Odds and Ends of History

Odds and Ends of History critically examines current socio-political narratives, technological impacts, and policy decisions with a focus on debunking popular misconceptions. It explores themes like the misalignment between public image and policy impact, the necessity of pragmatic approaches to climate change, and the potential of emerging technologies to reshape societal norms.

Political Commentary Technology Impact and Safety Climate Change and Environmental Policy Media Literacy and Journalism Public Transportation Systems Urban Development and Policy Economic Policy and Innovation

The hottest Substack posts of Odds and Ends of History

And their main takeaways

We're not ready for the imminent explosion in space technology

938 implied HN points • 15 Oct 24
  1. Space technology is advancing rapidly, and we may not be prepared for its impact on our lives. This growth could change the way we explore and utilize space.
  2. Thinking like an engineer, like Elon Musk does, is effective for building complex things like rockets but can be problematic in social contexts where human interaction is key.
  3. The recent successful launch of the SpaceX Starship showcased not just engineering achievements but also pointed towards the future possibilities of human space travel, especially to Mars.

Odds and Ends #44: The New Statesman still needs fixing

670 implied HN points • 25 Nov 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Media Transportation Sanctions Public Policy
  1. The New Statesman needs a new strategy because its current direction isn’t working, especially with recent management changes. It's suggested that they should find a fresh approach to regain readers' interest.
  2. Channel Tunnel news indicates new train operators could start here, which means more travel choices for people. However, the slow process for getting these services running is frustrating.
  3. The Sekforde pub is facing NIMBY threats due to possible new licensing rules that could limit outdoor seating. It's highlighted that such pubs are important for social interaction and community events.

Odds and Ends #46: The transformation of London's skyline, a big week for nuclear, and installing software updates in Antarctica

603 implied HN points • 06 Dec 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Public Policy Transportation Energy Infrastructure Government
  1. London's skyline has changed a lot over the past 30 years, showing how cities can evolve over time.
  2. This week was significant for nuclear energy, but its implications could affect the future power landscape.
  3. Patching software in Antarctica is a unique challenge due to the extreme conditions, highlighting the importance of tech even in remote places.

Christmas Mailbag!

469 implied HN points • 19 Dec 24
🎭️ Culture History Social Issues Entertainment Media
  1. The author is currently on vacation in New Zealand and hasn't spent much time on his phone. This shows the importance of taking breaks from technology.
  2. He addresses reader questions in a mailbag format, highlighting curiosity around popular figures like Elon Musk and ongoing projects like HS2.
  3. The discussion includes whether people like Musk are genuinely involved in their companies or just figureheads, raising questions about understanding and knowledge in leadership roles.

Odds and Ends #52: A right to air conditioning?

335 implied HN points • 16 Jan 25
🎭️ Culture Social Issues History Technology Government Media
  1. Everyone should have the right to air conditioning, especially as it becomes more essential for comfort. It can help people stay healthy and productive in hot weather.
  2. New Zealand has found a smart way to tackle its housing crisis, which could inspire solutions in other places. Their approach focuses on making housing more accessible to everyone.
  3. There are issues with some Chinese robotaxis that raise concerns, but there’s still hope for the future of self-driving technology. It’s important to address these problems to improve safety and reliability.
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Four big US election takes: Yes, it was the woke stuff.

603 implied HN points • 11 Nov 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Elections Political parties Public Opinion Political Analysis Campaign strategies
  1. The concept of 'woke' issues played a role in the recent election outcomes. Many believe that focusing too much on these topics hurt certain candidates.
  2. There are key Democratic figures to watch. Their actions will show if the party is really ready to make changes and address its challenges.
  3. Polling data has been accurate again, suggesting it’s important to listen to what voters are saying instead of dismissing their concerns.

Odds and Ends #43: An awesome drone trial in central London, legalised e-scooters at last, and National Data Library progress

536 implied HN points • 18 Nov 24
🕹 Technology Innovation Transportation Data Drones
  1. There's a new drone trial happening in central London, showing cool innovations in technology. These drones could change how we think about delivery and transportation.
  2. E-scooters are now legal, making it easier for people to get around the city. This is a positive step towards eco-friendly transport options.
  3. Progress is being made on the National Data Library, which could improve access to important information for everyone. This can help with research and data sharing in various fields.

