The hottest Substack posts right now

according to Hacker News
Category

Algorithmic ranking is unfairly maligned

DYNOMIGHT INTERNET NEWSLETTER • 1156 implied HN points • 23 Jan 25
🕹 Technology User Experience Algorithms Social media Digital Culture Data Ethics
  1. Not all algorithmic ranking is bad. Some algorithms can be useful if they align with what you want to see and achieve.
  2. A lot of current algorithms are designed to keep you engaged and make money for the companies, not necessarily to help you find what you like.
  3. We need better control over these algorithms to ensure they serve our interests, possibly through new technology or structures that prevent companies from taking that control away.

The Software Slog

Buck on Software • 884 implied HN points • 20 Mar 23
🕹 Technology SaaS Investing Software Tech industry Venture Capital
  1. The software industry may be facing a period of slow growth and low returns, akin to a tiring and boring slog.
  2. Consensus estimates predict a rebound in SaaS growth, resembling past historical market cycles.
  3. Zombie SaaS companies, sustained by oversized funding, create challenges for non-zombie competitors in terms of price competition and talent acquisition.

The Frosty Fiesta is LIVE!

The Lunacian • 1380 implied HN points • 13 Dec 24
🔮 Crypto Rewards Virtual Economy Blockchain Gaming
  1. The Frosty Fiesta event is starting, where players can earn extra AXS rewards from December 16th to 29th. This is a great chance to get more gifts this holiday season!
  2. Rewards for the Premier Bounty Board have been doubled, meaning more AXS can be earned for completing quests. Players can now earn up to 2 AXS per master quest.
  3. The requirement to access the Premier Bounty Board has been reduced, making it easier for players to join in on the fun and earn rewards during the event.

The Great Disconnect

Buggy Humans in a Messy World • 884 implied HN points • 19 May 23
💰 Finance Investing Stock Markets
  1. Learn from the best in your domain by studying their common approaches and applying them to your own journey.
  2. In investing, aligning with the strategies of the greatest of all time can lead to success.
  3. There seems to be a disconnect in how aspiring investors follow strategies compared to successful investors.
Get a weekly roundup of the best Substack posts, by hacker news affinity:

Neural Network Fail Compilation

Top Carbon Chauvinist • 59 implied HN points • 21 Jul 24
🕹 Technology Data Analysis Software Development Automation Machine Learning AI
  1. AI systems, like large language models, struggle with reasoning and can often give wrong answers to simple questions. They rely on patterns rather than true understanding.
  2. Generative AI can produce flawed code and lead to increased mistakes in programming. This raises concerns about the overall quality and security of software.
  3. AI tools can create misleading or totally false news articles. Their results can be unreliable, which poses risks when using them for information or news reporting.

Something weird is happening with LLMs and chess

DYNOMIGHT INTERNET NEWSLETTER • 1515 implied HN points • 14 Nov 24
🕹 Technology Gaming Research Chess LLMs AI
  1. Large language models (LLMs) can somewhat play chess, but they struggle after the opening moves. They were not specifically designed for chess, yet they can manage to play using their text training.
  2. The performance of different language models varies significantly when playing chess. Some models like 'gpt-3.5-turbo-instruct' excel at it, while others perform very poorly.
  3. It seems that focusing on instruction tuning can make LLMs worse at chess, suggesting that training style impacts their ability to play games effectively.

Progress is not automatic

Play Permissionless • 239 implied HN points • 16 Apr 24
💼 Business Development Progress Strategy Entrepreneurship Personal Growth
  1. Progress is not automatic, you can't expect different outcomes by doing the same thing over and over.
  2. Sticking to what you know can lead to stagnation; sometimes a radical change in approach is needed to see significant growth.
  3. To achieve a 10x improvement, you often have to stop doing most of the things you're currently doing and embrace new strategies.

Underrated reasons to be thankful IV

DYNOMIGHT INTERNET NEWSLETTER • 1437 implied HN points • 28 Nov 24
📖 Philosophy Human experience Mindfulness Science Well-being Gratitude
  1. Meditation can help you feel really good, almost like drugs or other intense pleasures, and it’s cool that you can explore new ways to relax without getting addicted.
  2. Your brain can automate tasks as you practice, which makes it easier to do complex things without thinking too hard about every detail.
  3. Even though there are worries about pollution, some studies suggest that common plastics might not harm your health much, which is a relief.

