The hottest Substack posts right now

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Under the microscope: Small Soldiers (PlayStation)

Rings of Saturn • 14 implied HN points • 11 Feb 26
đź•ą Technology Security Emulation Reverse Engineering Games Software Programming
  1. The game packs eight button presses into a 32‑bit value (X=0, Square=1, Circle=2, Triangle=3) and extracts fields for starting level, difficulty, three ammo bits, and a checksum; the password is valid if the checksum equals the sum of the other fields and the values are within allowed ranges.
  2. Because the checksum is just the sum of level + difficulty + ammo, you can generate every valid level password programmatically; the three ammo bits map to the Rebound, Star Bolt, and Big Blast weapons, so a small script produces a complete set of passwords beyond the common Normal‑difficulty lists.
  3. There are static special passwords that trigger cheats (movie, invulnerability, all weapons) and two undocumented codes — one plays the staff credits, and the other, if entered twice, opens a cheat screen to pick starting level and toggle invulnerability/weapons; the full generation script is on GitHub.

Where Do Spacecraft Live: How to Choose the Right Satellite Orbit?

Space Ambition • 79 implied HN points • 28 Jun 24
đź•ą Technology Aerospace Industry Satellite Technology Engineering Space Exploration
  1. Choosing the right satellite orbit is a key factor for the success of a space mission. It helps control costs and how well the satellite can perform its job.
  2. There are different types of orbits such as Low Earth Orbit (LEO), Medium Earth Orbit (MEO), and Geostationary Orbit (GEO), each serving different purposes and applications.
  3. As the number of satellites in space grows, effective disposal methods are crucial to avoid creating space debris, which could lead to future problems.

#14: Five ideas from the airline business

Bureau of Adventure • 119 implied HN points • 01 Jun 24
đź’Ľ Business Strategy Economics Operations Marketing Aviation
  1. Airlines can use different route models, like hub-and-spoke or point-to-point. Each has its benefits, with point-to-point focusing on direct flights and hub-and-spoke maximizing connections.
  2. Focusing on trip costs rather than unit costs can be more effective. Sometimes a smaller plane with higher costs per seat is better for fewer passengers, rather than trying to fill a large plane.
  3. Using an 'out and back' flying strategy can help airlines run more efficiently. It allows them to keep crew costs low and isolate delays, while also making it easier to cancel unprofitable flights.

The state of B2B monetization in 2025

Kyle Poyar’s Growth Unhinged • 520 implied HN points • 04 Jun 25
đź’Ľ Business AI SaaS Subscription Pricing Software
  1. Traditional pricing models like flat-rate and seat-based are losing popularity. Companies are now favoring hybrid pricing to better match value and costs.
  2. Hybrid pricing is becoming the go-to choice for software companies, providing flexibility and a better upselling opportunity while keeping it simple for customers.
  3. Outcome-based pricing is highly desired but rarely adopted because it's complicated. Most companies struggle with measuring and ensuring consistent results for customers.
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You've been invited to Craft World's Valentine's Day event!

Ronin’s Newsletter • 12 implied HN points • 12 Feb 26
đź•ą Technology Mobile games Gaming Community Events
  1. Join the Season of Rawrmance Valentine's event and help build the in-game Masterpiece to win a share of 5M Dyno Coin. You can also earn limited-time avatars, decorations, and progression rewards like Power Packs and Boosters.
  2. Take part in three extra community challenges for more prizes: nominate a player as your 'Dyno Crush', hunt hidden roses across social posts, or post a shout-out on X to enter a Dyno Coin raffle.
  3. Manage the new Power system to get the most rewards — upgrade your Town Hall, expand power generation and storage, keep factories upgraded, and claim daily boosters so you can contribute more often to the Masterpiece.

How a Philosopher You've Never Heard of Predicted The End of The World

OK Doomer • 422 implied HN points • 02 Jul 25
đź“– Philosophy Politics Culture Society Reality Communication
  1. Communication is key to understanding each other, but today, people are talking at each other without really listening. This makes it hard to find common ground.
  2. Our biggest problems come from a few greedy people, not from things like terrorism or immigration. If we don't address this, our society might fail.
  3. In today's world, people live in their own bubbles and reject facts that don't fit their beliefs. True solutions require us to share a single reality, but many aren't willing to do that.

