The hottest Communication Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
Category
Top Technology Topics

Criticize by Creating

Polymathic Being • 66 implied HN points • 09 Feb 25
🚌 Education Communication
  1. Instead of criticizing ideas, try to build on them. Use 'Yes, and...' instead of 'Yes, but...' to create a more positive and innovative environment.
  2. Critiquing should focus on improving ideas, not tearing them down. A true critic aims to develop ideas into something better.
  3. Collaboration and combining ideas lead to greater innovation. Working together allows us to see new possibilities that we might miss when thinking alone.

Lessons For Startup Founders From A TPM

Building Rome(s) • 5 implied HN points • 09 Dec 25
💼 Business Communication
  1. Keep clarity even when the future is uncertain: set a simple vision, tactical goals, timeframes, and clear owners so the team can scale without heavyweight process.
  2. Prioritize ruthlessly and learn to say no; using a “no log” helps the team see what you intentionally set aside and keeps focus on what matters.
  3. Build minimal, evolving systems that prevent chaos and surface hidden work—use a single roadmap, release-based planning, regular demos, decision logs, and launch checklists to make dependencies and debt visible.

Talking with Tony Fauci

Science Forever • 79 implied HN points • 11 Dec 22
🔬 Science Communication
  1. Tony Fauci sets himself apart by being forthcoming in his communication, unlike many government scientists who stick to crafted statements.
  2. Real-time communication from scientists like Fauci reflects the evolving nature of knowledge, even though it may lead to criticism from politicians.
  3. Fauci believes scientists have a duty to speak truthfully and openly, promoting transparency in government discussions and decision-making.

I'm Live on YouTube and X Now...Come Ask Me a Question

The Chris Hedges Report • 78 implied HN points • 19 Dec 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Communication
  1. You can join a live session to ask questions in real-time. It's a chance to interact directly.
  2. Chris Hedges is using platforms like YouTube and X for engaging with his audience. This shows he's accessible and open to discussion.
  3. Supporting the Chris Hedges Report can help keep the content going, and there are options for free or paid subscriptions.
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A Canadian Take on Indians

Moral Mayhem Podcast • 19 implied HN points • 13 Mar 24
🎭️ Culture Communication
  1. The discussion features topics like Indian food, which highlights the cultural differences and food preferences.
  2. Arranged marriages and sexual conservatism are explored, showcasing varying perspectives on relationships.
  3. The contrast between politeness and niceness is examined, reflecting on social interactions in different cultures.

sunday meanpool

bad cattitude • 92 implied HN points • 20 Oct 24
🎭️ Culture Communication
  1. Building stronger relationships takes effort and communication. It's important to keep trying, even when things get tough.
  2. Setting clear ground rules can help maintain positive connections. These rules guide interactions and expectations.
  3. Friendship can grow and deepen when both sides are invested. Regular check-ins can help you feel more connected.

What This Substack Is Up To

Castalia • 119 implied HN points • 09 Jan 23
📚 Literature Communication
  1. Writing can be like having a conversation. It doesn't always need to be polished, and expressing thoughts freely can be powerful.
  2. People are more than just their online brands. Writing should allow for different sides of a person, rather than just fitting into one narrow identity.
  3. The traditional media is changing. Anyone can share their ideas online, making room for more honest perspectives, even if the concept of objectivity becomes more complicated.

An interview in 'Significance' magazine

Alberto Cairo's The Art of Insight • 19 implied HN points • 11 Mar 24
🎨 Art & Illustration Communication
  1. Learning basic rules of data visualization helps you make better choices but it's also important to know that there aren't hard and fast rules. Understanding conventions allows you to decide how to present data effectively.
  2. Using a bar graph is often better than a pie chart for comparing numbers, but beyond that, your choices matter more than following strict rules.
  3. The key is to use the knowledge you've gained about perception and cognition to guide your decisions, creating a unique approach to data visualization.

Asking versus telling

Sunday Letters • 179 implied HN points • 14 Aug 22
🕹 Technology Communication
  1. It's important to ask questions instead of just telling people they're wrong. This helps avoid defensiveness and opens up communication.
  2. When you ask questions, be genuine and curious about the other person's perspective. It’s not just about getting your point across.
  3. Understanding someone’s reasoning and context can help change their mind. Telling them they're wrong often just makes them defensive.

The power of yes

Sunday Letters • 179 implied HN points • 07 Aug 22
💼 Business Communication
  1. Saying 'yes, and...' helps create better conversations and collaboration. It opens up more possibilities instead of shutting them down.
  2. In negotiations, aiming for a quick agreement might seem good, but exploring deeper can lead to greater benefits for both sides.
  3. A 'yes' mindset encourages listening and empathy, helping everyone involved to find better solutions together.

The Internet Is For Poor People

Default Wisdom • 74 implied HN points • 12 Dec 24
🕹 Technology Communication
  1. The internet was initially created for everyone, but it has increasingly become more complex and expensive.
  2. Many people, especially those with limited resources, rely on the internet for basic needs and communication.
  3. Understanding the internet's evolution can help us realize its impact on different social classes and how it shapes our lives.

