The Newsletter of (Not Quite) Everything

The Newsletter of (Not Quite) Everything explores a broad range of topics including politics, culture, history, and societal issues, often using specific examples to discuss larger themes such as the importance of data over anecdotes, the complexities of urban development, and the implications of policy decisions. It offers critical perspectives on current affairs, technology, and environmental challenges, intertwining personal narratives with broader societal analyses.

Politics and Society Urban Development and Housing History and Culture Environmental Issues and Renewable Energy Economic Policies and Implications Technology and Its Impact Educational Reforms Media and Public Perception

The hottest Substack posts of The Newsletter of (Not Quite) Everything

And their main takeaways

A pause

3184 implied HN points • 21 Jun 23
🎭️ Culture Personal Story Newsletter
  1. The author's newsletter will be on pause due to the sudden death of his partner, Agnes.
  2. Supportive friends and colleagues will continue the newsletter while the author takes time off.
  3. The author expresses gratitude for the love and support received during this difficult time.
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Ancient Dynasts

530 implied HN points • 07 Feb 24
🌍 World Politics Monarchy
  1. The system of selecting a head of state can be cruel in how it forces heirs to inherit either too young or near old age.
  2. Ancient Egyptian history is vast, spanning thousands of years, with a complex system of dividing into dynasties and kingdoms.
  3. The division of Ancient Egyptian history into dynasties and kingdoms is largely based on convention and interpretation, leading to disagreements among experts.

Book Club: Some notes on the strange beauty of energy infrastructure

530 implied HN points • 27 Jan 24
🎭️ Culture Literature Environment Nature Parenting
  1. Coal mining has a deep history and emotional attachment for many, even as we transition to renewable energy sources.
  2. Renewable energy like wind power is seen as an obvious and compelling solution for energy needs.
  3. Industrial infrastructure, even when old or decommissioned, can evoke a sense of nostalgia and admiration for human achievement.

I’m back, and asking: why shouldn’t Cambridge be the size of Bristol?

904 implied HN points • 12 Jul 23
🌍 World Politics Urban planning Economy Housing policy
  1. The idea of expanding cities like Cambridge to the size of Bristol is being considered for economic growth.
  2. Historically, English cities have transformed in size as economic conditions change, showing potential for growth.
  3. Challenges like housing affordability and lab space need to be addressed for cities like Cambridge to thrive as tech hubs.

Warring kingdoms

334 implied HN points • 24 Jan 24
💾 History Economic Impact
  1. Labour's deputy leader highlighted the financial impact on working people under successive Conservative governments.
  2. The UK's urban economies have suffered from significant underperformance, leading to a cumulative loss in wealth for the average person.
  3. The majority of UK cities experienced growth in employment but not in productivity, resulting in a 'growthless recovery' with various factors at play, such as Brexit and infrastructure decisions.

On Barbie and Oppenheimer, inevitability and guilty

530 implied HN points • 26 Jul 23
🎭️ Culture Film Demographics History London Storytelling
  1. _Barbie_ and _Oppenheimer_ films are compared with a focus on the inevitability and guilt associated with historical events.
  2. Film _Oppenheimer_ explores themes of guilt and responsibility regarding the Manhattan Project and the use of atomic bombs.
  3. Population shifts in London over the decades have seen fluctuations, with various factors influencing the city's growth and decline.

When poor people occupy land without paying, it’s squatting. When the rich do it, it’s parking

491 implied HN points • 01 Jul 23
🎭️ Culture Books Society Global Issues Transportation Environment
  1. When poor people occupy land without paying, it's called squatting. When the rich do it, it's labeled as parking.
  2. The growth of cars and road infrastructure in cities like Mumbai mirrors past mistakes made in the West.
  3. Car ownership, particularly in developing countries, poses environmental and economic challenges that need addressing.

…And I feel fine

491 implied HN points • 08 Feb 23
  1. The author's political position has remained consistent over the years, wanting a Labour government but not supporting the current Labour leadership.
  2. There is speculation about the future of the Conservative party in the upcoming election, with concerns about an extinction level event for them.
  3. The younger generation's dissatisfaction and potential lack of options might impact the political landscape, possibly benefiting smaller parties like the LibDems.

Never So Bad

452 implied HN points • 31 May 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Economy Government Social Issues
  1. The modern Conservative party lacks aspiration and tells people to buy cheaper beans.
  2. Structural economic forces play a major role in individual financial situations.
  3. The concept of rising wages and life improvement is broken.

How do we know what 21 degrees C means?

452 implied HN points • 27 May 23
🔬 Science Measurement Instruments History
  1. Temperature measurement has a long history and was viewed differently in ancient times.
  2. Gradual advancements in creating reliable thermometers involved changing materials and introducing numerical scales.
  3. The meticulous work of individuals like Daniel Gabriel Fahrenheit and Jean-Andr de Luc contributed to establishing standardized temperature scales.

The big issue

412 implied HN points • 17 May 23
🌍 World Politics Housing Crisis General election Political parties
  1. The housing crisis in the UK is a significant political issue with contrasting views from different parties.
  2. Political parties are divided on addressing the housing crisis, with considerations for building on greenfield land and reforming planning laws.
  3. Australia's vast size and sparse population have influenced the creation of large novelty structures as tourist attractions.

Darkness Rising

373 implied HN points • 02 Aug 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Media History Opinion
  1. Right-wing papers sometimes underestimate the intelligence of their readers.
  2. The term 'dark ages' originated as a critique of the lack of great art and literature in Petrarch's time.
  3. There is a trend among readers for non-left-wing takes that do not condescend.

Changing values

334 implied HN points • 22 Feb 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Election Religion Free speech Politics Individual Rights
  1. Religious people are not barred from public life, despite some claims to the contrary.
  2. Being honest about personal beliefs, even if controversial, is important in leadership.
  3. The divide in discussions about free speech and cancel culture often revolves around whether faith-based views should receive special treatment in public discourse.