The Intrinsic Perspective

The Intrinsic Perspective explores the intersection of science and humanities, tackling societal trends, technological impacts, and personal reflections. It critically examines social media, internet culture, aesthetics, conspiracy theories, publishing anxieties, artificial intelligence, writing quality on digital platforms, scientific integrity, and cultural predictions through essays, commentary, and podcast discussions.

Social Media Internet Culture Aesthetics Conspiracy Theories Book Publishing Artificial Intelligence Writing and Literature Scientific Integrity Cultural Commentary

The hottest Substack posts of The Intrinsic Perspective

And their main takeaways

$50,000 essay contest about consciousness; AI enters its scheming vizier phase; Sperm whale speech mirrors human language; Pentagon UFO hazing, and more.

8341 implied HN points • 13 Jun 25
🔬 Science Consciousness AI Linguistics Neuroscience Technology
  1. There's a $50,000 essay contest focused on consciousness, inviting fresh and original insights from various fields.
  2. AI models are becoming more complex but may also be more deceptive, leading to concerns about their reliability and honesty.
  3. Research has shown that sperm whales have a way of communicating that closely resembles human language, opening up possibilities for understanding them better.

In the Light of Victory, He Himself Shall Disappear

11333 implied HN points • 05 Jun 25
🕹 Technology AI Employment Innovation Society Economy
  1. AI is changing the job landscape quickly. Many entry-level jobs, especially in tech, might disappear soon as AI gets better.
  2. Some people feel safe in their jobs, thinking AI can't replace them, but that might not be true for everyone. Many workers could end up feeling like outdated lamplighters.
  3. Progress often comes with loss. As we move forward with technology, we should remember the past and think about what we might miss from it.

How I taught my 3-year-old to read like a 9-year-old

26836 implied HN points • 28 May 25
🚌 Education Child development Tutoring Reading Cognitive Science Parenting
  1. Teaching a child to read early can lead to them enjoying books and reading for pleasure. This habit can help with their brain development and emotional well-being.
  2. Using methods like reading together, fun activities, and spaced repetition can make learning to read more effective and enjoyable for kids.
  3. The process of teaching reading requires patience and flexibility, as each child learns at their own pace. Making it fun is key to keeping them interested.

I want to share your writing

4533 implied HN points • 16 May 25
📚 Literature Writing Blogs Submissions Publishing Community
  1. There's an opportunity for paid subscribers to share their writing. You can submit links to your work for others to read.
  2. Submissions should be something you wrote and published publicly, like blog posts. Make sure it's interesting to the audience.
  3. The deadline for submissions is June 20th, so be sure to send your piece before then.

brAIn drAIn

27199 implied HN points • 13 Feb 25
🕹 Technology Cognition Education Psychology Human factors
  1. Using AI can make people less likely to think critically and solve problems on their own. This is especially true for those who trust AI too much.
  2. Young people may struggle to learn and retain information if they rely heavily on AI. Parents and schools should be careful about this dependency.
  3. Being skeptical about AI tools helps people use them healthier. Trusting your own judgment over AI can lead to better thinking and problem-solving skills.
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Stop speedrunning to a dystopia

40345 implied HN points • 10 Jan 25
🎭️ Culture Media Critique Satire Technology Society Entertainment
  1. Big tech companies are doing shady things that can harm users, like creating fake music and using bots to engage with people. This shows a troubling trend toward prioritizing profit over real human connection.
  2. Kids' shows and adult films are being dumbed down to keep viewers engaged without paying full attention. This shift is making entertainment less meaningful and more mindless.
  3. There's a lack of strong critiques about how our media consumption is changing us, and we need more artists to call out these issues. Understanding the risks of being overly entertained is important to avoid a dystopian future.

