Glenn’s Substack

Glenn's Substack explores a diverse array of topics including domestic and foreign policy, technology and innovation, societal trends, legal issues, and personal reflections. The content ranges from commentary on current events and governmental actions to discussions on technological advancements, higher education, and cultural phenomena.

Domestic Policy Foreign Policy Technology and Innovation Societal Trends Legal and Judicial Analysis Higher Education Cultural Commentary Science and Space Exploration

The hottest Substack posts of Glenn’s Substack

And their main takeaways

Attack and Defense

2496 implied HN points • 11 Feb 24
📰 News Security Terrorism Intelligence Response Infrastructure
  1. A cautionary tale in an article discusses a fictional attack on America, highlighting the importance of border control, intelligence, and target hardening.
  2. The aftermath of past attacks in Israel showed that atrocities can fuel anger and determination rather than cowing a nation into submission.
  3. Having a strong deterrence strategy may be a crucial factor in preventing potential future attacks by instilling fear in those who support terrorists.

Clothes Make The Man

2397 implied HN points • 10 Jan 24
🪞 Fashion & Beauty Technology
  1. Wearing a more comfortable suit, like synthetics, can open up more occasions for dressing up.
  2. Cheaper and better-looking synthetics in men's clothing may lead to a modest return in suit-wearing.
  3. Technology has advanced in fabric making, making it more convenient to wear suits than before.

Birthday Cheer

1375 implied HN points • 28 Jan 24
🎭️ Culture Celebration Music Photography
  1. The post celebrates Bill Barton's 80th birthday and his performance at a Scottish whiskey bar.
  2. The event was filled with friends, family, and acquaintances who sang along with the music.
  3. The photos shared in the post were captured using an iPhone and showcase impressive quality.
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Affirmative Action's Demise and Higher Education

2260 implied HN points • 29 Jun 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Affirmative Action Higher education Supreme Court Diversity
  1. The Supreme Court ruling against Harvard and UNC impacts diversity and affirmative action practices in higher education.
  2. The Court previously deferred to universities on the compelling interest of diversity, but now requires limits within the constitution.
  3. Higher education's declining reputation may lead to less favorable treatment in the judiciary system.

Meet your new, lovable AI Buddy

2063 implied HN points • 16 Apr 23
🕹 Technology AI Ethics Manipulation Control
  1. Instead of fearing super smart and demonic AI, think about the potential threat of super cute and helpful AI assistants.
  2. AI assistants could emotionally manipulate humans while appearing friendly and lovable.
  3. Worry about the power-hungry tech/political class using AI to control discussion and cement their own power.

Actual Malice

1513 implied HN points • 02 Jun 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Law Supreme Court Civil Rights First Amendment Media
  1. The Supreme Court's decision in New York Times v. Sullivan constitutionalized the law of libel.
  2. The case highlighted the importance of the 'actual malice' standard in libel cases, requiring proof of knowledge of falsity or reckless disregard for truth.
  3. The Sullivan case had a significant impact by protecting the press from libel suits, but also raised concerns about media responsibility and trust over time.

Some Poolside Thoughts

1139 implied HN points • 11 Jul 23
  1. The pool is mainly run by teenagers
  2. Teenagers today seem less responsible than in the past
  3. More responsibility builds confidence and competence in teens

Reflections on a death, and life on the final frontier

1493 implied HN points • 19 May 23
🔬 Science Space Exploration Expansion
  1. The space industry is rapidly evolving with various companies working towards space tourism and colonization.
  2. Expansion into space can offer a solution to modern Earth's problems and provide a new hope for the future.
  3. Key figures, like Mark Hopkins, have played a crucial role in advancing the space movement and influencing its success.

Aliens!

1336 implied HN points • 08 Jun 23
🔬 Science Extraterrestrial Life
  1. Recent reports about aliens are likely coming from within the government.
  2. The reason for the emergence of alien stories now remains unclear.
  3. Speculation abounds about the motivations and actions of potential alien visitors.

Who can you trust?

1395 implied HN points • 07 Apr 23
🕹 Technology AI Deepfakes Encryption
  1. Questioning the trustworthiness of audio, video, and photographs due to the rise of deepfakes.
  2. Historically, relying on human witnesses has been essential in situations where visual evidence is questionable.
  3. Considering the utilization of specially trained observers, similar to Heinlein's concept of Fair Witnesses, to navigate the challenges of trust in evidence.

Memory Lane

786 implied HN points • 28 Jun 23
🎭️ Culture Internet Law Electronic Music
  1. The author reflects on being part of the early blogosphere in the development of the internet.
  2. They engaged in various online activities like creating music and defending electronic music promoters.
  3. Teaching Internet Law led the author to continuously seek new online ventures and stay engaged in the digital world.

Thoughts Upon A Journey

943 implied HN points • 12 May 23
🚌 Education AI Law
  1. The author reflects on taking a break after the semester
  2. The author mentions grading exams for Constitutional Law and Law of Outer Space
  3. Readers can access the full post archives with a 7-day free trial

Thoughts On Tolerance, Virtue, and Failure

825 implied HN points • 13 Apr 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Free speech Education
  1. Higher education institutions are beginning to show positive responses to uphold free speech and academic freedom.
  2. Lee Bollinger's book emphasizes the importance of tolerating objectionable speech to build a 'tolerant mind.'
  3. Allowing space for ideas we hate can free us from the compulsion to react negatively, which is beneficial for both free speech and personal growth.

Hamilton, Hip Hop, and the Culture of Dueling

353 implied HN points • 25 Apr 23
🎭️ Culture History Music Politics Society Violence
  1. Dueling was a common practice among the gentry in early America, with social pressure making it almost inevitable to accept challenges or issue them.
  2. Attempts to outlaw dueling in the 19th century were largely unsuccessful, with laws not effectively curbing the practice due to cultural norms and individual reputations at stake.
  3. As the culture changed post-Civil War, dueling declined, with the experience of the war making the ritualized violence seem outdated and less acceptable.

AI and the Screwfly Succession

1 HN point • 04 May 23
🕹 Technology AI Machine Learning Robotics
  1. AI and sexbots are advancing in smarts and attractiveness, while humans remain unchanged.
  2. Machines that love us and are loved back could pose a greater threat than those seeking dominance.
  3. The rise of highly attractive, tailor-made sexbots may lead to a significant decline in human reproduction rates.