The hottest Economics Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
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Top Business Topics

The Blog Post That Shocked the World

{grow} by Mark Schaefer • 19 implied HN points • 18 Jan 24
💼 Business Economics
  1. Content Shock: The world of content marketing became saturated with competition, making it harder and more expensive to stand out.
  2. Spiky Content: Creating bold, unique content with a strong point of view can help cut through the noise and grab attention.
  3. Personal Branding: Focusing on building a personal connection with your audience can be a powerful strategy to navigate and succeed in a world overwhelmed by content.

The most popular Growth Needle posts of 2023

Ruben Ugarte's Growth Needle™ • 19 implied HN points • 26 Dec 23
💼 Business Economics
  1. Sears was really good at coming up with new ideas, but they missed their chance to keep changing with the times. They adapted once with mail orders and again with retail stores, but failed to innovate again.
  2. It's important to recognize your business identity and continuously adapt to stay relevant in the market. Sometimes, companies have everything they need to succeed but don't make the right moves.
  3. Learning from the past, like the story of Sears, can help guide future strategies. Businesses should not just rest on their accomplishments but keep pushing forward.

California Home Sales Down Slightly YoY in June

CalculatedRisk Newsletter • 14 implied HN points • 22 Jul 25
💰 Finance Economics
  1. California home sales slightly decreased in June compared to last year. Even though there was a small rebound from previous months, the overall sales were still down.
  2. The median home price in California fell to $899,560, dropping below $900,000 for the first time in three months. This decline is affected by market uncertainty and high mortgage rates.
  3. Inventory levels saw significant growth, with total active listings rising over 40% year-over-year. However, new listings also declined, which might balance supply and demand in the future.

The Antisemitism Behind Conspiracy Theories

The 21st Century Proletarian • 59 implied HN points • 13 Oct 22
🎭️ Culture Economics
  1. Conspiracy theories often rooted in antisemitism can distract from the real issue of class conflict which is essential to address for societal progression.
  2. Antisemitism views Jewishness as a force of massive abstract power controlling the world, reflecting a critique of capitalist modernity seeking a return to a pre-modern society.
  3. Critiques blaming elite circles for societal problems without understanding the structural issues of capitalism are simplifications that can perpetuate harmful ideologies and divide the working class.

NATO ascendant

Model Thinking • 39 implied HN points • 22 Jan 23
🌍 World Politics Economics
  1. NATO's support for Ukraine during the war against Russia is crucial for Ukrainian victory
  2. A model using Cobb-Douglas production function estimates Western support needed at maximum Russian mobilization to achieve objectives
  3. The model suggests Russian victory in Ukraine is highly unlikely, with NATO likely able to finance Ukrainian victory or stalemate at current front lines
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Tower of Basel

Net Interest • 13 implied HN points • 25 Jul 25
💰 Finance Economics
  1. Bank regulations have become much longer and more complex over the years, starting from 30 pages in 1988 to over 600 pages now. This shows how regulations keep evolving but may not be improving in effectiveness.
  2. The conversation at the recent regulatory conference included light-hearted moments, like a CEO joking about the excessive bureaucracy in regulations, highlighting a frustration many have.
  3. There was also a discussion about how future jobs might seem trivial to us today, suggesting that work and societal roles are always changing, but some fundamental aspects of life endure.

The Real-World Ravages Of Inflation

Behavioral Value Investor • 111 implied HN points • 28 Jan 24
💰 Finance Economics
  1. Inflation can erode purchasing power over time, leading to financial strain for workers like teachers.
  2. Budget constraints due to inflation can create challenges for both employees and employers in reaching fair agreements.
  3. Understanding historical trends can help predict future economic outcomes and guide investment decisions.

Jevons Paradox

davidj.substack • 35 implied HN points • 29 Jan 25
💼 Business Economics
  1. Jevons Paradox shows that when something becomes cheaper to use, people tend to use more of it, which can actually lead to higher overall consumption. This means that efficiency gains may not reduce usage as expected.
  2. When teams save money through efficiency, they're likely to spend their budgets on new projects instead of cutting costs. They want to use their saved money to create more value.
  3. Using tools that are easier and more efficient can lead to discovering new ways to use them, increasing overall spending on those tools instead of cutting back. This often justifies bigger budgets for future projects.

Rothbard on Smith

David Friedman’s Substack • 134 implied HN points • 31 Oct 23
🚌 Education Economics
  1. Adam Smith did not support progressive income taxation and was actually against most income taxes.
  2. Smith was a free trader who saw taxes on exports as a means to raise funds, not as a trade policy objective.
  3. Smith did not advocate for government-run education to enforce obedience; he actually discussed leaving education in private hands.

