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

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.

AI and Truth

14 implied HN points • 29 Nov 23
🕹 Technology AI Truth
  1. The post discusses AI and truth.
  2. The author is Katherine Brodsky.
  3. There is an option for a 7-day free trial to read more.

Broken Trust

32 implied HN points • 11 Aug 23
🏥 Health & Wellness Trust Relationships Self-care
  1. Broken trust can not only affect your relationship with the person who broke it, but also impact all other relationships.
  2. It's important to be aware of the repercussions of broken trust and how it can extend beyond just one relationship.
  3. Consider the broader implications of trust issues and how they may influence various areas of your life.
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Infodemic: Information Obesity

9 implied HN points • 23 Dec 23
🎭️ Culture Media
  1. Information obesity is a concerning issue where people are filled with random facts but lack wisdom.
  2. It's important to be mindful of the quality of information we consume.
  3. Wisdom is crucial in navigating the vast amount of information available to us.

Is AI overhyped? (podcast)

14 implied HN points • 02 Nov 23
🎙 Podcasts Technology
  1. The podcast discusses whether AI is overhyped.
  2. The conversation features Emmanuel Maggiori.
  3. Access the full post archives with a 7-day free trial of Random Minds by Katherine Brodsky.

The social role of movies

14 implied HN points • 02 Nov 23
🎭️ Culture Movies
  1. The author reflects on the social role of movies and its impact.
  2. The author reminisces about childhood experiences with movies.
  3. Subscribers can access the full post and archives with a 7-day free trial.

Thank you!

74 implied HN points • 24 Nov 22
  1. Today is Thanksgiving in the U.S.
  2. Brevity in communication is appreciated.
  3. 7-day free trial for exclusive content by author Katherine Brodsky.

Simons: Advertising Death

70 implied HN points • 01 Dec 22
  1. A corporation's involvement in promoting end-of-life choices can raise ethical concerns.
  2. Publicizing personal end-of-life decisions may glamorize and influence vulnerable individuals.
  3. The private nature of end-of-life decisions shouldn't be commercialized or used as a marketing campaign.

Deciphering Media Bias - A Basic Guide

98 implied HN points • 29 Jul 22
  1. Recognize the purpose behind media coverage to become a savvy consumer.
  2. Be critical of sources, language, and story placement to identify bias.
  3. Evaluate images, conflation, sources, and corrections for a more accurate understanding of media content.

Is Social Credit coming for us?

14 implied HN points • 13 Oct 23
🌍 World Politics
  1. People criticize China's Social Credit system but it can happen elsewhere.
  2. Social Credit systems are not limited to China.
  3. Consider how Social Credit systems can impact different societies.

Who's Offended by Cultural Appropriation?

89 implied HN points • 24 Jul 22
  1. Cultural appropriation can be viewed differently by different cultures.
  2. Intent and respect matter when engaging with cultural practices.
  3. Listening to and respecting the opinions of the cultures involved is key in discussions of cultural appropriation.

Becoming Tribeless

84 implied HN points • 08 Jul 22
  1. The author identifies as tribeless, aligning with ideas rather than political groups.
  2. The author values open conversations with individuals holding different views.
  3. The journey to speaking openly and authentically can be challenging, but ultimately liberating.

Truckers Convoy vs The Media

103 implied HN points • 05 Feb 22
  1. Trust in journalism has been eroding over time.
  2. Coverage of Canada's Freedom Truckers is a topic of debate between media and supporters.
  3. Building trust takes time, but it can be lost quickly.

Word Misappropriation

140 implied HN points • 03 Jul 21
  1. Specific words have been given new meanings by distinct groups, causing confusion and discord.
  2. The misappropriation of words can lead to polarization and even weaponization of language.
  3. It's crucial to openly discuss and define terms to prevent unfair labeling and promote constructive dialogue.

Do your children belong to you?

70 implied HN points • 22 Apr 22
  1. Parents are responsible for the care and well-being of their children.
  2. Parents should teach their children to be independent and critical thinkers.
  3. The education system requires a balance between state involvement and parental responsibility.

'Where are you from?' — A Microaggression

46 implied HN points • 12 Sep 22
  1. The question 'Where are you from?' can be considered a microaggression.
  2. Attending a seminar on microaggressions and unconscious bias can help increase awareness.
  3. Consider subscribing to Random Minds by Katherine Brodsky to access more insightful content.

How to Virtue Signal without even Trying

93 implied HN points • 17 Nov 21
  1. Virtue signalling is important to show you're a good person in public.
  2. Follow specific actions to virtue signal effectively, like disavowing certain behaviors and publicly supporting causes.
  3. The key is to focus on public appearance rather than taking real actions to back up your claims.

Collective Guilt vs Responsibility

79 implied HN points • 27 Jan 22
  1. Individuals should be judged based on their own character, not collective guilt.
  2. It's important to learn from history without carrying guilt for past atrocities.
  3. Our responsibility is to prevent history from repeating by understanding past injustices and avoiding the same mistakes.

