The hottest Governance Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
Category
Top Technology Topics

Disaction Bias: When Doing Nothing Causes Disaster

Viruses Must Die • 35 implied HN points • 24 Dec 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Governance
  1. People and institutions often default to doing nothing even when action would prevent predictable harm; the coined term "disaction" captures this refusal to act that leads to avoidable disasters.
  2. A mix of psychological and institutional forces — omission bias, exaggerating the risks of acting while downplaying the risks of doing nothing, futility bias, vetos and status pressures, decorum, and failure of imagination — push decision‑makers toward inaction.
  3. Giving this bias a name makes it easier to spot across medicine, science, environment, housing, and government, and reminds us to try sensible actions, admit failures, and reform systems that reward safe-looking inaction.

What the future looks like from here.

The Future, Now and Then • 770 implied HN points • 06 Nov 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Governance
  1. Trumpism is not going to last forever, but it will cause a lot of pain for people and will take a long time to recover from.
  2. The future looks bleak for everyday people. We could see less government protection and more power for the wealthy, leading to issues in health care, justice, and the environment.
  3. Even though it seems tough right now, there's hope that one day society can rebuild and move past Trumpism, since authoritarianism has its weaknesses too.

The Four Phases of Institutional Collapse in the Age of AI

Kyla’s Newsletter • 286 implied HN points • 29 May 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Governance
  1. Trust in institutions is fading. People are starting to feel that institutions no longer work for them, leading to a breakdown in trust.
  2. Knowledge and expertise are being dismissed. This causes a gap in education and knowledge transfer, making it harder for new generations to step into important roles.
  3. Institutional breakdown is happening. There are not enough systems in place to rebuild what's lost, leading to a situation where technology could replace human roles without any checks in place.

MCP Is Just an API

The API Changelog • 9 implied HN points • 06 Feb 26
🕹 Technology Governance
  1. MCP is basically another kind of API that lets LLMs access live data and perform real-time actions, making agents more useful.
  2. The spec is evolving fast and now has major industry backing, which pushes it toward becoming a reliable standard. That rapid change also creates adoption, versioning, and security gaps that need tooling, best practices, and governance.
  3. API product teams and existing OpenAPI practices are well placed to manage MCPs, since good API design leads to better MCP servers and the ecosystem will need product-focused governance, gateways, and UI/app support.
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December 6, 2025

Letters from an American • 46 implied HN points • 07 Dec 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Governance
  1. World War II was fought to defend democracy against fascism, and Americans of many races and backgrounds joined the fight to protect the idea that all people are equal.
  2. Fascism rejects equality, concentrates power in dictators, and keeps control by demonizing and excluding people labeled as 'others.'
  3. Today, some leaders are eroding democratic norms and equality, but democracy still gives ordinary people the power to stand up and defend equal rights.

Save Daylight Savings Time

Silver Bulletin • 642 implied HN points • 17 Dec 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Governance
  1. Eliminating Daylight Savings Time would mean losing a lot of daylight in the summer for most Americans. People enjoy having more evening light, especially for outdoor activities.
  2. Year-round standard time might make mornings darker, which can negatively affect people's routines and mood. This could make things tougher for kids going to school early.
  3. While the idea of eliminating Daylight Savings Time seems to aim for efficiency, it could end up being very unpopular as it takes away something beneficial without offering enough advantages in return.

Managing Open Source and SBOM's

Resilient Cyber • 299 implied HN points • 13 Dec 23
🕹 Technology Governance
  1. It's important for organizations using open source software (OSS) to know the responsibilities of developers and suppliers. They should track updates and manage licenses to avoid risks.
  2. Creating a secure internal repository for OSS can help organizations ensure that the components meet safety and compliance standards before using them in products.
  3. Using Software Bill of Materials (SBOM) and Vulnerability Exploitability eXchange (VEX) documents helps improve transparency about the software components. This makes it easier to manage risks related to vulnerabilities.

