The hottest Education Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
Category
Top Education Topics
Infinitely More β€’ 12 implied HN points β€’ 10 Aug 25
  1. In some finite games, either one player has a winning tactic or both players can draw the game. This rule applies to many familiar games like tic-tac-toe and Connect Four.
  2. Not all games follow this winning or drawing pattern. Some games, like the Chocolatier's game, can have different outcomes.
  3. There is a way to tell which games have a winning tactic or drawing tactics by looking at how much information is available on the board. More information can lead to clearer winning strategies.
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Brad DeLong's Grasping Reality β€’ 115 implied HN points β€’ 02 Feb 24
  1. Technological advancements post-1870 were accelerated by globalization and the establishment of industrial research labs and modern corporations.
  2. Institutions like industrial research labs and modern corporations revolutionized the discovery, development, deployment, and diffusion of technologies, leading to modern economic growth.
  3. These institutions were successful because they were built on the foundations of systematic processes and sustained efforts, unlike earlier hit-or-miss approaches.
Technology Made Simple β€’ 59 implied HN points β€’ 10 Oct 22
  1. Focus on using a mix of channels to become an expert in Graph Theory for Software Engineering. Channels vary in their emphasis on math, coding, and computer science.
  2. Utilize the recommended channels like Wrath of Math, David Amos, Trev Tutor, and FreeCodeCamp to sharpen your understanding of Graph Theory.
  3. Engage with the content from different channels to build strong theoretical foundations and improve your performance in coding interviews.
Neckar’s Notes β€’ 105 implied HN points β€’ 02 Mar 24
  1. When writing, be true to your unique voice to create engaging, magical content that resonates with readers.
  2. Identity crisis in writing can stem from trying to mimic others instead of embracing one's own style.
  3. To find your voice as a writer, avoid labeling yourself and simply write a lot, experimenting with different topics, forms, and influences.
Day One β€’ 339 implied HN points β€’ 28 Apr 20
  1. Feeling stuck is common; many people struggle with finding their purpose. It's okay if you're unsure about what to do.
  2. Discipline is crucial for learning. Seeking knowledge and understanding are essential steps towards gaining wisdom.
  3. Start taking action and learning, even if you feel confused. Failure can lead to valuable lessons and success. Take responsibility for your growth.
Technology Made Simple β€’ 59 implied HN points β€’ 27 Sep 22
  1. The Infinite Hotel Paradox, created by mathematician David Hilbert, shows the mind-bending concept of infinity in a fun brain teaser.
  2. Solving paradoxes like this can improve problem-solving skills, similar to working on coding problems.
  3. The paradox involves scenarios like trying to accommodate an infinite number of guests in an infinitely occupied hotel, posing challenging questions.
The Pole β€’ 19 implied HN points β€’ 21 Dec 23
  1. Creating a successful mastermind or accountability group involves creating the right container and taking a step back.
  2. Benefits from group accountability include gaining aha moments, conviction, focus, and camaraderie with minimal effort.
  3. Building successful masterminds is based on principles like consistency, intent, and community, which can be simplified into key equations for success.
Metarational β€’ 39 implied HN points β€’ 20 Feb 23
  1. Consider carefully before canceling a test score; a canceled score might indicate a lower result than what you truly achieved.
  2. The reasoning behind deciding to cancel scores can become complex, especially when assumptions about the perception of reasonability are involved.
  3. The decision-making process on whether to cancel a test score can be influenced by hidden assumptions and levels of metaknowledge.
David Friedman’s Substack β€’ 134 implied HN points β€’ 31 Oct 23
  1. Adam Smith did not support progressive income taxation and was actually against most income taxes.
  2. Smith was a free trader who saw taxes on exports as a means to raise funds, not as a trade policy objective.
  3. Smith did not advocate for government-run education to enforce obedience; he actually discussed leaving education in private hands.
Gordian Knot News β€’ 131 implied HN points β€’ 27 Oct 23
  1. Lessons learned from Three Mile Island highlighted the inadequacies in nuclear power safety and regulatory systems.
  2. Two major lies in the nuclear establishment were exposed at Three Mile Island, showing the need for accountability.
  3. The NRC's incompetence and flaws showcased at Three Mile Island suggest the need for a complete overhaul of the regulatory system.
David Friedman’s Substack β€’ 143 implied HN points β€’ 13 Sep 23
  1. Games like bridge, chess, and Diplomacy can be viewed as training exercises for skills like coordination, tactics, strategy, and commitment.
  2. Playing games can help develop real-world skills like finding your way around environments and accomplishing goals.
  3. Some games are designed specifically to teach skills, such as computer programming or the principles of mutual advantage over conquest.
Living Fossils β€’ 31 implied HN points β€’ 12 Feb 25
  1. Ego depletion, the idea that willpower decreases after making tough choices, has been largely debunked. Many studies found that there is no strong evidence to support this theory.
  2. The ego depletion debate shows how important solid theories are in science. Without a strong theory, even widely accepted ideas can lead researchers astray.
  3. Psychology needs to be more disciplined in building ideas that align with what we know about the human mind and evolution. This helps avoid wasting time on false concepts.
