The hottest Labor Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
Category
Top Culture Topics

The Saturday Selection, Vol. 36

Why is this interesting? • 241 implied HN points • 11 Jan 25
🎭️ Culture Labor
  1. McDonald's self-service kiosks led to customers ordering more food than before. This shows technology can improve sales instead of just replacing workers.
  2. A piece explored how skillets are important during evacuations, highlighting their cultural and practical significance. It's a reminder of how everyday items can carry deeper meanings.
  3. An article showcased industrial photographer Christopher Payne's work, celebrating American labor. It emphasizes the beauty and honor in various types of work.

Top Links 585 Mexico's laborious economy. VW exits Xinjiang. Bibles are booming. Joan Robinson on time & history.

Chartbook • 271 implied HN points • 12 Dec 24
💼 Business Labor
  1. Mexico works a lot, making it the second biggest economy in the OECD by total hours worked, surpassing countries like Germany.
  2. Volkswagen has decided to leave Xinjiang, reflecting changing business strategies in sensitive regions.
  3. There is a rising interest in Bibles, indicating a shift or demand in religious materials.

replacement lunch

let them eat cake • 199 implied HN points • 03 May 23
🍲 Food & Drink Labor
  1. Differences in wages reflect societal values on labor, education, and automation.
  2. AI technology is changing the landscape of job application processes and the value of labor.
  3. The intrinsic value of human expertise in activities like cooking may not be easily replaceable by machines.

We’re wasting AI’s real potential

Sex and the State • 19 implied HN points • 19 Nov 25
🕹 Technology Labor
  1. Most big questions called "AI problems" are actually broader social and policy problems that existed before and will still matter after AI.
  2. Creating rules or exemptions only for AI—like special whistleblower protections or tariff breaks—risks unfair carveouts and misses the chance to update laws and regulations for everyone.
  3. The huge attention on AI is an opportunity to fix those wider issues—balancing innovation and safety, modernizing rules, and protecting displaced workers—so we should use it to reform systems, not just regulate AI.

Labour in the middle layer

imperfect offerings • 139 implied HN points • 20 Jul 23
🕹 Technology Labor
  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.
Get a weekly roundup of the best Substack posts, by hacker news affinity:

The Truth About H-2B Visas

God's Spies by Thomas Neuburger • 196 implied HN points • 31 Dec 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Labor
  1. H-1B visas are often seen as a way for companies to pay lower wages and keep salaries down for American workers. This creates a situation where employers have more power over employees who depend on these visas.
  2. Many tech companies use H-1B workers to fill jobs, especially during layoffs of American workers, which leads to a feeling of competition and insecurity among those workers.
  3. The system appears to benefit companies financially while putting pressure on both H-1B workers and American employees, leading to questions about fairness and ethics in the job market.

🤖 AI and the economy: scenarios for a world with artificial general intelligence

Faster, Please! • 456 implied HN points • 18 Mar 24
🕹 Technology Labor
  1. Artificial General Intelligence is a concept that doesn't exist yet and may never be achieved, but some experts believe it's coming soon.
  2. AI is viewed as a tool to enhance human capabilities and create new opportunities rather than a threat to job security.
  3. The impact of AI on the economy will depend on whether there is a limit to the complexity of tasks humans can perform.

For the Love of God, Bring Back Blind Hiring Processes

I Might Be Wrong • 8 implied HN points • 31 Dec 25
🎭️ Culture Labor
  1. The entertainment industry publicly and actively prioritized hiring more women and non-white people in recent years, with companies and unions changing policies and incentives to do so.
  2. Calling rejected white men ‘not talented enough’ sidesteps the problem because talent is subjective and often unknowable, so that argument doesn’t resolve claims of discrimination.
  3. Bringing back blind hiring processes would help reduce identity-based bias and make hiring decisions focus more on the work itself, which could feel fairer to everyone.

On Environment, Chinese companies may be the model student

Beijing Channel • 7 implied HN points • 05 Jan 26
🌐 International Labor
  1. Chinese companies operating abroad often bring advanced environmental practices and technologies, and in many projects they meet or exceed local and international standards while restoring damaged land.
  2. Their investments frequently deliver local benefits like steady jobs, infrastructure upgrades, and technical training, helping communities remain livable and prosperous.
  3. Despite these outcomes, Western media and political interests commonly portray these firms as environmentally or socially reckless, amplifying routine problems into broader accusations driven by geopolitics and competition.

