Nothing Human

yet another attempt to weave together the threads of the human experience

The hottest Substack posts of Nothing Human

And their main takeaways
64 implied HN points 16 Feb 25
  1. Modern life separates many activities from their original context, which can make it hard for us to feel fulfilled. For example, eating has become disconnected from the nourishment our body needs.
  2. Some people try to return to older ways of living or use modern tools to deal with these changes. A better approach might be to find 'whole activities' that meet multiple needs at once.
  3. Whole activities, like team sports or church, can make us feel more human and connected. They satisfy many aspects of our lives, instead of just focusing on one thing.
180 implied HN points 31 Dec 24
  1. When thinkers have a large audience, they often repeat the same ideas instead of generating new ones. This can happen because they aim to please the crowd instead of exploring their original thoughts.
  2. To keep your thinking fresh, it's better to share ideas with a close friend or someone who understands you deeply. This one-on-one communication allows for more honest and thorough discussions.
  3. In academic spaces, there's a need to protect innovative ideas from becoming overshadowed by popular ones. Maintaining separate status hierarchies helps ensure that truly original contributions are still recognized.
1576 HN points 14 Sep 23
  1. Software products often deteriorate over time due to catering to the needs of marginal users for maximum profit.
  2. Design of popular apps tends to prioritize users with short attention spans and low tolerance for complexity.
  3. The digital economy thrives on serving simplistic, mindless interactions, neglecting tools that promote creativity and intentionality.
50 implied HN points 28 Nov 24
  1. At family dinners, people often avoid talking about tough topics to keep the peace. It's common for family members to feel pressure to respond politely instead of honestly.
  2. One person wanted to see if the family felt comfortable discussing their thoughts on race in art. This showed a desire for deeper connection and honesty among loved ones.
  3. It's important to create a safe space where family can share their true feelings, even if those feelings are uncomfortable. Trust and openness can help strengthen family bonds.
57 implied HN points 23 Oct 24
  1. We are moving towards a future where artificial intelligence may surpass human intelligence, and it might happen gradually rather than suddenly. This means machines could take over many tasks we currently do without a clear turning point.
  2. The idea of capitalism is being explored as something that may harm our human nature. It could act like a virus that drives us to work endlessly for money, rather than for meaningful relationships or experiences.
  3. Our desires are becoming more virtual and less tied to reality. Instead of wanting real things, we often find ourselves chasing numbers or metrics, which can make us less happy even as society becomes more prosperous.
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23 implied HN points 25 Nov 24
  1. Tolkien believed that technology and machines can create more problems than they solve, leading to endless labor and new evils. He saw a deep connection between power and the fall of humanity.
  2. The themes of love and relationships in Tolkien's writings reveal the complexities and challenges in human connections, especially concerning sexuality and friendship. He emphasized that true love requires self-denial and understanding.
  3. Tolkien wanted to create epic stories that reflected deeper truths about life, death, and morality, including the idea that all stories revolve around a fall, highlighting human struggles and the search for meaning.
23 implied HN points 25 Nov 24
  1. Tokens are like bits of language that help us express thoughts and feelings. They connect our emotions and experiences across time and space.
  2. The story of survival, like the mother warning her child about the snake, shows how important communication is for human beings. They have always used sounds and symbols to protect and connect with each other.
  3. Now, we create tokens using machines, but they still need human creativity. While technology can produce many tokens, the unique insights and connections come from people.
90 implied HN points 08 Jun 24
  1. People want to help solve many problems in the world, but it's hard to choose which one to focus on. Some think we should tackle the root causes rather than just the symptoms of these issues.
  2. The scientific method has helped humanity make big advancements by learning from nature. There are some who believe we need to do the same with our social problems, focusing on understanding how to work together better.
  3. Building better cooperation among people could be the key to solving many of our problems today. We need systems that can help us trust and understand each other on a larger scale.
43 implied HN points 26 Jun 23
  1. Conflict is sometimes necessary and not always bad
  2. Human existence values collective efforts over individual gains
  3. Legal systems may not protect group rights, leading to conflict and domination
27 implied HN points 26 Sep 23
  1. Organize meetups to bring people together and coordinate human action
  2. Consider hosting local meetups if not in SF or NYC
  3. Encourage all to attend, regardless of social status or concerns
5 HN points 27 Nov 23
  1. The smartphone becomes a significant part of daily life, used for communication and as a tool for various situations.
  2. The smartphone can be both empowering and addictive, blurring the line between real life and digital interactions.
  3. Prayer is offered for mindfulness in using the smartphone's capabilities wisely and fostering real connections over distractions.
5 HN points 17 Oct 23
  1. Using simple metrics in decision-making can be a result of cowardice and mistrust.
  2. Adversarially robust metrics are often favored due to their difficulty in manipulation.
  3. Developing a shared ideology within an organization can counteract the reliance on flawed metrics.