DYNOMIGHT INTERNET NEWSLETTER

The DYNOMIGHT INTERNET NEWSLETTER probes a wide array of subjects from scientific skepticism, the interaction between class and taste, the rise of technology, to existential and philosophical questions. It intertwines critical analysis, historical perspectives, and personal insights to explore contemporary societal norms, technological impacts, and the nuances of human behavior.

Science and Skepticism Class and Society Technology and Its Impacts Existential and Philosophical Inquiry Personal Development and Behavior Historical Perspectives Education and Teaching Healthcare and Well-being Writing and Communication Evolutionary Biology

The hottest Substack posts of DYNOMIGHT INTERNET NEWSLETTER

And their main takeaways
281 implied HN points β€’ 08 Jul 25
  1. Goats have unique eyeballs that rotate to keep their vision horizontal, allowing them to see better while munching or looking around. This is pretty cool and shows how animals adapt physically to their environment.
  2. There's a way to stimulate specific cone cells in our eyes to potentially see new colors beyond what we can normally perceive. It suggests our brains can interpret unusual signals in fascinating ways.
  3. Recent findings indicate that only a small percentage of light-sensitive cells in our eyes control melatonin production, which affects our sleep. It's important to focus on dim lighting at night, rather than just blocking blue light.
625 implied HN points β€’ 03 Jul 25
  1. Blue-blocking glasses may help increase melatonin levels, especially when you're exposed to bright light at night. This means they could help you feel sleepier.
  2. The evidence on whether blue-blocking glasses improve overall sleep quality is mixed. Some studies show a small improvement, while others show little or no effect.
  3. Instead of wearing blue-blocking glasses, it might be better to reduce blue light in your environment, like using dim, warm-colored lights at night.
562 implied HN points β€’ 30 Jun 25
  1. Both math and intuition can be used for forecasting, but they serve different purposes. Sometimes, using intuition can be more practical when creating predictions about complex situations.
  2. Math-based forecasts are best when the rules of a situation are well understood and complex. For simpler scenarios, basic predictions may be just as effective.
  3. Creating simple visual predictions, like drawing lines, can help clarify your thoughts. It's a great exercise to explore different potential outcomes and express predictions clearly.
828 implied HN points β€’ 23 Jun 25
  1. The discourse around AI 2027 shows both excitement for its predictions and criticism regarding its methods. This mix of reactions indicates a deep interest and concern about the future of AI.
  2. Peer review in academic work has flaws and can often delay important findings. This can sometimes result in long and complicated processes that may not effectively ensure the accuracy of research.
  3. An open and collaborative approach to discussing and critiquing ideas, like what's happening with AI 2027, could lead to better outcomes. When people engage directly and constructively, it helps improve the ideas being presented.
531 implied HN points β€’ 26 Jun 25
  1. AI safety is a big concern, and the main challenge is to make AI systems want to be nice to us. If they don't want to, they won't care about what we want.
  2. Trying to impose restrictions on AI won't work because a smarter AI can always find a way around them. Instead, we need to align AI with our values so it chooses to act positively.
  3. If we can ensure that AI genuinely wants to do what's best for us, the rest of the alignment problems become easier to manage. It's all about making sure AI understands and respects our values.
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562 implied HN points β€’ 19 Jun 25
  1. Current AI can understand human values to some extent, but it may not cover all complex situations. It's crucial to keep testing AI's responses on moral questions.
  2. People's opinions on moral dilemmas can vary significantly, especially on more unusual scenarios. This highlights the complexity of human ethics.
  3. Readers recognized that their views might differ from the general population, showing self-awareness in moral reasoning. It's good to be mindful of how diverse perspectives can be.
468 implied HN points β€’ 17 Jun 25
  1. A survey is created to gauge people's moral beliefs on unusual scenarios that challenge common ethics. It involves questions about difficult decisions we might face.
  2. The scenarios include serious topics like abortion and euthanasia, but also quirky ideas involving advanced AIs and future societies. This mix aims to provoke thought about morality.
  3. Participants are encouraged to respond honestly and intuitively, with the creator assuring no tricks are involved in the survey.
546 implied HN points β€’ 12 Jun 25
  1. Futarchy uses prediction markets to make decisions, but it has a basic flaw. It relies on conditional probabilities that don't show cause and effect, which means it can't actually provide reliable information for making choices.
  2. Just because high vitamin D levels are linked to lower death rates, it doesn't mean vitamin D causes those lower rates. Other factors like being healthier or wealthier often play a role. The same idea applies to Futarchy: just seeing a correlation isn’t enough to make decisions.
  3. While conditional prediction markets can give useful insights, they should be treated like any other statisticβ€”helpful but not the only factor to consider. We need to recognize their limits and look for better methods to understand cause and effect.
1328 implied HN points β€’ 06 Feb 25
  1. Sometimes we spend too much time trying to figure out problems instead of actually looking at them closely. Instead of thinking too much, it might be better to observe what's happening directly.
  2. It's easy to get caught up in analyzing complex issues without taking action. Getting stuck in thought can prevent us from finding simple solutions.
