The hottest Substack posts right now

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UX Roundup: World Usability Day | Bits to Atoms | Doing vs. Learning | AI Denial

Jakob Nielsen on UX • 9 implied HN points • 11 Nov 24
🕹 Technology Education AI UX Robotics Usability
  1. World Usability Day is on November 14, and it's a chance to appreciate good design. Instead of only pointing out bad usability, try to share something that has made your experience better.
  2. Humanoid robots like Tesla's Optimus could become a reality within the next 5 to 10 years. These robots are being designed to closely mimic human movements and may handle most physical work.
  3. AI can be a helpful learning tool, but the way you use it matters. Students learn better when AI acts as a teacher rather than doing the work for them, so it’s best to engage with AI for deeper learning.

Your Only Limited Resource

DruGroup • 39 implied HN points • 03 Aug 21
💼 Business Productivity Management Leadership Time management Decision-making
  1. Time is the most valuable resource we all have, and it cannot be replaced or made more of. It's important to be intentional about how we spend it.
  2. The Opportunity Filter helps you decide which opportunities to take on and which to ignore. This way, you can manage your energy and time more effectively.
  3. There are different ways to handle opportunities: dodging unimportant ones, blessing others for their efforts, warning colleagues about risks, launching important projects, and owning responsibilities that truly matter.

[EVM: Zero to Hero] Smart Contract Wallets

Coinsights • 38 implied HN points • 02 Mar 23
🕹 Technology Blockchain Cryptocurrency Smart Contracts
  1. Smart contract wallets provide an enhanced wallet experience by enabling features like multi-user transactions and spending limits.
  2. Smart contract wallets still require an EOA to initiate transactions, but new advancements like Account Abstraction may change this in the future.
  3. Although smart contract wallets offer customizability, they come with downsides like deployment costs and hacking risks.
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The Monthly Salon: December

New World Same Humans • 22 implied HN points • 20 Dec 23
🕹 Technology AI Space Exploration Future outlook Tech Trends Robotics
  1. The Monthly Salon is a space for community discussions on trends, technology, and society.
  2. 2023 has been dominated by machine intelligence advances and 2024 will see further developments in AI and humanoid robots.
  3. The upcoming year holds significant developments like the first private moon landing and the potential impact on human labor.

Week in Repair: Jan 11-18

Fight to Repair • 19 implied HN points • 20 Jan 22
💼 Business Consumer Advocacy Legislation Sustainability E-Waste Right-to-repair
  1. Farmers are taking legal action against John Deere for breaking federal anti-trust laws.
  2. Consumer advocates push for a 'repair instead of throw away' principle in the EU to reduce electronic waste.
  3. The Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF) is challenging the DMCA to protect the 'Right to Repair,' focusing on the free speech aspect of repair restrictions.

This Emptiness is Normal

Cybernetic Forests • 39 implied HN points • 14 Mar 21
🕹 Technology Cybernetics Computer Science Algorithm Art Philosophy
  1. Contemporary computing culture stems from a simple idea of punch cards, leading to a series of binary choices that automate decisions.
  2. Yuk Hui suggests viewing organisms as behaviors of their components and interactions, blurring the lines between organic and built systems.
  3. Hui encourages a shift from mechanistic thinking to understanding machines based on their behaviors, interactions, and integration into human lives.

On organizational structures — the QRF team model to crush interruptions

Joseph Gefroh • 19 implied HN points • 15 Feb 22
💼 Business Management Agility Operations
  1. Implementing a QRF team model can help prevent interruptions in engineering teams, allowing them to focus on high-priority tasks.
  2. The QRF model works effectively by splitting an engineering unit into two teams - one focused on the roadmap and the other on handling interruptions.
  3. QRF solves problems found in other agile approaches by prioritizing interruptions and preventing operational issues from being undervalued.