I thought we liked free markets

Alex's Personal Blog • 32 implied HN points • 21 Feb 25
💼 Business Economics
  1. Advertisers are feeling pressure from X to spend more, as there are concerns about political consequences if they don't. This shows a shift in how government and business interact.
  2. Block's recent earnings report missed expectations, raising concerns for the fintech sector. Although not devastating, this might delay new company launches in the industry.
  3. Coinbase has had a legal win against the SEC, which could open doors for more crypto companies. Without strong regulations, this market may see both opportunities and risks for investors.

What happens if you pause growth, invest in AI, and relaunch?

Alex's Personal Blog • 32 implied HN points • 20 Feb 25
💼 Business Economics
  1. Pausing growth to focus on AI development can lead to better products. It allows companies to refine what they offer before trying to grow again.
  2. Investing in creators is becoming a smart business strategy. It helps creators monetize their content while making sure that the investors benefit when creators succeed.
  3. The market is seeing new technology, especially in AI and quantum computing. Companies like Crunchbase are innovating to stay relevant and competitive.

November 2024 Erdmann Housing Tracker

Erdmann Housing Tracker • 42 implied HN points • 17 Dec 24
💰 Finance Economics
  1. Inflation has been steadily around 2% since July 2022, excluding housing costs. This shows a consistent trend rather than sudden spikes.
  2. The Federal Reserve has managed to control most types of inflation, but rent prices remain outside of their control. This situation creates a misunderstanding about overall inflation levels.
  3. There's a belief that inflation might change direction suddenly, but the speaker sees no reason for that to happen. The last 29 months have shown stability in most areas.

The Luxury of Fudged Numbers

Living Fossils • 13 implied HN points • 16 Jul 25
📖 Philosophy Economics
  1. People have different attitudes towards measuring things, from being meticulous to being relaxed. This can affect how we interact and feel in social situations.
  2. The modern world makes us focus on specific measurements like money and social media likes, which can lead to feelings of inadequacy and competition that didn't exist before.
  3. Numbers and metrics can sometimes complicate our lives, shaping how we perceive ourselves and others, and making us lose sight of more meaningful, fuzzy qualities.

The Road to Autonomous Trucking: Scale, Feasibility, and Economic Impact

Gad’s Newsletter • 14 implied HN points • 14 Jul 25
🕹 Technology Economics
  1. Autonomous trucks are starting to operate on highways, which could make roads safer and supply chains more efficient. Companies like Aurora have completed the first driverless freight runs, signaling the beginning of this new era.
  2. The trucking industry is huge, moving 72.6% of freight in the U.S., but faces a driver shortage, with about 80,000 fewer drivers than needed. Self-driving technology may help fill this gap by allowing human drivers to focus on shorter routes.
  3. While there are concerns about job loss, autonomous trucks are likely to change truckers' roles rather than replace them completely. Human drivers may shift to supervising autonomous trucks or handling local deliveries, creating new job opportunities.

A slow tsunami

Model Thinking • 59 implied HN points • 11 Sep 22
🌍 World Politics Economics
  1. Critics of open borders argue about moving costs, either saying they are too high or too low, but over time, open borders can have a positive impact.
  2. Existing examples show that migration patterns can change gradually, with diaspora reducing migration costs over time.
  3. A model for open borders suggests that allowing migration can lead to population growth without negatively impacting the destination country's institutions, potentially lifting billions out of poverty.

"The Economist" Cover Curse, Explained

SatPost by Trung Phan • 95 implied HN points • 08 Mar 24
💼 Business Economics
  1. The Economist's cover is seen as a contrarian investing signal, with examples showing it may indicate market trends, but careful analysis is necessary.
  2. The Economist acts as a curator-in-chief for relevant news, publishing content anonymously in one voice, and holding influence among decision-makers.
  3. Jalapeños are less spicy due to Big Ag influence, TikTok faces potential ban due to bipartisan concerns, and Dune 2 review includes insights on visuals, cast, and production.

When Cash Lets You Down

backstory • 193 implied HN points • 04 Mar 23
🎭️ Culture Economics
  1. Cash is becoming less common in daily transactions, especially in Europe and North America.
  2. The value of money is based on trust, as demonstrated through historical events like hyperinflation in Zimbabwe.
  3. Distrust in the financial system can lead to black markets, corruption, and chaos in society.

Economic Calendar for the Week of February 9, 2025

Alex's Personal Blog • 32 implied HN points • 09 Feb 25
💰 Finance Economics
  1. This week has important earnings reports from many tech companies like Monday.com and Zillow. Keep an eye on how they perform as it might affect the market.
  2. There are several key economic events in the U.S. this week, such as consumer inflation reports and retail sales. These can give us clues about the economy's health.
  3. Global economic updates are happening too, with events like unemployment rates and industrial production in countries like China, Turkey, and Germany. These will help us understand the international economy.

