The hottest Innovation Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
Category
Top Technology Topics

What Learning by Doing Looks Like

Construction Physics • 25889 implied HN points • 12 Dec 24
🕹 Technology Engineering Innovation Research Manufacturing Energy
  1. Learning curves show that the more something is produced, the cheaper it gets. This happens because experience helps make production more efficient.
  2. The evolution of polycrystalline diamond drill bits shows that real-world experience is key to improving technology. Companies learned from failures and made better bits over time.
  3. Understanding how different bits work in different rocks was crucial for progress. Customizing the design of drill bits based on experience led to much better drilling performance.

AI progress has plateaued below GPT-5 level

The Intrinsic Perspective • 31460 implied HN points • 14 Nov 24
🕹 Technology AI Machine Learning Innovation Data science Computing
  1. AI development seems to have slowed down, with newer models not showing a big leap in intelligence compared to older versions. It feels like many recent upgrades are just small tweaks rather than revolutionary changes.
  2. Researchers believe that the improvements we see are often due to better search techniques rather than smarter algorithms. This suggests we may be returning to methods that dominated AI in earlier decades.
  3. There's still a lot of uncertainty about the future of AI, especially regarding risks and safety. The plateau in advancements might delay the timeline for achieving more advanced AI capabilities.

Random object: Sony Mavica MVC-FD73

lcamtuf’s thing • 2040 implied HN points • 16 Jan 25
🕹 Technology Gadgets Innovation Photography Digital Media
  1. New technology can become popular even if it isn't the best quality. For example, digital cameras started winning over film cameras because they were easier and cheaper to use.
  2. The Sony Mavica MVC-FD73 was a successful camera despite its poor image quality. People chose it for convenience rather than for great pictures.
  3. Convenience often matters more to most consumers than the finer details of quality. This trend has important implications for how we view and adopt new technology.

OpenAI is an App Company Now

Big Technology • 13260 implied HN points • 31 Jan 25
🕹 Technology AI Software Apps Innovation Data
  1. OpenAI is focusing more on building apps rather than just creating AI models. This shift reflects a need to stay competitive and profitable in the changing AI landscape.
  2. The market for AI applications is growing, and OpenAI's ChatGPT is performing well, far ahead of its competitors in earnings. This positions OpenAI favorably as it continues to innovate its products.
  3. While OpenAI aims to develop artificial general intelligence, it faces challenges as competition increases and cost structures change in the AI industry. Staying ahead will require continuous product improvements.

SpaceX Magic

Chris’s Substack • 239 implied HN points • 18 Oct 24
🕹 Technology Space Exploration Aerospace Engineering Innovation Transport
  1. SpaceX successfully launched Starship and caught its returning booster mid-air using a unique chopsticks method. This makes the booster reusable, saving fuel for future launches.
  2. With plans for future flights, SpaceX is addressing small issues found in the last flight to ensure their next mission goes smoothly and demonstrates reliable reentry.
  3. Starship is being designed for missions to the Moon and Mars, and with improved technology, SpaceX aims to make space travel affordable and accessible for many in the future.
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The Sequence Radar #559 : Two Remarkable Papers This Week: Self-Improving Agents and the Limits of LLM Memorization

TheSequence • 56 implied HN points • 08 Jun 25
🕹 Technology AI Research Development Innovation Models
  1. The Darwin Gödel Machine is a new AI system that can improve itself by changing its own code, leading to better performance in coding tasks. This approach mimics evolution by letting different versions of the AI compete and innovate.
  2. A recent study found that large language models have a limited capacity for memorizing information, roughly 3.6 bits per parameter. This helps us understand how these models learn and remember data.
  3. Both papers highlight how AI can evolve and learn, with one focusing on self-improvement and the other on what models can and cannot remember. Together, they show the potential and limits of AI development.

Features & Options Revisited

Software Design: Tidy First? • 220 implied HN points • 13 Jun 25
🕹 Technology Software Design Innovation Development Engineering
  1. Software has two main ways to create value: features and options. Features are what the software can do now, and options are what it can potentially do in the future.
  2. Features give immediate benefits, while options provide possibilities for growth and adaptation. It's important to balance both in software design.
  3. It's essential to have a clear plan and structure when developing software. This helps ensure that all important parts are included and can be effectively communicated.

