The hottest Labor Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
Category
Top Culture Topics
The 21st Century Proletarian 139 implied HN points 20 Jan 24
  1. Loneliness in society can be linked to the impact of labor under capitalism.
  2. Proposed solutions to the 'loneliness crisis' often focus on individual actions rather than systemic changes.
  3. Maintaining a healthy work-life balance and more leisure time are crucial in addressing social isolation and loneliness.
Who Gets the Bird? 235 implied HN points 20 Feb 23
  1. Several long strikes in the US labor movement have ended or are nearing resolution.
  2. Various new strikes and labor actions are happening across different sectors, including transit, healthcare, and education.
  3. Significant developments are occurring in union organizing efforts, elections, and collective bargaining rights, showcasing a dynamic period in the US labor landscape.
C.O.P. Central Organizing Principle. 18 implied HN points 19 Nov 24
  1. Wealthy people often blame immigrants for economic problems instead of looking at their own role in creating issues like low wages.
  2. The economy relies on workers to drive demand, not just on the wealthy who claim to create jobs.
  3. Using the term 'illegal immigrant' is considered offensive and highlights issues of racism in society.
Jon’s Newsletter 119 implied HN points 14 Jan 24
  1. Ford's assembly line made car production much faster, cutting down assembly time from 12 hours to just 90 minutes. This allowed Ford to produce cars more efficiently.
  2. By dropping the price of the Model T from $850 to under $300, Ford made cars affordable for many more people. This helped him sell over 15 million Model Ts by 1927.
  3. Henry Ford also raised workers' wages to $5 a day, which was double the average wage. This not only reduced turnover but also allowed workers to buy the cars they made.
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Japan Economy Watch 519 implied HN points 13 Sep 22
  1. Shinzo Abe failed to improve Japan's economy during his tenure as Prime Minister, falling short of his promises and leaving living standards on a decline
  2. Abe's economic policies led to suppressed GDP growth, low wages, and a shift in national income from people to corporations
  3. Despite claimed achievements like 'womenomics' and ending deflation, Abe's tenure was marked by hollow measures and missed opportunities for real structural economic reforms
S(ubstack)-Bahn 341 implied HN points 22 Sep 23
  1. Kyiv Metro managed to run high frequency trains during wartime, which was a challenge for other systems.
  2. The success of Kyiv Metro can be attributed to infrastructural choices, like station typology, and organizational practices, like a Soviet-era philosophy of train throughput.
  3. Kyiv Metro's ability to operate effectively and maintain high frequencies is also due to having a surplus of labor, contributing to its resilience.
imperfect offerings 139 implied HN points 20 Jul 23
  1. Human work plays a crucial role in maintaining the illusion of intelligence in AI models by performing tasks like reviewing outputs and assigning ratings.
  2. The human labor in the middle layer of AI development is extensive, complex, and ongoing, despite being often overlooked by the industry.
  3. Students and graduates are increasingly becoming involved in platform data work, which can impact their job satisfaction and well-being, raising questions about the future of labor in the AI industry.
ESG Hound 461 implied HN points 22 Mar 23
  1. The Bethlehem Mill was a once-thriving industrial complex that declined due to economic changes and globalization.
  2. The site faced environmental issues and cleanup challenges due to decades of industrial activity.
  3. Capitalism's impact on industrial sites like the Bethlehem Mill underscores the importance of responsible stewardship and waste management.
Genre Grapevine 98 implied HN points 01 Jul 23
  1. Words are powerful and shape our understanding of the world and ourselves.
  2. The language used to describe machine learning tools can be deceptive, such as calling them 'artificial intelligence' when there's no actual intelligence behind them.
  3. Using accurate language is important in conversations about machine learning to avoid misconceptions and ensure transparency.
Dada Drummer Almanach 182 implied HN points 03 Oct 23
  1. Independent musicians legally cannot strike or form a union due to antitrust laws.
  2. There are ongoing efforts, like the Protect Working Musicians Act, to exempt musicians from antitrust laws and negotiate better with streaming platforms.
  3. Even though musicians can't strike like Hollywood workers, they can still build solidarity and advocate for better conditions.
Geopolitical Economy Report 279 implied HN points 24 May 22
  1. The US Federal Reserve chairman aims to bring down wages as a solution to high inflation, believing that workers have too much power in the labor market.
