The hottest Business Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
Category
Top Technology Topics

OSD 298: Launching the OSD podcast. Episode 1 with Isaac Botkin.

Open Source Defense • 35 implied HN points • 04 Nov 24
🎙 Podcasts Business
  1. The OSD podcast has launched with Isaac Botkin as the first guest, sharing insights from his experiences.
  2. Growing a business quickly can be tough, especially when finding skilled and dedicated team members is challenging.
  3. Content marketing for companies in civilian defense is changing, and there are interesting discussions about the future of gun culture and technology.

When boring is useful.

Nate is Learning • 19 implied HN points • 10 May 23
💼 Business Business
  1. In work decisions, boring can be valuable, especially in B2B environments.
  2. Safe, functional, and predictable choices often lead to making money.
  3. Boring in business is often safe and reliable, contributing to success.

How to become a data business

Three Data Point Thursday • 19 implied HN points • 20 Jul 23
🕹 Technology Business
  1. The key to becoming a data business is focusing on smart products over improving business decisions.
  2. When integrating AI into products, focus on solving bigger problems for customers instead of just improving efficiency.
  3. Artificial Intelligence can accumulate knowledge without the burden that humans face, leading to unpredictable situations.

AI, Secrets, and 38TB

aidaily • 19 implied HN points • 21 Sep 23
🕹 Technology Business
  1. AI technology can help keep cities clean by identifying litter hotspots
  2. Microsoft's AI researchers accidentally exposed 38 terabytes of private data on GitHub
  3. Adding a human touch to business strategies can be beneficial alongside AI
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Why Boring Technologies Are Exciting

The Digital Anthropologist • 19 implied HN points • 11 Sep 23
🕹 Technology Business
  1. Exciting innovations often arise from technologies that have become mundane and boring.
  2. Significant technological advancements can be found in sectors like manufacturing, transportation, and energy grids.
  3. Value and impact of technologies are not solely determined by mass consumer adoption but also by their silent contributions to society.

The Unsung Hero of AI

Sector 6 | The Newsletter of AIM • 19 implied HN points • 20 Aug 23
🕹 Technology Business
  1. First movers in tech tend to focus on social service, while second movers look to make profits. For example, OpenAI is paving the way in AI, while Databricks is focusing on business opportunities.
  2. The AI industry is seeing key players like OpenAI and Databricks rising to the top, with OpenAI being recognized as a leader in providing AI tools.
  3. Databricks has partnered with Microsoft to help businesses create AI applications, highlighting a trend of major companies joining forces to enhance enterprise capabilities.

The psychology of Disneyland

SatPost by Trung Phan • 106 implied HN points • 22 Jul 23
🎭️ Culture Business
  1. Walt Disney created Disneyland to be a place of ordered and harmonious experiences, focusing on storytelling and immersive worlds.
  2. Disney's Imagineering process involves attention to detail and strategic design choices to enhance the guest experience and create a cohesive environment.
  3. Disneyland's success as a profitable venture showcases the importance of theme parks in driving revenue for the Disney empire, despite challenges like high admission prices and up-selling strategies.

What is Keep Going?

Startup Strategies • 28 implied HN points • 12 Nov 24
🎙 Podcasts Business
  1. Keep Going is a podcast and publication that focuses on technology and users. It's run by John Biggs, who has a background in major tech publications.
  2. The aim is to explore the relationship between startups, technology, and society. This is important as many popular tech sites have shut down recently.
  3. The platform offers a free trial for new subscribers, encouraging people to engage with its content and discover more about tech startups.

Joe Rogan-Spotify deal: The search engine moment for podcasting?

Turnaround • 178 implied HN points • 24 May 20
🕹 Technology Business
  1. The $100M Spotify deal with Joe Rogan may change the podcasting landscape by moving towards exclusivity and away from the open RSS architecture.
  2. Spotify's push for exclusive podcast deals could lead to a limited number of platforms controlling podcast discovery, similar to how Google and Facebook dominate web traffic.
  3. The importance of owning distribution in the media and content industry is highlighted, emphasizing the need for content creators to have control over their distribution channels.

