The hottest Education Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
Category
Top International Topics

An unanswerable question

Sunday Letters • 119 implied HN points • 12 Mar 23
🎶 Music Education
  1. It's common to feel stuck in the middle of learning a skill, as there's a lot of unclear paths between beginner and expert.
  2. Asking for clear guidance on your personal journey can be tough because everyone's path is unique.
  3. You can learn a lot by observing others, even if you can't get a complete roadmap for your own journey.

What a Second Trump Term Might Mean for Disability Policy

Can We Still Govern? • 105 implied HN points • 03 Nov 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Education
  1. Project 2025 suggests changes that could make it harder for people with disabilities to get education and support. This may mean less help from federal programs that many rely on.
  2. The housing situation for disabled individuals could get worse. The plan wants to remove protections against housing discrimination without offering new solutions.
  3. Health care coverage for disabled people is at risk. Proposed changes could make it easier for insurance companies to deny coverage and make Medicaid harder to access.

Writing as synthesis

imperfect offerings • 59 implied HN points • 01 Oct 23
🕹 Technology Education
  1. Generative AI is being regulated in industries like Hollywood to ensure human writers receive proper credit and compensation even when AI-generated content is used in the development process.
  2. The future of AI in education presents opportunities for collaborative efforts to create public sector language models, potentially shifting costs to governments for developing foundational models for various languages.
  3. Vygotsky's perspective emphasizes how generative AI tools should engage humans in advanced thought processes and interpersonal activities, rather than just producing text, sparking questions about learners' interactions and collective knowledge production.

Talking science with the UKRI CEO

Science Forever • 59 implied HN points • 13 Apr 23
🔬 Science Education
  1. UKRI (UK Research and Innovation) is an organization formed by merging various research councils and bodies to drive progress in research and innovation across disciplines efficiently.
  2. UKRI CEO, Ottoline Leyser, discusses the importance of associating with Horizon Europe for research collaborations and the challenges of aligning UK & EU funding mechanisms.
  3. Focusing on expanding research excellence and innovation nationwide, UKRI implements programs like the Strength in Places Fund and Innovation Accelerator pilots to drive local capacity building and economic growth.

Software Verification Course

Quantum Formalism • 59 implied HN points • 20 Apr 23
🕹 Technology Education
  1. The Zaiku Group is running a six-week virtual school on Software Verification with a focus on functional programming.
  2. Course topics include definitions, backward proofs via tactics, functional programming, inductive predicates, decidability of propositions, and a final project.
  3. Interested individuals need to apply due to limited availability and follow the QF community on LinkedIn and Discord for updates.
Get a weekly roundup of the best Substack posts, by hacker news affinity:

Two End-of-Year Talks: bell hooks' Labors of Love and the Power of the Humanities

Humanities in Revolt • 119 implied HN points • 15 Nov 22
🎭️ Culture Education
  1. bell hooks emphasized the importance of love as a transformative force in social justice movements, but faced skepticism, especially from younger audiences.
  2. Upcoming presentations will focus on bell hooks' contributions to feminist thought and the power of humanities in understanding existential priorities.
  3. The talks will be open to the public, offer insights into human oppression, and emphasize the value of humanities in shaping our perspectives on living well.

Prompt Engineering Lecture

Elvis's Blog • 58 implied HN points • 19 Feb 23
🕹 Technology Education
  1. The post is about a special lecture on prompt engineering techniques for language models.
  2. The lecture is divided into four parts: Introduction to Prompt Engineering, Advanced Techniques, Tools and Applications, and Conclusion with Future Directions.
  3. The post provides links to notebook, slides, and GitHub for further exploration.

The dread of ChatGPT

Digital Epidemiology • 58 implied HN points • 15 Feb 23
🕹 Technology Education
  1. Feeling dread about AI is common, even among those close to technology.
  2. Technology revolutions follow predictable patterns of early failures and eventual mass adoption.
  3. The speed of AI development is a key concern, potentially leading to irreversible damage and shifts in power dynamics.

Jim Comey & Me

Under the Hood: The Power of Principled Leadership • 58 implied HN points • 31 May 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Education
  1. Edward Levi led us away from the abyss by repairing our democracy after Watergate
  2. Levi's principles included unity over ethics, repairing damage even if not involved, and advocating for women's rights
  3. Early education, equality under the law, and true justice through reconciliation were key elements of Levi's leadership that remain relevant today

Book Review: All In on AI

Mike Talks AI • 58 implied HN points • 12 Aug 23
💼 Business Education
  1. Create a factory for building and deploying AI applications.
  2. Education is crucial for upskilling employees and executives in AI.
  3. Be creative in AI applications, think beyond operational efficiency.

Excess Capacity in SFUSD's schools

SFEDup • 58 implied HN points • 21 Mar 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Education
  1. Different sources provide varying estimates of capacity for SFUSD schools.
  2. Actual enrollment history may provide a more accurate measure of capacity than the Facilities Master Plan.
  3. SFUSD has excess space for about 25% more students than currently enrolled, which may indicate too much capacity.