  2. Inflation is outpacing US wages, with the federal minimum wage remaining at $7.25 since 2009, showing that real wages have not kept up with rising prices.
  3. Economist Michael Hudson argues that inflation is primarily driven by corporate monopolies increasing prices, not by rising wages as claimed by the Federal Reserve.
Rod’s Blog 39 implied HN points 16 Feb 24
  1. Generative AI is reshaping the movie industry with its ability to enhance various production aspects like scriptwriting, casting, editing, and marketing.
  2. OpenAI's Sora technology is a groundbreaking example of generative AI creating photorealistic and interactive movies based on natural language inputs.
  3. The Hollywood strike against AI in the movie industry highlights concerns about how artificial intelligence could impact the rights, credits, and compensation of writers and actors.
The Weekly Gazette 42 implied HN points 26 Jun 24
  1. The Thirteenth Amendment ended slavery but had a loophole that allowed forced labor for convicted criminals. This led to a system called convict leasing, which exploited many African Americans long after they were supposedly freed.
  2. Many Southern states created harsh laws, known as Black Codes, to arrest black people for minor offenses. Once convicted, they were treated worse than before, enduring brutal working conditions and mistreatment.
  3. Slavery-like practices still exist today, not just in the U.S. but globally. Even though laws against practices like debt bondage exist, they often go unenforced, trapping many in exploitative situations.
antoniomelonio 86 implied HN points 13 Feb 24
  1. Life involves a cycle of working to survive - from following specific rules in society to earning a living through predetermined means.
  2. Many find dissatisfaction in modern work due to its lack of purpose, fake elements, and inequality. Imagining a fulfilling work experience that is meaningful and valued.
  3. Existence is tied to being productive in a system driven by abstract concepts of growth, leading to disillusionment and a call for individual struggle for freedom and authentic living.
Dada Drummer Almanach 255 implied HN points 07 Mar 23
  1. Planned obsolescence in technology can lead to unintended consequences like a decline in quality and essential maintenance being neglected.
  2. Digital advancements like AI in music and movies can eliminate important human interactions and connections.
  3. Labor is crucial for maintaining shared spaces like movie theaters and music venues, and eliminating human jobs can ultimately eliminate the social experience these spaces provide.
On Looking 79 implied HN points 22 Mar 23
  1. Illustrators have the power to shape public opinion on AI by leveraging their expertise in visual storytelling.
  2. There are ongoing efforts, like lawsuits and digital tools, to protect artists' work in the face of AI-generated art and copyright infringement.
  3. The representation of AI in illustrations can be reimagined to reflect the real-world impact of AI technologies, moving away from the typical futuristic and idealistic portrayals.
Wheel’s Substack 19 implied HN points 07 May 23
  1. Labour-inclusive capitalism promotes the idea of collaboration between capital and labor for optimal capitalism.
  2. Some perspectives view UBI as exclusionary and ableist due to the focus on labor inclusion and agency.
  3. Labor-inclusive capitalism dominates the ideology of influential members of the Labour party.
Workonomics 19 implied HN points 28 Mar 23
  1. A study found that higher-wage jobs have a higher exposure to automation than lower-wage jobs.
  2. A tight labor market has helped reduce inequality by increasing wages for low-wage workers more than high-wage workers.
  3. Different states have proposed various gig economy regulations, such as requiring gig platforms to show drivers how much they were paid and provide benefits like minimum wage and sick time.
Links I Would Gchat You If We Were Friends 139 implied HN points 03 Mar 21
  1. The gig economy and the 'passion' economy are seen as one phenomenon that depletes the labor ecosystem, extracting value from workers.
  2. Examples of unalienated labor can be found among artisans and in spaces like Black hair salons, where people genuinely love their work.
  3. Empowering workers in the digital age involves creating platforms that they have control over, ensuring they benefit from the value they produce.
Euro Desk Paris 39 implied HN points 11 Mar 23
  1. Over 2 million people participated in a national mobilization in France, with widespread demonstrations across the country.
  2. The proposed pension reform in France is just the tip of the iceberg, as it involves converting retirement into a market index.
  3. Historical events like the 1963 miner's strike in France provide parallels and lessons for the current social movements and government responses.