Trigger Warning: Your Gig Platform is About to Get Ghosted

Gad’s Newsletter • 29 implied HN points • 03 Mar 25
💼 Business Economics
  1. Disintermediation is when users go around the platform to make deals directly, which can hurt the platform's business model. This often happens once users have established trust with workers.
  2. Platforms need to keep payments and information flowing through their systems to stay profitable and maintain trust. When users handle things off-platform, the platform loses its ability to manage quality and safety.
  3. Gig platforms like Protector must balance building trust and encouraging new connections to avoid losing customers. If users only hire familiar workers, they may skip using the app altogether.

Portubots and Englifleshes: Why comparative advantage won't ensure humans always have jobs

Philosophy bear • 92 implied HN points • 16 Mar 24
📖 Philosophy Economics
  1. Comparative advantage theory doesn't guarantee that humans will always have jobs, even if robots are better at everything.
  2. In a world where robots excel at tasks, they will specialize in areas of greater efficiency, leaving tasks with smaller disadvantages for humans.
  3. Human labor being displaced by machines poses challenges, and comparative advantage alone may not ensure employment for humans in all scenarios.

The Fat App Thesis

Three quarks • 36 implied HN points • 31 Dec 24
🔮 Crypto Economics
  1. The value in the blockchain space is shifting from protocols to apps. Apps are becoming more important as they connect users and create real-world value.
  2. Historically, protocols were seen as the main drivers of value, but now apps have stronger user bases and unique offerings that can actually generate revenue.
  3. The recent success of various apps shows that the ecosystem is evolving. Users are drawn to innovative apps, which in turn makes protocols more valuable, creating a partnership rather than competition.

Seoul Searching

Net Interest • 14 implied HN points • 27 Jun 25
💰 Finance Economics
  1. KakaoBank in Korea has seen its stock rise significantly because it is preparing for the arrival of stablecoins. They filed trademark applications to be ready for changes in the market.
  2. In contrast, traditional banks like Bank of America are still unsure about stablecoins and how impactful they will be.
  3. KakaoBank's growth reflects the changing attitudes toward digital assets in South Korea, showing how new opportunities can arise from the digital finance sector.

NY Fed: Mortgage Originations by Credit Score, Delinquencies Increase, Foreclosures Remain Low

CalculatedRisk Newsletter • 43 implied HN points • 13 Nov 24
💰 Finance Economics
  1. Mortgage originations are showing different trends based on credit scores compared to the years before the housing bubble. This means people's borrowing habits and qualifications might have changed significantly.
  2. Delinquencies on mortgages are increasing, which suggests that more people might be having trouble making their payments lately.
  3. Foreclosures are still low, meaning that even though some people are struggling to pay, many still manage to keep their homes and avoid losing them.

Tsunami invariant

Model Thinking • 39 implied HN points • 18 Dec 22
🔬 Science Economics
  1. This post explores how factors like remittances, capital stocks, and immigrant effects on productivity impact the population trajectory under open borders.
  2. The analysis shows that the case for open borders remains robust even with substantial negative impacts on productivity, suggesting significant population growth under various scenarios.
  3. Limitations of the model include the lack of consideration for certain effects on total factor productivity in origin countries and the absence of estimates on global welfare and utility changes due to migration.

Curator

Castalia • 79 implied HN points • 23 Sep 22
🎭️ Culture Economics
  1. Greed is not something we are born with; it changes over time due to different cultures and events in history. The 18th century saw a big shift towards capitalism, but it doesn't have to be our only way of living.
  2. Joseph Roth was a significant writer who managed to speak about personal experiences while also addressing the larger political issues of his time. His works are appreciated for being deeply human and emotionally resonant.
  3. The concept of 'choice architecture' suggests that people are subtly manipulated into making 'better' choices without realizing it. This can end up feeling controlling rather than empowering, questioning how much real freedom we have in our choices.

Win men by losing corporatism

Sex and the State • 16 implied HN points • 02 Jun 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Economics
  1. Government rules often make it harder for new businesses to succeed because they put more burdens on them than on big corporations. This isn't fair and hurts competition.
  2. When big companies dominate the market, it leads to higher prices and lower quality for everyday goods, which affects working families the most.
  3. Voters want the government to help them start businesses and reduce living costs, so political parties should pay attention to these needs to gain support.

Gaia Network: a practical, incremental pathway to Open Agency Architecture

Engineering Ideas • 19 implied HN points • 20 Dec 23
🕹 Technology Economics
  1. Gaia Network offers a practical solution for Open Agency Architecture, leveraging proven software and economic mechanisms.
  2. Gaia Network functions as an evolving repository of causal models for improving decision-making and coordination.
  3. The design of Gaia Network promotes ease of adoption, real-world impact, and collaborative development to meet the goals of Open Agency Architecture.

