The hottest Substack posts right now

according to Hacker News
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Interviewing my mother, a mainframe COBOL programmer

kelsey’s Substack • 319 implied HN points • 09 Jul 16
🕹 Technology Programming Databases Infrastructure Legacy Systems
  1. Mainframe COBOL programming is a crucial and irreplaceable aspect of the banking world, despite its less popular status compared to modern languages like Java.
  2. Banks running on mainframes face challenges like aging programmers, maintaining legacy systems, and transitioning to more modern technology.
  3. Working as a mainframe COBOL programmer for a bank involves dealing with large amounts of transaction data, intricate databases, and complex IDE like ISPF.

Are AI Agentic Workflows the Future of Automation?

The API Changelog • 10 implied HN points • 30 Jan 25
🕹 Technology APIs Automation AI Data Workflows
  1. AI agentic workflows can adapt and make decisions like humans, allowing them to handle unexpected situations in real-time. This makes them more effective than traditional automation, which often breaks down with changes.
  2. Using APIs is essential for AI agentic workflows because they enable access to live data and help connect different services. This makes workflows smarter and more responsive to current events.
  3. Switching to agentic workflows can reduce the maintenance costs of automation and doesn't require deep technical knowledge, making it easier for more people to implement.

Putting ChatGPT on the Stand as an Expert Witness

Autonomy • 11 implied HN points • 11 Jan 25
🕹 Technology Automation Data Privacy AI Ethics Legal Tech
  1. AI could start playing a role in court by acting as an expert witness, answering questions just like a human would. This could change how legal arguments are made and maybe even lead to AI gaining more credibility.
  2. Lawyers might use AI not just for expert opinions, but also to gather evidence and build arguments. This means the AI helps in the background, but it’s the lawyer who presents the case in court.
  3. In the future, we might see cases where AI itself is called to testify, which could change how we view the trustworthiness of expert opinions in law. An AI might be seen as more reliable since it has no personal stakes in the outcome.

✅ Monday briefing: FT Edit, trans 101, influencer marketing, public distrust, website energy crash, TikTok best practice, no authority, communication challenges, media usage, and more...

Wadds Inc. newsletter • 39 implied HN points • 04 Apr 22
💼 Business Communication Media Social media Public Relations Marketing
  1. The Financial Times has created a new app to attract more readers by offering daily curated articles. This app is free for the first month and then charges a subscription fee.
  2. Influencer marketing is growing and now takes up about 3% of marketing budgets. Influencers help connect brands with audiences in a way that traditional ads might not.
  3. Public trust is being affected by campaigns that spread distrust about competitors, like TikTok. Companies should focus on transparency and ethical communication to build trust with the public.
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A Historic Labor Market Recovery

Apricitas Economics • 56 implied HN points • 09 Apr 23
💰 Finance Employment Labor Market Inflation Federal Reserve
  1. American employment rates have fully recovered from the pandemic, showing a rapid and broad-based labor market recovery.
  2. The recovery is broad-based, with almost all industries and age groups showing increased employment rates.
  3. The Federal Reserve faces the challenge of balancing inflation control with maximizing employment for the ongoing historic labor market recovery.

Anthropic's Claude Code has a High Ceiling

Machine Economy Press • 9 implied HN points • 25 Feb 25
🕹 Technology Software Development AI Startups Coding
  1. Claude Code is a powerful new tool that helps developers code faster by understanding their code and assisting with tasks like fixing bugs and managing version control.
  2. The latest updates to Claude, especially version 3.7, enhance its ability to handle complex coding tasks efficiently, making it a valuable asset for startups looking to scale quickly.
  3. With strong backing and advanced features, Anthropic's Claude Code is likely to lead in the AI coding space, offering a reliable alternative to other existing tools.

AI Coding Tools (May 2025)

Anant’s Newsletter • 6 implied HN points • 12 May 25
🕹 Technology Innovation Productivity Coding Software Engineering AI Tools
  1. AI coding tools are changing how software developers work. Using these tools can make coding faster and help solve complex problems more easily.
  2. There are different types of AI tools for coding, like IDEs that assist with writing code and AI agents that can handle bigger tasks on their own. Each type serves a unique purpose in the coding process.
  3. There is a need for better tools to create personalized AI agents and improve project management. These improvements could help teams work more efficiently together.

Embrace AI’s Uncertainty in UX

Jakob Nielsen on UX • 29 implied HN points • 06 Mar 24
🕹 Technology AI UX Design User Research
  1. In the age of AI, the design landscape is changing as we embrace the uncertainty of probabilistic systems, leading to a redefinition of traditional design roles and processes.
  2. Using AI in user research introduces new challenges, such as increased variability and a shift towards more qualitative studies over quantitative ones.
  3. Designing for AI means relinquishing control over the final user interface and embracing a design approach focused on creating rules and heuristics for AI-generated content.

