The hottest Communication Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
Category
Top Technology Topics

Weekly Wisdom #11

Weekly Wisdom • 39 implied HN points • 10 Aug 23
⛪ Faith & Spirituality Communication
  1. Wisdom can be explored through open-ended inquiries and examining its opposite, foolishness.
  2. Deep diving into spiritual practices like Buddhism's Ten Fetter model and Zen koans can offer valuable insights and resources.
  3. Resources on effective communication, such as writing as a Zen practice and analyzing popular TED Talks, can enhance communication skills.
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Red Light, Green Light

The Elbow • 19 implied HN points • 07 Feb 24
🏥 Health & Wellness Communication
  1. Being transparent and honest about your wants and preferences is the best way to get what you want.
  2. Avoid playing manipulative games in relationships, as they can lead to unhappiness in the long run.
  3. Giving honest signals may limit your options initially but will lead to higher quality matches in the end.

Talking to Computers Is My Default Form of Communication

Default Wisdom • 55 implied HN points • 02 Jan 25
🕹 Technology Communication
  1. Talking to computers has become a normal way for many people to communicate. It feels easier and more natural as technology advances.
  2. The growth of technology has changed how we interact with each other and the world around us. More conversations now happen through screens instead of face-to-face.
  3. Understanding how humans relate to technology is important. It can help us improve communication and make our interactions with computers better.

The Counterfactual's poll #2

The Counterfactual • 19 implied HN points • 05 Feb 24
🕹 Technology Communication
  1. Subscribers can vote each month on research topics. This helps decide what the writer will explore next based on community interest.
  2. The upcoming projects mostly focus on how Large Language Models (LLMs) can measure or modify readability. Some topics might take more than a month to research thoroughly.
  3. One of the suggested studies looks at whether AI responses vary by month, testing if it seems 'lazier' in December compared to other months.

Meme, Meme, Oh Meme!

C.O.P. Central Organizing Principle. • 18 implied HN points • 18 Jul 25
🎭️ Culture Communication
  1. Memes are a powerful form of communication in today's digital world. They can quickly share ideas and feelings with just a picture or phrase.
  2. Using memes can help capture people's attention and make information more relatable. They often make topics easier to understand and discuss.
  3. Memes can also reflect cultural trends and social issues, helping people connect over shared experiences and viewpoints.

✅ In praise of the press release

Wadds Inc. newsletter • 79 implied HN points • 02 Mar 23
💼 Business Communication
  1. Press releases have been around for over 100 years and are still used because they are familiar to everyone involved, making them easy to understand and distribute.
  2. Even though there are many new ways to communicate, organizations keep using press releases because they serve multiple purposes and are required in some legal contexts.
  3. Modern approaches are being added to the traditional press release format, like incorporating social media elements, but the core importance of press releases in communication remains unchanged.

Jobs and Opps at Channel 4, Dazed Digital, ITV, Big Issue, and Many, Many More 📦

Journo Resources - The Opportunities • 99 implied HN points • 14 Feb 23
💼 Business Communication
  1. Various job opportunities available in journalism from companies like Channel 4, ITV, and Big Issue.
  2. Different journalism training programs and internship opportunities to consider, like those at The Daily Mail and Dazed Digital.
  3. A variety of freelance and full-time journalism roles are being advertised at different companies and publications.

Fragmentation of the self.

Default Wisdom • 236 implied HN points • 08 Jun 23
📖 Philosophy Communication
  1. Fragmentation of self is influenced by historical shifts like the intensification of division of labor starting in the 17th century.
  2. Language, communication, and individualism are interconnected as seen through McLuhan's views on the power of language in shaping individuality.
  3. Material advancements like the printing press and the telegraph have played a significant role in shaping societal fragmentation and the way we perceive the world.

