The hottest Behavior Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
Category
Top Culture Topics
Doc Hammer's Anvil 216 implied HN points 29 Jan 24
  1. Mental illness isn't necessary for spiraling into extremism, but it can play a role in exacerbating the process.
  2. Human judgment of behavior is based on societal norms and personal perceptions of propriety, praise-worthiness, blame-worthiness, reward-worthiness, and punishment-worthiness.
  3. Low costs and high benefits can lead to purity spirals, where society's expectations become more demanding, driving behavior towards extremism.
This Week in MCJ (My Climate Journey) 393 implied HN points 14 Mar 23
  1. Data-driven decisions are crucial in climate content to engage mainstream audiences effectively.
  2. Promoting self-interest in climate content yields more results than focusing on planetary benefits.
  3. Starting with simple, relatable content and gradually guiding individuals towards impactful actions can drive engagement and awareness.
Disaffected Newsletter 1478 implied HN points 13 Aug 22
  1. Gaining a cat's love takes time and effort. Unlike dogs, cats can be more reserved and cautious about showing affection.
  2. Pets can help each other heal from emotional struggles. The bond between a pet and their owner can support both through tough times.
  3. Every pet owner has a unique journey with their animals. Each relationship is special and helps both the pet and the owner grow together.
Get a weekly roundup of the best Substack posts, by hacker news affinity:
The Better Letter 294 implied HN points 17 Nov 23
  1. Humans are not always rational and make decisions that defy traditional economic theory.
  2. We all have biases and tend to protect our deeply held values, making it difficult to accept new information.
  3. There is a rising trend of denialism and irrational beliefs that are not confined to a specific political ideology.
Do Not Research 239 implied HN points 18 Dec 23
  1. Auto ads in subway cars can be strangely specific, like an ad featuring floating dogs in zero gravity
  2. Mirrorwaves are rare occurrences in subway ads, reflecting emotions from user metadata, like a misinterpretation of the user's feelings
  3. The protagonist's obsession with decoding subway auto ads leads to anxiety, fear of mirrorwaves, and ultimately, being blocked from using the subway
Klement on Investing 4 implied HN points 17 Jan 25
  1. Caffeinated coffee helps men be more social and motivated. When they drink decaf, they tend to hang out less and could get into more fights.
  2. Women don't gain weight differently based on their coffee type, but decaf coffee affects their motivation. Drinking decaf could make them less inclined to take care of themselves.
  3. Research shows caffeine affects behavior and motivation. But the studies used mice, as ethical concerns would prevent testing humans in such a way.
The Algorithmic Bridge 233 implied HN points 06 Mar 24
  1. Top AI models like GPT-4, Gemini Ultra, and Claude 3 Opus are at a similar level of intelligence, despite differences in personality and behavior.
  2. Different AI models can display unique behaviors due to factors like prompts, prompting techniques, and system prompts set by AI companies.
  3. Deeper layers of AI models, such as variations in training, architecture, and data, contribute to the differences in behavior and performance among models.
David Friedman’s Substack 287 implied HN points 26 Nov 23
  1. Having an aggressive personality can work as a commitment strategy, but can lead to potential risks in encounters.
  2. Being honest and showing virtue is beneficial in voluntary interactions, leading to higher payoffs for individuals.
  3. In a market society where most associations are voluntary, virtues have higher payoffs and vices have lower payoffs, resulting in overall nicer behavior.
Living Fossils 16 implied HN points 06 Nov 24
  1. Tycho Brahe's story shows how ignoring the urge to pee can have serious consequences for health, as it may lead to fatal infections. It's a reminder that some bodily needs shouldn't be ignored, even in social settings.
  2. The bladder fills and sends signals to the brain that motivate us to pee. This system is controlled by specialized cells that detect stretching, similar to how we feel full after eating.
  3. We have the ability to control when we pee, which helps us navigate social norms and situations. This skill allows us to prioritize different needs but can sometimes lead to difficult choices.
Gentle Nudge 19 implied HN points 28 May 24
  1. Funnel optimization involves analyzing stages, generating hypotheses, and considering user feedback to improve user experience.
  2. The 3B framework, focusing on Behavior, Barriers, and Benefits, helps adjust products from the users' perspective for better engagement.
  3. Identify potential barriers in the user journey, offer small incentives, like progress indicators, and align call-to-actions with expected results to enhance user motivation.
Counting Atoms 58 implied HN points 01 Feb 24
  1. The author discusses their dislike for taunting and toxicity in sports, especially with the example of the Ravens player's taunting leading to a penalty
  2. The author points out the inconsistency in denouncing toxic behavior in some contexts, but celebrating it in sports like NFL taunting
  3. The author expresses their resigned acceptance of being out of step with the sports world on their views about taunting
Nice Try 59 implied HN points 06 Jan 24
  1. Cults can have a strange way of influencing people. It's important to be aware of how they operate.
  2. Trust your instincts when something feels off. If a situation makes you uncomfortable, it's okay to walk away.
  3. Learning about different cultures and backgrounds can give you a fresh perspective. We can all benefit from understanding each other better.
