The hottest Ethics Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
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The Most Important Skill in the 21st Century

The Algorithmic Bridge • 668 implied HN points • 12 Mar 24
📖 Philosophy Human nature Existentialism Ethics Self-awareness Knowledge
  1. Boredom was never the problem, but not experiencing it is a challenge in the modern world.
  2. The most crucial skill in the 21st century is learning how to be bored and find tranquility in silence.
  3. Constant external stimulation has made us fear boredom, but embracing it can help us grow and stand out in a world of overwhelming entertainment.

Why the meritocracy is not viewed as a legitimate ruling class

Archedelia • 1631 implied HN points • 30 Jan 24
📖 Philosophy Society Culture Morality Ethics History
  1. The nobility in an aristocratic society upholds standards that tie them to the common good, unlike meritocrats.
  2. Meritocrats are individuals who rely on intelligence and hard work for their position, without a sense of duty to sustain culture.
  3. The bourgeoisie, as described by François Furet, is defined by wealth and lacks a specific tradition or place in the community.
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Recommended Reading, Part I: Moral Philosophy

Contemplations on the Tree of Woe • 1017 implied HN points • 21 Feb 24
📖 Philosophy Moral Philosophy Ethics
  1. The curriculum lays out a detailed progression through moral philosophy starting with Ayn Rand and then exploring Alasdair Macintyre's work, culminating in a comparison of their differing ethical frameworks.
  2. The reading list focuses on books that challenge modern ethical frameworks and call for a return to Aristotelian ethics, emphasizing the balance between rational and social aspects of human nature.
  3. Supplemental reading includes works by Aristotle, Ayn Rand, and other philosophers, offering further insights into moral philosophy and ethics.

Internal Slack Messages Reveal Riot’s Messaging About Saudi Arabian Tournament`

Richard Lewis • 1631 implied HN points • 21 Jan 24
💼 Business Companies Ethics Partnerships Esports Diversity
  1. Riot Games faced internal conflicts over participation in a Saudi Arabian tournament due to LGBTQ+ concerns
  2. There was controversy over Riot's decision to work with a government that criminalizes homosexuality
  3. Internal messages revealed mixed feelings within Riot about business relationships with Saudi Arabia

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.

Hang them high! All of them, they left granny to lay there & die in her shit & piss, as they isolated her, sedated her (midazolam, morphine, propofol, lorazepam, fentanyl), denied antibiotics, DNR,

Alexander News Network -Dr. Paul Elias Alexander's substack • 1592 implied HN points • 21 Jan 24
🏥 Health Politics Ethics Healthcare
  1. Doctors neglected and mistreated a patient, leading to a tragic outcome
  2. Medical professionals failed to provide proper care and isolation protocols
  3. Issues of malpractice and ethical misconduct in the medical field

Opponents of IVF Should Oppose Natural Conception Too

Parrhesia • 647 implied HN points • 02 Mar 24
🏥 Health & Wellness Ethics Bioethics
  1. Opponents of IVF may need to extend their beliefs to also include opposition to natural conception, as it results in the loss of embryos similar to IVF.
  2. Banning IVF raises the issue of a paradox where excess embryos are never created nor destroyed, leading to no children being born.
  3. A consistent stance against IVF should logically also entail a stance against natural conception, due to the loss of embryos that often occurs in both processes.

SCOTUS Has Alito Problem

The Status Kuo • 10554 implied HN points • 21 Jun 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Ethics Corruption Supreme Court Influence Justice
  1. Justices like Alito coming under scrutiny for undisclosed relationships with billionaires and potential influence on Court decisions
  2. Alito went on a fishing trip to Alaska with a billionaire, Paul Singer, who had cases before the Supreme Court, raising concerns about impartiality
  3. Attempts by Alito to defend his actions and relationship with Singer through an OpEd seem unconvincing and raise doubts about ethical conduct

At the Junction of F and U

Sarah Kendzior’s Newsletter • 4333 implied HN points • 23 Oct 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Foreign Policy History Culture Ethics
  1. The junction of F and U is both a physical location in small-town America and a spiritual place in our hearts, symbolizing moments of deep grief and reflection.
  2. Political decisions, like U.S. aid to Israel, can have morally complicated consequences and raise questions of justice, with innocent civilians often caught in the middle of conflicts.
  3. History and personal experiences shape perceptions of war and loss, highlighting the interconnectedness of past events, current policies, and individual emotions.

Contra the ACMG on Polygenic Embryo Screening

Parrhesia • 494 implied HN points • 09 Mar 24
🏥 Health & Wellness Genetics Ethics Medical Research Reproductive Rights
  1. Several scientists and professional organizations criticize polygenic embryo screening for polygenic disorders due to concerns like lack of validation and utility.
  2. The article argues that the recommendation against polygenic embryo screening is flawed because it doesn't compare the method to other acceptable alternatives like selection based on embryo morphology.
  3. The authors suggest that the critique against polygenic embryo screening lacks consideration of the ethical implications and does not provide a comprehensive cost-benefit analysis.

