The hottest Economics Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
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I cannot defend this defense of slop

Sex and the State • 32 implied HN points • 29 Dec 25
🎭️ Culture Economics
  1. Lowering the cost of making and sharing media didn’t produce a creative golden age; instead it concentrated attention on a few winners, made mainstream culture more repetitive, and harmed trust in institutions.
  2. Automating discovery with AI isn’t a guaranteed fix—replacing human gatekeepers with profit-driven algorithms can repeat the internet’s problems and worsen content quality and polarization.
  3. Funding models matter: historically profitable intermediaries underwrote risky, less-commercial art and journalism, so if AI generates large profits we should funnel some of that money to human curators and to projects that aren’t immediately profitable.

How Trump’s Tariff Threat Made Apple Jump

Common Sense with Bari Weiss • 570 implied HN points • 24 Feb 25
💼 Business Economics
  1. Apple plans to invest $500 billion in the U.S., which could set a trend for other companies. This is a big decision that shows they are responding to economic pressures.
  2. Trump's comments on tariffs indicate he believes they can influence business decisions, like Apple's move to invest domestically.
  3. The situation reflects how political actions can have real effects on large businesses and their investment strategies.

Breach of Trust: Decoding the US Banking Crisis of 2023

Musings on Markets • 839 implied HN points • 06 May 23
💰 Finance Economics
  1. The recent banking crisis in the US started with the sudden collapse of Silicon Valley Bank, which was unexpected and quick, leading to a series of other bank failures. This raises concerns about whether the crisis will impact the larger economy like the 2008 crisis did.
  2. Understanding what makes a bank strong or weak is essential. Key factors include how sticky their deposits are, the amount of equity they have to absorb losses, and the quality of their loan portfolios.
  3. The market's reaction to the crisis has been mixed, with larger banks holding up better than regional ones. However, the crisis may push more consolidation within the banking industry, affecting competition and overall bank profitability.
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7 Charts Show the Housing Tipping Point Has Arrived

The New Urban Order • 199 implied HN points • 04 Mar 24
💼 Business Economics
  1. There is a significant increase in multifamily housing supply, signaling a potential tipping point in the housing industry.
  2. Cities like Minneapolis that have increased housing supply are seeing a decrease in rent prices, showcasing the impact of supply and demand in the housing market.
  3. The increase in housing supply across the U.S. is leading to declines in rent prices in many major markets, demonstrating the effectiveness of increasing supply to address housing affordability.

Top Links 597 Costless disinflation. The world's undersea cable system. South Sudan's calvary & Jarmush takes us on a permanent vacation.

Chartbook • 715 implied HN points • 24 Dec 24
💰 Finance Economics
  1. Costless disinflation is interesting because it suggests ways to reduce inflation without any financial costs. This idea could really impact how economies manage price stability.
  2. Undersea cables are crucial for global internet connections, showing just how interconnected we all are. These cables help transmit information across the world quickly.
  3. South Sudan's cavalry highlights unique aspects of its culture and history. It also points to how different lifestyles and traditions exist around the globe.

Kyrsten Sinema and the Problem of Toxic Capitalism

Changing The Channel • 737 implied HN points • 12 Dec 22
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Economics
  1. The American economic system favors the wealthy and neglects those in greatest need, creating challenges for many people.
  2. Toxic late-stage capitalism is described as a system lacking decency, ethics, and morality.
  3. Kyrsten Sinema, an Arizona Senator, is criticized for prioritizing the interests of the wealthiest Americans over supporting essential initiatives for the broader population.

The Saturday Selection, Vol. 57

Why is this interesting? • 301 implied HN points • 07 Jun 25
📰 News Economics
  1. There's a big change happening where fewer people prefer to have boys now, which is a positive shift.
  2. Some young people can live on just $432 a month in America if they're willing to move to a low-cost area like Massena, New York.
  3. Japan is dealing with a rice shortage, which prompted them to release a lot of rice from their emergency stockpiles to help manage the situation.

454: Biggest Bond Crash in 150 Years, Microsoft + Activision, ARM, Wikipedia, Jimmy Buffett, Semiconductors, and Tokyo Digital Twin

Liberty’s Highlights • 471 implied HN points • 16 Oct 23
💰 Finance Economics
  1. The biggest bond market rout in 150 years is happening now.
  2. Once-in-a-century events appear more frequently due to statistical misunderstanding, evolving baselines, and increased detection and reporting.
  3. Statistical probabilities can explain why 'rare' events seem to be happening more often in recent times.

