Dominic Cummings substack

'Systems Politics': Can we embed powerful-yet-largely-'unrecognised simplicities' of effective action in political institutions before another 1914-type system failure?

The hottest Substack posts of Dominic Cummings substack

And their main takeaways

#5 TSP: What comes in 2025-6 as both parties & Whitehall fail? What can be done?

41 implied HN points • 13 Feb 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Political Change Civil Society Government reform
  1. Many people in power are just following trends instead of truly believing in something. This makes it hard for real solutions to emerge.
  2. There's a growing sense that the current political system is failing, especially among younger people. They want something new and better.
  3. To create change, it's important for both elite and everyday citizens to get involved in politics and push for a fresh approach, rather than sticking with old ideas.

Snippets 15: US election & Narrative Whiplash inside the Simulacrum 

26 implied HN points • 28 Nov 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Elections Media Public Opinion Political strategy Government
  1. The political landscape is changing, with new elites forming beyond traditional media and political circles. Many people are seeking fresh perspectives outside mainstream narratives.
  2. People are increasingly skeptical of established leaders due to perceived incompetence and age, which could impact future elections significantly.
  3. There is a disconnect between elite opinions and the average voter's views, highlighting a growing need for politicians to truly listen to and understand the concerns of everyday people.

Snippets 14: US polls; the Westminster Wasteland; the Cabinet Office sabotaging the PM's office; PRC v USA...

17 implied HN points • 31 Oct 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Elections Polls Media Government Campaigns
  1. Swing voters are noticing Biden's age and mental sharpness, while insiders in the Democratic party are still in denial about these issues. They need to wake up to the reality that he may not be a strong candidate moving forward.
  2. Many politicians and media insiders are trapped in a bubble that prevents them from seeing the true sentiments of ordinary voters. This disconnection can lead to misguided strategies and decisions that do not resonate with the public.
  3. The political landscape is shifting, with increasing frustration over traditional media's narratives. People are looking for alternative sources of information and growing weary of the same old stories that don't reflect their experiences.

People, ideas, machines VII: 'The Wizard War' - lessons on technology, intelligence & organisation from World War II

12 implied HN points • 23 Feb 24
🌍 World Politics Intelligence Technology Organization Security Regulation
  1. RV Jones's memoir 'The Wizard War' from World War II offers lessons on technology, intelligence, and organization that are relevant today.
  2. The story highlights the importance of duty and public service in leadership roles, emphasizing the need for purpose and service over self-seeking easement.
  3. The blog post discusses significant issues like rot in nuclear weapon infrastructure, failures in Westminster over Ukraine, and the importance of security in technology, urging for better collaboration and regulation.
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The Startup Party: reflections on the last 20 years, what could replace the Tories, and why

19 implied HN points • 03 Jun 23
🌍 World Politics Brexit COVID Ukraine
  1. The post explores reflections on the last 20 years and possibilities for a new political party to replace the Tories.
  2. It discusses the need for a clear understanding of past events and perspectives to inform future decisions.
  3. There is a focus on questioning mainstream political news, implications for party transformations, and the dynamics between political insiders and the public.

#3 The Startup Party: reflections on the last 20 years, what could replace the Tories, and why

12 implied HN points • 09 Jun 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Government Regulation Technology Leadership Political strategy
  1. Dominic Cummings reflects on his time in No10, attributing Boris Johnson's resignation to various failures.
  2. Criticizes the EU for its ineffectiveness in AI regulation and the government's handling of biosecurity.
  3. Suggests that progress in AI safety may come from building rather than regulation and proposes a Taskforce to address AI challenges.

#2 The Startup Party: reflections on the last 20 years, what could replace the Tories, and why

12 implied HN points • 07 Jun 23
🌍 World Politics Brexit Ukraine
  1. The second blog post discussed the Brexit debate from 2016-2019 and key topics like No Deal and the Irish protocol.
  2. Mainstream political news is criticized as fake, with a call to learn about politics from sources like wrestling instead.
  3. The AI debate focuses on safety issues and the political strategies surrounding AI development, emphasizing the importance of building safety systems into AI.

#6 Regime Change: new data shows Trump beating Biden and beating AOC & Kamala more easily - plus DeSantis matchups

12 implied HN points • 17 Apr 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Elections Polling Data Analysis Technology Media
  1. New data shows Trump beating Biden and AOC & Kamala more easily
  2. Research conducted for the 2024 Presidential campaign focused on crucial issues like cost of living, health, and crime
  3. Efforts were made to ensure an accurate sample of low-education, low-trust voters to avoid polling errors