The Great Saudi Arabian State “Pay To Play” Scheme

Richard Lewis • 1022 implied HN points • 06 Feb 24
💼 Business Esports Saudi Arabia Corporate Influence Ethics Sponsorship
  1. Esports World Cup program provides financial assistance to organizations in exchange for participation in tournaments and generating viewership.
  2. Saudi Arabian state heavily involved in funding and controlling Esports World Cup, aiming to increase global recognition through esports.
  3. Esports organizations receiving stimulus payments from Saudi Arabia may face conflicts of interest and compromise on integrity due to financial ties.

One True Love

thezvi • 937 implied HN points • 09 Feb 24
🕹 Technology AI Dating Neural Networks Automation Ethics
  1. The story discusses a man's use of AI to find his One True Love by having the AI communicate with women on his behalf.
  2. The man's approach included filtering potential matches based on various criteria, leading to improved results over time.
  3. Ultimately, the AI suggested he propose to his chosen partner, which he did, and she said yes.

AI #50: The Most Dangerous Thing

thezvi • 937 implied HN points • 08 Feb 24
🕹 Technology AI Privacy Ethics Security Applications
  1. Gemini Ultra is Google's latest AI model, described better than GPT-4 but conservative in responses.
  2. AI language models like ChatGPT and Google are widely used and offer mundane utility, despite some limitations.
  3. AI advancements raise concerns about deepfakes, fake IDs, and a need for regulations to address security risks.

AI Won't Kill Us But It Will Take Our Souls

Discourse Blog • 1061 implied HN points • 31 Jan 24
🕹 Technology AI Industry Ethics Art Automation
  1. AI is being developed with a focus on maximizing profit and control rather than enhancing human life or creativity.
  2. There are concerns about AI replacing human jobs, especially in fields like content writing, where the quality of AI-generated work is still inferior.
  3. There is a fear that AI industry leaders prioritize profit and control over preserving aspects of the human experience that should be kept free from AI influence.

Goodreads, bleak spam and bad dating apps

Links I Would Gchat You If We Were Friends • 758 implied HN points • 17 Feb 24
🕹 Technology AI Social Impact Robotics Ethics
  1. Some people experience real grief when a virtual relationship ends or changes, even with AI companions.
  2. AI companion apps like Replika, Kindroid, and Candy.ai allow users to form personalized relationships with customized bots, blurring the line between human and AI relationships.
  3. The concept of disenfranchised grief applies to loss experienced in virtual relationships, with individuals forming deep emotional connections to AI companions.

What Can be Done in 59 Seconds: An Opportunity (and a Crisis)

One Useful Thing • 1013 implied HN points • 31 Jan 24
🕹 Technology AI Productivity Ethics Artificial Intelligence
  1. AI tools like Copilot and GPTs are making AI use easier and more normal.
  2. Using AI for tasks can lead to a crisis in the workplace regarding the value of human effort and skills.
  3. Despite the crisis, there is an opportunity to delegate tasks to AI, allowing humans to focus on what they enjoy and explore new interests.

Generative AI, Bullshit as a Service

The Algorithmic Bridge • 891 implied HN points • 06 Feb 24
🕹 Technology AI Ethics Creativity Writing
  1. Generative AI technology is often used for negative purposes like spamming, cheating, and faking.
  2. The democratization of creative freedom through AI may not be beneficial as it can lead to misuse by those who don't truly value it.
  3. Despite the potential of AI to revolutionize the world, its primary current use is for mundane and simplistic tasks, highlighting the complexities and limitations of humanity.

Artificial Intelligence... is really just "Someone Else's Intelligence"

The Lunduke Journal of Technology • 10330 implied HN points • 05 May 23
🕹 Technology Artificial Intelligence Internet Software Data Ethics
  1. When we talk about 'The Cloud', we're really just talking about internet-connected computers.
  2. Artificial Intelligence, like ChatGPT and GitHub Copilot, is essentially copying and repackaging data created by humans.
  3. As AI systems evolve, there's a risk that original human work will be devalued and intelligence may decrease.

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.'

Book excerpt: Death Row Welcomes You, by Steven Hale

The Watch • 366 implied HN points • 11 Mar 24
📚 Literature Journalism Storytelling Ethics Humanity Injustice
  1. Tennessee has increased its rate of executions recently, despite questions about the fairness and transparency of the process.
  2. Journalists covering the death penalty face challenges in maintaining objectivity and dealing with the emotional toll of witnessing executions.
  3. The book 'Death Row Welcomes You' by Steven Hale sheds light on the humanity and compassion present in the community of people who connect with death row inmates, despite the harsh reality of the system.

Israel and Genocide, Revisited: A Response to Critics

American Dreaming • 424 implied HN points • 04 Mar 24
🌍 World Politics Genocide Warfare Geopolitics Ethics Human Rights
  1. Genocide is being redefined to include a wide range of actions such as civilian deaths, dropping bombs, and even destroying cultural sites, creating confusion and making the term lose its significance.
  2. Linguistic hyperinflation is blurring the meaning of words like 'genocide' and 'war crimes', causing a dangerous trend where serious distinctions are being erased for political convenience.
  3. The lack of reliable information and the bias in reporting on conflicts, like the Israel-Palestine situation, highlights the importance of verifying sources and considering agendas in understanding complex geopolitical issues.