SpaceX Evolution (Appendix C: Why SpaceX Not NASA)

Chris’s Substack • 79 implied HN points • 25 Oct 24
🕹 Technology Space Exploration Innovation Aerospace Entrepreneurship Commercialization
  1. NASA has become more inefficient over time, losing its ability to innovate and push space technology as its bureaucracy has grown.
  2. In contrast, SpaceX is agile and focused, quickly developing new technology without the red tape that hampers NASA's progress.
  3. NASA's current projects may be less ambitious than what SpaceX could achieve, highlighting SpaceX's crucial role in future space exploration.

Witnessing Creative Destruction

Points And Figures • 1039 implied HN points • 27 Jan 25
🕹 Technology AI Innovation Competition Market Trends Cybersecurity
  1. China released a new AI engine that outperforms existing models in the U.S., marking a significant step in AI innovation. This change shows how quickly tech landscapes can shift and the importance of staying competitive.
  2. To succeed in the current tech environment, startup founders should focus on wisely managing their funding and raising just enough money to reach their goals. It's important to avoid letting pride interfere with practical decision-making.
  3. The key to advancing AI and technology is competition, not regulation. Embracing competition can help improve products and services, keeping innovation alive and thriving.

How Virtual Reality Died

The Honest Broker • 29755 implied HN points • 27 Oct 24
🕹 Technology Virtual reality Artificial Intelligence Tech Giants Consumer Electronics Innovation
  1. Major tech companies like Meta, Microsoft, and Apple invested heavily in virtual reality, but it didn't catch on with consumers. People found the headsets uncomfortable and silly.
  2. Despite losing billions, these companies still tried to push virtual reality products, but they had to eventually scale back as demand dropped significantly.
  3. Now they're shifting their focus to artificial intelligence, but there's skepticism about whether this new technology will succeed, given their past failures with VR.

Weekly Top Picks #98

The Algorithmic Bridge • 233 implied HN points • 17 Feb 25
🕹 Technology AI Software Safety Ethics Innovation
  1. Anthropic is about to release its first reasoning model, which shows a new direction in AI compared to OpenAI's past methods. This could change how AI systems think and make decisions.
  2. OpenAI plans to launch GPT-4.5 soon and GPT-5 in a few months. They are shifting towards a more unified model to keep up with competitors, signaling a fast-paced race in AI technology.
  3. There's a significant shift from focusing on AI safety to emphasizing AI capabilities. Companies are now more about developing powerful AI instead of just ensuring safety, which could change the landscape of AI development.

Pivotal Tech Company: 50% Drop in Orders

COVID Reason • 237 implied HN points • 16 Oct 24
💼 Business Finance Economics Markets Technology Innovation
  1. ASML, a major company in the semiconductor industry, saw a huge 50% drop in future bookings. This suggests some big challenges in the market right now.
  2. The decline in orders points to larger economic issues that could be affecting many companies. It shows how quickly things can change in the world of tech.
  3. Overall, this situation reveals that the financial landscape can be unpredictable. Companies need to stay alert to these shifts to manage risks properly.

We’re Not Ready for the AI Power Surge

Common Sense with Bari Weiss • 426 implied HN points • 11 Jun 25
🕹 Technology AI Energy Data Infrastructure Innovation
  1. The rapid growth of AI technology is increasing the demand for energy, which may strain the current power grid in America.
  2. New AI models are becoming more powerful, and their popularity is likely to lead to even higher energy consumption as usage increases.
  3. Some experts express concern about the future energy needs for AI, while others believe the impact on electricity usage per query is low.

I've built a city, now it needs residents!

polymathematics • 153 HN points • 27 Sep 24
🕹 Technology Internet Software Innovation Community Collaboration
  1. Greenwich is a new app that creates a secret network of links on the internet. It lets users find and share interesting webpages with each other like hidden subway stations.
  2. Anyone can join as a resident of Greenwich and help contribute links to webpages. This means that users can see others' suggestions and discover related content more easily.
  3. The idea is to make the internet feel more alive and connected, allowing people to share interesting recommendations instead of relying on algorithms like on social media.

Are Hydrocarbons Really “Fossil” Fuels?

Doomberg • 249 implied HN points • 29 May 25
🔬 Science Energy Geology Environmental Research Innovation
  1. Some scientists think hydrocarbons, which we call fossil fuels, might not actually come from ancient plants and animals. There are theories suggesting they could be formed from other natural processes deep within the Earth.
  2. In 1986, an oil drilling experiment in Sweden found hydrocarbons in an unusual location, challenging the idea that oil only comes from fossilized organic matter. This raises questions about our understanding of how hydrocarbons are formed.
  3. The concept of fossil fuels could be more complex than we thought. It encourages us to explore alternative origins for these energy sources instead of assuming they're all from the remains of past life.

