The hottest Behavior Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
Category
Top Culture Topics
Trevor Klee’s Newsletter β€’ 1641 implied HN points β€’ 01 Feb 25
  1. People can have different perceptions of a person based on their size. For example, a large person might be considered intimidating, even if they are friendly.
  2. This awareness of how others view them can be a burden and a blessing for someone who is large. They may adjust their behavior to avoid scaring people.
  3. If someone who is usually small suddenly became large, they might act differently, feeling more confident in using their size. However, that could lead to negative consequences if they don't understand the responsibilities that come with it.
The Leap β€’ 619 implied HN points β€’ 26 Jul 24
  1. Cheating in poker can involve bending or breaking the rules to gain an unfair advantage. It's important to understand what constitutes cheating to maintain fair play.
  2. Angle-shooting is a gray area in poker where players exploit loopholes in the rules without outright cheating. This behavior can create tension and mistrust among players.
  3. Understanding the meaning of rules and how they are enforced is vital in poker. It helps ensure that everyone is playing the game fairly and enjoying the experience.
The Intrinsic Perspective β€’ 25658 implied HN points β€’ 07 Jun 23
  1. Stop striving to create a perfect social media site - it's an unachievable goal.
  2. New social media platforms may start off well, but they often succumb to the same issues as existing ones.
  3. Human nature and the dynamics within social media make it challenging to design a platform that avoids negative behavior.
The Infinitesimal β€’ 499 implied HN points β€’ 05 Jul 24
  1. Human traits are influenced by many tiny genetic factors, making understanding them complex. This means small changes in genetics can impact our traits in different ways.
  2. Talking about nature versus nurture isn't simple; both genetics and environment play big roles. There's often a mix of many genes working together rather than clear-cut definitions.
  3. The concept of heritability is tricky and often debated. Different studies can show very different results about how much genetics affect things like intelligence or behavior.
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The Glinner Update β€’ 3891 implied HN points β€’ 17 Jun 23
  1. In the 1970s, the Samaritans faced challenges with obscene callers and implemented the Brenda system to address the issue.
  2. The Brenda system categorized obscene callers based on their motivations, which included various types of individuals like horny adolescent boys and fetishists.
  3. The approach of compassionate care towards obscene callers has had an impact on transforming societal expectations, making us all potential 'Brenda Volunteers'.
Rob Henderson's Newsletter β€’ 1231 implied HN points β€’ 03 Dec 24
  1. Women with tattoos might be more open to casual relationships and tend to enjoy new experiences more than those without tattoos.
  2. Going to religious services regularly can make people happier than having a lot of money, showing the power of community and connection.
  3. Good-looking people are often seen as more trustworthy and capable, which can even influence how they're treated in court.
Rob Henderson's Newsletter β€’ 1193 implied HN points β€’ 08 Oct 24
  1. Social status affects how we behave and interact with others. It influences everything from our emotions to our romantic pursuits.
  2. One-on-one meetings with readers are being offered, allowing for direct conversations and engagement.
  3. Recent findings show that marriage dynamics and education levels can significantly influence family structures and priorities.
Archedelia β€’ 1533 implied HN points β€’ 12 Nov 23
  1. Machine gambling terminals are designed to create addiction through behavior design.
  2. Players are absorbed into pseudo-action at slot machines, seeking a sense of control and zone of efficacy.
  3. The libertarian response to issues like machine gambling may overlook the impact of external forces and fail to address the need for regulation.
The Free Mind β€’ 1611 implied HN points β€’ 07 Mar 23
  1. People want to believe lockdown was for the greater good, even when evidence of manipulation is clear.
  2. Cognitive dissonance can make us deny, minimize, or rationalize uncomfortable truths.
  3. Lockdown may have influenced how people perceived the severity of Covid risk, based on government actions.
Disaffected Newsletter β€’ 1618 implied HN points β€’ 25 Aug 23
  1. The author describes strange encounters with people who have unconventional appearances, creating a sense of discomfort.
  2. They feel isolated in their reactions, as if no one else notices the oddity of their surroundings.
  3. There's a deep sense of cultural disconnection, leading the author to feel like they are in a dystopian reality.
Disaffected Newsletter β€’ 1638 implied HN points β€’ 12 Aug 23
  1. Many people feel unhappy with how society just goes along with everything rather than questioning it. This can be really scary.
