The hottest Community Engagement Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
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Top Business Topics

Is Social Media Becoming 'Hollow Media'?

In Bed With Social • 277 implied HN points • 13 Oct 24
🕹 Technology Community Engagement
  1. Social media is increasingly becoming artificial, with bots and AI taking over real human interactions. These digital companions might seem helpful but they are not real friends.
  2. The rise of AI and superficial connections is causing loneliness, as people miss out on genuine interactions. Meaningful relationships require vulnerability and real dialogue, which AI can't provide.
  3. Some new platforms are showing that authentic connections can still exist. Apps focused on shared hobbies or interests are creating real communities, reminding us that human experiences are vital to social networks.

Resist apocalypticism

Civic Renaissance with Alexandra Hudson • 399 implied HN points • 05 Oct 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Community Engagement
  1. Don't believe that one election can change everything. Elections happen often, and while they are important, they aren't the end of the world.
  2. It's crucial to keep relationships strong during political disagreements. Value your friendships and family over being right about politics.
  3. Choose kindness and respect when discussing differences. Focus on understanding each other instead of seeing disagreements as personal attacks.

Your Review: The Astral Codex Ten Commentariat (“Why Do We Suck?”)

Astral Codex Ten • 11494 implied HN points • 26 Jul 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Community Engagement
  1. The quality of comments has declined since 2016 and 2021, with many people feeling that discussions are less interesting now. This suggests that something has changed in the commenting community over time.
  2. Engagement with posts has seen ups and downs, which may affect how people interact with each other in the comments. A busy comment section can sometimes make conversations feel less personal and harder to join.
  3. The comment section values politeness and thoughtful discussion, which makes it a unique place online. Maintaining this environment is important for keeping conversations meaningful and respectful.

The Fire Department vs. Traffic Safety Advocates

The Discourse Lounge • 1899 implied HN points • 30 Nov 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Community Engagement
  1. Fire safety and traffic safety can sometimes clash, like when streets need to be wide for fire trucks but also safe for people walking or biking. These groups can find ways to work together if they talk more.
  2. The rules about street widths can make city planning tricky. Sometimes, old fire codes don’t fit well with modern city designs, causing confusion and extra challenges for festivals and street events.
  3. It's important to balance fire department needs with making streets safer for everyone. New ideas like retractable bollards can help do this by allowing quick access for emergency vehicles while keeping streets pedestrian-friendly.
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One Year of Land Value Tax Advocacy

Progress and Poverty • 2116 implied HN points • 02 Dec 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Community Engagement
  1. The Center for Land Economics is pushing for Land Value Tax (LVT) to become a reality today, not in the distant future. They've made significant progress in one year, building partnerships and spreading awareness.
  2. Their efforts include reviving a popular blog on land economics and engaging with elected officials who support LVT. This has helped grow their community and influence discussions on property tax reform.
  3. They’re asking for funding to expand their work, including producing educational materials, conducting research, and attending conferences. This support will help them organize and inspire more advocates for LVT.

How health institutions can catch up

Your Local Epidemiologist • 1266 implied HN points • 17 Dec 25
🏥 Health Politics Community Engagement
  1. Health institutions are behind the times and must change how they communicate by listening, being transparent, and meeting people where they are instead of broadcasting one-way guidance.
  2. Project Stethoscope / PHNIX shows a practical path forward: actively listen to communities, partner with trusted local messengers, and bring lived experiences into the systems that make decisions.
  3. Trust is not declared but earned through consistent, human actions like showing up, admitting mistakes, and acting promptly, and rebuilding that trust is essential for public health to protect people.

Open Thread 367

Astral Codex Ten • 6607 implied HN points • 03 Feb 25
🏥 Health & Wellness Community Engagement
  1. People can discuss anything they want in the open thread. It's a space for questions and random thoughts.
  2. Ayahuasca can have very different effects on people, with some reporting very negative experiences.
  3. Most content in the community is free, but there are subscription options for some exclusive materials.