You're Doing STAR Format Answers Wrong. Here's How to Do It the Right Way

Behavioral OS for Techies • 1 HN point • 22 Aug 24
🚌 Education Communication
  1. Be specific when you describe the situation. Give details about your role, the company, and the timeframe to help the interviewer understand the context better.
  2. Clearly outline the task by breaking it down into key components. Make sure to emphasize its urgency and importance to show the complexity of what you handled.
  3. When sharing your actions, use 'I' statements to show your personal contributions. Provide details of your thought process, skills, and the steps you took to highlight your expertise.

Why do you want to convince them?

Sunday Letters • 99 implied HN points • 05 Dec 22
🎭️ Culture Communication
  1. Changing someone's mind can be tough because people often feel defensive about their ideas. It's important to be aware of this defensiveness when having discussions.
  2. Understanding your own reasons for wanting to convince someone can help create a more open conversation. When you express genuine concerns, it makes the other person less defensive.
  3. By being honest about your intentions, you can work together with the other person instead of against them. This way, you're both focused on finding a solution rather than arguing.

The Propaganda Paradox

The Radar • 19 implied HN points • 25 Jan 24
💼 Business Communication
  1. Companies can fall into the trap of using internal propaganda to influence their employees, but this often backfires, eroding trust and confidence.
  2. Staged interactions and lack of authenticity in leader propaganda can make employees disengage and lose confidence in leadership.
  3. Highlighting frontline workers' stories can build unity and purpose within a team and should be prioritized over showcasing senior executives in internal communications.

Low frequency, high impact

10x your mind • 19 implied HN points • 25 Jan 24
🏥 Health & Wellness Communication
  1. Low frequency waves have a high impact, like gentle waves in an ocean that create a soothing effect.
  2. Speaking in a lower frequency can create an emotional connection with the listener, while high frequency speech can lead to lack of connection and understanding.
  3. Using low frequency music and speech can help relax and focus individuals, and even influence plant growth positively.

Why model?

A Bit Gamey • 6 implied HN points • 09 Nov 25
💼 Business Communication
  1. Models help us make sense of complex problems by simplifying reality and revealing important patterns. This way, we can avoid confusing distractions with the truth.
  2. Good models promote clear communication and shared understanding among teams, making it easier to work together towards goals.
  3. While models are not perfect, they can help us predict outcomes and shape actions, guiding us in decision-making processes.

The Art of Difficult Conversations with Sara Ness

The Bigger Picture • 159 implied HN points • 05 Mar 22
🚌 Education Communication
  1. Learn techniques from mediation, Internal Family Systems, Polyvagal Theory, Nonviolent Communication, and more to enhance communication skills
  2. Understand conflict from internal, relational, and philosophical levels to bridge divides and improve connections
  3. Develop skills to engage in difficult conversations effectively and navigate polarized issues with more empathy and understanding

Drama, Disorder, and Disintegration: The Many Faces of Dysfunctional Leadership Teams

The Leadership Lab • 39 implied HN points • 22 Jan 23
💼 Business Communication
  1. Having a conscious, connected, and effective leadership team is crucial for success. It's like having a stable stool with three legs - missing one means imbalance and struggle.
  2. Identifying the state of your leadership team is key - from disintegration when all aspects are missing, to different scenarios like codependence and friction with one missing aspect, or specific challenges with two missing aspects.
  3. The ideal is a complete team with all three aspects in place - conscious, connected, and effective. This requires dedication and commitment from all team members to maintain the standard.

RDEL #26: What are the top challenges with meetings for globally distributed teams?

Research-Driven Engineering Leadership • 19 implied HN points • 22 Jan 24
🕹 Technology Communication
  1. Distributed teams spend somewhat more time in meetings per day than co-located teams, even though they attend the same number of scheduled meetings on average.
  2. The number of participants in a meeting can affect its perceived value, with distributed teams typically having larger meetings than co-located teams.
  3. In globally distributed teams, top challenges with meetings include low availability of key people in far-shore projects, missing meeting facilitation in virtual meetings, and lack of organizational support for unscheduled meetings.

