The hottest Language Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
Category
Top Technology Topics

An arising of thoughts on copywriting, poetry, advertising, design, language and culture.

Thoughts on Writing • 0 implied HN points • 16 Jul 21
🎭️ Culture Writing Advertising Design Language Business
  1. The post explores various topics like copywriting, poetry, advertising, design, language, and culture
  2. The author invites readers to subscribe to access evolving thoughts related to business, ethics, consciousness, and reality
  3. Links are provided for readers to engage with the author on Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn

Aristotle's Philosophy of Communication

Logos and Liberty • 0 implied HN points • 12 Nov 22
📖 Philosophy Communication Rhetoric Language Thought
  1. Aristotle views rhetoric as crucial in political life for collective decision-making.
  2. Rhetoric and dialectic, according to Aristotle, serve different purposes with rhetoric being applied dialectic for practical use.
  3. Aristotle believes truth exists independently, represented through thought and language, favoring the just and the true in communication.

Ho We Use Language About Technology

The Digital Anthropologist • 0 implied HN points • 20 Sep 23
🕹 Technology Language AI Data Analytics Search Engines
  1. Language is a crucial human technology that has enabled collaboration, storytelling, and sharing different realities.
  2. Our language is evolving to describe technologies in a more human-like manner, impacting how we interact with and perceive technology.
  3. The way we use language to shape our relationship with technology is undergoing a significant shift, influencing our self-perception in relation to technology.

Institutional code and human behavior (1)

Space chimp life • 0 implied HN points • 26 Feb 24
📖 Philosophy Human behavior Institutions Society Language Culture
  1. Human behavior is deeply influenced by social institutions, such as language, art, and religion. These institutions shape how we connect and operate in society.
  2. Every institution has a kind of 'code' that guides its functions and roles, similar to how computer programs run on code. This code helps define what members can do and how they interact.
  3. Foundational roles in early institutions likely included distinctions based on sexual and social dynamics, shaping how humans formed relationships and organized themselves.

Institutional code and human behavior (1)

Space chimp life • 0 implied HN points • 25 Feb 24
📖 Philosophy Human behavior Institutions Language Evolution Society
  1. Our human nature is deeply intertwined with institutions, which shape many of our social behaviors like language, art, and economy. Understanding these institutions can help us see how they influence our lives.
  2. Institutions need certain features to operate effectively, like defining roles for members and processes for decision-making. These codes help govern interactions and resource management within a group.
  3. A big part of how we relate to each other in institutions comes from our basic human roles, including sexual roles. These roles may have been some of the first defined in ancient societies, influencing how we build social structures today.
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The Counterfactual's poll #4

The Counterfactual • 0 implied HN points • 13 May 24
🕹 Technology AI LLMs Readability Tokenization Language
  1. Subscribers can vote on topics each month for future posts. This means readers have a say in what gets discussed.
  2. Past post topics have included readability and tokenization in language models. These topics show a focus on language and technology.
  3. There’s a free trial offered for new subscribers. People can explore content before committing to a paid subscription.

Humans, LLMs, and the symbol grounding problem (pt. 1)

The Counterfactual • 0 implied HN points • 16 Nov 22
🕹 Technology AI Language Cognition Neuroscience Philosophy
  1. Humans understand language through experiences and actions. This means that we connect words with real-world meanings based on what we sense and do.
  2. Large Language Models (LLMs) struggle with understanding because they learn only from text. They lack the real-life experiences that humans have to ground their understanding in reality.
  3. Research shows that our brains activate specific areas related to actions when we comprehend language. This suggests that our ability to understand words may rely on these experiences and not just on the words themselves.

Tiny differences between America and the UK

Tranquil Thoughts • 0 implied HN points • 16 Jul 23
🎭️ Culture Cultural differences Social norms Everyday life Language Humor
  1. Public restrooms in the US have big gaps in the doors, making it awkward to use them. In the UK, bathrooms are more private, and you can relax without feeling exposed.
  2. In America, people walk consistently on the right side of the sidewalk. It's an unspoken rule that even confuses some visitors from the UK.
  3. US grocery stores use strong paper bags that aren't common in the UK. These bags are reusable and sturdy, making shopping easier.

Found in translation

Tranquil Thoughts • 0 implied HN points • 14 Jun 23
🎭️ Culture Language Traditions Identity Communication
  1. Learning local language quirks is fun when living in a new country. It helps you connect with the culture and meet new people.
  2. Unique phrases often reflect local culture and history. These sayings can offer a peek into how people in that area view their world.
  3. Food-related expressions show cultural differences, like how New Yorkers say 'get a slice' for pizza. Such phrases highlight impactful local customs.

The Art of Naming

Tranquil Thoughts • 0 implied HN points • 30 Jan 23
🎭️ Culture Language Communication Concepts Labels Ideas
  1. Naming is really powerful. When you have a good name for an idea, it makes it easier for people to understand and connect with it.
  2. Clear communication helps avoid misunderstandings. If we can't agree on names and terms, we might end up talking about different things.
  3. Good labels can make ideas stick in people's minds for a long time. So, think about how to package your ideas in a catchy way to make them more impactful.

