The hottest Academia Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
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Ancient Rome, Heavy Metal, and The Academy

Cosy Moments • 13 implied HN points • 07 Mar 24
🎭️ Culture Academia
  1. The author reflects on how being a heavy metal guitar player shaped his dedication to mastering music, comparing guitar players to mythical figures like Hercules.
  2. An overview of the book 'Classical Antiquity in Heavy Metal Music' is shared, highlighting the intersection of classics and heavy metal as a topic of discussion in academia.
  3. Critiques are made on the analysis included in the book, questioning the focus on gender, political analysis, music lyrics, and the relevance of studying classics through the lens of modern music culture.

Harvard achieves scientific consensus by eliminating those who disagree

Steve Kirsch's newsletter • 12 implied HN points • 13 Mar 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Academia
  1. Harvard achieves scientific consensus by eliminating dissenting voices, creating an atmosphere of intimidation and silencing.
  2. There is a lack of transparency at Harvard regarding decisions, like dropping the COVID vaccination mandate, leading to questions about accountability.
  3. The message from Harvard to their faculty is clear: Follow instructions without questioning to avoid repercussions, which raises concerns about academic freedom.

Who's Afraid of Data Fabrication?

Marginally Compelling • 12 implied HN points • 06 Feb 24
🔬 Science Academia
  1. There have been recent accusations of data fabrication in elite research institutions at high levels.
  2. The fabrication methods exposed have been lazy and poorly done, revealing copied and pasted graphs and flipped results.
  3. The pressure to publish novel results quickly in academia might be contributing to the rise in data fabrication.
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Karleen Gribble | The War on Science Interviews | Day 20

Critical Mass • 1 implied HN point • 14 Aug 25
🔬 Science Academia
  1. There will be 20 interviews released daily with authors from the book 'The War on Science,' starting from July 22. Each interview will cover various topics related to science and academia.
  2. The discussions will address issues like how ideology is affecting science, free speech in universities, and the challenges that current academic trends pose to genuine scholarship.
  3. The aim is to provoke a conversation about restoring trust and sound science in academia, emphasizing the importance of free inquiry and the negative effects of cancel culture and distortions in science.

Who's Who in A.I.

Gradient Ascendant • 18 implied HN points • 01 Mar 23
🕹 Technology Academia
  1. OpenAI is a major player in the AI industry, led by controversial figures like Elon Musk.
  2. Microsoft has made a comeback in the AI field through partnerships and investments, notably with OpenAI.
  3. An increasingly vibrant AI ecosystem is emerging with startups, enthusiasts, and established companies all contributing to the field.

Lauren Schwartz and Arthur Rousseau | The War on Science Interviews | Day 17

Critical Mass • 1 implied HN point • 09 Aug 25
🔬 Science Academia
  1. There are 20 interviews being released with authors from the book 'The War on Science' starting on July 22. Each interview focuses on different issues in science and academia.
  2. The discussions cover serious topics like free speech in universities and ideological biases affecting scientific research and education.
  3. The goal is to spark conversation about restoring trust and integrity in science while addressing the internal challenges in academia today.

Sally Satel | The War on Science Interviews | Day 7

Critical Mass • 1 implied HN point • 31 Jul 25
🔬 Science Academia
  1. A series of interviews with authors from The War on Science will be released, highlighting important discussions about science and scholarship today. Each interview will cover different topics related to challenges in academia and the impact of social issues.
  2. The authors address issues like the influence of ideology on science, free speech limitations in universities, and the effects of cancel culture on research. These discussions are meant to spark conversations about how to improve scientific integrity.
  3. While there are new external threats to science, the internal problems in academia need attention. The goal is to restore trust in science and protect the principles of free inquiry and merit-based scholarship.