Diya Jolly (Incoming CPO at Xero, ex-Okta)

The Takeoff • 19 implied HN points • 20 Mar 23
💼 Business Leadership Company Culture Remote work Product Management
  1. Lagging indicators for product success include revenue, mid-level indicators involve usage metrics, and early indicators consist of feedback from target customers.
  2. Building a strong product culture involves deep customer empathy, a focus on business growth, a drive for learning, and a collaborative team culture.
  3. Success in product management is measured by revenue generation, usage metrics, and meeting target customer needs through strategic decision-making.

Platform vs. DevEx teams: What’s the difference?

Engineering Enablement • 14 implied HN points • 05 Nov 24
🕹 Technology Data Management Engineering Software Development Productivity Tools Team Dynamics
  1. Platform teams handle a broader range of responsibilities compared to Developer Experience teams. This means they are involved in more of the underlying tech operations.
  2. Local development, source code management, and incident management are key tasks for both types of teams. These areas help developers write and deploy their code more smoothly.
  3. The name of the team can reflect its focus. Some teams prioritize overall developer support while others are more infrastructure-focused, suggesting that their approach can change based on company needs.

Blowing off steam or picking a scab?

The Counterfactual • 19 implied HN points • 20 Dec 22
📖 Philosophy Cognitive Science Behavioral Psychology
  1. Metaphors shape how we think about emotions like anger. For example, saying we need to 'blow off steam' suggests that expressing anger can help relieve it.
  2. Some people feel that expressing anger, like 'picking at a wound,' can make it worse over time. It may lead to more anger instead of helping to heal it.
  3. Choosing a metaphor for anger depends on the person and situation. Both 'blowing off steam' and 'picking a scab' have valid points about handling anger, but they suggest different approaches.

Repair-Off: 10 Month Old Fitness Tracker vs. 55 Year-Old Radio

Fight to Repair • 39 implied HN points • 14 Sep 21
🕹 Technology Manufacturers Product Design E-Waste Repair Right-to-repair
  1. Repair culture for old devices like radios involves accessible resources and manuals for DIY repairs, fostering sustainability and useful life extension.
  2. Modern electronics like FitBits often lack repair options, leading to replacement rather than fixing and contributing to e-waste accumulation.
  3. A right to repair law could empower consumers with access to schematics and parts to preserve electronics, but also necessitates a shift in manufacturer practices towards designing repairable products.

The PacBio Benchtop - The Vega

ASeq Newsletter • 14 implied HN points • 07 Nov 24
🕹 Technology Instrumentation Healthcare Biotechnology Data Analysis Genomics
  1. The new PacBio Vega is a benchtop DNA sequencer that provides 60Gb of data in just 24 hours and costs $169,000. There's also a lower cost option for labs that need less capacity.
  2. When compared to Oxford Nanopore's PromethION, the Vega appears to deliver better accuracy and more consistent results, making it a suitable choice for smaller labs needing reliable output.
  3. The launch of the Vega could help PacBio increase revenue and broaden its market presence, as it appeals to labs that want access to high-quality sequencing without breaking the bank.

UX Roundup: Design Metrics | Users Don’t Like to Read | Kids and Dark Design | Chinese Design | Single Name Field | Stop CAPTCHA

Jakob Nielsen on UX • 15 implied HN points • 21 Oct 24
🕹 Technology Design principles Artificial Intelligence User Experience Digital Culture
  1. Design metrics should focus on user value, such as how quickly they can complete tasks. Faster completion times lead to happier users and more engagement.
  2. Most users prefer to get straight to the point and often skip reading long instructions or explanations. Keeping things simple and clear is essential.
  3. Children are becoming more aware of misleading design patterns online, but many still struggle to identify them accurately. Educating kids about digital design can help them navigate online spaces more safely.

When Freemium Succeeds

Platform Papers • 19 implied HN points • 15 Sep 22
💼 Business Market Strategies Product Design Digital Products
  1. Freemium products can fail to attract users and revenue, but when they succeed, they can become superstars with high engagement and in-app purchases.
  2. Incorporating social features into freemium products can be a double-edged sword, as they enhance value with a large user base but may backfire with smaller user bases.
  3. The success of freemium products with social features is heavily influenced by the size of the platform's installed user base, impacting demand potential and user engagement.