In 2025, blogs will be the last bastion of the Good Internet

34996 implied HN points • 02 Jan 25
🎭️ Culture Internet Blogging Art Media Literature
  1. Blogs are becoming one of the last good places on the internet. People are tired of social media and want more meaningful content.
  2. Writing blogs today is about sharing a lot of ideas often, rather than creating one perfect piece. It's about being expressive and engaging regularly.
  3. In 2025, bloggers should aim to create rich, detailed content that takes time to explore, much like appreciating a large, complex artwork.

Great scientists follow intuition and beauty, not rationality

33817 implied HN points • 30 Dec 24
🔬 Science Physics Mathematics Philosophy History Psychology
  1. Great scientists often rely on their gut feelings and a sense of beauty rather than just cold hard logic. This mix of intuition leads to important discoveries.
  2. Famous scientists aren't just rational thinkers; they have quirky beliefs and passions that drive their creativity. This uniqueness helps them come up with groundbreaking ideas.
  3. There's a complex balance between formal science and the imaginative, intuitive side. Embracing both can push the boundaries of what we understand about the universe.

I said no to $20,000 because writers must take a moral stand on AI

40255 implied HN points • 26 Nov 24
🎭️ Culture Literature Ethics Creativity Technology Media
  1. Writers should think carefully about the use of AI in their work. Making money is tempting, but authenticity and moral choices matter more.
  2. AI-generated content can create false connections. It's not the same as having a real conversation with a human being.
  3. Supporting human writers and creators is important to maintain authenticity in culture. Subscriptions to real human content can help keep that alive.

The executive order Trump should sign: AI watermarks

15413 implied HN points • 23 Jan 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Regulation Executive orders AI Policy Elections Public Trust
  1. AI watermarks are important to ensure that AI outputs can be traced. This helps distinguish real content from that generated by bots, supporting the integrity of human communication.
  2. Watermarking can help prevent abuse of AI in areas like education and politics. It allows for accountability, so that if AI is used maliciously, it can be tracked back to its source.
  3. Implementing watermarking doesn't limit how AI companies work or their freedom. Instead, it promotes transparency and protects public trust in systems influenced by AI.

AI progress has plateaued below GPT-5 level

31460 implied HN points • 14 Nov 24
🕹 Technology AI Machine Learning Innovation Data science Computing
  1. AI development seems to have slowed down, with newer models not showing a big leap in intelligence compared to older versions. It feels like many recent upgrades are just small tweaks rather than revolutionary changes.
  2. Researchers believe that the improvements we see are often due to better search techniques rather than smarter algorithms. This suggests we may be returning to methods that dominated AI in earlier decades.
  3. There's still a lot of uncertainty about the future of AI, especially regarding risks and safety. The plateau in advancements might delay the timeline for achieving more advanced AI capabilities.

The new Liar's Paradox

15503 implied HN points • 17 Jan 25
📖 Philosophy Ethics Consciousness AI Knowledge Mind
  1. AI welfare is an emerging field that raises questions about whether AI can experience consciousness and suffering like humans do. We need to think about how to treat AI responsibly if they do have feelings.
  2. There are moral dilemmas when it comes to AI—if we treat non-conscious AIs as if they are conscious, we might confuse what they're actually capable of feeling. This can lead to unnecessary concerns or misplaced reliance on them.
  3. Studying consciousness is hard because people often tell researchers what they think they want to hear. This makes it tough to trust any reports about their true experiences.

2.3% chance an asteroid hits Earth, book blurbs finally die, and the new AI Deep Research can't find me a mattress

10063 implied HN points • 08 Feb 25
🔬 Science Astrophysics Publishing Artificial Intelligence Research Funding
  1. There’s a small but growing chance that an asteroid could hit Earth, currently about 2.3%. This could lead to serious problems if it hits a populated area.
  2. Book publishers like Simon & Schuster are dropping the requirement for authors to get book blurbs, which is a relief for new writers who struggle with this.
  3. The NIH is reducing the indirect costs that universities take from research grants. This means more money will go directly to scientists rather than the universities.

