The hottest Consumption Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
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15 things I consumed this week

Maybe Baby • 659 implied HN points • 14 Feb 25
🎭️ Culture Media Lifestyle Consumption Parenting Observations
  1. Democratic officials misrepresented the economy, causing confusion among voters. It's important to get the facts right so people can understand what's really happening.
  2. The writer mentions a personal struggle with family illnesses, showing how common it is for sickness to spread in households. It's a reminder that health can change quickly.
  3. The author shares a mix of articles and perspectives they consumed, emphasizing the value of staying informed through different sources. Reading widely can help us understand various viewpoints better.

Technology to the Rescue!

Life Since the Baby Boom • 1844 implied HN points • 28 Oct 24
🕹 Technology Artificial Intelligence Social media Communication Consumption Human behavior
  1. People have always believed that technology will solve human problems, from the telephone to AI. But no matter the advancements, our fundamental human nature remains the same.
  2. Many technologists share a faith in technology similar to religious beliefs, seeing it as a way to achieve progress and even redemption for humanity.
  3. Connecting people through technology, like social media, often leads to conflicts instead of harmony, reminding us that simply being connected doesn't guarantee understanding or peace.

📉 Well, they ran the numbers on degrowth — and it's not good

Faster, Please! • 1279 implied HN points • 15 Nov 24
🌞 Climate & Environment Sustainability Degrowth Ecology Consumption
  1. Degrowth means living better with less stuff, focusing more on well-being than just economic growth. It suggests we should intentionally reduce production and consumption to fit within our planet's limits.
  2. However, following the degrowth idea doesn't guarantee a perfect, eco-friendly world. It might not look like a dreamy utopia where nature and humanity perfectly blend together.
  3. Research shows that reducing consumption to meet basic needs is challenging and requires significant changes in how we live. Simply downsizing isn't easy and can have complex implications.

15 things I consumed this week

Maybe Baby • 685 implied HN points • 29 Nov 24
🎭️ Culture Media Lifestyle Consumption Work Trends
  1. The modern work culture is often seen as flawed and inhumane. Many people feel this way intuitively, even if they don't want to admit it.
  2. There's a growing argument for a 32-hour work week. This could lead to better work-life balance and happier employees.
  3. Understanding the problems with work can help us push for changes in how we approach our jobs and daily lives. It's important to challenge the norms that make us unhappy.
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Economics Links

In My Tribe • 394 implied HN points • 24 Dec 24
💰 Finance Macroeconomics Interest Rates Consumption Inflation Government Policy Economic Theory
  1. Cato's wish list includes ideas for government reform, like raising Social Security retirement ages. Some of these suggestions might not be politically popular, but they show a push for change from a libertarian angle.
  2. There's a big difference in how academics and policymakers view the impact of interest rates on consumption. Academics think higher rates could boost future consumption, while policymakers see them as a negative for the economy.
  3. Scott Sumner highlights the issues with measuring inflation. He argues that inflation numbers are often confusing and imprecise, which also affects how we understand productivity changes.

Malört Liquidity

Malt Liquidity • 5 implied HN points • 09 Feb 25
🍲 Food & Drink Alcohol Consumption Culture Health Sociology
  1. Many people today drink less or choose non-alcoholic options, which some believe is not a healthy approach to relaxation and socializing. Historically, alcohol has been used as a way to enjoy life and unwind.
  2. Alcohol can help people deal with the stress of social situations and bridge the gap between how we see ourselves and how others perceive us. This balance can create meaningful social interactions.
  3. Younger generations may struggle with drinking due to evolving societal standards and the fear of negative consequences. It's important for people to learn to enjoy life and make mistakes rather than avoiding experiences.

15 things I consumed this week

Maybe Baby • 698 implied HN points • 08 Mar 24
🍲 Food & Drink Food Consumption
  1. The post discusses 15 different things the author consumed throughout the week.
  2. The author mentions a tribute to a lost friend, Flaco, and reflects on a personal connection to them.
  3. The post is only available to paid subscribers, indicating exclusive content on the author's profile.

Conspicuous Consumption

Something to Consider • 39 implied HN points • 28 Jul 24
🎭️ Culture Consumption Status Leisure Economics History
  1. People often consume things not just for their value, but to show off and maintain social status. This is called conspicuous consumption.
  2. Sometimes, conspicuous consumption can lead to positive changes in society by encouraging people to work more, especially when new and interesting goods are available.
  3. Shifting our focus from comparing social status to comparing consumption might lead to better relationships and institutions.

Where the crops go

Topsoil • 471 implied HN points • 31 May 23
💼 Business Agriculture Markets Demand Consumption Industry
  1. Farmers need to consider demand when deciding what crops to grow.
  2. Proximity to markets can influence a farm's choice of crops to grow.
  3. Various stakeholders, including farmers, cooperatives, commodity groups, and the government, work together to grow demand for agricultural products.

Trade Surplus Provided All of Japan’s GDP Growth in 2nd Quarter

Japan Economy Watch • 399 implied HN points • 17 Aug 23
💰 Finance Economy Trade GDP Consumption Investment
  1. Japan's GDP growth in the 2nd quarter was entirely due to the trade surplus, not internal economic factors like consumption or business investment.
  2. Consumption in Japan shrank, and private demand decreased, highlighting the reliance on trade for economic growth.
  3. Real employee compensation in Japan is stagnant and even lower than pre-Covid levels, raising concerns about overall economic health and consumer spending.

