The Works in Progress Newsletter

The Works in Progress Newsletter explores a diverse range of innovative and underrecognized ideas aimed at global betterment, covering historical developments, environmental issues, technological advancements, economic insights, and scientific research. It examines the interplay of culture, policy, and technology in addressing contemporary challenges and fostering progress.

Environmental Issues Technological Innovations Economic Development Scientific Research Historical Analysis Cultural Studies Policy and Governance Health and Medicine Energy Solutions Infrastructure and Urban Planning

The hottest Substack posts of The Works in Progress Newsletter

And their main takeaways

The end of lead

14 implied HN points • 03 Jul 25
🏥 Health Politics Public Health Environmental health Toxicology Regulation
  1. Lead exposure has serious health risks, especially for children, causing problems like high blood pressure and cognitive issues.
  2. Efforts to reduce lead in environments, like banning leaded gasoline and paint, have made significant progress but there are ongoing challenges in poorer countries.
  3. We already have solutions to eliminate lead exposure; we just need to implement them globally, especially by regulating sources like cosmetics and battery recycling.

The first non-opioid painkiller

34 implied HN points • 26 Jun 25
🏥 Health & Wellness Pharmaceuticals Pain management Clinical Trials Drug Development Health Policy
  1. Journavx is the first non-opioid pain reliever approved by the FDA, aiming to reduce reliance on addictive opioids for pain management. It works by blocking specific sodium channels in pain-sensing neurons instead of acting on the brain, which helps avoid side effects linked to opioids.
  2. The development of Journavx took decades due to the complex nature of pain and the challenges in finding effective, non-addictive alternatives. Researchers faced multiple setbacks and failures before finally succeeding with this novel painkiller.
  3. Currently, Journavx is mainly effective for treating acute pain and isn't yet approved for chronic pain conditions. It offers a new option for patients needing pain relief, especially in situations where traditional medications aren't sufficient.

How to redraw a city

17 implied HN points • 18 Jun 25
🪑 Design Urban Design Architecture Land use Infrastructure Planning
  1. Japan's cities transformed rapidly thanks to a planning method called land readjustment. This approach helps organize land into larger areas for better infrastructure while ensuring fairness for landowners.
  2. Infrastructure is crucial for city development, but it can be tricky because it often doesn't generate direct revenue. Japan managed to tackle this by sharing the benefits of new developments with everyone involved.
  3. Land readjustment isn't just useful in Japan; it has been applied successfully in other countries too. When communities feel included and can benefit from changes, it leads to better urban planning outcomes.

How New Zealand invented inflation targeting

9 implied HN points • 23 Jun 25
💰 Finance Monetary Policy Economic Reform Central Banking Global Economics
  1. New Zealand was the first country to adopt inflation targeting as a main goal for its central bank. This goal helped to stabilize prices and became a standard practice worldwide.
  2. The change in monetary policy came from political decisions rather than academic consensus. Roger Douglas, the Finance Minister in the 1980s, publicly set clear inflation goals, leading to a new approach in controlling inflation.
  3. Inflation targeting not only worked well in New Zealand but also influenced many other countries to adopt similar strategies. It helped central banks stabilize inflation expectations and aligned their incentives to minimize political interference in economic decisions.

The magic of through running

13 implied HN points • 17 Jun 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Urban planning Infrastructure Public Transit
  1. Cities can improve their transit systems by connecting existing rail lines instead of building entirely new ones. This means people can travel faster and more easily.
  2. Through running trains can help link suburbs directly to the city center, making public transport more efficient and reducing congestion in busy areas.
  3. Developing better rail connections can lead to urban growth, making neighborhoods more desirable and improving access to jobs and services.
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Gentrification as a housing problem

16 implied HN points • 09 Jun 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Housing policy Urban Development Social justice Economic Impact
  1. Gentrification happens when higher-income people move into a neighborhood, often pushing out lower-income residents. Better housing supply can help absorb new residents without causing displacement.
  2. Rent controls might help keep some people in their homes temporarily, but they often lead to poorer living conditions and can worsen housing affordability in the long run.
  3. To balance gentrification's impacts, creating more housing options and including community voices in development decisions can make neighborhoods better for both newcomers and existing residents.

Issue 19: American S-Bahn

9 implied HN points • 12 Jun 25
🕹 Technology Urban planning Health tech Energy Policy
  1. Cities can improve public transport by building small tunnels to connect existing train lines, making systems more efficient without huge costs.
  2. New Zealand's unique approach to controlling inflation changed how many countries handle their economies, showing that bold ideas can lead to widespread change.
  3. Lead poisoning is a big global issue that can be mostly solved with actions that have worked in wealthier countries, like testing and regulating sources of lead.

