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

What do you think about consciousness?

9882 implied HN points • 08 Nov 24
📖 Philosophy Consciousness 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.
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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.

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.

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

24116 implied HN points • 15 Feb 24
🏥 Health Politics Neuroscience Aging 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.

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

Did novels stop mattering in the 2010s?

7343 implied HN points • 01 Mar 24
📚 Literature Impact Novels Cultural influence Publication
  1. Cultural impact of novels is more than just sales figures; it's about influencing discourse and defining eras.
  2. Recent literary novels may have lacked the same level of cultural impact as those from previous decades like the 2010s.
  3. Novels like 'Normal People' by Sally Rooney were noted for their importance in millennial writing, but their cultural impact may have been less significant compared to previous literary giants.

Five books that taught me how to write

7525 implied HN points • 13 Feb 24
📚 Literature Writing Influences Styles
  1. Writers often look up to their influences rather than trying to be completely different from them
  2. Identifying your greatest influences can help you understand the standards you strive to meet in your writing
  3. Having a unique style in writing is valuable amidst a world where many pieces sound similar

Ask Erik Hoel: "If I take a job at Meta, should I go long-distance with my girlfriend?"

5983 implied HN points • 05 Mar 24
⛪ Faith & Spirituality Life Balance Relationships
  1. Every era has its unique cultural norms that influence our life decisions; understanding and counterbalancing these norms can help in making personal choices.
  2. Choosing the less common path or the one opposite to what culture pushes may lead to personal growth and success, even if it feels challenging at first.
  3. Maintaining a balance between love and career decisions often involves navigating societal biases and personal priorities, requiring thoughtful introspection and contrarian thinking.

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.

Lit mag Guernica implodes, LLMs beat neuroscientists, CS vs. Philosophy deathmatch, AI pollution reaches science

4805 implied HN points • 15 Mar 24
🔬 Science AI Neuroscience Ethics Language Models
  1. AI data pollution in science is a concerning issue, with examples of common AI stock phrases being used in scientific literature without real contribution.
  2. AI language models outperformed human neuroscientists in predicting future neuroscientific results, raising questions on the importance of understanding linguistic modifications versus actual predictions.
  3. Literary magazine Guernica faced backlash after a controversial essay led to writers withdrawing pieces, staff resigning, and social media condemnation, stressing the importance of careful reading and understanding context.

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.

Please don't sue the scientists who exposed your papers for containing bad data

6981 implied HN points • 07 Aug 23
🔬 Science Research Data Manipulation Gender discrimination
  1. Scientists accused of misconduct may face damaging consequences like losing their careers and facing lawsuits.
  2. Intent matters when judging data fabrication, and public condemnation is not always the best approach.
  3. Challenges arise when individuals expose scientific fraud by prominent researchers and face potential legal repercussions.

The Intrinsic Podcast #1: Can science escape academia?

4986 implied HN points • 07 Feb 23
  1. The Intrinsic Podcast features casual conversations with rotating guests.
  2. The podcast is only available to paid subscribers on Substack.
  3. Guests discuss topics ranging from publishing in academia to weathering criticism online.