The hottest Intellectual history Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
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My Intellectual Heroes, Part 3

Life Since the Baby Boom • 1383 implied HN points • 12 Feb 25
📖 Philosophy Behavioral Economics Cognitive Psychology Human behavior Intellectual history Decision-making
  1. Daniel Kahneman showed that people often don’t act like the rational thinkers we expect. He studied how we make decisions and found many biases that affect our judgment.
  2. He worked with Amos Tversky and together they explored how our minds trick us. Their ideas laid the foundation for behavioral economics, changing how we think about choices.
  3. Kahneman's book 'Thinking Fast and Slow' explains our two types of thinking: fast reactions and slower, more careful thinking. Understanding this can help us make better decisions.

The Economist on Mao

David Friedman’s Substack • 476 implied HN points • 07 Dec 24
💾 History Political History Communism Totalitarianism Intellectual history
  1. Mao Zedong is often credited for significant changes in China, but his policies caused massive suffering, including a severe famine that killed millions. It's important to look at the real consequences of his leadership, not just the positive narratives.
  2. There was a strong bias among Western intellectuals towards communism, which led to overlooking the negative impacts of Mao's rule. This shows how personal beliefs can cloud judgment about political regimes.
  3. Even reputable publications like The Economist can misjudge historical figures due to a lack of direct information. It's crucial for media to be critical and accurate, especially concerning totalitarian states.

Risers and Fallers

In My Tribe • 1032 implied HN points • 24 Oct 24
📖 Philosophy Intellectual history Cultural impact Psychology Political Science Sociology
  1. Some 20th-century thinkers, like John Kenneth Galbraith, have fallen in status, meaning fewer people today recognize their ideas or read their work.
  2. Others, like Rene Girard and John Maynard Keynes, have gained importance over time, with more people today acknowledging their contributions and theories.
  3. The relevance of intellectuals can vary by field; for example, figures in psychology like B.F. Skinner may be less noted now, while sociologists like Granovetter are gaining recognition.

Four waves of modernity

World Game • 3 implied HN points • 02 Jun 25
🎭️ Culture Modernity Philosophy Intellectual history Social theory
  1. Europe played a key role in changing and destroying old ideas and systems. This led to new ways of thinking and governance.
  2. The shift brought about major changes in power dynamics, where traditional structures were challenged and replaced.
  3. This transformation wasn't just about politics; it also involved deep changes in culture and philosophy that still influence us today.
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History is in the making

The Works in Progress Newsletter • 28 implied HN points • 29 Nov 24
💾 History Political Events Intellectual history Technological Change Cultural impact
  1. History often focuses too much on political events like wars and revolutions, but it's actually technology and ideas that drive real change in our lives.
  2. Key dates in history, like the invention of the airplane or the creation of the first synthetic hamburger, are often overlooked, yet they have profoundly shaped how we live today.
  3. If we shift our attention from politics to technological advancements, we can better understand how human ingenuity improves our world and offers solutions to modern problems.

How The Intellectuals Lost (Many Times Over)

Castalia • 2 HN points • 22 Aug 24
🎭️ Culture Intellectual history Media influence Societal Trends
  1. Intellectuals used to have a lot of power in society, but their influence has diminished over time due to literacy changes and the rise of mass communication. Now, it seems like high culture is fading away.
  2. The shift towards democracy and mass entertainment has made it harder for intellectuals to maintain their status. Instead of valuing education and knowledge, people often focus on common interests and easy-to-digest entertainment.
  3. Intellectuals have sometimes allied themselves with outdated ideas, such as socialism, which has hurt their credibility. Now that cultural prestige is less important, those who love ideas can enjoy them without worrying about social status.