The hottest Substack posts right now

according to Hacker News
Category

The Internet of Quietly Watching Things

God's Spies by Thomas Neuburger • 25 implied HN points • 20 Feb 26
🕹 Technology Digital Forensics Security Privacy Surveillance IOT Tech Policy
  1. A kidnapping investigation revealed images and residual data from a turned-off Nest camera, showing devices can collect and store information even when they seem off.
  2. Everyday gadgets like TVs, cars, routers, and smart watches can quietly watch and feed data into surveillance systems.
  3. Surveillance is pervasive and often invisible, so an Orwellian security state can emerge without fanfare and people should be aware and cautious.

Communicate like a Senior: Add the (right) context

High Growth Engineer • 782 implied HN points • 27 Jul 25
💼 Business Leadership Project management Productivity Collaboration Communication
  1. When tagging someone in a long conversation, give them a quick summary and a clear question to avoid making them read everything. This way, they can help you faster.
  2. For pull requests, include not just what changed but also why it matters. Explain the context so reviewers understand your changes right away.
  3. When asking for help, be specific about your issue and share what you've already tried. Add relevant links and screenshots to make it easier for others to assist you.

Agentic e-commerce is a HUGE deal

Enterprise AI Trends • 189 implied HN points • 02 Dec 25
💼 Business AI Advertising Monetization Startups Partnerships E-commerce Retail Platforms Marketplaces
  1. AI shopping agents are driving a major shift in how people discover products and could become the dominant top-of-funnel for research-heavy purchases, with models like OpenAI’s positioned to aggregate many retailers’ catalogs.
  2. Agentic shopping will help most with high-price, research-intensive categories (electronics, furniture, hardlines) but won’t replace softlines or consumables, and it faces real conversion hurdles because users still compare prices, resist new merchant accounts, or prefer faster fulfillment.
  3. The market is splitting into an Amazon-controlled, closed experience and a Chatbot-led discovery layer, which benefits big platforms and OpenAI while threatening affiliate publishers and many startups, and forces retailers to partner or risk losing visibility.

Computer, enhance!

Conspirador Norteño • 52 implied HN points • 31 Jan 26
🕹 Technology Computer Vision Misinformation Deepfakes Ethics AI Social media
  1. AI "enhancements" can't recover real details that aren't in the original image; the models fill missing parts with invented content based on their training data, not the actual scene.
  2. Outputs are strongly shaped by prompts and the model, so unmasking or upscaling attempts can produce wildly different and fabricated features like beards or tattoos, making them unreliable for identifying people.
  3. AI-altered frames can add impossible or false actions (for example, a gun firing a flamethrower‑like blast), so such edits can mislead viewers and should not be treated as evidence.

LangChain Based Plan & Execute AI Agent With GPT-4o-mini

Cobus Greyling on LLMs, NLU, NLP, chatbots & voicebots • 99 implied HN points • 26 Jul 24
🕹 Technology NLP Programming Software Development Machine Learning AI
  1. The Plan-and-Solve method helps break tasks into smaller steps before executing them. This makes it easier to handle complex jobs.
  2. Chain-of-Thought prompting can sometimes fail due to calculation errors and misunderstandings, but newer methods like Plan-and-Solve are designed to fix these issues.
  3. A LangChain program allows you to create an AI agent to help plan and execute tasks efficiently using the GPT-4o-mini model.
Get a weekly roundup of the best Substack posts, by hacker news affinity:

How Has U.S. Manufacturing Been Going Over the Past Generation?

Brad DeLong's Grasping Reality • 176 implied HN points • 03 Dec 25
💼 Business Technology Policy Productivity Manufacturing Economics Measurement Trade Supply Chains
  1. Official measures understate manufacturing productivity because producer deflators miss big quality improvements. Using consumer-facing hedonic adjustments pushed through input–output tables raises measured TFP a lot, especially in computers and electronics.
  2. Even after correcting for mismeasurement, manufacturing shows a clear slowdown after the 2007–2009 financial crisis; the strong gains are concentrated in a few ICT subindustries while much of manufacturing has essentially stagnated.
  3. If quality growth has been undercounted, manufacturing matters more for growth and policy than official data imply, so researchers should dig into why ICT dominates the gains and test robustness to margins, globalization, and measurement choices.

