The hottest Education Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
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Open Thread 313

Astral Codex Ten • 2202 implied HN points • 29 Jan 24
🔬 Science Research Genetics Psychology Fiction Education
  1. Genes matter 2x as much as the environment in schizophrenia, not 4x as previously thought
  2. A study on political reasoning errors failed to replicate, questioning a larger literature on the topic
  3. Humans merging with AI may not be unprecedented, as evidenced by a medieval Italian man merging with a knife

The new academy: modern intellectuals are writing their best ideas on Substack

read • 19320 implied HN points • 01 Jun 23
🎭️ Culture Academia Intellectuals Education Writing
  1. Substack provides a platform for academics to share their ideas more freely and immediately with a wider audience than traditional academic journals.
  2. Substack allows scholars to earn revenue from their publications and engage with readers in a more personal and direct manner.
  3. It offers a space for academics to innovate, challenge traditional academic norms, and explore intellectual contributions outside the constraints of conventional academia.

Weekend Listening: The Right Way to Fight Illiberalism

Common Sense with Bari Weiss • 2119 implied HN points • 27 Jan 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Education Law Ideology Activism Governance
  1. There is a spreading concern about the moral decline within American universities due to instances of antisemitism and ideological indoctrination.
  2. Many states are reevaluating Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives on college campuses through legislation and policy changes.
  3. There is a debate about the nature of DEI ideology, with some viewing it as an illiberal force prioritizing identity over ideas, while others argue about its Marxist influences and impact on societal values.

A New York School Wipes Israel off the Map. Chris Christie’s Hot-Mic Dropout. Intergenerational Fight Club.

Common Sense with Bari Weiss • 2596 implied HN points • 11 Jan 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Education Antisemitism Presidential Election Air Travel
  1. Teaching kids about different cultures must be done carefully to avoid misinformation or biases.
  2. Generational gaps and misunderstandings exist, but it's important to acknowledge the unique qualities and challenges of each generation.
  3. Misinformation and sensationalism can quickly lead to harmful stereotypes and fuel conspiracy theories, highlighting the importance of responsible reporting.

What Books Are Really Getting Banned?

Common Sense with Bari Weiss • 2323 implied HN points • 18 Jan 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Education Presidential Race Foreign Policy Pandemic response
  1. Investigation found that the issue is not banned books but limited exposure to diverse opinions, especially in school libraries.
  2. Political dynamics in Iowa show low Republican turnouts and endorsements, hinting at an emerging trend in the upcoming elections.
  3. Heartbreaking letter from an Israeli reflects the ongoing trauma and desperate plea for the return of hostages, shedding light on the human cost of conflict.
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Republicans, Now Is The Time For School Choice

Erick Erickson's Confessions of a Political Junkie • 1434 implied HN points • 07 Feb 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Education Policy Republicans School choice Democrats
  1. Some schools in Illinois have no children reading on grade level, sparking a call for school choice.
  2. School choice is seen as a winning issue for Republicans because it empowers parents and benefits children.
  3. Republican opposition to school choice is being questioned, as data suggests its positive impact.

Exclusive: Healthcare CEO refuses to resign or provide proof of doctorate following Karlstack investigation

Karlstack • 510 implied HN points • 13 Mar 24
📰 News Investigative Journalism Healthcare Education Ethics Leadership
  1. Questions regarding honesty and qualifications of top executives can severely impact an organization's reputation.
  2. Verification of educational credentials is crucial, especially in sensitive sectors like healthcare.
  3. Investigative journalism plays a vital role in uncovering potential misconduct and ensuring transparency in professional environments.

The Deposit Myth

Altered States of Monetary Consciousness • 481 implied HN points • 08 Mar 24
💼 Business Banking Economics Finance 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.

‘Woke Kindergarten’ Is Capitalism At Work

Singal-Minded • 972 implied HN points • 05 Feb 24
💼 Business Education Capitalism
  1. An elementary school in Hayward, CA spent $250,000 on Woke Kindergarten, a for-profit company, to address student achievement issues.
  2. Despite the investment, student achievement at Glassbrook Elementary has fallen, highlighting the vulnerability of the students and the urgency of quality education.
  3. The situation underscores the capitalistic nature of the educational system, even when initiatives claim to be against capitalism.

Making writers’ lives easier

Substack • 745 implied HN points • 16 Feb 24
🕹 Technology Support Chatbot Tools Education Community
  1. Substack is making efforts to ease the lives of writers by introducing a Writer Success team, chatbot, and tools to support them.
  2. The new Writer Success team is focused on technical support, educational resources, and supporting the writer community for a better experience.
  3. Substack's chatbot taps into years of knowledge to provide writers instant help, addressing common issues and connecting them with support.

Writing Is a Bad Habit

Justin E. H. Smith's Hinternet • 915 implied HN points • 04 Feb 24
📖 Philosophy Writing Literature Philosophy Culture Education
  1. The author believes writing is not a lifestyle to be celebrated, but rather a bad habit.
  2. They express frustration with the cultural recursion and excessive focus on writing within platforms like Substack.
  3. The author emphasizes the importance of conveying a unique sensibility through writing rather than focusing on writing rituals and advice.

Dear Marc Rowan, Bill Ackman, Jon Huntsman, et al.