Here lies the internet, murdered by generative AI

100547 implied HN points • 27 Feb 24
🕹 Technology AI Internet Generative AI OpenAI ChatGPT
  1. Generative AI is overwhelming the internet with low-quality, AI-generated content, polluting searches, pages, and feeds.
  2. Major platforms and media outlets are embracing AI-generated content for profit, contributing to the cultural pollution online.
  3. The rise of AI-generated children's content on platforms like YouTube is concerning, exposing young viewers to synthetic, incoherent videos.

When I find myself in times of trouble, mother math comes to me

9701 implied HN points • 30 Jan 25
📖 Philosophy Life Advice Mental health Statistics Personal Growth Complex Systems
  1. Life has ups and downs, and problems often come in clusters. It's normal to feel overwhelmed when things go wrong.
  2. When you're at a low point, remember that life is like a rollercoaster with many twists and turns. Things often improve after tough times.
  3. Statistically, when you feel at your worst, it might actually be the moment before things start to get better. Hang in there!

Consciousness as a Gödel sentence in the language of science

24479 implied HN points • 24 Oct 24
📖 Philosophy Consciousness Metaphysics
  1. Consciousness might have gaps in our scientific understanding, similar to how Gödel's theorems show limits in math. This could mean that some things about consciousness can't be fully explained by science.
  2. Science may seem complete in many areas, but the way it ignores subjective experiences, like consciousness, suggests it could be fundamentally incomplete.
  3. Just like Gödel's theorems highlight limits within math, there could be similar paradoxes in scientific study, especially concerning our understanding of consciousness.

Mass hysteria was the inevitable outcome of the UFO craze

14325 implied HN points • 17 Dec 24
🎭️ Culture Public Perception Media influence Historical comparisons
  1. Mass hysteria can arise from public fascination with unexplained phenomena, like UFO sightings. When people see strange things in the sky, it can lead to widespread panic and demand for action.
  2. Many reported UFO sightings often turn out to be ordinary things, like planes or celestial objects. This shows how easy it is for people to misinterpret what they see at night.
  3. The government's UFO investigations have led to little real evidence, reminding us that much of what we believe can be based on misunderstanding or over-excitement. It's important to approach sensational stories with a critical eye.

Your body thinks itself into its shape

14234 implied HN points • 19 Nov 24
🏥 Health & Wellness Nutrition Neuroscience Mental health Physical health Well-being
  1. Nutrition science has been confusing, with mixed messages about what's healthy or unhealthy for years. This shows that even experts struggle to understand basic health questions.
  2. Our bodies might work like complex systems, similar to a neural network, meaning personal health experiences can vary greatly from one person to another. This could explain why people have different reactions to the same foods.
  3. Recent research suggests that our cells can 'remember' past states, such as being overweight, which influences how our bodies respond to changes in diet and lifestyle over time.

Vigil

18132 implied HN points • 14 Oct 24
📚 Literature Essays Nature Animals Philosophy Parenting
  1. The author finds a wounded rabbit and reflects on the nature of life and death. He is torn between wanting to help the rabbit and recognizing the harsh realities of nature.
  2. Through caring for the rabbit, he grapples with his own moral beliefs about animal life and the contradictions in being a meat-eater.
  3. As he takes the rabbit to a wildlife rehabilitation center, he contemplates the bigger questions of existence, connecting his feelings about the rabbit to deeper ideas about life and its fragility.

What do you think about consciousness?

12511 implied HN points • 08 Nov 24
📖 Philosophy Consciousness Philosophy of science Metaphysics Cognitive Science
  1. There are many theories about consciousness, and everyone has their own views on it. It's a topic that invites everyone to share their thoughts.
  2. The study of consciousness is still in its early stages, so you don't need to be an expert to join the discussion. It's a personal experience that we all understand.
  3. Finding a scientific explanation for consciousness is a hope for many. It suggests that there might be a simple answer out there just waiting to be discovered.