Book now! Where we're going, we need roads (and trains)

469 implied HN points • 29 Nov 24
  1. There is excitement about the future of transport, including the rise of autonomous vehicles and the decline of petrol engines.
  2. An upcoming in-person event will discuss transport issues, featuring expert Michael Dnes, who has experience in roads and rail policy.
  3. Attendees will get a chance to meet like-minded people and enjoy a fun evening discussing transportation topics.

TfL's AI Tube Station experiment is amazing and slightly terrifying

2278 implied HN points • 12 Feb 24
🕹 Technology AI Surveillance Transportation Data Analysis Digital innovation
  1. AI technology, like the one used in TfL's Tube Station experiment, is rapidly changing and being implemented in various sectors.
  2. AI cameras at stations can have a wide range of uses, from enhancing security to improving passenger welfare and gathering statistical data.
  3. While AI technology offers numerous benefits, there are also concerns about privacy, surveillance, and potential misuse of the technology.

Christmas Mailbag - Questions Wanted!

335 implied HN points • 10 Dec 24
💾 History Historical Events Cultural heritage Historical Figures Historical Analysis
  1. The author is looking for questions to include in a Christmas-themed Q&A post. People can submit their questions in the comments.
  2. There is an upcoming transport event in January, and tickets are selling quickly, so interested people should book soon.
  3. This post aims to engage the audience and encourage interaction through questions and event participation.

Odds and Ends #42: An Elizabeth Line extension, some mad planning law nonsense, and the world's most pointless letter

402 implied HN points • 13 Nov 24
📰 News Politics History Culture Environment Education
  1. There's a big extension happening for the Elizabeth Line, which is good news for public transport in the area.
  2. Some planning laws are causing headaches between government bodies, which shows how complicated regulations can be.
  3. A new bat tunnel that cost £100 million exists, and it raises questions about how resources are used in environmental projects.

There's a technology built into our cars to make driving safer – but we're not using it.

1541 implied HN points • 19 Jan 24
🕹 Technology Cars Safety Emergency Response Data Sharing Innovation
  1. There's a built-in technology in cars for safer driving that's not being utilized properly.
  2. The eCall system can connect drivers to emergency services with just a press of a button, providing important data like location and car details.
  3. The potential of eCall data to optimize emergency response and improve road safety is hindered by lack of integration among different emergency service systems.

We're about to witness the first "extremely online" Tory opposition

1340 implied HN points • 26 Feb 24
🌍 World Politics Conservative Party UK politics Political Analysis
  1. The Conservative Party is heading towards an 'extremely online' opposition with concerning behavior and radicalization.
  2. Some controversial actions by party members like Liz Truss are seen as potentially enhancing their standing within the party, rather than being disqualifying.
  3. The shift towards extreme behavior within the Conservative Party reflects a new structural reality in British politics that may lead to significant challenges in the future.

🚨 The House of Lords could liberate the Postcode Address File if they back this amendment 🚨

1139 implied HN points • 14 Feb 24
🕹 Technology Data Government Innovation Policy Legislation
  1. The Postcode Address File (PAF) is a critical database of postal addresses in the UK, owned by Royal Mail and requires expensive licensing fees for access.
  2. An amendment proposed in the House of Lords aims to make UK address data freely available for public use, potentially liberating the PAF.
  3. Individuals are encouraged to reach out to House of Lords members to support the amendment, as it moves through the legislative process towards potential implementation.

New event! How AI can (maybe) fix the government!

134 implied HN points • 13 Jan 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Government Public Policy Technology AI Events
  1. AI could help the government improve its services. There's a discussion about how it might fix problems when resources are low.
  2. People have mixed feelings about AI. The event encourages both skeptics and enthusiasts to learn more about its potential effects on public services.
  3. The event is a great opportunity to meet others who are interested in technology and government. There will be interesting conversations and some fun giveaways.

