The hottest Learning Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
Category
Top Business Topics
Technology Made Simple β€’ 59 implied HN points β€’ 09 Feb 22
  1. Create a basic sentence checker that validates sentences based on specific rules like capitalization, punctuation, and spacing.
  2. The sentence must start with a capital letter, have proper lowercase letters, separators, and terminal marks, and contain single spaces between words.
  3. Validation criteria include starting with a capital, having proper case usage, correct punctuation, and spacing. The sentence must end with a terminal mark following a word.
Technology Made Simple β€’ 39 implied HN points β€’ 04 Jul 22
  1. The solution to complex problems often combines ideas from multiple domains, similar to how problem-solving in software engineering works.
  2. When faced with intimidating problems, remember that breaking them down into smaller components and using various techniques is key to finding the solution.
  3. Techniques used in math and coding interviews are often similar, such as using small test cases, analyzing functions, and reducing problems to previously solved cases.
The Small Business Corner β€’ 2 HN points β€’ 04 Jun 24
  1. Focusing on mastering one field with intense focus and dedication can lead to true greatness and success.
  2. Building a diverse skill set by combining mediocre skills can also create a powerful market force and open up new opportunities.
  3. Balancing deep expertise in one field with additional skills can help navigate uncertainty, attract more opportunities, and create something unique.
Technology Made Simple β€’ 39 implied HN points β€’ 26 May 22
  1. Identifying a 'celebrity' in a group where everyone knows them but they know no one involves a logic puzzle with time complexity considerations.
  2. A key to solving the 'celebrity' problem efficiently is using the 'knows' method and a strategy to identify the person in O(N) time.
  3. Engaging with the author's content can involve liking posts, participating in surveys, or supporting them via Substack features.
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The Leading Sapiens Weekly β€’ 40 implied HN points β€’ 03 Apr 23
  1. Action can often be easier than changing your mindset or waiting to feel ready before taking action.
  2. Focusing on the verb (action) is often more within our control and judgment-free than focusing on the noun (mindset).
  3. Acting your way into a new way of thinking can lead to growth and learning, even if it feels uncomfortable at first.
Technology Made Simple β€’ 39 implied HN points β€’ 08 May 22
  1. Find a field that makes you happy and interested in tech to ensure long-term career growth and avoid becoming redundant in the face of automation like AI.
  2. Pursue mastery in a specific area of tech rather than being a jack-of-all-trades to stand out in the competitive job market and avoid being easily replaceable.
  3. Discover your strengths and interests in tech by actively learning and refining your skills in a chosen field, allowing you to become an expert and find your niche.
Outlandish Claims β€’ 1 HN point β€’ 10 Jul 24
  1. In language, marking certain traits as different or special allows us to understand norms. This concept of 'markedness' plays a significant role in societal perceptions.
  2. An unmarked system can hide problems or biases. For example, schools being seen as the norm might overlook issues like sexual abuse within them.
  3. Standardized education doesn't always equate to real-life success. Studies show homeschooled children, often considered 'marked,' can perform similarly or better academically.
Technology Made Simple β€’ 19 implied HN points β€’ 01 Nov 22
  1. Monads in programming are a software engineering pattern for code reusability and writing pipelines at scale.
  2. Monads are great for chaining functions together, abstracting implementation details for clear code.
  3. Using monads is helpful when dealing with a group of objects that behave similarly, allowing for reusable code and easier implementation of common behaviors.
Technology Made Simple β€’ 39 implied HN points β€’ 15 Feb 22
  1. Topological sort is an important concept for solving interview questions and can help with understanding various problems.
  2. Focusing on quality over quantity in coding practice and targeted improvement is key for successful Leetcode preparation.
  3. Engaging with a community, following quality resources, and practicing mock interviews can greatly enhance your coding and interview skills.
The Pole β€’ 19 implied HN points β€’ 17 Jan 23
  1. Innovators face resistance from standardizers when introducing new ideas, but persistence can lead to successful adoption.
  2. Using leverage to solve problems can be risky, so it's crucial to model reality accurately to mitigate risks.
  3. Information asymmetry between individuals, with different levels of knowledge and confidence, can impede optimal decision-making.
