Counting Atoms

Higher ed, pop culture, politics, and random shiny things

The hottest Substack posts of Counting Atoms

And their main takeaways
78 implied HN points 09 Feb 24
  1. Culture has always been viral in nature, with songs and trends spreading through word of mouth and influence.
  2. The time scale of how quickly viral trends grow and fade has been accelerated by internet technology, causing disorientation for many.
  3. There is a disconnect between the pace of forming opinions on social media and the actual process of implementing political changes, leading to frustrations and unrealistic expectations.
58 implied HN points 08 Feb 24
  1. The book 'The Making of the Atomic Bomb' by Richard Rhodes provides a comprehensive history of the Manhattan Project and includes a lot of vivid scientific details.
  2. Leo Szilard plays a central role in the story, from inspiring the idea of nuclear chain reactions to trying to prevent the use of atomic bombs.
  3. The book can be overwhelming due to the multitude of people and organizations involved, but it offers a rich tapestry of science and history.
58 implied HN points 01 Feb 24
  1. The author discusses their dislike for taunting and toxicity in sports, especially with the example of the Ravens player's taunting leading to a penalty
  2. The author points out the inconsistency in denouncing toxic behavior in some contexts, but celebrating it in sports like NFL taunting
  3. The author expresses their resigned acceptance of being out of step with the sports world on their views about taunting
19 implied HN points 30 Jan 24
  1. The author has a preference for films and books that are not too obvious or unsubtle.
  2. The author found 'Barbie' to be too obvious and unsubtle, making it difficult to enjoy.
  3. The author enjoyed films like 'Interstellar' and 'Inception' that are clear despite being considered difficult to follow.
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0 implied HN points 03 Feb 24
  1. The author reflects on their online activities in January, including blog posts on Substack and elsewhere.
  2. The blog post includes links to various articles and reviews on pop culture, music, and more.
  3. Personal updates in the post include photos from cross-country skiing and a favorite song of the month.