The hottest Data Analysis Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
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Top Technology Topics

The new AI scaling law shell game

Marcus on AI • 2648 implied HN points • 24 Nov 24
🕹 Technology Artificial Intelligence Machine Learning Computing Data Analysis
  1. Scaling laws in AI aren't as reliable as people once thought. They're more like general ideas that can change, rather than hard rules.
  2. The new approach to scaling, which focuses on how long you train a model, can be costly and doesn't always work better for all problems.
  3. Instead of just trying to make existing models bigger or longer-lasting, the field needs fresh ideas and innovations to improve AI.

HN blogs - 1/11/24

HackerNews blogs newsletter • 59 implied HN points • 02 Nov 24
🕹 Technology Software Engineering Data Analysis Cybersecurity Programming
  1. Measuring technical debt is crucial for leaders, especially CTOs. It helps in understanding and managing the challenges in software development.
  2. Freezing CEO salaries during layoffs can create a fairer work environment. It shows accountability and may protect jobs for regular employees.
  3. Life shouldn't solely be based on statistics. Everyone's experiences are unique and can't be fully represented by numbers.

A use-theory of testing

arg min • 436 implied HN points • 24 Oct 24
🔬 Science Statistics Research Mathematics Data Analysis Theory
  1. Statistical tests are designed to help separate real signals from random noise. It's not just about understanding what they mean, but what they can do in practical situations.
  2. Many people misuse statistical tests, which can lead to misunderstandings about their purpose. Communities should establish clear guidelines on how to use these tests correctly.
  3. The main function of statistical tests is to regulate opinions and decisions in various fields like tech and medicine. They help ensure that important standards are met, rather than just preventing errors.

Why Data Teams Need to Understand Metrics: A Look at Starbucks’ Comparable Store Sales

SeattleDataGuy’s Newsletter • 447 implied HN points • 08 Nov 24
💼 Business Metrics Data Analysis Corporate strategy Revenue management
  1. Data teams need to know the main numbers that matter for their business. This helps them understand how the company is performing.
  2. High-level metrics like revenue and expenses can seem too big to grasp. Breaking these down into smaller parts makes them easier to understand.
  3. These smaller, detailed metrics can reveal valuable insights that affect decisions and strategies for the business.
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Conservatives Are Lying on Immigrant Crime

Richard Hanania's Newsletter • 3657 implied HN points • 07 Oct 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Immigration Policy Crime Rates Public Discourse Political Rhetoric Data Analysis
  1. Many people incorrectly believe that immigration leads to higher crime rates. In reality, data shows that most immigrants, especially legal ones, tend to commit less crime than native-born citizens.
  2. Some politicians use scary language about immigrants increasing crime to push their agenda. This can create a false narrative that makes the public fearful and misinformed about the actual impact of immigration.
  3. Immigrants often face more crime themselves and can actually help reduce crime rates in communities by starting businesses and contributing to the economy. So, they can serve as a buffer against crime rather than a cause of it.

Case Study: Scaling customer intelligence

Artificial Ignorance • 88 implied HN points • 27 Nov 24
💼 Business Sales Marketing AI Data Analysis Customer Insights
  1. AI can help analyze a large number of sales calls quickly instead of relying on humans to do it manually. This makes it easier to understand customer behaviors and needs.
  2. Choosing the right AI model is important. Higher quality models may cost more, but they can provide better and more accurate results over cheaper options.
  3. It’s essential to make the data user-friendly. Organizing and making information accessible helps teams use insights from the analysis effectively.

Surveillance Education (w/ Nolan Higdon and Allison Butler) | The Chris Hedges Report

The Chris Hedges Report • 81 implied HN points • 20 Nov 24
🚌 Education Surveillance Privacy Technology Data Analysis
  1. Technology in schools can invade student privacy. Many tools are designed for safety but can monitor students in ways they might not agree with.
  2. Surveillance tools can discriminate against students of color and those from poor neighborhoods. They often increase the risk of negative consequences for these groups.
  3. The culture of constant monitoring can stifle curiosity and free expression in classrooms, turning them into places where students just comply rather than learn actively.

