Life in the 21st Century

Life in the 21st Century explores the intersections of history, science, technology, and current global challenges such as climate change, energy consumption, digital evolution, and modern politics. It delves into complex systems, the impact of technology and energy on civilization, and the role of politics in shaping human progress.

History Science and Technology Energy and Environment Politics and Economics Civilization and Culture Artificial Intelligence Banking and Money Political Science Global Challenges Social Movements

The hottest Substack posts of Life in the 21st Century

And their main takeaways

Happy Birthday Martin

255 implied HN points • 15 Jan 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Civil Rights Movement Vietnam War
  1. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. had valuable teachings beyond being a saint.
  2. Stokely Carmichael's stories offer insights into his relationship with King and the Civil Rights Movement.
  3. King's Vietnam speech, often overshadowed, holds profound messages about American life and policy.

Bitscam

196 implied HN points • 11 Jan 24
💰 Finance Bitcoin ETFs SEC Cryptocurrency Investing
  1. SEC approved bitcoin ETFs with caution for investors due to risks associated with crypto.
  2. ETF funds will use cash, not bitcoin, for transactions, highlighting challenges in using bitcoin directly.
  3. Bitcoin's focus on speculation rather than utility may hinder its potential as a replacement for the dollar.

John Dolan's "Erdogan Pizza"

117 implied HN points • 08 Feb 24
📚 Literature Travel History Humor
  1. John Dolan's book "Erdogan Pizza" is entertaining, educational, and funny.
  2. Dolan is knowledgeable about military history and offers insights on war and its consequences.
  3. The book provides a mix of travel experiences, historical knowledge, and humor.

Nigeria and Shell

157 implied HN points • 16 Jan 24
🌍 World Politics Nigeria Oil Corruption Environment
  1. Shell is exiting Nigeria after more than 60 years due to difficulties operating in a region hit by corruption and violence.
  2. Shell's actions in Nigeria funded brutal military rule and had a terrible environmental record in the Delta.
  3. Nigerian oil exports have impacted the US, and oil has been a curse for Nigeria.

On War

117 implied HN points • 31 Jan 24
🌍 World Politics Global Conflict National Security Democracy
  1. The war in Ukraine has been a disaster, despite claims about it being about democracy.
  2. There's criticism towards US National Security State policy towards Russia and Ukraine.
  3. The New Yorker has an important piece on Ukraine worth reading.
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The Book and the Screen

78 implied HN points • 07 Feb 24
📚 Literature Books Politics Revolution Writing
  1. In the past, books and their authors played a major role in political revolutions.
  2. The rise of screens over the last century has diminished the political influence of books.
  3. Screens have created a new era where personalities are marketed over political ideas.

Solar and the Politics of Technology

117 implied HN points • 12 Jan 24
🕹 Technology Politics Organizations Regulation Energy
  1. Organization is crucial in politics, but often overlooked in understanding how power is structured.
  2. Regulatory agencies created in response to past technologies may not easily adapt to new technologies like solar power.
  3. Transitioning to solar energy requires not just technological changes, but also social and political reorganization.

Energy

78 implied HN points • 30 Jan 24
🌞 Climate & Environment Energy Fossil fuels Oil Natural Gas
  1. Global energy use heavily relies on fossil fuels like coal, oil, and natural gas.
  2. The Biden administration is pausing LNG export growth as a gesture towards climate concerns.
  3. Industrialization and economic vibrancy are closely tied to increasing energy usage.

AI

39 implied HN points • 02 Feb 24
🕹 Technology AI Data Manipulation Internet
  1. AI is a powerful evolution of computing technology, tracing back 75 years to the invention of the transistor.
  2. AI's exponential growth in compute power enables manipulation of vast amounts of data and sophisticated algorithms.
  3. The internet plays a crucial role in AI, facilitating extensive networking and simultaneous computing.

Oppenheimer The Movie

235 implied HN points • 26 Jul 23
🎭️ Culture Film Science Technology History Politics
  1. The movie 'Oppenheimer' sheds light on the brilliance and quirks of J. Robert Oppenheimer, but falls short in addressing the broader story of science and technology.
  2. Scientific and technological developments are independent of personal character flaws and traits, focusing on facts and discoveries instead.
  3. The film 'Oppenheimer' struggles with its third act by overly emphasizing Oppenheimer losing his security clearance, losing depth in addressing the broader political context of the Cold War era.

Late Republic Politics

216 implied HN points • 29 Jun 23
🌍 World Politics Civilization Corruption
  1. Civilization is built on social memory passed across generations
  2. Historical memory loss can lead to dysfunction and decline in systems and civilizations
  3. Prosecution in the late Roman republic as a warning sign for modern-day republican decline

Debt

216 implied HN points • 26 May 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Government Debt Economy Politics History
  1. The politics and perception of debt have shifted over the last century, from deficit spending to austerity measures.
  2. The exponential growth of private debt, fueled by government policies and cheap credit, is a significant concern in the contemporary financial landscape.
  3. There is a growing need for a modern-day debt forgiveness or restructuring approach to address the increasing burden of debt on society.

India & Energy

176 implied HN points • 19 Jun 23
🌍 World Politics India Energy US Europe China
  1. India's population is the same size as China's, making up 35% of the global population.
  2. India's energy usage per capita is 7% of the United States, showing a huge gap in lifestyle and energy consumption.
  3. India's development model should not follow the West, requiring a new approach to 'development' for the entire world.

Democracy, Organization, Violence: Lessons From the Civil Rights Movement

19 implied HN points • 25 Jan 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Civil Rights Movement Democracy Organization Violence Activism
  1. Historically, the Civil Rights Movement was a pinnacle of democracy, revealing the power of collective democratic thinking and action.
  2. The Movement's essence goes beyond one charismatic figure, emphasizing the crucial role of democratic organization for any meaningful movement.
  3. Ella Baker's organizational insight and advocacy for personal and political transformation highlight the importance of education, organizing, and egalitarian dialogue in true democratic politics.

Reforming Government: What's Up With That? (I)

176 implied HN points • 10 May 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Representation
  1. Modern republicanism initiated in the United States is failing due to outdated structures.
  2. The American government's institutions have remained unchanged in over two centuries, despite the need for reform.
  3. Challenges with representation in government are key issues that need to be addressed to improve democracy.

Political Science

176 implied HN points • 02 May 23
🌍 World Politics Political Science Democracy Science Technology History
  1. Science and politics are intertwined, and there is a need to integrate scientific understanding into political decision-making.
  2. Democracy is about taking action and beginning something new, with every citizen playing a role in decision-making and implementation.
  3. The power to act in modern politics has shifted towards scientists and technologists, highlighting the importance of understanding the influence of science and technology in political systems.

The New York Times

157 implied HN points • 24 Feb 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Media Elections Bias Journalism Government
  1. The New York Times has been deeply involved in political fights and often misleads the public.
  2. The rise of broadcast media in the 20th century led to the idea of objective journalism.
  3. The New York Times has been criticized for pushing misleading information regarding important matters like the Iraq war and Russiagate.