Communication Isn’t Optional: A Self-Audit for Influence

Beyond the Screen • 6 implied HN points • 19 Nov 25
🚌 Education Communication
  1. Communication is really important and can greatly impact how people feel and act. It's not just a nice skill to have; it's essential for understanding and managing relationships.
  2. Understanding yourself is the first step to influencing others positively. Knowing your traits, values, and biases can really improve your communication.
  3. Influence can be used for good or bad, depending on your intentions. It's about building trust and aligning with shared goals instead of just having power.

Boardroom Communication Gaps on Cybersecurity

Rod’s Blog • 19 implied HN points • 29 Feb 24
🕹 Technology Communication
  1. Clear communication between cybersecurity teams and executive boards is crucial for effective cybersecurity strategies and risk management.
  2. Cybersecurity teams should simplify technical language and provide real-world examples to improve communication with executive boards.
  3. Executive boards can enhance communication with cybersecurity teams by investing in education, appointing liaison officers, and actively engaging in cybersecurity policy reviews.

How to cultivate a high-signal AI feed

Democratizing Automation • 166 implied HN points • 28 Feb 24
🕹 Technology Communication
  1. Be intentional about your media diet in the ML space, curate and focus your energy to save time and avoid misleading content.
  2. When evaluating ML content, focus on model access, credibility, and demos; choosing between depth or breadth in your feed; and checking for reproducibility and verifiability.
  3. Ensure to socialize your information, build relationships in the community, and consider different sources and content types for a well-rounded perspective.

Human in an AI Age: Voice

The Future Does Not Fit In The Containers Of The Past • 22 implied HN points • 13 Jul 25
🕹 Technology Communication
  1. The future is all about how we combine our unique human qualities with AI. It's not enough to just use AI; we have to get creative and think differently.
  2. Finding and developing your 'voice' is very important. This means expressing your thoughts and feelings in a unique way that stands out.
  3. To thrive in an AI-driven world, we need to keep learning and exposing ourselves to new ideas. Explore different experiences to grow your perspective and taste.

PREVIEW: The Three Archetypes of Internet Overexposure Syndrome

Default Wisdom • 77 implied HN points • 15 Nov 24
🎭️ Culture Communication
  1. There are three main types of reactions people have to constant internet use: the Autist, the Schizo, and the Borderline. Each type represents a different way of dealing with online exposure.
  2. The Autist may focus on details and facts, while the Schizo might feel confused or paranoid about online information. The Borderline can experience intense emotions related to their online interactions.
  3. Understanding these archetypes can help us recognize our own behaviors and feelings about the internet, leading to better mental health and awareness.

GRANTED: Why "quiet quitting" is trending and repeating yourself is a good habit

Granted • 99 implied HN points • 28 Aug 22
🚌 Education Communication
  1. Personality is not fixed - who you become is about what you choose to do with your traits.
  2. Quiet quitting is a response to poor work environments; meaningful work, respect, and fair pay can inspire people to excel.
  3. Repeating yourself is crucial for good communication; leaders are more likely criticized for undercommunicating than overcommunicating.

On Ghosting

Castalia • 99 implied HN points • 23 Jan 23
🎭️ Culture Communication
  1. Ghosting is a common behavior in today's online dating and social interactions. People often prefer to disappear rather than communicate directly, which can feel more polite but isn't really respectful.
  2. Technology makes it easier for people to ghost. With countless excuses available for not responding, people feel less accountable for their actions and more capable of ignoring others.
  3. Instead of trying to change ghosting behavior, we should focus on having honest conversations. Telling someone how we feel, even if it’s uncomfortable, creates a healthier way to interact.

What Happened to Conversation?

The Analog Family • 99 implied HN points • 16 Feb 23
🎭️ Culture Communication
  1. Conversations are important for building connections and understanding others. Yet, many people avoid deep discussions and end up staying silent instead.
  2. A lot of conversations focus on ourselves or others, but we rarely ask questions to learn about the person in front of us. Asking questions can show we care and uncover new insights.
  3. To be better at talking, we should really focus when someone is speaking and be open to different viewpoints. This can help improve not just our conversations but also our relationships.

A running doc with my little thoughts

Both Are True • 49 implied HN points • 18 Feb 25
🎭️ Culture Communication
  1. Writing for an audience can improve your ideas and make them more engaging. It helps you see your thoughts in a different light.
  2. Keeping a log of your thoughts can be a great way to capture ideas that may turn into bigger projects later on.
  3. Sharing your ideas in a way that others can interact with can lead to interesting discussions and feedback.

Bad communication is always your fault

Sunday Letters • 199 implied HN points • 03 Apr 22
🚌 Education Communication
  1. Effective communication is a shared responsibility. If someone doesn't understand you, it's worth examining how you can express your thoughts more clearly.
  2. People generally want to understand each other. If communication fails, it's important to explore what might be blocking the other person from grasping your message.
  3. Assuming good intent can help improve communication. If you treat every miscommunication as your responsibility, it can lead to better conversations.

