The hottest Economics Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
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Top Business Topics

Cái giá của spam

Thái | Hacker | Kỹ sư tin tặc • 0 implied HN points • 17 Jul 07
💼 Business Economics
  1. Spam not only causes annoyance but also economic damage to businesses.
  2. Businesses often underestimate the financial impact of spam and focus more on implementing anti-spam solutions for the nuisance it causes.
  3. Calculating the cost of spam can reveal significant financial losses for a company, including factors like employee time spent dealing with spam emails.

Prof. Warren was right, mostly

Logos and Liberty • 0 implied HN points • 04 May 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Economics
  1. In the US, the shift from single incomes to dual incomes has made families less financially secure mainly due to increased housing costs, healthcare expenses, and predatory lending.
  2. Two-income families lack the safety net that one-income families used to have; this can lead to financial strain and difficult decisions in times of crisis.
  3. Elizabeth Warren's book suggests undoing banking deregulation, decoupling access to education from location, and freezing college tuition as policy responses to help middle-class families with their financial struggles.

Eudaimonia, Plenitude, and Sustainability

Logos and Liberty • 0 implied HN points • 24 Oct 22
📖 Philosophy Economics
  1. Aristotle's philosophy advocates for a balanced economy that invests in areas like education, research, and the arts to realize human potential and counteract negative impacts on society and the environment.
  2. Juliet Schor proposes the concept of 'Plenitude' as an alternative to mindless consumerism, emphasizing the importance of time allocation, self-provisioning, environmental materialism, and community investments.
  3. Schor's call for sustainable economic growth challenges the traditional view on affluence, suggesting a shift towards a 'human service economy' focused on non-material fields to reduce environmental impact while maintaining income growth.

The Invisible Hand and Artificial Intelligence

The Digital Anthropologist • 0 implied HN points • 27 Nov 23
🕹 Technology Economics
  1. The invisible hand, along with culture, may play a key role in shaping the success of Artificial Intelligence in the near future, impacting both consumers and citizens.
  2. Artificial Intelligence technologies face challenges like the tragedy of the commons and the invisible hand, with various impacts on society depending on cultural influences.
  3. The AI industry may need to consider the influence of the invisible hand, driven by consumer and citizen decisions, over potential government regulations for its future development.

Shape your team to be a profit centre

🔮 Crafting Tech Teams • 0 implied HN points • 27 Jun 23
💼 Business Economics
  1. Teams can be shaped to focus on increasing profit targets, rather than just reducing costs.
  2. Utilizing Tactical Agility by feature slicing across fully functional verticals can help increase profit targets for high performing teams.
  3. Understanding the subtle and unintuitive economics of Agile can help in shaping teams to be more effective profit centres.
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Why America doesn't build things

America in Crisis • 0 implied HN points • 05 Mar 23
💼 Business Economics
  1. Economic policy changes in the 1970s and 1980s have shifted business culture, discouraging investment in real projects.
  2. NIMBY opposition to development is a significant obstacle to building urgently needed infrastructure in the US.
  3. We need to restore a culture focused on accumulating 'real' capital to encourage building and infrastructure development.

Introducing Mike’s Substack

America in Crisis • 0 implied HN points • 23 Jan 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Economics
  1. Mike Alexander is a retired industrial scientist with a focus on 'big history' and the American political economy.
  2. He is particularly interested in studying the postwar era of shared prosperity in America and understanding why it occurred and ended.
  3. Mike aims to promote his book 'America in Crisis' through his free Substack by sharing articles on economic, political, and social topics related to the book and fostering a community for discussion.

AI will Create More Jobs Than There are People

Sector 6 | The Newsletter of AIM • 0 implied HN points • 13 May 24
🕹 Technology Economics
  1. AI is creating a lot of job openings, far more than the number of skilled workers available. This means many companies are looking for talent in this fast-growing field.
  2. In India alone, there's a huge gap between the jobs available in AI and the number of experienced engineers. Only about 2,000 senior AI engineers are actively working, while the job demand is skyrocketing.
  3. This situation shows a trend where advancements in technology can lead to job creation, even if there aren't enough people right now to fill those roles.

