In My Tribe

In My Tribe explores complex societal, political, and economic issues with a focus on skepticism, the importance of epistemology, and the critique of managerial elites and institutional dynamics. It addresses contemporary social debates, including drug policy, gender roles, and the influence of libertarianism, while promoting intellectual discussions.

Societal and Epistemic Analysis Political and Economic Views Drug Policy and Regulation Gender Dynamics in Institutions Racial Perceptions in Legal Systems Generational Cultural Shifts Evolutionary Perspectives on Behavior Managerial Class Critique Cultural and Political Discussions Religious Authority in Modern Societies Financial Regulation Economics and Sociology Political Beliefs Formation Libertarianism Health Insurance Policy

The hottest Substack posts of In My Tribe

And their main takeaways

What I'm Reading

531 implied HN points • 16 Jun 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Political theory Conservatism Literature Trumpism
  1. The book 'Furious Minds' explores the MAGA New Right and profiles various scholars who support Donald Trump. It highlights how these figures have gained influence in conservative circles.
  2. The author categorizes these scholars into three groups: Postliberals, Claremonters, and National Conservatives, each with unique reasons for supporting Trump. They have different views on markets and governance.
  3. There's a noticeable lack of prominent conservative voices in academia outside of specific institutions, which may make the conservative community appear more like a tight-knit group. This raises challenges for conservative thinkers.

A Glimpse Inside the Vanity Project

227 implied HN points • 14 Jun 25
🚌 Education Course design Psychology Interactivity Teaching Methods
  1. The Vanity Project aims to create an interactive seminar that teaches students about human interdependence. The project is still in progress and needs dialogue improvements.
  2. The course outline includes multiple chapters and concepts related to psychology, social order, and government. Each chapter breaks down complex ideas into manageable parts.
  3. The project requires collaboration and possibly funding for future developments. There's a bigger plan to create seminars for professors based on their courses.

Neither Robot Nor Baby

364 implied HN points • 13 Jun 25
📖 Philosophy Ethics Metaphysics AI Impact Human condition
  1. The folk theory of mind suggests that humans have feelings and decision-making abilities, while AI does not. This means we shouldn't think of AI as having a mind like ours.
  2. AI operates based on code and rules, not feelings or intentional decisions like humans have. Mistakes made by AI don't come from emotional reactions like they would in a person.
  3. While AI can cause harm, it's not because it has its own mind. It's important to recognize that AI's actions reflect human intentions, whether they're intended or not.

Student Assessment in the Age of AI

501 implied HN points • 12 Jun 25
🚌 Education Assessment AI Integration Teaching Methods Critical Thinking
  1. AI can help monitor student assessments and make cheating harder. By having someone supervise, universities can ensure students aren't using AI to cheat during tests.
  2. Interviews can be a better way to assess students than traditional exams. They allow professors to see how well students understand important concepts and let students explain their reasoning.
  3. Using AI to conduct these interviews can be efficient and consistent. This way, professors can evaluate a large number of students fairly without getting overwhelmed by grading.
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Assorted Links

470 implied HN points • 10 Jun 25
🚌 Education Higher Ed Academic Freedom Student outcomes
  1. Colleges, especially elite ones like Harvard, have been criticized for not being open to conservative ideas and for having a biased hiring process. Many believe they aren't likely to change on their own.
  2. There's a call for breaking up large universities into smaller entities to focus on research and education more effectively. This might help reduce their political activism and improve academic standards.
  3. New societal trends are shifting the way people view knowledge and expertise, often valuing common sense over traditional authority. This can create a space for new types of knowledge systems to emerge.

Using AI: Queries, Conversations, and Projects

303 implied HN points • 11 Jun 25
🕹 Technology AI Machine Learning Human-computer interaction Software Development Educational Technology
  1. A conversation with AI is different from simply asking a question. You can explore topics more deeply and learn from the back-and-forth interaction.
  2. Using AI for projects is essential to becoming skilled with it. It’s like doing a group assignment, where you can create something together.
  3. Providing clear instructions and materials to AI helps it assist you better. Treating it like a partner, rather than just a tool, can lead to better results.