The Bell Ringer β€’ 99 implied HN points β€’ 09 Dec 20
  1. The author took time to rethink their publication on education topics, showing the importance of reflection before action.
  2. The new newsletter aims to cover important issues related to education and hopes to engage readers.
  3. Subscribers are encouraged to share the newsletter with friends if they find it valuable, highlighting the value of community support.
The Hagakure β€’ 26 implied HN points β€’ 09 Mar 23
  1. Trust is crucial in organizations, and lack of trust leads to reduced collaboration and worse results.
  2. Many organizations get stuck in the cycle of doing the same things over and over, expecting different results.
  3. High work in progress (WIP) leads to negative effects like stress, burnout, and underperformance, and reducing WIP is crucial for better outcomes.
Philosophy in Practice β€’ 1 HN point β€’ 12 Jun 24
  1. Don't search for a single project or solution to fix all problems. Consistency and dedication are key to progress.
  2. Focus on pursuing your interests rather than short-term economic value. Genuine interest fuels true learning.
  3. To excel in a subject, understand its foundational ideas and current state of the art. Good ideas arise from deep knowledge.
Technology Made Simple β€’ 19 implied HN points β€’ 21 Jun 22
  1. Understanding functions in math helps in becoming a better programmer by teaching how to frame problems as inputs and equations.
  2. Mastering math functions translates well to coding, as both domains involve transformations on inputs to get desired outputs.
  3. To get better at functions, focus on topics like Linear Programming and Precalculus, which can sharpen problem-solving and understanding of transformations.
Messy Progress β€’ 11 implied HN points β€’ 16 Feb 24
  1. AI is expected to revolutionize education by providing personalized tutoring, making learning more efficient and engaging.
  2. Current education systems may change with AI tools, enabling on-demand skill learning and reducing the need for extensive pre-existing education.
  3. AI has the potential to transform traditional job recruitment processes by offering virtual interviews, possibly reducing the reliance on college degrees as the primary filter.
Theory Matters β€’ 7 implied HN points β€’ 20 Feb 24
  1. It's important to study the foundational thinkers of political theory like Plato, Hobbes, and Locke, even if we don't always agree with them, as their ideas continue to shape contemporary debates about justice and freedom.
  2. Shortcuts in learning and work can lead to a lack of foundational knowledge and reduced quality in outcomes, affecting areas from education to construction.
  3. Putting in the hard work to learn the fundamentals is essential, even in a society where speed and quantity are often prioritized over quality, to avoid producing individuals who lack true understanding and depth of knowledge.
DruGroup β€’ 39 implied HN points β€’ 14 Dec 21
  1. It's important to be friends with people who are different from you. Learning from their experiences can help expand your thinking.
  2. Listen more and ask questions when talking to others. Understanding their views can help you see where they are coming from.
  3. Try to consider other viewpoints even if you don't agree. It helps avoid misunderstanding and can make your own beliefs stronger.
Technology Made Simple β€’ 19 implied HN points β€’ 31 May 22
  1. Logs and exponents are essential for understanding time/space complexity and optimizing numerical computations. They are fundamental for advanced math and important for fields like Machine Learning.
  2. To get good at logs and exponents, practice on Khan Academy. It offers lectures and problems to help you master the basics efficiently.
  3. For those interested in AI/Data Science, mastering log transformations is crucial. Utilize resources like Brilliant's questions and focus on deep learning concepts involving logs to advance your skills.
Technology Made Simple β€’ 19 implied HN points β€’ 16 May 22
  1. The author is offering a free one-year premium subscription to their newsletter as a tribute to their grandmother, who was a dedicated educator.
  2. The grandmother's life story is shared, emphasizing her commitment to education and how she impacted the lives of her family members and students.
  3. Education is highlighted as a powerful tool for success, especially during challenging times, and the importance of spreading knowledge and opportunities to others is emphasized.
A Mug of Insights β€’ 6 HN points β€’ 01 Apr 23
  1. Great thinkers and leaders in history valued long stretches of isolated thinking time to cultivate attention and critical thinking.