The prophet of parking

30 implied HN points • 12 Feb 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Urban planning Public Policy Transportation Environmental Policy Housing policy
  1. Donald Shoup changed how we think about parking, showing that it's too cheap and needs proper pricing to avoid problems like congestion. This change affects where we live and how our cities are planned.
  2. Minimum parking requirements can lead to unnecessary costs and too much parking being built, which wrecks city layouts and makes housing more expensive. Eliminating these requirements can help allow for better city designs.
  3. Shoup's approach includes using money from parking fees to improve local areas, gaining community support for pricing parking. His work has sparked a global movement for parking reform.

A writing fellowship on scientific progress

25 implied HN points • 11 Feb 25
🔬 Science Biotechnology Metascience Technology History Publications
  1. There is a six-month writing fellowship where writers can create articles about scientific progress. It's a great chance for those interested in topics like biotech or the history of science.
  2. Writers in the fellowship will get help from experienced mentors and editors to improve their work. They will also receive a stipend of $1,500 per month for completing their writing.
  3. It's important for applicants to have a blog or previous writing experience. The fellowship encourages original thinking and aims to support writers looking to share their unique ideas.

A review of Charles Piller’s Doctored

19 implied HN points • 26 Feb 25
🏥 Health Politics Research Ethics Public Health Alzheimer's Disease Regulatory issues
  1. Fraud and bad research have hurt Alzheimer's studies for years. Some scientists faked results, leading to wasted money and efforts chasing non-existent breakthroughs.
  2. Many findings in Alzheimer's research, like the amyloid hypothesis, have not led to effective treatments. This shows that simply following popular theories can mislead researchers away from better solutions.
  3. The issues in research go beyond fraud; they include the way studies are designed and published. Negative results are often ignored, which can cause scientists to miss important information and keep searching down the wrong paths.

Links in Progress: We can still build beautifully

23 implied HN points • 31 Jan 25
🎭️ Culture Architecture Urbanism Design Community Environment
  1. Many new buildings over the last two decades show that creativity and beauty in design are still very much possible. These structures challenge the common idea of what homes or offices should look like.
  2. It's important to consider how new developments can fit into existing communities while respecting their character. Good design can enhance neighborhoods without losing their unique charm.
  3. Recent architecture demonstrates that we can create functional spaces that are also beautiful and inviting. This could inspire more people to support new projects in their areas.

Links in Progress: Snakebites, Pig Hearts, and More

19 implied HN points • 03 Feb 25
🔬 Science Biotechnology Medicine Genetics Public Health Pharmaceuticals
  1. An AI tool has been developed to create a new kind of antivenom that can work without refrigeration. This could help save many lives, especially in areas where snakebites are common.
  2. A study showed that a vaccine for Ebola had an 84% effectiveness in preventing the disease in high-risk groups. This is good news for controlling future outbreaks.
  3. New technologies in gene editing and drug development are rapidly evolving, with Chinese companies making significant strides in creating new treatments.

Why housing shortages cause homelessness

18 implied HN points • 29 Jan 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Housing policy Homelessness Social Issues Urban Development Public Policy
  1. Housing shortages and high costs make it harder for families and friends to offer shelter to those in need. When prices rise, there's less space available for people to stay with loved ones.
  2. Many individuals avoid homelessness by living with family or friends, especially in places with lower housing costs. This support network plays a key role in keeping vulnerable people off the streets.
  3. Solutions to homelessness should focus on increasing the supply of affordable housing. Better housing options help families support one another and prevent individuals from slipping into homelessness.

History is in the making

28 implied HN points • 29 Nov 24
💾 History Political Events Intellectual history Technological Change Cultural impact
  1. History often focuses too much on political events like wars and revolutions, but it's actually technology and ideas that drive real change in our lives.
  2. Key dates in history, like the invention of the airplane or the creation of the first synthetic hamburger, are often overlooked, yet they have profoundly shaped how we live today.
  3. If we shift our attention from politics to technological advancements, we can better understand how human ingenuity improves our world and offers solutions to modern problems.

Links in Progress: Should we give babies the vote?

14 implied HN points • 28 Jan 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Demographics Voting Rights Public Policy Economic Impact
  1. Many people are single now, which is making it harder for birth rates to go up. If we want to see more babies, we need to help people find partners.
  2. Having a stable home situation is really important for starting a family. Some studies show that financial help for housing can actually lead to more people having kids.
  3. South Korea is seeing a small increase in births for the first time in years. This might be because of new government policies that encourage families to have more children.

Links in Progress: What are children for?

21 implied HN points • 18 Nov 24
  1. The UN's predictions about birth rates are often incorrect. For example, Colombia had 30% fewer births than what was forecasted for 2023.
  2. People have mixed feelings about birth rates in the US; 22% think there aren’t enough children being born, while 23% believe there are too many.
  3. Cultural factors play a big role in birth rates, as shown by the high fertility on the Japanese island of Tokunoshima, where getting married after becoming pregnant is accepted.