Background Work

Software Design: Tidy First? • 1568 implied HN points • 28 Oct 24
🕹 Technology Software Design Programming Engineering Data Analysis Artificial Intelligence
  1. Background work is doing extra research or tasks beyond what's necessary. It's a way to learn and grow your skills.
  2. Successful programmers often engage in background work, which helps them become more knowledgeable and credible.
  3. While background work can sometimes feel like extra effort, it usually pays off quickly and can save time in the long run.

What Is Statistics' Purpose?

arg min • 734 implied HN points • 14 Oct 24
🔬 Science Statistics Research Medicine Philosophy Data Analysis
  1. Statistics should help us test claims by measuring how surprising the results are. However, there's doubt about whether our current statistical tests actually do this well.
  2. Randomized trials are important because they help us learn about treatments that may not always work. They focus on safety as much as they do on finding effective solutions.
  3. The field of statistics needs to be clear about its purpose. We should distinguish between using statistics for proving theories and for practical decision-making like quality control.

Selling account names in the blue, blue skies

Conspirador Norteño • 28 implied HN points • 28 Nov 24
🕹 Technology Social media Online Scams Data Analysis Internet culture
  1. Handle squatting is when people register social media handles to sell them later. Even though Bluesky allows custom domain names as handles, some still try to squat.
  2. Buying account names is risky and usually a bad idea. It's better to create your own accounts instead of getting them from spammers.
  3. Some recent accounts on Bluesky show repetitive bios and were created in batches, indicating possible spam activity. One such account even changed its bio to seem more legitimate.

The Shape of Stats to Come

arg min • 634 implied HN points • 10 Oct 24
🚌 Education Statistics Optimization Philosophy Data Analysis Mathematics
  1. Statistics often involves optimizing methods to get the best results. Many statistical techniques can actually be viewed as optimization problems.
  2. Choosing a statistical method isn't just about the math—it's also based on beliefs about reality. This philosophical side is important but often overlooked.
  3. There's a danger in relying too much on tools and models we can solve. Sometimes, we force the data to fit our preferred methods instead of being open to the actual complexities.

Is being data driven a fad?

benn.substack • 843 implied HN points • 18 Oct 24
💼 Business Data Analysis Financial Metrics Market Trends Investment Strategies Business Models
  1. The way we value companies might be changing. Instead of just looking at numbers, people are considering things like hype and public interest.
  2. Being data-driven used to be seen as a key to success, but now it seems less effective for some businesses. There are successful examples, but many companies struggle to use data well.
  3. Cultural factors, or 'taste', are becoming more important in the business world than just relying on data. This shift might mean that how people feel about a company matters just as much as the finances.

AI analysis: ChatGPT vs Claude

Handy AI • 19 implied HN points • 29 Oct 24
🕹 Technology AI Data Analysis Machine Learning Software Development Information Technology
  1. ChatGPT performed better in analyzing a Spotify dataset, providing accurate insights without errors, and displaying clear visualizations.
  2. Claude encountered issues with text extraction and made mistakes in data interpretation, like incorrectly assigning genre labels where they didn't exist in the dataset.
  3. Overall, ChatGPT offered a smoother user experience, allowing users to follow along with the analysis while Claude's process was less straightforward.

Top Links 537 TIGER indices looking grim. South Sudan's misery. The 1990s revisited and Soldier's Paradise.

Chartbook • 400 implied HN points • 21 Oct 24
💰 Finance Economic Policy Global Markets Data Analysis International relations
  1. The TIGER indices are showing a negative trend, indicating economic challenges ahead. This suggests that global economic recovery may be slower than expected.
  2. South Sudan is facing significant difficulties, highlighting ongoing humanitarian issues. These problems need urgent attention to improve the situation for its people.
  3. There are connections being made to the 1990s, suggesting that some current geopolitical situations may resemble past conflicts. This raises concerns about the repetition of history in today's world.