Book Review: The Sacred Project of American Sociology

Symbolic Capital(ism) • 19 implied HN points • 07 May 20
🚌 Education Academia
  1. American sociology is a political, sacred, and spiritual project with a specific goal of emancipation, equality, and moral affirmation of individuals.
  2. Sociology's sacred project aims to venerate, protect, and advance a specific Durkheimian sacred regarding human autonomy, equality, and identity.
  3. Sociologists must critically assess and make explicit the sacred mission of American sociology to better understand the discipline's impacts, costs, and tradeoffs on academia and society.

Freaks of Nature

Some Unpleasant Arithmetic • 8 implied HN points • 03 May 23
🚌 Education Academia
  1. Freakonomics and SuperFreakonomics explore economic behavior in various aspects of life through vignettes.
  2. The books present controversial theories and findings, such as the impact of abortion legalization on crime rates and climate change cost-benefit analysis.
  3. Critics argue that while the books offer a unique perspective, they may lack rigor in answering complex economic questions.

A Genealogy of the "Great Awokening"

Symbolic Capital(ism) • 19 implied HN points • 04 Oct 19
🎭️ Culture Academia
  1. Many concepts and approaches in today's discourse about institutions of higher learning are not new, but have deep historical roots, often pre-dating recent controversies.
  2. Elite schools have played a significant role in shaping and promoting these ideas, setting trends that other institutions tend to follow.
  3. The institutionalization of social justice movements involved a deliberate, decentralized, and multi-faceted approach, including targeting education schools to influence primary and secondary education.

Objectively Ranking the Presidents

Gideon's Substack • 3 HN points • 20 Feb 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Academia
  1. Presidential rankings can be subjective and change over time based on historical perspectives and societal values.
  2. Greatness in a president can be defined by their impact, leadership style, and ability to navigate complex political landscapes.
  3. Moderates may provide a more objective evaluation of presidents due to potentially weaker ideological filters.

Xinh đẹp

Thái | Hacker | Kỹ sư tin tặc • 19 implied HN points • 19 Jun 15
🎭️ Culture Academia
  1. The article discusses the concept of 'Xinh đẹp' which translates to 'beauty' or 'beautiful' in Vietnamese.
  2. The post mentions various professions followed by 'xinh đẹp', revealing a focus on describing individuals in those professions as 'beautiful.'
  3. It humorously suggests shifting focus from admiring beautiful women to admiring handsome male professors engaging in a conversation on the beach.

Chariots of the Gods? Not Likely

Homo Ludens • 0 implied HN points • 22 Apr 24
🎭️ Culture Academia
  1. Euro-centrism has led to the unjust attribution of architectural and technological wonders to white Europeans, undermining the achievements of other civilizations.
  2. The propagation of Euro-centric narratives, such as the idea of aliens building ancient wonders, harms the recognition of the true creators and their agency in history.
  3. Academia and education systems need to address and move away from Euro-centric histories in order to respect the contributions and cultures of diverse civilizations worldwide.

Simulating the World (Pt. 3)

Homo Ludens • 0 implied HN points • 12 Mar 24
💾 History Academia
  1. Simulating the world through games and gaming is a distinguishing trait of humankind, separating us from animals.
  2. Academic interest in war games, especially traditional ones, has grown significantly in recent decades and offers valuable analytical tools for studying military history.
  3. War games have played a crucial role in the training of military officers throughout history, with a notable influence on strategy development and operational effectiveness.

Luyện đá

Thái | Hacker | Kỹ sư tin tặc • 0 implied HN points • 09 Jul 12
🚌 Education Academia
  1. Focus on mastering one skill rather than trying to learn many different ones.
  2. It's okay to change paths and explore different interests until you find what truly excites you.
  3. Choose a kick to practice and if you don't enjoy it, try a different one. It's about finding what you love.

The CRU Scandals: A Reflection on Academia

Musings on Markets • 0 implied HN points • 28 Nov 09
🚌 Education Academia
  1. Academic research often prioritizes getting published over exploring interesting questions. Researchers might choose to work on safe topics that are easier to publish instead of tackling big, challenging ideas.
  2. Bias can affect research outcomes. Researchers bring their own perspectives and preconceptions, which can influence what they study and how they interpret data.
  3. The educational background and connections of a researcher can greatly impact their chances of getting published. Those from elite institutions or who have influential mentors often have better success in the publishing world.