The misguided yearning for a better plan

Wednesday Wisdom • 104 implied HN points • 30 Oct 24
💼 Business Education
  1. Having a better plan isn't the solution; it's all about how well you execute the plan you have. Good results come from good execution, not just a fancy plan.
  2. Many people look for secret techniques to improve, but the truth is that everyone knows what to do. The problem is usually that they just aren't doing it well.
  3. Instead of searching high and low for a better plan, focus on improving how you do what you're already doing. Making small changes in execution can lead to big improvements.

Seizing the Means of Perception

Daniel Pinchbeck’s Newsletter • 7 implied HN points • 24 Nov 25
🎭️ Culture Education
  1. AI presents huge harms — from job losses and surveillance to massive energy use and even existential risks — that are already reshaping society and the economy.
  2. At the same time, AI is a powerful media tool that can democratize storytelling and spread ideas quickly, so it can be used for good or ill depending on who controls it.
  3. There’s a short window to learn and experiment with AI storytelling so ethical creators can seize cultural influence, build alternatives, and counter the sway of wealthy, malicious actors.

Episode 86: Oh, Canada!

Disaffected Newsletter • 199 implied HN points • 19 Sep 22
🎙 Podcasts Education
  1. The podcast discusses issues related to Canada, giving listeners insights into the country's situation.
  2. Listeners can expect a blend of commentary and analysis, which may challenge their perspectives.
  3. It's encouraged to support the podcast through subscriptions to help it continue running.

What If My Patient Wants To Lose Weight?

Weight and Healthcare • 279 implied HN points • 01 Dec 21
🏥 Health & Wellness Education
  1. Patients often desire weight loss because they've been influenced by healthcare practitioners and societal norms.
  2. Healthcare practitioners have a crucial role in shifting patient perspectives about weight loss and health.
  3. It's important for healthcare providers to address weight loss requests by educating on evidence-based alternatives and supporting patients in their health goals.

Digital tug-of-war

Working Theorys • 72 implied HN points • 19 Jan 25
💼 Business Education
  1. The debate over banning TikTok is making people more aware of digital trade. It shows how important it is in the economy, making up a big part of global trade now.
  2. Business schools, especially MBA programs, are facing criticism for not preparing students for job markets well. They're seen more as a time to learn and network rather than just a pathway to a job.
  3. Many CEOs who step down often come back, bringing fresh ideas and perspectives. This trend shows how important past experiences can be in reshaping a company's vision.

Can you dance to this?

Splattern • 39 implied HN points • 05 Dec 23
🎭️ Culture Education
  1. Dancing can enhance the experience of listening to music or audiobooks. Doing both activities together can make each one more enjoyable and engaging.
  2. Responding to difficult content through dance can help process emotions. This allows for a physical reaction while remaining attentive to the material being listened to.
  3. Incorporating music and rhythm into learning can improve memory and comprehension. Using dance or songs can make educational experiences more memorable and fun.

Kids Today Can't Read - Even College Kids

Litverse • 18 HN points • 22 Mar 24
📚 Literature Education
  1. Kids today struggle with reading due to a lack of concentration, influenced by smartphone usage.
  2. The future of literature faces uncertainty - it could either see a renaissance or risk extinction.
  3. Education systems are adapting to students' reading reluctance by reducing the focus on novels and embracing shorter forms of content.

Wealthy, Elite Universities Like Harvard Taxed You $45 Billion In Last Five Years

OpenTheBooks Substack • 241 implied HN points • 15 Nov 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Education
  1. Wealthy universities like Harvard received $45 billion in federal payments, tax breaks, and subsidies over the last five years.
  2. Top universities prioritized securing federal contracts and grants over student tuition, with $33 billion flowing to them annually.
  3. Elite universities also benefited from special tax treatment benefits on endowment gains and additional government subsidies.

Candidate profile: Bethany Mandel

Can We Still Govern? • 193 implied HN points • 21 Feb 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Education
  1. Bethany Mandel is posing as a Democrat for a predominantly Democratic region, even though she identifies as a Republican and campaigns in an anti-woke, right-wing style.
  2. Mandel raises concerns about legal fees in the school district yet is actively suing the school while also suing teachers for blocking her on Twitter, showing a lack of consistency.
  3. Mandel, despite not having her children attend school, is critical toward public services, misunderstands the social contract, flip-flopped on vaccines during the pandemic, and lacks tolerance for views diverging from her own.

Glimpses Behind The Curtain

Soaring Twenties • 201 implied HN points • 07 Feb 24
🎭️ Culture Education
  1. Working in a corporate environment can reveal what truly happens behind the scenes.
  2. Sometimes official reports and policies may not reflect the reality of a situation.
  3. Persistence and follow-up is key to getting things done efficiently.

Towards An Artistic Middle Class

Castalia • 139 implied HN points • 21 Nov 22
🎭️ Culture Education
  1. Art should be seen as a steady job, like any other career, instead of a do-or-die gamble. The idea is to encourage hard work over chasing fame.
  2. An artistic middle class is beginning to form, with more middle-level jobs and support for artists. This includes university programs and new ways to earn money through digital platforms.
  3. For artists to thrive together, they need to value creativity over status. They should support each other and focus on producing good work instead of competing for attention.

