Random Minds by Katherine Brodsky

Random Minds by Katherine Brodsky explores societal and cultural issues through the lenses of free speech, critical thinking, and diverse thought. It addresses self-censorship, social justice, censorship, media bias, cultural appropriation, trust in society, and the impacts of technology and politics on freedom of expression and individual behavior.

Free Speech Critical Thinking Censorship Social Justice Media Bias Cultural Appropriation Trust and Society Technology and Society Politics and Ideology Individual Behavior

The hottest Substack posts of Random Minds by Katherine Brodsky

And their main takeaways

Daniel Penny: The Good Samaritan?

145 implied HN points • 23 Nov 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Public Safety Legal issues Mental health Public Perception Crime Policy
  1. Daniel Penny is charged with manslaughter after a subway incident where he used a chokehold on Jordan Neely, who was threatening passengers. This event raises questions about when it's okay to intervene and how much force is necessary.
  2. Public opinion is split on whether Penny acted as a hero or a villain. Some support him, arguing that he was trying to protect others, while others believe he used excessive force.
  3. The case highlights issues around mental health and safety. Many people find themselves in tense situations with individuals who may be mental health crises, making it hard to know what actions are appropriate to take.

Gratitude?

51 implied HN points • 27 Nov 24
🏥 Health & Wellness Mental health Meditation Gratitude Self-care Mindfulness
  1. Meditation classes can focus on specific themes, like gratitude, which may surprise you. It's important to check the class details to see what you'll be learning.
  2. Experiencing anger during meditation is normal and can be a part of the process. It's okay to feel frustrated sometimes, even when you're seeking calm.
  3. Gratitude practices can be challenging and may not always lead to instant peace. Remember that finding peace takes time and patience.

Uncertainty

159 implied HN points • 07 Nov 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Elections Governance Civil Rights Political parties Political Ideologies
  1. Uncertainty can feel scary, like someone else is controlling your life. It's natural to worry about what might happen next.
  2. We can’t always predict the future, and our fears often feel worse than reality. It’s better to focus on what we know and can control right now.
  3. Life is unpredictable and sometimes out of our hands. Learning to accept uncertainty and live in the moment can help us cope better.

The small things

42 implied HN points • 17 Nov 24
🎭️ Culture Writing Personal Reflection Inspiration Creativity
  1. Small moments in life can really shape our mood and creativity. It's important to notice and appreciate these little things.
  2. Private experiences often influence what we feel inspired to write about. Writing can be deeply personal and connected to our feelings.
  3. Taking the time to reflect on our daily experiences can help us understand ourselves better. This can lead to richer and more meaningful writing.

Atrocity denial in real-time

346 implied HN points • 14 Dec 23
🌍 World Politics
  1. The post discusses atrocity denial in real-time
  2. The content focuses on events of October 7 and their rewriting
  3. The author reflects on waking up to news of atrocities by Hamas
Get a weekly roundup of the best Substack posts, by hacker news affinity:

Pushing back against aggressive voices

107 implied HN points • 29 Feb 24
  1. It's important to not allow aggressive, radical voices to dominate our society as the majority of people often remain silent, giving the radicals power.
  2. Perceiving what others think can be challenging when loud voices overpower the discourse, making it hard to gauge the actual majority opinion.
  3. To accurately understand the prevailing sentiment, it's vital to push back against extreme voices and value the quieter expressions of the majority.

Beyond the White Picket Fence

140 implied HN points • 22 Dec 23
🎭️ Culture Community
  1. Our idea of 'community' is changing to match our online lives.
  2. Some are preparing for a future centered on virtual connections.
  3. Consider subscribing for more insights on modern societal shifts.

NO APOLOGIES

112 implied HN points • 24 Jan 24
🎭️ Culture Books Free speech Cancel Culture Podcasts Criticism
  1. Katherine Brodsky has a new book titled 'No Apologies' focusing on freedom of speech in today's society.
  2. The book highlights the importance of open discourse in various fields like science, art, and academia.
  3. Brodsky's book aims to empower individuals to speak up against enforced silence and radical ideas.

Genesis of a News Story

79 implied HN points • 17 Mar 24
📰 News Reporting Ethics Resources
  1. Story assignments can involve staff writers, editorial discussions, or pitches from freelancers, with a focus on relevance, timeliness, and writer expertise.
  2. Journalists often gather story ideas from various sources like industry relationships, events, document research, and personal interests, contributing to the newsworthiness of a piece.
  3. Determining newsworthiness involves subjective factors like public impact, reader interest, and editorial priorities, along with practical considerations such as resource availability and space constraints.

