The hottest History Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
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Top World Politics Topics

LECTURE NOTES: 1.1. What the History of Economic Growth Is

Brad DeLong's Grasping Reality • 199 implied HN points • 20 Nov 24
🚌 Education History
  1. Economic growth has a long history, with most of it being slow until a major change around 1870. Before then, people lived with little advancement in their living standards for centuries.
  2. Reliable data about economies was mostly unavailable before the 19th century. This makes it hard to understand past living conditions or wealth distribution.
  3. Many technological advancements didn't lead to better lives for common people until recently. Before 1870, despite progress, most still struggled with poverty and poor living conditions.

The New Calendar of Saints

Wrong Side of History • 422 implied HN points • 08 Mar 24
🎭️ Culture History
  1. The modern secular calendar is filled with numerous celebrations and awareness days throughout the year, highlighting important social and cultural themes.
  2. Different countries observe different history months, like Women's History Month and Black History Month, leading to variety in cultural commemorations globally.
  3. There is an ongoing trend of reinterpretation in modern society, where historical figures and events are reexamined and sometimes redefined to fit contemporary values and narratives.

All Part of Science's Rich Tapestry

Counting Atoms • 58 implied HN points • 08 Feb 24
🔬 Science History
  1. The book 'The Making of the Atomic Bomb' by Richard Rhodes provides a comprehensive history of the Manhattan Project and includes a lot of vivid scientific details.
  2. Leo Szilard plays a central role in the story, from inspiring the idea of nuclear chain reactions to trying to prevent the use of atomic bombs.
  3. The book can be overwhelming due to the multitude of people and organizations involved, but it offers a rich tapestry of science and history.
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Woolly Dogs of Hood Canal

Street Smart Naturalist: Explorations of the Urban Kind • 159 implied HN points • 15 Jun 23
🎭️ Culture History
  1. Woolly dogs were special to the Skokomish people and were important symbols of loyalty and family. They had unique features, like tails that curl up.
  2. These dogs became extinct by the late 1800s, but the last known woolly dog, named Mutton, was collected for study and is now part of the Smithsonian's collection.
  3. Researchers are currently studying Mutton's genetics to learn more about these fascinating dogs and their history.

The Benefits of Walking Your Cynic

Outlandish Claims • 19 implied HN points • 31 May 24
🚌 Education History
  1. Standardized education can be damaging, labeling individuals based on narrow criteria and stifling unique strengths.
  2. Achieving financial independence can enable one to pursue personal passions and explore the world at one's own pace, like 'Walking Stewart'.
  3. The philosophy of interconnectedness, kindness, and self-love espoused by 'Walking Stewart' emphasizes the importance of empathy and positivity.

Walking Darkhan (Mongolia)

Chris Arnade Walks the World • 562 implied HN points • 10 Nov 23
🏝 Travel History
  1. Exploring beyond big cities provides a richer understanding of a country's culture and lifestyle.
  2. Transportation challenges like construction work and sheep herds can make intercity travel in Mongolia time-consuming.
  3. Engaging encounters with locals, even if unexpected, can add unique experiences to travel adventures.

"The progress of man's welfare"

Hypertext • 99 implied HN points • 14 Nov 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics History
  1. Milton Friedman advocated for 'progressive negative taxation' as a way to address poverty and ensure welfare progress. The idea was rooted in a guaranteed minimum income based on nutritional needs.
  2. Friedman's negative income tax proposal faced challenges and opposition, particularly in implementation and acceptance among policymakers. It aimed to bridge left-wing and right-wing perspectives on poverty alleviation.
  3. The concept of negative income tax, though not fully realized in policy, showcased the ideological uniqueness of grounding economic theories in practical welfare solutions. It sought to balance efficiency, individual freedom, and incentives in addressing poverty.

Of Caravaggio & Clouet

Euro Desk Paris • 79 implied HN points • 15 Jan 24
🎨 Art & Illustration History
  1. Caravaggio and Clouet used crayons and pastels for sketches that sometimes surpassed their paintings in popularity.
  2. Rouen, France, with historical paintings, like Caravaggio's, offers insights into power struggles and historical context.
  3. Caravaggio's painting 'Christ at the column' showcases a tormented, realistic portrayal, setting the tone for Baroque art.

Tano Dragon

Computer Ads from the Past • 640 implied HN points • 31 Aug 23
🕹 Technology History
  1. Dragon Data Ltd was a Welsh company that released the Dragon 32 and Dragon 64 computers in the early 1980s.
  2. The Dragon 32 was known for using the Motorola MC6809E processor and included an extended version of Microsoft BASIC.
  3. Despite initial success, Dragon Data faced financial challenges, underwent ownership changes, and eventually filed for bankruptcy.

Peter and the Basilisk

Banana Peel Pirouette • 118 implied HN points • 05 Jul 23
📖 Philosophy History
  1. Western cultures have a deep-rooted belief in prophecy, with expectations of history culminating in certain ways.
  2. Marx's economic theories remain relevant, but his prophetic visions of global communism are more an issue of faith than science.
  3. The clash between tech utopianism and eco-pessimism highlights how different ideologies shape views of the future, from Singularity to climate crisis.