Making Sense of the NYT Lawsuit

Sector 6 | The Newsletter of AIM • 0 implied HN points • 02 Jan 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Economics
  1. The New York Times has sued OpenAI and Microsoft over the use of copyrighted material. This lawsuit highlights ongoing issues about copyright and fair use in the digital age.
  2. Union Minister Rajeev Chandrasekhar supports the idea that tech companies should fairly share revenue with digital publishers. This shows there's a broader conversation happening around how content creators are compensated.
  3. The lawsuit represents a critical moment in the debate over how AI uses existing content and how that impacts traditional media. It could set important precedents for future relationships between AI and content creators.

Semiconductor Dreams Shattered

Sector 6 | The Newsletter of AIM • 0 implied HN points • 01 Jun 23
🕹 Technology Economics
  1. India's plan to build a semiconductor plant has faced major challenges and has ultimately failed.
  2. Vedanta, the company leading the project, struggled to secure the needed money to start manufacturing chips.
  3. Now, the Indian government is looking for other private companies to take on the semiconductor project instead.

Elon The Brilliant Loser

Sector 6 | The Newsletter of AIM • 0 implied HN points • 10 Apr 23
💼 Business Economics
  1. Elon Musk is facing major challenges with his recent projects, especially with Twitter. After buying it, the platform is now burdened with a huge debt and facing declining revenue.
  2. Twitter's advertising revenue, which used to be a strong source of income, has drastically fallen. This drop in revenue is a big problem for the business.
  3. Musk's image as a successful businessman is starting to suffer due to these failures. Many are now questioning his reputation and abilities in managing such ventures.

When Recession Hit Hard

Sector 6 | The Newsletter of AIM • 0 implied HN points • 24 Mar 23
💼 Business Economics
  1. The Indian IT industry is experiencing rapid changes in leadership. Several CEOs have recently stepped down or been replaced.
  2. Rajesh Gopinathan, CEO of TCS, has left his position, and K Krithivasan is set to take over. This shift reflects broader movements in the industry.
  3. Other companies in the sector are also seeing leadership changes, indicating a period of transition and uncertainty.

IT Quarterly Report Card is out

Sector 6 | The Newsletter of AIM • 0 implied HN points • 25 Oct 22
💼 Business Economics
  1. The IT industry in India is seeing mixed results, with some companies like TCS and Infosys doing well.
  2. Wipro is struggling, showing only 12.9% revenue growth and a significant drop in profits.
  3. On the positive side, companies like L&T Infotech and Mindtree are also performing well in this quarter.

An Indian understanding

Sitesh’s Substack • 0 implied HN points • 13 Jul 24
🎭️ Culture Economics
  1. Different places offer different perspectives on life and opportunities. Living in various locations helped me see how they compare in terms of freedom and prosperity.
  2. Experiencing life in both India and abroad gave me a clear idea of how things work locally and globally. It's important to balance inside and outside viewpoints to understand the whole picture.
  3. There are many new ideas emerging in India that can help reshape its identity and economic position. Engaging with local communities and discussions has been very enlightening.

My Answers for the paradigm fellowship

Something to Consider • 0 implied HN points • 07 Aug 24
🔮 Crypto Economics
  1. The game with Ethereum bids will likely end with the biggest firm winning because they can raise the most capital. Smaller players may drop out when they see they can’t compete.
  2. Censorship doesn't change the game much because firms that want to win will pay a lot. They’ll still plan based on their chances of success.
  3. Smart contracts could change the game by allowing players to offer rewards to others for letting empty blocks go. This might make it harder for anyone to win the bidding eventually.

The Price of Delay

Something to Consider • 0 implied HN points • 02 Aug 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Economics
  1. Housing regulations slow down construction and make planning harder for developers. This uncertainty discourages them from investing in new buildings.
  2. A new study shows if we reduce approval wait times, it could lead to significantly more housing being built. However, there are questions about how realistic these estimates are.
  3. Clearer regulations could make a big difference in housing supply. Countries with more straightforward building laws tend to have better housing outcomes.