The Sports Economy Is More Than Stadiums

The New Urban Order • 139 implied HN points • 10 Apr 24
🎾 Sports Economics
  1. The sports economy involves more than just building stadiums, with a focus on combining sports with other economic activities like housing and retail to create sustainable developments.
  2. There is increasing skepticism about the economic benefits of public subsidies for stadiums, with citizens and governments becoming more cautious about investing in such projects.
  3. The concept of 'stadium neighborhoods' is evolving, with a shift towards creating more holistic developments that offer amenities beyond just sports entertainment, emphasizing urban recreation and community needs.

Shunto: Why 4-5% Headline Wage Hike Really Means 2-3%

Japan Economy Watch • 179 implied HN points • 13 Mar 24
💼 Business Economics
  1. Headline wage hikes in Japan may seem high, like 4-5%, but they often translate to 2-3% for the entire labor force.
  2. The base pay increase is what directly impacts overall income, while seniority raises have a more limited effect.
  3. Despite the impressive headline numbers, real wages in Japan have fallen due to inflation, with expectations for minimal improvements in the near future.

🚀 What did they take from us, exactly?

Faster, Please! • 731 implied HN points • 20 Dec 24
🕹 Technology Economics
  1. Innovation has faced many challenges due to strict regulations and negative attitudes towards progress. This has slowed down our technological advancements and kept us from realizing exciting future possibilities.
  2. There were two major periods of optimism in history that drove technology forward—after World War II and during the digital revolution. During these times, people felt hopeful and invested in new ideas and inventions.
  3. To bring back that spirit of progress, we need to focus on supporting innovation and overcoming barriers that limit potential. It's important to keep believing in a better, more advanced future.

What I read in 2025

Get Down and Shruti • 27 implied HN points • 01 Jan 26
📚 Literature Economics
  1. Science advances through bold guesses, open criticism, and the mix of intuition plus formal rigor; progress falters when methods or authority become unquestionable (scientism).
  2. Biographies and memoirs bring out the human complexity behind history and politics, giving nuanced insight into leaders, movements, and India’s pluralism and conflicts.
  3. Reading widely across science, history, political economy, and fiction connects abstract ideas to real-world problems, improving understanding of institutions, policy, and how societies change.

The Cooperatist Manifesto that inspired Mondragon

The Novelleist • 879 implied HN points • 14 Oct 24
💼 Business Economics
  1. José María Arizmendiarrieta believed workers should own their companies, promoting equality and fairness in the workplace. He thought that if workers shared in profits, it would create a better community for everyone.
  2. He emphasized the importance of education, encouraging workers to become skilled and capable of managing their own businesses. This led to the creation of cooperatives where everyone could participate and benefit.
  3. Arizmendiarrieta's model showed that creating jobs and opportunities for workers was essential for a prosperous society. He taught that by working together and sharing resources, communities could thrive without relying solely on government intervention.

The People's Central Bank of Oil

Syncretica • 471 implied HN points • 05 Oct 23
💰 Finance Economics
  1. China's Strategic Petroleum Reserve size can be estimated through accounting methods
  2. China uses its SPR to manage oil imports and impact global oil markets
  3. China's high diesel demand raises questions about surplus and export quotas

Tax cuts on the way?

Off to Lunch • 255 implied HN points • 23 Jan 24
💼 Business Economics
  1. Possibility of tax cuts as government borrows less than expected
  2. Government benefits from higher VAT and income tax receipts
  3. Public finances could improve with potential tax cuts to boost economy

The great American gaslighting

Men Yell at Me • 307 implied HN points • 11 Jun 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Economics
  1. Private equity firms often hurt the companies they buy instead of helping them. They can make money by cutting costs and stripping businesses rather than supporting them.
  2. The impact of private equity goes beyond businesses; it seriously affects people in communities. When companies shut down, it's not just a loss of jobs but also a loss of community support and services.
  3. Despite challenges in various industries, there are hopeful stories where businesses thrive by focusing on community needs and creativity instead of just profits. People can find better ways to support their industries and communities.