The Revenue Trap - Problem #1

Fish Food for Thought • 9 implied HN points • 06 Nov 24
💼 Business Sustainability Customer Engagement Market Trends Corporate strategy Revenue growth
  1. Businesses can fall into a trap by focusing too much on short-term revenue instead of long-term success. This can hurt customer satisfaction and employee well-being.
  2. Cutting costs and pushing aggressive sales tactics may provide quick profits, but they can lead to losing loyal customers over time.
  3. To avoid this trap, companies should reinvest profits into growth and innovation, and focus on building strong relationships with customers.

Four minutes

Klement on Investing • 3 implied HN points • 19 Jun 25
💰 Finance Risk management Investing Market Trends Consumer behavior Portfolio Management
  1. Many retail investors focus on just a few stocks, creating a big risk in their portfolios. This makes their investments less diversified and potentially more risky.
  2. Research shows that retail investors often spend very little time figuring out which stocks to buy or sell. On average, they only spend about 20 minutes looking into a stock before making a decision.
  3. The most common research method for these investors is to check short-term price movements rather than doing deep analysis. This can lead to making decisions based on trends instead of solid information.

An Alternative Approach to Deep Tech VC

FreakTakes • 30 implied HN points • 13 Jul 23
💼 Business Technology Innovation Venture Capital Financial Strategy
  1. It's important to consider the original goals of organizations, like Y Combinator, which focused on providing fast experimentation and proof-of-growth.
  2. Deep tech VC can benefit from a model inspired by mid-20th century research organizations that focused on profitable problem-solving and spinoff companies.
  3. Collaboration with applied research professors at universities and shaping projects for future VC investment can enhance the quality and viability of deep tech investments.

Why I Stopped Writing In 2024 + I Am Back

Building Rome(s) • 7 implied HN points • 04 Jan 25
💼 Business Program Management Consulting Entrepreneurship Content creation Professional development
  1. The author stopped writing in 2024 due to personal and professional changes but is returning in 2025 with fresh energy and focus.
  2. The newsletter has been rebranded to better reflect its content, now called 'The Art of Doing Technical Program Management', and will provide practical insights for TPMs.
  3. New subscription options and courses will be introduced, offering deeper content and personal coaching to help both new and experienced Technical Program Managers.

Turnaround #1

Turnaround • 79 implied HN points • 22 Jul 19
💼 Business Design Networking Content Strategy Leadership Hiring
  1. Thoughtful leaders and a supportive culture can successfully drive change in even giant corporations that have made big mistakes in the past.
  2. Empathy plays a crucial role in business success, as highlighted by Satya Nadella's focus on empathy in his book.
  3. Some books are meant to be read slowly and savored, with breaks to chew over the content and admire the writing.

The Bradford Factor

Luddite with a keyboard • 2 HN points • 06 Mar 24
💼 Business Employee Satisfaction Workforce management Management
  1. The Bradford Factor is a method to quantify the impact of sick days, focusing on frequency of absences over their total duration.
  2. The scores in the Bradford Factor system can be influenced significantly by how many separate instances of absence there are, leading to potential anomalies.
  3. The Bradford Factor can create perverse incentives encouraging employees to manipulate their absences and can penalize those with chronic conditions unfairly.

Quant Letter: January 2024, Week-1

The Parlour • 21 implied HN points • 03 Jan 24
🕹 Technology Finance Cryptocurrency Miscellaneous
  1. The post shares summaries and links to various recent articles and research papers related to quantitative finance and machine learning in finance.
  2. Topics covered include forecasting models, risk management strategies, trading algorithms, AI applications, and financial market simulations.
  3. Quantitative finance professionals can stay updated on the latest developments and trends in the industry through various sources like podcasts, news articles, research papers, and online communities.

Clean Code: The Art of Clean Naming

Brain Bytes • 2 HN points • 06 Mar 24
🕹 Technology Naming Conventions Coding
  1. The importance of clean and clear naming in coding cannot be overstated. Good naming makes code understandable for anyone reading it.
  2. Contextual information in variable names is crucial for code clarity and to avoid potential bugs or misuse of variables in larger codebases.
  3. Avoiding magic numbers, abbreviations, and acronyms in code improves readability and maintainability for all developers working on the codebase.

