technology.
  3. Cities are starting to take control back from big tech, like Lyon switching to open-source software. This shows there's hope for a more independent and creative digital life.

Can We Prevent LLMs From Hallucinating?

Brett DiDonato • 3 HN points • 21 Mar 24
🕹 Technology AI Context Models
  1. Preventing LLMs like ChatGPT from hallucinating entirely is a challenge, but technological advancements are helping reduce hallucination rates.
  2. Techniques such as using better models, retrieval augmented generation (RAG), larger context windows, and improved grounding can significantly reduce model hallucinations.
  3. Hallucinations in large language models are caused by the autoregressive nature of the models and the lack of logical grounding, but advancements in model quality and techniques are making complex AI applications more feasible.