🧠 Is Pay by Bank the next Payment Rail?

Fintech Brain Food 🧠 • 373 implied HN points • 05 Feb 24
đź’° Finance
  1. 2024 could be the year of Pay by Bank as a new payment rail in the US, offering lower fees for merchants, especially suited for higher-value or subscription payments, and giving banks a competitive edge with open banking becoming a regulatory mandate.
  2. Pay by Bank faces challenges to compete with cards, including establishing user familiarity, faster processing times, robust consumer protections, and creating repeat use incentives.
  3. Lessons from the success of cards, the necessity for consistent branding, merchant adoption based on conversion rather than just cost, integration of fraud protection, and leveraging data for loyalty incentives.

No More Mr. Nice Guy

Fish Food for Thought • 37 implied HN points • 14 Jan 26
đź’Ľ Business Management Organizational Culture Performance Management Communication Team Dynamics Decision-making Leadership
  1. Being “nice” can become avoidance: trying to spare individual discomfort by postponing hard choices ends up harming the team and shifts unfair costs onto others.
  2. Psychological safety isn’t the same as comfort: real safety comes from clear expectations, honest feedback, and timely decisions, even when conversations are uncomfortable.
  3. Mature leadership balances empathy with decisiveness: caring often looks like setting standards, delivering candid feedback, and sometimes making the hard calls so the system can function.

Data Science Weekly - Issue 539

Data Science Weekly Newsletter • 259 implied HN points • 22 Mar 24
đź•ą Technology Data science AI Data Visualization Data Engineering Machine Learning
  1. Data storytelling is important for sharing insights, and AI can help people create better stories. The research looks at how different tools assist in each storytelling stage.
  2. Switching from R to Python in data science isn't just about learning new syntax; it's a mindset change. New Python tools can help make this transition smoother for users coming from R's tidyverse.
  3. Emerging technologies often face skepticism, as seen throughout history. New inventions have raised concerns about their impact, but they eventually become part of everyday life.

DeepSeek and the Future of AI Competition with Miles Brundage

ChinaTalk • 948 implied HN points • 25 Jan 25
đź•ą Technology Innovation AI Modeling Competition Trade policy
  1. DeepSeek's R1 model shows that AI competition is heating up between the U.S. and China. It's similar to OpenAI's model but developed quickly, closing the gap.
  2. The efficiency at which DeepSeek operates is driven by export controls, meaning limited access to advanced chips. More chips would better their AI capabilities.
  3. Open-sourcing AI models has its benefits, but governments need to be careful. They should ensure the technology is not misused while still allowing some level of open collaboration.

[2025–2026] Week 12: The Money Game by 'Adam Smith'

Behavioral Value Investor • 44 implied HN points • 09 Jan 26
đź’° Finance Investment education Investment strategy Behavioral Finance Value investing Investing Markets
  1. There are many different investing styles that can succeed, so focus on the approach that fits your natural strengths and find ways to cover or mitigate your weaknesses.
  2. Human psychology and behavioral biases strongly shape market decisions, so studying past market behavior helps you recognize recurring patterns and avoid common mistakes.
  3. Active learning and community engagement—doing assigned readings, answering questions, and discussing ideas respectfully—accelerate understanding and improve practical investing skills.

Regulatory capture is real

Klement on Investing • 3 implied HN points • 02 Mar 26
đź’° Finance Investing Corporate Finance Regulation Governance Valuation Markets
  1. Strong regulation tends to lower company valuations because it raises costs, limits growth, and shields stakeholders other than shareholders.
  2. When companies influence regulators or use the revolving door to place insiders in regulatory roles, they can turn regulation into a barrier to entry that boosts incumbents’ margins and valuations.
  3. Lack of regulation can spur rapid growth but also enables widespread fraud and abuse, highlighting the trade-off between fast innovation and consumer protection.