Erick Erickson's Confessions of a Political Junkie • 3321 implied HN points • 26 Oct 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Education Antisemitism Elite Institutions Political Donations
  1. Some donors are pulling funding from Ivy League institutions due to concerns about anti-Semitism on campuses.
  2. There is a call to focus diversity training on addressing anti-Semitism in addition to other forms of discrimination.
  3. Suggesting a shift in hiring focus towards graduates from institutions where values align with American ideals.

Ibram Kendi's Crusade against the Enlightenment

Glenn Loury • 3557 implied HN points • 15 Oct 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Ideology Education Ethics Civil Rights Government
  1. The article discusses Ibram Kendi's rejection of the western intellectual tradition and his call for a new academic discipline.
  2. Kendi criticizes standardized tests in education as a racist policy that degrades black minds and bodies.
  3. Kendi proposes a radical solution to racism in the United States, advocating for a totalitarian government run by 'formally trained experts in racism.'

8 Forecasts & Implications for the Years Ahead :: 2024+

Implications, by Scott Belsky • 1356 implied HN points • 04 Jan 24
🕹 Technology AI Education Entertainment Organizational Design Data Analysis
  1. The future will be personalized to your preferences, with digital experiences tailored to you.
  2. Local OS-native AI models will improve everyday life and redefine consumer AI, focusing on personalization, trust, and privacy.
  3. Small brands will become more competitive with big brands, AI will influence purchase decisions, and education will undergo a significant transformation.

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

Bet On It • 422 implied HN points • 04 Mar 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Education Diversity Free speech Academic Freedom Ideology
  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.

A Racist Smear. A Tarnished Career. And the Suicide of Richard Bilkszto.

Common Sense with Bari Weiss • 5379 implied HN points • 03 Aug 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Diversity Education DEI Race Tragedy
  1. Kike Ojo-Thompson claimed Canada is more racist than the United States.
  2. Richard Bilkszto challenged this claim and faced public shaming, leading to dire consequences.
  3. The tragic outcome underscores the potential real-world consequences of contentious diversity, equity, and inclusion training sessions.

MBAs and the death of credentialism

Hot Takes • 1041 implied HN points • 17 Jan 24
💼 Business Education Employment Experience Networks Knowledge
  1. In the internet age, real-world experience like running a business is more valuable than just academic theory.
  2. In creative fields like marketing, MBAs are becoming less relevant due to a lack of real experience and understanding.
  3. With the democratization of knowledge online, the necessity of a fancy MBA degree is diminishing, and real-world contributions hold more weight.

Signs and Portents

One Useful Thing • 1227 implied HN points • 06 Jan 24
🕹 Technology AI Information Security Education AI Ethics
  1. AI development is happening faster than expected, with estimates of AI beating humans at all tasks shifting to 2047 from 2060 in just one year.
  2. AI is already impacting work by boosting performance, particularly for lower performers, and excelling in some tasks while struggling in others.
  3. AI is altering the truth through deepfakes, convincing AI-generated images, and advancements in completing CAPTCHAs and sending convincing emails.

Optimism and Contrarianism

Risk Musings • 401 implied HN points • 03 Mar 24
🏥 Health & Wellness Climate change 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.

A dystopian Peter Pan

uTobian • 7724 implied HN points • 19 Mar 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Health Politics News Education
  1. Democrats believe children should make medical decisions with lifelong consequences.
  2. Minor consent bills allowing children to be vaccinated without parental consent are seen as unethical.
  3. Endocrine disruption from vaccines may prevent some children from hitting puberty.

Weekend reads: Are diversity statements political litmus tests?

Lean Out with Tara Henley • 864 implied HN points • 21 Jan 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Diversity University Discrimination Inclusion Education
  1. Diversity statements in academia could be seen as political litmus tests that impact hiring practices.
  2. The assumptions behind diversity statements, such as addressing historical discrimination, should be open to debate.
  3. The discussion on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) in academia should involve constructive dialogue and understanding of both sides' perspectives.

The Global Food Institute, an update

Longer Tables with José Andrés • 825 implied HN points • 22 Jan 24
🍲 Food & Drink Education Policy Innovation Humanities Sustainability
  1. The Global Food Institute aims to inspire a new generation to solve big food problems through policy, innovation, and humanities.
  2. The Institute has made progress, including participation in events like the World Food Forum and the launch of the Alliance for a Sustainable Future.
  3. Key leaders like Bill Dietz and Tara Scully are driving research, policy work, and curriculum development at the Institute.

Malcolm in the middle (well, at the beginning)

Logging the World • 299 implied HN points • 07 Mar 24
🔬 Science Communication Mathematics Education
  1. Using interesting anecdotes or 'Malcolms' at the beginning can engage a wider audience and make complex topics more appealing.
  2. Balancing academic style writing with engaging storytelling can make science communication more effective and impactful.
  3. Integrating rhetorical tricks and interesting facts can drive curiosity and encourage broader audiences to explore complex subjects.

Things don't only get better

imperfect offerings • 379 implied HN points • 26 Feb 24
🕹 Technology AI Climate Workforce Education Models
  1. Improvements in AI models are not always guaranteed, as evidenced by instances of models getting worse over time due to tweaks and updates.
  2. Investment in AI technology is booming, generating wealth for billionaires while possibly hindering investment in viable low-carbon tech solutions for climate change.
  3. The narrative surrounding AI portrays it as a powerful force for the future, but practical solutions for climate crisis require more than just technological advancements - they also need systemic changes and investments.