  3. In life, not everything needs a deep understanding. Sometimes, just gathering more information and looking at the situation can lead to better outcomes.
1109 implied HN points β€’ 20 Feb 25
  1. GLP-1 drugs like semaglutide help with diabetes and obesity, but new research shows they might not be effective for alcohol addiction as previously thought. The first clinical trial results were disappointing.
  2. The trial had only 48 participants and mixed results, with no clear evidence that semaglutide reduced alcohol consumption. Some data suggested it might help in a lab setting, but overall findings were weak.
  3. Despite the poor results, there are still many personal stories claiming these drugs help with addiction. More research is needed, as the search for effective treatments for addiction continues.
1015 implied HN points β€’ 13 Feb 25
  1. You don't always need government approval to do research on people. Many people believe IRB approval is required for all human research, but that's not true.
  2. The rules about what kind of research needs approval are complicated and can vary by state or institution. It's not always clear where the lines are drawn.
  3. Many journals require IRB approval to publish research, which can make it harder for independent researchers to share their findings without going through the process.
1156 implied HN points β€’ 23 Jan 25
  1. Not all algorithmic ranking is bad. Some algorithms can be useful if they align with what you want to see and achieve.
  2. A lot of current algorithms are designed to keep you engaged and make money for the companies, not necessarily to help you find what you like.
  3. We need better control over these algorithms to ensure they serve our interests, possibly through new technology or structures that prevent companies from taking that control away.
1062 implied HN points β€’ 16 Jan 25
  1. A mentoring program is being offered to help people achieve their goals. It's open to anyone, regardless of age or career stage.
  2. The mentor will have three 30-minute video sessions with chosen participants, focused on helping them with their specific challenges.
  3. This program is free and based on an application process to select three people that the mentor believes they can assist most effectively.
1437 implied HN points β€’ 28 Nov 24
  1. Meditation can help you feel really good, almost like drugs or other intense pleasures, and it’s cool that you can explore new ways to relax without getting addicted.
  2. Your brain can automate tasks as you practice, which makes it easier to do complex things without thinking too hard about every detail.
  3. Even though there are worries about pollution, some studies suggest that common plastics might not harm your health much, which is a relief.
1515 implied HN points β€’ 14 Nov 24
  1. Large language models (LLMs) can somewhat play chess, but they struggle after the opening moves. They were not specifically designed for chess, yet they can manage to play using their text training.
  2. The performance of different language models varies significantly when playing chess. Some models like 'gpt-3.5-turbo-instruct' excel at it, while others perform very poorly.
  3. It seems that focusing on instruction tuning can make LLMs worse at chess, suggesting that training style impacts their ability to play games effectively.
937 implied HN points β€’ 02 Jan 25
  1. When minimum prices are set for things like rides, it can actually make drivers wait around more without getting paid, which ends up lowering how often they drive.
  2. Even if the pay seems higher, drivers may not earn more overall because they spend less time actually working when demand drops due to higher prices.
  3. In the end, customers often pay more and get fewer rides, which doesn't help anyone in the long run; it's like paying drivers to do nothing while traffic increases.
453 implied HN points β€’ 27 Feb 25
  1. Bayesian reasoning is something we all use, even if we don't realize it. It's more about how we naturally think than some complex math.
  2. There are two types of uncertainty: aleatoric (random) and epistemic (based on knowledge). Mixing them helps us make better decisions.
  3. Arguing over which type of probability is 'real' is silly. It's better to recognize that life involves many messy decisions where formal reasoning can help, but is often complicated.
937 implied HN points β€’ 19 Dec 24
  1. It's fun to argue about small, everyday topics instead of serious issues like politics around the holidays. These lighthearted debates can bring laughter and connection.
  2. Questions about cultural differences, like how we enjoy music or food, can spark interesting conversations. Exploring these topics helps us understand each other better.
  3. Discussions about abstract ideas, such as consciousness or the nature of reality, can make for deep and thought-provoking talks. It's a great way to share perspectives and learn something new.
796 implied HN points β€’ 21 Nov 24
  1. LLMs like `gpt-3.5-turbo-instruct` can play chess well, but most other models struggle. Using specific prompts can improve their performance.
  2. Providing legal moves to LLMs can actually confuse them. Instead, repeating the game before making a move helps them make better decisions.
  3. Fine-tuning and giving examples both improve chess performance for LLMs, but combining them may not always yield the best results.
515 implied HN points β€’ 09 Jan 25
  1. Jimmy Carter once told a funny story about a rabbit that scared him while fishing, and it became a big deal in the news, even though he only shared it privately.
  2. There's interesting talk about how we classify mental disorders nowadays and if labels like 'ADHD' will still be relevant in the future.
  3. Recent studies show that drinking alcohol can lead to a higher risk of cancer, and it's great when reports present this information clearly and let people draw their own conclusions.
875 implied HN points β€’ 07 Nov 24
  1. Social punishment is a natural part of how humans interact, helping to enforce a social contract. It can feel too harsh or unjust at times, but it still serves a purpose.