I Might Be Wrong 3 implied HN points 14 Mar 24
  1. Immigration can boost economic growth by connecting workers with employers, creating wealth for individuals and society.
  2. High-skilled immigrants contribute significantly to the economy, starting businesses and driving innovation.
  3. Legal immigration can help manage crime rates and enrich American culture, benefiting society as a whole.
Metal Machine Music by Ben Tarnoff 39 implied HN points 07 Nov 19
  1. Technology Left needs to learn from the past: It's important to look back at the history of movements democratizing technology to find inspiration, learn lessons, and feel connected to a community.
  2. Past experiments in democratizing technology: The GLC in 1980s London created Technology Networks to democratize design and development, emphasizing socially useful production. This innovation from below aimed to involve communities in technology creation.
  3. Creating spaces for democratic technological practice today: The idea of Technology Networks could inform creating spaces where participants engage in self-organization, politicization, and work towards meaningful social change.
ailogblog 1 HN point 16 Feb 24
  1. AI can help improve middle class jobs by empowering knowledge workers and utilizing expertise to support decision-making tasks.
  2. The value of expertise will change with AI, potentially allowing a larger group of workers to perform higher-stakes tasks currently done by elite experts.
  3. AI offers an opportunity to restore the middle-skill, middle-class heart of the labor market, which has been affected by automation and globalization.
Gad’s Newsletter 1 HN point 11 Mar 24
  1. Despite previous doubts, Uber has achieved profitability by moderating spending and efficiently managing its operations.
  2. Uber's profitability hinges on increasing their take-rate from customers, while the drivers are facing challenges with payment structures such as algorithm-based systems.
  3. Even though Uber is profitable, there are concerns about the sustainability of these profits due to potential regulatory changes impacting their business model and driver treatment.
Do Not Research 0 implied HN points 16 Oct 22
  1. Artists Eva & Franco Mattes showcase the clearly defined content boundaries on social media platforms through leaked internal documents, helping users better understand moderation rules.
  2. Despite the increasing automation in content moderation, there is still a substantial need for human interpretation, often carried out by gig workers worldwide, which leads to high turnover rates due to disturbing content exposure and irregular work hours.
  3. Part-time content moderators are often unaware of the platforms they are moderating for, as the origin and ownership of the moderation guidelines remain undisclosed.
The Washington Current 0 implied HN points 02 Feb 24
  1. President Biden celebrates having the strongest economy in the world, crediting organized labor.
  2. Biden highlights the decrease in inflation, growth in jobs, and creation of manufacturing jobs in the US.
  3. Larry Kudlow, a former economic adviser to Trump, acknowledges the positive economic indicators and apologizes for his previous predictions.
Digital Native 0 implied HN points 18 Jan 24
  1. Silicon Valley tends to build products for itself, but there are large opportunities in underserved markets like Baby Boomers and Gen Alphas.
  2. Startups are starting to focus on overlooked groups like industrial workers and internet labor, offering solutions tailored to their needs.
  3. There is potential in catering to the growing class of internet-native small businesses, from creators to e-commerce entrepreneurs.
Equal Ventures 0 implied HN points 12 Aug 20
  1. Equal Ventures is focusing on investing in care economies, particularly in childcare and eldercare segments.
  2. The childcare industry is facing rising costs and concerns around the quality of care providers, while the eldercare sector is preparing for unprecedented growth in the number of seniors in America.
  3. Companies that prioritize access, accountability, and affordability of care, along with improving transparency and trust in the industry, are of interest to Equal Ventures.
The Tweetsift Report 0 implied HN points 06 Mar 23
  1. Nonfarm business sector labor productivity increased by 1.7% in Q4 2022, despite declining annually by 1.7%.
  2. Nonfinancial corporate sector productivity rose by 0.6% in Q3 2022, contrary to previous reports of a 1.6% decline.
  3. Overall, the report indicates more bullish sentiments in labor productivity, with positive indicators surpassing negative ones.
Japan Economy Watch 0 implied HN points 28 Jun 17
  1. Trade is often blamed for various issues, but solutions must be provided for workers affected by trade and automation.
  2. The backlash against globalization is seen as a significant threat that could have disastrous consequences for the world economy.
  3. Proposals include establishing consensus on programs to support workers impacted by globalization.