Gideon's Substack

Gideon's Substack explores global and domestic political dynamics, focusing on conflict, democracy, and societal issues. It examines ideological conformity, geopolitical tensions, and the impacts of political decisions, offering insights into the complexities of allyship, governance, and the consequences of ideological and military conflicts on societies and international relations.

Political Analysis Geopolitical Conflicts Democracy and Governance Societal and Cultural Issues Ideological Trends and Impacts International Relations Military Strategies Legal and Judicial Perspectives Human Rights Economic Conditions and Policies

The hottest Substack posts of Gideon's Substack

And their main takeaways

NYFF Wrap

7 implied HN points • 31 Oct 23
🎨 Art & Illustration Film Director Cinematography Storytelling
  1. Attending film festivals can provide a renewed sense of hope for the art of cinema.
  2. Different film festivals offer unique experiences and atmospheres, contributing to diverse perspectives on the film industry.
  3. Experiencing films on a big screen in a collective environment can enhance the impact and appreciation of cinematic art.

When Was the Last Successful Revolution?

26 implied HN points • 29 Nov 22
  1. Recent protests in Iran and China are widespread and challenging the regimes
  2. Successful revolutions historically involved military support or civil war, not just popular protest
  3. Existing oppressive regimes in Iran and China might be hard to overthrow through popular protest alone

My Dream Life as a Polish Prince

1 HN point • 01 Mar 24
📚 Literature Adaptation Philosophy Reality Dreams Spirituality
  1. The author explores the idea of living a feral existence in a recurring nightmare and its impact on behavior.
  2. The author struggles with the core concept behind Pedro Calderón de la Barca's play, 'Life Is a Dream,' questioning how profound doubt about reality can influence behavior.
  3. The comparison between Calderón's work and 'The Matrix' emphasizes different philosophical perspectives regarding reality and empowerment.

Altruism Wrap

26 implied HN points • 14 Nov 22
  1. The collapse of FTX highlights the dangers of unregulated finance.
  2. FTX's business model thrived on speculation and bubbles in the crypto market.
  3. The marriage of post-2008 financial system disgust with the California ideology led to a culture of risk-taking and wealth accumulation.
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Burn Down the House?

9 implied HN points • 10 Aug 23
🎭️ Culture Theater Artists Funding Community Challenges
  1. The traditional not-for-profit regional theater model is facing challenges due to rising costs and falling revenue.
  2. One proposed solution is to have artists create their own work independently, forming partnerships and renting spaces.
  3. Direct funding of artists by foundations or government may face challenges, and alternative funding models like crowdfunding require exceptional marketing skills.

Two Tales of the Green-Eyed Monster

7 implied HN points • 12 Sep 23
🎭️ Culture Theater Literature Drama Arts Entertainment
  1. The article discusses two plays, Much Ado About Nothing and Grand Magic, both dealing with the theme of jealousy.
  2. In Much Ado About Nothing, the director added a dialogue to address the problem of male jealousy and mistrust within the story.
  3. Grand Magic presents a unique take on the theme of jealousy, exploring the idea of illusion, faith, and the consequences of mistrust in relationships.

A Stranger Among Us

26 implied HN points • 15 Sep 22
  1. Hasidic schools in NY struggle to meet state education standards
  2. Hasidic community leaders resist changes that threaten cultural insularity
  3. Debate arises on the value of anti-liberal enclaves in a liberal society

What Does a Ukrainian Victory Look Like?

26 implied HN points • 12 Sep 22
  1. The speed of Ukrainian advances has surprised many but hasn't drastically changed viewpoints on the conflict.
  2. Anxiety about the aftermath of a Ukrainian victory echoes past experiences with war strategies lacking clear end-goals.
  3. The importance of achieving peaceful coexistence post-victory and considering the unchanged national interests of Russia.

Putting a Price on Parenthood

28 implied HN points • 19 Aug 22
  1. The global fertility slump is a cross-cultural phenomenon with complex causes.
  2. Factors impacting fertility rates include economic conditions and societal norms.
  3. Compensating parenthood at a market-clearing price may be necessary to address declining fertility rates.

Blame Yeltsin, Not Gorbachev

26 implied HN points • 31 Aug 22
  1. Russia needs to rewrite its narrative of post-Soviet collapse, shifting the blame from Gorbachev to Yeltsin.
  2. Gorbachev aimed to save the Soviet system through openness and restructuring, but ultimately failed.
  3. Yeltsin's actions in dissolving the Soviet Union set the stage for Russian revanchism, contrasting with Gorbachev's attempts at reform.