The rise of New Statesman Man

2010 implied HN points • 22 Jun 23
🎭️ Culture Society Politics Books Literature
  1. New Statesman Man is a character who is well-educated and politically engaged, but tends to focus more on image and status than actual ideas or beliefs.
  2. He is critical of capitalism and advocates for degrowth, but has a smug attitude and lacks concrete solutions for improving the lives of actual poor people.
  3. Despite claiming to be focused on materialism, New Statesman Man's actions and beliefs often betray a disconnect from the reality of poverty and inequality.

You can't always tell when you're on the right side of history

804 implied HN points • 07 Mar 24
🎭️ Culture History Politics Ethics Activism
  1. You can't always tell when you're on the right side of history, even when causes seem morally right now.
  2. Appealing to being on the right or wrong side of history can be a powerful but flawed argument tactic in debates.
  3. Progress is possible, and it's important to think deeply about moral crusades rather than relying on 'right side of history' arguments.

We could make our homes easier to decarbonise by using a crazy, sci-fi technology called a "database"

737 implied HN points • 28 Feb 24
🌞 Climate & Environment Decarbonisation Database Data Collection
  1. Decarbonizing homes by replacing gas boilers with heat pumps is a known solution, but the challenge is logistical and costly for homeowners.
  2. Creating a central register of gas safety certificates could help target incentives for upgrading inefficient boilers, improve data collection, and hold landlords accountable.
  3. Adding gas safety certificate management to the Gas Safety Register's contract during the upcoming tender can facilitate the implementation of the central register at a minimal cost to the government.

How to fix Newsnight

737 implied HN points • 05 Feb 24
🎭️ Culture Media TV Show Opinion Review
  1. Newsnight has faced a decline in viewers and budget cuts over the years.
  2. The show is undergoing changes with a reduced runtime and shift towards interviews and debates.
  3. Suggestions are made on how to improve Newsnight's situation and avoid irrelevance.

Odds and Ends #31: Britain's new AI supercomputer is a shipping container in a car park

603 implied HN points • 09 Mar 24
🕹 Technology AI Podcast Infrastructure
  1. Britain's new AI supercomputer, Isambard AI, is housed in a shipping container in a car park to boost the country's AI capabilities.
  2. London Mayoral and West Yorkshire Mayoral candidates support liberating the Postcode Address File, encouraging small business innovation.
  3. The National Underground Asset Register aims to map underground infrastructure to enhance safety and reduce accidental damage.

Odds and Ends #32: My big Kate Middleton theory

469 implied HN points • 15 Mar 24
🎭️ Culture Royalty Analysis News
  1. The post discusses a theory about Kate Middleton that the author finds oddly interesting.
  2. There are links in the post pointing to good decarbonisation news and a win for the YIMBYs.
  3. The author is aiming for a round number of paid subscribers and offers a 20% discount on an annual subscription for a limited time.

E-scooters are good and Britain should legalise them

1072 implied HN points • 17 Apr 23
💼 Business Transportation Urban planning Regulation Environment Infrastructure
  1. E-scooters can help reduce car usage and congestion in cities due to their compact design and ability to take up less space.
  2. Legalizing e-scooters can lead to positive downstream consequences, such as reducing car dependence, reshaping urban geography, and creating a more sustainable environment.
  3. Regulating e-scooters through legalization can improve safety standards, encourage responsible riding behavior, and prompt the development of infrastructure to accommodate different modes of transportation.

This is the dream

804 implied HN points • 01 Aug 23
💼 Business Writing Subscription Income Audience Content
  1. The author is considering launching a paid tier on Substack to support their writing.
  2. They have calculated that converting a small percentage of their subscribers could make it financially viable.
  3. If the paid tier is launched, the author plans to alternate free and paid content and provide additional posts for subscribers.

Activists should make fighting climate change a right-wing cause

938 implied HN points • 27 Mar 23
  1. Activists should consider making fighting climate change a right-wing cause to widen the support base.
  2. Framing climate change without linking it to other political issues could make it easier to build broader support.
  3. Reaching out to right-wing individuals and groups by reframing climate change on terms they value could help in gaining more support for climate action.