Odd bedfellows: Moving with MAHA from conversation to collaboration

Your Local Epidemiologist • 2004 implied HN points • 30 Jul 25
🏥 Health Politics Community Engagement
  1. Collaboration between public health experts and grassroots movements is powerful. By working together, they can tackle important health issues that directly affect communities.
  2. Addressing health problems can involve simple, effective solutions like providing grocery access to low-income patients. This approach shows how public health can be practical and impactful.
  3. Building trust and relationships is key in public health. It's important to listen to local voices and work with those who have firsthand experience with health challenges.

NIH: The quiet engine of science is being dismantled

Your Local Epidemiologist • 1846 implied HN points • 23 Jul 25
🏥 Health Politics Community Engagement
  1. The NIH is the biggest funder of research in the world, supporting important studies on health and disease. Cuts to its funding can leave many research projects unfunded, impacting public health.
  2. Recently, around 5,500 research projects have been halted due to budget cuts, which means many unanswered questions and less progress in health research. This affects local communities and the jobs connected to scientific research.
  3. It's important for scientists to communicate their work better to the public. Engaging people, simplifying grant applications, and balancing funding across different health topics can help make research more visible and supported.

How Baltimore Assessments Accidentally Subsidize Blight—And How We Can Fix It

Progress and Poverty • 1347 implied HN points • 06 Aug 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Community Engagement
  1. Baltimore's vacant lots are undervalued, leading to a loss of nearly half a billion dollars. This makes it cheaper for landowners to keep their property vacant, which encourages blight and hinders development.
  2. The current property assessment system is flawed, treating land value inconsistently. This means owners of vacant lots benefit financially while active developers face higher taxes.
  3. A better way to value land is needed, using recent sales data to create fair assessments. Improving data collection can help the city support development and make neighborhoods safer and more appealing.

So, Who is a Missionary Anyway?

DruGroup • 99 implied HN points • 13 Aug 24
⛪ Faith & Spirituality Community Engagement
  1. Missionaries have a specific role that involves moving to different cultures. They are not just people living out their faith locally; they make significant sacrifices to spread the Gospel in areas that lack it.
  2. Calling everyone a missionary might make the term lose its meaning. If everyone is labeled as a missionary, it may reduce the motivation to support those who are dedicated to full-time missionary work.
  3. Proper missionary work focuses on reaching unreached people groups. This involves intentional efforts to spread the Gospel to those who have never heard it, highlighting the importance of cross-cultural missions.

The Uncertain Future

Erick Erickson's Confessions of a Political Junkie • 3577 implied HN points • 27 Jul 23
⛪ Faith & Spirituality Community Engagement
  1. Many people feel uneasy about the uncertain future and believe something bad is coming.
  2. Attending a Bible-believing church can bring optimism and a sense of charity, encouraging community engagement.
  3. Excessive focus on politics and news can lead to feelings of dread and hopelessness, while disconnecting from technology and connecting with nature can help improve mental well-being.

The Old Woman Who Hexed Summer

The Art of Enchantment, with Dr Sharon Blackie • 2296 implied HN points • 05 Aug 23
🎭️ Culture Community Engagement
  1. The author reflects on the joy of home nesting, finding comfort in familiar objects and creating enchantment through personal belongings.
  2. The newsletter introduces upcoming storytelling events exploring mythic stories to inspire and provide insight during difficult times.
  3. Book recommendations and poems are shared to encourage reflection and exploration of British folklore and the magic within everyday routines.

Why should you care about an indirect cost?

Your Local Epidemiologist • 2155 implied HN points • 11 Feb 25
🏥 Health Politics Community Engagement
  1. Indirect costs are essential for research. They cover things like rent and internet, helping researchers do their work effectively.
  2. A proposed cut in indirect costs could greatly harm universities and their communities. This could lead to job losses and less innovation, affecting everyone.
  3. Researchers need to do a better job of connecting with the public. If people understand the importance of research funding, they may be more likely to support it.

Open Thread 351

Astral Codex Ten • 3234 implied HN points • 13 Oct 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Community Engagement
  1. You can share and discuss anything in the open thread, so feel free to ask questions.
  2. There's a reminder system now to make sure subscribers get their special threads regularly.
  3. Check out the ballot meetups happening in different cities this week to discuss voting.