No More Forms to Fill Out

318 implied HN points • 08 Jun 25
🕹 Technology AI Software Education Communication Innovation
  1. Filling out forms is a common part of life, but it often feels outdated. Instead of forms, we could use conversations with AI to make communication easier.
  2. Using AI like Claude, teachers can upload their syllabi and have an interactive conversation to turn their ideas into structured course content. This way, the process becomes more collaborative and flexible.
  3. This new method allows for ongoing adjustments and real-time feedback, leading to a stronger connection between the content and the user's needs. It's not just about filling out information, but working together to create something meaningful.

Taking a New Direction

486 implied HN points • 04 Jun 25
🚌 Education Higher education AI Technology Software Development Teaching Methods Digital learning
  1. The focus is shifting towards developing an AI-assisted seminar, which aims to improve higher education through new technology. This will involve creating a learning environment where students can interact with AI characters instead of traditional lectures.
  2. The project is driven by concerns that current universities are not equipped to innovate or improve their practices, especially after past mistakes. The hope is that AI can help create a better educational model without the need to build completely new institutions.
  3. The developer is learning about modern software development and working step-by-step with a software partner to create a functional product. They plan to share progress updates and insights from this journey, showcasing both the potential of AI and the seminar format.

My son-in-law's job is safe

349 implied HN points • 06 Jun 25
🕹 Technology AI Software Architecture Development Programming
  1. Software architecture is important for maintaining clean code. It's better to separate data and logic to avoid complications later.
  2. AI can quickly generate code, but it still needs guidance on architectural decisions.
  3. Working on the project is a balance between exploring new technology and refining the foundational structure.

So Near and yet So Far

182 implied HN points • 09 Jun 25
🚌 Education Learning Theory Educational Technology Pedagogy Curriculum design Online Learning
  1. The project aims to create an interactive seminar experience, but it's currently more like reading a textbook with an AI assistant. It’s not quite the same feel as a real seminar.
  2. Using AI can help shape effective dialogue, but it requires careful prompting to get the right tone and perspective, especially if it needs to reflect a specific viewpoint.
  3. The goal is to develop structured and authentic discussions in educational content, which could fill a gap by balancing sterile lectures and chaotic forums.

The Software Engineer with Alzheimer's

273 implied HN points • 05 Jun 25
🕹 Technology AI Software Development Education Innovation
  1. AI, like Claude, struggles with memory, especially remembering recent conversations. It's important to find ways to manage this limitation to keep projects on track.
  2. Maintaining state is a key challenge for AI development, which affects how well an AI can serve as a personal assistant. This functionality isn't expected to improve quickly.
  3. AI technology can be very useful, and while people may doubt its potential, history shows that dismissing new tech often proves wrong.

I Say Thank You to Big Pharma

455 implied HN points • 01 Jun 25
🏥 Health Politics Pharmaceuticals Medical Research Drug policy Healthcare systems
  1. It's important to keep encouraging medical research because it brings a lot of benefits to society. We rely on a mix of private and government support for this research.
  2. Cutting drug prices without considering the negative effects might hurt medical research and innovation. We should think about the long-term impact of such changes.
  3. Using prizes instead of patents could lead to fairer rewards for drug developers and might reduce some issues in the research funding system.

Clayton, Missouri

486 implied HN points • 30 May 25
🎭️ Culture Identity History Education Society Biography
  1. Sam Altman grew up in Clayton, Missouri, which is known for its strong educational system and smart students. The schools there were very competitive, and many students had high academic achievements.
  2. The author reflects on the importance of understanding different personalities in the startup world. Some talented individuals might be seen as difficult, but their unique contributions can be valuable.
  3. The history of Clayton and its changing demographics highlights issues like segregation. The neighborhood has transformed over the years, showing shifts in social dynamics and community identity.

Code works as intended

151 implied HN points • 07 Jun 25
🕹 Technology Software Development Programming API Web Development Open Source
  1. Working with code can be tricky, especially when different operating systems like Windows and Linux handle files differently. It can cause stress and confusion for beginners.
  2. While waiting for responses in applications can be frustrating, adding some engaging content, like banter, helps keep users interested and makes the wait feel shorter.
  3. There's potential to create new, innovative educational tools that allow professors to monetize their courses in a more modern way, like a subscription model instead of traditional textbooks.

Macroeconomics: Some Defects

486 implied HN points • 29 May 25
💰 Finance Macroeconomics Banking Economic Theory Fiscal policy Financial Sector
  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.

