The hottest Education Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
Category
Top International Topics

Follow the Money...

The View from Rural Missouri by Jess Piper • 378 implied HN points • 30 Sep 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Education
  1. The topic of school funding can lead to hateful and extreme rhetoric, especially from those pushing for privatization of public schools.
  2. There is a concerted effort by certain groups to defund public schools and redirect funds to private, often unaccountable institutions.
  3. Extreme rhetoric against public school advocates is often driven by profit-seeking individuals and politicians, rather than genuine concern for children's education.

Understanding Gravitational-Wave Observatories: A Pillar of Modern Fundamental Science

Space Ambition • 99 implied HN points • 19 Apr 24
🔬 Science Education
  1. Gravitational-wave observatories like LIGO help us understand the universe better. They can detect tiny ripples in spacetime caused by huge cosmic events like black hole mergers.
  2. Investing in fundamental science is cost-effective and leads to unexpected technological benefits. For example, the innovations developed for LIGO can also help in industries like manufacturing and quantum computing.
  3. Fundamental science projects prepare us for future challenges, much like a university education does. They provide a foundation that helps scientists and engineers create new technologies and solutions down the line.

Physics Professors Are Using AI Models as Physics Tutors

The Algorithmic Bridge • 552 implied HN points • 27 Dec 24
🕹 Technology Education
  1. AI is being used by physics professors as personal tutors, showing its advanced capabilities in helping experts learn. This might surprise people who believe AI isn't very smart.
  2. Just like in chess, where computers have helped human players improve, AI is now helping physicists revisit old concepts and possibly discover new theories.
  3. The acceptance of AI by top physicists suggests that even in complex fields, machines can enhance human understanding, challenging common beliefs about AI's limitations.

RKUL: Time Well Spent, 07/14/2025

Razib Khan's Unsupervised Learning • 183 implied HN points • 15 Jul 25
🎭️ Culture Education
  1. Your time is limited, and it's easy to waste it on your phone and the internet. Instead, consider using that time to read good books and learn something valuable.
  2. Reading offers you a chance to experience decades of knowledge and insights from various subjects. Books like 'From Dawn to Decadence' enrich your understanding of culture and creativity.
  3. Intellectual discussions can sometimes focus too much on power dynamics rather than the beauty and creativity of human thought. It's important to balance critiques with appreciation for the genius of human culture.
Get a weekly roundup of the best Substack posts, by hacker news affinity:

2.6 Isaac Newton

Fields & Energy • 199 implied HN points • 24 Jan 24
🔬 Science Education
  1. Isaac Newton built his laws of motion and gravitation on the earlier work of scientists like Galileo and Kepler. This helped him connect how things move on Earth with how planets move in space.
  2. Newton discovered that gravity acts in a certain way: the force gets weaker as you move further away from an object. He showed this through thinking about how an apple falls and how the moon orbits the Earth.
  3. To explain the gravitational pull of larger bodies, Newton used advanced math concepts, making his ideas more accurate. He proved that the gravity of a round object is the same as if all its mass was concentrated in one point at its center.

Anti-woke gadfly Steven Pinker suddenly pimping for Harvard

Heterodox STEM • 241 implied HN points • 04 Jun 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Education
  1. Steven Pinker wrote an article defending Harvard, surprising many of his supporters who see him as anti-woke. It highlights both the flaws and the achievements of the university.
  2. He argues that funding for STEM research, which comes from taxpayers, is crucial and indicates that Harvard's ways may need reform to secure more support.
  3. There is a call to action for scholars to join in reform efforts to change the current direction of higher education and ensure that funding continues.

EXCLUSIVE: Public Schoolers Are Paid $1,400 a Pop to Become Social Justice Warriors

Common Sense with Bari Weiss • 1307 implied HN points • 07 Mar 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Education
  1. An activist group in California is paying public high schoolers to learn about social and racial justice, funded by taxpayers, causing controversy
  2. The Free Press is hosting live debates as an alternative to the traditional presidential debates, with the upcoming topic being whether America should close its borders
  3. The movie industry hopes 'Dune: Part Two' will revive Hollywood, but the film's success at the box office doesn't necessarily mean it will bring in a new era of actors with the same impact as previous stars

Fear and Loathing in the American University

diabolical • 353 implied HN points • 11 May 23
🎭️ Culture Education
  1. The author reflects on their turbulent experiences in college, including struggles with education and substance abuse.
  2. They share personal anecdotes of academic challenges, rebellious behavior, and moments of self-realization.
  3. Through storytelling, the author explores themes of defiance, self-discovery, and the impact of relationships on personal growth.