Lessons About the Civil Service and Political Appointees

Cremieux Recueil • 567 implied HN points • 18 Jan 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Governance
  1. Civil servants often prioritize their own beliefs over the goals of the president, which can create problems in running the government. This misalignment can lead to delays and increased costs in government projects.
  2. Political loyalty plays a big role in how well civil servants perform their jobs. When civil servants are aligned with the president's party, they tend to work more effectively and efficiently, saving the government time and money.
  3. Changes in political leadership can affect civil servants' loyalties, but many will still lean toward their original party. This can create challenges for a new administration trying to implement its policies, especially if they face resistance from a predominantly opposing workforce.

Good politics means that people go to brunch

Demodexio • 264 implied HN points • 15 Jun 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Governance
  1. Good politics should allow people to enjoy their lives, like going out to brunch with friends. It's important for people to have meaningful connections and share good moments.
  2. Some people criticize others for enjoying life, thinking protests are better. However, wanting to improve society should include making life enjoyable for everyone.
  3. If you want to change things effectively, it's important to be knowledgeable and serious about policies and history. This understanding helps create real change instead of just complaining.

Crocodile Tears For Gaza While Backing Its Destruction

Caitlin’s Newsletter • 1471 implied HN points • 13 Mar 24
🌍 World Politics Governance
  1. US politics highlights Biden's vulnerability due to sponsoring a genocide, yet Republicans can't confront him since they also support it.
  2. Western officials supporting Gaza's destruction shed mock tears, trying to appear sympathetic, which is hypocritical.
  3. Israeli atrocities surpass occurrences like October 7 but are not given equivalent attention, showing a bias in media coverage.

What Is DWF Labs, Really?

DeFi Education • 419 implied HN points • 21 Sep 23
🔮 Crypto Governance
  1. DWF Labs is a key player in the crypto market, investing heavily even when other investors are pulling back. They reported investing $149 million in the first quarter of 2023.
  2. The firm has been involved in important DeFi deals, like buying $5 million of CRV tokens to help Curve Finance and proposing market making agreements with other projects.
  3. DWF Labs' bold investments raise questions about their funding sources and their reasons for such confidence in a tough market.

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer joins the boys and men party

Of Boys and Men • 465 implied HN points • 27 Feb 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Governance
  1. Governors are starting to focus on the challenges young men face today. They are discussing issues like housing and education that especially impact young men.
  2. Gretchen Whitmer highlighted specific gender gaps in home buying and education in her recent speech. She plans to take action to help increase men's participation in higher education.
  3. This is a significant move from a female leader known for advocating women's rights. It shows that improving opportunities for both genders is important and not a competition.

artificial intelligence and urban planning | thinkthinkthink #26

thinkthinkthink • 65 implied HN points • 14 Nov 25
🕹 Technology Governance
  1. Urban planning needs to change from being static to adaptive. Cities should continuously adjust their planning based on current data and local needs.
  2. We can use technology like Large Language Models to break down cities into understandable parts. This helps us see how different elements of a city interact and affect each other.
  3. New governance systems such as Decentralized Autonomous Organizations allow for more community involvement in decision-making. This means people can vote based on how strongly they feel about an issue, leading to fairer outcomes.

American Governance Is Not Corrupt Enough

Richard Hanania's Newsletter • 487 implied HN points • 16 Feb 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Governance
  1. Corruption can sometimes lead to positive outcomes, like faster project approvals. In some cases, letting officials profit from development could actually help communities grow and thrive.
  2. Many politicians aren't as wealthy as people think, and there's little evidence of widespread corruption in government. The average net worth of Congress members isn't that much higher than that of other Americans their age.
  3. Regulations and red tape can hinder progress and development. Sometimes, relaxing those restrictions can lead to better results for society, even if it means embracing a bit of 'good' corruption.

assessing the los angeles ICEcapades

bad cattitude • 246 implied HN points • 10 Jun 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Governance
  1. Many people are frustrated with the way media portrays protests and riots, often downplaying violence. This makes it hard to trust what we see on TV.
  2. There's a feeling that immigration issues and safety are being ignored or mishandled by those in power, leading to unrest. People want clear solutions and accountability.
  3. A lot of folks are tired of political games and want straightforward discussions about issues affecting their communities. They hope for real change, not just protests for the sake of media attention.