How do AI security products being sold to schools really work?

School Shooting Data Analysis and Reports • 19 implied HN points • 12 Mar 24
🕹 Technology Education
  1. School administrators are facing pressure to evaluate AI security products but may lack expert knowledge to do so.
  2. Understanding how AI models are trained, the probability threshold, and error rates are crucial when assessing AI security solutions.
  3. The high stakes of AI security decisions for schools underscore the importance of asking detailed questions about the technology being implemented.

The Present is Female

Holodoxa • 99 implied HN points • 20 Jan 23
🎭️ Culture Education
  1. In many ways, men have fallen from their prominent position, with concerns rising about the social and economic well-being of boys and men.
  2. There are significant disparities between men and women in education and the labor market, with girls outperforming boys in school and fewer men participating in the workforce today than in 1979.
  3. Biological and psychological differences between genders, such as differences in brain development and social behaviors, play a role in observed disparities between males and females.

Best of Economic Forces: 2025 Edition

Economic Forces • 4 implied HN points • 26 Dec 25
💰 Finance Education
  1. Tariffs and trade policy were a major theme, with historical context and ongoing policy developments analyzed and questioned.
  2. Core economic ideas like price theory and GDP measurement were emphasized and defended against political distortion.
  3. Readers favored a mix of clear, accessible pieces: explanations of academic news, practical teaching advice, and policy deep-dives on topics like land taxes and dollar dominance.

Genetics can predict height, cancer risks, neuropsychiatric diseases and more — but not IQ?

Nucleus Genomics • 4 HN points • 11 Jul 24
🔬 Science Education
  1. Genetics can help us understand traits like height and disease risks, but predicting intelligence (IQ) is much more complex and not fully possible yet.
  2. Current genetic models can give partial insights about how genes may influence intelligence but cannot tell you your exact IQ.
  3. As technology improves, genetic predictions for traits, including intelligence, may get better, providing more useful information about how genetics interacts with environment.

Brilliant Young Voices

Story Club with George Saunders • 74 implied HN points • 19 Dec 24
📚 Literature Education
  1. True love means accepting someone's flaws and growing together. It's about being there for each other, no matter what changes occur over time.
  2. Caregiving is tough, but it is a profound act of love. It shows how much we care about someone, even when the work feels heavy and challenging.
  3. Love is messy and complicated, but choosing to love anyway is what truly matters. Recognizing our own flaws while being there for those we care about is a big part of being human.

Updated: Use A Spreadsheet For Literary Criticism

Eclecticism: Reflections on literature, writing and life • 5 implied HN points • 30 Nov 25
📚 Literature Education
  1. Using numbers and graphs in literary criticism can make it clearer and more precise. Instead of vague feelings, showing data gives a snapshot of the story's style.
  2. A data-driven approach helps you understand a book's elements at a glance, like humor and pathos. You might even get a better idea of a book without having to read it all.
  3. Making visual summaries like graphs could replace traditional book reviews and blurbs. It’s like giving readers a quick guide or 'nutrition label' of what to expect.

Every shooting at a school in February 2024

School Shooting Data Analysis and Reports • 19 implied HN points • 04 Mar 24
📰 News Education
  1. The number of school shooting incidents in February 2024 highlight the importance of addressing threats seriously and implementing effective prevention measures.
  2. Shootings in schools during February 2024 occurred at various locations, emphasizing the need for safety plans throughout the entire day, not just during classroom hours.
  3. The decreasing trend in swatting incidents in February 2024, compared to previous years, showcases the potential impact of arrests on reducing such dangerous behaviors.

The Illegible Real

What Is Called Thinking? • 53 implied HN points • 20 Feb 25
📖 Philosophy Education
  1. Tacit knowledge, or understanding gained from experience, is very important and can't always be explained by rules or theories. It's like how a farmer knows their land or a musician feels the right moment to improvise.
  2. The world often values what can be measured and categorized, but this can miss the deeper, lived knowledge that guides real-life decisions. There's more to learning than just reading books or following formal education.
  3. In a future filled with data and technology, the ability to mix both formal knowledge and experiential wisdom will be really valuable. It's important to recognize the strengths and limitations of both types of knowledge.

Join me tomorrow night in New York!

Startup Strategies • 71 implied HN points • 13 Dec 24
🎭️ Culture Education
  1. There's a talk happening in New York about mushrooms and psychedelics. It's a chance to learn something new and have fun.
  2. The event is called Nerdnite and features a variety of interesting topics. It's a great place to enjoy a night out with some laughs.
  3. If you're curious about psychedelics, this talk could offer new insights. It might even spark your interest in the subject.

A Collapsing Culture of Excellence

Marginally Compelling • 19 implied HN points • 08 Aug 25
🎭️ Culture Education
  1. We should expect excellence from ourselves and the companies we interact with. It's disappointing when high-profile events don't work as promised, shaping a negative outlook on reliability.
  2. Cultural standards are declining, and it's important to recognize this instead of just accepting it. We need to push back against lower expectations in our environment.
  3. Parents are actively looking for better educational options for their children to escape declining standards. This shows a desire for higher expectations and quality in education.