  2. There's a lot of frustration towards people who don't stand up against unfair authority. This lack of resistance leads to feelings of despair.
  3. The writer feels that many people, especially men, are too passive and afraid to challenge societal expectations. This makes them disappointed and angry.
Optimally Irrational β€’ 63 implied HN points β€’ 18 Dec 24
  1. Evolutionary psychology studies behavior based on human evolution. It looks for reasons why we think and act the way we do by using ideas from evolutionary biology.
  2. While some critics argue that evolutionary psychology can lead to over-simplified stories about behavior, it still provides useful insights into human nature and basic drives.
  3. Understanding how evolution shapes our thoughts and actions can help us improve mental health and make better decisions in life and relationships.
Egg Report β€’ 1238 implied HN points β€’ 25 Sep 23
  1. The concept of 'NPC' explores a reported lack of internal monologue and the impact of social media on cognition and thinking processes.
  2. Engaging in social media performances like recording oneself and seeking validation may lead to weakening internal reflection and dependence on external validation.
  3. The use of smartphones and social media can contribute to a sense of brain damage, hindering genuine self-expression and promoting a cycle of self-performance and externalized thinking.
Disaffected Newsletter β€’ 1338 implied HN points β€’ 05 Sep 23
  1. Clarity in communication is lacking more than ever today. Most people are not as clear as they used to be, and this hampers conversations.
  2. Many people are more self-centered now, assuming others can read their minds during discussions. This leads to vague communication that requires others to ask for clarity.
  3. To improve communication, it's helpful to provide complete information upfront and restate points to confirm understanding. Practicing this can make conversations smoother and more efficient.
Disaffected Newsletter β€’ 1438 implied HN points β€’ 10 Aug 23
  1. Making a phone call interrupts someone else's time, so you should always be polite when calling. Remember, you're asking for a favor.
  2. You should introduce yourself before asking the person on the other end to identify themselves. It's a simple matter of manners.
  3. Today, people don't always answer calls like they used to, so it's important to be respectful. The caller needs to justify interrupting the callee.
Myth Pilot β€’ 786 implied HN points β€’ 07 May 23
  1. A wealthy man named Carlos humiliated his girlfriend by calling her a hippopotamus.
  2. Despite not being overweight, Carlos's insult of 'hippopotamus' was deemed as an outrage.
  3. Carlos's behavior led to a rift between two wealthy families in Spain.
Polymathic Being β€’ 66 implied HN points β€’ 24 Nov 24
  1. Cognitive dissonance is what happens when our brains struggle with holding two conflicting beliefs. It often leads to defensive responses, like changing the topic or attacking someone instead of addressing the issue.
  2. Recognizing cognitive dissonance in ourselves is important. It helps us pause, reflect, and learn when we're feeling defensive or emotional during discussions.
  3. Not all contradictions are bad. Embracing them can lead to a deeper understanding and new perspectives, helping us navigate complex issues more effectively.
Living Fossils β€’ 5 implied HN points β€’ 22 Jan 25
  1. Emotions are complex systems in humans with different parts like how we feel, how our body reacts, and what we do. For example, feeling angry when someone cuts you off in traffic can lead to raising your blood pressure and even giving them a rude gesture.
  2. There is some disagreement on whether any emotions are the same for all people. However, everyone agrees that we all have emotions that affect how we react to situations.
  3. Understanding our emotions can help us navigate day-to-day challenges better. They play a big role in our behavior and how we connect with others.
Maybe Baby β€’ 1734 implied HN points β€’ 12 Feb 23
  1. Making socializing cool again has many benefits for individuals and communities.
  2. Antisocial tendencies are often culturally enabled rather than intrinsic, and resisting the pull of social avoidance can lead to personal growth.
  3. Engaging in genuine conversations, practicing prosocial behavior, and challenging antisocial norms can have a positive impact on society.
The Rubesletter by Matt Ruby (of Vooza) | Sent every Tuesday β€’ 926 implied HN points β€’ 12 Sep 23
  1. Men's anger can stem from societal pressure to suppress emotions like crying and dancing.
  2. Men need to embrace vulnerability and be attracted to healthier behaviors to combat toxic masculinity.
  3. Women can influence men's behavior by being more attracted to vulnerability and less toxic traits.