The hottest Collaboration Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
Category
Top Technology Topics

The most neglected words of the Agile Manifesto

Ageling on Agile ā€¢ 119 implied HN points ā€¢ 31 Oct 24
šŸ•¹ Technology Collaboration
  1. The Agile Manifesto emphasizes that we're always discovering better ways to develop software, not just relying on established methods. It's about improving and adapting continuously.
  2. Though there are popular Agile methods like Scrum and XP, the key is to find what works best for your unique organization. Every team is different, and a one-size-fits-all approach may not fit your needs.
  3. The first sentence of the Agile Manifesto is often overlooked, but it encourages ongoing exploration in software development. This mindset fosters innovation and flexibility rather than strict adherence to any single method.

I Blame Jan Garbarek

The Honest Broker ā€¢ 14162 implied HN points ā€¢ 23 Jan 26
šŸŽ¶ Music Collaboration
  1. Jan Garbarek helped create a distinct European jazz identity with a cool, spacious "ECM" sound that stood apart from American jazz and let European artists flourish at home.
  2. He started out steeped in U.S. models like Coltrane but evolved into his own voice, moving from fiery postā€‘bop to a haunting, minimalist saxophone style.
  3. Garbarek and producer Manfred Eicher championed bold crossā€‘cultural collaborations that blurred jazz with world, folk, and early music, expanding what jazz could be.

Toward a Transformative Hermeneutics of Standard Model Physics

arg min ā€¢ 456 implied HN points ā€¢ 25 Oct 24
šŸ”¬ Science Collaboration
  1. The Higgs discovery shows how science relies on consensus rather than just statistics. It's all about how many scientists agree on something, and that's what really gives it weight.
  2. Complex governance structures are necessary in big science projects. These systems help teams work together and make important decisions about groundbreaking discoveries.
  3. Sometimes, playful writing can lead to misunderstandings. It's important to find the right balance between being engaging and being precise when discussing complex topics.

TBM 411: Messy Docs As Helpful Pattern

The Beautiful Mess ā€¢ 581 implied HN points ā€¢ 17 Mar 26
šŸ’¼ Business Collaboration
  1. High-performing teams often rely on messy, freeform docsā€”copying notes, links, screenshots, checklists, and inline todosā€”to externalize working memory and capture evolving product work.
  2. Those documents only stay useful when theyā€™re part of a repeated ritual: frequent integration, reflection, and habit keep the artifacts current; without that repetition they decay into relics or private knowledge.
  3. Organizations still need legibility, so the aim should be to design small, intentional interfacesā€”minimal shared routines, objects, or languageā€”that translate messy local work into clear signals without forcing teams to stop working the way they do.

I've built a city, now it needs residents!

polymathematics ā€¢ 153 HN points ā€¢ 27 Sep 24
šŸ•¹ Technology Collaboration
  1. Greenwich is a new app that creates a secret network of links on the internet. It lets users find and share interesting webpages with each other like hidden subway stations.
  2. Anyone can join as a resident of Greenwich and help contribute links to webpages. This means that users can see others' suggestions and discover related content more easily.
  3. The idea is to make the internet feel more alive and connected, allowing people to share interesting recommendations instead of relying on algorithms like on social media.
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33 Things I Heard At Foo Camp 2026

The Ruffian ā€¢ 436 implied HN points ā€¢ 28 Feb 26
šŸ•¹ Technology Collaboration
  1. Leading AI people are unsure how frontier models will play out, and because we still donā€™t agree on what consciousness even means, we need strong norms and cautious safety measuresā€”especially around making AIs that could be treated as conscious.
  2. Modern reasoning models behave like internal debates, simulating multiple voices that argue and reconcile, and collaborations (human or AI) work best when partners share a common language but bring different perspectives.
  3. AI is reshaping expertise and culture: these tools amplify skilled users rather than replace them, so weā€™ll need training and new ethical norms to manage effects on writing, craft, and individual agency.

Party of One for Code Review!

Software Design: Tidy First? ā€¢ 3115 implied HN points ā€¢ 26 Dec 25
šŸ•¹ Technology Collaboration
  1. Formal, rigorous inspections were too heavy, and the lighter code-review practices that replaced them often become shallow when reviews are asynchronous or rubber-stamped.
  2. AI-driven code generation produces changes faster than human reviewers can keep up, breaking the assumption that another person will catch problems before they compound.
  3. Review's role is shifting toward quick sanity checks and preventing structural drift so the codebase stays understandable by both people and AI, and automated tools that summarize changes and learn project patterns can help bridge the gap without replacing human pairing.

