Reboot

Reboot focuses on exploring the intersection of technology, ethics, and societal impact, advocating for a techno-optimistic future. It covers a range of topics including tech criticism, mental health in tech, AI alignment, internet privacy, domain politics, and the cultural implications of technology through reviews, personal narratives, and critical essays.

Technology & Society Mental Health in the Tech Industry AI Ethics & Alignment Internet Privacy & Security Digital Culture & Media Tech Innovation & Policy Music & Technology Environmental Sustainability in Tech

The hottest Substack posts of Reboot

And their main takeaways

My Biological Archive

19 implied HN points • 09 Feb 25
🕹 Technology Biotech Data Privacy Health tech Digital Culture Personalization
  1. Tracking biological data can reveal personal insights, but it can't capture everything about our experiences. Each person's journey with their body is unique and complex.
  2. There are concerns over biotechnology companies misusing genetic data, as shown by incidents like 23andMe's data breach. It's important to think carefully about who we trust with our personal information.
  3. We have more control over our bodily experiences than we might think. Listening to our bodies and prioritizing our personal stories can lead to a deeper understanding of ourselves.

On Typing Chinese

31 implied HN points • 03 Feb 25
🕹 Technology Digital Literacy Software Development Cultural impact User Interfaces Language processing
  1. Typing in Chinese is complex because it involves using different input methods to represent thousands of characters. This process can be frustrating and often requires negotiating between what you want to say and how the computer interprets your typing.
  2. There is a digital divide in China between generations and socioeconomic groups. Younger people are more familiar with technology, while older individuals may struggle to adapt, leading to varying experiences in the digital world.
  3. Moving from typing Chinese to English can be challenging, as it requires adjusting your muscle memory and skills. This switch highlights how language and technology can create feelings of exclusion for those not fully versed in the dominant digital practices.

🎛️ Kernel 5 Pitches Now Open!

26 implied HN points • 17 Jan 25
🎭️ Culture Art Literature Technology Writing Media
  1. Kernel Magazine is looking for creative and nonfiction pitches for Issue 5. You can share your ideas by February 1.
  2. The theme for this issue is about 'rules'—how they shape our lives and can both help and restrict us.
  3. They're interested in unique formats and styles, like experiments in form or creative interpretations of modern issues.

Nearest Neighbors

25 implied HN points • 01 Dec 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Labor Rights Unions Political Activism Tech industry
  1. Building a union starts with courage; it's about workers coming together to discuss their working conditions. It's important to voice the need for change and solidarity among coworkers.
  2. A union is not just about having one clear goal; it's a collection of shared concerns and values. The process of creating and maintaining a union is continuous and involves the collective effort of its members.
  3. Convenience often gets in the way of organization; the work of building a union can be inconvenient but is necessary for creating meaningful change in the workplace.

Macrodoses #5: The Election

17 implied HN points • 11 Nov 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Election Analysis Political Rhetoric Government Policies Campaign strategies
  1. There's a big shift happening in tech, moving from wanting less government control to actually working more closely with the government. This change seems tied to recent political events and the tech industry's desire to stay in favor with lawmakers.
  2. Many people feel disconnected from political narratives because their real-life experiences don’t match the statistics often provided. This gap can lead to distrust in institutions when voters' feelings are dismissed.
  3. Right-wing ideas are finding success on social media and through influencer culture, while progressive ideas struggle to gain the same traction. This means left-leaning voices need to find better ways to communicate their visions in relatable and appealing ways.
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From Papyrus to Preprints

7 implied HN points • 08 Dec 24
🔬 Science Research Peer Review Publishing Science Policy
  1. Preprints are changing how research is shared. They allow scientists to share their findings quickly, before formal peer reviews, which helps speed up the conversation in the scientific community.
  2. The traditional peer review process can be slow and has limitations. Sometimes, important discoveries don’t get published because they don't fit the narrow criteria of journals.
  3. Platforms like arXiv have democratized access to research. They let everyone see new ideas and findings, but they also require us to be careful about the quality of information we trust.

Show Us Your Screens!

12 implied HN points • 03 Nov 24
🎶 Music Electronic Music Performance art Music technology
  1. Live coding is when artists use code to make music and visuals in real time. This creates a unique experience where audiences can see how the music is built as it happens.
  2. Algoraves offer a new way of experiencing electronic music, drawing audiences into the creative process. This setting allows for interaction and a feeling of connection between coders and the audience.
  3. Making music with code can challenge traditional music rules. Artists can experiment and create new sounds that aren't limited to typical instruments, leading to innovative musical expressions.

Out of the Sandbox

32 implied HN points • 24 Feb 24
🕹 Technology China Politics Hacking Customization
  1. Jailbreaking iPhones was a way to explore the full potential of Apple devices beyond the limitations set by the company.
  2. Jailbreaking in China was not only common but essential for accessing features like multilingual support and blocking spam calls.
  3. Through jailbreaking, individuals found a way to challenge authority, explore political subversiveness, and open up to alternative possibilities.