Anxieties of Faith and Faithlessness

21 implied HN points • 07 Oct 22
  1. Yom Kippur is a day for self-reflection and prayer
  2. Faith is a relational feeling that can be cultivated
  3. Judaism emphasizes having faith in God and not misplacing it

Empathy for the NIMBY Devil

26 implied HN points • 25 Jul 22
  1. People are often conservative about their homes and neighborhood
  2. Advocates of housing reform should consider how policies directly benefit individuals
  3. Deregulation can face political challenges as it may not be clear how it benefits everyone

What Are We Fighting For In Ukraine?

19 implied HN points • 14 Oct 22
  1. Identifying clear objectives is crucial in determining our involvement in Ukraine.
  2. We should know what we are fighting for to navigate escalation and deescalation effectively.
  3. The ultimate goal may be to bring about a change in Russia, but the method and outcome are uncertain.

Mankind Cannot Bear Too Little Reality

23 implied HN points • 02 Aug 22
  1. The representation of life in art can vary from feeling real to being overly glossy and fantastic.
  2. There is concern about a societal loss of the capacity to imagine and portray reality in popular art.
  3. Some recent films struggle with balancing fantasy and reality, highlighting the importance of staying grounded in representing life authentically.

A Tale of Three Elections

16 implied HN points • 10 Nov 22
  1. The US midterm elections surprised with Democratic success.
  2. In Israel, a seemingly clear victory had close implications due to minor vote differences.
  3. The transition of power in Brazil showcased the importance of stakeholder acceptance for stability.

Is There a Simpson's Paradox Lurking In the Wage Growth Data?

1 HN point • 02 Feb 24
💰 Finance Economy Jobs Wages Productivity
  1. Today was a good day for economic news, boosting Biden's political fortunes and allowing the Fed to go slow with rate cuts.
  2. Changes in the educational composition of the workforce may have caused a surge in productivity and influenced wage growth data.
  3. It's important to look at the data from different angles to understand discrepancies and reveal important complexities.

The Opening of the American Mind

40 implied HN points • 14 Sep 21
  1. Americans may be more willing to engage in debate and have open minds than presumed.
  2. Engaging with diverse perspectives and being open to new ideas is important.
  3. It's crucial to listen to and understand the experiences and viewpoints of others.

Ranked Choice Voting Strikes Again

16 implied HN points • 04 Sep 22
  1. Ranked choice voting does not guarantee a consensus candidate
  2. The winner may not have the majority support in each round
  3. Ranked choice voting can expose divisions within parties

So Much For Institutionalism

19 implied HN points • 24 Jun 22
  1. Conservative Supreme Court overturns Roe v. Wade, signaling a shift in constitutional law
  2. Chief Justice Roberts' role as a moderate institutionalist is questioned as the Court becomes more conservative
  3. Roberts may need to adjust his approach to win over conservative colleagues and maintain Court's credibility

Margaret Wise Brown in the Multiverse of Madness

14 implied HN points • 28 Sep 22
  1. The movie Everything Everywhere All At Once tells the story of a stressed Chinese immigrant mom caught in a multiverse struggle to save the universe, involving various alternate timelines and a daughter with total consciousness.
  2. The film delves into themes of meaningfulness in a multiverse narrative and the adolescent realization that everything happens, making nothing truly matter.
  3. The story draws parallels to Margaret Wise Brown's children's book The Runaway Bunny, exploring complex family dynamics and the desire for transformation and understanding between mother and daughter.

Fatwa Wrap

16 implied HN points • 15 Aug 22
  1. Salman Rushdie's significance is not solely based on his writing, but also on the fatwa issued against him.
  2. Rushdie's experience highlights the delicate balance between freedom of speech and security for controversial writers.
  3. Rushdie's resilience in the face of danger serves as an inspiring example of living without fear.

If You Drive Fast, You Have To Corner Harder

16 implied HN points • 29 Jul 22
  1. Driving fast in economic policy has consequences, like high inflation.
  2. Inflation can lead to a self-fulfilling prophecy and damage the economy's productive capacity.
  3. Balancing between full employment and stable inflation requires making tough policy choices.

