The hottest Education Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
Category
Top International Topics

The Deposit Myth

Altered States of Monetary Consciousness • 481 implied HN points • 08 Mar 24
💼 Business Education
  1. When it comes to 'bank deposits', the traditional verb-noun pairing can be misleading. The term 'deposit' typically implies something being put in, but with banks, it refers to something issued out by the bank like digital casino chips.
  2. Comparing banks to casinos can help understand the concept better. When you 'deposit' cash in a bank, it becomes their asset, and you receive digital chips as a liability. This is opposite to the usual understanding that a deposit is something put in the bank.
  3. The language around 'bank deposits' can create misunderstandings, especially in economics. An update in how we define and understand 'bank deposits' can help clear up these misconceptions and align with the actual operations involved.

Cybersecurity Workforce Woes

Resilient Cyber • 1 HN point • 16 Sep 24
🕹 Technology Education
  1. The cybersecurity job market is confusing, with many positions unfilled while experienced professionals struggle to find jobs. This suggests a mismatch between job demands and qualifications.
  2. Budget cuts are affecting cybersecurity staffing and resources, causing many companies to hire only to replace existing employees rather than expand. This reflects a general slowdown in budget growth for security initiatives.
  3. There are challenges for new entrants trying to break into cybersecurity jobs due to high experience requirements and a lack of practical opportunities. Many educated candidates still find it hard to secure roles, leading to frustration.

The Equation That Outsmarts AI: y=mx+b

Shrek's Substack • 4 HN points • 19 Aug 24
🕹 Technology Education
  1. The way you ask questions and set the model's temperature can really affect how well AI solves math problems. Clear prompts and specific instructions can help improve its accuracy.
  2. AI like GPT-4o struggles with big numbers and can make mistakes about half the time when calculating linear equations. It works better with smaller numbers.
  3. It's important to be careful when using AI for math, especially in education. Using other tools to double-check results can help avoid mistakes.

Writing the personal as political

Men Yell at Me • 181 implied HN points • 16 Jan 25
📚 Literature Education
  1. Writing about personal experiences can expose and critique bigger political issues. It's about connecting your life to the systems that affect everyone.
  2. It's important to remember that the 'political' includes various topics like racism, healthcare, and immigration, not just party politics. Your story can shine a light on these issues.
  3. Sharing our stories helps create understanding and change. Your words can make a difference by including all voices and challenging oppressive systems.
Get a weekly roundup of the best Substack posts, by hacker news affinity:

The Saturday Selection, Vol. 24

Why is this interesting? • 241 implied HN points • 19 Oct 24
🎭️ Culture Education
  1. Recording progress in skills can show how much you improve over time. For example, one person showed that after 2,000 hours of piano practice, he became a great pianist.
  2. It's important to create original work rather than just capturing what others do. Embracing this mindset can lead to greater creativity and success.
  3. Cheating can happen in even the most unexpected places, like in a conker championship, which shows the importance of fair play in competitions.

The Average Chinese City

ChinaTalk • 652 implied HN points • 04 Oct 23
🌐 International Education
  1. Some of the top headlines from China reveal struggling economic situations post-zero-covid.
  2. Small cities like Baoji reflect challenges in China's economy with falling home prices and limited job prospects.
  3. Education in small-town China can be marketized, with families fighting for opportunities in local high schools.

The Kindergarten Intifada

The Truth Fairy • 221 implied HN points • 05 Nov 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Education
  1. There's a growing concern about teachers in America promoting anti-Israel views to students. Many educators are openly discussing ways to push their political beliefs in the classroom without getting in trouble.
  2. Jewish students are increasingly facing harassment and bullying related to the anti-Israel sentiment in schools. This negative climate can make Jewish students feel isolated and targeted by their peers.
  3. The inclusion of ethnic studies in school curricula is being used as a platform for anti-Israel activism. Some believe this is creating a generation that holds prejudiced views against Jews and Israel.

Links to Consider, 1/26

In My Tribe • 486 implied HN points • 26 Jan 24
🎭️ Culture Education
  1. Some college graduates lack basic skills due to learning deficits and grade inflation.
  2. Cultural inheritance and genetic factors may influence executive function and social mobility.
  3. Economic development impacts societal norms and individualism based on cultural practices like cousin marriage.

