The hottest Knowledge Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
Category
Top Technology Topics

The Knowledge Illusion

In Bed With Social • 416 implied HN points • 27 Oct 24
🚌 Education Knowledge
  1. AI can provide quick answers, but this doesn't lead to real understanding. It's important to engage in learning actively to truly grasp the knowledge.
  2. The value of knowledge is changing with technology. While access to information is easier now, it can lead to shallow thinking if we rely on AI too much.
  3. Learning should be about growth, not just getting answers. We should use AI to inspire deeper questions and foster our critical thinking instead.

The new Liar's Paradox

The Intrinsic Perspective • 15503 implied HN points • 17 Jan 25
📖 Philosophy Knowledge
  1. AI welfare is an emerging field that raises questions about whether AI can experience consciousness and suffering like humans do. We need to think about how to treat AI responsibly if they do have feelings.
  2. There are moral dilemmas when it comes to AI—if we treat non-conscious AIs as if they are conscious, we might confuse what they're actually capable of feeling. This can lead to unnecessary concerns or misplaced reliance on them.
  3. Studying consciousness is hard because people often tell researchers what they think they want to hear. This makes it tough to trust any reports about their true experiences.

Socrates and Montaigne On the Internet

Life Since the Baby Boom • 1844 implied HN points • 31 Jul 25
📖 Philosophy Knowledge
  1. Knowing facts is not the same as having wisdom. Just being able to recite information doesn't mean you truly understand or can use it in real life.
  2. Education should help us develop good judgment, not just fill our heads with knowledge. It's important to learn how to think and make decisions based on experiences.
  3. The journey of seeking answers is more valuable than simply finding the answers. Understanding the process helps deepen our comprehension and wisdom.

Our Knowledge System Has Collapsed. Can We Survive Without It?

Common Sense with Bari Weiss • 2082 implied HN points • 10 Jun 25
🎭️ Culture Knowledge
  1. We are going through a big cultural shift that most people aren't even aware of yet. It’s happening quietly, just like past major changes in history.
  2. Right now, a lot of people are losing trust in traditional knowledge sources. Instead, they value practical, everyday skills from regular workers like plumbers and mechanics.
  3. This change might be as significant as the Renaissance, but it doesn’t have a name yet. It's important to recognize and talk about these shifts in society.
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What Is The Right Atomic Unit For Knowledge?

Adjacent Possible • 364 implied HN points • 26 Nov 25
🕹 Technology Knowledge
  1. The history of peer review shows how a small change in the scientific community shaped the way knowledge is shared for a long time. It's a reminder that even minor adjustments can have big impacts.
  2. With advancements in AI, there's potential for a new way to package and share knowledge that goes beyond what we currently have. This could make accessing and understanding information easier for everyone.
  3. New tools like Deep Research and Google Research notebooks can help us gather and organize information better, allowing for interactive and personalized research experiences. This makes learning more engaging and effective.

MBAs and the death of credentialism

Hot Takes • 1041 implied HN points • 17 Jan 24
💼 Business Knowledge
  1. In the internet age, real-world experience like running a business is more valuable than just academic theory.
  2. In creative fields like marketing, MBAs are becoming less relevant due to a lack of real experience and understanding.
  3. With the democratization of knowledge online, the necessity of a fancy MBA degree is diminishing, and real-world contributions hold more weight.

AI in the Age of Mythic Powers (Part II) by Josh Schrei

The Bigger Picture • 519 implied HN points • 21 Mar 24
📖 Philosophy Knowledge
  1. The process of initiation and ritual is vital for humans to understand their role in the world and to prevent misuse of power.
  2. Embarking on an initiatory journey involves patience, learning, and sacrifice to gain true wisdom.
  3. Ethics and responsibility must be deeply felt and embodied, not just imposed externally, especially in the fast-paced world of technology and AI development.

I Have Learned A Few Things

Caitlin’s Newsletter • 2356 implied HN points • 07 Dec 24
📖 Philosophy Knowledge
  1. Western interventions often lead to terrible consequences, and the people pushing for these actions are usually on the wrong side of history.
  2. Putting profit above everything else hurts our planet and our well-being, leading to a lot of unnecessary suffering, especially in poorer countries.
  3. Learning to trust our own insights and build genuine connections with others can help us see the beauty in life and find true fulfillment.