Solresol β€’ 19 implied HN points β€’ 12 Dec 23
  1. Consider using AI for translating educational materials to make learning more accessible to students with different language backgrounds.
  2. Engaging students by providing educational content in their native language can improve their learning experience and motivation.
  3. Discuss the evolving importance of improving English fluency versus providing education in native languages to cater to global diversity.
afternoon walk β€’ 2 HN points β€’ 15 Jul 24
  1. Incentives should focus on supporting people who already exhibit desired behavior, rather than modifying behavior with rewards.
  2. Human motivations and interests are diverse; not everyone needs incentives to do good work.
  3. Identifying and hiring motivated agents who align with organizational goals can be challenging due to the complexity of human motivations.
A Bit Gamey β€’ 13 implied HN points β€’ 20 Jul 25
  1. Organizing your digital files by action rather than topic makes finding what you need easier. This approach lets you focus on what you need to do next.
  2. The PARA method is a simple way to categorize your information into four parts: Projects, Areas, Resources, and Archive. This helps you stay organized and ready to work on what's important now.
  3. To start using the PARA method, create folders for Archive and Projects first, then add Areas and Resources as needed. This keeps your digital space neat and lets you find things quickly.
Technology Made Simple β€’ 59 implied HN points β€’ 30 Aug 22
  1. Linear Inequalities are crucial in math for coding, although they may seem trivial at first.
  2. Linear Inequalities help codify bounds and constraints efficiently, aiding in filtering out bad solutions and narrowing search spaces.
  3. Practicing breaking down real-life situations into equations and inequalities is key to mastering Linear Inequalities.
Sunday Letters β€’ 159 implied HN points β€’ 08 Nov 21
  1. When you're new to a situation, it's good to watch and listen first. This helps you learn more about what's going on.
  2. Asking 'dumb' questions can be really powerful. They often bring up thoughts that others on the team might be too shy to voice.
  3. Encouraging new team members to ask questions keeps the team flexible and open to change. Celebrating these questions can help everyone grow.
Infinitely More β€’ 35 implied HN points β€’ 21 Dec 24
  1. The Cantor-Hume principle connects with Euclid's principle, and there are different views on whether they agree or conflict. It's a topic worth exploring in depth.
  2. Understanding potential and actual infinity is important in calculus, especially when dealing with infinite series. This distinction affects how we solve mathematical problems.
  3. The continuum hypothesis and the axiom of choice raise interesting questions in philosophy and mathematics, showing how these concepts challenge our understanding of infinity and choice.
Infinitely More β€’ 33 implied HN points β€’ 04 Jan 25
  1. The zigzag theorem states that when you create a zigzag pattern in a rectangle, the triangles formed below this pattern take up exactly half the area of the rectangle.
  2. Even if the zigzag lines sometimes move backward without crossing, the triangles will still cover half the rectangle's area due to how the bases and heights of the triangles are calculated.
  3. This theorem is interesting because it holds true even if the zigzag involves an infinite number of lines.
10x your mind β€’ 59 implied HN points β€’ 04 Aug 22
  1. The Dunning-Kruger effect highlights the tendency to overestimate or underestimate expertise based on awareness.
  2. Learning a new skill involves phases: feeling great at the beginning, struggling in the middle, then finding enjoyment and expertise in the end.
  3. Recognizing the 'I suck' phase as a crucial period of progress can help avoid underestimating your growth potential.
Cremieux Recueil β€’ 90 implied HN points β€’ 21 Feb 24
  1. Some Black African students in the UK perform better on GCSE exams than on IQ tests, leading to a puzzle that is not easily explained by sampling differences.
  2. The discrepancy between GCSE performance and general intelligence indicates that GCSEs may be biased indicators of intelligence, favoring certain groups over others.
  3. Psychometric bias might explain why Black Africans in the UK excel in GCSEs despite IQ tests suggesting otherwise, highlighting the presence of biases in assessment methods.
Unsafe Science β€’ 106 implied HN points β€’ 14 Nov 23
  1. Judging research based on its merits is more important than evaluating diversity of authors for enhancing research quality.
  2. Including diversity and equity criteria in research evaluation may lead to controversial subjective judgments.
  3. Scientific societies like SREE can face challenges when balancing scientific goals with political ideologies.
The Uncertainty Mindset (soon to become tbd) β€’ 59 implied HN points β€’ 04 Jan 23
  1. People often face decisions with incomplete information, which is called not-knowing. It's important to develop skills to navigate unknown situations well.
  2. The series aims to explore how to think clearly about not-knowing and improve decision-making in both personal and professional contexts.
  3. Understanding not-knowing can lead to better happiness and innovation. Learning to embrace uncertainty is essential for adapting to a complex world.
The Permanent Problem β€’ 15 implied HN points β€’ 09 Jun 25
  1. There's a growing concern that American students are struggling with basic reading and writing skills. Many students can't handle complex texts, which affects their ability to think critically.
  2. The shift away from deep reading and literature in schools, combined with distractions like TV and smartphones, is hurting our literacy. This decline in reading habits might be making society less capable overall.
  3. As more students lean on AI tools to do their thinking for them, there's a risk that they won't realize their potential. Learning requires effort, and using AI in the wrong way could stunt their cognitive growth.