Live Session: How Modern CPUs Execute Your Code: A Deep Dive into Performance

Confessions of a Code Addict • 168 implied HN points • 14 Jan 25
🕹 Technology Education
  1. Understanding how modern CPUs work can help you fix performance problems in your code. Learning about how the processor executes code is key to improving your programs.
  2. Important features like cache hierarchies and branch prediction can greatly affect how fast your code runs. Knowing about these can help you write better and more efficient code.
  3. The live session will offer practical tips and real-world examples to apply what you've learned. It's a chance to ask questions and see how to tackle performance issues directly.

The Counterfactual's year in review, and an announcement

The Counterfactual • 79 implied HN points • 29 Dec 23
🔬 Science Education
  1. The Counterfactual had a successful year, growing its readership significantly after a popular post about large language models. It’s great to see how sharing knowledge can attract more people.
  2. Key posts focused on topics like construct validity and the understanding of large language models. These discussions are crucial for improving how we evaluate and understand AI technology.
  3. In 2024, the plan includes more posts and introducing paid subscriptions that allow subscribers to vote on future research projects. This will encourage community participation in exploring interesting ideas.

The Third Person

Desk Notes by Charles Schifano • 170 implied HN points • 03 Jan 25
📚 Literature Education
  1. Writing in the third person can feel freeing because it allows for distance from personal emotions. It helps some writers feel less vulnerable and more objective in their work.
  2. Many people struggle with expressing personal views in writing, often feeling it's arrogant to use 'I'. This can create a barrier to authentic self-expression in writing.
  3. Finding one's true writing voice can come from personal growth and life experiences over time, rather than just practice in writing. It's an ongoing journey of self-discovery.

LLM Links

In My Tribe • 212 implied HN points • 28 Oct 24
🕹 Technology Education
  1. Using AI to do students' writing can take away the benefits of creativity and expression that come from writing practice. It's important for students to engage with the writing process themselves.
  2. AI tools like NotebookLM are changing how we create content, such as podcasts. These tools can generate engaging discussions, but they need to be customizable to suit individual styles.
  3. AI is seen as a powerful tool that can enhance research and intelligence. Instead of just analyzing data, it can help in conducting experiments and discovering new methods in various fields.

​​Global Space and Technology Convention: highlights by Space Ambition

Space Ambition • 219 implied HN points • 17 Mar 23
🕹 Technology Education
  1. The conference highlighted the growing trend of international collaboration in space, with countries teaming up to share knowledge and resources. This is a positive change, as seen in recent agreements between countries like Israel and the UAE.
  2. New research on human reproduction in space was announced, focusing on how traits like low gravity can impact pregnancy. This could be crucial for future space missions and understanding human health in space.
  3. Educational programs are being introduced to inspire the next generation of space engineers, like the STEM 2.0 program and space internships. These initiatives aim to spark interest in careers related to space technology.

Interview with AMNH President Sean Decatur

Science Forever • 119 implied HN points • 06 Jul 23
🎨 Art & Illustration Education
  1. Museums like the AMNH play a vital role in preserving collections that help us understand the biodiversity and evolutionary history of life on Earth.
  2. Ethical collecting practices are crucial in the field, with a focus on forming partnerships and collaborations to ensure clarity and responsibility in specimen collection.
  3. Informal science education at museums, such as the AMNH, provides a unique platform for inspiring curiosity, understanding the scientific process, and addressing important issues like climate change to the public.

Summer in the Kingdom

Shore Leave • 119 implied HN points • 01 Sep 23
🎭️ Culture Education
  1. Driving in Riyadh is chaotic and unique. It seems like everyone follows their own rules, making the roads feel like a wild game.
  2. The city has new, fancy buildings but feels incomplete and poorly managed. Many places seem to crumble, even though a lot of money has been spent.
  3. Interacting with the local culture is both surprising and complex. Despite strict traditions, there's a mix of modern influences, and young people are excited about change.

Wanna Play Chess? ♟️

Sector 6 | The Newsletter of AIM • 59 implied HN points • 05 Feb 24
🕹 Technology Education
  1. A chess player used a special device to analyze moves, and it suggested a popular opening strategy.
  2. Famous chess player Viswanathan Anand has been using AI tools to understand chess better and improve training.
  3. Anand emphasized that while AI is getting better, chess will always be a human game and can't be fully replaced.

notes on camp

button mash • 117 implied HN points • 09 Jul 23
🕹 Technology Education
  1. Attended ITP Camp at NYU's Brooklyn campus for a month
  2. Participated in a wide range of classes and workshops on storytelling, game-making, and coding
  3. Embraced a collaborative, open environment that led to personal growth and new creative projects

What Should Grow?

