The hottest Metaphors Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
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Top Literature Topics

The thing that sticks out

Austin Kleon • 2098 implied HN points • 09 May 23
🎨 Art & Illustration Creativity Gardening Metaphors Art Process
  1. It's important to know what to keep in your work and what to remove. Sometimes, cutting out parts you love can help your overall project grow better.
  2. You can take pieces from your creative work, like plant cuttings, and use them in new ways. This allows you to explore fresh ideas or directions.
  3. Giving things time to settle before you repurpose them can make a big difference. Just like letting cuttings dry before replanting, patience is key in creating something new.

Metaphors And Analogies

Teaching computers how to talk • 115 implied HN points • 24 Nov 24
🕹 Technology Artificial Intelligence Metaphors Language processing Human-computer interaction Machine Learning
  1. Metaphors and analogies are a big part of how we talk about AI. They can help us understand things but sometimes make it harder to see what's really going on.
  2. Many people see AI as having human-like qualities, which can lead to overestimating its abilities. We should remember that AI is just a tool and not something with a mind.
  3. It's important to rethink how we view AI and use better descriptions. AI should help us improve our thinking and creativity, not replace them.

self learning models (1)

Eternal Sunshine of the Stochastic Mind • 119 implied HN points • 02 May 24
🕹 Technology AI Machine Learning Neural Networks Computer Science Metaphors
  1. Machine Learning is a leap of faith in Computer Science where data shapes the outcome rather than instructions.
  2. In machine learning, viewing yourself as a neural network model can offer insights into self-improvement.
  3. Understanding machine learning concepts can help in identifying learning failures, training the mind, and reflecting on personal objectives.
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Equations are very confusing if you don't know what "X" represents

Defender’s corner • 79 implied HN points • 27 Mar 24
🚌 Education Mathematics Teaching Learning Metaphors Problem Solving
  1. In math, understanding the meaning and representation of variables like 'X' is crucial for problem-solving.
  2. Teaching effectively often involves asking questions and understanding the learner's mental model.
  3. Using metaphors and real-life scenarios can help clarify complex concepts and improve understanding.

The Ocean Is Gay

Paging Dr. Lesbian • 176 implied HN points • 04 Jun 23
🎭️ Culture LGBTQ+ Science Nature Personal Stories Metaphors
  1. Sabrina Imbler's book explores the unique lives of ocean creatures and connects them to personal experiences.
  2. The author, a queer, mixed-race individual, offers a different perspective in the realm of science writing.
  3. Imbler makes emotional connections between sea creatures and personal stories, adding depth to scientific facts.

Office Hours

Story Club with George Saunders • 74 implied HN points • 07 Mar 24
📚 Literature Editing Writing Revision Metaphors
  1. Editing is a complex process that involves both line editing and structural editing.
  2. Metaphors play a significant role in writing but should not be mistaken for the actual process of revising.
  3. Approach editing with the right spirit, aiming for a balance between being too harsh and too lax to bring out your best work.

Stalemate, Zugzwang and a long Middle Game

Comment is Freed • 103 implied HN points • 19 Sep 23
🌍 World Politics War Ukraine Russia Chess Metaphors
  1. Stalemate can highlight the need for diplomatic resolutions in war situations.
  2. The term 'stalemate' in chess refers to a specific situation where one player cannot make any legal moves, unique to the game.
  3. The concept of 'Zugzwang' in chess signifies being compelled to make a move that leads to a worse position, showcasing strategic vulnerability.

The Mathematics of Literature

Holodoxa • 79 implied HN points • 30 Mar 23
📚 Literature Mathematics Analysis Structure Narrative Metaphors
  1. Math and literature are more interconnected than commonly thought, with Sarah Hart's book exploring the relationship between the two disciplines in depth.
  2. Once Upon a Prime delves into how mathematics influences different aspects of literature, from fundamental structures like plot and rhyme scheme to using mathematical metaphors and deploying math creatively in storytelling.
  3. Hart's book is a mix of engaging content, with some parts feeling like random trivia, leading to a reading experience that can be a bit scattered but ultimately offers unique insights into the blend of math and literature.

Water is flowing down your arms; your feet are peeling a tangerine

Eternal Sunshine of the Stochastic Mind • 19 implied HN points • 05 Dec 23
🎨 Art & Illustration Metaphors Dance Artists Creativity
  1. Ballet resembles mathematics, providing a vocabulary of poses and movements like a formal structure in mathematics, enabling endless unique sequences to unfold.
  2. Ballet teaching often uses metaphorical cues to convey precise body positioning, making the basics challenging to teach and learn.
  3. Sensorial metaphors in ballet, like imagining water flowing down arms or peeling a tangerine with feet, enhance mind-body connection and expand awareness beyond just physical movement.

#41 How would you camouflage a power station?

Design Lobster • 19 implied HN points • 09 Nov 20
🪑 Design Metaphors Architecture Creativity
  1. Design can be more effective when disguised to confuse or bewilder, as seen in the camouflage of infrastructure during wartime.
  2. The design trend of neumorphism, inspired by skeuomorphism, reflects a shift towards more tactile, sculptural digital interfaces.
  3. Real-world metaphors in design can offer insights into the material anxieties and creative trends in digital design.

Follow your gut ?

Eddie's startup voyage • 0 implied HN points • 05 Feb 24
📖 Philosophy Decision-making Intuition Reason Values Metaphors
  1. Consider balancing rational thinking with gut instinct in decision-making, especially in situations with limited data or inconclusive information.
  2. Use mental models like Jeff Bezos' 1-way vs 2-way door decisions to navigate choices. For irreversible decisions, follow your gut if it strongly signals a direction; for reversible decisions, consider both rational and instinctive inputs.
  3. Understand the interplay between Daniel Kahneman's System 1 and System 2 thinking in decision-making, and learn to appropriately calibrate analytical and intuitive processes to make better choices.