Simply Piano's Silent Symphony: How an App is Composing a Billion-Dollar Music Empire

Divinations • 2 implied HN points • 27 Nov 25
🎶 Music Business
  1. Simply Piano uses a fun, game-like approach to get people playing music quickly, making it exciting and motivating. Its instant feedback helps users feel like they are making real progress.
  2. The app has a smart business model that offers a free version and charges a reasonable fee at the point when users are most eager to continue learning. This strategy has helped it grow into a big money-maker.
  3. While Simply Piano gets people started with music, it might not teach all the important skills needed to be a well-rounded musician. Pairing the app with a real teacher can help fill in those gaps.

In Memoriam: Legendary Journalist And FIN Founder James Ledbetter Dies at 60

James Ledbetter's FIN • 25 implied HN points • 31 Oct 24
📰 News Business
  1. James Ledbetter was a talented journalist who understood complex topics and wrote about them clearly. He had a way of explaining things that made them easy to grasp.
  2. He founded the newsletter FIN, focusing on fintech and important trends in finance. His insights helped many people stay updated on the fast-changing financial world.
  3. Ledbetter was also a great mentor and friend to many. His warm personality and generosity made a lasting impact on those around him.

The Rise and Fall of Bernard Tapie

Integrity Talk • 66 implied HN points • 27 Oct 23
💾 History Business
  1. Bernard Tapie had a diverse career, from successful businessman to singer and TV host.
  2. Tapie's success in acquiring bankrupt companies was tainted by scandals like corruption and embezzlement.
  3. Despite controversies, Tapie's story is a mix of ambition and moral complexity, showing an unconventional path to success.

Blumhouse: The Hollywood Horror Hit Machine

SatPost by Trung Phan • 84 implied HN points • 13 May 23
🎭️ Culture Business
  1. Constraints can lead to creativity in business models, as seen in Blumhouse Productions.
  2. Blumhouse's low-budget, high-return approach focuses on making multiple horror films with unique storytelling.
  3. Financial constraints in film production, like fewer speaking parts and limited locations, can result in creative and successful outcomes.

Clever driver

Situation Normal • 86 implied HN points • 09 Apr 23
🎭️ Culture Business
  1. The narrator opted for a Lyft ride instead of asking their mom for a lift to the airport.
  2. The Lyft driver turned a car ride into a business opportunity to sell his car with high mileage.
  3. The conversation highlights the creative business mindset of the Lyft driver named Clever.

Google Gone Bard

Sector 6 | The Newsletter of AIM • 19 implied HN points • 09 Apr 23
🕹 Technology Business
  1. Google is seen as a steady player in AI, while Microsoft is more aggressive, which could change the balance of power.
  2. Google faces a challenge because its successful search business might clash with new AI technologies.
  3. It’s important for Google to embrace generative AI to stay competitive without losing its existing business.

Stop Aiming at the Wrong Targets

Polymathic Being • 54 implied HN points • 12 Nov 23
🚌 Education Business
  1. In war, success requires looking at targets in front of you and those over the horizon.
  2. In technology and business, it's important to focus not just on immediate targets, but also on targets further away.
  3. Systems thinking involves engaging deeply across domains to find solutions for complex problems, even those that are not immediately visible.

How pour-over coffee got good

The Works in Progress Newsletter • 15 implied HN points • 09 Dec 24
🍲 Food & Drink Business
  1. Pour-over coffee has become popular for its quality but takes time to make, causing challenges for coffee shops. Many shops are now finding ways to offer pour-over without long wait times.
  2. Several new coffee brewing technologies have emerged to help cafes offer a variety of brews, improving both speed and taste. Machines like the Clover and newer automation systems are making it easier to serve great coffee quickly.
  3. The history of coffee brewing shows a shift from quick, machine-made coffee to more careful, artisanal methods like pour-over, reflecting a growing appreciation for the distinct flavors of different coffee origins.

