The hottest Disaster Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
Category
Top News Topics

‘Everything Is Gone’

Common Sense with Bari Weiss • 3542 implied HN points • 11 Jan 25
📰 News Disaster Economics Personal Stories
  1. The recent fires in Los Angeles have caused massive destruction, burning more than 36,000 acres and destroying nearly 10,000 structures. That's a huge area, larger than the city of Miami.
  2. Over 100,000 people have been evacuated due to these fires, which have resulted in around 11 confirmed deaths so far. However, many are still unaccounted for, raising concerns for their safety.
  3. Even after losing everything, the people affected by the fires are holding on to hope. They share their stories and experiences, showing resilience despite the devastating circumstances.

#204: When bad things happen

Maybe Baby • 1279 implied HN points • 12 Jan 25
🎭️ Culture Community Disaster Human experience Climate change Personal Reflection
  1. Losing a home in a disaster is more than just losing a building; it can feel like losing your entire world and memories. It's really hard to imagine what that must be like.
  2. When big disasters happen, people often struggle with how to process the pain. It can be confusing to know whether to look closely at the suffering or to step back and avoid it.
  3. Feeling powerless during crises leads to different reactions. Some believe in personal responsibility, while others think a bigger movement is necessary to create real change.

Top Links 618 America's mounting insurance crisis. US record homelessness. Beijing's Himalayan mega dam & who killed Jazz?

Chartbook • 300 implied HN points • 14 Jan 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Insurance Homelessness Disaster Public Policy Risk management
  1. America is facing a serious insurance crisis, especially in areas that are prone to disasters.
  2. More people are experiencing homelessness in the US than ever before.
  3. China is constructing a massive dam in the Himalayas, raising concerns and questions about its impact.

Dispatch from a Clusterfuck

Situation Normal • 167 implied HN points • 19 Jan 25
🎭️ Culture Media Social media Disaster Communication Community
  1. Social media can create confusion during disasters by spreading misinformation instead of clear communication. It's hard to find the truth when everyone is shouting different stories online.
  2. We have lost some human connection with news in the age of social media. Instead of personal calls, we often just get notifications and likes on platforms, making tough moments feel even more isolating.
  3. While social media has its downsides, there are still valuable resources like Watch Duty that provide real-time, accurate information during emergencies. Supporting such services can help communities stay safe.

Solar Panels for Collapse, Are They Worth It? Here's an Honest Answer.

OK Doomer • 114 implied HN points • 06 Feb 25
🌞 Climate & Environment Sustainability Energy Disaster Community Property
  1. Installing solar panels can be a smart move during power outages or natural disasters. They helped one family during a tornado, allowing them to stay in their home instead of facing a difficult situation.
  2. While solar panels can add value to a home and provide energy security, they also come with risks. It's important to consider whether they are truly worth the investment based on individual needs and local conditions.
  3. Finding scalable and adaptable solutions, rather than just relying on expensive setups, is key. Community support and cheaper options may be more beneficial in the long run.
Get a weekly roundup of the best Substack posts, by hacker news affinity:

Smoke on the Water

Unbound • 600 implied HN points • 19 Feb 23
📰 News Environment Politics Media Disaster Community
  1. Accidents like the train derailment in Ohio can have long-lasting and terrible effects on communities.
  2. There is a growing sense of uneasiness and concern over industrial mishaps, shortages of goods, and global tensions.
  3. The media focus on perceptions and ideas rather than on reporting on actual events, leading to a loss of trust in institutions.

The NRC at Three Mile Island

Gordian Knot News • 161 implied HN points • 23 Oct 23
💾 History Disaster Regulation Media Government Nuclear
  1. The Nuclear Regulatory Commission's actions at Three Mile Island turned a manageable incident into a national crisis.
  2. Despite widespread panic and media frenzy, the actual harm from Three Mile Island was significantly less than perceived.
  3. There were major errors and miscommunication by the NRC that escalated the situation, causing unnecessary fear and confusion.

Lockdowns & Deep Impact

Variations on a Theme • 39 implied HN points • 13 Nov 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Government Policy Disaster Leadership Philosophy
  1. Establishing traditions that reinforce positive themes, like masculinity, with your children can be significant.
  2. Disaster movies often portray common themes like philosopher-king leadership and lockdowns, reflecting on real-world events and responses.
  3. The concept of a philosopher-king taking decisive actions in times of crisis, as shown in movies and real-life scenarios, can impact our perceptions and reactions to disasters.

It ain’t Grand

Austin Kleon • 59 implied HN points • 19 Feb 21
🎭️ Culture Art Literature Writing Texas Disaster
  1. Living in a tough situation can be a slow journey. It's important to find comfort and look for helpers during hard times.
  2. If you're stuck with your creative work, try just pointing at things around you. It can help spark new ideas and inspiration.
  3. Reading is a great escape. Picking up interesting books can offer new perspectives and inspire your own writing.