Saying goodbye to 2023...

117 implied HN points • 29 Dec 23
🎭️ Culture Personal Story Self-discovery
  1. The author reflects on the events of 2023, including heartbreaks and new friendships.
  2. The writer mentions learning about themselves and other people throughout the year.
  3. There's an invitation to subscribe for a 7-day free trial to read more posts from Katherine Brodsky.

Big announcement...

238 implied HN points • 11 Jul 23
📚 Literature Book release Writing Freedom of Speech Censorship Authorship
  1. The author has written a book that sheds light on silencing, shaming, and bullying for different views.
  2. The book includes stories of public harassment, interviews with well-known figures, and lessons on using one's voice freely.
  3. The author encourages principled individuals to resist authoritarianism and to find and free their own voices.

Accused

74 implied HN points • 24 Feb 24
🎭️ Culture Society Religion
  1. The author has been accused of Zionism, considered by some as a punishable offense.
  2. The author mentions being put on lists and facing threats due to the accusation of Zionism.
  3. To access the full post and archives, readers can start a 7-day free trial of Random Minds by Katherine Brodsky.

Me and Elon Musk - A Conversation

74 implied HN points • 23 Feb 24
🕹 Technology Interview AI Journalism Partnership Futurism
  1. The interview with Elon Musk delved into topics like freedom of speech, journalism, AI, and more, showcasing different perspectives on the future of journalism.
  2. The conversation unexpectedly lasted over three hours, involving an array of audience questions and chaotic, entertaining moments, highlighting the unpredictable nature of live discussions.
  3. Elon Musk hinted at news about Neurolink and a potential partnership with Midjourney, indicating ongoing developments in technological advancements.

Community Aesthetics

65 implied HN points • 16 Jan 24
🎭️ Culture Society Community
  1. The breakdown of community might be a root cause of societal challenges.
  2. Reinventing and rejuvenating communities could be a solution to these challenges.
  3. Consider exploring the theory that reviving community aesthetics can have a positive impact on society.

The Rise of the Right Wing Woke

163 implied HN points • 10 May 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Cancel Culture Symbols Identity politics Echo Chambers
  1. The rise of the right wing 'woke' has led to a shift in identity politics, victimhood culture, and cancel culture tactics towards the conservative side.
  2. The 'woke right' mirrors the behavior of the 'woke left' by adopting symbols, engaging in book bans, and suppressing freedom of expression.
  3. Echo chambers and intolerance are prevalent among the 'woke right,' leading to a reluctance to engage with opposing viewpoints and an increase in ideological polarization.

A Crisis of Trust

79 implied HN points • 06 Nov 23
🎭️ Culture Trust Misinformation Technology AI Ethics
  1. Trust is becoming scarce in our rapidly evolving world, leading to a crisis that affects both our personal lives and society.
  2. The digital age and the advancements in artificial intelligence make it challenging to discern truth from misinformation, posing a threat in how we perceive reality.
  3. In navigating the landscape of distrust, critical thinking is crucial, and seeking out diverse perspectives and reliable sources can help us identify trustworthy sources in a climate of uncertainty.

Good journalism?

37 implied HN points • 05 Mar 24
  1. In the debate between traditional and citizen journalism, the key question remains: What defines good journalism?
  2. Exploring the essence of good journalism is crucial in a world filled with different journalistic practices.
  3. Subscribing to platforms like Random Minds may offer insights and engaging discussions on the art of journalism.

Self-Censorship

421 implied HN points • 20 Dec 21
  1. Self-censorship can be insidious and can happen voluntarily but out of fear or coercion.
  2. Over time, self-censorship can harm the exchange of ideas and stifle creativity in society.
  3. Art and culture can suffer greatly from self-censorship, impacting the richness of human expression and narrative.

Budapest

89 implied HN points • 29 Aug 23
🏝 Travel Destination Experience Culture Conversation Local produce
  1. Budapest is a familiar and comfortable city with interesting coffee shops and high ceilings.
  2. Hungarians manage to thrive in Budapest despite rising prices and lower salaries.
  3. Having genuine conversations and engaging in meaningful discourse is essential for understanding different perspectives and getting along.

The Industrial Outrage Complex

149 implied HN points • 27 Mar 23
🎭️ Culture Media Social Issues Activism Society Behavior
  1. Outrage is used to drive engagement and profit in a manipulative way.
  2. Industrial outrage complex thrives on anger by amplifying it through media and political manipulation.
  3. Solution involves being critical of consumed content, slowing down emotional reactions, and engaging thoughtfully to combat outrage culture.

