Freddie deBoer $5 / month

Freddie deBoer's Substack explores social and political issues with emphasis on nuance, including discussions on 'woke' culture, criminal justice reform, the complexities of love and personal behavior, and critiques of higher education and mental healthcare systems. The author advocates for pragmatism, compassion, and understanding across various topics.

Social and Political Commentary Criminal Justice Reform Cultural Critique Education and Affirmative Action Mental Healthcare Personal Behavior and Relationships LGBTQ+ Rights

Top posts of the year

And their main takeaways

Review: Freewrite Alpha

2 HN points • 07 Feb 24
🕹 Technology Gadgets User Interface
  1. The Freewrite Alpha is a writing-only device with a focus on simplicity, typing experience, and lack of distractions. It caters to those who struggle with digital distractions.
  2. The build quality of the Alpha is great, with premium materials and sturdy construction. Its lightweight and portability make it easy to carry around.
  3. The device's unreasonably long battery life, instant power button function, and reliable WiFi syncing are standout features. However, the small screen size and some odd UI choices might be drawbacks for potential users.

COVID Still Makes Everybody a Little Bit Crazy

1 HN point • 13 Mar 24
🏥 Health Politics Public Health Policy Social justice Epidemiology
  1. COVID has caused varying degrees of anxiety and extreme reactions in people, leading to polarized beliefs and behaviors.
  2. There are different extreme perspectives on COVID from both right-leaning skeptics and left-leaning individuals, each with their own set of beliefs and theories.
  3. There is a need to balance the accommodation of vulnerable populations like the immunocompromised with making sound public health decisions based on evidence and prevalence.

All Things Go, But Nothing Goes Faster Than Sports Glory Goes

1 HN point • 19 Feb 24
🎾 Sports Athletes Comparisons Legends Media bias
  1. The concept of 'Greatest of All Time' (GOAT) in sports is flawed because the title keeps changing hands quickly, making the term lose its meaning over time.
  2. Presentism, the bias towards the present, influences sports media to overlook past greats like Bart Starr and Sammy Baugh, focusing only on current players.
  3. Comparing athletes across eras is challenging and often biased due to the obsession with the present and the continuous turnover of 'greatest' titles in sports.