Failing upwards

davidj.substack • 35 implied HN points • 18 Nov 24
💼 Business Risk management Corporate Governance Investment strategy Human Resources Data Analysis
  1. Taking risks is a natural part of business. Employees at all levels face risks, and their roles should help manage those risks effectively.
  2. Data teams need to engage with business risks and help optimize rewards. Building data infrastructure should only be a means to support this goal.
  3. Not everyone is suited for risk-taking roles in the private sector. Some people may excel at politics but fail to deliver real results, which leads to inefficiencies in recruitment.

Why Product Data Beats Company Data

The Security Industry • 15 implied HN points • 24 Nov 24
🕹 Technology Data Analysis Cybersecurity Product Management Market research Competitor Analysis
  1. Product data is more useful than company data. Knowing what products a company offers helps you find competitors better.
  2. You can categorize products accurately to see how they stack up against each other. This way, you can identify direct competition more effectively.
  3. Having detailed product information helps customers find the right solutions for their needs. You can easily search by features or requirements.

For You

Conspirador Norteño • 44 implied HN points • 22 Nov 24
🕹 Technology Social media Algorithms Data Analysis User Experience Content curation
  1. The 'For You' feed on X shows mostly posts from accounts you don't follow. In fact, more than half of the recommended posts come from these unfamiliar sources.
  2. Elon Musk's posts are the most frequently suggested, even to users who do not follow him. This indicates that trending figures often dominate the recommendation algorithm.
  3. Connections between suggested accounts are mostly based on repost interactions. Most recommended accounts have links to the ones you already follow, showing a network effect.

SQL and Python Combined Change RevOps

beyondrevenueoperations • 19 implied HN points • 27 Oct 24
💼 Business Data Analysis Automation Technology Integration Strategic Planning
  1. Combining SQL and Python makes data management much easier. SQL helps you access and pull data, while Python helps analyze it and create reports.
  2. Using SQL, you can break down data silos from different systems to get a complete view of your customers and performance. This is crucial for making smart, data-driven decisions.
  3. With Python, you can automate tasks, build predictive models, and visualize data, which saves time and enhances your ability to understand trends and insights.

An AWS For Sequencing?

ASeq Newsletter • 58 implied HN points • 16 Nov 24
🕹 Technology Bioinformatics Data Analysis Cloud Computing Software Development Genetics
  1. Bioinformatics companies often struggle to succeed on their own, but some are finding unique ways to add value by providing analysis of sequencing data from external service providers.
  2. Just like how companies can use AWS for their server needs, the idea is to create an AWS-like platform specifically for DNA sequencing, making services easier and more accessible.
  3. Building a platform for sequencing could lower barriers for businesses and encourage new applications in the field, opening up more opportunities for innovation.

Big Tech and Generative AI Q3 '24 Update

Tanay’s Newsletter • 63 implied HN points • 04 Nov 24
🕹 Technology AI Cloud Computing Data Analysis Software Development Tech Innovation
  1. Amazon is making big strides in AI by providing tools for developers and creating custom chips. They are seeing huge interest in their AI services, which are growing fast despite lower profit margins.
  2. Google is using AI to improve its search capabilities and has rolled out new features to enhance user experience. Their AI models, called Gemini, are being adopted widely across their products and they are investing significantly in infrastructure.
  3. Apple has launched its AI system, Apple Intelligence, focusing on privacy and enhancing the user experience of their products. Although they're investing in AI, their spending is still lower compared to competitors, but they plan to increase their efforts.

Who Predicted 2023?

Astral Codex Ten • 8534 implied HN points • 05 Mar 24
🕹 Technology Forecasting Prediction Contest Algorithm Data Analysis
  1. The Annual Forecasting Contest on astralcodexten.com involves participants making predictions about various questions, helping to determine if one identifiable genius or aggregated mathematical predictions work best for foreseeing the future.
  2. The winners of the contest were both amateurs and seasoned forecasting veterans, showcasing a mix of skill and luck in predicting outcomes.
  3. Metaculus outperformed prediction markets, superforecasters, and the wisdom of crowds in the contest, suggesting that consistent high performance might be rare but achievable with specific methods like those used by superforecaster Ezra Karger.