Be a Bridge Builder

The Engineering Leader ā€¢ 99 implied HN points ā€¢ 20 Oct 24
šŸ•¹ Technology Collaboration
  1. Technical skills are important for engineers, but to become a leader, you also need to connect with other teams and understand the bigger picture. It's about being a bridge builder, not just a tech expert.
  2. Having strong communication skills helps in explaining your work to others and getting their feedback. This way, everyone can work better together.
  3. To grow into a leadership role, seek opportunities to collaborate with different departments, learn about the company's goals, and create a culture of teamwork.

How to Run a UX Design Critique

Jakob Nielsen on UX ā€¢ 75 implied HN points ā€¢ 12 Mar 26
šŸŖ‘ Design Collaboration
  1. Run critiques as a structured, time-boxed process: define roles, set scope and a facilitator, share context at least 24 hours before, and use silent feedback plus a note-taker to keep the meeting focused and psychologically safe.
  2. Make feedback problem-focused and evidence-based. Avoid taste-based comments, solutionizing, and bikeshedding; use formats like ā€œI like / I wish / What ifā€ and synthesize comments with affinity mapping to create clear issues to act on.
  3. Close the loop with prioritization, documentation, and tooling. Score issues with Impact/Effort or RICE, publish action items within 24 hours, and use AI and collaboration tools to help prep, synthesize async feedback, and learn from past crits.

The Emerging "Harness Engineering" Playbook

Artificial Ignorance ā€¢ 273 implied HN points ā€¢ 22 Feb 26
šŸ•¹ Technology Collaboration
  1. Engineersā€™ work is splitting into two linked roles: building the harness (the constraints, tools, and feedback systems that make agents reliable) and managing agent work through planning, review, and orchestration. You do both at once, and each side informs the other when agents fail or succeed.
  2. Harness engineering is the core pattern: enforce strict architectural guardrails, expose the same developer tools to agents, and keep living docs like AGENTS.md that are updated whenever an agent makes a mistake. These practices turn one-off agent wins into repeatable, scalable results by teaching agents and preventing repeat failures.
  3. Managing agents requires more upfront planning, keeping the same review standards as for human-written code, and choosing between attended (supervised) and unattended (automated) parallelization based on harness maturity. Significant open problems remain ā€” maintaining long-term code quality, verifying behavior at scale, and applying these techniques to existing messy codebases.

The crit is the product

Kathy PM ā€¢ 13 implied HN points ā€¢ 19 Mar 26
šŸŖ‘ Design Collaboration
  1. Design agents should do more than follow orders; they need to challenge assumptions, ask clarifying questions, and push back like a good design crit.
  2. Tools should offer separate modes: a fast obedient execution mode for production tasks, and a slower, conversational crit mode that is opinionated and willing to interrupt.
  3. To reach that crit-level value, agents must act like designersā€”investigating users, analyzing problems, bringing references, and reframing solutions rather than only generating visuals.

If You Do This, Your Emails Might Be Rude

Granted ā€¢ 16931 implied HN points ā€¢ 26 Mar 23
šŸ’¼ Business Collaboration
  1. Don't require acknowledgment that an email was received. It can come off as needy or paranoid.
  2. Instead of directly asking someone to share your content, explain why it might interest them. They're more likely to share it out of genuine interest.
  3. When seeking feedback, focus on asking for advice on a specific issue rather than expecting a detailed critique.

Giįŗ£i mĆ£ LockBit v3

ThĆ”i | Hacker | Kį»¹ sĘ° tin tįŗ·c ā€¢ 2716 implied HN points ā€¢ 02 May 24
šŸ•¹ Technology Collaboration
  1. Calif's report on LockBit v3 reveals a vulnerability allowing partial data recovery without ransom payment.
  2. Knowing ransomware algorithms is crucial for recovery strategies, even if mistakes can happen.
  3. Common ransomware recovery strategies include backup restoration, ransom payment, or self-decryption, with emphasis on avoiding public disclosure.

The Unexpected Benefits of Starting a Small-Scale Dahlia Operation

Culture Study ā€¢ 4744 implied HN points ā€¢ 07 Aug 25
šŸŽ­ļø Culture Collaboration
  1. Starting a dahlia operation can bring unexpected joys, like learning and growing alongside friends. It's a fun hobby that challenges you and helps you bond with others.
  2. Doing something like dahlia farming allows for creativity and collaboration without the stress of profit-making. It's about enjoying the process together rather than worrying about making money.
  3. Growing dahlias helps you notice small details in life and creates a sense of calm. It's a rewarding experience that connects you to nature and your community.

