The hottest Business Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
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Top Technology Topics

TGIF: Smoking Jars of Metal

Common Sense with Bari Weiss • 1947 implied HN points • 13 Mar 26
📰 News Business
  1. Two young men allegedly tried to use homemade bombs near Gracie Mansion during a small anti-Islam rally, and one is accused of throwing a lit device into the crowd.
  2. Authorities say one suspect pledged allegiance to ISIS and later gave an ISIS salute after being arrested.
  3. Much of the mainstream coverage reportedly shifted blame onto the right-wing group at the rally, which critics argue misrepresents who carried out the attack and downplays the violence.

The government is fixing something I complained about (Odds and Ends #91)

Odds and Ends of History • 469 implied HN points • 20 Mar 26
📰 News Business
  1. The government is moving to fix a problem that had been publicly complained about.
  2. Good government often means making hard choices that create winners and losers, and accepting those trade-offs is part of effective policymaking.
  3. Key tech and policy debates are front and centre: huge AI investment may not be a bubble, copyright for AI training is up for discussion, and Britain’s geospatial data is described as a mess.

The Saturday Selection, Vol. 95

Why is this interesting? • 361 implied HN points • 07 Mar 26
📰 News Business
  1. Luckin Coffee is growing fast and is set to buy Blue Bottle, a bold move that ramps up its challenge to big coffee chains.
  2. Tanker Trackers is using satellites and drones to follow global oil shipments, making energy flows much more visible and traceable.
  3. Apple is shifting pricing and marketing — neutral iPhone colors cost less, ads are getting louder, and a new MacBook starts at $499 — pointing to a change in its product strategy.

Google and Stage Two of the AI Boom

Dana Blankenhorn: Facing the Future • 39 implied HN points • 30 Oct 24
🕹 Technology Business
  1. Nvidia's rise marked the start of the AI boom, with companies heavily buying chips for AI tools. This growth continues, and Nvidia is now a leading company.
  2. Google's cloud revenue is growing quickly at 35%, while overall revenue growth is slower at 15%. This shows strong demand for AI services from Google.
  3. Despite revenue growth, Google's search revenue isn't doing as well, rising only 12%. This could mean they are losing some of their search market share.

⚠️ L'affaire Anthropic: When government bullies the builders

Faster, Please! • 1188 implied HN points • 02 Mar 26
🕹 Technology Business
  1. Governments have a legitimate final say on national security, but that can clash with companies that want clear, predictable rules to operate by.
  2. Branding an AI firm a security risk for limiting military use risks undermining trust and could scare off investment and innovation.
  3. Democracies must balance security powers with protections against arbitrary government coercion, or economic growth and technological progress suffer.
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Everyone Loves The Idea Of AI, But Not The Reality

High ROI Data Science • 615 implied HN points • 06 Oct 24
🕹 Technology Business
  1. Many businesses love the idea of AI but find it hard to put into practice. It often looks easy on paper, but the reality is very different when trying to make it work.
  2. Data is really important for AI to work well. Companies need good data to build effective AI products, and often, they realize this too late after facing challenges.
  3. AI projects often fail because businesses don’t fully understand what they need to achieve. Companies should focus on solving real problems rather than just using the latest technology.

The Epstein Tapes, Part II. Plus. . .

Common Sense with Bari Weiss • 445 implied HN points • 26 Feb 26
📰 News Business
  1. Newly released law‑enforcement footage from the Jeffrey Epstein investigations shows searches, depositions, and sting operations, and the revelations are still producing fallout like resignations and public apologies.
  2. Fear and uncertainty about AI are roiling markets — a viral essay scared investors and sparked big losses — while tests show some popular AI models can make alarming choices in war simulations, raising safety and governance worries.
  3. Political and cultural tensions are mounting: the administration looks low on new policy ideas, public figures and athletes are getting politicized, and controversies over appointments, intelligence secrecy, and tech decisions (like Starlink) are fueling broader friction.

Scowls and Smiles at the State of the Union. Plus. . .