Why is America "Trumpomuskovia"?

Thinking about... • 603 implied HN points • 09 Dec 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Governance
  1. America is becoming like a new regime called 'Trumpomuskovia,' which highlights how the country's leadership is increasingly unstable and personal, mainly focusing on figures like Trump and Musk.
  2. The term connects to Russia and suggests that the U.S. is influenced by oligarchs, reflecting a shift where money and personal power outweigh democratic processes.
  3. This new system is unstable, meaning it could collapse easily. The relationships between powerful figures like Trump and Musk could change quickly, leading to unpredictable outcomes.

My Debate with Curtis Yarvin

In My Tribe • 486 implied HN points • 24 Jan 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Governance
  1. Democracy allows for change in leadership, which can prevent bad leaders from staying in power. It's important that citizens can vote out leaders who aren't doing a good job.
  2. Absolute monarchies might seem appealing as they could mean strong leadership, but they come with risks like power struggles and potential tyranny. History shows that not all leaders are good.
  3. Choosing leaders based on competence is essential. In democracy, we try to pick capable people, while in monarchies, we might end up with unstable or dangerous leaders.

Trumpomuskovia

Thinking about... • 608 implied HN points • 30 Nov 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Governance
  1. History can show us patterns that help us understand our current problems. It's not about predicting the future, but recognizing familiar issues we can learn from.
  2. Four possible scenarios for America's future highlight risks like secession, increasing authoritarianism, and the influence of oligarchs. Each scenario shows how history might repeat itself in troubling ways.
  3. Inequality is a key theme in these scenarios. Any hope for improving America's situation will have to tackle issues of wealth and power differences in society.

The Mump Regime

Thinking about... • 552 implied HN points • 20 Dec 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Governance
  1. The government may be shifting from traditional administration to a new kind of regime led by influential figures like Musk and Trump. This change means that financial power could have more influence than elected positions.
  2. Public health is a significant issue in the U.S., and a lack of a national health system leads to greater health problems among citizens. This situation can result in more anxiety and shorter lives for many people.
  3. With debates over vaccination and health policies, there is a real concern that society could face outbreaks of preventable diseases like mumps and measles due to weakened health protections.

Decapitation Strike (December)

Thinking about... • 582 implied HN points • 01 Dec 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Governance
  1. Trump's proposed appointments seem surprising but may be part of a larger plan to undermine the government. It's important to recognize this and not just react with shock.
  2. Health and law are vital for a democratic society. Appointing people who threaten health and the rule of law could damage the country significantly.
  3. Historical patterns show that control over key areas like defense and intelligence can lead to regime change. The individuals Trump chose have backgrounds that suggest they might weaken American institutions and empower personal agendas.

Britain isn't broken

Comment is Freed • 171 implied HN points • 27 Jul 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Governance
  1. Britain has problems, but they're nowhere near as serious as in the past. We should focus on solutions instead of worrying about doomsday scenarios.
  2. Many people in Britain, regardless of politics, don't support violence or riots. The majority believe that those who help clean up after disturbances truly represent the nation.
  3. Constant negativity and fear can make problems seem worse than they are. It's important to look at the real issues and work on them instead of getting caught up in a gloomy outlook.

January 2, 2026

Letters from an American • 23 implied HN points • 03 Jan 26
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Governance
  1. Zohran Mamdani was sworn in as New York City mayor promising a new era where City Hall uses its power to expand opportunity and restore New Deal–style public investments for everyday workers.
  2. One of his first acts was to revoke many executive orders from the previous mayor as a direct anti‑corruption move meant to restore trust in government after high‑profile legal scandals.
  3. Major media and polling signaled trouble for Republicans: reporters flagged signs of aging and health questions about President Trump, and his provocative social posts added to concerns about the party's standing heading into the 2026 midterms.

