The hottest Institutions Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
Category
Top U.S. Politics Topics
Noahpinion 28706 implied HN points 04 Feb 25
  1. Trump's presidency is causing significant turmoil within institutions like the FBI, leading to a purge of personnel involved in investigations against him.
  2. Trump is making decisions that disrupt relations with key allies and affect government spending, such as imposing tariffs and freezing federal aid.
  3. There are concerns about the chaos resulting from Trump's management style, which may cause even more local and national issues as his term progresses.
Richard Hanania's Newsletter 1779 implied HN points 23 Dec 24
  1. Elite Human Capital institutions emerge when smart and idealistic people come together, seeking truth and shared values over just making money. These communities form naturally as individuals find others like themselves.
  2. Wealth-maximizers and meaning-maximizers represent two paths that people can take in these communities. While some focus on financial success, others prioritize making meaningful contributions to society.
  3. Authoritarian regimes often suppress elite human capital because educated people pose a threat to their power. When these institutions are stifled, it can hinder a country's overall progress and development.
Brad DeLong's Grasping Reality 253 implied HN points 07 Dec 24
  1. Human society has evolved from slow, agricultural growth to rapid industrial progress, but we still struggle with managing this change effectively.
  2. The historical shift from cooperation to domination in societies has created challenges in creating systems that benefit everyone today.
  3. We have the potential for great prosperity, but we need better institutions to help us use our resources wisely and live well.
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Castalia 519 implied HN points 23 May 24
  1. Many traditional institutions, like PEN America and NPR, are struggling because they tried to overly cater to progressive demands but ended up alienating audiences. It's important for these organizations to return to their core missions and values.
  2. The New York Times seems to be adjusting its approach to reporting and emphasizing independence after a difficult period, while other outlets continue to face public trust issues due to perceived ideological bias.
  3. The so-called 'Intellectual Dark Web' has gained attention for their critiques of mainstream discourse, but many still view them with suspicion. This shows a need for open conversations and diverse perspectives, especially in today's polarized political climate.
In My Tribe 273 implied HN points 16 Oct 24
  1. Inclusive institutions are key for long-term economic success. This means that countries need both strong governments and engaged communities.
  2. Culture plays a big role in shaping institutions, and they're closely linked. This connection shows that neither controls the other; they influence each other.
  3. Censorship and ideological battles are significant issues today. Different groups try to control ideas and media, which can impact freedom and reform.
The Line 2476 implied HN points 31 Mar 23
  1. Canada may be facing challenges and declining in certain areas, despite still being prosperous and stable compared to other countries.
  2. There are concerns about social mobility and the effectiveness of Canadian institutions, with signs pointing to potential long-term issues.
  3. While not completely ruined, Canada needs to address dysfunctional institutions and respond coherently to challenges to secure its future.
Five’s Substack 299 implied HN points 31 May 24
  1. Recovering from illness can change how we spend our time, like listening to true crime podcasts instead of focusing solely on reading classics.
  2. It's challenging for young adults to maintain an intellectual life outside of school because there are no structured support systems like deadlines or guidance.
  3. Building a meaningful intellectual life requires both access to resources and a network of support, but many people struggle to make it work.
Something to Consider 139 implied HN points 10 Jul 24
  1. Our institutions and rules affect how well a society can produce and grow. Good institutions help foster trust among people, while bad ones can keep societies trapped in poverty.
  2. The legacy of harmful practices, like the slave trade, has long-lasting effects on trust and cooperation in societies. Areas that were heavily affected tend to have less trust even today.
  3. Changing poor institutions can help lift countries out of poverty. This might involve outside help or imposing better rules that foster cooperation and trust among the people.
Daily Dreher 1552 implied HN points 30 Sep 23
  1. The novel 'The Radetzky March' explores the decline of the Austro-Hungarian Empire through three generations of the von Trotta family.
  2. The book reflects on the importance of faith in institutions and the internal decay that can lead to their downfall.
  3. The text draws parallels between historical events and the current social and political challenges, highlighting the importance of an animating spirit within a society.
Peter Boghossian 727 implied HN points 08 Feb 24
  1. Chris Martenson discusses the journey of migrants from Ecuador to the US border, often aided by organizations like the UN and Catholic charities.
  2. The conversation highlights the hypocrisy of Western governments allowing illegal immigration and the resulting distrust in governmental institutions.
  3. The talk concludes on a hopeful note, despite the challenges discussed.
Brain Pizza 860 implied HN points 27 Feb 24
  1. ZEIFs, including zealots, extremists, ideologues, and fanatics, may exhibit cognitive rigidity, black-and-white thinking, and resistance to considering alternative perspectives.
  2. ZEIFs may have underlying personality traits like low agreeableness, high conscientiousness, and high neuroticism, but personality dimensions alone may not fully explain extreme behavior.
  3. Social factors like group identity, echo chambers, and societal polarization play key roles in reinforcing and amplifying the extreme beliefs and actions of ZEIFs.
News Items 432 implied HN points 25 Jan 24
  1. Trump's popularity stems from his rejection of the establishment and tapping into American resentment towards broken systems.
  2. Americans are seeking a new public operating philosophy that prioritizes trust and accountability in government.
  3. The need for rebuilding government on a foundation of human responsibility and simplicity to restore everyday freedom for Americans.
sebjenseb 216 implied HN points 04 Feb 24
  1. Conservatives tend to follow specific people, while liberals tend to create and rely on institutions.
  2. Right-wing movements often form networks based on individual leaders, while left-wing movements have institutions like newspapers and universities.
