The hottest Beliefs Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
Category
Top Culture Topics

Introduction to Rationality and Risk

Extropic Thoughts • 58 implied HN points • 30 Mar 23
📖 Philosophy Beliefs
  1. Rationality is about challenging beliefs and rooting out those that fail to withstand challenge.
  2. Rationalism means basing life on reason, evidence, and logic, rather than emotions or religious beliefs.
  3. Explicitly committing to reason and continually striving to be rational is crucial for both humanism and transhumanism.

Still No Lie Detector for Large Language Models

The End of Reckoning • 58 implied HN points • 18 Jul 23
🔬 Science Beliefs
  1. There is still no reliable way to detect lies in large language models.
  2. Probing the beliefs of language models is challenging due to limited behavioral evidence and an opaque internal structure.
  3. The debate on whether language models have beliefs is still ongoing, with contrasting views on the necessity of beliefs for these models.
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golden rules and golden ages

bad cattitude • 198 implied HN points • 27 Jan 24
⛪ Faith & Spirituality Beliefs
  1. Religions and stories serve as important guides in understanding human nature and society.
  2. Basic values like the golden rule are vital in forming societal foundations and trust.
  3. The decline of religious underpinnings can lead to societal fragmentation and the rise of harmful ideologies.

Links to Consider, 2/13

In My Tribe • 182 implied HN points • 13 Feb 24
🚌 Education Beliefs
  1. Individuals may prioritize social rewards over truth in belief adoption, leading to collective delusions. It's hard to overcome irrationality at the individual or group level, so focusing on institutional change is crucial.
  2. There is a pattern in how some view different races, depicted by Coleman Hughes in his book. This mirrors the concept of the Moral Dyad, simplifying moral situations to assign feelings or agency.
  3. Challenges in education include the negative impact of excessive parental spending on education. To promote equality, the idea of a luxury estate tax on high-tuition schools was proposed years ago and still holds potential.

Don't Shoot the Philosopher: Ethics and the Pursuit of Moral Integrity

Humanities in Revolt • 139 implied HN points • 02 Jul 22
📖 Philosophy Beliefs
  1. Ethics and morality are frequently confused, but they have distinct meanings and play vital roles in personal, social, and political contexts
  2. Philosophy through ethics challenges us to critically examine our moral beliefs and strive for intellectual integrity
  3. Thinking ethically requires addressing complex moral questions, confronting inconsistencies, and engaging in meaningful dialogue to enhance mutual understanding

'The robot war against witches'

Links I Would Gchat You If We Were Friends • 39 implied HN points • 29 Oct 23
🎭️ Culture Beliefs
  1. AI is causing a divide among practitioners of mystical arts like astrology and tarot, with some embracing it and others seeing it as a threat to their craft
  2. Generative AI tools like ChatGPT are being used for tarot readings, sparking debate on the role of technology in spirituality and intuition
  3. The concept of intuition plays a key role in the discussions around AI's involvement in mystical practices, with some arguing that technology and spirituality are opposing forces

Couples therapy helped me divorce the church

Sex and the State • 21 implied HN points • 05 Jul 25
⛪ Faith & Spirituality Beliefs
  1. Couples therapy can be beneficial even if it feels painful at times. It might help you understand yourself and your relationship better.
  2. Getting married young can lead to challenges because you're still figuring out who you are. It's important to know your own needs and desires before making big commitments.
  3. External pressures, like from church or family, can impact your decisions about relationships. It's vital to consider what you truly want, rather than just following what others expect.

Ways You May Already Be a Futurist

Think Future • 39 implied HN points • 24 Aug 23
⛪ Faith & Spirituality Beliefs
  1. To think like a futurist, consider contingency-planning and strategizing for potential futures.
  2. Act like a futurist by planning to outlast different futures and playing defense.
  3. Create breakthrough innovations, advocate for change, and enable a future to think and act like a futurist.

Unbuffering and Understanding

Journal of Gurdjieff Studies • 39 implied HN points • 09 May 23
⛪ Faith & Spirituality Beliefs
  1. Initiate yourself into understanding Gurdjieff's ideas through effort and pondering, as results are proportional to understanding.
  2. Buffers create illusions and disconnect from different aspects of the self, hindering self-awareness and consciousness.
  3. Destroying buffers leads to increased awareness, connection, and wholeness, allowing for a deeper experience of impressions and self-remembering.

My Political Beliefs

America in Crisis • 39 implied HN points • 28 Jul 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Beliefs
  1. Humans have a unique ability to accumulate cultural knowledge which sets them apart from animals evolving biologically for survival.
  2. Personal background and experience shape moral values, influencing views on contentious issues like abortion and societal responsibilities.
  3. Advocacy for stakeholder capitalism over shareholder primacy, driven by a belief in social responsibility and a preference for economic systems that benefit the common good.