Adapt : Survive : Prevail • 117 implied HN points • 06 Jun 23
🌞 Climate & Environment Education
  1. Focus on areas like medicine for improving human life and reducing suffering.
  2. Expand education by democratizing and decommodifying it, emphasizing the love of learning.
  3. Promote recreational activities that are meaningful and less destructive, moving away from commodification.

Double-Plus-Ungood: GMU's Orwellian "Just Societies" Mandate

Bet On It • 422 implied HN points • 04 Mar 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Education
  1. The GMU's 'Just Societies' mandate is viewed as a thinly-veiled woke indoctrination requirement that lacks exploration of different views on justice. It focuses heavily on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) principles.
  2. The requirement assumes the DEI view of justice is correct, overlooking deep controversies and philosophical debates. Alternative perspectives like color-blind meritocracy are dismissed.
  3. Critics argue that the mandate promotes state-sponsored ideological activism, ignores traditional philosophical debates on justice, and signifies leftist indoctrination within academia.

Women in Space: #EmbraceEquity

Space Ambition • 219 implied HN points • 10 Mar 23
🔬 Science Education
  1. Women make up only about 20-22% of the space industry workforce, and only 12% of all astronauts have been women. We need to work together to change this.
  2. Successful women in space and tech inspire others to join the field. Recognizing their achievements can encourage girls to explore careers in these areas.
  3. Organizations are helping to support women in space careers, showing that having more diverse voices leads to better innovation and exploration in the industry.

Daft Spunk

Heterodox STEM • 206 implied HN points • 03 Nov 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Education
  1. Many men are avoiding university because they feel outnumbered by women and see fewer opportunities for relationships. This trend reflects a change in the gender dynamics at schools.
  2. The university environment is increasingly seen as accommodating to women while being less appealing to men. This might lead men to pursue different paths for their careers.
  3. There are concerns about how the current educational focus on diversity and inclusion is affecting the overall representation of men in universities, possibly impacting future relationships and social dynamics.

We Live Like Royalty and Don’t Know It

Common Sense with Bari Weiss • 129 implied HN points • 26 Feb 25
🎭️ Culture Education
  1. Many people don't realize how much they benefit from complex systems that provide food, water, and healthcare. It's important to understand these systems to appreciate the comforts we have.
  2. Events like weddings showcase how ordinary people can enjoy luxuries that were once only for the wealthy. This shows a change in how we live compared to the past.
  3. Understanding and maintaining our modern systems is crucial. If we ignore them, we risk losing the conveniences we've come to expect in daily life.

Episode 105: Give Me The Child

Disaffected Newsletter • 279 implied HN points • 06 Feb 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Education
  1. Donald Trump is speaking out against transitioning kids and wants to stop institutions that he believes harm children.
  2. Some parents seem to be getting attention for abusing their kids by promoting gender transitions on social media.
  3. People are still facing job loss for refusing to wear face masks even after the pandemic has changed.

Twitter posts I'd love to talk about

Defender’s corner • 19 implied HN points • 28 May 24
🎭️ Culture Education
  1. Engaging in thought-provoking Twitter discussions can lead to fascinating real-life conversations where new perspectives are shared and learned.
  2. Understanding different perspectives and reasons behind disagreements is crucial for progress and better communication.
  3. Exploring ideas that challenge the norm can lead to insights that may be overlooked or undervalued in the present, potentially shaping the future.

China’s Ivory Tower in Lockdown: Top Universities Hide Behind Gates

Pekingnology • 64 implied HN points • 04 Jul 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Education
  1. Top universities in China, like Tsinghua and Peking University, have strict campus entry rules, making them less accessible to the public. This creates a sense of exclusion that goes against their purpose as public institutions.
  2. Many global universities are open and welcoming, which contrasts sharply with the restrictive policies of these Chinese institutions. This difference raises concerns about how these universities view their public role.
  3. Keeping campuses closed teaches students to favor isolation and exclusivity over openness. This could influence their future decisions and perspectives in negative ways, perpetuating a cycle of separation from broader society.