S06 - EP 01 --> Pirates in the Navy: How to build a 0-to-1 machine and bypass the bureaucracy

Product Hustle Stack Newsletter • 9 implied HN points • 02 Feb 26
💼 Business Governance
  1. Make culture the foundation: hire fast-moving, problem-solving people who bypass bureaucracy. Seed that pirate mindset in ripples so it spreads beyond the core team.
  2. Give leaders the right signals, not busywork: report on risk velocity and create invisible governance so executives can spot and remove blind spots without micromanaging.
  3. Anchor decisions with simple rituals and a single currency: choose something like customer obsession and run repeatable rituals so the initiative becomes a predictable, scalable machine rather than a one-off effort.

The Red Flags Multiply For Tether

QTR’s Fringe Finance • 34 implied HN points • 15 Dec 25
🔮 Crypto Governance
  1. The company is planning a huge stock sale that could imply a $500 billion valuation, making it one of the most valuable private firms.
  2. Management intervened to stop insiders selling shares at a steep discount that would have implied about a $280 billion valuation, which suggests liquidity issues and that market prices may differ from headline valuations.
  3. Refusing a full independent audit while actively managing share sales and public narrative is a major transparency red flag and increases skepticism about the company’s true financial health.

Congratulations to the AxieGov Hackathon Winners!

The Lunacian • 690 implied HN points • 09 Oct 24
🕹 Technology Governance
  1. Cyborg Lemur, Daniboo, and Howler won the AxieGov Hackathon. They created great projects that will help the community understand the Axie Infinity Treasury better.
  2. Many contributors helped organize the hackathon, showing strong teamwork within the Axie community. This effort helped bring out individual talent to build useful tools.
  3. There will be more events like this in the future. The team plans to continue improving the projects and getting feedback from the community.

Odds and Ends #53: Now TfL is betting on AI cameras to improve safety

Odds and Ends of History • 469 implied HN points • 20 Jan 25
🕹 Technology Governance
  1. Transport for London is planning to use AI cameras to make transportation safer. This technology aims to enhance safety measures in public transport.
  2. A discussion is taking place about how AI could help improve government services. Experts want to focus on real solutions rather than just hype or negativity.
  3. There are concerns about why governments might be hesitant to take action. Some believe that fear of power is stopping them from making necessary changes.

Calling Bill Buckley

A User's Guide to History • 176 implied HN points • 02 Feb 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Governance
  1. There's a debate between common sense and expertise in decision-making.
  2. Democracy often relies on elected officials to delegate to experts for specialized knowledge.
  3. Lawmakers use expertise to navigate complex issues and provide political cover for tough decisions.

Rename Mount McKinley? Sarah Palin and Other Real Alaskans Weigh In

Common Sense with Bari Weiss • 445 implied HN points • 26 Jan 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Governance
  1. Mount McKinley is a significant landmark in Alaska and is part of the state's identity. Many locals see it as a stunning part of their outdoor lifestyle.
  2. Sarah Palin, a well-known Alaskan figure, expresses her admiration for the mountain, saying that it's awe-inspiring when viewed on clear days.
  3. The discussion around renaming Mount McKinley suggests a deeper conversation about local identity and the importance of recognizing indigenous names.

How would anarchist societies protect themselves?

The Novelleist • 553 implied HN points • 13 Nov 24
📖 Philosophy Governance
  1. Anarchist societies might struggle with conflict and violence without a police force or official laws, as history shows many groups resolved issues through harsh means.
  2. The idea of countries without states not going to war seems optimistic; history shows that powerful groups have often conquered more peaceful societies.
  3. It's unclear how communities could operate without structured work and schools while still getting things done, and more examples are needed to understand how this could work in practice.

Case Study: Sage House

Supernuclear • 359 implied HN points • 16 Oct 23
🪑 Design Governance
  1. Sage House offers a unique approach to communal living with custom Slack apps for decision-making and governance.
  2. The house operates with lazy consensus and a do-ocracy, utilizing a hybrid offline/online governance system.
  3. Lessons from Sage House highlight the demand for structured communal living for busy individuals and the benefits of established structures in facilitating community entry.