Dorian Abbot | The War on Science Interviews | Day 21

Critical Mass • 0 implied HN points • 14 Aug 25
🔬 Science Academia
  1. A series of interviews will be released, featuring various authors discussing the problems in science and academia today. These discussions aim to raise awareness and spark conversation.
  2. The authors talk about issues like the impact of cancel culture, distorted views on biology, and how social justice activism is affecting academic scholarship. They believe these are serious threats to science.
  3. The goal is to encourage a movement to restore trust and quality in science education. They want more people to speak out against the current challenges faced in universities.

Alex Byrne and Moti Gorin | The War on Science Interviews | Day 18

Critical Mass • 0 implied HN points • 11 Aug 25
🔬 Science Academia
  1. A series of 20 interviews with authors from the book 'The War on Science' is being released daily. These interviews cover important topics affecting science and academia today.
  2. The discussions focus on issues like ideological corruption in science, cancel culture, and the impact of social justice activism on scholarship. It's crucial to recognize how these challenges are harming the pursuit of knowledge.
  3. The goal is to spark conversations that will help restore trust and excellence in science at universities. It's important for everyone to get involved and address these internal conflicts within academia.

Generative Anthropology in Review

Mag’s Monthly • 0 implied HN points • 09 Apr 23
🚌 Education Academia
  1. Generative Anthropology is viewed differently online versus in academic institutions.
  2. Critics often claim Generative Anthropology is debunked, but sources for this are limited.
  3. There is a need for better understanding and study guides for Generative Anthropology to improve its online presence.

Fireside chat with Amira Abbas

Quantum Formalism • 0 implied HN points • 08 Oct 20
🚌 Education Academia
  1. A fireside chat with Amira Abbas is scheduled for October 20 at 4 pm BST.
  2. The fireside chat aims to provide motivation for learners as the mathematics gets harder.
  3. Interesting people from the industry and academia are invited to share their journey with the class during the fireside chat.

Ken Arrow: The Greatest

Joshua Gans' Newsletter • 0 implied HN points • 22 Feb 17
🚌 Education Academia
  1. Ken Arrow made significant contributions to economics and won the Nobel Prize in 1972, being one of the youngest recipients.
  2. Ken Arrow was known for his exceptional intelligence and quick thinking, leaving a lasting impact on economic science.
  3. Despite his brilliance, Ken Arrow remained humble, approachable, and had a humorous side, making him a unique and revered figure in the field.

Investing in gender-neutral pronouns

Joshua Gans' Newsletter • 0 implied HN points • 08 Oct 16
🎭️ Culture Academia
  1. Gender-neutral pronouns can be a simple way to avoid unnecessary gender bias in writing and communication.
  2. It may be worth considering the moral argument for using gender-neutral pronouns, especially when gender identification is irrelevant.
  3. Starting to use gender-neutral pronouns at a young age can help reduce the associated costs and make it easier to make the change in communication style.

Tomi Faison: 11 Notes From the Pod

Do Not Research • 0 implied HN points • 15 Feb 22
🎭️ Culture Academia
  1. Learning to accept the balance of freedom and care, especially after a period of chaotic work
  2. Questioning the balance between socialism and individual liberty, particularly in light of current global events
  3. Exploring the complexities of freedom and control in different contexts like driving and academia

Devin Thomas O'Shea: /lit/

Do Not Research • 0 implied HN points • 15 Sep 21
📚 Literature Academia
  1. The /lit/ board attracts a diverse group including thwarted academics, aspiring writers, and individuals seeking intellectual validation outside traditional institutions.
  2. Reading novels is still important because it provides a break from the attention economy and encourages active, empathetic thinking that is often lacking in late capitalism.
  3. The landscape of academia, especially in fields like English Literature, is changing with a shift towards areas like Ethnic Studies and a decline in traditional humanities departments.