  2. Attention is more than just following instructions or seeking answers; it's about fostering curiosity and seeing the world with fresh eyes.
  3. Sustained attention is crucial in our modern world of constant distractions, allowing for deep understanding and personal growth.
AI Brews β€’ 17 implied HN points β€’ 12 May 23
  1. Anthropic's AI chatbot Claude can now handle 100K tokens and outperforms in complex question synthesis
  2. Stability AI released a Stable Animation SDK for creating animations from text or inputs like images or videos
  3. Airtable launched Airtable AI allowing users to utilize AI in workflows without coding, such as auto-categorizing feedback
Technology Made Simple β€’ 19 implied HN points β€’ 16 Mar 22
  1. Learning from coding questions involves more than just solving them; it's crucial to learn from your mistakes.
  2. Take detailed notes as you attempt problems to provide valuable feedback to track your progress.
  3. Reviewing solutions, comparing them to your own approach, and noting differences can help improve your problem-solving skills.
Tribal Knowledge β€’ 19 implied HN points β€’ 02 May 22
  1. Having a high attention to detail can be both an asset and a weakness, allowing you to see the little things but potentially missing the big picture.
  2. Managing context switching can be tough, especially in roles where you need to be involved in different subjects concurrently.
  3. Taking notes and reducing the number of priorities can help in combating context switching and cognitive overload.
Elixir & Erlang β€’ 1 HN point β€’ 02 May 24
  1. Peter Ullrich transitioned from psychology to software engineering by pursuing education in both fields, showcasing the value of diverse skill sets in a career journey.
  2. Discovering Elixir during his first job was pivotal in shaping Peter Ullrich's career path, highlighting the impact of encountering new technologies in one's professional life.
  3. The creation of Indie Courses by Peter Ullrich underscores the importance of continuous learning and adaptation to industry trends for professional growth, showing the significance of entrepreneurship and innovation.
Midnight Musings β€’ 19 implied HN points β€’ 31 May 22
  1. The education system focuses too much on grades and test scores, which can harm creativity and genuine learning. Students often end up learning how to game the system instead of being curious.
  2. Learning is too structured and doesn't allow for exploration. This can lead to people thinking in ways others define, rather than developing their own unique problem-solving skills.
  3. Students are taught to measure their worth by their output and how others view them. This can create unhealthy competition and pressure, leading to a lack of fulfillment.
Creative Destruction β€’ 5 implied HN points β€’ 20 Dec 23
  1. The story of Santa Claus may have origins in rituals of the Sami people, including psychedelic mushrooms and shamanic healings.
  2. Rituals are powerful tools to regain agency in a world that feels out of control and can shape our lives and communities.
  3. Shift the focus from achieving goals to a culture of learning, as it offers long-lasting emotional and psychological benefits.
Jyri And β€’ 1 HN point β€’ 29 Apr 24
  1. Writing one piece each week can help you think deeply about your topic without rushing. This way, you have time for ideas to develop and connect.
  2. Using an intense weekly writing schedule can mimic the tutorial system of schools like Oxford. It encourages self-discipline and in-depth learning.
  3. Even when you struggle with your writing during the week, taking notes and coming back to the topic can spark new insights and make everything click at the end.
Kids Who Love Math β€’ 3 HN points β€’ 13 Mar 24
  1. Elementary schoolers are taking high school level Algebra I, which is surprising because it's not common and not widely discussed.
  2. The Baader-Meinhof phenomenon explains how we notice things more once we become aware of them, like kids excelling in advanced math.
  3. The Roger Bannister Effect shows how breaking through perceived limits can inspire others to achieve new possibilities, such as young children excelling in higher-level math.
Leadership Tales β€’ 8 implied HN points β€’ 03 Jun 23
  1. Thinking inside another box involves exploring fresh ideas within defined boundaries by combining existing knowledge.
  2. Drawing inspiration from diverse industries can lead to innovative approaches in problem-solving and creativity.
  3. Encouraging analogue thinking through patterns can help individuals generate novel insights and breakthrough ideas.