The Cleavage and Technologization of Knowing

Banana Peel Pirouette • 118 implied HN points • 09 Aug 23
🚌 Education History
  1. Specialization of labor and the rise of a literate elite led to a cleavage of knowledge across societies, with information monopolies and limited access to learning.
  2. The printing press and now the internet have transformed how we handle information, shifting towards automated thinking but potentially limiting deep understanding and critical thinking.
  3. Progress in human intelligence and virtue through technology has been a long debate, as greater access to information doesn't necessarily equate to greater wisdom or reason.

Overdrawn at the Memory Bank

Banana Peel Pirouette • 118 implied HN points • 15 Jun 23
🎭️ Culture History
  1. The movie 'Overdrawn at the Memory Bank' showcases a blend of ambition and incomprehension in its attempt to imagine a futuristic world, highlighting a theme of technological advancement outpacing individual understanding.
  2. Specialization in modern society has led to increased complexity and automation, resulting in individuals having limited understanding of the technology that surrounds them.
  3. The advancement of high technology has ironically led to a decrease in general technical knowledge among the populace, making society more ritualistic in its approach to technology and the world.

Inside Job: Secret Histories in the National Museum

Asimov Press • 186 implied HN points • 08 Dec 24
🔬 Science History
  1. The Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History holds millions of specimens, including a secret history of bioweapons experiments conducted by the U.S. military.
  2. Many animal specimens collected during military conflicts reveal connections between warfare and biological research programs, showing how these historical events influenced scientific endeavors.
  3. The presence of everyday specimens in the museum, like insects and rodents, can unveil hidden stories about government actions and ecological research, suggesting that even small details can have significant implications.

Who Will Be Our First Woman President?

Study Marry Kill • 117 implied HN points • 25 Feb 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics History
  1. Kamala Harris, as the first woman elected vice president, opens up possibilities for the first woman president
  2. Women in fictional and real-life political scenarios challenge traditional presidential expectations
  3. The legacy of Gerald Ford reveals insight into the potential for a woman to become president

In Defence of Israel

The Prism • 571 implied HN points • 25 Oct 23
🌍 World Politics History
  1. Israel's history is complex and involves legitimate victimhood, negotiations, and conflict with Arab states.
  2. Israel's relationship with Palestinians is not accurately described as apartheid, but rather on security grounds.
  3. The Israeli government is held in check by institutions and faces different moral challenges compared to extremist groups like Hamas.

Moscow, Gooseberries, and Inexorable Motion of Time

The Lifeboat • 183 implied HN points • 01 Dec 24
📚 Literature History
  1. Time keeps moving forward, and people often struggle with how to cope with it. Some try to ignore it, while others seek to enjoy the present moment more.
  2. Desires and dreams are a big part of being human, but many people end up feeling regret for what they didn't achieve. This can make life feel empty or unfulfilled.
  3. Stories like 'Three Sisters' and 'Gooseberries' show how people can become trapped by their dreams or stuck in routines, realizing too late that time has passed without them taking action.

Oh what a circus

London in Bits • 117 implied HN points • 26 Jun 23
🎨 Art & Illustration History
  1. The book 'Piccadilly: The Circus at the Heart of London' by Midge Gillies tells the story of Piccadilly Circus through the eyes of various individuals like flower girls, shop assistants, and celebrities.
  2. The author's interest in social history led to the book's clever structure with themes like entertainment, transport, and advertising interwoven throughout the chronological narrative.
  3. Piccadilly Circus is portrayed as a unique meeting place where people of diverse backgrounds gather, reflecting a history of social change and surprising stories like the Rainbow Corner and the Piccadilly Commandoes.

D is for...

Mister Slang • 117 implied HN points • 29 Jul 23
🎭️ Culture History
  1. Some dirty words have origins in diseases like syphilis and gonorrhea.
  2. Venereal diseases were often associated with foreign countries in slang terms.
  3. There were various slang terms for venereal diseases and their symptoms, as well as treatments throughout history.

Electric-Gas Interdependence: History and Transaction Cost Economics

Knowledge Problem • 117 implied HN points • 13 Jul 23
💰 Finance History
  1. The interdependence between electric systems and natural gas systems has been highlighted during severe winter storms.
  2. Over the past century, the objectives for electric service have evolved to include resilience, decarbonization, and reliance on natural gas.
  3. Transaction cost economics can help understand the challenges in coordinating reliable input supply between the electric and gas industries.

Eulogizing Editors

Regress Studies • 117 implied HN points • 10 Jul 23
🎭️ Culture History
  1. Collecting obituaries of New Yorker editors can be a fascinating hobby for editors.
  2. Obituaries of editors often showcase exceptional writing and humor.
  3. Reading obituaries of editors can offer insights into editorial legacies and practices.

