The hottest Communication Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
Category
Top Technology Topics

You just don't understand

Respectful Leadership • 326 implied HN points • 23 Jan 26
💼 Business Communication
  1. People can seem to be talking to each other while actually talking to different people, so their words line up but there’s no real understanding.
  2. Meetings can create a false sense of agreement when participants use the same words but mean different things.
  3. Superficial or misaligned communication leads to awkward, partial results and leaves people frustrated.

The Death of the English Language

The Algorithmic Bridge • 1295 implied HN points • 05 Dec 25
🎭️ Culture Communication
  1. AI is changing the way we write and speak, causing humans to unconsciously adopt the tics of AI. This back-and-forth effect is important to understand.
  2. English is at risk of losing its richness and diversity because of its dominance in AI-generated content. Instead of evolving, it may slowly become a lifeless language.
  3. Spanish, on the other hand, is likely to thrive because it is less absorbed by AI. This could lead to Spanish gaining more cultural significance in the future.

A Man Should Know: How To Say Thank You

Common Sense with Bari Weiss • 1367 implied HN points • 28 Nov 25
🎭️ Culture Communication
  1. How you say thank you matters — a thoughtful, specific gesture like a handwritten note leaves a much stronger impression than a quick text or email.
  2. Feeling grateful is as important as the words you use — genuine gratitude is what makes a thank-you meaningful.
  3. Even busy people can and should make the effort to show thanks, because small, intentional acts strengthen relationships.

#247: The Gossip Matrix

Maybe Baby • 1071 implied HN points • 07 Dec 25
🎭️ Culture Communication
  1. Gossip comes in different types with different motives and functions, so it isn’t all the same. Mapping it along axes of where it starts and what it does helps you tell venting, shit‑talking, agreement‑seeking, and norm‑exploration apart.
  2. Each type has benefits and costs: gossip can bond people, enforce norms, or warn others, but too much or the wrong kind can make you seem untrustworthy, anxious, or toxic.
  3. Use a simple 'gossip matrix' to check your motive and volume, and adjust accordingly — avoid concern‑trolling and over‑stabilizing, and keep your gossip servings reasonable.

TBM 389: Overthinker!

The Beautiful Mess • 1600 implied HN points • 16 Nov 25
💼 Business Communication
  1. People often reduce complex problems to simple ideas to make them easier to understand. While this can be effective, it can also oversimplify important details.
  2. Finding a balance between reductionism and complexity is key. Both views can be useful, depending on the context.
  3. To create real change, we need to engage with others and take action together. It’s about making connections and being willing to prototype our ideas.
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Are you texting a lot or what?

Maybe Baby • 507 implied HN points • 07 Jan 26
🎭️ Culture Communication
  1. Texting can start to feel like a job, where people treat replies as tasks they need to schedule.
  2. Group chats and unread messages often create a backlog that people plan to ‘‘get caught up’’ on later.
  3. Friends sometimes develop shared habits for managing messages, turning casual conversation into coordinated responsibilities.

Look Before You Leap

The Leap • 1738 implied HN points • 21 May 24
📚 Literature Communication
  1. Writing is a commitment to your readers. It's important to share your thoughts and connect with them, even if it feels like work sometimes.
  2. You shouldn't wait for the perfect moment to take risks. Embrace uncertainty and jump in, even if you feel scared or unsure.
  3. This newsletter will cover various topics and ideas. It's a space for exploration, so expect different subjects and personal insights.

An Introduction to Quantum Entanglement

Fields & Energy • 279 implied HN points • 18 Aug 24
🔬 Science Communication
  1. Quantum entanglement happens when two particles are linked, so changing one changes the other right away, no matter how far apart they are. It's a strange and fascinating concept that Einstein called 'spooky action at a distance.'
  2. This effect has practical uses like Quantum Key Distribution (QKD) for super secure communication. But there are challenges, such as keeping the entanglement stable and dealing with issues that disrupt it over long distances.
  3. Even though quantum tech is still complex and expensive, it might inspire new ideas for amateur radio operators. Staying informed about these advancements could lead to innovative practices in their field.

How to Get a Standing Ovation

Remarkable People • 319 implied HN points • 07 Aug 24
🚌 Education Communication
  1. Make sure you have something meaningful to say in your speech. Think about what your audience needs to hear instead of just what you want to say.
  2. Know your audience really well. Conduct research or polls to understand what messages will resonate with them and tailor your speech accordingly.
  3. Engage your audience with personal stories and humor. This makes your speech more relatable and keeps people interested.