The All-Star Game Isn't The NBA's Biggest Problem

Huddle Up • 31 implied HN points • 21 Feb 24
🎾 Sports Business
  1. The NBA's All-Star Game had issues with lack of defense and high scoring, but this highlights broader problems like declining viewership and owners selling stakes.
  2. Adam Silver is a unique NBA commissioner loved by many for his approach balancing on-court and off-court business, though the league faces challenges on the court with lack of defense and player engagement.
  3. The NBA's decline in viewership, financial-savvy owners selling stakes, and upcoming retirements of key players like LeBron James and Stephen Curry pose challenges for the league's future success.

Patrick Mahomes Wants To Add A WNBA Team To His Growing Sports Portfolio

Huddle Up • 14 implied HN points • 04 Nov 24
🎾 Sports Business
  1. Patrick Mahomes is looking to buy a WNBA team for Kansas City. He already has stakes in several sports teams, showing he's serious about sports investing.
  2. The WNBA is experiencing a big rise in popularity and viewership, especially thanks to players like Caitlin Clark.
  3. Mahomes seems to be taking advantage of the WNBA's growth, as it sets new records in attendance, sponsorships, and merchandise sales.

The Hero Culture Trap | Sowmya Subramanian

Dev Interrupted • 9 implied HN points • 07 Jan 25
🕹 Technology Business
  1. Building a good team means moving from putting out fires to being proactive. Focus on planning ahead so your team doesn’t always have to deal with emergencies.
  2. Rushing to ship new features isn't always best. Sometimes, following others and quickly adapting ideas can work better in the long run.
  3. When writing code, clear instructions lead to better results. If you’re vague, your code might end up messy and confused.

Bigger than anyone better

let them eat cake • 119 implied HN points • 24 Apr 19
🍲 Food & Drink Business
  1. The Balthazar bakery in New Jersey has grown significantly over the years, becoming one of the largest artisanal bakeries in New York, supplying many restaurants and cafes.
  2. Even at a large scale, the bakery faces limitations in sourcing flours and ingredients, having to rely on a few main suppliers for consistency and reliability.
  3. The bakery has seen a shift towards viennoiserie products due to increased demand for carbs at breakfast, emphasizing the importance of handwork over complete automation.

The NFL Is Working On Technology To Eliminate The Chain Gang

Huddle Up • 22 implied HN points • 08 Mar 24
🎾 Sports Business
  1. The NFL is developing optical tracking technology to replace the traditional 'chain gang' for measuring first-down yardage.
  2. The NFL has been using RFID chips in footballs and players' gear for tracking player movements and collecting Next Gen stats.
  3. Introducing additional video review technology in the NFL could complicate the game over time and may not necessarily be a positive change.

College Football Players Get $600, Amazon Snags An Exclusive Playoff Game for $150 Million, And Apple Takes Its Next Step In Sports

Huddle Up • 20 implied HN points • 23 Feb 24
🎾 Sports Business
  1. EA Sports is paying college football players $600 to use their name, image, and likeness in the new video game, sparking debate over the adequacy of the compensation compared to NFL players.
  2. Amazon secured rights to stream an exclusive NFL playoff game by paying a hefty $150 million, highlighting the competitive landscape for sports broadcasting among tech giants.
  3. Apple is making strides in the sports industry with its new Sports app, underlining the company's expansion into the realm of sports entertainment beyond its traditional tech offerings.

The Dallas Cowboys are a soap opera (and that's exactly how Jerry Jones likes it)

Huddle Up • 7 implied HN points • 15 Jan 25
🎾 Sports Business
  1. Jerry Jones has changed how the NFL makes money. His approach makes teams share revenue differently than before.
  2. The Dallas Cowboys are known for their dramatic stories, almost like a soap opera. This is part of what makes them interesting to fans.
  3. Jones's style mixes seriousness with fun, making him one of the most talked-about owners in sports.

