The hottest Ethics Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
Category
Top Science Topics

Robust Cognitive Strategies for Resource-Rich Minds

Eurykosmotron • 353 implied HN points • 26 Apr 23
🕹 Technology Cognition AI Quantum Ethics
  1. Living in scarcity shapes our thinking and behavior, but abundance can lead to new cognitive strategies.
  2. Feasible abundance can change how we approach problem-solving and relationships, leading to more optimism for the future.
  3. With abundant cognitive resources, we could develop new strategies like sampling from possible multiverses and maintaining a history of prior versions.
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The AI Revolution: Autonomous Vehicles, AI Biases, and Future Trends with Jérémy Cohen

What's AI Newsletter by Louis-François Bouchard • 196 implied HN points • 16 Jan 24
🕹 Technology AI Autonomous Vehicles Ethics Innovation Startups
  1. The podcast episode discusses the ethical complexities of autonomous vehicles and AI biases.
  2. The conversation explores AI's transformative impact in various sectors beyond transportation.
  3. Listeners can engage with fresh perspectives on AI and its implications on society.

The Road to Hell, part 2 of 3

Thoughts on Writing • 379 implied HN points • 20 Jun 23
💼 Business Marketing Ethics Social Impact Advertising Corporate culture
  1. Purpose in marketing often leads to sameness and lack of distinctiveness, as brands all start sounding the same with abstract, grandiose statements.
  2. Building a brand solely on purpose can create a weak foundation, leading to overexaggerated moral or ethical claims that may not resonate with customers.
  3. Prioritizing brand purpose over customer focus in marketing can lead to a disconnect with the audience and diminish the overall impact of marketing efforts.

Shamann Walton’s YCD subsidiary got a no-bid contract on shipyard homes — but where’s the money?

Gotham by Susan Dyer Reynolds • 196 implied HN points • 15 Jan 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Corruption Community Development Ethics
  1. Shamann Walton's YCD subsidiary got a no-bid contract for shipyard homes, raising questions about the money's whereabouts.
  2. Walton quietly started a for-profit entity related to YCD, leading to concerns over transparency and potential conflicts of interest.
  3. Connections between Walton, YCD, and developers like Lennar have raised questions about funding sources and community benefits.

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.

“Succession” and the end of the illusion of ethical capitalism

Global Inequality and More 3.0 • 890 implied HN points • 02 Jun 23
🎭️ Culture TV Series Capitalism Ethics Society Morality
  1. The idea that capitalism can be successful and ethical is shattered by the portrayal in the TV series 'Succession.'
  2. The distinction between a society following legal rules versus one that is truly ethical is highlighted, emphasizing the need to minimize the use of power in both markets and within companies.
  3. The blurring of moral lines between personal and professional spheres in 'Succession' serves as a stark reminder of the pervasive influence of commercialization and amoral behavior in our society.

Is Avoiding Extinction from AI Really an Urgent Priority?

AI Snake Oil • 910 implied HN points • 31 May 23
🕹 Technology AI Ethics Risk management Future studies
  1. Global priorities should focus on important and urgent problems humanity faces.
  2. Risks from AI should consider potential harm caused by people using the technology, not just autonomous rogue agents.
  3. Instead of alarming the public about future AI risks, focus on addressing current AI dangers and building institutions to manage new risks.

Le papa : Mediapart

L'Atelier Galita • 219 implied HN points • 19 Jan 24
📰 News Investigative Journalism Ethics Business Models Media Impact
  1. Mediapart is a well-known investigative journalism outlet that has been involved in many high-profile revelations.
  2. Investigative journalism is costly, time-consuming, and critical for revealing important facts and holding power accountable.
  3. Mediapart follows an independent journalism code, relies on subscriber revenue, and uses a technique of progressive revelations to maintain media attention.