Under the microscope: LMA Manager 2003–2006 (PlayStation 2, Xbox)

Rings of Saturn • 43 implied HN points • 07 Jan 26
đź•ą Technology Programming Digital Preservation Reverse Engineering Emulation Cryptography Video Games Software
  1. LMA Manager 2003–2005 use a custom obfuscation scheme to generate per-unique-ID bonus codes. That algorithm can be reimplemented so you can derive the codes from any Unique ID.
  2. LMA Manager 2006 uses RSA to validate codes, but the game's 64-bit modulus was trivial to factor, allowing recovery of the private key and recreation of valid codes. Reproducing the game's custom post-RSA processing (a modified Base32 and an XOR step) yields complete, working codes.
  3. Emulation, decompilation, and small scripts were used to extract the algorithms, and public generator scripts now produce all bonus codes, including an "all bonuses" code that unlocks everything.

Announcing the ESP32 ZX Spectrum

Single Board ESP32 ZX Spectrum • 99 implied HN points • 13 Jun 24
đź•ą Technology Challenges Software Hardware Production Features
  1. The ESP32 ZX Spectrum is a recreation of the ZXSpectrum using ESP32-S3 based PCB, with unique features like capacitive touch pads and a colorful display.
  2. Challenges faced include variability in displays and the need to improve the keyboard functionality to avoid ghosting of keys.
  3. Production risks include the complexity of larger production runs, the need for a stable display vendor, and the dependence on individual initiative for the project.

The House of Huawei

ChinaTalk • 444 implied HN points • 17 Jun 25
đź’Ľ Business Entrepreneurship Telecommunications International Trade Geopolitics Corporate culture
  1. Ren Zhengfei, the founder of Huawei, grew up facing hardship during the Cultural Revolution but turned this struggle into his motivation for success. His challenging past helped him build a strong company culture focused on hard work and resilience.
  2. Huawei has grown by exploring high-risk international markets where other companies hesitated, such as Libya and Iraq. This strategic risk-taking allowed Huawei to create valuable global partnerships and expand its business.
  3. The company has faced significant scrutiny from the West, particularly the United States, over security concerns related to its technology. However, Huawei has continued to thrive by emphasizing its importance to China's tech development and fostering a unique corporate culture.

Field notes: What I learned building a Mac app with AI assistance

Kathy PM • 26 implied HN points • 28 Jan 26
đź•ą Technology Developer Tools User Experience Programming Languages Computer Graphics Software Development Artificial Intelligence
  1. Start with a visual design or mockup so the AI and you share a clear reference point, which keeps implementation and thinking grounded.
  2. AI makes it possible to tackle lower-level or unfamiliar technical work and add polish that used to feel impractical. Expect the final 10%—debugging, edge cases, and performance tuning—to still take most of the time.
  3. You still need coding fluency and platform knowledge, so be explicit about APIs and UI components, do research on libraries, and use logging and detailed in-code comments to debug and avoid regressions.

I Do Nothing at Work and No One Seems To Notice or Care

antoniomelonio • 987 implied HN points • 22 Jan 25
đź’Ľ Business Mental health Job Satisfaction Employee engagement Work Culture
  1. Many white-collar workers feel like they do little to no meaningful work, even though they get paid well. This creates a sense of guilt when they see others, like manual laborers, working hard for less pay.
  2. Jobs often seem pointless, defined by layers of bureaucracy and processes that don’t truly serve people. This leads to feelings of alienation and boredom for many in those roles.
  3. There’s a growing concern about the future of work with the rise of AI. Many jobs may become obsolete, raising questions about how society will adapt and what meaningful work will look like.

Crossplay Mailbag: "Is Nintendo's Awful Online Setup Actually Great For Kids?"

Crossplay • 746 implied HN points • 02 Jun 23
đź•ą Technology Parenting Video Games Online Services Gaming
  1. Kids may easily switch between different games and videos, affecting their level of commitment to a particular game
  2. Parents appreciate the strict controls of Nintendo's online setup for kids playing multiplayer games
  3. Introducing games to children can be influenced by personal values and the desire to guide the child's exposure in a positive way

Where is the Bird?