Hope and camaraderie are stronger than fear

Your Local Epidemiologist • 1900 implied HN points • 07 Feb 25
🏥 Health Politics Community Engagement
  1. Hope helps us get through tough times, even when things seem scary. It reminds us that positive change is possible.
  2. Working together and sharing our stories makes us stronger. It shows the real impact of policies on people's lives.
  3. Even when problems feel overwhelming, small wins matter. Many people are fighting for better public health every day.

Can anyone save Piccadilly Gardens?

The Mill • 707 implied HN points • 10 Feb 24
🎭️ Culture Community Engagement
  1. Opinions are divided on the state of Piccadilly Gardens, with many people agreeing that it is currently a mess and needs improvement.
  2. The redesign of Piccadilly Gardens is a work in progress, with the council investing money in landscaping changes and consulting residents on new designs.
  3. Concerns about safety and anti-social behavior in Piccadilly Gardens persist, but some see potential in turning the space into a thriving, well-managed public area.

The decline continues

Disaffected Newsletter • 1998 implied HN points • 23 Jul 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Community Engagement
  1. People are feeling more demoralized and hopeless in their daily lives. This feeling is like a constant annoying noise that they can't ignore, affecting their mood.
  2. Everyday behavior and rules of civility are declining. There seems to be a lack of respect and common courtesy in public spaces, making it a more dangerous and frustrating environment.
  3. Many people don't seem to agree on following basic rules anymore. This breakdown of etiquette is leading to confusion and chaos in social interactions, like drivers not knowing how to handle intersections.

Open Thread 354

Astral Codex Ten • 2615 implied HN points • 04 Nov 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Community Engagement
  1. You can talk about anything you want in this open thread, like asking questions or sharing ideas. It's a space where people can engage freely.
  2. A commenter points out that the current punishment for shoplifting isn’t being enforced well, which leads to confusion about law enforcement practices. It seems tough laws are in place, but they aren’t effectively used.
  3. There are discussions around political opinions, including some responses to a post about Trump. People are sharing various viewpoints on political endorsements and policies.

Open Mic/Ask Me Anything

On Repeat by Kevin Alexander • 727 implied HN points • 19 Jan 24
🎶 Music Community Engagement
  1. The post is an Open Mic/Ask Me Anything session inviting questions and comments from readers.
  2. The platform values the direct connection between writer and reader without interference from algorithms or ads.
  3. Readers are encouraged to ask about music or any other topic, request content, and provide feedback on the platform.

Church Revitalization Models

DruGroup • 79 implied HN points • 23 Jul 24
⛪ Faith & Spirituality Community Engagement
  1. Church revitalization is about helping struggling congregations become healthier and more impactful. Many revitalizing churches are older and smaller, worried about closing down if things don't change.
  2. There are different models for revitalizing churches, like the Restart Model, where a church undergoes major changes to become like a new congregation, or the Chapel Model, where churches focus more on sustaining their current ministry without big shifts.
  3. Successful revitalized churches often share qualities like strong leadership, a clear mission, and a welcoming environment for newcomers. Small churches can sometimes adapt more quickly to changes than larger ones.

Can Weekley Hall Wood become another Stanwick Lakes?

NN Journal • 815 implied HN points • 09 Jan 24
🌍 World Politics Community Engagement
  1. A local community successfully campaigned to save a meadow from being turned into warehouses, showcasing the power of people coming together.
  2. The developer's plan was rejected due to concerns about biodiversity and the landscape, highlighting the importance of protecting natural habitats.
  3. The activist leading the campaign hopes to transform the area into a country park and is prepared to continue fighting against future development plans.

The Hinternet Is Entering Phase 3

Justin E. H. Smith's Hinternet • 552 implied HN points • 06 Jul 25
🎭️ Culture Community Engagement
  1. The Hinternet is setting up a new nonprofit called The Hinternet Foundation to promote creativity in a tech-driven world. They're seeking fresh faces to help guide this initiative.
  2. They are also running cultural programs like the Hinternet Summer Program, where participants can create projects combining art and scholarship. Plus, an essay contest is encouraging original ideas on technology and peace.
  3. Starting September, they are on the lookout for new columnists with unique voices who can cover different topics. Writers should be ready to engage readers and earn based on how well their work resonates.