The Field or the Players?

11 implied HN points • 16 Nov 22
  1. Maps play a significant role in election outcomes
  2. The Senate's map rarely changes, affecting election dynamics
  3. Fairly drawn maps can influence election results

Pass Good Laws, Repeal Bad Ones

16 implied HN points • 21 Jul 22
  1. Passing good laws and repealing bad ones is fundamental for democracy.
  2. Legislatures should not rely on courts to overturn laws, but rather actively repeal unconstitutional or unjust laws.
  3. It is important for legislators to interpret the constitution themselves and act accordingly, rather than waiting for court decisions.

There Will Be No Settlement On Abortion

19 implied HN points • 03 May 22
  1. The likelihood of settling the issue of abortion is low due to deep-rooted political divisions and lack of consensus.
  2. The debate surrounding abortion will continue to be a contentious and ongoing culture war, impacting both state and federal politics.
  3. Public opinion on abortion in the U.S. shows a range of views, with no clear consensus, leading to ongoing battles and political polarization.

Were the Modern Monetary "Theorists" Right After All?

11 implied HN points • 19 Oct 22
  1. Modern Monetary Theory emphasizes government control over money and fiscal policy.
  2. The effectiveness of fiscal policy in stabilizing the economy is still debated.
  3. The political challenges of implementing fiscal policy measures to tackle inflation are significant.

A.I.s of Tumblr

16 implied HN points • 15 Jun 22
  1. A.I.s like LaMDA are designed to simulate human interaction but not necessarily to be conscious or sentient.
  2. Passing the Turing test does not equate to true sentience or intelligence.
  3. Challenges arise in evaluating A.I. for consciousness when humans are easily fooled by technology designed to mimic human behavior.

Don't Assume Putin Has the Upper Hand

21 implied HN points • 25 Feb 22
  1. Don't assume powerful people always have the upper hand
  2. Sometimes, rash decisions are made when feeling cornered
  3. Launching major actions without a clear plan can lead to unexpected outcomes

A Sandwich Is a Sandwich, But a Manwich Is a Meal

19 implied HN points • 29 Mar 22
  1. The debate about what constitutes a sandwich shows how definitions can be fluid and context-dependent.
  2. The essence of a sandwich is in the process of sandwiching, not the specific ingredients or form.
  3. Avoiding rigid definitions can help facilitate understanding and communication about complex topics like gender identity.

Armageddon Wrap

11 implied HN points • 03 Oct 22
  1. The risk of nuclear war is back in the news due to recent events involving Russia and Ukraine.
  2. Putin's threats of nuclear weapons use against Ukraine seem to be more about strategic terror than tactical military advantage.
  3. Responses to nuclear threats should focus on avoiding escalation and treating any nuclear use as a war crime.

It's Normal to Overreact to Horrible Events

16 implied HN points • 31 May 22
  1. It's normal to overreact to horrible events.
  2. Gun control strategies may not be as effective as expected.
  3. Rational approaches to policy may not align with emotional responses.

שנה עטופה (A Year Wrapped)

11 implied HN points • 25 Sep 22
  1. The author reflects on feeling unprepared for the Days of Awe.
  2. The author shares their uncertainties and incomplete projects as a writer.
  3. The author seeks feedback from readers on their work and writing style.

Religious Freedom Is Still Impossible

14 implied HN points • 29 Jun 22
  1. It's challenging to define the limits of Free Exercise when dealing with religious freedom.
  2. The trigger for legal issues isn't always local complaints, but anxiety about potential lawsuits.
  3. Religion in America is often about practice, not just belief, posing challenges for religious freedom laws.

Abortion Unwrapped

14 implied HN points • 28 Jun 22
  1. The Supreme Court's decision to overturn Roe v. Wade will lead to states passing laws restricting abortion
  2. Testimonial appeals and storytelling are powerful tools in shaping opinions on abortion, but should be targeted carefully and not used as conversation-enders
  3. The Supreme Court's recent decisions, such as the NY gun rights case and potential environmental protection case, have far-reaching implications

Fertility, Fear and Futurity

33 implied HN points • 12 May 21
  1. Fertility choices are personal but provoke emotional reactions.
  2. Existentialism emphasizes the constant change in our lives and the pressure of choice.
  3. Loss of a sense of futurity due to factors like fear of the future can impact fertility rates and cultural responses.