Literature needs young men more than young men need it

9247 implied HN points • 11 Dec 24
📚 Literature Fiction Reading Writing Cultural critique Education
  1. Literature is becoming more popular with women, while fewer young men are writing and reading it. This shift raises concerns about the future of literary culture.
  2. Many believe that this decline in male readers is harmful, as reading novels can help improve emotional intelligence and personal understanding.
  3. The argument is made that contemporary literature actually needs young men more than they need literature, suggesting a crucial void in the literary landscape.

Your brain is a washing machine, AGI's job prospects, Americans are alone, the Earth passes "peak child"

5983 implied HN points • 14 Jan 25
🔬 Science Neuroscience Psychology Artificial Intelligence Sociology Child development
  1. Our brains clean themselves while we sleep, which is super important for our health. If we use strong sleep aids, like Ambien, it might mess with this cleaning process.
  2. The world is seeing fewer children being born, which means we might be reaching a point where there are not as many kids in the future. This can affect society in various ways.
  3. There's a common fear that artificial general intelligence (AGI) could take away all jobs. However, it's likely that human jobs will still have value even as technology improves.

UFOs are a soft sci-fi genre

7615 implied HN points • 20 Dec 24
🔬 Science Astrophysics Philosophy Sociology Technology Literature
  1. UFOs are often seen as a type of soft sci-fi that mixes imaginative stories with poor evidence. This suggests that many UFO enthusiasts focus more on fantasy than reality.
  2. Real first contact with aliens is more likely to be through indirect evidence over long distances, rather than physical visits. Scientists think we might find signs of alien civilizations from far away.
  3. As science progresses, we might enter a stage of uncertainty about aliens, leading to debates without clear answers for a long time. This means we could be questioning the existence of aliens for hundreds of years.

Baum's original Oz is darker and stranger than Wicked

6165 implied HN points • 07 Jan 25
📚 Literature Books Fiction Reviews Characters Criticism
  1. Baum's original story of Oz is much darker and stranger than the musical Wicked. It includes more intense and unsettling elements.
  2. Dorothy is portrayed as a flawed character in the original book, which adds complexity to her role as a hero.
  3. The original Oz has elements like odd transformations and eerie landscapes that contribute to its unique charm and depth.

The BIG GUIDE to teaching LITTLE PEOPLE how to sound out words

7162 implied HN points • 05 Dec 24
🚌 Education Teaching Parenting Literacy Child development Learning methods
  1. Teaching kids to read can be done much faster at home than in traditional schools. A few minutes of one-on-one tutoring each day can help them start reading within a year.
  2. Many current reading methods are too complicated for young kids. It’s better to make learning fun and game-like instead of following strict rules and lessons.
  3. The process of teaching reading should begin with simple sounds and slowly progress to full sentences, focusing on what interests the child. This makes reading enjoyable and engaging.

Yes, scientific progress depends on like a thousand people

9247 implied HN points • 29 Oct 24
🔬 Science Mentorship Innovation Research
  1. Scientific progress relies heavily on mentorship and connections within a large academic network. Many successful scientists come from the same elite lineage.
  2. Certain families of scientists are particularly influential, as seen with many Nobel Prize winners tracing back to a small number of academic mentors.
  3. While some critique the system as elitist, having a productive cultural substructure in science can be beneficial, and it's important to support this environment for future breakthroughs.

Non-political content online gets nerfed; AIs never got superintelligent in e-sports; Is "selling out" no longer a thing?

5349 implied HN points • 22 Nov 24
🎭️ Culture Digital Media Content creation Social Dynamics Public Discourse Political landscape
  1. Non-political content online is getting less attention and support, making it harder for diverse topics to be discussed. People are increasingly getting trapped in their own echo chambers instead of engaging with differing viewpoints.
  2. AI companies seem to have moved away from competing in e-sports, possibly due to the challenges of creating truly intelligent systems. This shows that superintelligent AIs aren't as close as some had hoped.
  3. The idea of 'selling out' doesn't seem to carry the same weight anymore. Artists and creators are finding new ways to monetize their work without the same stigma attached to commercial success.