Practico-inertia

Internal exile • 29 implied HN points • 01 Mar 24
🕹 Technology Generative models Language Models Search Engines AI
  1. Generative models like Google's Gemini can create controversial outputs, raising questions about the accuracy and societal impact of AI-generated content.
  2. Users of generative models sometimes mistakenly perceive the AI output as objective knowledge, when it is actually a reflection of biases and prompts.
  3. The use of generative models shifts power dynamics and raises concerns about the control of reality and information by technology companies.

Bitcoin: a bold new world.

The Held Report • 14 implied HN points • 31 Oct 24
🔮 Crypto Bitcoin Blockchain Decentralization Finance Economics
  1. Satoshi published the Bitcoin whitepaper on October 31, 2008, during a time of financial crisis. This date was chosen for its symbolic meaning, marking a shift from the old financial systems.
  2. The date also links to Martin Luther's 95 Theses, which challenged the authority of the church. Just like Luther's ideas spread widely, Bitcoin aims to disrupt and change the current monetary system.
  3. Both events represent a break from old traditions and a move towards new beginnings. Bitcoin symbolizes an end to trust in centralized banks and introduces a new, decentralized way to handle money.

The Donkey, Fox, Sheep, & Owl | LSW#43

The Leading Sapiens Weekly • 30 implied HN points • 15 Feb 24
💼 Business Leadership Organizational Behavior Career development Workplace dynamics Human Resources
  1. Everyone has some level of political awareness in the workplace, but it varies in understanding and application.
  2. Reading involves understanding the external world and organization, while carrying focuses on ethical behavior versus manipulation.
  3. Owls are wise in politics, balancing awareness, integrity, and interpersonal skills.

You have tout compris

Venture Prose • 79 implied HN points • 07 Sep 20
🕹 Technology Internet Wireless Network Security Connectivity Equipment
  1. In rural areas with poor wired connections, consider coupling your Free.fr Internet subscription with an unlimited 4G plan for better coverage and speed.
  2. Invest in necessary equipment like a 4G router, antenna, loadbalancer, and mesh network to optimize and distribute your 4G connection throughout your home effectively.
  3. Despite the initial investment in equipment, once set up, the cost for an unlimited 4G plan is relatively affordable at 15.99€, offering improved Internet speed and reliability.

✅ Monday briefing: Testing GPT-3, AI sceptics beware, AI skills, AI plagerism, local newsletters, news in 2023, media events planner, marketing and sales gap, and more...

Wadds Inc. newsletter • 19 implied HN points • 16 Jan 23
🕹 Technology Media Marketing Social media News Artificial Intelligence
  1. GPT-3 can create decent text but struggles with more complex writing tasks, like biographies. Its ability to summarize information is seen as a strong point.
  2. There is a divide in the PR industry about AI like GPT-3, with some viewing it as a threat and others as a helpful tool. It's suggested that everyone should try these tools to see their potential.
  3. Local newsletters are becoming more popular as some news outlets reduce their print editions. Many publishers are focusing on community through emails and podcasts.

How to reduce cost of ranking by knowledge distillation

Recommender systems • 33 implied HN points • 06 Jan 24
🕹 Technology Cost Optimization Machine Learning AI
  1. Training an early ranker to mimic the final ranker can improve top-line metrics and reduce costs
  2. Knowledge distillation involves training a student model, the early ranker, to learn from a teacher model, the final ranker
  3. Implementing knowledge distillation through shared or auxiliary tasks can increase alignment between the early and final rankers

Tim Chen's Journey to Success: Valuable Lessons I Learned from the Founder of NerdWallet

Bold Begin • 1 HN point • 16 Jun 24
💼 Business Talent Tools Relationships Team culture Data
  1. Establishing a strong team culture can drive business growth by aligning efforts with goals and boosting performance.
  2. Utilizing data effectively is crucial for business success, from creating statistical reports to driving marketing strategies.
  3. Hiring the right talent and emphasizing the use of appropriate tools are key factors in achieving business success, as demonstrated by Tim Chen's journey with NerdWallet.

What the Heck is Welfare?

Economic Forces • 4 implied HN points • 17 Jul 25
💼 Business Market Analysis Consumer behavior Economics
  1. Welfare analysis looks at how different markets affect people's well-being. It's all about comparing situations to see if consumers are better or worse off.
  2. Changes in demand don't always mean a decline in overall consumer welfare. We need to understand why demand shifts to know the real impact.
  3. In multiple markets, the total welfare isn't just the sum of individual market welfare. Changes in one market can affect others, so we have to consider the bigger picture.