Middle management lessons

Logos • 39 implied HN points • 17 Oct 23
💼 Business Communication
  1. Relying on your gut feeling can sometimes be better than overthinking with too much data. Sometimes common sense leads to clearer, quicker decisions.
  2. Managing upwards is key; keeping your boss informed about your work helps them understand your efforts and successes better. Regular updates are more helpful than you might think.
  3. Hard work is usually more important than just being smart. At work, showing your effort often matters more than your natural talent or intelligence.

My Freethink Podcast

Bet On It • 65 implied HN points • 27 Nov 24
🎙 Podcasts Communication
  1. Education is important for personal growth and future opportunities. It helps individuals gain knowledge and skills that can lead to better jobs.
  2. Social desirability bias can affect how people respond in surveys and studies. This means they might give answers that they think are more acceptable rather than honest.
  3. Podcasts can be a powerful tool for sharing information and ideas. They allow for engaging discussions on various topics, reaching a wide audience.

Sara Ness Live in London: The Art of Authentic Conversations

The Bigger Picture • 159 implied HN points • 02 May 22
🎭️ Culture Communication
  1. Joining events like Sara Ness Live in London can help improve conversational skills and create authentic connections.
  2. Overcoming cultural polarization requires authentic communication and curiosity instead of arguing or scheming.
  3. Learning to express oneself authentically, listen actively, and consider different perspectives is crucial for thriving in today's environment.

Why Write?

Passing Time • 234 implied HN points • 15 Jul 23
🎭️ Culture Communication
  1. Writing has different motives including egoism, aesthetic enthusiasm, historical impulse, and political purpose.
  2. Writing is a way to communicate your current self in a moment of time.
  3. Good writing reflects the creator at a specific moment and aims to communicate emotions effectively.

Problem: Break Down A Monolith Application Into Microservices

SkylineCodes • 19 implied HN points • 10 Feb 24
🕹 Technology Communication
  1. Decomposing a monolithic application into microservices pattern helps scale and deploy services independently which is crucial for agility and quick feature updates in a competitive market.
  2. Understanding the Scale Cube model and its dimensions (X-axis scaling, Y-axis scaling, Z-axis scaling) is essential for designing scalable and resilient software architectures.
  3. Decomposing by business capability and subdomain are effective strategies for breaking down microservices, ensuring cohesive and loosely coupled services aligned with business needs.

Making the First Transgenic Ants

Asimov Press • 154 implied HN points • 05 Feb 24
🔬 Science Communication
  1. Engineered ants are used to study neuroscience of pheromone signaling
  2. Creating transgenic ants involved precise genetic engineering and long, meticulous work
  3. Transgenic ants provided insights into the brain's response to communication signals, aiding in understanding insect behavior

How To Communicate With Software Engineers So That They Understand You

Money in Transit • 39 implied HN points • 09 Oct 23
🕹 Technology Communication
  1. Software engineering is not inherently more difficult than other professions like medicine or law.
  2. Effective communication with software engineers can be facilitated by using frameworks like The Spreadsheet Analogy and the Given-When-Then method.
  3. Communication breakdowns between engineers and non-engineers can be bridged by understanding software engineering concepts and speaking a shared language.

A Note to the Universe

Nomad No More • 39 implied HN points • 13 Feb 23
💼 Business Communication
  1. Writer is seeking change and a return to the corporate world for benefits and stability.
  2. Experienced in diverse writing tasks and looking for a job that offers challenges, continuity, and a great team.
  3. Seeking opportunities or connections in communications or marketing that align with desire for stability and routine.

Communicating To Stakeholders

Become a Senior Engineer • 19 implied HN points • 08 Feb 24
💼 Business Communication
  1. Identify stakeholders by knowing who they are and understanding their needs.
  2. Tailoring communication involves classifying stakeholders based on their power and interest in the project.
  3. Effective communication with stakeholders requires keeping them satisfied or informed based on their level of power and interest.

RDEL #1: What’s the best way for eng teams to communicate via Slack?

Research-Driven Engineering Leadership • 39 implied HN points • 17 Jul 23
🕹 Technology Communication
  1. Effective communication in engineering teams via Slack involves 'burstiness', quick and synchronous messaging followed by periods of silence.
  2. Research shows that 'bursty' communication styles correlate with higher team performance in distributed software engineering teams.
  3. To improve team 'burstiness', managers can observe current communication styles, consider time zone overlaps, and foster a culture of synchronous collaboration.

Empathy No. 122

Empathy: The Remnant Pieces • 39 implied HN points • 11 May 23
📚 Literature Communication
  1. Carlie and RBStoryteller have a conversation about upcoming school events and Carlie contemplates taking birth control for their relationship
  2. They discuss potentially attending the homecoming dance and prom together
  3. Communication about sensitive topics like birth control is important in relationships