Sly Stone: Funk Revolutionary

Common Sense with Bari Weiss • 445 implied HN points • 10 Jun 25
🎶 Music Influence Culture History Innovation
  1. Sly Stone was a unique artist who combined innovation with commercial success. He and his band, Sly and the Family Stone, were able to create popular music while also changing the cultural landscape.
  2. Their songs, like 'Everyday People' and 'Dance to the Music', were not just catchy; they were important messages promoting unity and breaking down racial barriers.
  3. Sly Stone's influence extended far beyond his time, inspiring many musicians from different genres and generations.

The marvelous disappearing capacitor

lcamtuf’s thing • 4285 implied HN points • 07 Dec 24
🕹 Technology Electronics Engineering Physics Signal Processing Innovation
  1. Bootstrapping can significantly improve photodiode amplifier performance by minimizing the impact of parasitic capacitance. This helps in amplifying fast-changing signals better.
  2. A voltage follower in the circuit helps keep the photodiode at the same voltage, preventing internal charging and making it act like an ideal current source.
  3. While bootstrapping boosts performance, real-life limitations exist, like bandwidth and impedance, which need to be considered for accurate designs.

The Sequence Research #558: The New Reinforcement Learning from Internal Feedback Allows LLMs to Reason Without External Rewards

TheSequence • 70 implied HN points • 06 Jun 25
🕹 Technology AI Machine Learning Computing Research Innovation
  1. Reinforcement learning is a key way to help large language models think and solve problems better. It helps models learn to align with what people want and improve accuracy.
  2. Traditional methods like RLHF require a lot of human input and can be slow and costly. This limits how quickly models can learn and grow.
  3. A new approach called Reinforcement Learning from Internal Feedback lets models learn on their own using their own internal signals, making the learning process faster and less reliant on outside help.

AI #96: o3 But Not Yet For Thee

Don't Worry About the Vase • 2598 implied HN points • 26 Dec 24
🕹 Technology AI Software Innovation Data science Computing
  1. The new AI model, o3, is expected to improve performance significantly over previous models and is undergoing safety testing. We need to see real-world results to know how useful it truly is.
  2. DeepSeek v3, developed for a low cost, shows promise as an efficient AI model. Its performance could shift how AI models are built and deployed, depending on user feedback.
  3. Many users are realizing that using multiple AI tools together can produce better results, suggesting a trend of combining various technologies to meet different needs effectively.

Notes From The Progress Studies Conference

Astral Codex Ten • 23813 implied HN points • 24 Oct 24
🕹 Technology Energy Innovation AI Regulation Progress
  1. Progress Studies is a new field aimed at understanding and improving human progress. It's seen as important despite some initial pushback, similar to how other social studies emerged.
  2. Solar energy is rapidly improving and could become very cheap, making it a major player in addressing energy needs. Advances in solar and storage technology are seen as key to a more sustainable future.
  3. Regulations are often seen as a barrier to progress in various sectors, from energy to housing. Many attendees at the conference believe smarter regulation could greatly enhance innovation and development.

Augmented Coding: Copy/Paste Detector

Software Design: Tidy First? • 243 implied HN points • 09 Jun 25
🕹 Technology Software Design Coding Development Innovation
  1. Copying and pasting code can help speed up development but may lead to issues if you're not careful. It's important to ensure that the pasted code fits well with the rest of your project.
  2. Having a clear design sense is crucial when coding. If your code lacks structure, it can become messy and hard to manage later on.
  3. Learning from mistakes in coding can lead to important lessons for future projects. Sharing these lessons can help others avoid the same pitfalls.

o1 Turns Pro

Don't Worry About the Vase • 3449 implied HN points • 10 Dec 24
🕹 Technology AI Models Software Development Computing Programming Innovation
  1. The o1 and o1 Pro models from OpenAI show major improvements in complex tasks like coding, math, and science. If you need help with those, the $200/month subscription could be worth it.
  2. If your work doesn't involve tricky coding or tough problems, the $20 monthly plan might be all you need. Many users are satisfied with that tier.
  3. Early reactions to o1 are mainly positive, noting it's faster and makes fewer mistakes compared to previous models. Users especially like how it handles difficult coding tasks.

Monopoly Profits, AI Arms Races, & the Mirage of Silicon Valley Platform-Oligopoly Disruption

Brad DeLong's Grasping Reality • 130 implied HN points • 14 Jun 25
🕹 Technology AI Software Platforms Disruption Innovation
  1. Users might benefit greatly from advanced AI technology if tools like chatbots serve them well. It's all about whether these tools work for us or the other way around.
  2. Tech giants like Google and Microsoft are facing challenges as AI rapidly evolves. Their old methods of operation may not keep up with new AI advancements.
  3. Even though AI is changing the tech landscape, it might not lead to the rise of new dominant companies. The existing major players could still remain strong despite the disruption.