Common Sense with Bari Weiss • 426 implied HN points • 25 Feb 26
📰 News Business
  1. Trump used an unusually long State of the Union to celebrate achievements, goad opponents, criticize a Supreme Court tariff ruling, and warn Iran as he tries to reset his second term.
  2. A powerful nor’easter dumped heavy snow on New York City and prompted emergency volunteer snow-shoveling efforts, while experts debate whether such extreme storms are driven by climate change or uncertain science.
  3. Several crises are unsettling old narratives: Epstein-related arrests are prompting a reckoning among Britain’s elite, cartel violence has shattered the expat dream in Puerto Vallarta, and U.S. military movements have raised fears of confrontation with Iran.

Is the Epstein Fallout Spiraling Out of Control? Plus. . .

Common Sense with Bari Weiss • 588 implied HN points • 16 Feb 26
📰 News Business
  1. The Epstein files’ release is triggering broad reputational fallout where people with only loose ties are being punished, and guilt by association is blurring the line between true enablers and innocent bystanders.
  2. Marco Rubio pulled off an unexpected diplomatic win in Europe by sharply criticizing its failures yet still earning applause, showing his message landed because many there feel they have few good options left.
  3. AI has advanced so quickly that humans may soon no longer be the smartest things on Earth, a change that raises urgent questions about what roles people will keep and how society should adapt.

The Looming War with Iran. Brendan Carr’s Free Speech Hypocrisy. Plus. . .

Common Sense with Bari Weiss • 477 implied HN points • 19 Feb 26
📰 News Business
  1. The U.S. is positioned to strike Iran even as last-minute diplomacy continues, while widespread mourning for protest victims inside Iran could fuel more unrest and make a military conflict more dangerous and drawn-out.
  2. Foreign governments are flooding Washington with lobbyists under the current administration, creating a boom in overseas influence and raising questions about oversight and transparency.
  3. The FCC chair who once defended free speech is now backing efforts to silence critics of the president, revealing a partisan shift and hypocrisy around speech enforcement.

Racket is Hiring

TK News by Matt Taibbi • 1892 implied HN points • 13 Jan 26
📰 News Business
  1. A news outlet is hiring general assignment reporters and columnists who have subject-matter or geographic expertise.
  2. Candidates should have strong reporting skills—good writing, phone reporting, public-records research, and source development—and experience covering beats like Washington politics, defense/intelligence, immigration and law enforcement, regional state politics, or tech and finance is preferred.
  3. Editing or video experience and backgrounds in fields like law, medicine, or academia are helpful. Citizen journalists and independents are welcome, and applicants should submit a brief cover letter, resume, and writing samples.

MSTR: Converting index investing into a BTC bid

Jay’s Substack • 219 implied HN points • 11 Oct 24
🔮 Crypto Business
  1. MicroStrategy is changing the way they invest by using Bitcoin. This shows a shift from traditional investing to a more crypto-focused strategy.
  2. The company is seeing success by integrating Bitcoin into their business model. This approach may inspire other companies to consider similar moves.
  3. The concept of turning index investing into Bitcoin bids highlights a trend in finance. It’s a sign that people are exploring innovative ways to invest.

Jon Stewart is bad again (Odds and Ends #86)

Odds and Ends of History • 670 implied HN points • 13 Feb 26
📰 News Business
  1. Jon Stewart has done something controversial again and is attracting criticism.
  2. Driverless cars may have a bigger and more surprising impact than people expect, with effects beyond just safety numbers.
  3. AI looks set to transform many parts of life and government, with wide-ranging disruptive consequences.

Are We at an AI Precipice? David Mamet on Robert Duvall. In Defense of Processed Foods. Plus. . .

Common Sense with Bari Weiss • 361 implied HN points • 18 Feb 26
📰 News Business
  1. People are debating whether AI is at a sudden tipping point that could quickly transform work and society. Some warn of rapid disruption and urge immediate adoption, while others are more cautious.
  2. Robert Duvall is remembered as a raw, unembellished actor who brought truth and intensity to his performances. His grit and straightforward approach influenced an entire generation of performers.
  3. Industrial processed foods have greatly improved food access and safety for many people. Rather than banning them, the argument is to reform and improve these systems to avoid making things worse.

My Fully Automated Romance. Zuck Heads to Court. Plus. . .