  3. Organizations that are not explicitly right-wing tend to become left-wing over time, according to Conquest's second law of politics.
Knowledge Problem 196 implied HN points 01 Feb 24
  1. Markets are error correction processes that help us adapt to changing conditions and create value.
  2. Individual adjustments in response to price signals lead to error correction in markets.
  3. Through adaptation, decentralized coordination, knowledge ecosystems, and error correction, markets enable us to achieve more and flourish compared to other social institutional frameworks.
Science Forever 298 implied HN points 03 Apr 23
  1. College leaders should clearly communicate their values and beliefs, even in the face of political pressure. Staying true to one's values can lead to respect and support from the community.
  2. Presidents who stand up for their beliefs may face challenges, but they often land in new fulfilling positions. Those who prioritize the board's wishes over campus values may not fare as well.
  3. Institutions benefit from leaders who stick to their principles. Even if presidents are let go, they usually find other positive opportunities as long as they remain aligned with their beliefs.
Life in the 21st Century 275 implied HN points 17 Jul 23
  1. Transitioning away from oil use is crucial for addressing climate change and reducing energy waste
  2. Restructuring transportation infrastructure to be more efficient can help in cutting oil consumption
  3. There is a need to reevaluate and revalue daily human life to address the inadequacies and obsolescence of current institutions and values
The Great Gender Divergence 255 implied HN points 05 Jul 23
  1. East Asians prefer social cohesion and harmony over self-expression and individualism
  2. Factors like rice farming, socio-economic threats, Confucianism, and authoritarianism may contribute to cultural tightness
  3. Despite cultural tightness, societies like South Korea have shown resistance and democratization
Hold That Thought by Sarah Haider 235 implied HN points 29 May 23
  1. Institutions in the US are under assault, but they continue to function and there are mechanisms for resistance and change.
  2. The American people have the power to influence their political landscape through voting, ensuring a system of checks and balances.
  3. Modernity relies on objective realities like physics and mathematics, which will persist despite ideological pressures.
Knowledge Problem 196 implied HN points 25 Oct 23
  1. The knowledge problem is pervasive among individuals and socially, impacting coordination and decision-making among agents.
  2. Different types of knowledge problems exist, such as complexity and contextual knowledge problems, affecting decision-making and outcomes.
  3. Institutional design should consider the knowledge problem, as institutions interact with preferences and the environment to shape individual actions and interactions.
Good Reason 284 implied HN points 14 Nov 23
  1. Experts can be wrong and have been wrong throughout history, like medieval doctors with bloodletting.
  2. Expert communities often become echo chambers, reinforcing shared beliefs and resisting change.
  3. Challenging experts and subjecting beliefs to testing, even within scientific-minded groups, is important to avoid falling into the trap of groupthink.
In My Tribe 182 implied HN points 13 Feb 24
  1. Individuals may prioritize social rewards over truth in belief adoption, leading to collective delusions. It's hard to overcome irrationality at the individual or group level, so focusing on institutional change is crucial.
  2. There is a pattern in how some view different races, depicted by Coleman Hughes in his book. This mirrors the concept of the Moral Dyad, simplifying moral situations to assign feelings or agency.
  3. Challenges in education include the negative impact of excessive parental spending on education. To promote equality, the idea of a luxury estate tax on high-tuition schools was proposed years ago and still holds potential.
Knowledge Problem 176 implied HN points 30 Jun 23
  1. Some of the most illuminating work in market design has been in payment for ecosystem services (PES).
  2. Synthetic markets and deliberate institutional design are criticized for being epistemic and teleological.
  3. Testing is essential in synthetic market design to understand how people respond to incentives in different institutional frameworks.
Symposium 137 implied HN points 27 Feb 23
  1. The Symposium Foundation for the Study of Liberalism has been created to support intellectual defense of a free society.
  2. Current threats to liberalism come from corruption in established institutions on both the left and the right.
  3. New explicitly liberal institutions are needed to rebuild the case for a free society and bridge ideological divides.
The Ruffian 270 implied HN points 08 Jul 23
  1. Some geniuses are highly distinctive and have a significant impact on their field.
  2. Scenes or particular times/places with networks of practitioners can foster genius.
  3. Genius often arises from a social phenomenon, within an ecosystem of artists, entrepreneurs, and thinkers.
Some Unpleasant Arithmetic 7 implied HN points 07 Nov 24
  1. Democracy and economic growth are connected, but it's complicated. Generally, democracies tend to be richer and have higher growth than non-democracies.
  2. A country's political and economic institutions shape its development. Inclusive institutions promote growth and prosperity, while extractive institutions hold back progress.
  3. Culture plays a big role in shaping how people view democracy and governance. Factors like history and community values influence economic and political beliefs.
Some Unpleasant Arithmetic 8 implied HN points 25 Oct 24
  1. Some people believe the recent winners of the Nobel Prize in Economics didn’t do groundbreaking work, making it hard to justify their award. They think their research doesn't show enough significant change in the field.
  2. Critics say the winners' theories overlook important historical contexts, like the impact of slavery and colonialism, which are vital for understanding economic development. They argue the winners should have connected their work more with historical literature.
  3. Despite the criticisms, the research done by the Nobel laureates has sparked a lot of ongoing discussions in economics. It has shaped how many economists think about development issues today.