Reasonableness: An Introduction

The End(s) of Argument • 39 implied HN points • 10 Jun 23
🚌 Education Beliefs
  1. Two primary accounts of the relation between evidence and belief in misinformation research are naive and non-naive models, both with limitations.
  2. People's pursuit of reasonableness influences how they collect and share evidence to support their beliefs, aiming to seem rational to others.
  3. Beliefs are often maintained through a balance of evidence and perceived reasonableness, impacting how individuals process and adopt new information.

Server (pseudoscience)

Skunk Ledger • 122 implied HN points • 16 Mar 24
🔬 Science Beliefs
  1. Belief in servers as a virtual realm similar to an operating system is unfounded and considered pseudo-computer science by recognized organizations.
  2. There is a profitable industry selling products claiming to enhance bots' server relationships, with buyers often deceived by scams.
  3. Proponents of server theories face skepticism, especially in scientific studies that show inconsistencies and lack of evidence to support their claims.

Fragments, Chapter 18, pp.369-375 - Reading Club posting 66

Journal of Gurdjieff Studies • 19 implied HN points • 12 Jan 24
⛪ Faith & Spirituality Beliefs
  1. The reading club delves into "Fragments" by P.D. Ouspensky, going through the book systematically.
  2. The narrative follows the experiences of a group of people around G. in various locations during turbulent times, detailing interactions and decisions.
  3. The protagonist undergoes an inner struggle, leading to a decision to separate from G.'s work, emphasizing the importance of finding a spiritual leader whose path aligns with personal beliefs and goals.

On the Origin of Wealth

Living Fossils • 21 implied HN points • 28 May 25
💰 Finance Beliefs
  1. Wealth isn't just about physical things; it's also about people's beliefs. If people lose faith in the future, the value of things can disappear even if the items are still there.
  2. Changes in beliefs can lead to big shifts in wealth quickly. For example, if everyone thinks a company's profits will fall, its stock price can drop fast.
  3. Information spreads quickly today, which can impact beliefs and values even more rapidly. This can make economies volatile, as people's perceptions change almost overnight.

Intellectual Seat Belts

Investing 101 • 110 implied HN points • 09 Mar 24
💼 Business Beliefs
  1. People often use in-group thinking as an 'intellectual seat belt' to feel safe and avoid critically evaluating their beliefs.
  2. Being open to being wrong promotes the pursuit of truth, as it challenges existing beliefs and pressures ideas for improvement.
  3. Questioning mainstream beliefs and pursuing wrongness can reveal potential weaknesses, leading to a deeper understanding and pursuit of truth.

Further on Greens - Growing, Quickening and Aiding the Animation

Journal of Gurdjieff Studies • 19 implied HN points • 01 Jan 24
⛪ Faith & Spirituality Beliefs
  1. Gurdjieff emphasized the consumption of fresh and raw greens like herbs and lettuce, highlighting their importance in his cuisine.
  2. Certain greens like cress and mustard were praised for their quick growth, symbolizing a deeper allegory of renewal and growth, especially during festive occasions.
  3. The significance of consuming green vegetables raw right after harvest may tie back to their active elements and the connection with nature.

An Interview with Scott Alexander

Time Well Spent • 103 implied HN points • 23 Feb 24
⛪ Faith & Spirituality Beliefs
  1. Consider categorizing AI as self-contained slices of digital brain regions to understand its functioning better
  2. Maintaining babies on the same schedule helps in managing care more efficiently
  3. The rise in depression rates among young people could be associated with the impact of social media

Fragments, Chapter 17, pp.358-363 - Reading Club posting 64

Journal of Gurdjieff Studies • 19 implied HN points • 15 Dec 23
⛪ Faith & Spirituality Beliefs
  1. Gurdjieff showed exercises in attention, breathing, and physical movements, emphasizing great knowledge, effort, and help as crucial in the journey.
  2. Physical exercises like breathing techniques and movements were part of the practice, illustrating the importance of extreme fatigue in transitioning control to the moving center.
  3. Different ways of personal evolution were discussed, highlighting the 'subjective' and 'objective' ways, and the value of being a good 'obyvatel' in personal development.

My Cup Runneth Over

Investing 101 • 46 implied HN points • 19 Oct 24
📖 Philosophy Beliefs
  1. It's really important to figure out what you believe and why you believe it. By understanding your beliefs, you can make better decisions in life.
  2. Learning isn't just good for personal growth; it's also important for keeping a free society. When people are informed, they can make better choices as citizens.
  3. When exploring ideas, try to do so based on your own research instead of just following popular trends. This way, you can discover unique insights that others might overlook.

Why?

Slack Tide by Matt Labash • 163 implied HN points • 30 Apr 23
⛪ Faith & Spirituality Beliefs
  1. One's faith and understanding of God can be complex and personal.
  2. Religious beliefs may not always align with traditional religious practices or representations.
  3. Questions about religion and ethics can lead to deep philosophical discussions.