Capital Birds

Bird History • 139 implied HN points • 06 Mar 24
🎭️ Culture Education
  1. Washington, DC has a rich history of bird lovers, researchers, educators, and lobbyists, along with a diverse bird population that has been observed for over 125 years.
  2. The city's residents in the past were heavily involved in Audubon Societies, advocating for bird protection through education, classes, and enforcing laws to preserve birds from threats like market hunters and feather use in fashion.
  3. Changes over the years, such as urban development and climate shifts, have affected bird populations in Washington, with some species becoming scarcer while others have become more common. However, key areas like Rock Creek Park remain popular birding spots.

What does extreme ownership really mean?

Arpit’s Newsletter • 176 implied HN points • 04 Feb 24
💼 Business Education
  1. Extreme ownership means taking initiative and completing tasks without waiting to be told what to do.
  2. Keeping everyone on the same page by proactively sharing progress and potential roadblocks is crucial for success.
  3. Extreme ownership does not mean working twice as hard, but rather taking complete ownership and ensuring delivery of assigned tasks.

Combining 143 World War II movies into one series

ww2supercut’s Substack • 3 HN points • 14 Sep 24
🎭️ Culture Education
  1. The World War II Supercut combines 143 movies into a 12-hour series. It aims to make the timeline of the war easier to understand by using clips from popular films.
  2. Creating this supercut was a huge task that involved a lot of research, editing, and watching movies quickly. It's important to break big projects into smaller, manageable parts.
  3. The project highlights a bias in films, as many popular WWII movies mainly reflect Western perspectives. The creator tried to include a variety of viewpoints but found it challenging.

Where We're Going ...

UnfairNation by Ehsan Zaffar • 6 implied HN points • 10 Feb 26
🕹 Technology Education
  1. The future is moving too fast for old, predictable career roads — you can’t assume a single major or job will map your whole life anymore.
  2. Raw knowledge and fixed skills are less valuable because information is easy to access and many tasks are being automated by AI.
  3. Adaptability is the most important asset now: learning how to learn, staying curious, communicating well, and being open to new ideas will let you thrive when the ground shifts.

the real lessons find a way

bad cattitude • 224 implied HN points • 31 May 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Education
  1. Many believe that topics like racism and inequality have become more prominent in schools, causing division rather than unity. Some argue this creates a cycle of blame without solving the actual problems.
  2. The impact of the COVID pandemic opened parents' eyes to what their children were learning in schools. This has sparked increased scrutiny and questions about education content.
  3. Young people today have faced challenging times, which has made them more resilient. Many believe these experiences are preparing them to succeed in the future compared to previous generations.

A(nother) Step...

Wild Holy & Free • 679 implied HN points • 17 May 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Education
  1. Florida Governor's recent actions can negatively impact marginalized students
  2. Diversity, equity, and inclusion programs are crucial for the well-being and support of marginalized students
  3. Educational inequality is perpetuated through limiting discussions on race and impeding vital programs

College Days, Then and Now

Restoring Truth • 176 implied HN points • 30 Jan 24
🎭️ Culture Education
  1. College life has changed with the influence of social media and modern technology
  2. Current college campuses have a significant presence of leftist ideologies among faculty and students
  3. There is a concern about the impact of radical activism on college campuses and the future of students

What chess taught me about the differences between men and women

The Joyous Struggle • 335 implied HN points • 17 Aug 23
🎭️ Culture Education
  1. Men and women are different, and these differences are reflected in chess aptitude, with implications beyond just biology or psychology.
  2. The gender question involves social, cultural, political, and historical factors, and the conversation must be navigated carefully.
  3. Chess aptitude differences between men and women are complex, with sociological explanations being compelling but not fully convincing.

More Problems at KinderCare (KLC)

The Bear Cave • 209 implied HN points • 05 Jun 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Education
  1. KinderCare has been facing serious concerns about safety and proper care for children, including incidents of abuse and neglect.
  2. A significant portion of KinderCare's revenue comes from government subsidies, which has become more critical for their business model.
  3. Complaints about billing practices have surfaced, indicating a potential issue with how KinderCare manages funds for services not provided.