Who Checks the Fact-Checkers

46 implied HN points • 07 Aug 22
  1. Fact-checking organizations may lack transparency and could be influenced by vested interests.
  2. Mainstream fact-checkers' credibility can be questioned, as they may have biases or inaccuracies.
  3. There is a need to ensure fact-checking resources are free of bias and ensure firm data verification.

How you use AI daily

9 implied HN points • 31 Aug 23
🕹 Technology AI Consumer
  1. Consult with AI to explore what's possible for the average consumer
  2. Utilize Google Maps for AI functionalities
  3. Subscribe to Random Minds by Katherine Brodsky for more insights

A Confession...

51 implied HN points • 04 Jun 22
  1. The author confesses to neglecting their Substack.
  2. They mention that the neglect was unintentional.
  3. They invite readers to subscribe for a 7-day free trial.

Virtuous Liars & Noble Lies

70 implied HN points • 13 Jan 22
  1. Eroding trust happens easily by not telling the truth.
  2. Lying can rob others of making informed decisions based on truth.
  3. Speaking the truth can lead to more authentic relationships and respect for autonomy.

9 Reasons Why I'll Never Be President...

37 implied HN points • 04 Sep 22
  1. Being completely transparent with detailed plans as a political candidate can be challenging due to the need for flexibility and broad appeal.
  2. Involvement in a political party may require compromising values to climb the ranks and achieve power, potentially changing one's core beliefs.
  3. Speaking and behaving like a relatable person, rather than a typical politician, can be a barrier in a presidential campaign.

A State of Confusion...over Ukraine!

60 implied HN points • 08 Mar 22
  1. The writer expresses feeling confused by the events in Ukraine since the Russian invasion.
  2. Many people, including those in Ukraine, were surprised by the invasion.
  3. The writer invites readers to subscribe for more insights and a trial period.

A Forbidden Conversation about Gender Identity with Colin Wright

37 implied HN points • 27 Aug 22
  1. The conversation addresses the challenges of openly discussing gender identity topics
  2. The need for civil conversations on challenging topics is emphasized
  3. Encouragement for diverse viewpoints to join the conversation is expressed

Word Misappropriation: DIVERSITY

37 implied HN points • 17 Aug 22
  1. Diversity is being redefined to focus more on race and less on a variety of characteristics.
  2. The new definition of diversity can lead to excluding other important aspects of diversity.
  3. It's important to question and discuss what aspects of diversity are prioritized in society.

Is affirmative action racist or is it necessary?

37 implied HN points • 13 Aug 22
  1. Affirmative action is a tradition in education to correct past discrimination by considering race in admissions
  2. There are cases at the U.S. Supreme Court challenging affirmative action programs
  3. Tech companies like Meta, Google, Airbnb, Uber, Lyft, and Apple support affirmative action programs at Harvard

Why do we care?

51 implied HN points • 25 Mar 22
  1. Meeting people dedicated to a cause is fascinating.
  2. Some connections to causes can be quite direct.
  3. Consider subscribing to Random Minds for more content.

A Limb & A Moral Dilemma

32 implied HN points • 11 Aug 22
  1. A patient's desire to remove a limb can present a moral dilemma in healthcare.
  2. Therapeutic approaches like acceptance or medication may be considered before drastic measures.
  3. Balancing the patient's autonomy and well-being is a complex ethical issue in medical decision-making.

The Media Literacy Project

32 implied HN points • 28 Jul 22
  1. Building a media literacy resource for teachers and individuals to analyze media coverage.
  2. Starting on Substack but aiming to expand to a dedicated website with educational tools and resources.
  3. Considering a voluntary certification process to promote greater transparency in journalism.

Masked

46 implied HN points • 04 Mar 22
  1. The post discusses the topic of masks and face coverings.
  2. Masks are highlighted as a temporary escape from current concerns.
  3. The post offers a 7-day free trial to access full archives.

The Random Minds YouTube Channel

28 implied HN points • 23 Aug 22
  1. The Random Minds YouTube Channel by Katherine Brodsky offers podcast-style conversations in addition to Substack mini-essays.
  2. You can subscribe to Random Minds for a 7-day free trial to access the full post archives.
  3. Paid subscribers can sign in to access content on the Random Minds Substack.

Unconscious Bias: Can you read my mind?

28 implied HN points • 23 Aug 22
  1. Unconscious biases are hard to detect because they operate without awareness.
  2. It's important to reflect on personal biases but also acknowledge that true understanding of one's mind lies within the individual.
  3. Training on unconscious bias can sometimes lead to tension and inauthentic interactions, highlighting a need for better approaches to addressing biases.

"Believe Science"

56 implied HN points • 24 Oct 21
  1. The phrase 'Believe in Science' is being used to shame those who have different viewpoints, particularly on topics like the pandemic.
  2. There is an implication that believing in science should align with the specific version or narrative being presented.
  3. The post offers a 7-day free trial to subscribe and keep reading more content on the topic.

Vaccine Mandates: The Case For & Against

42 implied HN points • 22 Feb 22
  1. The article discusses the case for and against vaccine mandates.
  2. The author does not intend to debate the merits of taking the vaccine.
  3. Readers can access the full post by subscribing for a 7-day free trial.