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

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.
Get a weekly roundup of the best Substack posts, by hacker news affinity:

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.

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.