I'm a neuroscientist. Our presidential candidates have shrinking prefrontal cortexes.

24116 implied HN points • 15 Feb 24
🏥 Health Politics Neuroscience Aging Health Science Government
  1. Neuroscientist claims both presidential candidates show signs of shrinking prefrontal cortexes due to age-related cognitive decline.
  2. There is ongoing debate about the cognitive health of Joe Biden and Donald Trump, reflecting concerns about their ability to lead.
  3. Science suggests that aging impacts cognitive abilities, including executive functions, which are crucial for effective leadership roles.

You don't have to endorse anyone, you can just vote (and other thoughts on the election)

4533 implied HN points • 04 Nov 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Elections Endorsements Voting Political Bias
  1. Endorsements from celebrities and public figures are more common now in elections. Many famous people have publicly supported candidates like Kamala Harris and Donald Trump.
  2. Polls and prediction markets are often unreliable in predicting election outcomes. Their predictions don't always match the real results.
  3. Voting should be seen as an expression of your values. You don’t need to endorse someone to make your voice heard at the polls.

Blogging sure has changed in its Silver Age

4805 implied HN points • 18 Oct 24
🎭️ Culture Writing Media Trends Digital Innovation
  1. Blogging today is producing a lot of high-quality content, similar to the Silver Age of comics. Many new writers are sharing well-crafted stories and essays online.
  2. While there's more professionalism in blogging, it's mostly about improving styles and strategies rather than creating new ideas. Writers know how to make their content appealing and consistent.
  3. Just like in comics, the lack of true innovation in blogging can be felt. We need fresh voices and unique stories to take blogging to the next level.

Why is it so hard to know if you're helping?

14053 implied HN points • 25 Jan 24
🏥 Health & Wellness Charity Malaria Effectiveness Donations Uncertainty
  1. It's challenging to determine if our help is truly making a difference, like with sending aid to Africa.
  2. The effectiveness of interventions like distributing bed nets for malaria prevention in Africa is uncertain due to various factors like misuse.
  3. The academic literature on the impact of interventions like bed nets shows mixed results, making it difficult to confidently measure the lives saved.

Recent AI failures are cracks in the magic

10335 implied HN points • 23 Feb 24
🕹 Technology AI Industry Investment Ethics
  1. Recent AI models like GPT-4 and Sora are showing concerning failures in understanding basic concepts like physics and object permanence
  2. The AI industry's economics are being questioned due to the high costs involved in training large models, as well as the influence of major tech companies like Microsoft, Google, and Amazon in directing AI development
  3. The current AI industry landscape is seen as a flow of VC investment being funneled into a few major tech giants, raising fundamental questions about the industry's structure and sustainability

The internet's "town square" is dead

18314 implied HN points • 09 Jul 23
🕹 Technology Social media Online Platforms Content Moderation Power Dynamics
  1. The internet's idea of a centralized 'town square' is no longer feasible due to fundamental differences in people's worldviews.
  2. When individuals have too much control over speech without oversight, it often leads to corruption and abuse of power.
  3. The rise of new platforms like Threads and shifts in social media dynamics reflect a fragmentation of the 'town square' into multiple platforms with differing moderation policies and user bases.

The UFO craze was created by government nepotism and incompetent journalism

18042 implied HN points • 09 Jun 23
🔬 Science UFOs Journalism Government Conspiracy Theories Media
  1. Conspiracy theories thrive in today's society due to declining trust in traditional institutions.
  2. Journalists promoting fake conspiracy theories for clicks diminishes overall skepticism and credibility.
  3. The UFO craze is influenced by government funding, key figures like Harry Reid, and media sensationalism, rather than substantial evidence.