Refuting Five Myths About Large Language Models

The Future of Life • 0 implied HN points • 24 May 24
🕹 Technology AI Models Data Language Innovation
  1. Large language models (LLMs) are not just predicting the next word. They can create complex ideas and reasons, similar to how our brains work.
  2. LLMs can solve problems and generate content about new topics, even if they weren't specifically trained on them. They can understand and adapt quickly to various tasks.
  3. The development of LLM technology is still growing fast, with new discoveries happening all the time. This means we can expect even more advancements in artificial intelligence in the future.

Validating Low-Confidence LLM Generation

Cobus Greyling on LLMs, NLU, NLP, chatbots & voicebots • 0 implied HN points • 11 Jan 24
🕹 Technology AI ML Data Computing Language
  1. A new method can find and fix mistakes in language models as they create text. This means fewer wrong or silly sentences when they're generating responses.
  2. First, the system checks for uncertainty in the generated sentences to spot potential errors. If it sees something is likely wrong, it can pull in correct information from reliable sources to fix it.
  3. This process not only helps fix single errors, but it can also stop those mistakes from spreading to the next sentences, making the overall output much more accurate.

China: learning Mandarin

Logos • 0 implied HN points • 15 Mar 20
🎭️ Culture Language Education Travel Art Identity
  1. Learning Mandarin is challenging and different from other languages because it has no connection to Indo-European languages. This makes it tough, but also exciting.
  2. Chinese words can be fun to learn since many are made by combining simpler words. Understanding the meaning behind them can make guessing new words easier.
  3. Mistakes in speaking Mandarin can be amusing and humbling. It feels uncomfortable at times, but overcoming these challenges brings a sense of accomplishment.

The Pragmatists Handbook: Functional Analysis

Divergent Futures • 0 implied HN points • 12 Sep 24
📖 Philosophy Pragmatism Ethics Language Identity
  1. Pragmatism is a really helpful philosophy because it focuses on the function of ideas rather than just their definitions. This way, discussions can become more meaningful.
  2. Functional Analysis helps clarify debates by asking what the purpose of a term or concept is instead of getting stuck in arguments over definitions. For example, understanding what a 'table' does helps settle disputes about its design.
  3. Truth is considered a tool in Pragmatism, used to navigate life and communicate effectively. It's not fixed and changes based on its function in each situation.

The Problem with Language: Fuzzy Categories and Central Members

Divergent Futures • 0 implied HN points • 07 Aug 24
📖 Philosophy Language Cognition Argumentation Knowledge Mathematics
  1. Language is a tool that helps us communicate but is not always perfect in representing ideas. It evolved to be useful but can lead to misunderstandings because categories are often fuzzy.
  2. When we think of a category, like 'cat', we picture a common example based on our experiences. This average image may overlook other varieties and details.
  3. Using math can improve our understanding of complex ideas. It helps us avoid confusion in discussions and see the world in a clearer, more precise way.

Chignon. Chapitre dix : Le terrier du langage

Justin E. H. Smith's Hinternet • 0 implied HN points • 27 Oct 24
🎭️ Culture Language Religion Literature Art Tradition
  1. Reading is changing and becoming more like playing an online game. Many people now want texts to be clear and easy to understand right away.
  2. There is a concern that as readers rely more on simplified texts, the true act of reading may disappear. Readers might become just sharers of content rather than engaged thinkers.
  3. The beauty of life and creation is still celebrated. Moments of joy and wonder, like observing nature, continue to remind us of deeper meanings and connections.

Numb in India, part 7: Land of gloop

Numb at the Lodge • 0 implied HN points • 28 Nov 24
🎭️ Culture Travel Politics Economics Social Issues Language
  1. Kerala is different from the rest of India, with a mix of cultures and a unique language called Malayalam. It's interesting how languages can feel so foreign and vibrant, making it a special place to visit.
  2. Kerala has a history of communism that actually seems to work well in helping people. They have made improvements in healthcare and education, and they even have high wages for workers.
  3. Despite its challenges, India is often looked at negatively compared to places like China. However, Kerala shows that there are positive and unique aspects to India that deserve more attention.

🐿️ The Underground Grammarian - The IPT Newsletter

Squirrel Squadron Substack • 0 implied HN points • 21 Jan 25
🚌 Education Language Writing Communication Critical Thinking Leadership
  1. Clarity in language leads to better understanding. When people use simple and clear words, everyone can see what's really going on.
  2. Avoiding the passive voice helps identify who is responsible. If we don't name who is responsible for actions, it can create confusion and misunderstandings.
  3. Being direct and open in conversations can bring out more ideas and honest discussions. When people feel free to speak openly, it leads to better problem-solving.