David Friedman’s Substack 143 implied HN points 29 Nov 23
  1. Economics predicts individual behavior based on personal goals, while evolutionary psychology focuses on genes' goals for reproductive success.
  2. Evolutionary psychology sees the human mind as specialized modules shaped by Darwinian evolution for survival in hunter-gatherer environments.
  3. Behavioral inconsistencies in economics can be explained by beliefs in 'just prices' influenced by evolutionary psychology and ancestral trading practices.
Disaffected Newsletter 359 implied HN points 04 Aug 22
  1. There seems to be a noticeable shift in driving behavior, with some women driving more aggressively than men compared to 10-15 years ago.
  2. This change in how women drive is linked to a cultural attitude that excuses their bad behavior, often saying they are just overwhelmed or that it’s a response to misogyny.
  3. The idea of female empowerment often gets tied to this aggressive behavior, as some women actively react badly when challenged for their dangerous driving.
Philosophy bear 92 implied HN points 02 Feb 24
  1. General, non-specific advice can often lead people to extreme behaviors.
  2. Platitudinous advice might unintentionally encourage individuals to avoid questioning their actions.
  3. Many times, individuals who already lean towards a certain extreme are more likely to resonate with advice that supports that extreme.
Think Future 79 implied HN points 27 Jul 23
  1. There are two different versions of Christianity in the U.S.: Knights and Gardeners, based on different worldviews and beliefs about the universe.
  2. Knights see the universe as a cosmic struggle between good and evil, while Gardeners view it as a cosmic garden where all living things should be nurtured.
  3. Identifying whether someone is a Knight or Gardener can help forecast their behavior in various aspects of life, including relationships, conflict resolution, and soul matters.
Holodoxa 99 implied HN points 23 Mar 23
  1. Life science research was pioneered by naturalists who explored and documented nature, influencing key scientific paradigms like evolution and genetics.
  2. E.O. Wilson, a revered naturalist and scientist, contributed significantly to fields such as myrmecology, sociobiology, and conservation.
  3. Wilson's work sparked debate in the scientific community, particularly around sociobiology, which explores the genetic basis of social behavior in animals, including humans.
Disaffected Newsletter 179 implied HN points 13 Nov 22
  1. The mid-term elections may involve crazy voters or cheating; both possibilities need to be considered.
  2. It's important to distinguish between feeling like a victim and actually being victimized, as the difference can change how we view issues.
  3. Public indecency has become common in society, which makes it hard to understand the current state of the American electorate.
Castalia 119 implied HN points 21 Dec 22
  1. The concept of Omertà is about loyalty and not betraying friends. It reflects a code where people stick together, even when faced with tough situations.
  2. In recent years, there's been a shift toward a culture of transparency, where telling secrets or reporting wrongdoings has become more accepted. This makes it hard to trust others as loyalty fades.
  3. This change in values can be seen in many areas, including politics and society, where people are often quick to expose each other rather than keep things private or protect their friends.
Polymathic Being 68 implied HN points 15 Oct 23
  1. People often project their own behaviors and beliefs onto others, leading to misunderstandings in conversations.
  2. Understanding that others may be reacting based on their own fears or insecurities can help you navigate and contextualize online arguments.
  3. By reflecting on your own tendencies and biases, you can improve empathy, communication, and ultimately influence others positively.
Holodoxa 79 implied HN points 01 Dec 22
  1. Robert Sapolsky's book 'Behave' delves into the biology behind human behavior and argues for determinism, suggesting that all human actions have causes rooted in the physical world.
  2. The hard determinist perspective challenges common ideas of merit and responsibility, particularly in the context of human behavior, raising questions about the implications for societal management of issues like criminal justice.
  3. Despite the constraints on human agency imposed by biology and other factors, it is beneficial to continue treating individuals as at least partially responsible for their choices to maintain the effectiveness of existing social and psychological mechanisms.
Unreported Truths 61 implied HN points 23 Jan 24
  1. Drug use, gambling, and certain kinds of sex are not moral neutrals and can easily lead to despair.
  2. America is facing challenges like declining life expectancy, preventable deaths, and social issues like lesser rates of marriage and having children.
  3. Stronger drugs, widespread gambling, and push for non-traditional relationships are causing harm and escalating societal issues.
Disaffected Newsletter 119 implied HN points 08 Aug 22
  1. Mocking others in public, especially about their choices, may not be well-received and can create tension. It's important to be mindful of how our actions affect others.
  2. Different people have different comfort levels with public health measures like mask-wearing. Respecting those choices promotes a more understanding community.
  3. Engaging in discussions about sensitive topics should be approached with care, as public interactions can be more intense and lead to misunderstandings.