Making architecture easy

18 implied HN points • 22 Nov 24
🪑 Design Architecture Urban planning Aesthetics
  1. Architectural styles should prioritize ease of appreciation for the public, as buildings are experienced by many, not just their owners. This makes it important for styles to be friendly and accessible to everyone.
  2. There's a difference between 'easy' and 'challenging' styles in architecture. Easy styles are enjoyable without much effort, while challenging styles can be difficult to appreciate for most people.
  3. Modern architecture often tends to be less appealing to the general public, leading to a need for styles that blend traditional principles to ensure buildings fit well into everyday environments.

How pour-over coffee got good

15 implied HN points • 09 Dec 24
🍲 Food & Drink Coffee Brewing Culture Technology Business
  1. Pour-over coffee has become popular for its quality but takes time to make, causing challenges for coffee shops. Many shops are now finding ways to offer pour-over without long wait times.
  2. Several new coffee brewing technologies have emerged to help cafes offer a variety of brews, improving both speed and taste. Machines like the Clover and newer automation systems are making it easier to serve great coffee quickly.
  3. The history of coffee brewing shows a shift from quick, machine-made coffee to more careful, artisanal methods like pour-over, reflecting a growing appreciation for the distinct flavors of different coffee origins.

Three percent more Monaco: Links in Progress, infrastructure edition

11 implied HN points • 30 Dec 24
🕹 Technology Infrastructure Transportation Urban planning Construction Development
  1. A new airport opened in Nuuk, Greenland, making it easier for larger planes to land and boosting travel from locations like New Jersey.
  2. Vietnam is planning an impressive high-speed rail line between Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, which will cost around $67 billion and open in 2035.
  3. Monaco is expanding its land area by reclaiming land from the sea to build a new district, highlighting its ambition to develop upscale real estate.

Issue 17: No great stagnation in cruise ships

12 implied HN points • 05 Dec 24
🕹 Technology Infrastructure Engineering Urbanism Biotechnology Data science Chemistry
  1. Cruise ships show that new ideas and growth are still possible in design and urban living, even as some land technologies seem to stall.
  2. Madrid has successfully built its metro system much faster and cheaper than cities like London and New York by using smart planning and incentives for local leaders.
  3. Many animals, like horses and crabs, are essential for creating life-saving chemicals, reminding us that we still rely on nature, even as technology advances.

The ultra-selfish gene

13 implied HN points • 08 Nov 24
🔬 Science Genetics Malaria Gene-editing Ecology Biotechnology
  1. Gene editing technology, especially CRISPR/Cas9, offers powerful ways to potentially eliminate malaria by modifying the mosquitoes that spread it. This could save millions of lives.
  2. Selfish genetic elements can alter inheritance patterns within populations, which may allow a single gene edit to spread rapidly through an entire species, potentially causing significant ecological changes.
  3. While gene drives could provide solutions to public health issues, their release carries risks. There’s a need for careful monitoring and potential reversal strategies to prevent unintended consequences.

Where inflation comes from

12 implied HN points • 14 Nov 24
💰 Finance Inflation Statistics Economic Policy Consumer behavior Labor Economics
  1. Inflation measurement is complex and changes in how we calculate it can significantly impact our understanding of the economy. Small adjustments can make us feel either richer or poorer.
  2. The Consumer Price Index (CPI) is crucial for economic policies, affecting everything from Social Security benefits to tax brackets, which makes its measurement a point of political debate.
  3. Various methods and indexes, like the PCE and the chained CPI, aim to capture price changes accurately, but they each have strengths and weaknesses in addressing real-life consumer experiences.

Links in Progress: Expanding the Mediterranean's busiest port

8 implied HN points • 05 Nov 24
🕹 Technology Infrastructure Transport Energy Construction Innovation
  1. There's a new rail tunnel in Switzerland that cuts travel time between Switzerland and Italy by an hour. It's called the Gotthard Base Tunnel.
  2. A massive tunnel is being built between Denmark and Germany that will make travel faster by replacing a ferry with a quick car drive. It will be one of the longest tunnels in the world.
  3. Riyadh, Saudi Arabia is getting a driverless monorail to connect different areas. It's part of a bigger plan to improve public transport in the city.

Notes on Progress: Degrowth and the monkey's paw

39 implied HN points • 15 May 23
🎭️ Culture Environment Society Politics
  1. In the pursuit of degrowth, the focus on economic growth has diminished, leading to stagnant productivity in the UK.
  2. Though progress in environmentalism seems evident, challenges arise from conflicting priorities within environmental groups influencing decisions like energy policy and housing development.
  3. Culture wars and societal disagreements on important issues may intensify in a post-growth world as focus shifts from material concerns to cultural values and community matters.

