The hottest Impact Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
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Top Technology Topics

Did novels stop mattering in the 2010s?

The Intrinsic Perspective • 7343 implied HN points • 01 Mar 24
📚 Literature Impact Novels Cultural influence Publication
  1. Cultural impact of novels is more than just sales figures; it's about influencing discourse and defining eras.
  2. Recent literary novels may have lacked the same level of cultural impact as those from previous decades like the 2010s.
  3. Novels like 'Normal People' by Sally Rooney were noted for their importance in millennial writing, but their cultural impact may have been less significant compared to previous literary giants.

The Beatles Diaries: Celebrating 60 Years and The Feb 9, 1964 Appearance on "The Ed Sullivan Show"

Front Row & Backstage • 589 implied HN points • 09 Feb 24
🎶 Music History Impact Artists Memories
  1. The Beatles made a significant impact on American culture with their first appearance on 'The Ed Sullivan Show' in 1964, influencing a generation of musicians and fans.
  2. The Beatles had a strong sense of identity and confidence in their music, which helped them stand out in the rock 'n' roll industry at the time.
  3. The Beatles' innovative sound, style, and attitude during their 'Ed Sullivan Show' appearance changed the course of pop music history, inspiring many musicians to pursue music careers.
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Education Isn’t What It Used To Be

Cremieux Recueil • 253 implied HN points • 17 Feb 24
🚌 Education Reform Impact Results Comparison
  1. Education systems have changed, resulting in complex impacts on intelligence and educational outcomes over time.
  2. The duration and intensity of schooling play crucial roles in student performance, with balanced effects observed when intensity increases with reduced school lengths.
  3. Reducing time in school can give young adults back time to start their careers, form relationships, and enjoy their adult lives.

The Battle of Bamber Bridge

The Ruffian • 497 implied HN points • 30 Dec 23
💾 History World Politics Military Racism Impact
  1. During World War II, American soldiers faced racial tensions in Britain, leading to a significant incident at Bamber Bridge.
  2. The interaction between black GIs and white Britons during the war had a positive impact on racial attitudes in Britain, reducing prejudice in the long term.
  3. The Battle of Bamber Bridge highlighted the stark differences in racial attitudes between the US and Britain, showcasing the impact of human interaction in challenging prejudice.

Eyes Wide Open

The Better Letter • 196 implied HN points • 01 Feb 24
🎶 Music History Criticism Innovation Popularity Impact
  1. The Beatles' success was a result of luck and timing, as well as their innovation and willingness to take risks.
  2. Critics initially dismissed The Beatles' music, but later recognized their impact and influence on the music industry.
  3. The Beatles faced criticism and skepticism from critics throughout their career, but their music ultimately endured and influenced generations to come.

The Travel Lunatic: A Floating Village, a Bad Embassy, and My Literally Being Eaten Alive!

Brent and Michael are Going Places • 766 implied HN points • 24 Jun 23
🏝 Travel Destinations Culture History Impact
  1. The author shares adventures and insights from traveling in Cambodia, including visiting a floating village and dealing with embassy challenges.
  2. A story about a floating village showcases the impact of tourism on local communities and the importance of education in changing lives.
  3. The author recounts a powerful book recommendation highlighting the brutal Khmer Rouge period in Cambodia.

Underdog Founders - Paul trades Emmy nods for a bootstrapped studio to save the planet.

ChatGPT4 as a CEO and Underdog Founders • 117 implied HN points • 28 Dec 23
🌞 Climate & Environment Climate change Content creation Collaboration Impact
  1. Paul created Rewriting Extinction to engage people with climate change through comics.
  2. Despite setbacks, Paul's honesty and perseverance attracted big names like Richard Curtis and Cara Delevingne to support the project.
  3. Rewriting Extinction saw success with viral comics, partnerships with Netflix and Google, and changing the conversation around climate change storytelling.

Why This Documentary May Save The Whales

Public • 432 implied HN points • 14 Aug 23
🌞 Climate & Environment Conservation Documentary Impact
  1. A new documentary reveals the connection between high-decibel sonar from wind industry vessels and specific whale deaths.
  2. The documentary exposes a major scientific scandal and a lack of transparency in government agencies like NOAA.
  3. The film urges viewers to understand that the increase in cetacean deaths is linked to wind industry activities, contradicting official statements.

The Pro-Life Should Play a Different Game

Cremieux Recueil • 157 implied HN points • 07 Oct 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Abortion Legislation Fertility Access Impact
  1. In Russia, efforts to reduce abortion rates were more successful due to changes in contraception usage than government policies.
  2. Trivial inconveniences, like needing approval or counseling for abortions, can actually reduce abortion rates.
  3. Supply-side abortion restrictions, like clinic regulations, can significantly limit access to abortions and lead to behavioral changes in people seeking abortions.