Automaticity, Mega-Machine, Planetary Super-Organism, Nirvana, Hive Mind

Daniel Pinchbeck’s Newsletter • 9 implied HN points • 16 Dec 25
🕹 Technology Labor
  1. Skills learned through practice become automatic and habitual, letting our conscious mind focus on other things.
  2. Modern civilization acts like a mega-machine or technosphere that invisibly handles basic survival tasks, removing those labor demands from individual awareness and action.
  3. AI threatens to extend that automaticity to thought itself by outsourcing cognitive and administrative work to networks, which could free people but also risk loss of autonomy or a hive-mind–like planetary system.

Genre Grapevine on Why They Want Us to Call it AI

Genre Grapevine • 98 implied HN points • 01 Jul 23
🚌 Education Labor
  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.

A map of my ignorance: Technostrategy and technofeudalism

Philosophy bear • 135 implied HN points • 10 Jan 25
📖 Philosophy Labor
  1. Many jobs, especially those in offices, could be replaced by AI soon. This change might make it hard for workers to find jobs and could create a big gap in wealth between those who benefit from AI and those who don't.
  2. Workers may start resisting these changes as jobs disappear. How this resistance plays out depends on the speed of job loss and the workers' ability to unite against it.
  3. The future of work will also depend on political reactions to AI. There might be new political groups forming to oppose AI advancements, reshaping how society views labor and automation.

US Federal Reserve says its goal is 'to get wages down'

Geopolitical Economy Report • 279 implied HN points • 24 May 22
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Labor
  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.

Generative AI and the Movie Industry: Opportunities and Challenges

Rod’s Blog • 39 implied HN points • 16 Feb 24
🕹 Technology Labor
  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.

Really good AI would make economic management much easier (Wonkish)

Philosophy bear • 107 implied HN points • 27 Jan 25
🕹 Technology Labor
  1. Good AI could help manage the economy by making it easier to fix problems like monopolies or pollution. This means we could better control and regulate businesses to benefit everyone.
  2. If AI can do many jobs humans do now, it could save a lot of money on regulatory costs. This would make it easier for governments and companies to comply with rules and regulations.
  3. With better data and smarter tools, we could understand the costs and benefits of economic actions more clearly. This would help in making better decisions about taxes, regulations, and contracts.

Kyiv Metro vs the World: An Exploration

S(ubstack)-Bahn • 341 implied HN points • 22 Sep 23
🌐 International Labor
  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.

Japan's demographic doldrums

The Global Jigsaw • 79 implied HN points • 18 Sep 23
🌍 World Politics Labor
  1. Japan is facing a demographic issue with a shrinking labor force and an aging population.
  2. The government is struggling to address this issue due to a declining birth rate and reluctance towards immigration.
  3. Immigrants in Japan face challenges such as xenophobia, administrative hurdles, and difficulty integrating into society.

The Death of The Bethlehem Mill

ESG Hound • 461 implied HN points • 22 Mar 23
🌍 World Politics Labor
  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.

Illustrating AI

On Looking • 79 implied HN points • 22 Mar 23
🎨 Art & Illustration Labor
  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.

Us vs. Them

Black Lodges • 58 implied HN points • 13 Sep 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Labor
  1. An Australian property developer made controversial statements about the working class and employers.
  2. Capitalism is based on exploitation and is inherent in economic relationships.
  3. The need for change to the core of capitalism to alleviate exploitation and unethical practices.

Ski Lift Pricing and the Lessons from Vail’s Challenge

Gad’s Newsletter • 70 implied HN points • 13 Jan 25
💼 Business Labor
  1. Skiing in the U.S. is becoming very expensive and often feels exclusive. Many ski resorts focus on making money rather than being inclusive to all skiers.
  2. The Epic Pass has changed how skiing works by giving access to multiple resorts. However, this has led to long wait times and overcrowded slopes, making the skiing experience less enjoyable.
  3. In Europe, ski resorts are often more affordable and competitive, allowing more people to enjoy skiing. This makes skiing feel less like a luxury and more accessible for everyone.

