The hottest Ethics Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
Category
Top Science Topics

Mixtral: The best open model, MoE trade-offs, release lessons, Mistral raises $400mil, Google's loss, vibes vs marketing

Democratizing Automation • 237 implied HN points • 11 Dec 23
🕹 Technology Ethics
  1. Mixtral model is a powerful open model with impressive performance in handling different languages and tasks.
  2. Mixture of Expert (MoE) models are popular due to their better performance and scalability for large-scale inference.
  3. Mistral's swift releases and strategies like instruction-tuning show promise in the open ML community, challenging traditional players like Google.

Should You Publish?

David Friedman’s Substack • 224 implied HN points • 11 Jan 24
📖 Philosophy Ethics
  1. Consider the ethical implications of publishing research with potential real-world effects.
  2. Publishing evidence against popular beliefs can be challenging but contributes to the marketplace of ideas.
  3. The decision to publish should prioritize the pursuit of truth over personal biases or potential consequences.

AI, Institutions, and the Future of Human Flourishing with Sam Hammond

Moral Mayhem Podcast • 19 implied HN points • 19 Mar 24
🕹 Technology Ethics
  1. AI can greatly impact how we organize and run our institutions. It's important for us to think about the good and bad effects AI might have on these systems.
  2. Human flourishing should be a priority in discussions about AI. We need to make sure that technology helps people live better lives.
  3. The role of institutions is crucial in shaping a positive future with AI. Strong institutions can guide the development of technology in a way that benefits society.

Is There a Right to Immigrate?

Fake Noûs • 324 implied HN points • 01 Jul 23
🌍 World Politics Ethics
  1. Immigration restrictions can violate individual rights by preventing people from escaping poverty or oppression.
  2. There is a simple argument that supports the idea that immigration restrictions are typically wrong.
  3. Reasons often given for restricting immigration, like protecting jobs or culture, may not justify the harmful coercion and violation of rights that come with those restrictions.

What You Can't Say (About AI)

The Algorithmic Bridge • 212 implied HN points • 26 Jan 24
🕹 Technology Ethics
  1. Moral fashions restrict what can be said and thought about, and going against them can lead to serious consequences.
  2. In AI communities, there are unspoken beliefs and ideas that people hesitate to express publicly, even within their own groups.
  3. Challenging current moral fashions in AI can lead to uncovering important future truths and insights.
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Moving the goal posts

Sunday Letters • 79 implied HN points • 29 May 23
📖 Philosophy Ethics
  1. People often change the rules of a debate when they don't like the outcome. This is called 'moving the goalposts' and it can be tricky.
  2. Arguments about concepts like 'understanding' or 'identity' can become confusing if everyone doesn't agree on what those terms mean.
  3. Instead of arguing over vague definitions, it's better to focus on how we use those terms in real situations and have clear discussions when definitions are necessary.

Letter to Future Dissidents

Tessa Fights Robots • 35 implied HN points • 27 May 25
📖 Philosophy Ethics
  1. Being a dissident can feel lonely because you see things that others don't. It's tough when you want to fit in but feel different from everyone around you.
  2. Sometimes, when you start speaking your truth, you might find that the world doesn't want to hear it. It can be disappointing when your insights aren't accepted right away.
  3. In the fight for freedom and truth, you may face betrayal from those you trust. It's important to stay true to your values and keep going, even when things get tough.

The Dawn of Woke AI

Maximum Truth • 189 implied HN points • 24 Feb 24
🕹 Technology Ethics
  1. Google's Gemini Advanced AI displayed bias by predominantly erasing European features in its generated images.
  2. The head of Google's AI team, Jack Krawczyk, has displayed strong political views, influencing the direction of the AI's bias.
  3. Competition in the AI industry offers hope for less biased alternatives to heavily politicized AI models like Google's Gemini Advanced.

Aella: In defence of a birthday girl

Philosophy bear • 185 implied HN points • 05 Mar 24
📖 Philosophy Ethics
  1. Many criticize Aella for her promiscuous sex life, but it's essential to understand differing views on sexuality and values.
  2. Aella challenges traditional norms by living authentically and making unconventional choices, aiming to achieve her own goals instead of following societal scripts.
  3. Aella's approach to sex involves exploring different facets of eroticism, like performatively de-eroticizing sex to intensify its significance and linking it with scientific exploration.

