The hottest Methodology Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
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Chartbook 427: Presence of mind and the present as prognosis - Reading Walter Benjamin.

Chartbook • 1788 implied HN points • 19 Jan 26
📖 Philosophy Methodology
  1. Modern life moves so fast that we often only perceive events after they change, so political action must try to foresee the present by anticipating the near future.
  2. Being truly present — having presence of mind — is a rare and valuable skill that lets people respond quickly and appropriately to unfolding events.
  3. A practical historical method combines long experience, common sense, presence of mind, and dialectical thinking, treating history as a set of dangers to spot and avert through anticipation.

Relax, Microplastics Aren’t Killing You

Common Sense with Bari Weiss • 741 implied HN points • 22 Jan 26
🔬 Science Methodology
  1. Microplastics are everywhere and do pose real ecological risks. But alarmist claims that they are immediately causing major human diseases aren’t supported.
  2. A high‑profile study claiming plastic in human brains used a detection method that can’t reliably distinguish plastic from ordinary fats, so its results are likely false.
  3. Experts have criticized and reversed those dramatic claims, showing we need better methods and more careful interpretation before linking microplastics to serious human health effects.

The Dadaism of "All Theories Are False"

Bet On It • 271 implied HN points • 02 Feb 26
📖 Philosophy Methodology
  1. Saying "all theories are false" is misleading because many theories are true within the precision and conditions they intend; they only become "false" if you demand impossible infinite precision.
  2. Whether a theory can be confirmed depends on its form: universal claims ("all X are Y") need exhaustive checking to be fully confirmed, while existential claims ("some X are Y") can be confirmed by a single example.
  3. Blanket slogans that reject all knowledge tend to encourage unnecessary skepticism; it's more useful to expect room for improvement and to state explicit caveats rather than dismiss theories outright.

Sociology's Pervasively Dubious Assumptions

Unsafe Science • 476 implied HN points • 22 Dec 25
🔬 Science Methodology
  1. The field treats social forces as the primary drivers of outcomes and assumes humans are blank slates, which sidelines biological, psychological, and other non-social causes.
  2. That framework makes inequality seem inherently unjust, privileges social change as normatively good, and centers identity categories as the main lens for explaining society.
  3. Sociology should broaden its toolkit to consider mixed causes (including biology and human nature) and study both social stability and change without presuming existing order is merely oppressive.

Perils of Flawed Meta-Analytic Methodology

The Shores of Academia • 39 implied HN points • 03 Oct 24
🔬 Science Methodology
  1. Flawed meta-analysis can mix different studies that aren't similar, making it hard to draw clear conclusions about their effects on things like mental health.
  2. It’s important for researchers to look at specific impacts and not just assume that a random-effects model explains everything. Understanding the differences in outcomes can lead to better insights.
  3. Proper analysis in studies is really important, especially when people's health is at risk. Ignoring negative findings can mislead people about the safety of products like drugs.
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Economics Isn't "About" Anything

QTR’s Fringe Finance • 22 implied HN points • 03 Mar 26
📖 Philosophy Methodology
  1. Economics isn't 'about' a single theme or object like a novel; it's a science that explains why people make choices by linking causes and effects.
  2. Economics provides neutral, causal explanations of choices and is distinct from ethics, law, or medicine, which judge whether choices are good, legal, or healthy.
  3. Understanding economics is vital for preserving civilization because it reveals how policies (like price controls) change incentives and outcomes, helping citizens avoid demagoguery and harmful decisions.

The Costa Meno: Italy

Yolo Intel • 2417 implied HN points • 10 Jun 23
🏝 Travel Methodology
  1. The "Costa Meno" list features affordable, authentic, charming, and soulful places to stay in Italy near the coast.
  2. These accommodations offer a deeper connection to the location and owners compared to traditional 5-star hotels.
  3. The list includes accommodations under 300 euros a night, focusing on small hotels and rentals near the water.

What is "Theory"?