The asbestos times

19 implied HN points • 11 Jan 24
🔬 Science Chemistry History Health Trade Production
  1. Asbestos, once favored for its fireproof properties, faced a downfall as its health risks became evident.
  2. Asbestos, a naturally occurring material, was widely used for its fireproof and durable qualities in various applications.
  3. The global use of asbestos declined due to health concerns, leading to bans in many countries and the development of alternative materials.

Britain’s interwar apartment boom

15 implied HN points • 27 Feb 24
🎨 Art & Illustration Architecture History
  1. Between 1934 and 1939, there was a significant boom in the construction of flats in London, with over 56,000 flats built. This period marked a shift from the predominant planning ethos of the time and led to a broad range of flats designed for different budgets and locations.
  2. The era prior to the interwar apartment boom in Britain was characterized by the construction of semi-detached homes on the outskirts of cities. The surge in private flat construction during the 1930s offered a different housing option to a wider range of people, breaking away from the norm of suburban living.
  3. The 1930s saw the rise of purpose-built flats, moving from traditional housing forms. These flats were embraced by a more affluent demographic and reflected changing lifestyles and aspirations. The historic interwar apartment boom in Britain offers insights into urban housing densification and its implications in modern city development.

Lost science

14 implied HN points • 19 Jan 24
🔬 Science Discoveries Research Virology Statistics AI
  1. Scientific papers can be forgotten but later become highly influential.
  2. Sleeping beauties in science are more common than expected.
  3. Technology, access to findings, and interdisciplinary collaborations play a role in awakening dormant scientific knowledge.

The Power of the Earth

13 implied HN points • 09 Feb 24
🔬 Science Geothermal Energy Renewable Energy Energy transition
  1. Geothermal energy, originating from the Earth's core, offers a clean and abundant energy source.
  2. Innovative drilling methods using millimeter waves show potential to revolutionize deep geothermal projects.
  3. Geothermal power has the potential to provide continuous, clean energy on a global scale, but requires further technological advancements and support from governments.

The entrepreneurial state

11 implied HN points • 26 Jan 24
🌍 World Politics European history
  1. Where you are born significantly impacts your economic opportunities.
  2. Competition and war among states can drive institutional progress and innovation.
  3. Territorial competition between states can lead to a process of creative destruction and better governance.

The Cocktail Revolution

12 implied HN points • 08 Dec 23
🍲 Food & Drink Cocktails Ingredients Culinary techniques
  1. Bars have seen significant improvement in the quality and creativity of craft cocktails since the turn of the century due to an obsession with ingredient quality and variety.
  2. The cocktail renaissance involves rediscovering and revitalizing novel ingredients, like crème de violette, through bartender demand and supply from importers.
  3. Innovations in cocktail construction include the reintroduction of fresh juice, the return of ingredients like rye whiskey, and the creation of novel ingredients like Super Juice.

Notes on Progress: Artificial flavoring

22 implied HN points • 06 Apr 23
🎭️ Culture Food & Drink History Technology Science
  1. In the 19th century, Americans were not scared of 'artificial' products like they are today.
  2. The term 'artificial ice' was initially used negatively to discredit new technology, but eventually, it became a desirable and superior product because it was cheaper and more reliable.
  3. Artificial ice gained popularity due to its promise of purity, technological advancements, and lower cost compared to natural ice.

Works in Progress: 2023 Wrapped

11 implied HN points • 22 Dec 23
🎭️ Culture Blogs Events Videos Books
  1. The top articles of the year include 'How mathematics built the modern world', 'France's baby bust', and 'Why Britain doesn't build'.
  2. Noteworthy posts like 'Degrowth and the monkey's paw', 'In pursuit of decent coffee', and 'The value of family' made an impact this year.
  3. Popular links covered various topics like infrastructure challenges in Britain, high-speed rail in America, and incredible science images.

Issue 14: A peasant surprise

8 implied HN points • 16 Feb 24
💾 History Urban planning
  1. The 14th issue of Works in Progress talks about Russia's historical reforms to dismantle serfdom, with lessons for current reform efforts today.
  2. Proposing new approaches to organ donation incentives may be more effective than defaults, as shown by research by Duncan McClements and Jason Hausenloy.
  3. Reviving the cut and cover method for building underground railway networks could be a cost-effective solution for many cities, as explored by Brian Potter.

The road from serfdom

7 implied HN points • 06 Mar 24
💾 History Reforms Agriculture Political Conflict Economic Impact
  1. Institutional changes can be designed to buy in established interests using gains from reform which may avoid prolonged and violent conflicts for reform.
  2. The development of liberal institutions for long-term economic growth can present challenges for countries with existing poor institutions as seen in the Western Europe, East Asia, and North America regions.
  3. Instituting successful and lasting institutional reforms requires careful management of suboptimal institutions to effect change quickly and avoid backlash, as demonstrated by the agricultural reforms in Tsarist Russia under Pyotr Stolypin.