Peter Diamond’s Paradoxes

Something to Consider • 0 implied HN points • 30 Jul 24
💼 Business Economics
  1. Peter Diamond shows that unrealistic economic models can help us understand real-world issues. By making certain assumptions, we can see how they lead to surprising outcomes.
  2. In his models, costs of searching for products can lead to prices behaving differently than expected. This means even in competitive markets, prices can be high if searching for the best deal is costly.
  3. Diamond’s examples suggest that different economic situations can lead to multiple levels of unemployment. People's expectations play a big role in how prices and unemployment behave in the market.

The Social Discount Rate is Plausibly Negative

Something to Consider • 0 implied HN points • 29 Jul 24
📖 Philosophy Economics
  1. The social discount rate helps us understand how we value our current consumption compared to future consumption. A higher discount rate means we prefer to consume now rather than later.
  2. There are different views on the social discount rate. Some might prioritize current needs and want a high rate, while others might value future generations equally, leading to a zero rate.
  3. In decision-making about resources and moral issues, we should consider hypothetical people, as well as current people's needs. This broader perspective can change how we approach important social issues.

On Innovation

Something to Consider • 0 implied HN points • 16 Jun 24
💼 Business Economics
  1. Innovating is risky, and many people are afraid to invest in new ideas because the outcomes are uncertain. Government help might be needed to encourage more people to take these risks.
  2. One idea for helping innovation is to give tax breaks to companies that offer stock options to their employees. This could motivate workers to take more risks with their projects.
  3. There are challenges with making this system fair and preventing abuse, but finding ways to promote innovation is crucial because it benefits everyone in society.

A Brief Primer on Auction Theory

Something to Consider • 0 implied HN points • 13 Jun 24
💼 Business Economics
  1. There are different types of auctions like first price, second price, and ascending auctions. Each works a bit differently, but they all aim to find out who values an item the most.
  2. In certain situations, second price auctions can encourage honest bidding because bidders don't need to worry about overbidding. This can lead to better outcomes for both the seller and the buyers.
  3. Assumptions about what buyers and sellers know can change what type of auction works best. If buyers are unsure about their own values, for example, an ascending auction may be more beneficial.

Infrastructure Costs in America

Something to Consider • 0 implied HN points • 18 May 22
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Economics
  1. Infrastructure costs in America are really high compared to other countries. This means we can't build as much as we need to because it's too expensive.
  2. Contracting practices lead to expensive overruns and dishonest bids. Many contractors misrepresent costs, leading to hidden fees and renegotiations that drive prices up.
  3. Local influences and regulations increase project costs even more. Communities often demand more expensive construction methods and designs, creating unnecessary expenses that tax dollars end up covering.

Free to Choose: A steel-man of Milton Friedman

Tranquil Thoughts • 0 implied HN points • 04 Sep 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Economics
  1. Milton Friedman argues that individual freedom in making economic choices leads to greater personal prosperity and liberty. When people decide for themselves, they're more likely to pick what's best for them.
  2. Friedman believes that government should be minimal. The more government tries to take charge, the less efficient it becomes and the less accountable it is to people’s needs.
  3. He emphasizes that local governments work better because they understand the community's needs firsthand. This allows for faster response and better accountability compared to larger governments.

AI Is Coming For Fiat-Powered Bullshit Jobs

The Future of Life • 0 implied HN points • 03 Apr 23
💼 Business Economics
  1. Many jobs exist because of money policies that create unnecessary roles, called 'bullshit jobs'.
  2. AI is set to automate a lot of these low-value jobs, which might help streamline the job market.
  3. Real value-creating jobs are harder to automate and often thrive in a competitive market without excessive regulation.

SVB's Collapse

inexactscience • 0 implied HN points • 15 Mar 23
💰 Finance Economics
  1. Silicon Valley Bank failed due to significant financial losses and risky decisions. It shows how quickly things can change for banks in tight situations.
  2. Some thought SVB's issues were unique, but other banks might also face similar risks. This could mean wider banking problems in the future.
  3. The Federal Reserve stepped in to help, which raises questions about making banks more careful. If everyone has insurance, banks might take bigger risks, which isn't good for the economy.