Friday Thread: OPEN CHAOS THREAD

Culture Study • 1923 implied HN points • 01 Nov 24
🎭️ Culture Community Engagement
  1. There is a lot of tension and stress in the air right now. It seems people are feeling overwhelmed and anxious about various issues.
  2. When people get upset or anxious, they often take it out on others online. This shows how intense the emotions are right now.
  3. Having a space to share and discuss these feelings could help let off some steam. It's good to talk about what's bothering us.

v0.0.1: Open Source GitHub repo review

The Open Source Expert • 79 implied HN points • 08 Jul 24
🕹 Technology Community Engagement
  1. Getting a repo's setup right is important. A good description and a clear README help users understand the project quickly.
  2. Having key documents like a Code of Conduct, License, and templates for issues and pull requests makes collaboration smoother.
  3. Using labels for issues helps keep everything organized, making it easier to find what you need in a busy project.

Christchurch Library and the secret it keeps from parents and the community.

A B’Old Woman • 839 implied HN points • 22 Oct 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Community Engagement
  1. A program called 'Rainbow Drop-In' at Christchurch Library is not well advertised, making it hard for parents to find information.
  2. This program is run by an outside group called InsideOUT, which doesn’t provide clear information or communication to parents.
  3. There are concerns about the program's safety and transparency, especially regarding the involvement of vulnerable youth without parental consent.

We should all participate in scientific research

The Novelleist • 445 implied HN points • 07 Jul 25
🔬 Science Community Engagement
  1. Participating in scientific research can create better solutions to complex problems. When everyone gets involved, we can gather more data and generate thoughtful ideas.
  2. Top-down approaches to science can have limitations, like lack of local data and accessibility. Bottom-up participatory methods help engage communities and make research more effective.
  3. Collaboration between citizens, private companies, and researchers can lead to impactful changes. When people work together, they feel empowered and can drive progress for their communities.

The State of Things in Coffee Shop America

Max Meyer Blog • 609 implied HN points • 19 Aug 23
🍲 Food & Drink Community Engagement
  1. Coffee shops in America reflect the country's current state of change, facing challenges like inflation and racial tensions.
  2. Small coffee businesses face unique struggles, such as closures, employee disputes, and safety concerns.
  3. Regional coffee shop cultures and community support play a significant role in the success and revival of local coffee businesses.

Big Housing Vote For Berkeley on Thursday!

The Discourse Lounge • 284 implied HN points • 25 Jun 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Community Engagement
  1. A crucial vote on Middle Housing is happening soon in Berkeley, and it's important for locals to express their support. Engaging in the vote can shape the future of housing in the city.
  2. Uniform density standards are needed across all neighborhoods to make zoning fair and understandable for everyone. This change would help avoid confusion and promote inclusivity.
  3. The design of new housing should reflect traditional styles to appeal to community preferences. Mixing old aesthetics with modern needs can create beautiful and welcoming living spaces.

Big Dumb Adventure Housekeeping Updates

Splattern • 79 implied HN points • 02 Jun 24
🎭️ Culture Community Engagement
  1. The blog rebranding from Splattern to Big Dumb Adventure is complete, making it easier to share new adventures. It's an exciting fresh start!
  2. A fundraiser for building a children's cancer hospital in sub-Saharan Africa has launched, highlighting a meaningful cause to support.
  3. It's important not to stress too much about life decisions. Things will fall into place when the time is right, so focus on enjoying the journey.

We’re still here!

Your Local Epidemiologist • 1815 implied HN points • 20 Feb 24
🏥 Health & Wellness Community Engagement
  1. YLE has reached its 4th anniversary with continuous growth and a dedicated audience.
  2. The YLE audience is globally diverse, primarily in North America and Australia, with a strong trend of educated readers interested in healthcare and science.
  3. Looking into the future, YLE plans to expand its content beyond virus-related topics, engage more in local health issues, and diversify its audience.