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

Top posts of the year

And their main takeaways

LLM Links, 12/1

288 implied HN points • 01 Dec 24

🕹 Technology AI Machine Learning Data Ethics Education

AI systems are being developed to have better memory which would improve conversations with users. If they can remember past interactions, it could lead to more meaningful and deeper exchanges.
Humans have unique qualities like vulnerability and connection that AI can't replicate. This means people will still value human interactions over machines, no matter how advanced they become.
Virtual friends powered by AI can help those who are lonely, but they might also distract from real-life relationships. It's important to balance technology use with human connections.

Social Learning Links, 5/31/2025

288 implied HN points • 31 May 25

🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Social media Populism Executive Power Progressivism

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.
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.
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.

LLM Links, 11/21

273 implied HN points • 21 Nov 24

🕹 Technology AI Machine Learning Robotics Data science Innovation

There's a debate about AI progress. Some experts think AI models are hitting a limit and may not get much smarter, while others believe we will continue to see significant advancements.
While machine learning can learn from explicit knowledge, it struggles with understanding deeper, unspoken human knowledge. This limitation might prevent AI from reaching the same expertise as human experts.
AI technologies are still showing exciting developments, like robots learning to perform surgeries by watching videos. This points to the potential for AI to revolutionize fields like medicine.

Alice Evans on Acemoglu, et al

273 implied HN points • 16 Oct 24

🎭️ Culture Institutions Economics History Society Politics Beliefs

Inclusive institutions are key for long-term economic success. This means that countries need both strong governments and engaged communities.
Culture plays a big role in shaping institutions, and they're closely linked. This connection shows that neither controls the other; they influence each other.
Censorship and ideological battles are significant issues today. Different groups try to control ideas and media, which can impact freedom and reform.

Links to Consider, 12/6/2024

273 implied HN points • 06 Dec 24

🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Social Issues Economic Policy Technology Policy Education & Policy Public Opinion

Many single young women now believe they are happier being single than married. Furthermore, fewer of them want to become parents, which could change family dynamics in the future.
There are misleading charts about labor compensation and productivity that mix up different measures, which can confuse people about economic realities. It's important to understand the context behind statistics.
Age verification for social media users is a challenge that could potentially be addressed with better technology. However, it's essential to balance the benefits and dangers of social media while enforcing age limits.

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Links to Consider, 10/11/2024

273 implied HN points • 11 Oct 24

🎭️ Culture Mental health Social media Youth Issues Anxiety Cultural Trends

Young women often face increased anxiety, which can worsen with social media and therapy culture that encourages them to focus excessively on their feelings. This can be harmful and lead to more stress.
In South Korea, high suicide rates among young people may be linked to intense competition and a sense of failure, which could also explain declining fertility rates.
Many young adults today are less likely to live independently or start families. This shift might be tied to changing cultural values that prioritize education and personal freedom over traditional norms.

Links to Consider, 10/13/2024

273 implied HN points • 13 Oct 24

🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Demographics Economics Labor Market Public Policy Social Change

Urban areas are not friendly to big families, which contributes to decreasing birth rates. When people live in cities, they often have fewer children than those in suburbs.
Social views on marriage and careers have shifted. Now, many see being a single working woman as more prestigious than being a married stay-at-home mom, which can affect family size.
AI is changing the job market a lot, and there’s going to be a lot of job turnover. The official job numbers might not show the full picture of these changes.

Fertility Links, 2/6/2025

273 implied HN points • 06 Feb 25

🎭️ Culture Society Family Tradition Demography Values

Women tend to prefer taller men, which has influenced men's height and weight growth over time.
Pro-natal arguments focus on why society should encourage having children, with the belief that being a grandparent can bring joy and reduce loneliness in old age.
Religious rituals historically supported family and community bonding, so new secular celebrations could help promote marriage and childbirth today.

Links to Consider, 11/10/2024

273 implied HN points • 10 Nov 24

🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Governance Media Economics Civic engagement

The connection between the government and society has grown stronger over the last 30 years, changing how power is used and its effects on freedom.
There is a growing concern that the people in charge of local businesses no longer represent the interests of their communities, leading to a disconnect in local governance.
Technology may challenge our ability to grasp complex issues, which makes the idea of limited government even more important to protect individual freedoms.

