Movements Start Small

Movements Start Small explores impactful solutions to societal issues, emphasizing skepticism, innovation, and moderation over partisanship and extreme spending. It critiques current policies, promotes pragmatic debates, and discusses the unintended consequences of well-intentioned actions while highlighting the importance of accountability and effective philanthropy.

Political Moderation and Partisanship Economic Sustainability and Innovation Healthcare Reform Climate Change and Environmental Policies Philanthropy and Accountability Media Influence and Public Perception Agricultural Practices and Food Systems

The hottest Substack posts of Movements Start Small

And their main takeaways

Searching for Optimism

196 implied HN points • 04 Jan 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Issues Elections Policies
  1. Abortion laws are shifting in America towards more consensus and legality.
  2. Identity politics may be on the decline, allowing for more constructive policy solutions.
  3. Climate change discussions are moving towards a more realistic and practical approach, acknowledging risks and costs.

Big Philanthropy's Free Pass

78 implied HN points • 19 Aug 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Philanthropy Accountability
  1. Intentions matter more in personal relationships, but outcomes matter more in wider contexts like work or philanthropy.
  2. In philanthropy, performance tends to be judged based on intentions rather than outcomes, potentially giving a free pass on accountability.
  3. Criticism and scrutiny are necessary in philanthropy to ensure large-scale charitable efforts are effective and have a positive impact.
Get a weekly roundup of the best Substack posts, by hacker news affinity:

Drunk On Dollars

216 implied HN points • 14 May 22
  1. Legislation like the Postal Reform Act can provide quick fixes but may not address the root causes of problems
  2. Relying on excessive spending without addressing the core issues can lead to mounting debts and unsustainable financial situations
  3. A shift towards generating innovative ideas and solutions, rather than just spending money, is crucial for long-term sustainability

Silence the Skeptics, Fuel the Conspiracies

196 implied HN points • 29 Dec 21
  1. We need to embrace skepticism and allow all ideas in debates.
  2. Lack of trust arises when big ideas are pushed with certainty and end up being wrong.
  3. Silencing rational skeptics can lead to the rise of conspiracies and must be avoided by promoting reasoned debate.

Being Wrong Is Not the Real Problem

39 implied HN points • 13 Nov 22
  1. In complex situations, being certain is more of a problem than being wrong.
  2. Silencing dissenting opinions can damage credibility and lead to a confidence crisis.
  3. Admitting mistakes, being open to new ideas, and encouraging debate are crucial in navigating uncertainties.

A Shrinking Pie?

39 implied HN points • 29 Aug 22
  1. Innovation is key to getting more from less, leading to a growing pie and wealth.
  2. Specialization and trade further contribute to expanding the collective wealth.
  3. Concerns about a shrinking economic pie include issues like declining productivity, de-globalization, and energy scarcity.

Checking Your Priors

78 implied HN points • 16 Jan 21
  1. Having strong opinions can lead to confirmation bias.
  2. Openness to changing your mind is important for growth.
  3. Money is not always the solution to public problems.

Lots of Spending, Little Solving

58 implied HN points • 26 Apr 21
  1. Big spending by the government leads to asset inflation.
  2. Increased government spending can worsen inequality.
  3. Unlimited money can delay solving real problems.

Sharks Everywhere

39 implied HN points • 23 Oct 21
  1. Media can create narratives that change perceptions by choosing what to cover and highlighting vivid anecdotes.
  2. Our inability to think probabilistically leads to exaggerated perceptions of risks and situations.
  3. Emotional decision-making driven by panic and fear can hinder thoughtful, data-driven problem-solving.

How Did Public Science Lose Its Credibility? Mission Creep.

39 implied HN points • 19 Sep 21
  1. Public scientific institutions have lost trust due to mission creep into policymaking.
  2. Leaders should use science as input for decisions, not follow it blindly.
  3. Scientific institutions must focus on presenting facts objectively and avoiding involvement in policy-making.

Climate Cobras

39 implied HN points • 29 May 21
  1. Unintended consequences of solutions can worsen problems.
  2. Transitioning to clean energy requires innovation and trade-offs.
  3. Challenging popular climate solutions like tree planting and plant-based products.

Lofty Talk or Small Action?

39 implied HN points • 06 Feb 21
  1. Real impact is more important than just signaling allegiance.
  2. Break down complex problems into small, incremental steps.
  3. Support individuals with focused, practical plans to make a difference.

The Persistence of Partisan Extremism

19 implied HN points • 27 Jun 21
  1. Party identification is low, with a big independent middle in American politics.
  2. More democratic primary systems have led to extreme candidates and increased partisanship.
  3. Reforms like ranked choice voting may help break the cycle of partisan extremism.

Monsanto and the Coming Regenerative Food Revolution

39 implied HN points • 17 May 19
  1. Monsanto faces legal issues over RoundUp, reflecting deeper problems in agriculture.
  2. The Green Revolution of the 1950s and 60s increased crop productivity but ignored the underlying soil health issues.
  3. Regenerative agriculture offers a solution by focusing on natural ecosystems, biodiversity, and healthier food production.

Bipartisan Gloom and the Parrots of 2020

0 implied HN points • 12 Jul 19
  1. Transformative leaders inspire a positive vision for the future and bring people together during challenging times.
  2. Current political leaders often reflect back fears and drive on anxiety, focusing on divisive and emotional responses rather than addressing real issues.
  3. The future requires leaders who can offer achievable, non-zero-sum solutions that embrace abundance and innovation, leading to broad-based progress.