Behind UCLA’s Funding Freeze: Anti-Israel Professors, Radical Grantmaking and Major DEI Investments

OpenTheBooks Substack • 132 implied HN points • 13 Aug 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Education
  1. UCLA faced a funding freeze from the Trump administration, amounting to $339 million, due to allegations related to antisemitism and poor treatment of Jewish students.
  2. Several professors at UCLA have been criticized for making radical anti-Israel statements, which have raised concerns about the university's academic environment and safety for all students.
  3. UCLA has invested significantly in its Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives, which aim to create a more inclusive campus but have come under scrutiny regarding their alignment with federal funding priorities.

Changing Seasons

Disaffected Newsletter • 539 implied HN points • 05 Jun 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Education
  1. Megyn Kelly spoke out against the use of gender pronouns, suggesting they contribute to a harmful lie that affects women and children.
  2. A Vermont school district was ordered to pay a family $125,000 after punishing them for misgendering a student who made their daughter uncomfortable.
  3. Elon Musk publicly supported banning gender surgeries for children after a conflict with some Twitter employees about a related film promotion.

MAGA, Brain Drain, Not Practicing Law, My First Book, and More

Richard Hanania's Newsletter • 1194 implied HN points • 08 Mar 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Education
  1. The author discusses various topics in response to reader questions, such as why he didn't practice law after obtaining a J.D. from a top school and the value of his law school education.
  2. There's an interesting perspective shared on MAGA and the concept of 'Bullying Grandma,' highlighting the author's view on the emotional dynamics within the movement.
  3. The author shares insights on the likelihood of new educational institutions like University of Austin Texas and the Peterson Academy successfully challenging traditional educational systems.

Harry Potter and the Magical Phone

After Babel • 1471 implied HN points • 01 Dec 23
🎭️ Culture Education
  1. Harry Potter story reimagined for Gen Z revealing the impact of social media on mental health.
  2. Social media platforms like Instagram, Twitter, and TikTok can contribute to issues like depression, distorted views, and unrealistic expectations.
  3. The story emphasizes the importance of protecting young individuals from the potential dangers of unrestricted access to online content.

RKUL: Time Well Spent 05/16/2025

Razib Khan's Unsupervised Learning • 194 implied HN points • 16 Jun 25
🎭️ Culture Education
  1. Spending your time wisely is important, especially with so many distractions like the internet and your phone. Focus on activities that enrich your mind instead.
  2. Books about anthropology and culture can provide valuable insights into how societies evolve and adapt. There are many fascinating works out there that challenge common misconceptions.
  3. Understanding the historical context of cultures helps us comprehend modern societies. Books that explore ancient history can offer important lessons about our current cultural dynamics.

Start the Week #108

Eclecticism: Reflections on literature, writing and life • 8 implied HN points • 26 Jan 26
🎭️ Culture Education
  1. Keep recovery keys, backups and important files stored in several safe places so a forgotten password or a sudden tech issue doesn't derail your work.
  2. Always get consent before sending newsletters or marketing; unsolicited messages annoy people and show poor data-protection practice that can lose subscribers.
  3. Question precise claims and suspicious sales pitches instead of accepting them at face value, and avoid subtle or unnecessary displays of wealth because they tend to put people off.

Lyman Stone on the fertility decline

In My Tribe • 425 implied HN points • 13 Jan 25
🎭️ Culture Education
  1. People are having fewer children because they believe they should. This is influenced by cultural changes rather than just economics.
  2. Declining marriage rates are a big reason for lower actual family sizes compared to desired family sizes. When people marry later or not at all, they tend to have fewer kids.
  3. Education is seen as a factor that leads to lower fertility, but it's complicated. In some cases, better education can lead people to delay marriage and parenthood.

DeFi Ed August Q&A

DeFi Education • 1218 implied HN points • 23 Aug 22
🔮 Crypto Education
  1. This is a chance for everyone to ask questions about DeFi and crypto. It's open to both new and experienced people.
  2. The DeFi Ed team is ready to help with any topic related to markets or content suggestions.
  3. Feedback is welcome, so everyone can contribute to making the information better.

Spirit Whales and Sloth Tales

Street Smart Naturalist: Explorations of the Urban Kind • 299 implied HN points • 26 Oct 23
🔬 Science Education
  1. The book 'Spirit Whales and Sloth Tales' explores the rich fossil history of Washington State, showcasing a vast timeline of plants and animals that lived there over hundreds of millions of years.
  2. It features twenty-four profiles that connect specific fossils with their geological and human history, making the science behind them more engaging and accessible.
  3. The authors include beautiful fossil photos and aim to deepen readers' appreciation for the paleontology and geology of Washington State through these stories.