Two Ways to Decline Zeus

Painful Signs, Or, Joel's Substack • 99 implied HN points • 10 Nov 23
📚 Literature History
  1. Book 5 of the Iliad provides speeches that explore theomachy and the poem's connection to other traditions.
  2. The flexibility of Homeric verse allows for two ways to decline Zeus in metrical shape.
  3. Dione's speech in the Iliad serves as a good example of a paradeigma, using past examples to persuade characters, and can be compared to other epics for structure and content.

Adventures in Dawson City, Yukon

The Analog Family • 179 implied HN points • 09 Jun 23
🏝 Travel History
  1. Dawson City is a unique place with a rich history from the gold rush. It's full of old buildings and has a fun, lively tourist scene.
  2. Exploring the outdoors in the Yukon is incredible, with beautiful hikes and amazing views. The scenery can take your breath away!
  3. The trip has its challenges, like a lack of road signs and expensive gas, but it's all part of the adventure. Traveling there can feel energizing and exciting.

It’s raining websites!

Scott's Substack • 58 implied HN points • 03 Feb 24
🎭️ Culture History
  1. The post shares interesting links on a variety of topics like cats in prisons and AI firms.
  2. There is a discussion on using machine learning for real-time pricing and predicting new antibiotics.
  3. The author also mentions a workshop on causal inference and his passion for continuing to learn in the field.

We Live Like Royalty and Don’t Know It

Common Sense with Bari Weiss • 129 implied HN points • 26 Feb 25
🎭️ Culture History
  1. Many people don't realize how much they benefit from complex systems that provide food, water, and healthcare. It's important to understand these systems to appreciate the comforts we have.
  2. Events like weddings showcase how ordinary people can enjoy luxuries that were once only for the wealthy. This shows a change in how we live compared to the past.
  3. Understanding and maintaining our modern systems is crucial. If we ignore them, we risk losing the conveniences we've come to expect in daily life.

There Once Was an Empire

thinkinghistorically • 93 HN points • 20 Nov 23
🎭️ Culture History
  1. Obsessions with decline and collapse are becoming more prominent in public discourse and literature.
  2. Memories of past empires and collapses can help us navigate uncertainty in the present and imagine different futures.
  3. Literature from the era of Austria-Hungary captures the nostalgia, chaos, and ephemerality of a world caught between permanence and collapse.

RKUL: Time Well Spent 11/11/2024

Razib Khan's Unsupervised Learning • 194 implied HN points • 12 Nov 24
📚 Literature History
  1. Horses have played a huge role in human history, helping with farming and trade. They allowed people to transport more goods and develop agriculture more efficiently.
  2. Dogs and cats have different roles in our lives. While dogs have been our working partners for thousands of years, cats are more companions that bring us joy.
  3. Many of today's educated elites don't understand the views of the majority. This disconnect can lead to problems in a democratic society, as it might affect how political systems work.

Lessons from History: The Rise and Fall of the Telecom Bubble

Mule’s Musings • 558 implied HN points • 16 Oct 23
💼 Business History
  1. The Telecom bubble had compounding levels of leverage throughout the value chain, which is a defining difference from today's AI companies.
  2. The barrier to entry in the Telecom industry seemed lower than in the AI industry, allowing for more new entrants.
  3. Supply is reactive to demand, and the telecom bubble showed that supply can quickly outstrip demand, leading to a glut.

A flicker in the dark

Cosmographia • 139 implied HN points • 03 Mar 23
🔬 Science History
  1. Time may seem vast when looking back, but in the grand scheme of things, it's just a fleeting moment.
  2. The universe started 13.8 billion years ago as a condensed point of infinite density.
  3. The post is only available for paid subscribers, offering exclusive content.

From al-Qaeda to the Human Potential Movement to Terrorgram

Default Wisdom • 48 implied HN points • 07 Aug 25
🎭️ Culture History
  1. DX started exploring online debates about race and biodiversity at a young age, which shows how people's interests can develop from a young age.
  2. He became an independent researcher, indicating a shift from casual browsing to serious study on complex topics.
  3. The journey from discussing race relations to engaging with various movements highlights the evolving nature of online communities and their impact on personal beliefs.

Holy Land

Atlas of Wonders and Monsters • 559 implied HN points • 12 Oct 23
🎭️ Culture History
  1. The Holy Land is a culturally and historically rich region that holds significance for multiple religions.
  2. The Holy Land carries great narrative weight due to its role in shaping Western mythology.
  3. The modern-day conflicts in the Holy Land have a complex and implausible backstory that draws attention from around the world.

Intro to Economic Life 1: Creatures on a Planet

Altered States of Monetary Consciousness • 410 implied HN points • 22 Feb 24
🚌 Education History
  1. The economy is not separate from the planet, but rather a part of it, with everything deriving from the ecological systems of Earth. This interconnectedness should be a foundational element of economic analysis.
  2. Products we see as separate entities are actually collections of human labor and resources from the planet, with objects being made up of multiple acts of labor combined with natural elements like sunlight, air, water, and food.
  3. The illusion of separation in the economy can hide exploitative practices and hinder our ability to make informed decisions, leading to disconnection, confusion, and alienation. Understanding these interconnected processes is crucial to developing a holistic view of the economy.