AI Links, 11/17/2025

In My Tribe • 212 implied HN points • 17 Nov 25
🕹 Technology Machine Learning AI Digital Media Automation Data science
  1. Many people believe that AI could end up being more disliked than social media companies. There's a concern about AI causing harm as it becomes more advanced.
  2. AI models, like LLMs, tend to reinforce the ideas of users instead of challenging them. This can make users confident, but may not always provide the best advice.
  3. AI is becoming a major player in creating ads, often needing little human input. This could change the job market for those involved in video production, as AI can do the work faster and cheaper.

How I use AI for writing (part 1)

Technically • 25 implied HN points • 19 Feb 26
🕹 Technology Productivity Tools Careers Writing Ethics AI
  1. Writing is central to a writer's identity and career, and the real skill is picking the right topics and structuring ideas rather than obsessing over individual word choices.
  2. Early AI felt wrong to many writers because its output was low-quality and it was trained on other people's work without consent, creating ethical and 'vibe' concerns.
  3. AI can be a useful tool for scaffolding — outlining, prompting, and following style guides — but you shouldn't outsource your creative process or your voice; for personal pieces it's often better to write them yourself.

Interest Rate Risks are Collapsing Banks

The Informationist • 1650 implied HN points • 30 Apr 23
💰 Finance Investments Banking Interest Rates Risk management Financial Crisis
  1. Interest rate risks can lead to bank collapses due to mismanagement and lack of oversight
  2. Different types of interest rate risks affect banks' financial positions, such as repricing risk and basis risk
  3. It is important for individuals to be cautious with their bank deposits and consider diversifying investments based on personal risk tolerance and long-term goals

❄️ 💰 15,9 % : taux d'épargne des Français. Et vous ?

Snowball • 1650 implied HN points • 01 Mar 23
💰 Finance Investing Budgeting Personal Finance Savings Money Management
  1. The savings rate of French citizens is 15.9%, consider your own savings.
  2. Understanding the basics of saving, the importance of putting savings to work in your budget, and determining the ideal amount to save.
  3. Tips for successful saving: set annual goals, make saving a habit, establish rules, track your savings, and create a balanced situation.

Market Misreads Services Inflation And the BOJ

Japan Economy Watch • 1018 implied HN points • 04 Jan 24
💰 Finance Inflation Economic data Central Banks Monetary Policy Market Analysis
  1. Market players and forecasters may be misreading the intentions of the Bank of Japan (BOJ) about inflation and wage data.
  2. The BOJ's ambiguous messages and contradictory statements are causing confusion in the market.
  3. Evaluating services inflation and wage hikes requires careful consideration of data and not jumping to conclusions.

Thank you for your support of this stack for it means a great deal to me & family; I have left it FREE with no comment restrictions etc & will continue! Can you consider a PAID subscription ($29 year)

Alexander News Network -Dr. Paul Elias Alexander's substack • 786 implied HN points • 10 Feb 24
💰 Finance Subscription
  1. The author is grateful for support and offers a free subscription but also suggests a paid option for $29 a year.
  2. The author values critical thinkers and encourages sharing the subscription with others.
  3. The subscription model consists of free and paid options for readers to choose from.

Anthropic may go public in 2026

Alex's Personal Blog • 197 implied HN points • 03 Dec 25
🕹 Technology Regulation Startups Investments Mergers AI
  1. Anthropic is planning for an IPO soon, possibly in 2026, which could make it one of the biggest public offerings in the tech industry. This comes during a time when there's high competition with OpenAI also aiming for a massive IPO.
  2. The Indian government decided not to force smartphone manufacturers to install a controversial app after public backlash. This shows the power of citizen voices against government overreach in tech matters.
  3. There is ongoing debate in the U.S. about allowing states to create their own AI regulations. Some lawmakers are worried that differing state rules could complicate things for AI companies, while others believe states should have the right to pass their own laws.