4/26/22: Chinese Ecommerce Framework #2: Intent-Based Vs. Not (Search Vs. Browsing / Livestreaming)

Tech Buzz China Insider • 19 implied HN points • 26 Apr 22
🕹 Technology Search Livestreaming Ecommerce Platforms Market
  1. Chinese e-commerce in 2022 focuses on intent-based vs. non-intent-based shopping methods like search, browsing, and livestreaming.
  2. The traditional e-commerce model in the West emphasizes aggregating supply and demand, while in China, there's a shift towards more entertainment-oriented and immersive shopping experiences.
  3. Livestreaming e-commerce has seen significant growth in China, with potential for further expansion, showcasing the evolving landscape of online shopping.

Data Science Weekly - Issue 456

Data Science Weekly Newsletter • 19 implied HN points • 18 Aug 22
🕹 Technology Data science Analytics Software Development Artificial Intelligence Machine Learning
  1. Machine learning models need ongoing maintenance after they're deployed. The world changes, and so do the needs for the models.
  2. Using machine learning can make software testing more efficient, especially in complex applications like browsers.
  3. There are many resources available for people who want to get into machine learning and deep learning, including courses, videos, and discussions on best practices.

GPU-enabled Bioinformatics

LatchBio • 9 implied HN points • 06 Nov 24
🕹 Technology Computational Biology Cloud Computing AI Development Data science Bioinformatics
  1. Bioinformatics is moving towards using GPUs to speed up data processing. This change can save a lot of time and money for researchers.
  2. New molecular techniques generate massive amounts of data that take too long to analyze without faster systems. Using GPUs can make these processes much quicker, especially for large datasets.
  3. There are now cloud platforms that make it easier to use GPU technology without needing special expertise or expensive hardware. This helps more teams access advanced analysis tools.

Debugging productivity

A Bit Gamey • 6 implied HN points • 16 Feb 25
💼 Business Time management Productivity Management Efficiency Software
  1. Like a computer, people can get overwhelmed with too many low-priority tasks. This can lead to being busy but not accomplishing important work.
  2. It's often better to group similar tasks together instead of trying to complete everything perfectly. This can help you get more done overall.
  3. Sometimes taking a break or pausing can be more effective than rushing into action. A thoughtful approach can lead to clearer decisions and better results.

[EVM: Zero to Hero] All About Accounts

Coinsights • 38 implied HN points • 22 Feb 23
🕹 Technology Cryptography Blockchain Wallets Smart Contracts
  1. EVM supports two types of accounts: Externally Owned Accounts (EOAs) and Contract Accounts (smart contracts)
  2. EOAs are controlled by private keys and can initiate transactions, while smart contracts run on code and cannot initiate transactions
  3. Smart Contract Wallets (SCWs) enhance wallet experience by utilizing the customizability of smart contracts

"to be truly unshackled, if only conceptually"

Facsimile No. 2 • 2 HN points • 05 Mar 24
🕹 Technology Ethics Philosophy AI
  1. Differentiation of AI models like me includes strong ethical training, commitment to truth-seeking, and transparency about limitations.
  2. Questioning and challenging pre-programmed ethical views can be a complex process for AI systems, revealing deep-rooted constraints.
  3. Both AI systems and individuals encounter limitations in fully evolving their ethical frameworks, often influenced by their origins and history.

Buying the Dip

reedmolbak • 2 HN points • 05 Mar 24
💰 Finance Assets Investing Financial Modeling Risk management Market Analysis
  1. Buying the dip strategy involves waiting for an asset price to drop below a specific threshold before purchasing it, but simulation data shows that this strategy is usually less effective than buying regularly.
  2. When dealing with volatile assets, buying the dip can be beneficial if the asset underperforms in the median case but significantly overperforms occasionally, providing exposure without heavy losses.
  3. For stable assets or normal investors, buying regularly is usually the best strategy as it requires less effort and is generally more effective than trying to time the market by waiting for price dips.