Irony too funny for words

Marcus on AI • 8813 implied HN points • 06 Feb 25
🕹 Technology AI Software Development Ethics Innovation
  1. Once something is released into the world, you can't take it back. This is especially true for AI technology.
  2. AI developers should consider the consequences of their creations, as they can lead to unexpected issues.
  3. Companies may want to ensure genuine communication from applicants, but relying on AI for tasks is now common.

✨ The Age of AI, an update: A Quick Q&A with … economist Michael Strain

Faster, Please! • 456 implied HN points • 06 Feb 25
🕹 Technology AI Innovation Productivity Economy Workforce
  1. Generative AI has the potential to change how businesses work and boost productivity, but we are still in the early stages of using it in everyday jobs.
  2. It's important for workers, especially in white-collar jobs, to adapt by learning to use AI tools to enhance their productivity and value to employers.
  3. Instead of fearing job loss, workers should focus on developing new skills that complement AI, allowing them to stay relevant in their fields.

Breaking: OpenAI's efforts at pure scaling have hit a wall.

Marcus on AI • 7825 implied HN points • 13 Feb 25
🕹 Technology AI Machine Learning Software Development Data science Innovation
  1. OpenAI's plan to just make bigger AI models isn't working anymore. They need to find new ways to improve AI instead of just adding more data and parameters.
  2. The new version, originally called GPT-5, has been downgraded to GPT 4.5. This shows that the project hasn't met expectations and isn't a big step forward.
  3. Even if pure scaling isn't the answer, AI development will continue. There are still many ways to create smarter AI beyond just making models larger.

America is losing the physical technologies of the future

Noahpinion • 15294 implied HN points • 18 Dec 24
🕹 Technology Electric Vehicles National Security Energy Policy Innovation
  1. America is falling behind in key physical technologies like electric vehicles and renewable energy. This is a big deal for the country's future power and economic success.
  2. The shift in focus towards electrical technologies is often viewed through the lens of climate change rather than national power. This misunderstanding could hurt America's position in global technology.
  3. Countries like China are gaining an advantage in these technologies, which could impact America's leadership in the world. It's essential to prioritize these innovations beyond just climate talk.

Live

Philosophy bear • 300 implied HN points • 07 Feb 25
🕹 Technology AI Innovation Industry Future Trends Impact
  1. AI is improving quickly and has been for years, making it a big part of our future. It's becoming better at solving tough problems.
  2. Currently, no one can clearly point out what types of questions AI can't answer, which raises concerns about its limitations. This makes us wonder about the risks involved.
  3. As AI grows, it could impact jobs in creative and intellectual fields, and we might need to adapt and pursue our passions now, while we still can.

Everything I warned about in Taming Silicon Valley is rapidly becoming our reality

Marcus on AI • 7114 implied HN points • 11 Feb 25
🕹 Technology Artificial Intelligence Regulation Innovation Cybersecurity Ethics
  1. Tech companies are becoming very powerful and are often not regulated enough, which is a concern.
  2. People are worried about the risks of AI, like misinformation and bias, but governments seem too close to tech companies.
  3. It's important for citizens to speak up about how AI is used, as it could have serious negative effects on society.

Why You Should Focus On Making Your Decisions Right

Remarkable People • 639 implied HN points • 04 Sep 24
💼 Business Decision-making Entrepreneurship Innovation Leadership Coaching
  1. Striving for a perfect decision can hold you back. It's better to focus on making your decision work instead of aiming for perfection.
  2. Committing to your decision is key. Once you make a choice, throw yourself into it and make the best of the situation.
  3. Be open to change and learn from each decision. Adapting and understanding what works can help you improve next time.

180,000 People Made Me Bearish On "Better For You" Sodas

Snaxshot • 539 implied HN points • 30 Sep 24
🍲 Food & Drink Beverages Trends Branding Innovation
  1. People are showing a strong interest in classic flavors, especially sodas that remind them of their childhood. Brands that focus on nostalgia are getting a lot of attention.
  2. New drinks like AG1 are trying to reach mainstream audiences by teaming up with popular spots like Starbucks. This helps them gain visibility without the high price tags.
  3. Condiments and butter are seeing fresh ideas, with new flavors becoming popular. It's exciting to see how brands are innovating everyday products to attract younger buyers.