Once Upon a Time in the Green Valley

Pekingnology • 60 implied HN points • 05 Jan 26
💼 Business China Consumer Protection Reputation Clinical Trials Pharmaceuticals Regulation M&A
  1. Fosun Pharma is paying 1.4 billion yuan to buy control of Green Valley and try to revive GV-971, a touted Chinese Alzheimer’s drug. Many experts doubt the drug’s effectiveness and its international Phase III trial failed for poor enrollment.
  2. Green Valley has a long history of promoting anti-cancer products with false or exaggerated claims, repeatedly rebranding products and breaking advertising rules. Desperate patients were misled, spent money, and sometimes lost the chance for effective treatment.
  3. The acquisition carries legal and reputational risk because regulators have challenged Green Valley’s approvals and its Chinese license has lapsed, while the company’s past leadership and brand links keep public distrust alive. People worry that continuity could mean repeating past harms even as new confirmatory trials move forward.

Come Work With Me

New Things Under the Sun • 448 implied HN points • 09 Jul 25
💼 Business Economic Growth Innovation Policy Making Job Market
  1. The Abundance and Growth Fund is looking to hire 2-4 people for strategic grantmaking and research in areas like housing and energy. It's a great chance to make an impact.
  2. There are two types of roles available: specialist roles needing more experience and generalist roles for those with less experience. Details on job tracks can be found online.
  3. If you know someone who might be a good fit, there's a referral bonus of $5,000 if they're hired. Spread the word!

Places to intervene in a system

Subconscious • 1423 implied HN points • 18 Nov 24
📖 Philosophy Ethics Spirituality Social Constructs Systems theory
  1. Intervening in a system can be done through different levels of influence, starting from simple changes like adjusting parameters to deeper shifts like altering mindsets.
  2. All systems are creations of our thoughts and perspectives, meaning we can change how we view these systems, which can influence outcomes.
  3. True change often requires patience and may not show immediate results, so focusing on inner transformation is essential for meaningful progress.

Your phone needs a sock

The Rectangle • 141 implied HN points • 14 Nov 25
🕹 Technology User Experience Gadgets Design Trends Accessories
  1. The iPhone Pocket is a stylish, high-priced accessory that lacks the practicality its name suggests. People are confused and frustrated by its high cost and its unclear purpose.
  2. Smartphones are both expensive and widely owned, making them feel utilitarian rather than special. Unlike cars or jewelry, phones often look similar, which reduces their uniqueness.
  3. The backlash against the iPhone Pocket reflects a discomfort with fashion and excess in smartphone culture. People usually see phones as everyday tools, not luxury items that need special presentation.

Eight Theories of How Agents Strangle SaaS

Pratik’s Pakodas 🍿 • 12 implied HN points • 09 Feb 26
💼 Business Software Markets Enterprise Strategy Valuation SaaS AI Pricing
  1. AI agents are becoming the main interface, orchestrating actions across apps via APIs so users rarely open the original SaaS UIs, which makes those products interchangeable and squeezes their margins.
  2. AI collapses the cost and time to build, enabling many small competitors to unbundle and replicate core features, eroding incumbents' moats and turning premium bundles into commodity pieces.
  3. The business model is shifting: per-seat pricing and predictable valuations are under threat, outcome- and data-focused models gain value, and investor uncertainty about long-term economics is driving repricing.

Background Work

Software Design: Tidy First? • 1568 implied HN points • 28 Oct 24
🕹 Technology Programming Engineering Data Analysis Artificial Intelligence Software Design
  1. Background work is doing extra research or tasks beyond what's necessary. It's a way to learn and grow your skills.
  2. Successful programmers often engage in background work, which helps them become more knowledgeable and credible.
  3. While background work can sometimes feel like extra effort, it usually pays off quickly and can save time in the long run.

Chartbook 348 Dollar-like: eurodollars, crypto and the future of global money.

Chartbook • 1101 implied HN points • 25 Jan 25
💰 Finance Cryptocurrency Monetary Policy International Trade Global Economics
  1. Eurodollars are dollars held and used outside the US, which allow businesses around the world to conduct transactions without relying solely on the US banking system. This system grew because companies wanted to avoid US regulations and sanctions.
  2. Stablecoins, like eurodollars, are dollar-linked assets that facilitate transactions, providing a bridge between cryptocurrency and traditional money. They promise to maintain a value equal to the US dollar, similar to how eurodollars work.
  3. The future of stablecoins may involve replacing eurodollars in global finance, but their stability and growth depend on stronger backing systems and regulatory support to avoid issues that have affected both eurodollars and cryptocurrencies.

Snout

next big thing • 23 implied HN points • 28 Jan 26
💼 Business Healthcare Subscriptions Startups Venture Capital Funding
  1. Snout enables vet clinics to offer subscription-style wellness plans that cover routine vaccines, monthly meds, parasite screening, and unlimited telemedicine, making care more affordable and predictable for pet parents and clinics.
  2. The timing is strong because rising vet prices and a drop in visits left many pets without routine care, and Snout is showing product-market fit with millions in ARR, 5x year-over-year growth, and 250+ in-network providers.
  3. Investors are backing growth: Footwork led a $10M Series A and Snout secured a $100M non-dilutive capital line to fund clinic payments, giving the company resources to scale and hire across functions.