Social Learning Links, 2/13/2025

273 implied HN points • 13 Feb 25

🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Political Ideologies Youth Politics Public Discourse Societal Trends

At the World Economic Forum this year, many attendees showed a surprising rightward shift in their views, with a strong presence of pro-Trump sentiments among participants.
A group of young conservative men hosts debate parties, reflecting their deep engagement with intellectual discussions, often in contrast to older conservative perspectives.
Making actions easier or harder can shape behaviors; if antisocial behavior is easy, it often increases, so we need to think carefully about the barriers we create.

The Software Engineer with Alzheimer's

273 implied HN points • 05 Jun 25

🕹 Technology AI Software Development Education Innovation

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.
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.
AI technology can be very useful, and while people may doubt its potential, history shows that dismissing new tech often proves wrong.

Links to Consider, 11/24/2024

273 implied HN points • 24 Nov 24

🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Philanthropy Sustainability Science Social Class Bureaucracy

Banks face significant costs when forced to divert funds away from profitable fossil fuel loans to support unprofitable green energy ventures. This often results in financial burdens on depositors and can lead to bank failures.
Scientific research is becoming risk-averse due to heavy reliance on citation metrics, which encourages safe, incremental work and often ignores innovative, high-risk projects. This can slow down advancements in science.
Higher education significantly influences social class in America, creating a unified culture among graduates. In contrast, those without a college education often lack a sense of community and solidarity.

Social Learning Links, 5/22/2025

258 implied HN points • 22 May 25

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.
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.
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.

Links to Consider, 11/6/2024

258 implied HN points • 06 Nov 24

🎭️ Culture Parenting Technology Conflict History Art

Artificial intelligence can help humans communicate better with computers, but using it to interact with fake people may not achieve much. We still need to be careful in how we approach these technologies.
Conflicts usually have deeper issues behind them, such as need for respect or control. Understanding this can help resolve disputes more effectively.
Being a 'good enough' parent is more about feeling confident and calm. It's okay to have a relaxed view of parenting rather than striving for perfection.

Fertility Links

258 implied HN points • 31 Dec 24

🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Policy Demographics Culture Economics Education

Having a large family isn't just about genes; social factors and peer influence play a big role in family size. Changes in culture can lead to shifts in how many children people choose to have.
U.S. education policies may unintentionally delay family planning by encouraging young people to stay in school longer. This can create a lifestyle that is not very conducive to having kids.
Population density doesn’t seem to strongly affect fertility rates. Family-oriented people often prefer living in suburban or rural areas, which may be why we see lower fertility rates in cities.

Fertility Links, including a conversation with Lyman Stone

258 implied HN points • 21 Jan 25

🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Society Family Gender Marriage Fertility

Fertility rates are dropping globally, mostly because fewer people are forming couples, which includes both married and unmarried partnerships.
Smartphones and technology are isolating people by providing entertainment at home, which makes it harder for them to build social skills and form connections.
Creating communities that encourage interactions and closeness can help strengthen relationships and possibly improve marriage rates.

LLM links, 11/17

243 implied HN points • 18 Nov 24

🕹 Technology AI Machine Learning Software Development Robotics Research

AI agents are most helpful when they can repeat simple tasks many times, rather than doing complex, one-time jobs. It’s better to have them automate quick tasks consistently.
Chatbots face serious challenges, especially when discussing sensitive topics like suicide. They should guide users to seek help but also create a safe conversation environment.
There’s concern that new AI models may not improve in accuracy and could actually make mistakes more often. This suggests that AI will always struggle to tell the truth from lies.

Links to Consider, 10/17/2024

243 implied HN points • 17 Oct 24

🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Social Issues Population trends Conflict resolution

When handling conflict, it's helpful to first express appreciation for the other person. This helps create a calm environment for discussion.
Many people are choosing to have fewer children due to seeing others do the same, leading to a concerning decline in population. This trend could lead to significant challenges in the future.
There are deep disagreements about what is considered true in society today. These differences often stem from who people trust as sources of truth, not just from a desire for truth itself.

Economics Links, 5/19/2025

243 implied HN points • 19 May 25

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

Links to Consider, 11/2/24

243 implied HN points • 02 Nov 24

🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Media Economics Health care Digital detox Policy

Journalism can become too self-important, especially around political campaigns. This can make journalists feel like they are part of the story instead of just reporting it.
In healthcare, knowing what you actually pay can help people make better choices. A transparent system can encourage people to think about costs and trade-offs.
Economists notice many problems in policies that the average person may overlook. They also understand how economic rules can impact the working poor significantly.