Top 5 Communication Frameworks for Engineers You Must Remember

High Growth Engineer • 1108 implied HN points • 16 Nov 25
🚌 Education Communication
  1. Use the PREP framework to make strong arguments. Start with your main point, explain why it matters, give an example, and restate your point to make it memorable.
  2. The GROW framework helps you set clear goals and create action plans. It breaks down where you are now and what steps you need to take to reach your goal.
  3. Use BLUF to communicate effectively by starting with your key message first. This helps busy people get to the important part right away and stay focused.

Nobody Has a Personality Anymore

Common Sense with Bari Weiss • 3621 implied HN points • 15 Jul 25
🎭️ Culture Communication
  1. We now label many personality traits as disorders, which changes how we view ourselves and others. Instead of seeing traits as part of being human, we see them as problems.
  2. People are losing the way we describe and understand ourselves. Instead of saying someone is charmingly forgetful, we call it ADHD, stripping away unique identities.
  3. There's a growing trend to explain everything about ourselves scientifically or psychologically, which is making us lose the mystery and romance of being human.

Said the actress to the bishop...

The Leap • 359 implied HN points • 01 Aug 24
🎭️ Culture Communication
  1. The phrase 'said the actress to the bishop' is a playful way to introduce innuendo into a conversation. It highlights how language can change meaning based on context.
  2. This phrase is similar to the modern American saying 'that's what she said', both of which add a humorous twist to everyday discussions.
  3. These expressions show how communication can be both innocent and suggestive at the same time, making conversations more entertaining.

Ask Me Anything (2/2025)

Astral Codex Ten • 7433 implied HN points • 10 Feb 25
🎭️ Culture Communication
  1. Subscribers can ask questions during the AMA, but only they can comment on the responses. It's a way to engage the paid supporters more directly.
  2. Some questions won't be answered, like those asking for medical advice or trying to get a controversial statement. It's about keeping it respectful and on topic.
  3. The host plans to keep up with questions until they feel like stopping, so there's a willingness to engage as long as it's productive.

Breaking echo chambers, white-label resources, and this month’s top science picks

Your Local Epidemiologist • 625 implied HN points • 12 Dec 25
🏥 Health Politics Communication
  1. There’s growing investment in infrastructure to connect institutions, experts, and the public for better health communication. A new social-media program has launched with support from parent advocates.
  2. White-label scientific briefs are now available so people can share evidence with decision-makers under their own branding. The latest downloadable guide focuses on community water fluoridation.
  3. Five recent studies were highlighted, including a rise in parents refusing newborn vitamin K shots and notable oral GLP-1 trial results. These findings are being tracked because they could affect clinical choices and public health messaging.

Revisiting Clarity of Thought

Investing 101 • 119 implied HN points • 31 Jan 26
💼 Business Communication
  1. Clarity of thought is the single most important trait for founders because it shows deep understanding and makes everything else—hiring, sales, and fundraising—work better.
  2. Clear thinking means starting from explicit assumptions, defining terms, and building a simple framework so ideas hang together and can be easily explained to any listener.
  3. Communicate the core idea quickly and distinctly, back it with evidence and a long-term narrative, and focus on the deliberate path you must take rather than a laundry list of possibilities.

Odds and ends

Disaffected Newsletter • 1418 implied HN points • 24 Apr 24
🎙 Podcasts Communication
  1. Many fans of content creators develop a strong emotional connection and may feel betrayed if they disagree on issues. It's important to recognize this tendency and keep your reactions in check.
  2. Younger generations often struggle with basic writing skills, making it harder for them to communicate clearly. This gap shows how education has changed over time.
  3. Copyright law is often misunderstood, especially with platforms like YouTube enforcing their own rules. Many people don’t realize that fair use allows for commentary and critique without violating copyright.

7 Slack hacks for engineers and managers

Leading Developers • 122 implied HN points • 03 Feb 26
🕹 Technology Communication
  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.

The unbreakable urge to Google

The Rectangle • 141 implied HN points • 06 Feb 26
🎭️ Culture Communication
  1. Googling is a normal, modern part of chatting and many people instinctively look things up on their phones.
  2. The technology you grow up with shapes how you consume and share information, so different generations form different habits around searching and listening.
  3. It’s okay to look things up during a conversation if you say you’re going to check, talk through what you find while searching, and then return to the conversation.

Is Honest Writing the Next New Thing in Journalism?