Artists under Tech Censorship

112 implied HN points • 25 Jun 23
🎨 Art & Illustration Censorship Digital Platforms
  1. Tech platforms have been de-platforming content creators based on speech, affecting regular individuals as well.
  2. Many artists face financial and professional repercussions when tech companies cut off their services without explanation.
  3. Balancing private company rights with free expression and addressing discrimination in tech censorship is a complex issue that requires more public discourse.

Relinquishing control

84 implied HN points • 10 Sep 23
📖 Philosophy Human nature Critical Thinking Ethics Values Leadership
  1. Relinquishing control can lead to blind compliance, which has historically resulted in significant atrocities.
  2. Human nature inclines people to seek charismatic leaders, but it's important to maintain personal identity and critical thinking.
  3. To resist manipulation, individuals should develop critical thinking skills, recognize psychological manipulation tactics, and build independence.

An update and a question

42 implied HN points • 31 Jan 24
🎭️ Culture Books Interviews News Events
  1. Katherine Brodsky's book 'No Apologies' has been released and is receiving positive attention.
  2. She appreciates support and encourages readers to leave reviews.
  3. She is considering launching a new series and is seeking feedback on potential paid content formats.

Does prosperity lead to human extinction?

74 implied HN points • 24 Sep 23
🌍 World Politics Demographics Population Immigration Society Culture
  1. There is a debate regarding overpopulation in some parts of the world and population decline in others.
  2. Economic factors play a significant role in family planning decisions and policies encouraging family growth have had some impact.
  3. Global demographics are shifting, and addressing the challenges faced by individuals who want children is crucial for societal health.

What did Elon do?

126 implied HN points • 10 Apr 23
🕹 Technology Social media Platforms Transparency Content Moderation Trust
  1. Users of Substack had issues posting links and engaging with content, mirroring past actions by Elon Musk.
  2. Search bans were placed on accounts and terms, leading to difficulties in accessing Twitter content.
  3. The situation raised questions about transparency, trust in Elon Musk, and the fairness of link restrictions on Twitter.

Concerning: Hate speech in Ireland

107 implied HN points • 17 May 23
🌍 World Politics Legislation Hate Speech Civil Liberties Free speech Justice System
  1. A new Criminal Justice Bill in Ireland might restrict free speech and have wide-reaching implications due to tech companies based there.
  2. The proposed legislation aims to protect individuals from hate speech based on various characteristics, expanding on current rules.
  3. The Bill introduces stricter penalties for hate speech, holding individuals accountable even if they claim no intent, which could impact both public and private speech.

Words are cheap

37 implied HN points • 09 Jan 24
🎭️ Culture Opinion
  1. Some statements are merely words without actions behind them.
  2. People may claim to be non-discriminatory but go on to discriminate against certain groups.
  3. Actions speak louder than words when it comes to showing true beliefs and values.

Revisiting Hungary

56 implied HN points • 26 Sep 23
🏝 Travel Destination
  1. The author revisited Hungary after 15 years.
  2. They were impressed by the architecture and skyline of Budapest.
  3. The post offers a 7-day free trial to read more content.

Will AI replace human journalists?

56 implied HN points • 01 Sep 23
🕹 Technology AI Journalism Media Ethics Future impact
  1. AI cannot replicate the unique perspective and creativity of human journalists.
  2. AI can be a useful tool for generating technical articles quickly but may lead to factual errors if not properly monitored.
  3. There are concerns about AI perpetuating biases present in its training data and its impact on the future of journalism.

Potential

23 implied HN points • 19 Feb 24
🎭️ Culture Writing
  1. The post discusses the concept of 'potential' and presents an experimental monologue on the topic.
  2. The content is part of a subscription-based platform, where paid subscribers can access exclusive essays and writings.
  3. The author offers a 7-day free trial for new subscribers to explore the full post archives before committing to a paid subscription.

Tiny sneak preview of NO APOLOGIES

32 implied HN points • 18 Dec 23
📚 Literature
  1. The post is a tiny sneak preview of a book called NO APOLOGIES by Katherine Brodsky.
  2. It includes a story about Jodi Shaw, sharing an important message.
  3. To read the full content, you can start a 7-day free trial with Random Minds.

Money of the Future

42 implied HN points • 06 Oct 23
💰 Finance Cryptocurrencies Digital Currency Blockchain AI/ML
  1. Financial transactions are evolving with a shift towards digital currencies
  2. Cryptocurrencies offer potential for increased privacy and security but face challenges with adoption and ease of use
  3. Future financial security may rely on biometric data and quantum encryption for heightened protection