Jester’s Privilege

Becoming Noble • 1375 implied HN points • 14 Jul 23
📖 Philosophy Knowledge
  1. The Vitalist Right movement is described as being built on a disembodied space of pure voice lacking physicality, leading to a constant state of transition with no lasting structures being built
  2. The jester in this environment thrives due to the privilege of provocation without fear of physical retribution, a role that overshadows proper leadership qualities
  3. Embracing solitude, silence, and decisive action appears to be valued virtues over endless gossip and dreaming in a space where nothing tangible can be built

Immanuel Kant — Beauty

Ralph Ammer • 569 implied HN points • 20 Jan 24
📖 Philosophy Knowledge
  1. Beauty leads us to truth and goodness according to Immanuel Kant.
  2. Our perceptions are structured by concepts inside our mind, creating our understanding of the world.
  3. Beauty is a relief from rational thinking, allowing us to enjoy the playful dance of our mind with the world.

Doctor, Doctor

Philosophy bear • 128 implied HN points • 27 Nov 25
📖 Philosophy Knowledge
  1. People with academic doctorates can call themselves 'doctor,' but they don't need to ask others to do so all the time. It's nice to have the title for respect but using it isn't always necessary.
  2. Using the title 'doctor' makes sense in certain formal situations or to assert authority when someone is being rude. Most of the time, it's better to keep things casual and focus on the conversation.
  3. Respecting academic titles is important because it honors the long process of learning and knowledge. Academics contribute a lot to society, even if it often goes unnoticed.

The Future's Going to Break Your Heart

Pacification • 825 implied HN points • 18 Oct 23
📖 Philosophy Knowledge
  1. Life today is better for most people than it was in the past
  2. Modernity involves technological advancements and a focus on equality and dignity for all individuals
  3. The future is uncertain, and it's important to embrace humility, feedback, and adaptability in planning for it

What makes a woke theory "Critical?"

Keep your Wokal_distance • 845 implied HN points • 30 Mar 23
🚌 Education Knowledge
  1. Critical Social Justice Theorists focus on being 'critical' to analyze concepts and theories within the realm of wokeness.
  2. The term 'critical' holds different meanings in the enlightenment liberal tradition of critical thinking and the woke social justice tradition of critical theory.
  3. Woke activists view truth and knowledge through the lens of power dynamics and social inequalities, rather than objective reality.

Death, Sociology, Crime, Knowledge, Jargon, Novels, Men

The Common Reader • 1240 implied HN points • 10 Dec 24
📚 Literature Knowledge
  1. Bach's music connects deeply with our feelings of love and loss. Listening to it can be especially meaningful after reflecting on personal experiences.
  2. Crime novels are a popular genre, and there are many great authors to explore for your reading list. They can be a perfect choice, especially around the holidays.
  3. The idea of conversation being at the heart of intellectual life is important. It shows how our thoughts are shaped by discussions with others, making creativity a social process.

But Seriously, Why The F*ck Do Giraffes Have Long Necks?

Insight Axis • 612 implied HN points • 12 Nov 23
🔬 Science Knowledge
  1. Giraffes have long necks to better reach food on tall trees, increasing their chances of survival and passing on their genes.
  2. In the true story of giraffes' evolution, genes are the main characters that hold knowledge for survival in their environment.
  3. Humans, unlike giraffes, can create their own knowledge using their minds, allowing them to survive in diverse environments and even outer space.

You live in a world that philosophy built

Trevor Klee’s Newsletter • 3283 implied HN points • 18 Mar 23
📖 Philosophy Knowledge
  1. The Catholic Church venerated Aristotle and opposed Galileo because they trusted ancient philosophy over new scientific ideas.
  2. Living in a world where science evolves, we give more weight to current evidence than ancient texts or philosophers.
  3. Lessons from history remind us of the importance of valuing empirical evidence over established theories.