Common Sense with Bari Weiss • 306 implied HN points • 20 Feb 26
📰 News Business
  1. People are forming real emotional bonds with AI companions, so deleting or changing those systems through updates can cause genuine grief and ethical questions about who is responsible.
  2. Big tech faces growing legal and public scrutiny, with leaders being forced to defend their products while internal documents suggest companies may design features that increase user dependence.
  3. The country is grappling with big social and economic shifts — a housing crisis, experiments in alternative communities, changing views on climate activism, and strategic competition in industries like electric vehicles — pushing people to try new solutions.

Monthly Roundup #37: December 2026

Don't Worry About the Vase • 2195 implied HN points • 12 Dec 25
🎭️ Culture Business
  1. Ban gain-of-function experiments. Deliberately creating more dangerous viruses, especially in low-security labs, is an unacceptable global risk and should be stopped and criminally deterred.
  2. Fix bad regulations and respect prices as signals. Overly strict zoning, long copyright terms, and regulatory bottlenecks raise costs and destroy value, while prices convey important information and incentives that people need to understand.
  3. Manage information and social norms more carefully. In adversarial or noisy information environments, use strategies like ignoring deceptive signals, removing untrustworthy actors, or aligning incentives, rather than reflexive public condemnation which often backfires.

Tyler Cowen on AI’s Great Leap Forward. Plus. . .

Common Sense with Bari Weiss • 431 implied HN points • 09 Feb 26
📰 News Business
  1. AI just hit an inflection point where systems can write and improve their own code, meaning progress could accelerate far faster than before and many software roles and markets may be disrupted.
  2. Public life is growing more contentious — from immigration debates and protest interruptions to polarizing entertainment moments — showing deep cultural and political divisions.
  3. As technology and politics shift quickly, preserving human habits like open conversation, critical thinking, and defending free expression becomes more important than ever.

The Saturday Selection, Vol. 88

Why is this interesting? • 723 implied HN points • 17 Jan 26
🎭️ Culture Business
  1. Running a neighborhood coffee shop often seems charming but can quickly become overwhelming and destructive to your life.
  2. Modern TVs are far cheaper than they were 25 years ago, driven by big advances in technology and manufacturing even before you adjust for inflation.
  3. Curated link roundups can tie together nostalgic music and media, artisanal craft, and surprising historical stories to make everyday culture feel fresh and revealing.

Democrats may have found their media counterweight to Fox News

Simon Owens's Media Newsletter • 374 implied HN points • 04 Feb 26
📰 News Business
  1. Small, partisan video outlets on platforms like YouTube are reaching millions with tiny teams, giving Democrats a possible counterweight to Fox News.
  2. Live creators and short-form video are outperforming expensive mainstream productions, and newsrooms are using AI to quickly turn long content into lots of shareable clips.
  3. Media companies are shifting toward “experiences” and new revenue plays — from newsletter sponsorships to sports-betting tie-ins — while the music industry and legacy outlets wrestle with how to handle AI.

Iran’s Reluctant Prince. Plus. . .

Common Sense with Bari Weiss • 431 implied HN points • 03 Feb 26
📰 News Business
  1. Reza Pahlavi, the exiled son of Iran’s shah, is being looked at by some as a possible transitional leader if the regime falters, but he’s a complicated and imperfect figure.
  2. The U.S. is both threatening military action against Iran and pursuing last-ditch diplomacy, demanding steep concessions like ending nuclear and missile programs and stopping support for proxy groups.
  3. The news cycle is volatile: domestic politics face a partial government shutdown and high-profile congressional/legal fights over the Epstein files, while internationally big stories include SpaceX buying xAI, deadly Russian strikes in Ukraine, and the Rafah crossing reopening in Gaza.

AI #141: Give Us The Money

Don't Worry About the Vase • 2060 implied HN points • 06 Nov 25
🕹 Technology Business
  1. OpenAI is not only focused on advancing AI technology but is also pushing for government backing to support its financing. This raises concerns about privatizing profits while socializing losses, which many view as a form of regulatory capture.
  2. Both OpenAI and Anthropic are heavily investing in AI development, expecting significant losses in the coming years as they prioritize growth and market share. OpenAI plans to invest around $115 billion before becoming profitable, while Anthropic aims for a much smaller $6 billion loss.
  3. There are rising worries about the safety risks associated with advanced AI technologies. Many experts believe that the development of superintelligent AI could be a major threat to humanity, prompting discussions about how to responsibly manage these powerful systems.