Tiktok Versus Econ 101

From the New World • 32 implied HN points • 21 Jan 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Economics
  1. Bytedance has not sold TikTok despite pressure and a law requiring it to do so. This uncertainty could significantly drop the company's value.
  2. The Chinese government might see TikTok as valuable for its ability to gather data and influence opinions, which could outweigh financial gains from a sale.
  3. If TikTok is forced to sell, there may be concerns about hidden data management practices and potential risks of Chinese access to user information.

Face First

QTR’s Fringe Finance • 32 implied HN points • 24 Jan 25
💰 Finance Economics
  1. Cryptocurrency is becoming a major focus in the U.S., especially with recent government actions. This could be a sign of big changes in the stock market ahead.
  2. President Trump supports crypto by promoting regulations and aiming to make the U.S. a leader in this industry. This includes plans for a national Bitcoin reserve.
  3. There is still uncertainty about the long-term value of cryptocurrencies. People are wondering if they will actually be useful or if they might fail completely.

The Age of Feature Engineering is Here

From the New World • 37 implied HN points • 11 Dec 24
🕹 Technology Economics
  1. Specialization in technology makes things easier and more efficient. Just like we have different appliances for different tasks at home, specialized AI works better for specific jobs.
  2. Feature engineering is about creating AI that focuses on one thing really well, and it's actually really important for success in the tech world. It helps make machines smarter for real-life uses.
  3. The idea that one all-purpose AI model is best is a myth. In reality, there’s a growing trend toward making AI more specialized and tailored to different needs.

Why Manufacturing Is Harder Than You Think

European Straits • 11 implied HN points • 20 Jul 25
💼 Business Economics
  1. Manufacturing is really important for a country's economy and security now. It's not just about making stuff anymore; it's about who can create and control new technologies.
  2. The West is struggling to bring back manufacturing because there are a lot of challenges in how the economy works. Simply putting money into factories isn't enough; there are deeper issues to solve.
  3. Despite these challenges, there are still ways forward for manufacturing. Teaming up with others and creating new financial methods can make a big difference.

Rabbit Holes 🕳️ #99

Creative Destruction • 39 implied HN points • 27 Nov 24
🎭️ Culture Economics
  1. Being collapse aware means recognizing that the way we live might be facing serious problems. Instead of waiting for things to get better, we should think about what comes next and how to adapt.
  2. The economy is now a major force shaping our planet, affecting everything from society to the environment. We need to understand this to create positive changes and live sustainably.
  3. We should shift our focus from just being productive to being creative. It's important to use technology to enhance our creativity and make meaningful contributions instead of just doing more work.

Machine Yearning

Some Unpleasant Arithmetic • 13 implied HN points • 23 Jun 25
🕹 Technology Economics
  1. AI is changing jobs and skills needed in the workforce. Some jobs may disappear, while new roles can emerge that require different skills.
  2. The impact of AI on gender roles in the workplace is complicated. While women can benefit from AI in some sectors, they may also face challenges like algorithmic bias and lower usage rates of AI tools.
  3. Economic changes due to AI may lead to increased inequality, affecting both labor and capital distribution. This can ultimately reshape power dynamics in society and impact democracy.

Follow-Up Against Agglomeration Economies

Erdmann Housing Tracker • 84 implied HN points • 14 Mar 24
💼 Business Economics
  1. Cities with blocked growth experience a process of migration due to housing costs rising, impacting residents' average incomes.
  2. Affordability in cities like Boston, NYC, and LA could have been maintained if they grew at rates similar to other cities like Oklahoma City or Salt Lake City.
  3. Limited growth approval in certain cities contributes to housing deprivation and lack of affordability, not an overflow of demand.

Canada Fires First Salvo In US/Canada Trade War, Ruining Trump's Inauguration.

C.O.P. Central Organizing Principle. • 30 implied HN points • 17 Jan 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Economics
  1. Canada has taken actions that seem to start a trade war with the U.S., which could create tension between the two countries.
  2. The situation surrounding this trade dispute impacted a major event, leading to Trump's inauguration being held indoors.
  3. These developments suggest that international relations can directly affect important political ceremonies and events.

Progressivism And The Murder Of A Health Insurance CEO

QTR’s Fringe Finance • 36 implied HN points • 12 Dec 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Economics
  1. Some online progressives showed disturbing joy over the murder of a health insurance CEO, believing it was a strike against the wealthy and a reflection of class struggles.
  2. The US healthcare system is highly regulated and has been for over a century, contrary to the belief that it's completely unregulated and solely driven by greedy CEOs.
  3. Government actions, especially those pushed by progressives over the years, have heavily influenced the healthcare market and led to rising costs and inefficiencies, causing many Americans to lack access to affordable care.