E3 - 🛠️ Prompt Engineering Basics and 50+ Free 🎁 Product Management Prompts 🚀

The Product Channel By Sid Saladi • 16 implied HN points • 24 Nov 24
🕹 Technology AI Tools Product Management Software Development Prompt engineering Data Analysis
  1. Prompt engineering is about crafting the right questions to get useful responses from AI. Think of it like asking the AI to help you with specific tasks in a clear way.
  2. This skill can help product managers speed up their work by automating tasks and generating creative ideas. It's a powerful tool for making better decisions based on data.
  3. Understanding how to structure prompts effectively can lead to more relevant and accurate results. It involves giving clear instructions, context, and examples to guide the AI.

Santa Clara County's wastewater shows the COVID vaccine increased infections

Steve Kirsch's newsletter • 7 implied HN points • 04 Nov 24
🏥 Health Politics Public Health Vaccination Data Analysis Health Policy
  1. In Santa Clara County, the amount of COVID in wastewater is higher than the national average. This suggests that vaccination may not have helped reduce infections.
  2. The data shows that after vaccinations were rolled out, infection rates actually went up. This raises questions about the effectiveness of the vaccines.
  3. There hasn't been much discussion from health officials about these findings, which seems strange given the serious implications for public health.

A Pfizer shot. A failed heart. A transplant. Get vaxxed again?

RESCUE with Michael Capuzzo • 9787 implied HN points • 08 Jun 23
🏥 Health Politics Vaccination Data Analysis
  1. John Berndsen's heart complications after receiving the Pfizer vaccine illustrate a potential link to myocarditis and the importance of questioning vaccine safety.
  2. Many adverse reactions to COVID-19 vaccines are not being reported in the media, and the numbers show a significant impact on health, including deaths.
  3. John Berndsen's experience highlights the importance of critically examining the safety and necessity of additional vaccine doses, especially for vulnerable individuals.

How I made "The Probability Times"

Nerology • 142 implied HN points • 29 Oct 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Elections Predictions Data Analysis Statistics Technology
  1. The project turns election predictions into real newspaper headlines, making stats feel more concrete. Each data point in the simulations gets a corresponding news story.
  2. Using a script, detailed election results from states can be generated, summarizing victories and close races. This gives journalists useful info to write about.
  3. AI tools were utilized to create news articles and images, making the project visually appealing and engaging. The tech helps bring the election outcomes to life with visuals and compelling stories.

TSMC v Intel in Two Charts

Tim Culpan’s Position • 119 implied HN points • 05 Sep 24
🕹 Technology Semiconductors Charts Data Analysis Market Trends
  1. TSMC and Intel are two major players in the semiconductor industry. Their performance and strategies have crucial implications for technology.
  2. Visual data can highlight important differences in the technical and financial health of these companies. Charts can make complex information easier to understand.
  3. Recent reports show that Intel is facing significant challenges, while TSMC continues to lead in production and technology advancements. This could shape the future of the tech industry.

Deconstructing the Transformers ReAct JSON System Prompt

Encyclopedia Autonomica • 39 implied HN points • 13 Oct 24
🕹 Technology AI Software Machine Learning Data Analysis Development
  1. Transformers use a specific structure for commands called JSON. This makes it easier to describe actions clearly and effectively.
  2. The system prompt includes rules that the agent must follow, like focusing on one action at a time and using the correct values for inputs.
  3. The design also emphasizes iterative reasoning, where the agent can build on previous observations to make better decisions in tasks.

Polygenic Risk Scores: Ready for Prime Time?

Ground Truths • 3980 implied HN points • 19 Feb 24
🏥 Health & Wellness Genetics Risk Assessment Prevention Data Analysis
  1. Polygenic risk scores can provide valuable information on high genetic risk for diseases like heart disease and cancer, beyond traditional clinical risk factors.
  2. The use of polygenic risk scores is advancing thanks to efforts like the eMERGE consortium, incorporating multi-ancestry data and rigorous validation.
  3. Actionable polygenic risk scores have the potential to reduce health disparities and enhance preventive strategies in medical practice.