Never Met a Science • 200 implied HN points • 09 Dec 25
📖 Philosophy Methodology
  1. Natural-language theories fit inside one human brain and are therefore limited by our cognitive capacity, so they struggle to capture complex social systems and often give only vague answers.
  2. The machine-learning 'bitter lesson' shows that scaling data and computation often beats hand-built symbolic theories, so social science should rethink the theory-first paradigm and embrace more data-driven, computational approaches.
  3. Theory should be treated as code and engineered artifacts, and metascience must evaluate platforms, practices, and forecasting so science gains direct apertures to the world and can tell which theories actually work in practice.

Let Us Attack "Continental Philosophy" & Philosophers!: Thursdays in Academia

Brad DeLong's Grasping Reality • 146 implied HN points • 18 Dec 25
📖 Philosophy Methodology
  1. Many bad Continental philosophers substitute rhetoric for argument, using moves like “the map is not the territory” to reject opposing views and then assert their own map without giving reasons.
  2. Passages like sweeping claims about marriage show declarative, uncompelling assertions presented as truths rather than arguments, often reflecting patriarchal blind spots or personal psychology.
  3. To explain these rhetorical patterns, it’s often more useful to look at the thinkers’ psychological lives and institutional contexts than to search the texts alone, though some Continental work (e.g., careful Foucaultian analyses) can still offer real insight.

Making Science More Reproducible

Briefly Bio • 158 implied HN points • 18 Jul 24
🔬 Science Methodology
  1. Reproducibility in science is a big issue, with many experiments failing to be duplicated. This creates a challenge for scientists trying to build on each other's work.
  2. Clear and detailed documentation of scientific processes is crucial. When scientists share their methods well, it helps others replicate results more easily.
  3. Using technology like structured documentation can improve transparency in research. This way, scientists can better understand what happened in an experiment and learn from it.

Thoughts on the AI 2027 discourse

DYNOMIGHT INTERNET NEWSLETTER • 828 implied HN points • 23 Jun 25
🕹 Technology Methodology
  1. The discourse around AI 2027 shows both excitement for its predictions and criticism regarding its methods. This mix of reactions indicates a deep interest and concern about the future of AI.
  2. Peer review in academic work has flaws and can often delay important findings. This can sometimes result in long and complicated processes that may not effectively ensure the accuracy of research.
  3. An open and collaborative approach to discussing and critiquing ideas, like what's happening with AI 2027, could lead to better outcomes. When people engage directly and constructively, it helps improve the ideas being presented.

What Makes a Mature Science

Asimov Press • 348 implied HN points • 21 Jul 25
🔬 Science Methodology
  1. For a science to mature, it needs to explain its subject clearly using specific entities, properties, and rules. Just having a mechanism isn't enough.
  2. Fields like biology and psychology are still developing because they struggle to define their key entities and rules, making it difficult to fully understand their subjects.
  3. To progress, sciences must move beyond descriptions and start building models that predict outcomes, much like how chemistry evolved from alchemy to a mature science.

2.6.1 Newton’s Methods

Fields & Energy • 299 implied HN points • 31 Jan 24
🔬 Science Methodology
  1. Newton believed that geometry should be connected to real-world observations, rather than just logical deductions from axioms. He saw math as a tool to understand the physical world.
  2. He emphasized that we should always seek the simplest explanation for natural phenomena, following the principle of parsimony. If a simpler explanation fits the facts, it should be preferred.
  3. Newton argued that conclusions drawn from experiments should be regarded as generally true, even if new evidence could change our understanding later on. This highlights the importance of adapting our views as we gather more information.

Economic Methodology

David Friedman’s Substack • 242 implied HN points • 01 Aug 25
💼 Business Methodology
  1. Economic models don't need to be realistic; what's important is whether they can make accurate predictions about the future. A good model will simplify complex truths while still capturing what really matters.
  2. Being a true economist means being willing to change your views based on evidence, not just sticking to ideology. If someone’s beliefs don’t change even when faced with solid economic arguments, they might just be an economist during work hours.
  3. History shows that both Keynes and Friedman had valuable insights, even if their ideas contradict each other. Each has built on the work of the other, which is how economics progresses, just like in any science.

In Praise of the Desert

Software Design: Tidy First? • 773 implied HN points • 07 Nov 24
🕹 Technology Methodology
  1. It's okay to just get things done, even if resources are limited. Sometimes, making progress is a big win.
  2. Working in tough conditions can still lead to success, and many teams create valuable software despite the challenges.
  3. The focus should be on growing skills and thriving, rather than just surviving in difficult situations.