Tech doesn’t make our lives easier. It makes them faster

Altered States of Monetary Consciousness • 160 HN points • 04 Oct 23
🕹 Technology Impact Automation Ethics Innovation Digitalization
  1. Tech is not designed to make our lives easier, but to make them faster and more packed with tasks.
  2. Our use of technology often leads to systemic acceleration, where we do more in the same amount of time, instead of enjoying leisure.
  3. To break free from the cycle of constantly speeding up, we need to value balance, build power structures that protect us, and question the illusion that more technology equals easier lives.

Primary school teaching is too hard

Penelope Trunk's Substack • 39 implied HN points • 24 Dec 23
🚌 Education Teaching Challenges Impact Community
  1. Historically, primary and secondary school teaching was not meant to be a long-term profession, often taken on by women until they got married.
  2. Teaching comes with high demand but low reward, little influence over the lives of children, and isolation from the community.
  3. Many teachers enter the profession because they love working with young people, but the demanding job often leads to burnout and lack of respect.

How to Impede Technological Progress

New Things Under the Sun • 144 implied HN points • 13 Jul 23
🕹 Technology Innovation Policy Research Impact R&D
  1. Policy levers to slow technological progress can be classified into reverse push and pull policies
  2. Reverse push policies raise the costs of research, like restrictions on federal funding and safety regulations impacting chemistry labs
  3. Reverse pull policies reduce profitability of certain tech innovations, like carbon taxes and liability exposure, impacting R&D differently based on company size and innovation potential

The Model T

subtract • 5 implied HN points • 07 Mar 24
💾 History Automobiles Innovation Manufacturing Marketing Impact
  1. The Model T was created to be a powerful workhorse for chores and travel, solving the problem by providing a better way for families to transport, drive, and handle rough environments - all at an affordable price.
  2. Automobiles initially targeted the wealthy until the Model T made transportation more accessible, easier to drive, and rugged for off-road use, catering to average-income families' needs.
  3. Henry Ford's relentless pursuit of innovation, from creating a new steel type for a lighter car to pioneering manufacturing and marketing strategies, led the Model T to become the go-to option for American consumers, fundamentally changing the automotive industry.

George Orwell, Snobby Truthteller

Litverse • 119 implied HN points • 28 Jun 23
📚 Literature Biography Criticism Themes Impact Analysis
  1. George Orwell's descriptions of poverty and working-class conditions often came across as snobbish and elitist to some critics.
  2. Orwell's upbringing in a family benefiting from the Empire's sins influenced his perspectives on injustice and societal change.
  3. Through his gardening, Orwell showed a commitment to beauty and resistance, highlighting the importance of finding beauty in life despite its cruelties.

Talent

Aliens of New York • 3 implied HN points • 14 Mar 24
🎨 Art & Illustration Artist Creativity Impact
  1. The author, as a curator, showcases exceptional artistic talents at their prominent New York gallery.
  2. Despite not creating art themselves, the author feels a desire to be the one creating and showcasing their own work.
  3. The author acknowledges the significance of their role as a curator in shaping the art world and supporting artists, despite their personal creative aspirations.

Why Study Literature?

The Recovering Academic • 237 implied HN points • 07 Jun 22
📚 Literature Impact Education Humanity
  1. Literature provides a unique opportunity to step into different perspectives and understand what it means to be human.
  2. Reading literature can broaden our understanding of humanity and offer insights into complex societal issues.
  3. Literature can serve practical purposes in fields like medicine, offering new perspectives and enhancing the doctor-patient relationship.

Fighting corruption in Africa, one US law at a time

Klement on Investing • 2 implied HN points • 26 Feb 24
🌍 World Politics Corruption Africa Enforcement Impact
  1. The US Foreign Corruption Practice Act (FCPA) applies globally to companies listed on American stock exchanges, impacting businesses engaging in corruption, bribery, etc.
  2. Stricter enforcement of FCPA since 2004 resulted in increased night-time brightness in communities near mines, indicating companies invested in local infrastructure and employment rather than engaging in bribery.
  3. After FCPA enforcement, local communities around mines saw improved infrastructure, reduced corruption perception, and more jobs, showcasing the positive impact of US regulations.

Climate and AI

Climateer • 2 HN points • 02 Jan 24
🕹 Technology Climate AI Energy Impact Efficiency
  1. AI may not have a significant impact on climate change outcomes in the near future, as energy usage for AI is relatively small globally.
  2. Speculations about AI helping reduce emissions are often vague and may not be primarily driven by AI enhancements, but rather other barriers like regulatory issues.
  3. In the long term, the impact of AI on climate change is uncertain, as AI could eventually lead to substantial efficiency improvements, but it's hard to predict the exact outcomes.