Economics Links, 2/15/2025

243 implied HN points • 15 Feb 25

💰 Finance Economics Trade Health Policy Substack International

The European Union may have created a big, slow government that doesn't serve its people well. Some believe smaller countries manage their affairs better.
Importing goods doesn't always harm jobs; a trade deficit can actually mean a strong economy. More spending and demand can lead to more jobs, not fewer.
Becoming successful on platforms like Substack is tough. It often takes a large existing following or writing about popular subjects to grow your audience.

Children and Social Media Links

227 implied HN points • 14 Jan 25

🏥 Health Politics Youth Mental Health Legislation Public Discourse Crisis response

People worry that social media harms kids, just like past generations worried about things like comic books and movies. Over time, these fears might seem outdated or exaggerated.
Studies show that teen depression increased significantly after the rise of smartphones and social media. This suggests that these platforms might have a big impact on mental health.
Laws to verify ages online aim to protect kids, but they can also limit freedom and privacy for everyone. It's a tricky balance between keeping children safe and respecting individual rights.

A Glimpse Inside the Vanity Project

227 implied HN points • 14 Jun 25

🚌 Education Course design Psychology Interactivity Teaching Methods

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.
The course outline includes multiple chapters and concepts related to psychology, social order, and government. Each chapter breaks down complex ideas into manageable parts.
The project requires collaboration and possibly funding for future developments. There's a bigger plan to create seminars for professors based on their courses.

Links to Consider, 11/8/2024

227 implied HN points • 08 Nov 24

🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Elections Policy Racism Foreign Relations Economics

Bond markets are reacting to expected inflation, not a debt crisis. This means mortgage rates could rise even if the Fed lowers interest rates.
People notice race because they are naturally group-oriented. Racism stems from our tribal instincts, but it's not built into our thinking.
Fertility rates are dropping worldwide, possibly linked to how technology affects social connections. Research is needed to understand this trend better.

Links to Consider, 10/29/2024

227 implied HN points • 29 Oct 24

🚌 Education Higher Ed Lifelong learning Curriculum Child development

The Socratic Experience aims to change education by focusing on personal growth and happiness instead of just curriculum. The goal is to reach millions of students by 2050, which shows it’s about making a positive impact rather than just profit.
Since 2020, the U.S. has seen a big rise in debt, especially government debt, compared to its economic growth. This raises concerns about the sustainability of such debt levels.
The UAE offers greater freedom for work and living compared to many Western countries. Its approach to immigration is different and aims to invite all people for better opportunities.

Education Links, 5/27/2025

227 implied HN points • 27 May 25

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.
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.
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.

Overhead Costs vs. Marginal Costs

227 implied HN points • 28 Dec 24

💼 Business Economics Finance Management Market Analysis Business strategy

Overhead costs are the ongoing expenses of running a business, while marginal costs are the expenses incurred by producing one additional unit.
Many businesses today focus more on overhead costs because it's hard to measure the contribution of individuals in a team setting.
Understanding these costs is important for making better decisions about managing a business.

Economics Links, 2/10/2025

227 implied HN points • 10 Feb 25

💼 Business Economics Trade AI Entrepreneurship Policy

Phil Gramm and Larry Summers believe that tariffs harm economic growth and could lead to trade wars. They recommend against implementing broad tariffs.
Aswath Damodaran discusses how the entry of DeepSeek could change the AI landscape, creating both low-cost alternatives and maintaining a premium market for AI.
Magatte Wade argues that Africa's poverty is largely due to over-regulation and difficult business conditions, making it hard to trade and grow economically.

Links to Consider, 11/4/2024

227 implied HN points • 04 Nov 24

🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Foreign Policy Economics Labor Market Management Industrial Policy

The job market is changing due to AI taking over routine office tasks. However, more complex management roles might still require human skills.
Some believe that good foreign policy relies more on talking than on action. Words can sometimes seem like solutions even when they aren't.
Recent manufacturing job growth is happening in places less affected by international trade issues. Many manufacturing jobs are still not unionized, which means fewer protections for workers.