AI and Frankenstein

Diane Francis • 599 implied HN points • 06 Apr 23
🕹 Technology Artificial Intelligence Ethics Cybersecurity Innovation Regulation
  1. A group of 1,000 tech experts is really worried about the dangers of AI, saying we should stop for six months to figure out safety measures. They feel AI is growing too fast and could become uncontrollable.
  2. Some experts believe that AI could be more dangerous than nuclear weapons because it might replace many jobs and be used for bad purposes, similar to how Dr. Frankenstein created a monster.
  3. To avoid disaster, we need strict rules for AI development, like a global safety agreement. Experts think if we don't act quickly, we could lose control of our future because AI is advancing faster than our ability to manage it.

Saluting Doug Feaver

Christopher’s Newsletter • 334 implied HN points • 26 Sep 23
📰 News Journalism Media Ethics Legacy
  1. Doug Feaver emphasized the importance of getting the story right in journalism, even if it meant taking more time.
  2. He believed in clarity and integrity in journalism, distinguishing between paid content and independent reporting.
  3. Doug Feaver valued human connection and understanding in the field of journalism, making colleagues feel like family.

War in the AI age

Comment is Freed • 39 implied HN points • 10 Nov 24
🕹 Technology AI Warfare Ethics Innovation Society
  1. AI is changing how wars are fought, especially with advanced technologies like drones. This creates new strategies and challenges for countries.
  2. The power of AI, especially large language models, is growing rapidly. This shift can change what it means to be human and how we interact with technology.
  3. AI could change negotiations and decision-making by providing vast knowledge and strategies. This might lead to heightened tensions, as AI could decide that conflict is the best solution.

My Own Private Energy Crisis

Justin E. H. Smith's Hinternet • 881 implied HN points • 29 May 23
📖 Philosophy Metaphysics Ethics Political Philosophy Epistemology Aesthetics
  1. When traveling by airplane, we ignore the risks we know are there, which reflects our ability to overlook inherent dangers in pursuit of convenience.
  2. The sense of class, wealth, and comfort among individuals varies, influencing their attitudes towards success and societal norms.
  3. The modern lifestyle involves navigating through ideological and moral contradictions, from energy consumption to personal choices, which can lead to reflections on societal values and personal actions.

Stuff I still don’t get about AI

Samstack • 999 implied HN points • 15 Apr 23
🕹 Technology AI Ethics Impacts Security Future
  1. It's important for more people to understand AI risks for safety regulations and investment in alignment work.
  2. Consider the balance between AI getting out of control versus malicious actors having access to superintelligent AI.
  3. Think about the potential impacts of advanced AI on various aspects of human life in the future.

What We Suffer For

Living Fossils • 19 implied HN points • 04 Dec 24
📖 Philosophy Existentialism Identity Ethics Human experience Decision-making
  1. Writing can be a double-edged sword. It brings joy and purpose, but it can also take you away from real-life experiences.
  2. Many people accept suffering to fit in and maintain their identity. They often fear what they would become if they let go of that identity.
  3. People often endure pain to avoid loss. They may stick with unhappy jobs or relationships just to prevent the fear of losing something they have.

How to Genetically Influence the Future Without Having Kids

Parrhesia • 456 implied HN points • 09 Dec 23
🔬 Science Genetics Ethics Evolution Technology Health
  1. Beliefs and ideologies are influenced by genetics, affecting the future through who has children.
  2. Changes in fertility patterns due to ideologies can impact the prevalence of certain traits in future generations.
  3. Advocating for genetic enhancement technologies can shape future generations' traits even if you choose not to have children.

Artificial Intelligence and Portraits of 17th Century Physicists

Rozado’s Visual Analytics • 316 implied HN points • 22 Feb 24
🕹 Technology AI Ethics Personalization Truth-seeking
  1. Customizable AI systems could be an alternative to one-size-fits-all AI systems, offering users the freedom to adjust settings based on their preferences.
  2. There's a debate about balancing truth and diversity/inclusion in AI systems, which raises questions about who should control how these systems are configured.
  3. Personalized AI systems where users can adjust settings themselves present a potential solution to the truth vs. values trade-off, though they come with risks like filter bubbles and societal polarization.