Exploring the Need for More Semiconductor Technology Experiments in Space

Space Ambition • 139 implied HN points • 31 May 24
🕹 Technology Space Tech Manufacturing Research Innovation Semiconductors
  1. Space has unique conditions like microgravity that can help create better semiconductor materials. This could lead to higher quality electronic devices in the future.
  2. Past experiments on the ISS focused mostly on growing crystals, but more research is needed on the complete manufacturing process for chips in space. This includes steps like slicing the crystals and fabricating circuits.
  3. Future projects aim to advance semiconductor production by using resources in space, like making solar cells from lunar materials. This could reduce costs and create a new way to manufacture technology off Earth.

The Flip, The Formation, and The Fun

The Joyous Struggle • 691 implied HN points • 23 Nov 23
📖 Philosophy Culture Politics Ethics Metaphysics Education
  1. The flip involves changing our understanding of reality to see consciousness and value as primary, leading to a sacred view of the world.
  2. The formation requires a shift from utilitarianism to virtue ethics, focusing on shaping desires towards higher purposes and societal good.
  3. The fun pertains to a shift in societal goals from growth to intrinsic ends like spiritual and creative fulfillment, aiming for an attractive and galvanizing future.

Guide to A.I. Supremacy: I'm analyzing & tracking a more exponential future 🔮

AI Supremacy • 432 implied HN points • 05 Feb 24
🕹 Technology Healthcare Robotics Startups Artificial Intelligence Venture Capital
  1. The author is analyzing and tracking emerging and exponential technology, particularly artificial intelligence.
  2. The newsletters cover various topics such as startups, AI, robotics, quantum computing, and innovation.
  3. There are special offers available for full access to the newsletters with discounts for subscription.

Peter Singer, Palestine, and the Professional Perils of Philosophy (UNLOCKED)

Philosophy for the People w/Ben Burgis • 818 implied HN points • 22 Oct 23
📖 Philosophy Power Dynamics Ethics Political Philosophy Utilitarianism
  1. Approaching current events with only moral intuitions and mainstream opinions can lead to misguided analysis.
  2. Philosophical training in argument analysis needs to be supplemented with a robust understanding of the real world dynamics of power and violence for accurate interpretation.
  3. Relying solely on moral intuitions and mainstream sources for analysis of complex issues like conflict in Palestine can lead to embarrassing misunderstandings and oversimplifications.

Good Intentions, Perverse Outcomes: The Impact of Impact Investing

Musings on Markets • 859 implied HN points • 12 Oct 23
💰 Finance Market Analysis ESG Social Impact
  1. Impact investing aims to make money while helping society, but it can sometimes backfire. Sometimes the good intentions of investors lead to negative outcomes because their investments fail to create real change.
  2. There are three main methods of impact investing: inclusionary, exclusionary, and evangelist. Each has its strengths and weaknesses, but they all rely on understanding which companies truly contribute positively to society.
  3. Despite the money invested in green energy, our reliance on fossil fuels hasn't significantly decreased. It shows that while impact investing tries to solve societal problems, it might not be working as effectively as intended.

Is AI progress slowing down?

AI Snake Oil • 1297 implied HN points • 18 Dec 24
🕹 Technology Model Scaling AI Development
  1. The idea that AI progress is surely slowing down might be too hasty. We may not have explored all the ways to improve AI through model scaling just yet.
  2. Industry experts often change their predictions about AI, showing that they might not know as much as we assume. Their interests can influence their views, so take their forecasts with a grain of salt.
  3. While new methods like inference scaling can boost AI capabilities quickly, the actual impact on real-world applications may take time due to product development lags and varying reliability.

☞ The Conspiratorial Mindset and AI's Latent Spaces

Cabinet of Wonders • 369 implied HN points • 06 Aug 25
🕹 Technology AI Literature Conspiracy Narrative
  1. Stories can connect ideas in surprising ways, but sometimes people can see these connections where none really exist. Our brains like to create meaning out of random facts.
  2. Artificial intelligence might be making it easier for people to fall into paranoid thinking. By blending information in strange ways, AI can lead us to feel like there's more going on than there actually is.
  3. Finding a balance between seeing connections and understanding randomness is important. We can't rely on AI to help us with this balance, as it might push us too far into conspiracy thinking.