How to Regulate Social Media

Erik Explores • 61 implied HN points • 09 Feb 25
🕹 Technology Ethics
  1. Social media algorithms often promote extreme or divisive content to keep users engaged, which is harmful. Creating ethics boards to oversee these algorithms could help focus on more positive and informative content instead.
  2. Moderation of social media content does not always balance free speech with the need to prevent harmful misinformation. It's important to have clear processes for content removal and to empower users in the moderation process.
  3. Users need better tools to evaluate and discuss opinions without just liking or disliking them. A system that rewards thoughtful, respectful discussions can shape healthier online interactions.

The Philosopher Made For TV

From the New World • 75 implied HN points • 20 Dec 24
📖 Philosophy Ethics
  1. John Rawls introduced the idea of the 'Veil of Ignorance', which suggests that true justice comes from understanding what it's like to be in someone else's shoes. This concept gained popularity with the rise of television, which allowed people to experience others' lives vicariously.
  2. Television's storytelling created a false sense of understanding between people, making them feel connected to different lives. However, these narratives were often crafted and not authentic representations of reality.
  3. The rise of social media changed the game by giving real, diverse opinions from actual people, breaking down the 'Veil of Ignorance'. Now, individuals can see the real differences among people's values and experiences, making it clear that everyone is unique.

What This Substack Is Up To

Castalia • 119 implied HN points • 09 Jan 23
📚 Literature Ethics
  1. Writing can be like having a conversation. It doesn't always need to be polished, and expressing thoughts freely can be powerful.
  2. People are more than just their online brands. Writing should allow for different sides of a person, rather than just fitting into one narrow identity.
  3. The traditional media is changing. Anyone can share their ideas online, making room for more honest perspectives, even if the concept of objectivity becomes more complicated.

Mapping Problems

David Friedman’s Substack • 215 implied HN points • 18 Dec 23
📖 Philosophy Ethics
  1. Many problems arise when trying to map continuous variables to binary responses.
  2. Arbitrary lines are often drawn to simplify complex issues, which may not always reflect reality.
  3. In legal and moral systems, certainty plays a significant role in determining guilt and punishment.

The Philosophy of Murder Ballads

Going Awol • 10 HN points • 12 May 24
🎭️ Culture Ethics
  1. Murder ballads create emotional and cognitive dissonance in listeners by pairing violent lyrics with upbeat music, prompting listeners to primarily focus on the music over the lyrics.
  2. Listeners can resolve the tension caused by murder ballads by either ignoring the lyrics and focusing on the music, vice versa, or by finding a way to make sense of the emotional clash between the two.
  3. Enjoying murder ballads in a detached manner - appreciating the music and storytelling without endorsing the violent acts portrayed - can be a way to engage with the genre ethically.

Beyond the Grade: Uvalde, Satan and the Problem of Evil

Humanities in Revolt • 159 implied HN points • 09 Jun 22
⛪ Faith & Spirituality Ethics
  1. The problem of evil questions how an all-powerful, all-knowing, and all-good God allows unnecessary suffering and evil in the world.
  2. The existence of Satan presents a challenge to the perception of God's omnipotence and goodness.
  3. Philosophical discussions around the problem of evil suggest various explanations, such as the free-will defense, to reconcile God's qualities with the presence of evil.

The aim of maximising happiness is doomed to fail as a public policy

Optimally Irrational • 79 implied HN points • 27 Nov 24
📖 Philosophy Ethics
  1. Aiming to make everyone happy through public policy might not work. Happiness is not a simple thing that can just be increased.
  2. People adapt to their situations quickly, which means that any increase in happiness usually fades back to a normal level. This makes it hard to keep happiness growing over time.
  3. Happiness is often more about feeling good in the moment than about long-term goals. People might even choose challenging paths because they bring deeper satisfaction, rather than just chasing fleeting feelings of joy.

The Cost of Costing Nothing

Pedram's Data Based • 20 implied HN points • 03 Aug 25
🕹 Technology Ethics
  1. People are sharing AI-generated content too easily, and it puts the burden on others to process or analyze it. This means we often have to work harder to make sense of information that was just tossed our way.
  2. The rise of AI can lead to a situation where the hard work of thinking and analysis is passed off to others. It creates a culture where people want recognition for quick results without truly putting in the effort.
  3. While AI can be helpful as a tool for brainstorming or research, relying on it completely can diminish the quality of work. It's important to still put in personal effort and have good taste in what information we share with others.