Who Gets the Bird? • 746 implied HN points • 04 Apr 23
đź’Ľ Business Labor Movement
  1. The newsletter is going on a hiatus due to personal and external factors.
  2. The content creation process can be replicated with Google alerts, free time, and interest.
  3. The author expresses gratitude to contributors and requests support for staying updated on labor movements.

AI and economic growth

In My Tribe • 394 implied HN points • 30 Jun 25
đź’Ľ Business Economics Education Finance Productivity Technology
  1. Some technologies improve productivity faster than demand, like food production, while in sectors like healthcare, demand often outpaces productivity.
  2. AI is seen as a general-purpose technology that could eventually boost productivity in areas like healthcare and education, but this might take a long time to happen.
  3. Economic comparisons between different eras can be tricky because the types of goods and services produced change a lot over time.

Macroeconomics: Some Defects

In My Tribe • 486 implied HN points • 29 May 25
đź’° Finance Financial Sector Fiscal policy Economic Theory Banking Macroeconomics
  1. Macroeconomics often treats the economy like a simple factory that can be controlled centrally, but the reality is much more complex with many different goods and services. It's not just about one measure like GDP.
  2. Many economics students learn about macro without understanding the important role banks play in the economy. Banks help manage risks and their crises can lead to major economic downturns.
  3. Macroeconomic theories are often presented as timeless, but they should consider historical changes and events that shape the economy. Each economic crisis is unique and influenced by different circumstances over time.

Xiaomi

ChinaTalk • 474 implied HN points • 06 Jun 25
đź•ą Technology Consumer Tech Chips Robotics Electric Vehicles Gadgets
  1. Xiaomi is moving from budget phones to more advanced technology like chips and electric cars. They believe this shift is necessary to compete with big brands like Apple and Samsung.
  2. Lei Jun, Xiaomi's founder, emphasizes the importance of hard tech, which includes advanced manufacturing and robotics. He thinks focusing on these areas will help build a stronger company.
  3. Xiaomi faced challenges when a fatal accident involving one of their electric cars raised safety concerns. This event highlighted their need to improve quality and public trust in their products.

Data Science Weekly - Issue 532

Data Science Weekly Newsletter • 379 implied HN points • 02 Feb 24
đź•ą Technology Data Visualization Data Engineering Artificial Intelligence Machine Learning Data science
  1. Forecasting in data science is challenging because time series data can be non-stationary. Using the right evaluation methods can help bridge the gap between traditional and modern forecasting techniques.
  2. It's important to consider the smartness of your data structures. Creating overly complicated dashboards that ultimately just produce simple outputs may not be the best use of time.
  3. There are clear distinctions between well-built data pipelines and amateur setups. Understanding what makes a pipeline production-grade can improve the quality and reliability of data processing.

The Psychopathic Perspective

Fake Noûs • 418 implied HN points • 28 Jun 25
đź“– Philosophy Cognition Ethics Psychology Social theory Behavioral Science
  1. Psychopaths lack empathy and see others as tools for their own gain. They cause harm without caring about the pain they inflict.
  2. Social predators are hard to change because they view people as non-player characters in a game. They don't form real connections and thus, therapy usually doesn't work on them.
  3. It’s important to create rules in society that prevent predatory behavior and to avoid interacting with known predators. Reporting their actions is often the best response.

Why Growth Requires Discomfort

Gad’s Newsletter • 64 implied HN points • 22 Dec 25
đź’Ľ Business Change Management Growth Talent Strategy Leadership Innovation Culture
  1. Real growth comes from leaving your comfort zone; small, controlled discomforts build skill, confidence, and resilience. Don’t aim for constant overwhelm—seek the right amount of challenge so you can improve without burning out.
  2. Organizations that cling to short-term comfort risk stagnation and failure, so they must be willing to take uncomfortable bets and rethink what works. Investing in long-term projects and new ideas, even when they hurt short-term metrics, creates lasting advantage.
  3. Practical habits help: encourage a culture that challenges the status quo, learn from crises, and balance exploiting today’s strengths with exploring future opportunities. Accept some short-term pain and strategic patience to build long-term growth.