  2. There's a tricky balance in discussing the ideas of people who have done bad things. We need to find ways to remember their contributions without overlooking their wrongdoings.
  3. It's important to correct the record if someone is proven innocent after being publicly condemned. Reputations can suffer permanently, and it’s crucial to acknowledge when we've gotten things wrong.
625 implied HN points β€’ 31 Oct 24
  1. People often let politics affect their emotions too much, which can lead to unhappiness and frustration. It's better to focus on deeper and more meaningful conversations.
  2. Many view slanted information in politics as normal, but this approach can prevent good ideas from spreading effectively. It's important to look for objective facts instead of just picking sides.
  3. The upcoming US presidential election will be influenced by factors such as immigration, inflation, and candidate popularity. Understanding these can help make sense of the election dynamics.
437 implied HN points β€’ 05 Dec 24
  1. Tactical parenting involves using practical strategies to deal with common parenting challenges. It's about finding effective solutions that work for your family's needs.
  2. It's important to stay flexible and adapt your parenting techniques as your child grows. What works at one age may not work for them later.
  3. Communication with your child is key. Keeping an open dialogue can help build trust and understanding between you and your child.
1234 implied HN points β€’ 05 Oct 23
  1. Grug organizes ideas about diet soda and autism from news sources to consolidate important information.
  2. Correlation is easy to see but doesn't prove causation, and it's crucial to consider carefully in scientific studies.
  3. The news often emphasizes alarming claims based on research findings, even when the researchers themselves are more cautious.
671 implied HN points β€’ 04 Jan 24
  1. In Finland, support for joining NATO increased over the years, leading to eventual membership in 2023.
  2. Winston Churchill's father expressed disappointment and criticism towards him, revealing a strained relationship.
  3. The student protests in Paris in 1968 reflected a rejection of societal norms and an influence of Situationism.
890 implied HN points β€’ 08 Dec 22
  1. Large language models can start off underwhelming, but eventually surpass human performance in writing.
  2. The relationship between large language models and human writers can be one of competition and collaboration.
  3. The impact of large language models on writing and other fields may lead to shifts in job roles and consumption patterns.
416 HN points β€’ 12 Oct 23
  1. Smart homes can be complicated and require a lot of technical knowledge to set up and maintain.
  2. Simple, midwit solutions like remote-controlled outlets, motion-sensing bulbs, and mechanical outlet timers can make daily tasks easier and more convenient.
  3. Using basic power control for devices can offer a surprisingly effective and user-friendly home automation experience.
296 implied HN points β€’ 25 Jan 24
  1. Buying air purifiers for everyone could extend life expectancy, but at a high cost compared to other health interventions.
  2. The cost of buying air purifiers for random Americans to extend life expectancy is $32,899 per DALY, which is not as efficient as other healthcare interventions.
  3. Air purifiers may be a good health investment for individuals, but philanthropically, they are not as cost-effective as other interventions like malaria drugs.
437 implied HN points β€’ 03 Mar 23
  1. Large language models are trained using advanced techniques, powerful hardware, and huge datasets.
  2. These models can generate text by predicting likely words and are trained on internet data, books, and Wikipedia.
  3. Language models can be specialized through fine-tuning and prompt engineering for specific tasks like answering questions or generating code.
515 implied HN points β€’ 01 Dec 22
  1. Mispronouncing a word can change the whole meaning of a sentence.
  2. Technical jargon doesn't always belong in everyday conversations.
  3. Questioning assumptions in statistics can lead to deeper insights.
578 implied HN points β€’ 29 Sep 22
  1. Moderation allows for better understanding of different perspectives from the right and left.
  2. The world is complex and nuanced, requiring a thoughtful and incremental approach to issues.
  3. Moderation can be a strategic tool for influencing change and addressing non-polarized but important issues.
186 HN points β€’ 24 Nov 22
  1. Cyanobacteria 2 billion years ago led to the rise of eukaryotes that benefit us today.
  2. Refrigeration reduced stomach cancer deaths by 93% without intentional effort.
  3. Different materials like concrete and steel can work together to create durable structures.
234 implied HN points β€’ 04 Apr 22
  1. Focus on describing rather than arguing
  2. Embrace naked honesty over cleverness or creativity
  3. Say 'obvious' things because your reactions are unique
203 implied HN points β€’ 11 Mar 22
  1. Assignments with precise instructions can stem from misinterpretations by a few students, leading to excessive clarifications by teachers.
  2. Grade boundaries create dilemmas for teachers, potentially leading to lack of flexibility in rounding grades.
  3. Policing cheating can be challenging for teachers due to diffuse negative impacts and may require using arcane methods to detect dishonesty.
187 implied HN points β€’ 21 Mar 22
  1. When looking for a partner to marry, people prioritize different qualities like intelligence, health, kindness, and attractiveness.
  2. There may be a difference in priorities between parents and children due to evolutionary reasons.
  3. The conflict between older and younger generations about mate selection could be due to small differences in incentives or wisdom that lead to significant disagreements.