An Interpersonal Journal

An Interpersonal Journal explores a young man's insights on political theory, environmental concerns, personal development, and international issues, aiming to inform and reflect on societal and individual growth. It dives into topics like urban planning, environmental sustainability, governance, and leveraging personal discipline for fulfillment.

Political Theory Environmental Sustainability Personal Development Urban Planning Governance Public Policy Health and Wellness

The hottest Substack posts of An Interpersonal Journal

And their main takeaways

Summer Break

119 implied HN points • 02 Jun 23
🎨 Art & Illustration Seasons Personal journey Photography
  1. The author is taking a break from posting on Substack to focus on preparing for graduate school applications in Political Science.
  2. They have been writing and publishing biweekly pieces since January but need to slow down to prioritize other pursuits.
  3. Although the schedule may be disrupted, the author plans to return to posting in the future.

An Introduction

119 implied HN points • 25 Jan 23
  1. Starting a blog can be daunting, but it's a good way to share thoughts and grow.
  2. Blogging can help in sharpening skills and showcasing dedication to a specific subject.
  3. Expectations for the blog, like subject matter and frequency, are open-ended and flexible.

Chinese Ghost Cities

79 implied HN points • 07 Apr 23
🌍 World Politics Urbanization Population Planning Real Estate Development
  1. China builds 'ghost cities' as future urban solutions by planning ahead and constructing modern, connected environments before the need arises.
  2. Urban developments in China, like the infamous 'ghost cities', prioritize thoughtful planning, amenities, and interconnectedness with main cities to accommodate growing populations.
  3. Chinese 'ghost city' projects have yielded successes in addressing housing demands, but also face challenges like slow population growth and displacing existing communities.

Being Tired is a Choice

59 implied HN points • 19 May 23
🏥 Health & Wellness Mindfulness Self-Improvement Health
  1. Feeling tired is often a choice we make, and we can find energy and inspiration by engaging in activities we love.
  2. Discipline and focus are key to overcoming challenges and achieving long-term goals.
  3. It's important to make conscious decisions about how we spend our time and prioritize activities that bring us fulfillment, even if it means sacrificing other less meaningful pursuits.

Salt in our Fresh Waters

79 implied HN points • 24 Feb 23
🌞 Climate & Environment Environmental Impact Conservation efforts Research Findings
  1. Levels of salt in freshwater bodies are increasing across North America, posing risks to ecosystems and potentially human health.
  2. The rise in freshwater salinity is primarily attributed to road salt usage, with even a modest reduction in usage showing potential to mitigate the issue.
  3. Efforts are being made by local governments and researchers to address the rising salt levels in freshwater bodies through exploring alternative salt usage and more efficient application methods.
Get a weekly roundup of the best Substack posts, by hacker news affinity:

A Look at Line 5

79 implied HN points • 10 Feb 23
🌞 Climate & Environment Environmental Policy Michigan
  1. Understanding local environmental issues is crucial to being an informed community member.
  2. Diverse perspectives on current environmental debates help in forming a well-rounded understanding of the situation.
  3. Careful consideration is needed when evaluating the risks and benefits of maintaining infrastructure that impacts critical ecosystems.

The Median Voter Theorem

59 implied HN points • 21 Apr 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Elections Political Science Voters Primary elections
  1. The Median Voter Theorem explains how politicians strategize to attract the median position of the voting base to secure a majority of votes.
  2. Understanding the Median Voter Theorem can help voters strategically choose candidates to align with their preferences, especially in elections with multiple candidates.
  3. The theorem's principles can be applied beyond politics, guiding strategic decision-making in various situations to steer outcomes towards preferred choices.

Game Theory and the Santa Clara Pueblo

59 implied HN points • 10 Mar 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Policy change Game Theory
  1. Changes in policy at a federal level can impact individuals and affect how governance operates.
  2. Game theory can be used to analyze decisions made by tribal governments in situations like the Santa Clara Pueblo case.
  3. Examining historical context and external influences is crucial in understanding the rationale behind policy changes, like those affecting tribal membership.

Coming soon

59 implied HN points • 24 Jan 23
  1. The author is working on a new, smaller project after realizing the scope of a previous idea was too large
  2. There is a set deadline of 10/02/23 to finish the new project, indicating a sense of urgency
  3. The author's goal is to 'raise the stakes' and push themselves to complete the project

Prescribed Burns and Minimizing Forest Fires

19 implied HN points • 24 Mar 23
🌞 Climate & Environment Wildfires Climate change
  1. The adoption of the '10 a.m.' policy in the United States to extinguish fires exacerbated forest fire conditions over several decades, leading to large-scale wildfires due to accumulated dead vegetation and undergrowth.
  2. Prescribed burns are a crucial technique to maintain woodland ecosystems and prevent catastrophic wildfires. Countries like Australia have successfully reintroduced these controlled burns to reduce fire risks.
  3. There is a need for national legislation and interagency support in the United States to promote prescribed burns and effectively minimize the increasing threat of forest fires, especially in the face of climate change.

An Argument for Nuclear Energy

1 HN point • 05 May 23
🔬 Science Nuclear Energy Renewable Energy Fossil fuels Environmental Impact Energy Production
  1. Nuclear power is cleaner and safer than coal combustion, despite rare incidents of radiation leaks.
  2. Nuclear energy has lower emissions throughout the entire production process compared to coal, making it a more environmentally friendly option.
  3. Nuclear waste management and disposal are handled more effectively than coal combustion waste, making nuclear energy a better long-term solution.