The KQL Mysteries: Chapter 3

Rod’s Blog • 456 implied HN points • 05 Jan 24
đź•ą Technology Cybersecurity Data Analysis Threat intelligence Cryptocurrency Malware
  1. Jon and Sofia's financial accounts were compromised by hackers, leading them to investigate the breach and work towards recovering the stolen funds.
  2. Through KQL queries and Microsoft Sentinel workspace, Jon and Sofia uncovered details about the malware used in the cyberattack and the group of threat actors behind it.
  3. Jon and Sofia utilized Microsoft Defender Threat Intelligence and various online resources to track the remote servers, cryptocurrency wallets, and patterns involved in the financial heist, narrowing down their search for the threat actors.

Weak Soft Skills: Why you are stuck at the Senior engineer level

Path to Staff Engineer • 35 HN points • 04 Aug 24
đź•ą Technology Professional development Career growth Communication Skills Software Development
  1. Soft skills are important for engineers to move from senior to staff levels. They help in communicating and working well with others.
  2. Mastering communication includes writing clearly, speaking confidently, and being aware of body language. This helps ensure your ideas are understood.
  3. Being adaptable and knowing how to handle challenges is key. Flexibility and good problem-solving skills are highly valued in teams.

Chinese Hydropower - Large and Underappreciated

Syncretica • 648 implied HN points • 06 Nov 23
đź’° Finance Energy Forecasting Economics
  1. China has the largest hydropower sector globally, with a significant impact on power generation worldwide.
  2. Hydropower output is heavily influenced by weather conditions, with recent rainfall improvements expected to boost Chinese hydropower production.
  3. The strong growth in Chinese hydropower output is likely to lead to a decrease in fossil fuel imports and a reduction in thermal power generation.

Pager Explosions

Vigilainte Newsletter • 5 HN points • 18 Sep 24
đź•ą Technology Security Communication Hacking Devices Cybersecurity
  1. The recent explosions of Hezbollah pagers might be due to a cyberattack, which raises concerns about security. Experts believe these devices could have been compromised before they were even delivered.
  2. There are two main theories: either explosives were included in the pagers or they were hacked to cause overheating. The second option is tricky because hacking multiple devices is quite difficult.
  3. This incident highlights a bigger issue: all communication devices can have weaknesses. It's really important to use good security measures and encryption to keep sensitive information safe.

Deepfake pedagogy

imperfect offerings • 319 implied HN points • 24 Feb 24
đź•ą Technology Ethics Media Education Video AI
  1. Synthetic media like deepfake videos raise concerns about truth and authenticity, impacting education and public discourse.
  2. The development and use of AI-generated media like Sora in elections and public communication can distort reality and trust in information.
  3. Educators need to focus on critical thinking, authentic assessment, and personal engagement to navigate the challenges posed by synthetic media in learning environments.

How to Use Banned US Models in China

ChinaTalk • 474 implied HN points • 05 Jun 25
đź•ą Technology International relations Consumer behavior Censorship E-commerce AI
  1. In China, U.S. AI models like ChatGPT are mostly banned, but people can still buy access to them online through platforms like Taobao. This shows how censorship can be bypassed and how demand for these tools remains strong.
  2. Sellers on Taobao use various tactics to market and price access to U.S. models, including cheaper options and clever advertising strategies to avoid censorship. They exploit loopholes that let them offer these services at lower prices than official sources.
  3. The grey market for these AI models continues to thrive despite government restrictions. This suggests that the state is more focused on controlling specific models like ChatGPT rather than suppressing all U.S. AI technology, indicating a complex relationship with censorship.

BEWARE of Occam's Razor

Insight Axis • 731 implied HN points • 08 Oct 23
đź“– Philosophy Macroeconomics Theory Objects
  1. Occam's razor is a tool for finding the best explanations, not a one-size-fits-all solution. It should only be used in specific situations where competing explanations are equally valid.
  2. Good explanations are deep, broad, and hard to vary - not necessarily simple. Choosing simplicity over accuracy can lead to wrong conclusions, like favoring Newton's theory over Einstein's theory of relativity.
  3. Occam's razor can transfer complexity from explanations to objects, but doesn't always eliminate complexity. It's important to apply it correctly by selecting the explanation that avoids unnecessary complexity.