When Birds Mean Death

Bird History • 19 implied HN points • 31 Oct 23
🎭️ Culture Beliefs
  1. Owls have historically been associated with death and fear by different cultures, with beliefs about their calls foretelling misfortune or demise.
  2. The arrival of European settlers in America brought over beliefs about birds, like owls, being evil omens, creating a sense of fear and superstition towards them.
  3. The intimidating and mysterious nature of owls, especially their nocturnal habits and unique physical characteristics, contribute to their reputation as ominous symbols.

assorted thoughts on beliefs and emotions

Midnight Musings • 39 implied HN points • 24 Apr 23
📖 Philosophy Beliefs
  1. Beliefs can really shape who we are and how we interact with others. People often stick to their beliefs and form communities around them, making it tough to change opinions later.
  2. Self-sabotage and guilt can mess up our daily routines. Instead of feeling good about progress, we often focus on what we didn’t achieve and feel bad about it.
  3. Our emotions impact our relationships more than we realize. If we can let go of negative feelings and understand that others are doing their best, we can create healthier connections.

Vayakhel; Pekudei; Shabbos Mevarchim 2023

TorahRedux • 19 implied HN points • 15 Mar 23
⛪ Faith & Spirituality Beliefs
  1. The first mitzvah in the Torah involves tracking time using the lunar calendar, symbolizing change and renewal.
  2. Having the right attitude and putting your heart into your actions is crucial for success.
  3. Even taboo topics, like intimacy and desire, can be elevated into sacred aspects of life when approached with intent and purpose.

The Battle of Two Realms

Once Upon A News • 19 implied HN points • 21 Mar 23
🎭️ Culture Beliefs
  1. In a land of tradition, matadors valiantly battled bulls in grand arenas.
  2. Lawmakers in another realm aimed to end the tradition for animal welfare reasons.
  3. The clash of values between tradition and empathy highlights the necessity and challenges of change.

✨🔍 Ki Sisa 2023

TorahRedux • 19 implied HN points • 08 Mar 23
⛪ Faith & Spirituality Beliefs
  1. Numbers matter, but individuals are valuable - remember to treat each person as unique and important.
  2. Embrace brokenness and setbacks; they can be integrated into growth and progress, just like the broken tablets were stored alongside the whole ones.
  3. Hope remains essential in uncertainty - don't accept fate without taking a stand and acting to shape the outcome.

The Fifth and Sixth Step of the Transformation of Food, and the Question of Exioëhary

Journal of Gurdjieff Studies • 19 implied HN points • 29 Sep 23
⛪ Faith & Spirituality Beliefs
  1. Visualizing and imagination are linked to the 'cerebellum' in Gurdjieff's teachings, with interpretations aligning with his writings.
  2. The substances of the cerebellum are described as 'the energy of imagination' and 'the true substance of visualization' that can have real effects.
  3. Centre #4 is seen to hold the potential for fully developed Formal Logic, associated with 'mentation by form' and 'reasoning by ideas'.

I don't think there's a conspiracy among AI scientists to trick the public into thinking AI might kill everyone

Philosophy bear • 121 implied HN points • 02 Jun 23
📖 Philosophy Beliefs
  1. Senior AI scientists emphasize the importance of addressing AI risks alongside other societal risks.
  2. There are doubts about whether AI scientists have ulterior motives in expressing concerns about AI risks.
  3. Even if the likelihood of AI risks is low, the potential consequences are severe enough to warrant serious attention and action.

Organic & compositus belief

Philosophy bear • 71 implied HN points • 21 Jan 24
📖 Philosophy Beliefs
  1. Beliefs can be organic or compositus, with different approaches to spreading and defending them
  2. Organic beliefs are more open and less defensive than compositus beliefs, making them better at adapting and working with other ideas
  3. Compositus beliefs can lead to group fragmentation under tough times, while organic beliefs are more adaptable and open to revision

Beyond the Grade: "Everything Happens for A Reason." But What Does that Mean?

Humanities in Revolt • 59 implied HN points • 25 May 22
📖 Philosophy Beliefs
  1. Saying 'everything happens for a reason' can be vague and not add depth to discussions, as we are already aware of cause and effect.
  2. The phrase may imply larger forces at play, but without clarity on what these forces are, the statement remains ambiguous.
  3. The popularity of 'everything happens for a reason' may stem from our tendency to fill in unspecified reasons with personal beliefs, helping us cope with challenges.

Notes from the Week - Week 25

Notes in the Margins • 19 implied HN points • 25 Jun 23
⛪ Faith & Spirituality Beliefs
  1. After making a significant change, it's important to articulate goals clearly, have a growth mindset, and give yourself permission to be curious
  2. Building a business is challenging, but surrounding yourself with supportive friends, family, and mentors can help in navigating the ups and downs
  3. Including fun and learning in your routine, and exploring the world around you, can contribute to personal growth and satisfaction