Dear Sarah Lawrence College

Disaffected Newsletter • 419 implied HN points • 01 Sep 22
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Education
  1. The author feels ashamed of their degree from Sarah Lawrence College, seeing it as linked to negative aspects of modern education. They believe the school promotes a 'woke' ideology that they find problematic.
  2. While they had a good personal experience at the college, they now see the education they received as potentially leading to a closed-minded worldview.
  3. The author emphasizes the importance of questioning authoritarian thinking and being aware of different perspectives outside their college education.

Start the Week #105

Eclecticism: Reflections on literature, writing and life • 10 implied HN points • 08 Dec 25
🎭️ Culture Education
  1. The author is busy and has a lot of reading and writing to do for upcoming deadlines. This means the newsletter schedule might be a bit inconsistent for a while.
  2. The author reflects on male bonding, noting that hugs and emotional displays might not feel genuine and preferring a more traditional style of bonding like joking and shoulder taps.
  3. The author is excited about teaching a writing course soon and has more ideas for lessons than he has time for, which he considers a nice problem to have.

Optimism and Contrarianism

Risk Musings • 401 implied HN points • 03 Mar 24
🏥 Health & Wellness Education
  1. Optimism can coexist with contrarian thinking, prompting reflection on unseen factors in economic forecasts and societal trends.
  2. Critical challenges like climate change, education gaps, and healthcare system issues require immediate attention and action.
  3. Geopolitical conflicts and societal malaise are ongoing concerns, emphasizing the need for realistic optimism and proactive efforts to address global issues.

Launching: Mini Printer Pal!!!

vrk loves paper • 119 implied HN points • 01 Aug 23
🕹 Technology Education
  1. Mini Printer Pal is a free tool that helps you edit photos for a specific printer, making printing easier for users.
  2. The creator found joy in working solo after many years of team projects, feeling a sense of accomplishment from start to finish.
  3. Looking ahead, the creator is considering new projects, such as building a fortune-telling device or creating a stationery zine with friends.

Wokeness Poisons Science

Skeptic • 158 implied HN points • 21 Dec 24
🔬 Science Education
  1. Wokeness is changing how science is done, affecting hiring practices and funding by introducing criteria based on identity rather than merit. This can lead to important scientific work being overlooked if it doesn't align with social justice agendas.
  2. The focus on equality of outcomes instead of opportunities can create flawed policies. It assumes that any inequality in outcomes is solely due to discrimination, ignoring factors like personal choice, abilities, and luck.
  3. Academia is experiencing a shift where free speech and diverse viewpoints are increasingly suppressed. Criticism of woke ideology can lead to severe backlash and censorship, stifling honest discussions in scientific fields.

Boy Bird House Architecture

Bird History • 79 implied HN points • 05 Dec 23
💾 History Education
  1. In the Progressive era, children learned to build birdhouses in school to protect birds and cultivate important life values.
  2. Building birdhouses in schools was not just about conservation, but also about nurturing a love for birds and nature in children.
  3. Birdhouse building contests were a common community event that engaged boys, taught craftsmanship, and promoted bird protection on a larger scale.

The $62 Million High School Stadium That Sparked a National Debate

Huddle Up • 47 implied HN points • 01 Aug 25
🎾 Sports Education
  1. Buford High School recently built a $62 million stadium, which has sparked a lot of discussion about how schools spend their money. Many people are questioning if this money should have gone to libraries or teachers instead.
  2. Some states, like Texas, are seeing high schools build very expensive stadiums that cost between $40 million and $80 million. This has raised concerns about teaching priorities when coaches often earn much more than teachers.
  3. The debate isn't just about Buford; it's happening everywhere as communities might face similar choices about funding education versus sports. Understanding how these projects are financed is important for everyone.

Hello from Jac - The New QF Experience Manager

Quantum Formalism • 59 implied HN points • 17 Jan 24
💼 Business Education
  1. Jac Novak is the new Community Experience Manager for Quantum Formalism at Zaiku Group and aims to engage actively with the community for feedback on educational experiences.
  2. Her background in tourism and hospitality influences her approach, emphasizing Cultural Communication strategies to make quantum computing more relatable.
  3. Jac invites connections on LinkedIn and expresses enthusiasm to humanize emerging technologies and promote accessibility in Quantum Information Science and Abstract Mathematics.