Another four miles

Internal exile • 58 implied HN points • 22 Nov 24
🎭️ Culture Communication
  1. Many people enjoy interactive media like podcasts and livestreams because they crave connection, even though the content can feel aimless. This type of media often emphasizes feelings over facts.
  2. Podcasts and social media can make it seem like people are part of a conversation, but the conversation is often repetitive and lacks real substance. This can make followers feel engaged without meaningful interaction.
  3. There's a contrast between the spontaneity of real human conversation and the predictable nature of AI interactions. While some might prefer the speed of AI, there's still a strong value placed on the unpredictability and warmth found in human conversations.

Red Carpet Blues

The Ruffian • 245 implied HN points • 25 Mar 23
🎭️ Culture Communication
  1. Viral clips like Hugh Grant's red carpet moment can polarize opinions and prompt social media debate.
  2. Conversation analysis reveals how misaligned communication can lead to awkward interactions.
  3. Recipient design in conversations, tailoring communication to the person you're talking to, is crucial for successful interactions.

Rabbit Holes 🕳️ #124

Creative Destruction • 17 implied HN points • 16 Jul 25
🎭️ Culture Communication
  1. Being responsive online is seen as a sign of care and friendship, but it can also lead to feeling overwhelmed. People often feel pressure to reply quickly, making it hard to set boundaries and take care of themselves.
  2. A shift towards digital tools is making people feel 'handless' because it limits their ability to take action in the physical world. This change leads to a disconnect from doing meaningful tasks and interacting with tangible things.
  3. There's a growing concern that society is evolving in ways that make us more like crabs, as we adapt to technology and capitalism. This change can lead to a loss of our traditional human traits and a more mechanized way of living.

Could language models change language?

The Counterfactual • 119 implied HN points • 22 Jul 22
🕹 Technology Communication
  1. Language is shaped by how we use it, and machine learning models might influence our language by suggesting words or phrases. Over time, these suggestions could change the way we communicate.
  2. The widespread use of predictive text and language models could either slow down language change by promoting similar expressions, or lead to new and unexpected language innovations.
  3. We could see personalized language models that adapt to individual users, potentially changing how we write and understand language, and encouraging less need for clarity in communication.

📏Tall Dead Trees

Reboot • 16 implied HN points • 15 Jul 25
🕹 Technology Communication
  1. Telephone poles are not just for electrical wires; they also help neighbors share information and connect with one another. People use them to post flyers and messages, making them vital for local communication.
  2. Many city laws discourage adding anything to telephone poles, which can limit community creativity. This can make it hard for people to share important local information or express themselves.
  3. Community-driven projects like mesh networks show that people can creatively use telephone poles to improve local connectivity. These grassroots efforts often face challenges but highlight the importance of local engagement in urban spaces.

REMINDER: Come chat with us!

Simon Owens's Media Newsletter • 49 implied HN points • 11 Dec 24
🎭️ Culture Communication
  1. There will be a live Office Hours call at 2 p.m. ET on December 11th. It's a chance for everyone to connect and chat.
  2. This announcement is specifically for paid subscribers. If you're not a paid subscriber, you may want to consider joining.
  3. The purpose of the call is to engage with the community and answer questions, making it a great opportunity to participate.

Join my new subscriber chat

Beyond the Screen • 6 implied HN points • 22 Oct 25
🕹 Technology Communication
  1. There's a new chat space just for subscribers, like a group chat where we can all talk and connect.
  2. To join the chat, you need to get the Substack app and turn on notifications so you don't miss anything.
  3. Once you have the app, you can easily find the chat and start chatting with me and other subscribers!

Introducing "Caffeinated Deep Dives"

SatPost by Trung Phan • 58 implied HN points • 01 Nov 24
🎙 Podcasts Communication
  1. There's a new podcast called 'Caffeinated Deep Dives' where the host drinks a lot of coffee and explores various interesting topics in detail. It's all about sharing the research and insights he gathers.
  2. The first episodes focus on the iPhone and the comic strip Calvin & Hobbes, discussing their history and influence. The host admits that creating long episodes by himself is harder than he thought.
  3. Podcasts are becoming a big part of politics, as many candidates use them to reach voters and share their ideas. This includes high-profile guests like Donald Trump and Kamala Harris appearing on popular shows.