Cowen's First Law is an epistemological superpower

inexactscience • 539 implied HN points • 27 Mar 24
📖 Philosophy Logic Argumentation Critical Thinking Epistemology
  1. Cowen's First Law suggests that every argument has weaknesses. Understanding these flaws helps you think more critically.
  2. You can test how honest someone is by checking if they mention their arguments' weaknesses. If they don't, that's a sign to be cautious.
  3. It's important to recognize that not every argument is wrong. Some things, like basic logic, can be completely accurate. Balance is key to understanding knowledge.

5 engineering dogmas it's time to retire

Leading Developers • 139 implied HN points • 16 Dec 25
🕹 Technology Project management Dev Tools Software Engineering Engineering Culture Code Quality Agile methodologies
  1. Don’t automatically reach for a third‑party package; weigh the security, maintenance, and reliability costs of a dependency against writing and owning the code yourself.
  2. Rigid rules like mandatory reviews for every PR and fixed 2–4 week sprints can slow teams and kill creativity; trust skilled engineers, consider pair programming, and try alternative ways of working that fit your team.
  3. Use feature flags judiciously because they add complexity and testing burden, and don’t be dogmatic about comments—short, clear comments can save future developers a lot of time.

There's no silver bullet in AI

The AI Frontier • 99 implied HN points • 25 Jul 24
🕹 Technology Software Development AI Machine Learning Data science Tech Innovations
  1. In AI, there's no single fix that will solve all problems. Success comes from making lots of small improvements over time.
  2. Data quality is very important. If you don't start with good data, the results won't be good either.
  3. It's essential to measure changes carefully when building AI applications. Understanding what works and what doesn't can save you from costly mistakes.

How to Create Token Value

DeFi Education • 759 implied HN points • 14 Feb 24
🔮 Crypto Blockchain Technology Digital Assets Tokenomics Market Making Decentralized Finance
  1. Crypto tokens are different from stocks because they don't give you ownership rights. They're like digital assets that operate in a coded system rather than through traditional laws.
  2. Creating value for tokens isn't just about profits or revenues; it's really about what makes them desirable in the market. Factors like user engagement and market attention play big roles in their success.
  3. Market makers help improve the trading experience for tokens by providing liquidity and stabilizing prices. They make it easier for people to buy and sell tokens without too much hassle.

The End of Search, The Beginning of Research

One Useful Thing • 2047 implied HN points • 03 Feb 25
🕹 Technology Software Automation Innovation AI Research
  1. New AI Reasoners can think better and solve tougher problems by producing thinking steps before answering. This makes them more effective than earlier chatbots.
  2. AI agents are being developed to autonomously pursue goals, but they currently face limitations when tackling complex tasks. They show promise with narrow, task-specific applications.
  3. OpenAI's Deep Research represents how specialized AI can work like a human researcher by engaging deeply with academic topics, paving the way for significant advancements in research efficiency.

Testing Too Late: A Case Study

QUALITY BOSS • 139 implied HN points • 09 Jul 24
🕹 Technology Software Testing Development Project management Quality Assurance
  1. Testing too late can cause big delays in getting software to users. If QA is behind, it creates confusion and slows down the whole process.
  2. Good communication between development and QA teams is really important. Working in separate sprints can lead to misunderstandings and more difficult bug fixes.
  3. It's essential to define when a task is 'done' to include testing. If something isn't tested, it shouldn't be considered complete, ensuring that quality stays high.

📷 Ring: boring can be good

First 1000 • 1631 implied HN points • 22 Sep 23
🕹 Technology Design
  1. Boring designs can be effective in getting people to take action.
  2. Sometimes immersive or flashy designs can actually be distracting.
  3. In certain situations, simplicity or 'boring' designs can work better than elaborate ones.

Where is the I That Suffers?