Transforming Education: AI-Powered Seminar Learning at Scale

303 implied HN points • 01 Jun 25
🚌 Education Online Learning AI Technology
  1. Distance learning is often boring and lacks human interaction, leading to high dropout rates. People want more engaging, conversation-based classes like those in elite schools.
  2. AI can create virtual classmates with different personalities to enhance learning. This setup allows for dynamic discussions and personalized learning experiences, similar to real seminars.
  3. There’s a big market for this kind of innovative education. Many corporations and universities are looking for ways to make learning more engaging and scalable, which this AI seminar approach can meet.

Social Learning Links, 5/31/2025

288 implied HN points • 31 May 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Social media Populism Executive Power Progressivism
  1. TikTok boosts right-wing populism by making emotional content easily shareable and bypassing critical thinking. This makes it very appealing and dangerous as a social media platform.
  2. It's important for individuals to reflect on their beliefs, and to be open to the idea that they might be wrong sometimes. This kind of self-examination can help improve understanding and reduce defensiveness.
  3. The power of the presidency has grown partly because Congress has given up its authority. This shift means that the executive branch now has more control, which raises concerns about the balance of power in government.

Believing in order to Belong

546 implied HN points • 23 May 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Political Beliefs Ideologies Social influence Cognitive dissonance Group dynamics
  1. We often choose our beliefs based on who we trust and want to belong to, rather than just the truth of those beliefs. Our need for acceptance can heavily influence what we believe.
  2. False beliefs can create a strong sense of identity within a group, making them appealing even if they're not true. It's easier to bond over unique beliefs that set us apart from others.
  3. Many political and social beliefs can't be easily proven or disproven, causing people to cling to their views to fit into their tribe. This makes discussions around these beliefs more about belonging than finding common ground.

Economics Links, 6/2/2025

212 implied HN points • 02 Jun 25
💰 Finance Macroeconomics Regulation Cryptocurrency Banking Policy
  1. Closing the FCC could be beneficial, as it often invents new reasons to exist. Some of its functions could be better managed by other government departments.
  2. Trump's idea to make Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae public while keeping government guarantees could lead to problems. This could mean private companies profit while taxpayers take on the risks.
  3. There's some hope in the economy as service costs are stabilizing, suggesting capitalism might be doing better than thought. This could mean a brighter future for the middle class.

Why I Fear Trumponomics

486 implied HN points • 24 May 25
  1. Trumponomics could lead to more government regulations on cryptocurrencies, possibly even supporting illegal activities. Mixing traditional banks with crypto could create serious issues.
  2. There's a major spending problem in Congress which can't be solved by just cutting taxes. Future policies need to seriously address how much money is being spent.
  3. Trumponomics might push the U.S. towards progressive policies that could lead to risky political outcomes, like an increase in radical left ideologies.

The Seminar Continues

182 implied HN points • 03 Jun 25
🚌 Education Psychology Personality Sociology Learning Communication
  1. Personality psychology helps us understand people better. It looks at how we predict and explain behaviors, which is important for our relationships.
  2. The Big Five model is a more reliable way to measure personality than older methods like Myers-Briggs. It uses continuous traits instead of strict categories.
  3. While personality traits can be stable over time, we can develop skills that help us function better, even if our core traits don't change much.

Social Learning Links, 5/28/2025

303 implied HN points • 28 May 25
  1. Academic publishing is growing rapidly, leading to issues like citation inflation and the creation of unusual topics just to keep up with trends.
  2. Family structure has a big impact on children's success, with kids from married parents being more likely to graduate from college compared to those from unmarried parents.
  3. Studying economics can change students' political views, making them less liberal, as it teaches how markets work through systemic forces rather than individual actions.

The New Right vs. Conservatism

607 implied HN points • 18 May 25
  1. The New Right focuses on what America was founded on and aims to improve governance, even if it means changing some constitutional principles. They believe this approach is necessary to restore America.
  2. Older conservatives argue that the New Right lacks strong principles and can lead to dangerous government actions. They caution that without limits, power can be misused by anyone, including their own side.
  3. There are mixed views on fiscal responsibility between the New Right and Old Right. While the Old Right pushes for careful spending, the New Right tends to overlook important fiscal issues.