Links to Consider, 11/12/2024

212 implied HN points • 12 Nov 24

🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Censorship Identity politics Media influence Public Policy Legal system

Censorship can be split into two types: hard censorship, which is the removal of content, and soft censorship, which reduces exposure to certain content. Soft censorship is seen as serious because it limits the perspectives people can access.
Identity politics has grown from media focusing on group identities instead of ideas. This shift affects how people engage with each other, often prioritizing identity over actions.
There is a lot of unnecessary laws because people believe every problem needs a legislative solution. Emphasizing common law could potentially be a better approach to managing legal issues.

Economics and Business Links, 1/15

212 implied HN points • 15 Jan 25

💰 Finance Economics Investing Market Analysis Real Estate

Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac have had complicated financial dealings with the Treasury. Their situation raises questions about privatization and how the accounting around their debts is handled.
Eugene Fama argues that bubbles in market prices are hard to prove, suggesting that price swings are unpredictable and don't meet the classic idea of a bubble.
Experts like Bill McBride believe there's concern about a housing bubble due to rising house prices, but he notes that lending standards are better now than during previous bubbles.

LLM Links, 2/12/2025 and Live Event Friday

212 implied HN points • 12 Feb 25

🕹 Technology AI Models Innovation Business Careers

Reasoning-trained AI models are expected to outperform existing models in tasks like coding and math while still being costlier to run.
DeepSeek is making waves in AI for its engineering efficiency and lower training costs, potentially leading to many companies creating competitive models.
AI might replace numerous jobs, with tax preparers topping the list, highlighting the shift towards automated processes in many fields.

LLM Links, 1/16

212 implied HN points • 16 Jan 25

🕹 Technology Robotics LLMs

A school in Arizona is using AI as the only teachers for a new educational model. This approach aims to tailor lessons to students' needs and allow more time for personal interests.
Robots still struggle with tasks that are easy for humans, like picking up objects. This shows that achieving true artificial general intelligence is still a long way off.
Using chatbots like ChatGPT can help with everyday problems, like homework. By asking the right questions, you can get creative suggestions that you might not think of on your own.

LLM Links

212 implied HN points • 28 Oct 24

🕹 Technology AI Education Software Innovation Digital Tools

Using AI to do students' writing can take away the benefits of creativity and expression that come from writing practice. It's important for students to engage with the writing process themselves.
AI tools like NotebookLM are changing how we create content, such as podcasts. These tools can generate engaging discussions, but they need to be customizable to suit individual styles.
AI is seen as a powerful tool that can enhance research and intelligence. Instead of just analyzing data, it can help in conducting experiments and discovering new methods in various fields.

LLM Links, 1/17

212 implied HN points • 17 Jan 25

🕹 Technology AI Innovation Productivity Automation Regulation

Intelligence can help us break down regulatory barriers and improve cooperation. A higher baseline of intelligence might push us to recognize and fix our bad decisions more easily.
The adoption of AI will be slow because organizations and systems take time to change. Even with advanced AI, many people might not notice its presence right away.
Bill Gates believes AI will take over routine tasks, leaving creative work for humans. However, there’s a chance that AI could also become creative, challenging the idea that humans are solely responsible for creativity.

Psychology Links, 5/20/2025

212 implied HN points • 20 May 25

🏥 Health & Wellness Mental health Psychology Child development

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.
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.
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.

Economics Links, 6/2/2025

212 implied HN points • 02 Jun 25

💰 Finance Macroeconomics Regulation Cryptocurrency Banking Policy

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.
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.
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.

The Seminar Continues

182 implied HN points • 03 Jun 25

🚌 Education Psychology Personality Sociology Learning Communication

Personality psychology helps us understand people better. It looks at how we predict and explain behaviors, which is important for our relationships.
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.
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.

So Near and yet So Far

182 implied HN points • 09 Jun 25

🚌 Education Learning Theory Educational Technology Pedagogy Curriculum design Online Learning

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.
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.
The goal is to develop structured and authentic discussions in educational content, which could fill a gap by balancing sterile lectures and chaotic forums.

Links to Consider, 10/23/2024

182 implied HN points • 23 Oct 24

🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Political strategy Public Policy Housing policy Political elites

American politics has been stuck in a deadlock because both parties are close in power, leading to constant fighting for control. This makes elections contentious and the political environment very tense.
Public-private partnerships can lead to problems like corruption and a focus on global interests over national ones. This disconnect can happen when these partnerships are not accountable to the public.
In India, excessive regulations and government control hinder economic growth and worsen poverty. Many people work informally because the rules are so strict that it limits job opportunities.