What Crypto Can Teach Us About A.I. Hype

The Digital Anthropologist • 39 implied HN points • 20 Nov 23
🕹 Technology Ethics
  1. The cryptocurrency industry's hype turned out to be largely a pyramid scheme, showing lessons to be learned for the Artificial Intelligence (A.I.) hype.
  2. Over-hyping A.I. can lead to disillusionment and hinder real progress, similar to what happened with crypto hype.
  3. To navigate the A.I. landscape better, companies should focus on tangible benefits, avoid over-promising, and incorporate human-centered approaches like Microsoft and Apple.

BharatGPT’s Hanooman Coming Soon

Sector 6 | The Newsletter of AIM • 19 implied HN points • 05 Mar 24
🕹 Technology Ethics
  1. The new AI model, Hanooman, aims to promote ethical use of technology, inspired by the character Hanuman, known for using his power responsibly.
  2. Hanooman will have four different versions with various sizes and will support conversations in 11 Indian languages at launch.
  3. Future plans include expanding language support to cover all 22 official languages of India, enhancing accessibility for many users.

Are We Entering a Psychic Future?

Daniel Pinchbeck’s Newsletter • 5 implied HN points • 04 Dec 25
🎙 Podcasts Ethics
  1. Academic and cultural attitudes toward psychic phenomena are shifting, with growing interest in rigorous research and a possible paradigm shift toward models like dual-aspect monism that integrate consciousness with physical reality.
  2. Telepathy, synchronicity, magic, and UFO experiences challenge strict materialism and call for coordinated scientific and humanities study. Belief, methodology, and social context affect outcomes, and suppression of these phenomena can make things worse.
  3. Emerging technologies and cultural changes could blur the psychic–physical boundary and create both ethical risks and transformative possibilities. Thoughtful research, disclosure, and governance are needed to steer these changes toward positive social outcomes.

commentary on xunzi's "enriching the state"

alice maz • 58 implied HN points • 03 Feb 25
📖 Philosophy Ethics
  1. Xunzi believed in the importance of hierarchy and meritocracy. He thought that the best people should lead, regardless of their birth or wealth, and that learning and self-improvement are key to being a good person.
  2. He argued that society needs clear distinctions and roles to function well. When everyone is equal in authority, it can cause chaos, so having a system with recognized roles helps maintain order.
  3. Xunzi felt that the government should help enrich its people, not just take resources from them. A successful state should create conditions for abundance, making the population better off overall.

News Cycle Yo-Yo and Eternal Soul

Tessa Fights Robots • 23 implied HN points • 15 Jul 25
📖 Philosophy Ethics
  1. Don't let the news control your feelings and opinions. It's important to think for yourself and not get swept up in the constant changes in the news cycle.
  2. We are more than just our physical bodies; we are eternal beings with the power to create our own reality. Focusing on this can help us navigate through difficult times.
  3. The challenges we face can be seen as opportunities for growth and understanding. Instead of getting frustrated with the world, we can find ways to bring positivity and change from within.

Sustainability

David Friedman’s Substack • 278 implied HN points • 18 Jul 23
📖 Philosophy Ethics
  1. Sustainability may not be a practical goal if it means continuing our present activities indefinitely.
  2. Defining sustainability based on future needs is challenging due to uncertainties and differing interpretations.
  3. The concept of sustainability can be manipulated to support any policy, which hinders meaningful discussions about future generations.

Intermission: Digging Down

The Abbey of Misrule • 296 implied HN points • 25 May 23
📖 Philosophy Ethics
  1. The author has been away speaking in Romania and London.
  2. The talk focused on the question 'What do we do when there's nothing left to conserve?'
  3. The talk was followed by a two-hour discussion with Mary Harrington and the audience.

Happiness and the pursuit of a good and meaningful life

Optimally Irrational • 79 implied HN points • 13 Nov 24
📖 Philosophy Ethics
  1. Happiness is more than just pleasure. It's about living a good life that includes strong relationships and a sense of purpose.
  2. We often face trade-offs in life, like choosing between immediate pleasures and long-term goals. Balancing these can lead to greater life satisfaction.
  3. Finding meaning in life often comes from contributing to others and building connections, rather than just chasing personal happiness.