A County health officer was asked by a Sacramento Supervisor to explain why the COVID data showed the vaccine made things worse

Steve Kirsch's newsletter • 12 implied HN points • 31 Oct 24
🏥 Health Politics Public Health Vaccines COVID-19 Data Analysis Government Policy
  1. There is no clear medical reason for COVID vaccines to prevent infection. Natural infections can create immunity, but not the kind from an injected vaccine.
  2. After vaccines were given out, the data showed that the rate of deaths actually increased and stayed the same for a year, even though it was going down before the vaccines.
  3. Some people in the medical field believe vaccines can cause harm, but are pressured not to publish their findings because of funding and institutional pressures.

Avoiding Epistemological Nihilism

Richard Hanania's Newsletter • 3657 implied HN points • 12 Feb 24
🔬 Science Research Data Analysis
  1. Social scientists often resort to statistical relationships when randomized experiments are not feasible, which can lead to flawed conclusions due to selection effects and confounding variables.
  2. Flawed data is often worse than having no data at all, as it can mislead individuals into making decisions based on inaccurate information.
  3. To form reasonable opinions on social, political, and economic issues, it is essential to prioritize well-grounded ideas backed by theoretical reasoning and empirical data over blindly following data from flawed social science research.

Nvidia Illumina Acquisition? The AI Foundry for Healthcare – The Hardware of Life

SemiAnalysis • 7576 implied HN points • 27 Sep 23
🕹 Technology Healthcare Genomics AI Compute Data Analysis
  1. Eroom's Law and Moore's Law are critical in Semiconductors and Drug Research, analyzing time, money, and output.
  2. Healthcare, a $4 trillion industry, lags behind in technological progress driven by Moore's Law.
  3. Illumina acquisition by Nvidia could bridge the gap in genomics, addressing bottlenecks and enabling full-stack healthcare solutions.

Weekly Notes

Rethinking Software • 149 implied HN points • 23 Sep 24
🕹 Technology Software Development Agile Methodology Product Management Team Dynamics Data Analysis
  1. Story points are basically just hidden time estimates for tasks in software development. Understanding this can help with better planning and predicting when a project will be finished.
  2. Product management should be like a party host, making sure developers and customers communicate and enjoy their time together. This creates a better experience for everyone involved.
  3. There are ways for companies to run without traditional management, like the tomato processor Morning Star. This might be a model to explore for improving the software industry's workflow.

LinkedIn

Public Universal Friend • 79 implied HN points • 02 Sep 24
💼 Business Marketing Customer Engagement Data Analysis Growth Strategies
  1. Using a customer engagement platform like Customer.io can help marketers improve their targeting and maximize growth. It offers better data management and less need for technical support.
  2. Spring is a great time for businesses to focus on improving conversions through digital marketing strategies. Real-time data can help companies get more return on their investment.
  3. Personal connections and genuine interactions are valuable, even in business communication. Taking the time to show real interest can make a difference.

Election Update #11: The race hasn't "narrowed"

Phillips’s Newsletter • 80 implied HN points • 25 Oct 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Elections Polling Data Analysis Political trends Campaigns
  1. Trump's support may be increasing, or Harris is holding her lead steady. It's not clear which one is happening right now.
  2. Polls show that despite some recent changes, Harris's overall lead is still solid according to longer-term trends.
  3. Even though the numbers seem to be tightening, this election still has one of the most stable polling environments in US history.

Independent SAGE has joined substack!

Independent SAGE continues • 1418 implied HN points • 20 Mar 24
🏥 Health Politics Public Health Pandemic response Vaccination Data Analysis
  1. Independent SAGE has launched a Substack to share insights about Covid research and data. They aim to provide valuable information directly from experts to the public.
  2. They plan to post updates roughly every two weeks, including responses to important new research and news. This helps keep everyone informed about the ongoing situation.
  3. The Substack will remain free for subscribers, encouraging more people to stay updated on Covid developments and public health measures.