From Fetish To Fetter: China's Model Of Investment-Led Growth

Japan Economy Watch • 299 implied HN points • 12 Sep 23
🌍 World Politics China Economy Growth Investment Consumption
  1. China's investment-led growth model is facing challenges, with excessive investment and unproductive spending impacting the economy.
  2. China needs to transition from more investment to smarter investment to sustain economic growth and improve living standards.
  3. The country's focus on high investment levels has led to weakening consumer demand, limited household income, and a growing debt burden.

Wage Hikes in April Fail Their First Test

Japan Economy Watch • 299 implied HN points • 07 Jun 23
💰 Finance Economy Monetary Policy Wages Inflation Consumption
  1. Wage hikes in April in Japan fell short of expectations, rising only by 1% instead of the predicted 2%, indicating a potential setback for interest rate hikes by the Bank of Japan.
  2. Real wages in Japan have been dropping for years, not just a temporary post-Covid issue, leading to reduced consumer spending and overall economic impact.
  3. The slow wage growth in Japan has implications on inflation rates, with the Bank of Japan waiting for a 3% nominal wage hike to consider monetary policy changes.

The Anheuser-Busch CEO just made the Bud Light / Trans issue much harder to fix

The Lunduke Journal of Conservative Nerdiness • 117 implied HN points • 14 Apr 23
🎭️ Culture Society Media Marketing Gender Consumption
  1. Partnering with a spokesperson who does not align with the established brand can lead to significant sales and marketing issues.
  2. In crisis marketing situations, firing key personnel, announcing changes, and returning to original brand messaging can help regain customer trust.
  3. The handling of a marketing crisis can impact not just one brand but also the reputation of all associated brands under the same company.

Life is Not an Investment

Humanities in Revolt • 179 implied HN points • 06 Aug 22
📖 Philosophy Value Consumption Work Fulfillment Humanity
  1. The humanities teach us to value things that are good in themselves, like love and personal development, rather than just things that lead to something else like money or status.
  2. It's important to acknowledge the inherent value of labor and the products of that labor, rather than solely focusing on productivity or profit.
  3. Consumption and work should be aligned with fundamental human values like truth, goodness, and fulfillment, rather than being driven by a never-ending pursuit of material possessions or profit.

The Modern Data Stack is Dead, Long Live the Modern Data Stack - Part 2

davidj.substack • 107 implied HN points • 26 Jul 23
🕹 Technology Data Stack Orchestration Consumption Semantic Layers
  1. The modern data stack is evolving with new tools and options for data architecture.
  2. Key trends include the focus on data ingestion and telemetry, improved orchestration tools, and advancements in compute engines.
  3. Data consumption is being enhanced through self-serve AI capabilities, BI tools, and free-form analyst tools, all sitting on a semantic layer.

Conversation On Japan's Economic Vulnerability

Japan Economy Watch • 119 implied HN points • 08 Jul 22
💰 Finance Economy Consumption Income Savings Government spending
  1. In Japan, household income growth has shifted significantly towards relying on government transfers rather than private sector income, impacting consumer spending.
  2. The consumption share of real GDP in Japan has declined over the years, impacting economic growth and potentially leading to weaker consumption patterns.
  3. Japanese consumers have drastically reduced their saving rates, shifting towards a trend of living hand-to-mouth, which has implications on personal finances and economic stability.

Eco-tips #1: Stuff you can do for the environment

Technology, Environment, and Art • 19 implied HN points • 19 Dec 23
🌞 Climate & Environment Deforestation Consumption Conservation
  1. Avoid investing in companies contributing to deforestation by researching your retirement funds.
  2. Check if your country has signed the UN High Seas Treaty to protect the oceans and international waters.
  3. Reduce consumption by consuming less and opting for resource-efficient alternatives to cultivate an attitude of respect for the environment.

The duck is coming

GEM Energy Analytics • 39 implied HN points • 03 Apr 23
🌞 Climate & Environment Energy Market Trends Solar Power Consumption
  1. The 'duck curve' shows how solar energy impacts power prices throughout the day. Prices are usually low around noon and spike in the evening.
  2. In March 2023, the duck curve was very noticeable, especially in Italy-Sardinia, where power prices varied significantly from day to night.
  3. Previous months displayed weaker effects of the duck curve, but trends are expected to become clearer as solar generation increases and power consumption decreases.

Rabbit Holes 🕳️ #60

Creative Destruction • 9 implied HN points • 13 Dec 23
🌞 Climate & Environment Sustainability Consumption Engineering Degrowth
  1. The Slow Revolution is about embracing a lifestyle with enoughness and meaningful nourishment.
  2. Viewing our consumption habits as a form of addiction sheds light on the need for a therapeutic approach to promote sustainable living.
  3. Degrowth Engineering suggests reimagining how engineers design products within the limits of economic, human, and ecological needs.

Consumption, Water Crisis, Carbon Emissions: Blame everything on the Rich

Adetokunbo Sees • 2 HN points • 14 Apr 23
🌞 Climate & Environment Consumption Water Crisis Carbon Emissions
  1. Studies link overconsumption of water and carbon emissions to elite and rich households.
  2. Rich households using luxuries like swimming pools and gardens contribute significantly to water shortages and climate change.
  3. Nations need to control over consumption of water and investments in fossil fuels by the rich to combat water scarcity and climate change.

Covid-19 and Leisure at Scale

Joshua Gans' Newsletter • 0 implied HN points • 02 Sep 20
💼 Business Economics Workforce Consumption Technology Leisure
  1. Covid-19 has made workers more expensive for businesses, causing job losses, especially for poorer individuals.
  2. Covid-19 has made consumers more expensive for businesses, leading to changes in spending patterns and a shift towards more scalable leisure activities.
  3. The pandemic has disrupted the consumption of leisure, impacting both expensive and affordable leisure options, and potentially leading to long-term changes in leisure consumption habits.