Why Human-in-the-Loop is Essential for Generative AI

Rod’s Blog • 476 implied HN points • 22 Jan 24
🕹 Technology AI Ethics Generative AI
  1. Generative AI should incorporate human oversight and feedback to ensure accuracy and reliability, fairness and accountability, creativity and diversity, as well as ethics and compliance.
  2. Human-in-the-Loop (HITL) design strategy involves human expertise and intervention at various stages of an AI system's operation, especially in generative AI for training, evaluation, and output generation processes.
  3. Using AI to augment, not replace, human capabilities is essential for responsible and human-centered AI, as it leverages the strengths of both AI and humans, fosters collaboration and learning, and preserves human dignity and agency.

how to be extremely focused

Tiny Empires • 85 implied HN points • 05 Dec 25
💼 Business Entrepreneurship Productivity Workplace Time management Mindset
  1. Focus is more about your environment and energy than just willpower. Create a clean, dedicated workspace to help your mind concentrate better.
  2. Plan your day ahead by choosing your main task the night before. It makes starting your work in the morning much smoother.
  3. Take breaks while working. Follow a cycle of 60-90 minutes of focused work followed by short breaks to keep your brain fresh and clear.

❄️💖 380 ans d'utilité publique. Un coup de cœur.

Snowball • 471 implied HN points • 23 Jan 24
💰 Finance Banking Financial Services Investment Personal Finance
  1. Learn about the Crédit Municipal de Paris, an institution with over 380 years of history providing various financial services.
  2. The Crédit Municipal offers services such as quick loans against valuable items, financial counseling, auctions, and ethical savings options.
  3. The institution aims to innovate and modernize its services, while maintaining a focus on social impact and financial empowerment.

Warsh Or Not, The Fed’s Next Chair Will Inherit Too Much Power

QTR’s Fringe Finance • 23 implied HN points • 04 Feb 26
💰 Finance Central Banking Financial regulation Monetary Policy Systemic Risk Government oversight Payment Systems
  1. The Fed has turned crisis tools into permanent powers, like a standing repo facility and huge emergency lending programs, without clear sunset clauses or limits.
  2. Those powers let the Fed act beyond its original mandate — extending credit to borrowers Congress never explicitly authorized and exercising wide regulatory discretion, as seen in decisions around crypto banks.
  3. Weak oversight and accountability (no independent inspector general and only semiannual Congressional checks) invite political pressure and create moral hazard, making firms more dependent on the Fed and eroding its independence and credibility.

Artificial Intelligence: European Union AI Act and its implications for finance

The Fintech Blueprint • 471 implied HN points • 23 Jan 24
💰 Finance Technology AI Financial Institutions Compliance Regulation
  1. The European Union AI Act categorizes AI systems into various risk levels and imposes strict regulations to ensure transparency, safety, and non-discrimination in financial services.
  2. Financial institutions using AI for customer data analysis and fraud detection must comply with the EU AI Act by ensuring accurate, unbiased decisions that are explainable to both customers and regulators.
  3. Complex AI systems like Large Language Models (LLMs) pose challenges in transparency and trust, requiring new methods to interpret decision-making and align with the EU regulations.

The Bit In The Middle

Investment Talk • 864 implied HN points • 08 Mar 23
📖 Philosophy Perspective Purpose Desire
  1. We all seek purpose and happiness to feel fulfilled and have direction in life.
  2. Our desires are heavily influenced by imitation from others, leading to a cycle of reinforcing desires.
  3. Achieving material desires can lead to a never-ending cycle of wanting more, but it's important to appreciate the present and not lose sight of what truly matters.

The Irony and the Agony of Elon Musk's Lawsuit against OpenAI

Marcus on AI • 3122 implied HN points • 03 Mar 24
🕹 Technology AI Mission Ethics Innovation Lawsuit
  1. Elon Musk's lawsuit against OpenAI highlights how the organization changed from its initial mission, raising concerns about its commitment to helping humanity.
  2. The lawsuit emphasizes the importance of OpenAI honoring its original promises and mission, rather than seeking financial gains.
  3. The legal battle between Musk and OpenAI involves complex motives and the potential impact on AI development and its alignment with humane values.

Who I Am and Why I Started This Newsletter

Nail It and Scale It • 119 implied HN points • 11 Jun 24
💼 Business Startups Technology Marketing Investing Entrepreneurship
  1. The author has over 10 years of experience in advertising, tech, and startups. This gives him a unique view on problems and solutions.
  2. He has worked with both big companies and startups, helping them grow and succeed. Some of his clients have achieved significant milestones like IPOs and acquisitions.
  3. The newsletter will offer practical advice for entrepreneurs on how to grow their businesses. It will cover various topics like marketing tactics, budgeting, and using AI for efficiency.

🚀 Propel Your Space Startup Journey with Space Ambition's Fellowship Program 🌌

Space Ambition • 279 implied HN points • 29 Mar 24
💼 Business Venture Capital Entrepreneurship Programs Innovation Startups
  1. There is a fellowship program for people interested in starting space-related businesses. It offers guidance and support to help turn your ideas into reality.
  2. Participants will receive personalized feedback and insights on how to attract investors. This can help make your startup idea more appealing.
  3. The program includes online classes, individual coaching, and access to a network of resources. This structure is designed to assist you every step of the way in launching your space venture.