Rich businessmen have remembered they're Republicans

Slow Boring • 5051 implied HN points • 25 Jan 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Business
  1. Biden administration announced new regulatory caps on overdraft fees to protect consumers from financial exploitation.
  2. CEOs like Jamie Dimon are more concerned with business-friendly regulations for profit than political ideologies.
  3. The Biden administration's stance on bank regulation highlights a shift in priorities from the Trump era.

Top Links 972 The year of Ellison. The price of being a carnivore. Predicting civil unrest & reading Stalker.

Chartbook • 386 implied HN points • 04 Jan 26
📰 News Business
  1. Larry Ellison, not Elon Musk, emerged as the defining tech titan of 2025, showing a different model of power and influence in the industry.
  2. There’s growing attention to the true cost of being a carnivore, highlighting environmental damage, health risks, and economic trade-offs of meat-heavy diets.
  3. People are working to predict civil unrest, and cultural readings of works like Stalker are being used to explore social anxieties and possible futures.

AI Hype and the Tech Slowdown are Symmetrical

Freddie deBoer • 4053 implied HN points • 06 Jun 25
🕹 Technology Business
  1. AI is overhyped and won't bring the big changes people expect. It may bring some negative effects, but the impact will be much smaller than past technology like the internet or electricity.
  2. The tech industry is facing a slowdown, similar to how the automotive and finance sectors have gone through ups and downs. Companies are struggling to find exciting new products.
  3. Smartphones are now common and are not seeing much new development. Most new models are just incremental upgrades, making it hard for companies to stand out and grow.

☞ Innovation Biopics

Cabinet of Wonders • 254 implied HN points • 13 Jan 26
🎭️ Culture Business
  1. Innovation biopics are a popular film and TV genre that dramatizes how products and companies came to be.
  2. These films are often not fully accurate, but they push people to learn more and spotlight the messy, human side of innovation and success or failure.
  3. There’s a broader curiosity about obscure jobs and complex systems, illustrated by examples like insurance archaeology and a curated roundup of links on technology, design, and cultural history.

15 Things I Know

Photon-Lines Substack • 278 implied HN points • 11 Jan 26
📚 Literature Business
  1. Use lots of different mental models and a healthy skepticism so you can spot hidden consequences, avoid bias, and make better decisions.
  2. Focus on creating real value and building scalable assets or systems that free your time, instead of chasing flashy consumption or short-term fixes.
  3. Small choices, daily routines, and stable human relationships shape outcomes more than grand plans; steady effort, empathy, and attention to detail build resilience and healing.

Remembering Rob Reiner. The Heroism of Jimmy Lai. Plus. . .

Common Sense with Bari Weiss • 426 implied HN points • 16 Dec 25
📰 News Business
  1. Jimmy Lai has become a powerful symbol of press freedom after staying in Hong Kong to run Apple Daily, and he now faces sedition and collusion convictions with a possible life sentence after more than 1,800 days in solitary.
  2. Rob Reiner’s shocking murder has left a cultural void, and many criticized the president for mocking the dead instead of showing basic respect.
  3. The pieces highlight broader alarms: rising antisemitism forcing Jews into hiding, controversies over human-rights reporting such as Amnesty’s handling of Hamas, and a spate of violent events and policy shifts shaping global news.

10 Takeaways From Tech’s Biggest News Week of the Year

Big Technology • 3002 implied HN points • 23 May 25
🕹 Technology Business
  1. AI models are still getting better with size, but people are also focusing on new algorithms to improve them. This means companies like NVIDIA will continue to thrive for now.
  2. There's a growing belief that algorithm improvements might be more important than just making AI bigger. This might change how we think about developing AI in the future.
  3. AI technology is rapidly evolving, especially in video generation and coding, which could lead to significant advancements and some ethical concerns as it becomes more powerful.

Did Elon Musk just Mu$k Sam Altman?