Why It's Good To Say It's Not Bad

Everything Is Amazing • 1289 implied HN points • 25 Jan 24
🎭️ Culture Education
  1. National Compliment Day celebrates saying pleasantly approving things to others.
  2. Praising performance can lead to higher rates of offline improvement and memory consolidation.
  3. Collaboration in science, like in the newsletter, can lead to more interesting and accurate results.

There are no good right-wing artists

Becoming Noble • 358 implied HN points • 22 Feb 23
🎨 Art & Illustration Education
  1. Producing great art requires more than talent and opportunity; the necessary support systems have been declining over the past century.
  2. There is a significant difference in how left-wing and right-wing artists are educated and supported, affecting their ability to create impactful art.
  3. Great right-wing art needs to be viscerally beautiful, standing on its own merit and referencing universal truths that our current age may suppress.

Young People Can't Get Jobs. Now What?

State of the Future • 228 implied HN points • 15 May 25
💼 Business Education
  1. AI is causing entry-level jobs to disappear, especially for young graduates. Many of the roles that students are training for are fading away fast.
  2. Youth unemployment is increasing, with recent grads struggling to find work. The job market is looking worse for them compared to the overall workforce.
  3. We need new ideas and solutions to help young people find work. Programs that encourage entrepreneurship and skilled trades can help them build careers even as traditional job paths vanish.

Gov. Gavin Newsom acts on boys and men

Of Boys and Men • 139 implied HN points • 09 Aug 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Education
  1. Gov. Newsom's new Executive Order aims to improve support for boys and men, focusing on mental health and community connection. Many young men feel isolated, and this plan seeks to change that.
  2. The initiative encourages more men to participate in education and healthcare roles. Having more men in these professions can help bridge the gap of representation and provide better support for boys and men.
  3. It's important to tackle men's issues without undermining efforts for women's rights. Helping boys and men should go hand-in-hand with supporting women and girls, as it benefits society overall.

👋 New name, new course, and other news

escape the algorithm • 319 implied HN points • 14 Jun 23
🎭️ Culture Education
  1. The newsletter changed its name from Deep Sea Diving to Escape the Algorithm to focus more on the 'why' rather than the 'how' of finding and sharing online content.
  2. The author will be teaching a course called Escape the Algorithm at Penn, delving into ideas explored in the newsletter and developing tools for web exploration.
  3. The author is now a regular contributing writer for Lens, a publication covering cultural trends, business creativity, and crafting art, which may lead to more consistent writing and paid opportunities.

Discarded drafts, cleaning house, etc.

Data People Etc. • 124 implied HN points • 18 Aug 25
🎭️ Culture Education
  1. Letting go of old ideas can free you to think more clearly. It's like cleaning out your closet; once it's done, you feel lighter.
  2. In today's world, our data and privacy are under constant scrutiny. We need to be aware of what's really happening online.
  3. Teamwork is essential, especially when dealing with data. Good coordination leads to better results and a smoother process.

what makes labor valuable?

bad cattitude • 145 implied HN points • 22 Jul 25
💼 Business Education
  1. There are too many college graduates for the available jobs, leading to higher unemployment rates among young graduates. This makes college less reliable for job security and opportunities.
  2. Jobs that involve specialized skills, like architecture or professional sports, can be tough as there are many people competing for a few positions. This can drive wages down.
  3. To make your labor valuable, it's important to have many buyers and limited competition. Developing practical skills in trades may be a smarter choice than pursuing a degree in an oversaturated field.

Fossil records and paper trails

Austin Kleon • 1159 implied HN points • 12 Aug 22
🎭️ Culture Education
  1. Museums can go paperless, which makes us think about the importance of both fossil records and how we document our lives.
  2. Trilobites are fascinating creatures, and there's a lot we can learn from their history and the work of scientists like Richard Fortey.
  3. Sometimes, dreaming of a simple life, like living on an island, can inspire us to appreciate art and literature more deeply.

The Battle of Phoebe & Monica in My Head

The Reclamation Era • 99 implied HN points • 01 Apr 24
🏥 Health & Wellness Education
  1. Understanding your brain's two modes, creative and task-focused, can help manage ADHD better. It's like needing both the fun and relaxed side and the organized side to get things done.
  2. Being aware of how much time is spent in a relaxed, creative state can help push you into more productive tasks. It’s important to find a balance between daydreaming and doing chores.
  3. Teaching or engaging in hands-on activities can ground you and pull you back into focus when you find yourself lost in thoughts. This balance keeps both parts of your brain working well together.