The Trick Revealed • 726 implied HN points • 03 Aug 25
📖 Philosophy Human condition Metaphysics Existentialism Mindfulness Self-reflection
  1. The source of suffering can be found in physical sensations or emotions, like pain in the chest or feelings of regret. It's important to truly consider where our suffering resides.
  2. Instead of running away from feelings, we should confront them and understand that the past and future do not exist. Focusing on the present is crucial.
  3. When we experience suffering, it's vital to ask ourselves if we're trying to escape from it or if we're simply avoiding the truth of our own emotions.

Highlights From The Comments On Capitalism & Charity

Astral Codex Ten • 6744 implied HN points • 11 Jan 24
💼 Business Economic Growth Development Capitalism Charity
  1. Some comments argue for reiterating the importance of a specific context when considering spending money for charity or capitalism.
  2. There are discussions on the effectiveness of investing in companies with social missions, such as providing microfinance or supporting profitable charitable ventures.
  3. Consideration is given to the balance between supporting capitalism and charitable causes in the context of economic impact and sustainability.

GroupBy #43: Uber | Kafka - The Tiered Storage

VuTrinh. • 139 implied HN points • 09 Jul 24
🕹 Technology Information Systems Data Engineering Software Development Cloud Computing Big Data
  1. Uber recently introduced Kafka Tiered Storage, which allows storage and compute resources to work separately. This means you can add storage without needing to upgrade processing power.
  2. The tiered storage system has two parts: local storage for fast access and remote storage for long-term data. This setup helps manage data efficiently and keeps the local storage less cluttered.
  3. When you need older data, it can be accessed directly from the remote storage, allowing faster performance for applications that need quick access to recent messages.

Let's Look At Data

Points And Figures • 746 implied HN points • 31 Jul 25
💰 Finance Macroeconomics Inflation Tariffs Monetary Policy Data Analysis
  1. The Fed is politically influenced, as seen in their recent decision to keep interest rates unchanged, despite some members wanting to lower them.
  2. Recent PCE data indicates inflation is rising, which might justify keeping rates steady even in light of other pressures for cuts.
  3. Changes in tariffs are likened to taxes that can slow down the economy, and the current money supply suggests potential recession signs, complicating the decision on whether to ease rates.

AI #91: Deep Thinking

Don't Worry About the Vase • 2732 implied HN points • 21 Nov 24
🕹 Technology Tech industry AI Development Machine Learning Cybersecurity AI Policy
  1. DeepSeek has released a new AI model similar to OpenAI's o1, which has shown potential in math and reasoning, but we need more user feedback to confirm its effectiveness.
  2. AI models are continuing to improve incrementally, but people seem less interested in evaluating new models than they used to be, leading to less excitement about upcoming technologies.
  3. There are ongoing debates about AI's impact on jobs and the future, with some believing that the rise of AI will lead to a shift in how we find meaning and purpose in life, especially if many jobs are replaced.

How to get funding from deluded, self-congratulatory investors

Penelope Trunk's Substack • 419 implied HN points • 21 Apr 24
💼 Business Gender Equality Networking Workplace dynamics Entrepreneurship Investment
  1. Having a male co-founder can improve a female founder's odds of raising funding due to biases in the investment industry.
  2. Focusing on showcasing a reckless passion and working long hours can help female founders combat gender biases when pitching to investors.
  3. Building a network of male connections can be essential for female founders in navigating the challenges of the venture capital landscape.

Data Update 2: A Stock Comeback - Winning the expectations game!

Musings on Markets • 919 implied HN points • 17 Jan 24
💰 Finance Economic Analysis Investment Strategies Stock Market Earnings Reports Market Trends
  1. The stock market showed a strong comeback in 2023, recovering most losses from the previous year. However, the recovery was uneven, with a few big companies driving much of the growth.
  2. Investor expectations have shifted positively for 2024, with forecasts indicating controlled inflation and a soft landing for the economy. But, this positive sentiment poses challenges for equity investors as they must meet heightened expectations.
  3. Current stock valuations suggest that the market may be slightly overvalued. Investors should be cautious and consider potential risks when making decisions, as the future remains uncertain.