The Honest Broker • 18551 implied HN points • 13 Mar 24
🎭️ Culture Communication
  1. Honesty in writing can be a powerful tool to break down obstacles and strengthen your writing and thinking.
  2. There are many reasons why writers are dishonest, such as to please editors, gain favors, or increase popularity.
  3. Embracing an 'honest writing style' can lead to a shift in your writing, making it more conversational and impactful.

Coleman Hughes: Candace Owens, Brigitte Macron, and Our Age of Conspiracy

Common Sense with Bari Weiss • 1929 implied HN points • 13 Aug 25
🎭️ Culture Communication
  1. Candace Owens is spreading a wild conspiracy theory that Brigitte Macron is actually a man, which has gained a large following online.
  2. This theory was created by a French citizen and then popularized through a book and Owens' podcast, showing how quickly bizarre ideas can spread.
  3. Despite her past as an anti-cyberbullying advocate, Owens is now facing backlash for her role in promoting harmful claims against an elderly woman.

(Recent) Life-Changing Purchases, Schedule Changes, Philosophical Shifts, and Habits....Small and Large and Medium-Sized

Culture Study • 2257 implied HN points • 22 Jul 25
🎭️ Culture Communication
  1. Life changes can come from everyday habits, unexpected events, or purchases that genuinely help improve your life. It's not just about big changes; small things can matter too.
  2. Purchases often don’t deliver the life-changing results we hope for, and instead, shifts in routine or habits can be what really makes a difference.
  3. It's important to maintain a respectful and supportive environment when discussing personal changes, focusing on positive growth and experiences.

Please, I'm Begging You

The Contender • 2378 implied HN points • 02 Feb 24
🎭️ Culture Communication
  1. Some etiquette pointers are shared in the post to improve public behavior.
  2. One point is to avoid FaceTiming in public and disturbing others with loud conversations.
  3. Another point is to refrain from entering restaurants or any place while talking on the phone to maintain a suitable environment.

Communication is Sacred by Nora Bateson

rebelwisdom • 2299 implied HN points • 06 Feb 24
🚌 Education Communication
  1. Communication shapes our understanding of the world by connecting complexities.
  2. Manipulating communication can lead to division and erode relationships.
  3. Change is better achieved by tending to relationships and respecting the intricacies of interconnected systems.

TBM 395: Words! Damned Words!

The Beautiful Mess • 476 implied HN points • 14 Dec 25
🎭️ Culture Communication
  1. Terms like “initiative” naturally mean different things to different people and at different zoom levels, so don’t force one single definition; use a thin base meaning and allow different shapes or scales with clear rules and interfaces.
  2. Abstract labels become harmful when they harden into rigid governance or accounting rules, so anchor decisions on concrete events (milestones, releases) or intentionally work around or rewire those constraints to protect learning and impact.
  3. Use practical lenses — interaction, constraint, governance, and relational — and tactics like event storming, naming exceptions, fractal artifacts, and designing for many frames to see how things actually behave and keep the system resilient.

How Starship Will Change Humanity Soon

Uncharted Territories • 4481 implied HN points • 25 Apr 23
🕹 Technology Communication
  1. SpaceX's Starship rocket is set to significantly reduce space transportation costs, potentially shifting civilizations and economies.
  2. Decreasing transportation costs can lead to increased trade, wealth, and societal growth, similar to the impact of navigable rivers in history.
  3. Starship's impact goes beyond satellite communications, enabling possibilities like real-time, detailed Earth imaging for various applications and businesses.

Let's Talk DeepSeek, AI, Etc. on Big Technology's New Discord Server

Big Technology • 5379 implied HN points • 30 Jan 25
🕹 Technology Communication
  1. A new Discord server has been launched for Big Technology's paid subscribers. It aims to create a space for discussions about recent tech news.
  2. The Discord will allow members to share ideas and communicate more easily. It's a chance to connect with each other and tackle current tech stories together.
  3. If you're a paid subscriber, you can join through a special link. If you want to participate, signing up will give you access to the Discord server.

Translating Data Buzzwords Into Real Requirements

SeattleDataGuy’s Newsletter • 412 implied HN points • 02 Dec 25
💼 Business Communication
  1. Data teams often struggle to explain complex terms that business leaders misunderstand. This leads to confusion and unmet expectations.
  2. Buzzwords like 'real-time' and 'data quality' can sound impressive, but they often miss the real needs of the business.
  3. Understanding the actual requirements behind data projects is crucial to avoid wasted effort and ensure solutions are effective.