What it means to be human

Who is Robert Malone • 19 implied HN points • 21 Jun 25
📖 Philosophy Communication
  1. Humans often assume that animals understand their intentions, but animals react instinctively based on their own perspectives. It's important to remember that what feels friendly to us may be seen as a threat to them.
  2. Thinking in images instead of words can help us connect with our animal side. Animals primarily think in pictures, and accessing that part of our brain can calm us and improve our understanding of other creatures.
  3. Our bigger brains give humans advanced reasoning abilities, but it can also make it harder to relate to animals. Understanding our differences and similarities with other species helps us learn more about being human.

Microaggressions: A Chapter from The Mean Girl Handbook

Unsafe Science • 122 implied HN points • 20 Jan 24
🎭️ Culture Communication
  1. Microaggressions are everyday verbal or nonverbal behaviors that can communicate negative messages to marginalized groups.
  2. Microaggression training sessions focus on self-reflection and awareness of subtle behaviors in workplace interactions.
  3. Women are more likely to engage in relational aggression, which involves gossiping and social exclusion.

Coming soon

Disaffected Newsletter • 139 implied HN points • 29 May 22
🎙 Podcasts Communication
  1. There's a new newsletter focused on abnormal psychology. It's about how unusual behaviors are becoming normal.
  2. The writer encourages people to subscribe for updates and insights. This could be a great way to learn more about psychology.
  3. The newsletter might share interesting discussions or topics related to mental health. It's a chance to explore what makes us tick.

We’re Not Just Using AI — We’re Becoming It

User-Friendly • 20 implied HN points • 30 May 25
🕹 Technology Communication
  1. AI is not just a tool; it’s becoming part of our daily lives. It shapes how we think and communicate.
  2. When we use AI, we learn to adjust our input based on its responses. This back-and-forth influences both us and the AI.
  3. Prompting AI is like learning a social skill. How we ask questions shapes the answers we get, creating new ways to interact.

Social Media is a Tapestry of Humanity

The Digital Anthropologist • 19 implied HN points • 28 Dec 23
🎭️ Culture Communication
  1. Social media reflects the tapestry of humanity, showcasing both the good and bad aspects of human nature.
  2. Telling stories through words, art, and music is at the core of human culture, shaping our past, present, and future.
  3. As a species, we evolve by sharing experiences and stories, and social media provides a platform for weaving together the diverse narratives of human existence.

On Corporate Rhetoric

Autoscriptorium • 39 implied HN points • 03 Feb 23
🎭️ Culture Communication
  1. Corporate rhetoric can often be confusing and more about obfuscating than communicating.
  2. Success in the corporate world is a mix of individual effort and market forces, leading to a superstitious environment.
  3. Three principles of corporate rhetoric include reflection, sublimation, and momentum, each playing a unique role in communication and decision-making.

Inside the process - The Philanthropist

On Looking • 99 implied HN points • 27 May 22
🎨 Art & Illustration Communication
  1. Collaborating early with illustrators can lead to discussions about the best use of illustrations for a project, sparking creative ideas.
  2. During the creation process, challenges and hesitations can arise, but sometimes, exploring different visual approaches can bring clarity and align with the content.
  3. Drawing and illustrating can often convey ideas and concepts that are challenging to put into words, relying on patience and trust to communicate effectively.

We have always wanted to talk to the machines

Sunday Letters • 59 implied HN points • 06 Mar 23
🕹 Technology Communication
  1. People are excited about talking to machines, especially using AI chat interfaces. It feels more personal and direct than using complicated software.
  2. For a long time, we've been trying to create a common language with computers. Starting from binary code, we've developed better ways to communicate with them.
  3. Now, we can often talk to computers more naturally and get them to understand us, which is something we've always wanted to achieve. This progress makes plain text communication feel exciting once again.