Can Genies Break Down Silos?

Software Design: Tidy First? ā€¢ 220 implied HN points ā€¢ 03 Feb 26
šŸ•¹ Technology Collaboration
  1. Genies (AI assistants) tend to push people further into isolation. They can reinforce silos even when individuals enjoy working alone.
  2. People hype that "teams of one" can achieve infinite results with genies, which treats a social/human problem like a purely technical fix. That framing risks ignoring the human and collaborative needs behind the work.
  3. These are rough, early-stage ideas shared during a creative burst and meant to invite feedback. The thoughts are unpolished and offered to spark discussion.

Get rid of what your project needs

Subtle Maneuvers ā€¢ 3144 implied HN points ā€¢ 22 Jan 24
šŸŽØ Art & Illustration Collaboration
  1. CĆ©line Sciamma's screenwriting process involves merging desired and needed elements for a unique approach
  2. Sciamma believes in animating 'needed' scenes with desire to create a more compelling narrative
  3. Choosing unsatisfaction temporarily can lead to departing from conventional solutions in creative work

7 Slack hacks for engineers and managers

Leading Developers ā€¢ 122 implied HN points ā€¢ 03 Feb 26
šŸ•¹ Technology Collaboration
  1. Show only unread conversations and group channels by priority so you only see what needs attention.
  2. Mute and unmute groups and silence noisy threads to control when things demand your time, and schedule short regular reviews for lower-priority channels.
  3. Use message reminders and the /remind command to turn messages into timed tasks, and spend a few minutes organizing sections so the small setup saves hours and reduces mental load.

TBM 391: Youā€™re Not Misaligned. Youā€™re Thinking Differently.

The Beautiful Mess ā€¢ 740 implied HN points ā€¢ 27 Nov 25
šŸ’¼ Business Collaboration
  1. People think differently: Some focus on details and concrete solutions, while others think more abstractly about purpose and possibilities. Understanding these styles can help improve teamwork.
  2. In workshops, participants have varying styles of engagement. Some jump right in with ideas, while others need clarity and examples. A good facilitator should help everyone find their comfort zone.
  3. Even if you know how you and others think, not everyone will care about self-awareness. It's essential to show up with good intentions and adapt as best as you can.

Thereā€™s Now a New Way to Grow Your Substack

Kristina God's Online Writing Club ā€¢ 2877 implied HN points ā€¢ 19 Jan 24
šŸ’¼ Business Collaboration
  1. There's a new 'Spreadsheet Directory of Publications' to help writers find collaboration partners. It makes networking easy and fun.
  2. Many creators are looking for ways to work together to grow their subscriber base. Networking can lead to more followers and success.
  3. Creators can also use the new Creator Network by ConvertKit to find others with similar audiences. This can help them reach and engage more subscribers.

Issue #13 - Defining the Data Operating Model

The Data Ecosystem ā€¢ 359 implied HN points ā€¢ 07 Jul 24
šŸ’¼ Business Collaboration
  1. A Data Operating Model is key for turning data strategy into action. It outlines how the organization works to achieve its goals using data.
  2. Without a proper Data Operating Model, companies face problems like data silos and short-term thinking. This impacts collaboration and the quality of data solutions.
  3. Successful operating models need to adapt as teams grow and change. They should cover not just team structure but also day-to-day tasks, delivery methods, and oversight.

Myth Take: C.S. Lewisā€™s ā€˜Till We Have Facesā€™

MILLERā€™S BOOK REVIEW šŸ“š ā€¢ 1788 implied HN points ā€¢ 31 Jan 24
šŸ“š Literature Collaboration
  1. The book 'Till We Have Faces' by C.S. Lewis presents the idea that sometimes the questions we ask already hold the answers we are seeking.
  2. C.S. Lewis transformed the myth of Cupid and Psyche by re-centering the narrative through the perspective of Orual, Psyche's step-sister.
  3. The involvement of Joy Davidman played a significant role in inspiring and collaborating with C.S. Lewis during the creation of 'Till We Have Faces'.