Augmented Coding: Coached by the Genie

Software Design: Tidy First? • 154 implied HN points • 11 Jun 25
🕹 Technology Software Coding Innovation Artificial Intelligence Software Design
  1. Improvement is great, but when improvements lead to even more rapid progress, that’s revolutionary. We should strive for advancements that keep building on each other.
  2. There are limits to how much we can improve, influenced by natural laws. This means while we can grow, there will also be things that slow us down.
  3. Having support or guidance, like a 'genie', can help us make better progress. It’s helpful to have tools or mentors that guide us in our journey.

The Second Gemini

Don't Worry About the Vase • 2374 implied HN points • 17 Dec 24
🕹 Technology AI Software Innovation Research Tech Trends
  1. Google's Gemini Flash 2.0 is faster and smarter than previous versions, making it a strong tool for those who want quick assistance and information.
  2. Deep Research is a new feature where users can get detailed reports based on multiple websites; it's useful but still needs improvement in accuracy and relevance.
  3. Projects like Astra and Mariner are experimental tools that aim to enhance user experience by providing real-time assistance and better interaction through voice and web browsing.

Landscape of Sequencing-based Spatial RNA Technology

LatchBio • 15 implied HN points • 27 Feb 25
🕹 Technology Biotechnology Data science Genomics Innovation Health tech
  1. Spatial RNA technology helps us see how cells interact in their natural environment. It gives a clearer picture than traditional methods that just show gene activity without their locations.
  2. There are many ways to capture and analyze spatial gene data, like using specially barcoded slides or microfluidic methods. Each approach has its pros and cons depending on what researchers want to study.
  3. Advancements in technology are making it possible to analyze tiny details, like individual cells or even parts of cells. This opens new doors for understanding biology and diseases.

Copy From a Simpler Language

Software Design: Tidy First? • 375 implied HN points • 31 May 25
🕹 Technology Software Coding Design Innovation Programming
  1. Using a simpler coding language can help solve complex problems more effectively. It's like making a tough task easier by breaking it down.
  2. There's a technique to get better results from complicated languages by copying from simpler ones. This might be useful for solving tricky coding challenges.
  3. The speed of changes in coding can create new ways to approach these problems. Staying aware of these changes can help developers improve their skills.

How I Use ChatGPT

The Ruffian • 663 implied HN points • 25 Jan 25
🕹 Technology Artificial Intelligence Software Consumer Tech Innovation Tools
  1. ChatGPT and Claude are popular AI tools, but users might find Claude to be more useful. Brand recognition plays a big role in which tool people choose.
  2. Many users are just starting to explore how to use LLMs (like ChatGPT and Claude) effectively. There's a lot of potential in these tools that many people are not fully tapping into.
  3. The author lists several ways they have used LLMs for various tasks, from troubleshooting tech issues to summarizing essays. This shows how versatile and helpful these tools can be in everyday life.

Apple Computer in Strategic Retreat? Is It Shifting from Its AI Fantasies to Its Old Religion of Usability-Focused Hardware-Software Integration?

Brad DeLong's Grasping Reality • 161 implied HN points • 10 Jun 25
🕹 Technology Software Hardware AI Consumer Tech Innovation
  1. Apple is shifting its focus back to what it does best: making great hardware and software that work well together. This is a smart move for the company.
  2. By empowering developers and opening up new opportunities, Apple is creating more value and fostering better partnerships in the tech world.
  3. Instead of trying to chase new trends like AI, Apple is being more realistic and focusing on delivering solid products that people actually need.

Protein Sequencing Companies In Review

ASeq Newsletter • 21 implied HN points • 02 Jul 25
🔬 Science Biotechnology Research Genetics Innovation Health
  1. Protein sequencing is harder than DNA sequencing because it involves single molecules and many different amino acids, making detection tricky.
  2. Despite the challenges, protein sequencing is often about counting the same sequences many times, which might ease some of the technical demands.
  3. With advancements like nanopore technology, the future of protein sequencing could become more practical and efficient for researchers.

Monthly Roundup #25: December 2024

Don't Worry About the Vase • 1971 implied HN points • 23 Dec 24
🕹 Technology AI Social media Quantum Computing Tech Products Innovation
  1. AI developments have rapidly advanced recently, with major releases from companies like Google and OpenAI, indicating significant changes ahead.
  2. Many people struggle to distinguish between predictions and assurances, leading to costly misunderstandings in planning and decision-making.
  3. The emergence of competing social media platforms, such as BlueSky, shows that users are seeking alternatives amid frustrations with existing sites like Twitter.