Chartbook 340 Against synecdoche! … A plural taxonomy of capitalist globalization

Chartbook • 686 implied HN points • 19 Dec 24
💼 Business Economics
  1. Global capitalism is complex and can't just be understood as one single economy. Different sectors, like finance and agriculture, have their own unique ways of operating.
  2. It's important to recognize the different sectors of capitalism to fully understand how they interact. For example, globalization affects industries like manufacturing and real estate in distinct ways.
  3. By acknowledging that capitalism is made up of many different parts, we can avoid oversimplifying it and appreciate the specific factors at play in each aspect.

Matt Goodwin's train nightmare

Odds and Ends of History • 268 implied HN points • 30 Jun 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Economics
  1. Getting good phone service on trains is tough. There's a new government plan to fix this problem.
  2. Some official economic data might be messed up, which makes it hard to know how the country is really doing.
  3. Growth is important for spreading wealth, and there's a push to make a specific philosophy part of the government's plans.

The great AI forecasting divide

Faster, Please! • 548 implied HN points • 15 Feb 25
🕹 Technology Economics
  1. There is a debate about whether AI will change society in a big way or just a small one. Some experts think it could be revolutionary, while others see it as an evolution of technology.
  2. Economists base their predictions about AI on how past technologies have changed society. They might not expect the rapid advances that could happen sooner than anticipated.
  3. The discussion about AI's impact raises questions about our future and how quickly we might see changes in our lives and jobs because of intelligent machines.

A startup is a bundle, and Windsurf broke the bundle

Alex Danco's Newsletter • 234 implied HN points • 18 Jul 25
💼 Business Economics
  1. Startups work like bundles where everyone has different needs. If these bundles break apart, it could hurt collaboration and overall success.
  2. The recent case of Windsurf shows how AI talent is being targeted and bought individually instead of as part of the whole startup. This changes how success is achieved and shared.
  3. If startups become unbundled and everyone seeks their own benefits, founders might struggle more. This could lead to less innovation and more chaos in the startup world.

FOMO And AI Anxiety In Davos

High ROI Data Science • 297 implied HN points • 19 Jan 24
💼 Business Economics
  1. Davos crowd is pessimistic about global economic growth and sees AI as a potential solution.
  2. Big Tech companies are facing stiff competition in the AI space from innovative rivals.
  3. With interest rates rising, businesses need to focus on competitiveness and revenue growth to stay afloat.

So what if they’re below average?

Something to Consider • 39 implied HN points • 08 Jul 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Economics
  1. Immigration can be beneficial even if new arrivals have lower average intelligence. People with high intelligence can greatly contribute to economic growth and help lift others out of poverty.
  2. Knowledge is essential for progress, but it's not shared equally. Smart people create innovations that can benefit everyone, even if some tasks are done by less skilled workers.
  3. Countries benefit collectively from advancements made in one area. For example, technologies developed in rich nations can significantly improve lives and economies in poorer regions.

Top Links 777 Standout productivity. China bottoms out. AIDS deaths & the "Californian Ideology"

Chartbook • 257 implied HN points • 22 Jun 25
💰 Finance Economics
  1. Standout productivity has been noted recently, showing impressive performance in various sectors.
  2. China's economy seems to have hit a low point, sparking discussions about its future trajectory.
  3. There are rising concerns over AIDS deaths, connected to the broader cultural ideas around the topic, often referred to as the 'Californian Ideology'.

Economic Errors

David Friedman’s Substack • 655 implied HN points • 28 Dec 24
💰 Finance Economics
  1. Wealth isn't just cash; it can be land, stocks, or buildings. A person's gain in wealth doesn't mean someone else has to lose money.
  2. When countries trade, it’s not just about wages. The value of currencies affects trade costs, and tariffs can disrupt these complex economic balances.
  3. People often hold on to incorrect economic beliefs because they sound easier or support their self-image. Understanding the real logic behind economics can be complicated but helps us see the true picture.

Why Are Some Of Our Most Successful Leaders Mentally Ill?

The Ruffian • 510 implied HN points • 22 Feb 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Economics
  1. Some successful leaders, like Javier Milei and Elon Musk, show traits that could be seen as mentally ill or eccentric. This often helps them think outside the box and act decisively, even in the face of criticism.
  2. Having a lack of empathy can sometimes be a strength in leadership. When leaders don't try to please everyone, they can take bold actions that others may avoid.
  3. While unconventional behavior can lead to positive change, not all 'crazy' actions are beneficial. Sometimes it's just madness without any deeper logic.