Searching For My City

24 implied HN points • 09 Mar 24
🎭️ Culture Community Online Platforms Community Building
  1. Early online communities like Bulletin Board Systems (BBSs) fostered local connections and community building through text-based websites and local forums.
  2. Platforms like Yelp and Google Maps have shifted the focus from local community engagement to commercialized consumption, impacting the way we interact with and perceive our cities.
  3. Creating and sustaining place-based digital networks presents challenges, but initiatives like DIY internet radio stations showcase the potential for online communities to embrace local culture and connection.

On Quitting Spotify

38 implied HN points • 21 Oct 23
🎭️ Culture Music Technology Essays Streaming Radio
  1. The author explores quitting Spotify in favor of CDs & radio for a more intentional listening experience.
  2. The obsession with frictionless algorithms on streaming platforms may limit the diversity and depth of music discovery.
  3. Diversifying music consumption with CDs, radio, and live performances can offer unique, fulfilling listening experiences.

The Future is Local

22 implied HN points • 10 Feb 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Government Public Service Elections Local Politics Policy
  1. The future is about engaging in local communities and local politics, even if less glamorous than pursuing opportunities in tech hotspots.
  2. Religion can play a significant role in shaping worldviews and motivating individuals to engage in public service and local civic life.
  3. Finding your own path to civic engagement may involve unexpected detours, exploring diverse interests, and being open to advice while ultimately making decisions that align with your values and passions.

On Techno-Optimism

30 implied HN points • 24 Oct 23
🕹 Technology Tech Ethics Social Impact Innovation Progress Society
  1. Technological progress can accelerate human advancement, often underestimated by progressives.
  2. Techno-optimism is about taking action to build tools that benefit collective well-being.
  3. Aligning technology with social, political, and environmental progress is crucial for a better future.

🍀 Coming Soon: Kernel Magazine Issue 4

15 implied HN points • 20 Feb 24
🎭️ Culture Magazine Art Music
  1. The Kernel Magazine Issue 4 will explore luck, chance, and probability through stories, essays, poems, and illustrations.
  2. Join the Reboot Community Day on March 23 for creative workshops, group discussions, and the Kernel 4 launch in San Francisco.
  3. Stay tuned for more previews from Kernel 4, including a cover reveal by Kristy Xue Gao.

Threat Model

21 implied HN points • 18 Nov 23
🕹 Technology Privacy Security Internet Surveillance Digital ethics
  1. In the age of the internet, it's challenging to disappear in America due to the digital footprint left by basic needs like addresses, bank cards, and online accounts.
  2. There is a small community of tech-savvy individuals focused on extreme privacy, using specialized tools like privacy-focused operating systems, encrypted communication, and anonymous browsing.
  3. Extreme privacy can be isolating and exhausting, leading to a constant balance between the desire for privacy and the inherent risks and limitations of disappearing from the public eye.

The Artificiality of Alignment

26 implied HN points • 19 Aug 23
🕹 Technology AI Research Ethics Market Governance
  1. The current trajectory of AI alignment research seems more focused on building profitable products than preventing widespread harm.
  2. The technical approaches to aligning AI systems with human values may prioritize building better products rather than mitigating long-term risks.
  3. Engaging in nuanced discussions about AI and its potential risks requires considering how algorithms could impact decision-making and societal structures.

🍀 WE'RE FEELING LUCKY

9 implied HN points • 17 Mar 24
🎭️ Culture Magazine Art Literature Events Community
  1. Kernel Magazine Issue 4 is out now with special foil cover editions available
  2. Launch parties are happening in DC, SF, and NYC - details provided at the end of the post
  3. The magazine explores the theme of luck in various contexts, intertwining technology and chance

On Oppenheimer

21 implied HN points • 12 Aug 23
🎭️ Culture Film Technology History Politics Literature
  1. The movie Oppenheimer highlights the intertwining of technology with politics and the ethical implications of scientific progress.
  2. Tech discourse often overlooks the political context of innovation and the role of federal funding and policy cooperation in technology development.
  3. Oppenheimer's story reflects the complex relationship between science, politics, and belief systems, emphasizing the need to consider historical context in technological advancements.

Freewheeling Futures

15 implied HN points • 07 Oct 23
🕹 Technology Urbanism AI Governance Emerging technologies
  1. Autonomous vehicles should be deployed responsibly, with full participation of the public.
  2. Car-centric urbanism has negative impacts and it's crucial to prioritize public transportation and mixed-use urbanism.
  3. To ensure optimal benefit to society, emerging technologies like AVs should be governed accountably with input from residents and careful planning.

⚡️ A Philosophy of Subtraction

19 implied HN points • 06 Feb 23
  1. The Ethereum Foundation follows a philosophy of subtraction, focusing on distributing resources and opportunities rather than accumulating them.
  2. Subtraction philosophy in practice for the Ethereum Foundation includes a four-layered structure that delegates funding and decision-making externally.
  3. The effectiveness of subtraction at the Ethereum Foundation is hard to measure, but the approach encourages ecosystem resilience and decentralized coordination.