Saving the Poor or Saving Notre Dame, or the Curse of Wicked Problems

0 implied HN points • 20 Jun 19
  1. Notre Dame is worth restoring due to its architectural and human value.
  2. Donating to visible projects like Notre Dame differs from tackling complex 'wicked' problems that persist despite huge philanthropic investments.
  3. Supporting smaller, solvable 'kind' problems can inspire generosity and eventually lead to addressing larger, more complex issues.

Healthcare is Eating the World

0 implied HN points • 29 Apr 19
  1. Healthcare costs in America are rising rapidly, impacting workers' wages and government budgets.
  2. The primary focus should be on lowering healthcare costs instead of just aiming for universal coverage.
  3. Incremental, technical changes are needed to chip away at the healthcare cost problem and pave the way for bigger decisions.

A Third Way: Jobs-First Capitalism

0 implied HN points • 26 Mar 19
  1. Populism is on the rise in America, leading to fear and insecurity.
  2. Jobs-first capitalism focuses on creating stable jobs for all Americans to build a better future.
  3. Policy changes like higher minimum wages and massive R&D investments can help drive job creation and economic growth.

We Need More Seed Philanthropy

0 implied HN points • 01 Mar 19
  1. Seed philanthropy starts small and grows organically.
  2. Effective altruism focuses on scrutinizing impact, but may miss out on supporting innovative ideas.
  3. Seed funding in philanthropy can level the playing field and foster small-scale impactful initiatives.

Canary in the Gold Mine

0 implied HN points • 04 Dec 20
  1. Monetary policy is a bipartisan agreement for more dollars
  2. Fed's manipulation of money can lead to economic consequences
  3. Debate about monetary policies and their impact is crucial

Independents Will Rule 2020...Again.

0 implied HN points • 01 Feb 19
  1. Presidential elections are decided by swing voters in the middle, not the hardened wings.
  2. Successful candidates transcend their own party by appealing to independents.
  3. To win in 2020, candidates need to show independence and leadership by challenging their party's core beliefs.

The Prius Problem of Progress

0 implied HN points • 19 Jan 19
  1. The Prius struggled to kickstart a green transport era and inadvertently promoted gas guzzlers.
  2. The Prius was a bad product with visible sacrifices, creating the 'Prius Problem' of ideological solutions not scaling.
  3. Tesla's success shows that better, more advanced clean cars can drive real change in the automotive industry.

Maximum Wage Potential

0 implied HN points • 27 Feb 21
  1. The debate around minimum wage is not simple, and involves complex trade-offs.
  2. Sustainably higher wages come from skill development, not just raising minimum wage.
  3. Policies should focus on creating first job opportunities, building skills, and fostering career paths for better long-term outcomes.

What Climate Policy Needs: Optimism

0 implied HN points • 12 Nov 21
  1. Many climate policies lack optimism and need a new strategy.
  2. Climate discussions should acknowledge the importance of energy for prosperity.
  3. An optimistic climate policy should focus on energy innovation, modern cities, and regenerating the soil.

Build More Faster

0 implied HN points • 12 Jun 22
  1. Building construction projects face many hurdles that slow down or halt progress, affecting affordability.
  2. Difficulties in building contribute to high housing costs and necessitate more public spending to address affordability.
  3. Leaders across the political spectrum are recognizing the need to focus on expanding supply and productivity, rather than solely relying on spending to address economic challenges.

Is Joe Rogan the Future of Media? Let’s Hope So.

0 implied HN points • 15 Feb 19
  1. Fox News brought outrage culture to media.
  2. Joe Rogan's podcast has a massive, diverse audience.
  3. Joe Rogan focuses on deep conversations, curiosity, and open-mindedness.

The Inequality We Aren’t Talking About

0 implied HN points • 26 Oct 20
  1. Growing essential expenses can negatively impact financial security.
  2. Rising costs of healthcare, housing, and education are affecting society.
  3. Innovation is needed to lower the costs of essential goods and create a better future.

COVID, Corn, and Cronies

0 implied HN points • 27 Aug 20
  1. Underlying conditions play a significant role in COVID mortality.
  2. Obesity is a major health crisis contributing to chronic conditions and COVID severity.
  3. The food system, particularly the prevalence of sugary processed foods, has led to increased chronic illnesses and needs reform.

Where are the Lockdown Models?

0 implied HN points • 08 May 20
  1. COVID death toll projections can impact public perception and decision-making.
  2. We need to consider the economic, social, and political implications of lockdown measures.
  3. Modeling the real-world impacts of lockdowns is essential for making informed decisions.

Ignoring the Big Impact Decisions

0 implied HN points • 01 May 20
  1. Focusing on minor issues like Trump's statements distracts from important decisions.
  2. Nursing homes, accounting for many COVID deaths, should be a priority for policy scrutiny.
  3. Ventilators need more questioning as their use may be contributing to high death rates.

A New American Hero

0 implied HN points • 20 Nov 19
  1. Not all heroes are universally admired and can be seen from different political perspectives.
  2. Elon Musk's achievements are unprecedented and he is seen as impactful for this generation.
  3. Heroes in this era are expected to be innovators, environmentalists, guided by a mission, and capable of taking risks and facing criticism.

Throwing Away the Real Power of the Gig Economy

0 implied HN points • 11 Oct 19
  1. Regulating gig economy jobs can have unintended consequences like limiting flexibility for workers.
  2. Driving for platforms like Uber may not offer high skill or long-term career growth opportunities.
  3. To address wage stagnation, focus on creating paths for skill development in various industries.

Are Carbon Emissions a Red Herring?

0 implied HN points • 13 Sep 19
  1. Global emissions continue to rise despite efforts for clean energy alternatives.
  2. We need to shift focus to carbon removal from the air to combat climate change more effectively.
  3. Nature provides solutions like regenerative farming and reforestation to help in carbon consumption and storage.