What It Really Takes to Move From Senior to Staff Data Engineer

SeattleDataGuyā€™s Newsletter ā€¢ 447 implied HN points ā€¢ 17 Nov 25
šŸ•¹ Technology Collaboration
  1. Moving from senior to staff data engineer requires developing non-technical skills like communication and project management. It's important to help your teammates and have a holistic view of your work.
  2. Staff engineers need to be adaptable and handle more responsibilities beyond coding, such as mentoring and collaboration. They also need to maintain good relationships with different teams and stakeholders.
  3. A clear understanding of project goals and the ability to design scalable solutions are essential. This often involves diagramming ideas and determining what should be built in-house versus what can be delegated.

A New Way to Collaborate With Other Substack Newsletter Writers

Kristina God's Online Writing Club ā€¢ 1638 implied HN points ā€¢ 08 Feb 24
šŸ’¼ Business Collaboration
  1. Collaborating with other newsletter writers can make the process more enjoyable and less lonely. Itā€™s great to find support and connect with like-minded people.
  2. Using Substackā€™s recommendation features can help grow your subscriber base. Many writers have successfully gained subscribers through community recommendations.
  3. Letdir is a new directory for Substack writers that helps you discover and connect with others in your niche. Itā€™s an easy way to find collaboration opportunities.

On the greats and mathematical style

Infinitely More ā€¢ 15 implied HN points ā€¢ 22 Feb 26
šŸ”¬ Science Collaboration
  1. Greatness in mathematics is hard to rank because insights can come from many people and eras, and being the first often involves luck since ideas are sometimes "in the air."
  2. Simple, clear, easy-to-understand arguments are especially valued because they are easier to check and to learn from, and playful thought experiments or metaphors help visualize problems and reveal strategies.
  3. There are different successful working stylesā€”long solitary grinds on one problem versus collaborative, social approaches that switch problemsā€”and many practitioners pursue mathematics for the love of the subject rather than for prizes, with online collaboration regularly sparking new work.

Maps of scenius

Austin Kleon ā€¢ 2178 implied HN points ā€¢ 12 Sep 23
šŸŽ­ļø Culture Collaboration
  1. Scenius is about creativity that comes from a group, not just individual genius. Joining or creating a supportive community can help boost your creative efforts.
  2. Successful sceniuses have elements like friendly competition and easy sharing of ideas and tools. This sense of connection can lead to more innovation and creativity.
  3. Balancing connection with others and taking time alone is crucial for creativity. Both interacting with a community and having time to reflect can enhance your creative output.

Iā€™m building a cooperative media ecosystem

The Novelleist ā€¢ 2736 implied HN points ā€¢ 03 Jan 25
šŸŽ­ļø Culture Collaboration
  1. The goal is to create a media platform owned by the writers, not big media companies. This helps ensure that stories and ideas come from creative individuals, fostering a better media environment.
  2. Instead of focusing on problems, the aim is to spark ideas and solutions for a better future together. This will include publishing various themes in print magazines and books, sharing profits fairly.
  3. The plan involves inviting other writers to collaborate on projects, learning from the process, and slowly building a community. It's about teamwork to make meaningful content and potentially inspire change.

How brands make culture

The Sociology of Business ā€¢ 1315 implied HN points ā€¢ 15 Jan 24
šŸ’¼ Business Collaboration
  1. Brand marketing has shifted from promoting products to making noise and cultural impact.
  2. Modern brand marketing focuses on entertainment, providing constant content and unique campaigns.
  3. Brands should engage existing fans, prioritize collaborations, and emphasize emotional connections over traditional promotion.

The Rise of the AI Autodidact

Kathy PM ā€¢ 28 implied HN points ā€¢ 19 Feb 26
šŸ•¹ Technology Collaboration
  1. AI supercharges self-directed learners and makers, letting curious people prototype, code, design, and iterate much faster than before.
  2. Using AI to step into someone elseā€™s craft can unintentionally bypass them and erode trust, because technical correctness doesnā€™t erase social impact.
  3. Balance curiosity with respect: explore aggressively on your own, but slow down when your work touches othersā€™ domains, share early, invite collaboration, and make sure people keep agency over their craft.

5 lessons pop music can teach us about creativity

Make Work Better ā€¢ 152 implied HN points ā€¢ 17 Dec 25
šŸŽ¶ Music Collaboration
  1. Creative work comes from showing up and making a lot of stuff; persistent output and practice give you the few big wins.
  2. Being together in person helps creativity because small, quiet cues and half-formed ideas get noticed and built on.
  3. Creativity thrives in messy, relaxed, playful spaces and from outside inputs, so embrace chaos, laughter, and unexpected sources to get unstuck.