The age of the sovereign creator

Substack • 1289 implied HN points • 23 May 24
💼 Business Economics
  1. The rise of independent creators is changing how we think about online content. Unlike before, creators can now build direct relationships with their audiences and earn money without relying on advertising.
  2. Aggregation theory explains how big platforms control the flow of information and can limit creators. However, new models like Substack empower creators by giving them ownership of their content and audience.
  3. The future will likely see more creators moving away from traditional platforms. They'll use these big platforms for exposure while focusing on their own channels, where they can maintain control and earn more.

ONE IMAGE: 40 Million Canadians

Brad DeLong's Grasping Reality • 607 implied HN points • 04 Jan 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Economics
  1. About 90% of Canadians live close to the US border, which influences their economy and lifestyle. Most of Canada's population is concentrated in big cities like Toronto and Montreal.
  2. Canada's population density is quite low, with only 4 people per square kilometer outside urban areas. This means there are many large, empty spaces in the country.
  3. Canadians have a relatively high life expectancy and are mostly bilingual in English and French. About a quarter of the population are visible minorities, showcasing diversity.

The Phantom Menace of the Trump Mobile T1 SmartPhone: Silicon Dreams & Supply Chain Realities

Brad DeLong's Grasping Reality • 261 implied HN points • 17 Jun 25
🕹 Technology Economics
  1. The Trump Mobile T1 smartphone is less about real technology and more about selling a confidence game. It's surprising how many people are willing to overlook this.
  2. The idea of making a high-spec phone in America for a low price is a fantasy. Real manufacturing takes much more investment and planning than what's being promised.
  3. Many reports about the T1 phone show uncertainty and skepticism. Experts think it's more of a marketing gimmick than a feasible product.

What Is To Be Done? Investing Where It Matters.

Breaking the News • 654 implied HN points • 11 Dec 24
💼 Business Economics
  1. Investing in advanced technology manufacturing is gaining momentum in the US. This is a positive sign for the economy, showing growth and innovation.
  2. It's important to focus on what truly matters when making investments. This could mean supporting industries or ideas that have the potential to make a significant impact.
  3. Documenting progress and sharing stories of innovation can inspire others to get involved and contribute to meaningful change. It helps to keep the momentum going.

Is the market really saturated?

Kenny’s Sub • 239 implied HN points • 21 Jan 24
💼 Business Economics
  1. Blaming external factors for challenges is just a way to avoid taking responsibility. It's important to focus on what you can control to improve your situation.
  2. The difference between blame and responsibility matters a lot. Instead of making excuses about the economy or competition, focus on the steps you can take to move forward.
  3. A positive mindset and determination can help you overcome tough circumstances. Hard work and grit can lead to success, even when the odds seem against you.

Our community round has opened—let's fund this book!

The Novelleist • 282 implied HN points • 29 May 25
💼 Business Economics
  1. The community funding round for the book 'We Should Own The Economy' has opened, allowing readers to invest and share in potential profits.
  2. They have already raised almost $60,000 and invite everyone to confirm their investments through a provided link.
  3. There's an open call tonight where participants can ask questions about the book and contribute ideas on how to shape the future of capitalism.

O governo surfa na competência do Banco Central que apedreja

O Observador de Corcyra • 432 implied HN points • 03 Jul 23
💼 Business Economics
  1. The global economy in 2023 is influenced by fiscal and monetary actions taken during the pandemic, leading to low unemployment rates and strong consumer spending.
  2. Adjustments in monetary policies by central banks since 2021 have helped moderate inflation, especially in goods, and sustain economic activity without indicating a global recession in 2023.
  3. The independence of the Central Bank has allowed for the implementation of correct monetary policies, contributing to the consistent economic performance of Brazil and the potential for future organized monetary relaxation.

The Few Who Move the Many: Standout & Straggler Firms in Leading-Country Industrial Productivity

Brad DeLong's Grasping Reality • 230 implied HN points • 03 Jul 25
💼 Business Economics
  1. A few standout companies drive most of the economic growth in leading countries. These companies often make significant advancements that push their industries forward.
  2. It's important to support these successful firms because they create innovations that benefit the whole economy. By helping them grow, we can spread their positive impact more widely.
  3. The U.S. has more standout firms and does a better job reallocating resources from weaker companies. This flexibility fosters growth and encourages risk-taking, which other countries can learn from.