Intro

inexactscience • 0 implied HN points • 02 Mar 23
🎭️ Culture Economics
  1. The author shares personal thoughts on data science and economics, aiming to provide unique insights.
  2. They hold a PhD in economics and lead a team of data scientists, showing their expertise in the field.
  3. The goal is to publish five pieces of writing by the end of May 2023 to engage readers and share perspectives.

Interview with Garett Jones: National IQ, Immigrants & the Wealth of Nations

Moral Mayhem Podcast • 0 implied HN points • 13 Mar 24
🎙 Podcasts Economics
  1. National IQ can impact economic outcomes, affecting how societies perform economically. It's important to understand how people's intelligence relates to their country's success.
  2. Cultural traits from immigrant groups can persist and influence their new societies. This means that the values and habits they bring with them can shape the economy and community where they settle.
  3. Institutional quality is crucial for a nation's wealth, and the mechanisms that drive this can be influenced by both geography and cultural factors. Strong institutions help ensure economic growth and stability.

Economics of Immigration

Moral Mayhem Podcast • 0 implied HN points • 13 Mar 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Economics
  1. Understanding the factors that make immigration beneficial for a host country is important.
  2. Policies should be shaped to enhance the well-being of both immigrants and the local population.
  3. Research and data can help inform better decisions regarding immigration.

Horse Races, Real and Political: Intrade's Favorite-Longshot Bias

Matt’s Five Points • 0 implied HN points • 05 Jan 12
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Economics
  1. Betters often prefer longshots to favorites, even when the favorites are better bets. This is known as the favorite-longshot bias.
  2. Studies show that betting on favorites tends to result in less loss compared to betting on longshots. Longshots usually lead to worse returns over time.
  3. This bias affects how people place bets in political markets too, leading to irrational choices like favoring less likely candidates just for the excitement.

The Adventures of Link(s)

Matt’s Five Points • 0 implied HN points • 19 Nov 11
🎾 Sports Economics
  1. Baseball playoffs are exciting but often unfair, making them more about luck than skill. The beauty of baseball lies in the long season, not just the post-season rush.
  2. There's a debate about how much campaigns really matter in elections. Many people wish for democracy to be more about great ideas and leaders than just voting based on tough times.
  3. Election outcomes are usually influenced by bigger factors than campaigns, with candidates' fates often decided before they even start campaigning. It's important to understand the underlying trends rather than just the surface drama.

Research Note: Member Pay

Matt’s Five Points • 0 implied HN points • 15 Nov 11
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Economics
  1. Congressional salaries have increased significantly since the 19th century, much faster than inflation.
  2. Today's members of Congress earn similarly in real dollars to what their counterparts did a century ago.
  3. The system for adjusting congressional pay has changed over time, leading to more stable earnings but potentially less buying power due to rejection of automatic raises.

Pop quiz

Matt’s Five Points • 0 implied HN points • 08 Jul 11
💰 Finance Economics
  1. The price of oil going up or down can be seen as both good and bad. It depends on how it affects the economy and individual finances.
  2. Higher oil prices can benefit oil companies and help certain investments, which might be good for retirement funds.
  3. However, rising oil prices can also lead to inflation, making it harder for many people to afford goods and services.

Broken Windows

Matt’s Five Points • 0 implied HN points • 15 Mar 11
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Economics
  1. Destruction does not create wealth; it only redistributes what already exists. So, if something is destroyed, we don't end up with more overall value.
  2. While rebuilding after a disaster might temporarily boost certain economic indicators, it doesn't mean the total wealth has increased. It's just replacing what's lost, not adding more.
  3. Using GDP to measure economic growth after a disaster can be misleading because it doesn't account for the negative impacts of the destruction. It can give a false impression of prosperity.

Coming soon

Micro Markets Newsletter • 0 implied HN points • 28 Aug 24
💼 Business Economics
  1. A new newsletter about micro markets is launching soon. It seems like it will cover interesting topics related to small, specialized markets.
  2. You can subscribe to this newsletter to stay updated. Subscribing might offer insightful information and trends in this niche.
  3. The newsletter is available on a platform called Substack. This platform is popular for independent writers and bloggers to share their work.