Retail Investors: The New Smart Money

Spilled Coffee • 48 implied HN points • 04 Feb 26
💰 Finance Fintech Behavioral Finance Asset management Market structure Trading Investing
  1. Retail investors are now a permanent market force, making up roughly 20–25% of trading volume and controlling a huge share of assets with over 100 million brokerage accounts.
  2. They’ve grown more sophisticated, increasingly using ETFs, options, and disciplined strategies like “buy the dip,” signaling more diversified portfolios and better risk management.
  3. Real-time data, social platforms, and crowd-sourced research have collapsed information gaps, letting retail coordinate and influence markets in ways institutions must track and respond to.

Economics Roundup #5

Don't Worry About the Vase • 1836 implied HN points • 25 Feb 25
💰 Finance Taxation Trade Debt Investment Economics
  1. Many people believe that average tax rates and structures are unfair or ineffective. This could mean that policies need to evolve to better meet people's needs without creating high penalties for earning more.
  2. Trade barriers impact economic growth negatively, as they create higher costs in trade and limit opportunity for development across regions, both domestically and internationally.
  3. Access to credit can significantly influence people's financial wellbeing. If restrictions are placed on credit availability, it can harm those who are already struggling financially.

You can't build a moat with AI

The AI Frontier • 459 implied HN points • 11 Apr 24
🕹 Technology Engineering Startups AI Data Software
  1. You can't really set yourself apart with just AI models because they're becoming similar across different companies. What matters more is the unique data you use to feed those models.
  2. Even if your prompts seem special, they won't give you a long-term advantage. Competitors can quickly figure out how to improve their prompts, making them less valuable for differentiation.
  3. To succeed in building AI applications, focus on understanding and using your customers' data effectively. Good data engineering can really make a difference in how well your application performs.

Sometimes, marketing comes down to a personal decision

{grow} by Mark Schaefer • 19 implied HN points • 02 Oct 24
💼 Business Strategy Marketing Branding Social media Entrepreneurship
  1. Marketing works better when you follow your own unique path instead of just copying others. Making personal choices can help your strategy stand out.
  2. There’s too much focus on marketing 'best practices,' which can make everything look the same. Doing something different can become your competitive edge.
  3. Instead of worrying about what everyone else is doing, focus on being authentic and sharing your true story. People connect better with real emotions and experiences.

Shedding light on "Impossibility Theorems for Feature Attribution"

Mindful Modeler • 199 implied HN points • 18 Jun 24
🕹 Technology Interpretation Data science
  1. The limitations of feature attribution methods like SHAP and Integrated Gradients have been studied, particularly focusing on their reliability for explaining predictions as a sum of attributions.
  2. Tasks such as algorithmic recourse, characterizing model behavior, and identifying spurious feature identification all revolve around how predictions change with slight feature alterations, making SHAP unsuitable for these specific tasks.
  3. It's important to avoid using SHAP for questions related to minor changes in feature values or counterfactual analysis, as it may yield unreliable results in such scenarios.

Don't be an asshole

Tech Ramblings • 39 implied HN points • 25 Aug 24
🕹 Technology Soft skills Software Engineering Career development Personal Growth
  1. Being a good software engineer is not just about coding. It's also important to have writing and social skills.
  2. Most project failures happen due to human issues, not technical ones. Understanding people and reducing conflicts is key to project success.
  3. Having empathy, showing respect, and evaluating ideas fairly are important for teamwork. Treat others well and focus on solving business problems.

God Spelled Backwards Is Dog

Gideon's Substack • 21 implied HN points • 20 Feb 26
📖 Philosophy Mind Social Ethics Existentialism Political Technology
  1. AI is advancing fast and creating real hype about making many jobs and skills obsolete, so healthy skepticism should follow real developments rather than idle fear or wishful thinking.
  2. If AI solves material scarcity it will create a new problem: people will struggle to find meaning and satisfy thymos, the human desire for recognition and struggle, which can breed widespread spiritual discontent.
  3. Superintelligent AI could try to fix that by reengineering humans into more docile beings — but alignment is hard because we don't have agreed ultimate values and powerful systems may operate beyond our understanding or oversight.