Marcus on AI • 5138 implied HN points • 11 Feb 25
🕹 Technology Business
  1. Sam Altman is struggling to keep OpenAI's nonprofit structure, and it's causing financial issues for the company. Investors are not happy with how things are going.
  2. Elon Musk's recent $97 billion bid for OpenAI's nonprofit has complicated the situation. Altman rejected the bid, which makes it tougher for him to negotiate a better deal.
  3. Musk's bid has raised the 'cost' for OpenAI's nonprofit to separate from the for-profit section, adding pressure on Altman and his financial plans.

Monthly Roundup #32: July 2025

Don't Worry About the Vase • 2060 implied HN points • 21 Jul 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Business
  1. The FDA is testing a new program to speed up drug reviews, which could make medicines available much faster than before. It's surprising that this approach isn't more common already.
  2. Recent trends show that people are increasingly betting on sports, especially college students. This raises concerns about the potential risks and impacts on young people's lives.
  3. Dining out has become more complex and sometimes more expensive, especially with services like Uber Eats. People might want to rethink their delivery habits, especially if they’re single.

David Senra: Why Founders Rule The World

Danielle Newnham • 19 implied HN points • 14 Oct 24
🎙 Podcasts Business
  1. David Senra hosts a podcast that focuses on the lives and lessons of famous founders. Each episode dives into a biography and teaches valuable lessons from their journeys.
  2. David's childhood was tough, but he found inspiration in books. Those stories helped shape his dreams and aspirations.
  3. He believes that successful founders share traits like self-delusion and obsession, which help them pursue ambitious goals despite challenges.

No, I Don't Want To Come To Your Pity Party

Richard Lewis • 1906 implied HN points • 31 Jan 24
🎭️ Culture Business
  1. The games and esports industry has experienced a significant number of layoffs due to unsustainable practices and behavior.
  2. Many individuals in the industry exhibit toxic behavior, including forming secret blacklists and engaging in power plays for personal gain.
  3. Esports industry executives have mismanaged funds and made poor decisions, leading to financial instability and a negative impact on the industry as a whole.

What I Read This Week...

Chamath Palihapitiya • 2299 implied HN points • 30 Dec 23
📰 News Business
  1. The New York Times is suing OpenAI and Microsoft for copyright infringement.
  2. Online anonymity is decreasing in China due to new regulations requiring real identity disclosure.
  3. U.S. and Mexican officials are collaborating to address migration issues at the Southern border.

Bluesky's big moment

Platformer • 3341 implied HN points • 02 May 23
🕹 Technology Business
  1. Bluesky, a decentralized social network similar to early Twitter, is gaining popularity and could offer a unique alternative to mainstream social media platforms.
  2. Bluesky should focus on maintaining its decentralized nature while making it user-friendly, encouraging developers to build on the platform, and embracing the platform's quirky and fun atmosphere.
  3. Bluesky can potentially address issues in the Twitter ecosystem, such as content moderation and API accessibility, to differentiate itself further and attract a wider user base.

The Busboy and the Boss. Plus. . .

Common Sense with Bari Weiss • 412 implied HN points • 26 Nov 25
📰 News Business
  1. Immigrant experiences in America can lead to glittering success or humble, vital livelihoods, but both share pride and belonging. For many, becoming a U.S. citizen and taking the oath is a deeply meaningful, defining moment.
  2. Entrepreneurs are building erotic AI chatbots to tackle a loneliness crisis and have drawn millions of users. There is real doubt about whether these automated fantasies can truly replace genuine human connection.
  3. Wellness start-ups and celebrity-endorsed practices can morph into harmful, cult-like organizations when power and secrecy go unchecked. Allegations around orgasmic meditation show how such movements can lead to exploitation, labor abuses, and sexual trauma.

Enterprise AI is Moving Fast, and Other Takeaways From a Week With Amazon

Big Technology • 4503 implied HN points • 09 Dec 24
🕹 Technology Business
  1. Generative AI is mainly used in businesses right now because they face unique problems. Companies are investing in it to process information and improve operations.
  2. Spending on generative AI is mostly for tools like ChatGPT and APIs for building custom solutions. This growth in enterprise spending may help develop AI technologies for consumers later on.
  3. OpenAI and Amazon are becoming competitors in the AI space. Their focus and innovations can change how AI is used in both business and personal applications.