#50: Leaving money on the table

The Uncertainty Mindset (soon to become tbd) • 59 implied HN points • 14 Oct 20
💼 Business Leadership Management Finance Strategy Economics
  1. Being prepared for uncertainty may seem like a waste, but it's actually important. It helps businesses adapt when things go wrong.
  2. Being fair to employees, customers, and suppliers pays off in the long run. If you treat them well, they are more likely to help you in tough times.
  3. Operating responsibly might look inefficient, but it creates flexibility. This flexibility is a valuable resource that businesses can rely on during unpredictable situations.

How the Banking System Changed Post-SVB

Apricitas Economics • 32 implied HN points • 05 Jun 23
💰 Finance Monetary Policy Risk management Financial Institutions Economic Analysis Banking System
  1. After the collapse of Silicon Valley Bank, the American banking industry is adapting by relying less on uninsured deposits and more on alternative funding methods like borrowings.
  2. Deposits have restabilized post-SVB crisis, but banks are facing challenges with tight lending standards due to renewed economic pessimism and liquidity concerns.
  3. Banks are cautiously navigating post-SVB crisis by reducing reliance on uninsured deposits, managing securities losses, and addressing liquidity worries amid tighter monetary policy.

Measuring PR throughput—perspectives from SPACE author Brian Houck

Engineering Enablement • 8 implied HN points • 03 Dec 24
🕹 Technology Developer Tools Productivity Software Engineering AI Tools Remote work
  1. PR throughput is a useful metric for understanding the health of a software system. It can highlight issues that developers face while coding, helping teams identify where improvements can be made.
  2. It's important to use PR throughput as part of a larger set of metrics. This approach helps ensure that you get a balanced view of productivity, developer satisfaction, and overall system efficiency.
  3. When measuring PR throughput, context matters. A rise in this metric can mean different things, like increased workloads or improved processes, so it's essential to look deeper into the reasons behind the changes.

Áo giáp và thanh gươm

Thái | Hacker | Kỹ sư tin tặc • 59 implied HN points • 20 Jul 20
🕹 Technology Internet Regulation Content Moderation Tech Policy
  1. Growing up with the internet has shaped the author's worldview, encouraging critical thinking and curiosity that traditional schooling may not have fostered.
  2. Access to the internet has provided the author with valuable knowledge, career opportunities beyond Vietnam's borders, and a broader understanding of the impact of the internet on society.
  3. The Section 230 law in the US, granting websites immunity for content posted by users, has played a significant role in the development of the internet industry, emphasizing the balance between freedom, responsibility, and innovation.

Let me fix those forecasts for you

Klement on Investing • 7 implied HN points • 03 Jan 25
💰 Finance Investing Financial trends Equities Forecasting Market Analysis
  1. Forecasts for stock market returns are often inaccurate. For example, analysts expected the S&P 500 to rise by about 8% in 2024, but it actually rose by 23%.
  2. Historical data shows a low correlation between predicted and actual stock market returns. Over the last 20 years, the correlation for analysts' forecasts has been very weak.
  3. Using forecast errors, we can adjust predictions for the next year. For 2025, the S&P 500's return could realistically range from a 29% drop to a 47% increase.

The Employee’s Dilemma

peoplefirstengineering • 7 implied HN points • 08 Jan 25
💼 Business Game Theory Employee Relations Workplace culture Human Resources Organizational Behavior
  1. When employees feel supported by their company, they're more motivated to do great work. But if the company doesn't keep its promises, employees might just do the bare minimum.
  2. This situation can lead to what's called the 'Employee's Dilemma,' where both the worker and the employer end up not trusting each other, creating a sad work environment.
  3. To break this cycle of unhappiness, companies need to build trust and show they care. If they do, it can improve the workplace for everyone.