Communicate like a Senior: Add the (right) context

High Growth Engineer ā€¢ 782 implied HN points ā€¢ 27 Jul 25
šŸ’¼ Business Collaboration
  1. When tagging someone in a long conversation, give them a quick summary and a clear question to avoid making them read everything. This way, they can help you faster.
  2. For pull requests, include not just what changed but also why it matters. Explain the context so reviewers understand your changes right away.
  3. When asking for help, be specific about your issue and share what you've already tried. Add relevant links and screenshots to make it easier for others to assist you.

The Ownership Problem: Why We Get Territorial And What To Do About It

The Caring Techie Newsletter ā€¢ 13 implied HN points ā€¢ 24 Feb 26
šŸŽ­ļø Culture Collaboration
  1. Territorial behavior is treating parts of the work as yours to protect instead of yours to share; it shows up as shutting down ideas, hoarding knowledge, and funnelling decisions through one person.
  2. It usually stems from lack of trust, fear of losing control or job security, past bad experiences, or simply being overwhelmed.
  3. You can counter it by leading with curiosity, doing your homework, including owners early, andā€”if youā€™re the territorial oneā€”engaging ideas, asking questions, being principled when you say no, and naming what you actually need. Unchecked territoriality slows teams and will be costlier as AI and generated code blur ownership.

Foxtrot Market's comeback?

Snaxshot ā€¢ 419 implied HN points ā€¢ 10 May 24
šŸ² Food & Drink Collaboration
  1. Foxtrot Market faced a questionable auction process with potential bidders feeling left in the dark, leading to speculations of a rigged setup.
  2. Brands like Blueprint by Bryan Johnson are stepping into the market with products like supplements and olive oils, potentially shaking up established brands like Athletic Greens.
  3. Various CPG brands are undergoing rebranding and major changes to stay relevant and attract customers, reflecting a rebranding trend in the industry.

Hania Rani

Flow State ā€¢ 766 implied HN points ā€¢ 10 Jan 24
šŸŽ¶ Music Collaboration
  1. Hania Rani is a talented Polish composer and pianist.
  2. She draws influences from Bach, Mozart, and Chopin.
  3. Listen to her works like 'On Giacometti' and 'Inner Symphonies'.

The Enshittification of Google Docs

How the Hell ā€¢ 184 implied HN points ā€¢ 18 Nov 25
šŸ•¹ Technology Collaboration
  1. Google put its AI buttons right on top of the document, creating a persistent distraction that breaks writers' focus and wastes ideas.
  2. The AI features are poorly integrated: suggestions appear as pop-ups you canā€™t easily compare, get pasted into docs messily (even breaking formatting), and the experience has become more intrusive instead of better.
  3. A new editor called Owl Editor aims to fix this by letting you write without distractions, run a review that inserts AI feedback as track-changes you can accept or reject, and gather multiple reviewer perspectives to catch factual and reasoning errors.

ā€œBestā€ Practices Ainā€™t...

Software Design: Tidy First? ā€¢ 1833 implied HN points ā€¢ 13 Dec 24
šŸ•¹ Technology Collaboration
  1. Not all problems are the same, so don't always rely on 'best practices.' Different types of problems need different approaches.
  2. Using 'best practice' as a catchphrase can be misleading. It can hide someone's lack of confidence or let others avoid taking responsibility.
  3. For simple problems, sure, use 'best practices.' But for more complex issues, think critically and come up with your own solutions instead.

Claire Deak

Flow State ā€¢ 668 implied HN points ā€¢ 17 Jan 24
šŸŽ¶ Music Collaboration
  1. Claire Deak is an Australian multi-instrumentalist and composer.
  2. Her first solo LP, 'Sotto Voce', is inspired by baroque composers and recorded in a 19th century wooden church.
  3. Deak collaborates with her partner on the album 'The Old Capital'.

The Ten Principles of Win-Win

Win-Win ā€¢ 319 implied HN points ā€¢ 02 Apr 24
šŸ“– Philosophy Collaboration
  1. The world has plenty to offer, so thinking there's not enough can hold you back. Focus on abundance and opportunities instead of scarcity.
  2. Life is always changing, so it's important to be flexible and adaptable. Sticking to rigid ideas can make it hard to enjoy the journey.
  3. Working together can create win-win situations. Instead of just looking out for yourself, think about how you can benefit others too.