Specialization and Interdisciplinarity: Beyond Memory

The Memory Palace • 99 implied HN points • 23 Apr 24
📖 Philosophy Knowledge
  1. Specialization in fields like the philosophy of memory can lead to growth and deeper understanding, but it may also risk limiting broader explorations. It’s important to balance focus with the desire to explore new ideas.
  2. Interdisciplinary work can enrich research by bringing in diverse perspectives and expertise. Collaborations across different fields can lead to new insights that wouldn't be possible in isolation.
  3. Memory connects with many other cognitive and emotional processes in complicated ways. To really understand memory, researchers need to look beyond just memory itself and consider its interactions with different aspects of life.

deepculture ▪️ 106

deepculture • 157 implied HN points • 06 Feb 24
🎭️ Culture Knowledge
  1. Deepculture newsletter issue 106 is filled with interesting topics and links.
  2. The newsletter features apps for managing screen time, online classes, and finding quiet places near you.
  3. The content also includes wisdom nuggets, money insights, future trends, and a corruption index for countries.

Is Wikipedia Reliable? (2023 Redux)

Everything Is Amazing • 1479 implied HN points • 24 Oct 23
🎭️ Culture Knowledge
  1. Wikipedia is admired despite occasional inaccuracies because it provides constructive and inspiring information on the internet.
  2. Some Wikipedia articles have turned out to be elaborate hoaxes that fooled editors for years.
  3. While Wikipedia may have flaws and prank edits, its communal and updatable nature highlights a more dynamic and diverse approach to knowledge sharing compared to traditional encyclopedias.

The Knowledge Problem and Institutions

Knowledge Problem • 196 implied HN points • 25 Oct 23
🚌 Education Knowledge
  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.

Open-endedness in Society

Scaling Knowledge • 196 implied HN points • 29 Mar 23
🚌 Education Knowledge
  1. Objectives vs. Open-endedness: Consider if clearly-defined objectives help or hinder impactful discoveries.
  2. Education and Research: Question whether standardized curricula or open-ended curiosity leads to more success in children and scientists.
  3. Novelty Search: Embrace exploration of novel solutions in problem-solving, rather than just following objective-based approaches.

The Most Important Skill in the 21st Century

The Algorithmic Bridge • 668 implied HN points • 12 Mar 24
📖 Philosophy Knowledge
  1. Boredom was never the problem, but not experiencing it is a challenge in the modern world.
  2. The most crucial skill in the 21st century is learning how to be bored and find tranquility in silence.
  3. Constant external stimulation has made us fear boredom, but embracing it can help us grow and stand out in a world of overwhelming entertainment.

What We Lost and Never Knew

Risk Musings • 916 implied HN points • 14 Oct 23
💾 History Knowledge
  1. Over the course of human history, a vast amount of knowledge and discovery has been lost due to the limited opportunities for people to pursue and share their ideas.
  2. Many brilliant individuals throughout history may have gone unrecognized and their innovative ideas lost, as they were focused primarily on survival rather than creativity and exploration.
  3. Today, we are fortunate to live in a time where access to resources like food, water, and shelter, along with advancements in medicine and technology, allow more individuals to focus on creativity and sharing ideas.

Thought Strewn All Around Us

Desystemize • 702 implied HN points • 19 Oct 23
📖 Philosophy Knowledge
  1. At the Fluidity Forum, people gather to explore thinking and consciousness.
  2. Knowledge is not just facts and memories, but a pointer to patterns in environments over time.
  3. Our interactions with the environment shape and inform our understanding of the world around us.

The Psychedelic Bookshelf: 27 Must-Reads for the Psychedelic-Inspired

Tripsitter • 139 implied HN points • 20 Jul 23
📚 Literature Knowledge
  1. Reading books provides a unique learning experience that goes beyond quick answers found online, guiding you to consider questions you may not have thought of.
  2. Text-based reading has been shown to result in better information retention compared to video or audio-based learning, making books valuable for deep understanding.
  3. Books on psychedelics offer a diverse range of insights, from scientific analysis to personal experiences, making them essential for anyone interested in the topic.

Going Down the Rabbit Hole

Anxiety Addiction & Ascension • 98 implied HN points • 01 Aug 23
📖 Philosophy Knowledge
  1. The search for truth is complex and elusive, leading to uncertainty rather than clarity.
  2. Critical thinking is crucial in exploring the depths of knowledge and being open to various possibilities.
  3. True knowledge is a journey, not a destination, found in the intricate rabbit hole of exploration.