Economics Links, 5/26/2025

318 implied HN points • 26 May 25
  1. Eating out is less common in Europe, suggesting that even though GDP says America is richer, people's experiences tell a different story. The data can be uncomfortable for many because it challenges their beliefs.
  2. New research shows that expanding Medicaid can save lives and reduce mortality among low-income adults. This contradicts earlier studies that found no link between health insurance and better health, making it a topic worth discussing.
  3. Our choices between immediate satisfaction and future well-being can create conflict within ourselves. This makes it hard to balance market freedom with the need to protect individuals from poor decisions, as both sides of the political spectrum have different views about regulation.

AI links, 5/25/2025

303 implied HN points • 25 May 25
  1. AI could change how education works, even allowing AI to be part of dissertation committees. Professors might become mentors and guide students more effectively than machines can.
  2. The advertising model on the internet has thrived because micro-transactions were too complex for users. But with AI handling payment decisions, new ways of buying content might emerge.
  3. AI is changing how companies receive customers. They might not come through traditional websites anymore, making it important for businesses to adjust how they present their information.

Education Links, 5/27/2025

227 implied HN points • 27 May 25
  1. Students often feel they learn more when classes are easy and fluid, but real learning usually requires challenges and effort. Teachers can help by making lessons tougher, which encourages students to engage more.
  2. Teaching ethics shouldn't just be about telling students what is right or wrong. It's important to create a space for them to discuss and understand moral principles, especially in today's world where quick, impulsive thoughts are tempting.
  3. Graduate education might need a rethink as many programs can be too costly for students without guaranteed outcomes. Instead, focusing on essential fields can help support students in building their futures.

Social Learning Links, 5/21/2025

288 implied HN points • 21 May 25
  1. In India, women's work participation varies by religion, with higher rates among Christians and Buddhists compared to Muslims and Sikhs. However, Indian women abroad tend to work much more, indicating cultural shifts in attitudes toward female employment.
  2. Research shows that women in academic science are often on par with men regarding funding and job offers, though biases still affect their salaries and teaching ratings. Fewer women apply for these jobs, but those who do are more likely to succeed.
  3. In urban areas like Portland, despite efforts to become 'smart cities,' issues like homelessness and crime persist. This suggests that technical solutions alone may not address deeper social problems or improve quality of life.

Statistical Methods Links, 5/17/2025

364 implied HN points • 17 May 25
  1. A lot of European immigrants in the early 1900s didn't fully fit in and went back home. Many who returned struggled to adapt, showing that the idea of everyone easily blending in might be misleading.
  2. Social media's impact on teen mental health isn't as big as once thought. Family issues like abuse or neglect have much stronger links to mental health problems in young people.
  3. As people age, their IQ seems to be more influenced by genetics rather than their upbringing. This might be partly due to how we measure IQ, which could have more errors in younger people.

Social Learning Links, 5/22/2025

258 implied HN points • 22 May 25
  1. Public health can be very strict and not open to questioning ideas, which can lead to mistakes. It's important for people in this field to encourage more diverse opinions.
  2. Different cultures and religions have unique histories tied to their ways of life, which affects their social structures and relationships. Understanding this can help us see the world from a different perspective.
  3. When it comes to mental health, we need to help people stay away from substances like marijuana that can make their conditions worse. Ensuring access to treatment is essential for those who are really struggling.

Economics Links, 5/16/2025

364 implied HN points • 16 May 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Economics Housing Spending Policy
  1. The China shock might not be as bad as people think; cheap imports could help U.S. manufacturers by lowering their costs and making them more competitive.
  2. In Los Angeles, strict zoning laws have made housing scarce. This has led to high home prices and an increase in homelessness, making it tough for many to afford a place to live.
  3. Republicans are facing challenges with the federal budget, especially with rising entitlement spending. It's hard to fix the deficit by just cutting other spending without reforming entitlements.

Economics Links, 5/19/2025

243 implied HN points • 19 May 25
  1. Some economists believe the IMF is outdated and doesn't serve a real purpose anymore since flexible exchange rates were adopted.
  2. Manufacturing jobs now require more technical skills, and simply increasing tariffs won't help unskilled workers find good jobs in this field.
  3. Policies that encourage having children can be framed in different ways, but their economic effects are often similar, even if their political appeal varies.