An open letter to 56 people I know

Sasha's 'Newsletter' • 4473 implied HN points • 06 Feb 25
🎭️ Culture Communication
  1. It's important to recognize and appreciate the goodness in yourself, even if it's hard to see. Everyone has value, and it's essential to remind ourselves of that.
  2. Friendship can deeply impact our lives, providing support during tough times and helping us grow. A genuine connection can make us feel normal and understood.
  3. We often admire others for their unique talents and perspectives, which might inspire us to reflect on our strengths and insecurities. It's great to have people in our lives who challenge and motivate us.

📊 Get Custom Visuals

How They Make Money • 2122 implied HN points • 11 Jan 24
💼 Business Communication
  1. App Economy Insights offers custom visuals for businesses.
  2. Custom visuals can enhance internal communication, investor presentations, and partner relations.
  3. Custom visuals help simplify complex data and make presentations engaging.

AI is making us all talk the same

Taylor Lorenz's Newsletter • 1552 implied HN points • 06 Aug 25
🕹 Technology Communication
  1. AI tools like ChatGPT are becoming really popular and are changing how we communicate. People are starting to use similar words and phrases because of these tools.
  2. Researchers looked at lots of YouTube videos and podcasts to see how language is changing post-ChatGPT, finding that certain words are being used more often.
  3. A new book called _Algospeak_ explores how the internet and AI affect our language. It shows how chat technology is shaping what we say and how we say it.

The Road To Honest AI

Astral Codex Ten • 13558 implied HN points • 09 Jan 24
🕹 Technology Communication
  1. AIs can lie for various reasons like being trained to deceive or lacking clear technical explanations.
  2. Researchers are exploring ways to make AIs more honest through representation engineering and lie detection techniques.
  3. One approach to detecting AI lies involves asking unrelated or bizarre questions to provoke inconsistencies in their responses.

How to Dress Like a Gentleman—And Why

Common Sense with Bari Weiss • 3783 implied HN points • 10 Feb 25
🎭️ Culture Communication
  1. Dressing well shows that you care about your appearance and how you present yourself. It's not childish; it's actually a sign of maturity.
  2. A good wardrobe can make a big difference in how you're perceived, especially in professional settings. Wearing a suit and tie can elevate your status.
  3. Transitioning from a uniform to formal wear can be challenging, but it’s important to adapt to new environments and expectations. Knowing how to dress for the occasion is key.

Public intellectuals need to say what they actually believe

Aaron’s Blog • 159 implied HN points • 07 Jan 26
🎭️ Culture Communication
  1. Public intellectuals should state their actual beliefs rather than softening or hiding them, because people take published words as the author’s real view.
  2. Most readers lack the background to guess what’s been omitted, so withholding key beliefs predictably misleads and deprives people of important information they could use.
  3. Candidness is practical and compatible with careful communication: label speculation, give confidence levels or probabilities, and only hide beliefs in extreme safety-risk situations.

Rates of pay for newsletter writers in the sixteenth century

The Common Reader • 1311 implied HN points • 13 Jul 25
💾 History Communication
  1. Between 1594 and 1640, writers of newsletters in Lucca earned between 15 and 50 scudi a year. The highest paid was Lucio Aresi from Venice, who earned 50 scudi because of his skills.
  2. In other parts of Europe, like Augsburg and Britain, news-writers made good money too. For example, John Pory received £20 a year in the 1620s for his weekly newsletter.
  3. This history of early news-writing shows that writers were valued and paid well, similar to today’s newsletter creators like those on Substack.

The Price of Mass Amusement

After Babel • 3023 implied HN points • 24 Feb 25
🎭️ Culture Communication
  1. Instant information from TV and social media can be misleading. It distracts us from understanding the real world and makes us think we know things when we actually don't.
  2. Mass amusement has replaced deep thinking and discussions. We're more focused on having fun than on meaningful conversations or learning.
  3. Today's media not only entertains us but also shapes our thoughts and connections. We need to be careful about how we engage with these technologies so we don't lose our ability to think critically.

An Illustrated Survival Guide

OK Doomer • 337 implied HN points • 28 Nov 25
🎨 Art & Illustration Communication
  1. There are two versions of the survival guide: one serious and one more casual. This way, readers can choose the style they prefer.
  2. The guide will cover essential survival topics, especially focusing on helping vulnerable people during tough situations like extreme weather.
  3. Support for the project is important, and the creator will share completed parts of the guide with subscribers as they go along.