The hottest Knowledge Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
Category
Top Technology Topics

The Illegible Real

What Is Called Thinking? • 53 implied HN points • 20 Feb 25
📖 Philosophy Knowledge Epistemology Wisdom Education Metaphysics
  1. Tacit knowledge, or understanding gained from experience, is very important and can't always be explained by rules or theories. It's like how a farmer knows their land or a musician feels the right moment to improvise.
  2. The world often values what can be measured and categorized, but this can miss the deeper, lived knowledge that guides real-life decisions. There's more to learning than just reading books or following formal education.
  3. In a future filled with data and technology, the ability to mix both formal knowledge and experiential wisdom will be really valuable. It's important to recognize the strengths and limitations of both types of knowledge.

The Knowledge Illusion

In Bed With Social • 416 implied HN points • 27 Oct 24
🚌 Education Learning Knowledge Technology AI Critical Thinking
  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 Ethics Consciousness AI Knowledge Mind
  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.

I Have Learned A Few Things

Caitlin’s Newsletter • 2356 implied HN points • 07 Dec 24
📖 Philosophy Existentialism Ethics Metaphysics Knowledge Human nature Social theory
  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.

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

The Common Reader • 1240 implied HN points • 10 Dec 24
📚 Literature Novels Sociology Crime Knowledge Philosophy
  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.
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Why the Principle of Sufficient Reason is Self-Evident and its Criticisms are Self-Defeating

Ethics Under Construction • 20 implied HN points • 01 Feb 25
📖 Philosophy Logic Existence Truth Reason Knowledge Determinism
  1. The Principle of Sufficient Reason (PSR) states that everything has a reason for existing. It means for every fact, there's an explanation behind it.
  2. Critics of the PSR often make self-defeating arguments because they need reasons to argue against it. Thus, denying the PSR actually supports its validity.
  3. PSR is important for understanding the world and making sense of knowledge. It encourages us to seek underlying reasons rather than accept things as random.

65 Years “Two Cultures” – Time for a Celebration?

Heterodox STEM • 92 implied HN points • 29 Dec 24
🎭️ Culture Academia Science Humanities Knowledge Social Issues
  1. There's a divide between the humanities and STEM fields, which can lead to a lack of understanding and cooperation. This split has been growing over the years and is sometimes seen as a 'culture war.'
  2. Non-knowledgeable behaviors, like group think and over-emphasizing feelings, are affecting how knowledge is developed and shared. It's important to stick to processes that encourage truth and understanding.
  3. In academia, different cognitive traits can be found in STEM compared to the humanities. Recognizing these differences might help us understand the ongoing issues in knowledge creation and communication.

MBAs and the death of credentialism

Hot Takes • 1041 implied HN points • 17 Jan 24
💼 Business Education Employment Experience Networks 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 Ethics Embodiment Knowledge Responsibility
  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.

Jester’s Privilege

Becoming Noble • 1375 implied HN points • 14 Jul 23
📖 Philosophy Meaning Ethics Existence Truth 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 Beauty Truth 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.

You live in a world that philosophy built

Trevor Klee’s Newsletter • 3283 implied HN points • 18 Mar 23
📖 Philosophy Science Society History Knowledge Ethics
  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.

Is Wikipedia Reliable? (2023 Redux)

Everything Is Amazing • 1479 implied HN points • 24 Oct 23
🎭️ Culture Knowledge Humor Internet History Social Issues
  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.

What makes a woke theory "Critical?"

Keep your Wokal_distance • 845 implied HN points • 30 Mar 23
🚌 Education Theories Critical Thinking Social justice Knowledge Philosophy
  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.

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

Insight Axis • 612 implied HN points • 12 Nov 23
🔬 Science Biology Genetics Evolution Knowledge Environment
  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.

The Most Important Skill in the 21st Century

The Algorithmic Bridge • 668 implied HN points • 12 Mar 24
📖 Philosophy Human nature Existentialism Ethics Self-awareness 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 Discovery Knowledge Survival Inventions Literacy
  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.

Specialization and Interdisciplinarity: Beyond Memory

The Memory Palace • 99 implied HN points • 23 Apr 24
📖 Philosophy Memory Specialization Knowledge Cognition
  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.

My Cup Runneth Over

Investing 101 • 46 implied HN points • 19 Oct 24
📖 Philosophy Beliefs Wisdom Learning Knowledge Decision-making
  1. It's really important to figure out what you believe and why you believe it. By understanding your beliefs, you can make better decisions in life.
  2. Learning isn't just good for personal growth; it's also important for keeping a free society. When people are informed, they can make better choices as citizens.
  3. When exploring ideas, try to do so based on your own research instead of just following popular trends. This way, you can discover unique insights that others might overlook.

The Knowledge Problem and Institutions

Knowledge Problem • 196 implied HN points • 25 Oct 23
🚌 Education Institutions Knowledge Economics Regulation Analysis
  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 Research Novelty Goals Exploration 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.

Help Technically get better next year

Technically • 10 implied HN points • 19 Dec 24
🕹 Technology AI Surveys Knowledge Learning Content
  1. Technically wants to improve in 2025, and they need feedback from users to do that.
  2. They have two surveys: one to help organize their learning materials and another to find out what AI topics users want to learn about.
  3. Participating in the surveys is quick and easy, and it will help make Technically more valuable for everyone next year.

Links to Consider, 2/22

In My Tribe • 243 implied HN points • 22 Feb 24
📖 Philosophy Ethics Social Philosophy Knowledge Metaphysics Idealism
  1. The concept of equalitarianism promotes the idea that groups are equal, but in reality, this ideology leads to harmful outcomes and false narratives.
  2. Traditional economic measurements may not fully account for unpaid work like caregiving, which can distort GDP calculations and signify the need for broader economic perspectives.
  3. Philosophy, unlike settled scientific areas, remains a field of exploration for unresolved questions, making classic philosophical texts important for contemplating ongoing uncertainties.

In Praise of Passivity

Fake Noûs • 277 implied HN points • 23 Sep 23
📖 Philosophy Knowledge Values Rationality Social theory
  1. History shows that solutions without proper knowledge often do more harm than good.
  2. Public ignorance and the dismissal of expert advice are major obstacles in policymaking.
  3. Rational ignorance, lack of clear motives, and the complexity of social issues contribute to our inability to effectively address societal problems.

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

Tripsitter • 139 implied HN points • 20 Jul 23
📚 Literature Psychedelics Books Authors Philosophy 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.