Psychology Links, 5/20/2025

212 implied HN points • 20 May 25
🏥 Health & Wellness Mental health Psychology Child development
  1. Younger people tend to show traits like selfishness and callousness, while older people are generally more trusting and kind. These personality traits can change with age.
  2. Focusing too much on mental health can lead to overdiagnosis and distract from helping those who really need it. It's important to differentiate between regular emotions and actual mental health issues.
  3. There are concerns that early phone use could harm kids’ brains. Instead of relying on phones, having more caregivers might be a better option for young children.

Tough Love for California

1306 implied HN points • 10 Jan 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Government reform Public Policy Environmental Issues Budgeting
  1. California will likely need financial help from the federal government due to massive damages from wildfires. This support should come with conditions to improve how the state manages its resources.
  2. The state's public employee salaries are much higher than the national average. A bailout should come with rules to give the federal government more control over salary adjustments and workforce management.
  3. California struggles with water and forest management. New laws should allow federal agencies to build necessary water infrastructure and implement better forest practices to prevent wildfires.

The Intimate World and the Remote World

789 implied HN points • 09 Feb 25
🎭️ Culture Social media Communication Relationships Identity Community
  1. We are connecting more with strangers online than with people we know in real life. This shift is causing us to lose touch with our close relationships and communities.
  2. Social media blurs the lines between public personalities and intimate friends. This can create anxiety and make us feel insecure about our own social lives.
  3. To feel happier and healthier, we need to focus more on rebuilding our real-life connections. Being connected to family and friends in person is essential for our well-being.

Narrower, Deeper, Older

820 implied HN points • 03 Feb 25
🎭️ Culture Hobbies Leisure Tradition Generational Change
  1. Hobbies often become more complex and less accessible over time. What used to be easy and fun for beginners now requires a lot of skill and effort to enjoy.
  2. As hobbies evolve, they often attract a smaller, older group of dedicated participants. This means fewer younger people are getting involved and learning the basics.
  3. Many traditional hobbies are losing their casual appeal. Newer generations may find them too complicated and end up choosing different activities instead.

My Communist Vision

1078 implied HN points • 06 Jan 25
🎭️ Culture Family Communism Lifestyle Parenting Community
  1. Young families benefit from living close to each other, creating a supportive community where kids can play together and parents can help one another.
  2. Having children early in life can lead to more grandchildren and a fulfilling family life, so society should encourage early marriage and parenting.
  3. Communal living arrangements for young families can help ease the challenges of parenting, but they should maintain individual households instead of being collective.

Complicated Plots, Undetected

1199 implied HN points • 27 Dec 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Government Intelligence Elections Media Public Policy
  1. Keeping secrets is really hard, and it's important for countries to figure out how to protect sensitive plans from being leaked. The recent October 7 attack showed how much trust someone needs to have in their team to keep everything quiet.
  2. Communication is key in military strategy. Disrupting your enemy's communication can be just as powerful as using weapons. Militaries need to focus on not just protecting their own communication but also finding weaknesses in the enemy's.
  3. Modern politics struggles with transparency, as seen with the cover-up of President Biden’s health issues. People in charge might prioritize their positions over honesty, which can lead to serious problems for the country.

Greater FOOL Theory

1093 implied HN points • 03 Jan 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Democracy Libertarianism Government Regulations
  1. The idea of who should make important decisions varies. Some believe it should be individuals, others say experts, and some think it should be decided by everyone voting.
  2. People often fear what others do, leading to ideas like restricting things just because someone might misuse them. This fear can come from both ordinary folks and elites.
  3. While real democracy has its problems because people may not be informed, relying on unelected officials can also make things worse. Finding a balance between the two is tough.

How are Trump and DOGE doing?

637 implied HN points • 11 Feb 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Political Climate Elections Policy Government Public Opinion
  1. There's a change in mood among people, with many feeling worried about job security and the future due to political changes. More people are looking to leave the country because of these concerns.
  2. The American political system is seen as deeply divided and dysfunctional. Despite this, there are opinions that some political figures can still gain support by appealing to certain segments of the population.
  3. Some believe that government agencies are wasting taxpayer money, highlighting a disconnect between those in power and the average citizen. This leads to discussions about accountability and how taxpayer money is spent.