A letter from China

do clouds feel vertigo? • 0 implied HN points • 25 Jan 24
🌍 World Politics Economics
  1. One idea discussed is called a 'walk-and-talk', where a small group walks together while sharing deep conversations. It seems like a nice way to bond over a journey.
  2. There's a spot in China where young people relax and take it easy, showing that even in busy places, people seek downtime.
  3. Bitcoin is debated as a tool against authoritarianism. Even critics see its potential value as many people want to protect their freedom in a world that often centralizes power.

✅ We're all going on a summer holiday

Wadds Inc. newsletter • 0 implied HN points • 22 Jul 24
💼 Business Economics
  1. CrowdStrike had a big mistake that caused computers worldwide to break down, and fixing them could take a long time. Businesses might struggle for weeks to get everything back to normal.
  2. The UK is planning new laws to improve the economy and public services, with a focus on things like employment rights and healthcare. This is a major step in making positive changes in the country.
  3. Mumsnet is suing OpenAI for using its content without permission, claiming it threatens their site. This lawsuit highlights the ongoing issues around how data is collected and used online.

✅ Monday briefing: Pitch opportunity, unicorn profile, data in PR, golf impact, 12-month payment terms, dyslexic dissonance, LinkedIn features, metaverse flop, and more...

Wadds Inc. newsletter • 0 implied HN points • 05 Dec 22
💼 Business Economics
  1. Using data in public relations is important for smart decision-making and measuring success. It helps shape strategies and creative work.
  2. CEOs with strong media presence can attract more investment for their companies, showing the link between visibility and funding.
  3. New features on LinkedIn can enhance company pages, helping businesses connect and engage better with their audience.

The Sharing Economy come home: The IPO of Airbnb!

Musings on Markets • 0 implied HN points • 02 Dec 20
💼 Business Economics
  1. Airbnb's business connects people who want to rent out their homes with travelers looking for a place to stay. This model allows Airbnb to grow as more people become hosts and guests.
  2. The company has faced challenges like legal issues and the impact of COVID-19, which hit the travel industry hard. However, it also showed resilience and has started to recover as travel picks up again.
  3. For its IPO, Airbnb aims to raise money to pay off debt and invest in its future. Investors should be aware of the risks and market dynamics that could affect the company's value.

A coming out party for the world's most valuable company: Aramco's long awaited IPO!

Musings on Markets • 0 implied HN points • 18 Nov 19
💼 Business Economics
  1. Aramco is set to become one of the world's most valuable companies due to its massive oil reserves and low extraction costs. This gives it an edge over other oil companies.
  2. Investing in Aramco is not like buying shares in a regular company, since the Saudi government controls it. Investors should expect limited influence over decisions and view their investment more like providing capital.
  3. There are risks to consider, including the political situation in Saudi Arabia and how oil prices can affect earnings. Investors should be aware that they may not see a lot of price increase, mostly relying on dividends.

The Softbank-WeWork End Game: Savior Economics or Sunk Cost Problem?

Musings on Markets • 0 implied HN points • 15 Nov 19
💼 Business Economics
  1. Softbank invested heavily in WeWork after a failed IPO, raising questions about whether they were rescuing a sinking ship or throwing good money after bad. Their decision highlights how past investments can warp future choices.
  2. Fair value accounting can give misleading pictures of a company's worth because it’s based on market prices rather than real value. This can lead companies to make poor decisions just to improve their accounting numbers.
  3. Investing isn't just about being smart; it's also about being humble. Investors who acknowledge their mistakes and learn from them tend to make better decisions, unlike those who get arrogant after a few wins.

Amazon and Apple at a Trillion $: A Follow-up on Uncertainty and Catalysts!

Musings on Markets • 0 implied HN points • 21 Sep 18
💰 Finance Economics
  1. Uncertainty is a big part of valuing companies. Instead of ignoring it, we can use tools like scenario analysis and simulations to make better predictions.
  2. When valuing companies like Apple and Amazon, using more than just single numbers helps us understand how different factors can change the outcome.
  3. Look for events or news (like earnings reports or management changes) that can change a company's stock price. These can be key moments for making investment decisions.