Gaslands

The Carousel • 22 implied HN points • 08 Nov 23
🎭️ Culture Business
  1. Helium was once a highly valued resource, particularly in the Airship Era.
  2. Amarillo, Texas, holds significant helium reserves but locals may not be fully aware of its value.
  3. There is a resurgence of interest in blimps and airships for environmental reasons, with projects like BlimpDAO seeking to promote blimp culture.

The NFL Combine Isn't Going Away Anytime Soon

Huddle Up • 16 implied HN points • 28 Feb 24
🎾 Sports Business
  1. The NFL Combine remains a significant event in the NFL pre-draft process, starting in 1976 and becoming a key moment for teams to evaluate potential draft picks.
  2. The NFL Combine is a major business opportunity for the league, creating economic impact and serving as a platform for negotiations and sponsorships.
  3. Despite some criticism and calls for its end, the NFL Combine is unlikely to go away soon, as it continues to evolve and grow as a central media and business event for the NFL.

Good enough

The Strategy Toolkit • 17 implied HN points • 22 Jan 24
🌍 World Politics Business
  1. Crime can be seen as the negative of the law and involves strategic decision-making.
  2. Desperation can lead to breaking laws for survival, showcasing a range of strategies to cope.
  3. Studying criminal strategies can provide insights that are applicable to legal and acceptable actions.

Record Salary Cap Increase Highlights NFL's Best-In-Class Business Model

Huddle Up • 14 implied HN points • 26 Feb 24
🎾 Sports Business
  1. The record salary cap increase in the NFL for 2024, set at $255.4 million per club, is an unprecedented $30 million rise, driven by a $110 billion media rights package.
  2. The salary cap system in the NFL, introduced in 1993 alongside free agency, benefits owners significantly by controlling costs, setting a profitability floor, and promoting parity across teams.
  3. The NFL's business model, with national media deals and innovative approaches like international games and sports betting, provides a solid foundation for revenue growth, making it a global sport leader.

Everything AI Is Old Is New Again

Gradient Ascendant • 5 implied HN points • 07 Jan 25
🕹 Technology Business
  1. AI technology today has strong parallels with the computing advancements from the 1980s, showing that history can repeat itself. It's essential to recognize these similarities to better understand our tech landscape.
  2. The major players in AI can be compared to historical companies like Microsoft and Apple, with their own distinct positions and market reactions. This framing helps us see how competition is shaping the AI world now.
  3. Google's situation in AI mirrors IBM's struggles back then, but Google has more opportunities to learn from those past mistakes. This could give them a better chance for success moving forward.

20250126

Curious futures (KGhosh) • 4 implied HN points • 26 Jan 25
🎭️ Culture Business
  1. Neoliberal policies like privatization and deregulation make it harder to effectively tackle climate change. We need to rethink these ideas to make real progress.
  2. The blending of advanced technology with our daily lives can lead to manipulation and deceit, impacting personal connections and trust in workplaces.
  3. In a tech-driven world, genuine human connection remains vital and cannot be replaced by algorithms, no matter how sophisticated they become.

Clouded Judgement 1.24.25 - The Year of Enterprise AI

Clouded Judgement • 4 implied HN points • 24 Jan 25
🕹 Technology Business
  1. AI in businesses faces a big challenge called the 'last mile' problem, which means it struggles to give accurate answers for specific business needs. This is especially important when customers are involved.
  2. To make AI better for businesses, combining general AI models with specific company data helps create more reliable results. This approach can improve things like compliance checks and sales forecasts.
  3. The speed of improvement in AI technology is impressive, and future models might overcome current limitations. This could allow businesses to answer a wider range of questions more accurately.