Updated: Trump's & America's "Illegal Alien" Grift. Protests Ignite! High Way Blocked!

C.O.P. Central Organizing Principle. • 24 implied HN points • 08 Jun 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Labor
  1. Many believe that the immigration debate is less about safety and more about businesses wanting to hire undocumented workers at lower wages. This creates tensions between immigrants and American workers.
  2. Undocumented workers often take on hard jobs in agriculture and construction that many Americans do not want. There's a need for seasonal work visas to make this process easier and legal.
  3. Fighting against immigration can distract from bigger economic issues, like rising living costs. It may be better for American workers and immigrants to unite to demand better treatment and fair wages.

Solidarity

Dada Drummer Almanach • 182 implied HN points • 03 Oct 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Labor
  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.

Planned Obsolescence

Dada Drummer Almanach • 255 implied HN points • 07 Mar 23
🎭️ Culture Labor
  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.

We should all be Luddites now

The Future, Now and Then • 154 implied HN points • 08 Sep 23
🎭️ Culture Labor
  1. The Luddite rebellion was about labor power and resistance to technology that would harm workers.
  2. Legitimate pathways for voicing resistance being limited can lead people to embrace illegitimate tactics for change.
  3. Being a modern-day Luddite means advocating for fair distribution of wealth and power in the digital future.

Life Is All About Work, Didn’t You Know?

antoniomelonio • 86 implied HN points • 13 Feb 24
📖 Philosophy Labor
  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.

Will AI skyrocket inequality?

Economic Forces • 12 implied HN points • 03 Jul 25
💼 Business Labor
  1. AI might change job markets and wages, but we need to examine how it affects skilled and unskilled workers. Understanding labor demand and supply can help explain these changes.
  2. There is a potential for AI to increase inequality, especially between those with higher education and those without. However, AI might make some skilled tasks easier for less-educated workers, which could balance things out.
  3. As AI evolves, the way we categorize jobs might need to change. We should look at how AI creates new job roles and affects wages within different skill groups.

Robot Revolution?

Daniel Pinchbeck’s Newsletter • 14 implied HN points • 31 May 25
🕹 Technology Labor
  1. AI is taking over many jobs, especially in tech and creative fields, causing big layoffs and making it hard for new graduates to find work.
  2. There’s a growing concern that AI could create a rich vs. poor divide where a few tech owners become extremely wealthy while most people become jobless and struggle to get by.
  3. To address these changes, we need new ideas about how society should work, moving away from just making money to focusing on community, creativity, and ensuring everyone has what they need.

Mommy, daddy, is ChatGPT going to automate your jobs? | Roundup #18

Workonomics • 19 implied HN points • 28 Mar 23
💼 Business Labor
  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.

“Dey Took Err Jerbs”: Immigration and the Lump of Labor Fallacy

Center for the Study of Partisanship and Ideology • 24 implied HN points • 23 Jan 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Labor
  1. The idea that there's only a fixed number of jobs is a myth. More workers, especially immigrants, can actually create new jobs and grow the economy.
  2. High-skilled immigrants contribute significantly to innovation and entrepreneurship. Many big companies in the U.S. were started by immigrants or their children.
  3. Allowing more immigrants into the workforce benefits everyone. It can lead to economic growth and better job opportunities for all, rather than taking jobs away from Americans.

The passion economy is a ploy

Links I Would Gchat You If We Were Friends • 139 implied HN points • 03 Mar 21
🕹 Technology Labor
  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.

The law is a stick-up !

Euro Desk Paris • 39 implied HN points • 11 Mar 23
🌍 World Politics Labor
  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.

Modern Slavery

The Weekly Gazette • 42 implied HN points • 26 Jun 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Labor
  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.

Anyone That Uses The Term "Illegal Immigrant" Is A Hardcore Racist & Should Be Rejected From Polite Society.

C.O.P. Central Organizing Principle. • 18 implied HN points • 19 Nov 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Labor
  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.

The dead are at our backs

Metal Machine Music by Ben Tarnoff • 39 implied HN points • 07 Nov 19
🕹 Technology Labor
  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.