Modern Meditations: Caleb Watney

The Generalist • 500 implied HN points • 19 Dec 24
🕹 Technology Governance
  1. We need to improve government hiring processes to attract good talent. Many talented people are turned off by low pay and slow bureaucratic procedures.
  2. Public investment in scientific research can lead to breakthroughs that the private market often ignores. Funding areas like disease research or innovative technologies can yield unexpected benefits for society.
  3. Understanding and improving how government works is essential. There are many effective ways to enhance efficiency that are often overlooked but can significantly help society.

DOGE: Dangerous Oligarchs Grab Everything

Can We Still Govern? • 433 implied HN points • 20 Jan 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Governance
  1. There is growing concern that wealthy individuals are gaining too much power, which threatens democracy and fairness in society. People are worried about how this could affect basic rights and opportunities for everyone.
  2. A group known as DOGE is seen as being run by billionaires who oppose government regulations while benefiting from government contracts. This raises questions about their accountability and the real intentions behind their actions.
  3. DOGE aims to use social media to sway public opinion and cut government programs, relying on a powerful media presence. Many believe this could lead to unpopular decisions that are masked as necessary reforms, potentially undermining important social services.

AI Accelerationism Goes Global

Nonzero Newsletter • 384 implied HN points • 14 Feb 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Governance
  1. There are serious concerns about the risks of artificial intelligence, especially with recent global discussions on how to manage it. Many leaders are focusing more on innovation than on safety, which could create big problems down the road.
  2. The ceasefire in Gaza is fragile, with threats from Hamas leading to worries about a return to war. President Trump's recent actions and ideas could be making it harder for peace to stick.
  3. Outrage in politics often comes from deep feelings of fear for safety. Understanding where others are coming from and sharing personal stories might help reduce anger and bring people together.

Banning Alternative für Deutschland: A Nightmare Scenario

eugyppius: a plague chronicle • 162 implied HN points • 16 Jul 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Governance
  1. If Germany's AfD party gets banned, it could lead to serious political change, affecting not just the AfD but also the center-right CDU party.
  2. The current political system is balanced, but if left-leaning judges gain too much power, they might push for a ban on the AfD without reason.
  3. The CDU needs to collaborate with the AfD to stay relevant and avoid losing their influence to leftist parties in the future.

MakerDAO Update

DeFi Education • 439 implied HN points • 07 Jul 23
🔮 Crypto Governance
  1. MakerDAO is undergoing a major governance change to improve its system. This will help make it more user-friendly and efficient.
  2. They are planning to integrate AI and invest more in real-world assets. This could open up new opportunities for growth.
  3. MakerDAO aims to be a reliable decentralized stablecoin provider with competitive interest rates. This is important for attracting more users and trust.

I See a Way for Democrats to Fumble Away Their Sudden Advantage on Immigration

I Might Be Wrong • 10 implied HN points • 28 Jan 26
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Governance
  1. Many voters are repelled by violent, masked immigration enforcement, though a sizable minority still supports extreme measures no matter what.
  2. Democrats currently have a real opening to offer a moderate, humane alternative and are using leverage over DHS funding to push concrete reforms like banning masked agents and requiring independent investigations of officer-involved shootings.
  3. That advantage could be squandered if Democrats cave to absolutist or incoherent positions from their left flank (e.g., calls to abolish agencies or promise unconditional amnesty), leaving their long-term stance unclear.

morning in america

bad cattitude • 344 implied HN points • 11 Feb 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Governance
  1. People have started to feel more hopeful and positive lately, even if the problems haven't fully disappeared. There's a sense that things might be getting better.
  2. Humiliation and constant control can really wear people down and make them feel helpless. When daily annoyances pile up, it can crush a person's spirit.
  3. Believing that tomorrow will be better can create a positive cycle. Hope can return when people feel like there's a chance for improvement in the future.

✊🏽 People Power

UnfairNation by Ehsan Zaffar • 9 implied HN points • 27 Jan 26
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Governance
  1. Rules made by an administration are fragile — a new president can reverse them quickly, so memos and internal policies don't guarantee long-term protections.
  2. Lasting civil rights protections require legislation, court victories, or state-level laws; relying solely on executive policy is insufficient.
  3. Mass public action — big protests, strikes, and sustained organizing — is what makes protections durable, because movements, not memos, lock in change.