Subscriber Bonus - Behind the Scenes at the AMA Ethics Podcast

Weight and Healthcare • 319 implied HN points • 02 Oct 23
🎙 Podcasts Ethics Healthcare Interview Health Issues
  1. The post discusses a behind-the-scenes look at the American Medical Association's Ethics Podcast and the conversation around BMI-based healthcare denials and BMI issues.
  2. The speaker was pleasantly surprised to receive questions in advance for the podcast interview, which was noted as a relatively short interview.
  3. Access to the full content of the post requires being a paid subscriber.

Look Who's Talking: G.A. Cohen on Israeli Condemnations of Palestinian Terrorism

Philosophy for the People w/Ben Burgis • 319 implied HN points • 10 Sep 23
📖 Philosophy Ethics Political Philosophy Moral dilemmas Critique
  1. G.A. Cohen questioned the equal right of everyone to condemn terrorist attacks, highlighting the complexity of moral standing in such situations.
  2. Cohen's analysis of Israeli-Palestinian conflict suggests that those responsible for injustices may lack the moral standing to condemn actions that result from the grievances they caused.
  3. The argument presents a thought-provoking analogy involving responsibilities and moral condemnations in a hypothetical scenario, challenging the notion of moral authority in certain situations.

Bring Me Your Leader

Desk Notes by Charles Schifano • 364 implied HN points • 26 Jan 24
📖 Philosophy Ethics Authority Authoritarianism Power Dynamics Human Interaction
  1. In our modern world, there is a trend of continuous judging and assessing everything we interact with.
  2. Having difficult conversations directly with individuals can be more effective than immediately seeking higher authorities.
  3. The desire for a 'real leader' can create anxiety in various aspects of life, including politics and daily interactions.

Reflections on Parfit: A Philosopher and His Mission to Save Morality

Bentham's Newsletter • 314 implied HN points • 02 Jun 23
📖 Philosophy Ethics Ideas Legacy
  1. Derek Parfit's life was both bizarre and fascinating as a philosopher with a mission to save morality.
  2. Parfit's eccentricities developed over time; he started out as a relatively normal boy who later became obsessed with philosophy.
  3. Those who become truly obsessed with a topic, like Parfit with philosophy, tend to make significant contributions and impact in that field.

Me vs Huemer

David Friedman’s Substack • 341 implied HN points • 13 Feb 24
📖 Philosophy Epistemology Ethics Logic Bias Experts
  1. Consider forming opinions on controversial issues based on evaluating arguments rather than just trusting the experts
  2. Experts may not always have expertise in all aspects of an issue, so it's important to critically evaluate their arguments and not just rely on their authority
  3. It's crucial to judge both arguments and arguers, as bias and incentives can influence the opinions of experts in controversial topics

Novo Nordisk Gets Caught In Shady Marketing Practices - Part 2

Weight and Healthcare • 379 implied HN points • 01 Apr 23
🏥 Health Politics Pharmaceuticals Ethics Corporate Influence Weight Stigma
  1. Novo Nordisk engaged in shady marketing practices involving funding prominent organizations, healthcare professionals, and academics to promote their weight loss drug without proper disclosure.
  2. The Observer investigation revealed that Novo Nordisk spent millions on payments, sponsorships, and grants to shape the obesity debate and influence healthcare policy decisions.
  3. Experts like Professor John Wilding and Jason Halford were found to be actively supporting Novo Nordisk's drug Wegovy while having substantial financial ties with the company, raising concerns about conflicts of interest.

The VC Corner 📰 #8

The VC Corner • 179 implied HN points • 13 Jan 24
💼 Business Venture Capital Startups Sales Healthcare Ethics
  1. Carta is facing accusations of unethical practices, which could impact its reputation in the industry. It's a reminder that businesses need to act ethically to maintain trust.
  2. To become a sales-focused founder, there are key steps to follow. Focusing on sales can help drive growth and success for startups.
  3. The outlook for healthcare in 2024 is being discussed. Understanding trends in healthcare can help investors and startups prepare for future opportunities.