The Wisdom To Choose Action or Inaction

Who is Robert Malone • 14 implied HN points • 04 Nov 24
📖 Philosophy Ethics Social Sciences Human behavior Political theory Complex Systems
  1. It's important to understand the difference between complicated systems, like computers, and complex systems, like ecosystems or human societies. Complex systems are unpredictable and can't always be controlled with precise interventions.
  2. When dealing with complex systems, sometimes it's better to wait and observe rather than rush to act. Taking a careful, incremental approach can help prevent unintended consequences.
  3. Censorship and forced social engineering can hinder our ability to adapt and learn from experiences. Encouraging free communication and decentralized thinking is crucial for innovation and growth.

The Fed's $300B Emergency Response

Apricitas Economics • 57 implied HN points • 18 Mar 23
💰 Finance Market conditions Emergency Response Financial Stability Banking System Interest Rates
  1. The Federal Reserve lent over $300B in emergency funds to American banks to stabilize the financial system.
  2. Most of the emergency lending was short-term, with a majority of the funds coming from the discount window.
  3. Reforms to the discount window have helped reduce stigma around borrowing from the Fed during financial crises.

Contify Biz News API, Boomi + Thru, GoPlus Transaction Simulation

The API Changelog • 3 implied HN points • 18 Aug 25
🕹 Technology APIs AI Software Cloud Cybersecurity
  1. LevelBlue and Akamai launched a new service to protect web applications and APIs. This service helps organizations to stay safe from cyber threats with advanced security features.
  2. Contify has improved its Business News API with new features for better data analysis. This tool now offers sentiment analysis and multilingual translations, making it easier for teams to work with news data.
  3. Boomi acquired Thru to enhance its file transfer capabilities. This move will help improve cloud integration for businesses using Boomi's services.

Lawler: Rent Trends at some Large Holders of Multifamily Properties

CalculatedRisk Newsletter • 28 implied HN points • 11 Mar 24
💼 Business Real Estate Housing Market Analysis Finance Economics
  1. Rent growth has slowed sharply at large holders of multifamily properties like MAA, Equity Residential, and Avalon Bay Communities in the past year.
  2. Despite overall rent growth slowdown, year-over-year growth in rent renewals remained in the 4.5% - 5% range in January, showing a different trend.
  3. There is a lesson to be learned from the 1994-1995 Fed tightening episode where the Federal Reserve raised the policy rate significantly without triggering a recession, providing valuable insights for current monetary policymaking.

Corporate Power Plays

Logos • 39 implied HN points • 17 Mar 22
💼 Business Corporate culture Professional development Employee Relations Workplace dynamics
  1. In the corporate world, people often pretend to be collaborative, but it's really very competitive. You need to be aware of these power dynamics to navigate successfully.
  2. Using phrases like 'let's take a step back' can establish you as a thought leader in meetings, but be cautious not to overdo it. Everyone needs to contribute to keep things productive.
  3. Dressing differently, like wearing a suit in a casual workplace, can signal status and create a perception of power. Be strategic about how you present yourself to others.

Strong AI Creativity

Jakob Nielsen on UX • 15 implied HN points • 17 Oct 24
🕹 Technology Human-Machine Interaction Innovation Creativity AI Research
  1. AI is proving to be more creative than humans in generating ideas. Studies show that AI can outscore humans in creativity tasks, both when working alone and even in some co-creation scenarios.
  2. Humans tend to judge AI-generated ideas unfairly. There is a bias against AI, as its ideas are often rated lower just because people know they are from AI, even if the ideas are the same.
  3. AI is also outperforming human researchers in academic creativity. In comparing AI-generated research ideas to those from junior human scientists, AI scored better in novelty, excitement, and overall effectiveness.

The Proto-App Thesis

Three quarks • 41 implied HN points • 07 Sep 23
🕹 Technology Web Crypto Apps Protocols AI
  1. The future of apps might be leaning towards protocols instead of traditional consumer apps.
  2. The emergence of proto-apps, which operate as gateways to various services, blurs the line between apps and protocols.
  3. Horizontalization and integration with protocols are key aspects for the success of modern apps, allowing for user-generated plugins and decentralized functionality.

OSD 263: AlphaGo and invisible limits

Open Source Defense • 28 implied HN points • 04 Mar 24
🕹 Technology Mental health AI Innovation Gun Rights Tech advancements
  1. Innovation can be driven by existential threats - challenges can push you to become stronger and force innovation, making threats potentially beneficial.
  2. Struggles and restrictions can lead to progress - historical examples show that adversity in gun rights led to major advancements and innovation in the gun community.
  3. Reacting positively to challenges can bring long-term benefits - while restrictions are not ideal, responding with innovation and galvanizing communities can lead to positive outcomes over time.