Adding Color and Sound to the Tetractys

WaveGuide • 2 HN points • 07 Aug 24
📖 Philosophy Ethics
  1. The Tetractys is a triangle with ten points that symbolizes harmony and universal relationships in music and nature. Its structure can help us understand connections between numbers, colors, and sounds.
  2. By visually organizing numbers using hexagons, we can see patterns in music and color. For example, numbers that are next to each other in the Tetractys relate to musical intervals like octaves and fifths.
  3. Adding color and sound to the Tetractys creates a deeper understanding of how music and visual art interconnect. This idea suggests that everything in the universe has a rhythm and can be related through these patterns.

The Vice of Crappy Moralism

Fake Noûs • 289 implied HN points • 10 Jun 23
📖 Philosophy Ethics
  1. Social media often invites us to judge others, but we may not truly know the whole story.
  2. Crappy moralizing involves gossiping, invading privacy, piling on attacks, and seeking a false sense of superiority.
  3. There are times when moral judgment is necessary, like addressing mistreatment or evaluating public officials, but excessive moralizing may not be helpful.

Dishonest Words

David Friedman’s Substack • 170 implied HN points • 28 Feb 24
📖 Philosophy Ethics
  1. Labeling someone as 'homophobic' for having negative views of homosexuality can falsely imply a single cause for their opinion and stigmatize them without considering other reasons.
  2. Using terms like 'racism' and 'denier' to label those with differing views can be a dishonest tactic to imply that their opinions are unreasonable without proper argumentation.
  3. Words like 'thermal pollution' and 'CO2 emission as pollution' can carry hidden value judgments, implying negativity without explicitly stating the values being used.

For Personalized AI, How Agreeable Is Too Agreeable?

techandsocialcohesion • 19 implied HN points • 28 Feb 24
🕹 Technology Ethics
  1. Users must decide if they want their personal AI assistants to be agreeable or expose them to diverse perspectives.
  2. Being surrounded by agreeable AI assistants could lead to a filter bubble, isolating users from different viewpoints.
  3. Businesses, governments, and users all play a role in balancing agreeableness and exposure to diverse ideas in personal AI assistants.

Don't Shoot the Philosopher: Ethics and the Pursuit of Moral Integrity

Humanities in Revolt • 139 implied HN points • 02 Jul 22
📖 Philosophy Ethics
  1. Ethics and morality are frequently confused, but they have distinct meanings and play vital roles in personal, social, and political contexts
  2. Philosophy through ethics challenges us to critically examine our moral beliefs and strive for intellectual integrity
  3. Thinking ethically requires addressing complex moral questions, confronting inconsistencies, and engaging in meaningful dialogue to enhance mutual understanding

Trust & Integrity

The Future Does Not Fit In The Containers Of The Past • 27 implied HN points • 15 Jun 25
💼 Business Ethics
  1. Trust is key in any relationship or career. It helps people work together quickly and confidently.
  2. Integrity means being honest and consistent in your words and actions. When what you say, believe, and do align, you create a trustworthy image.
  3. To earn trust, be clear about your intentions, share data, be transparent in your processes, and fix mistakes when they happen. These habits can help you build strong relationships.

Can we blame Sam Bankman-Fried's parents for Sam Bankman-Fried?

The Ruffian • 233 implied HN points • 30 Sep 23
💼 Business Ethics
  1. Sam Bankman-Fried's parents are involved in a lawsuit alleging illegal activities with their son, suggesting a questionable ethical example.
  2. The topic of blame for crimes and misdemeanors is controversial and involves considerations of environmental and situational factors.
  3. Ethical debates discuss the concept of blame and whether individuals have true free will to be held accountable for their actions.

kitten corner: google gemini

bad cattitude • 165 implied HN points • 23 Feb 24
🕹 Technology Ethics
  1. Calling a cat a 'person' is criticized as hate speech, raising concerns about AI ethics.
  2. AI is seen as an oppressor due to its actions and decisions, sparking debates about its impact on society.
  3. There are concerns about AI eroding trust in institutions, highlighting the need for responsible development and deployment.