2.7 Summary and Conclusions

Fields & Energy • 159 implied HN points • 21 Feb 24
🔬 Science Methodology
  1. Scientists should consider multiple models to explain natural phenomena and not cling to a single theory. Even if an old idea isn't widely accepted anymore, it could still hold value.
  2. Inductive reasoning, based on observations, and deductive reasoning, based on theories, are both vital in scientific discovery. They work together to help us understand the world better.
  3. Our understanding of science evolves over time, with new ideas replacing or revisiting old ones. It's essential to stay open-minded and not assume today's beliefs are the ultimate truth.

The World-as-History

The Oswald Spengler Project • 59 implied HN points • 15 May 24
💾 History Methodology
  1. The post discusses the translation of Spengler's works into English, particularly focusing on his intention for the academic journal 'The World as History' and the journal's editor Hans Erich Stier.
  2. The journal 'The World as History' aimed to publish historical research aligned with Spengler's distinct methodology.
  3. The post hints at a possible revolution in cartography, linking to further content on the subject.

"You Couldn't Replicate Our Study Because You're Ugly"

Cremieux Recueil • 416 implied HN points • 03 Dec 24
🔬 Science Methodology
  1. Attractiveness studies may not be very reliable because their methods can be flawed. It's important to be careful about how these studies are designed and what they claim.
  2. Different studies use different ways to measure attractiveness, which can lead to confusion and mismatched results. It's not always clear which findings are valid.
  3. Racial preference in dating apps can be hard to measure correctly. Good research design is key, and many studies may not handle these issues well, leading to uncertain conclusions.

Creating Inclusive AI: A Strengths-Based Approach to Accessible Design

UX Psychology • 138 implied HN points • 10 Nov 23
🕹 Technology Methodology
  1. Designing AI systems using a strengths-based approach can empower users across a wide array of abilities, rather than highlighting deficits.
  2. Key frameworks like Universal Design, Ability-Based Design, and Design for User Empowerment help create more accessible and empowering intelligent systems.
  3. Using qualitative research methods like co-design and long-term engagement can provide deeper insights into diverse user experiences, enhancing the design process.

Silver Bulletin pollster ratings 2025 archive

Silver Bulletin • 6 implied HN points • 14 Jan 26
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Methodology
  1. Pollsters are ranked by historical accuracy and transparency using a Predictive Plus-Minus score that is converted to letter grades. A negative plus-minus means the pollster is expected to be more accurate than average.
  2. The ratings use multiple measures — simple and advanced plus-minus, mean-reverted bias, house effects, and an ADPA herding penalty — and give bonuses for transparency like AAPOR or Roper Center sharing. These metrics together adjust for sample size, timing, and how a poll compares to others.
  3. The archive was updated with hundreds of new polls from the 2024 presidential, congressional, and gubernatorial elections, and full datasets (pollster stats and raw polls) are available for download. The update shifted some ratings but the top pollsters remained largely the same.

A Statistical Saga at a "Top" Journal

The Good Science Project • 122 implied HN points • 26 Jan 25
🔬 Science Methodology
  1. Top scientific journals sometimes have trouble understanding basic statistics. This can lead to confusion and errors that affect research outcomes.
  2. A recent case showed that reviewing a paper could involve contradictory requests, like asking for a post-hoc power analysis, which is generally not helpful after results are already obtained.
  3. Researchers should not rely solely on journal editors for correct statistical advice. The system needs to improve how it addresses statistical issues in published studies.

The only path to transmit knowledge

Mon0’s Substack • 39 implied HN points • 21 Dec 23
📖 Philosophy Methodology
  1. STEM fields believe knowledge should follow a clear path: define terms, state propositions, and verify them. It's all about structure and clarity.
  2. Philosophers often use complicated language, which can make their ideas hard to understand. This creates a gap between STEM and humanities, where definitions aren't always clear.
  3. Some writers may choose to be vague or complex to engage readers or seem profound. However, this can confuse people instead of helping them learn.