The hottest Optimism Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
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Movers and Shakers: Bas Bloem

Rory’s Always On Newsletter • 515 implied HN points • 02 Nov 24
🏥 Health & Wellness Neurology Parkinson's Research Healthcare Optimism
  1. Bas Bloem wants to eliminate Parkinson's disease so he can make himself unemployed. He believes that it's possible to make significant advances in treating and understanding the condition.
  2. Environmental factors, especially pesticides, may play a major role in causing Parkinson's. Bas argues that banning harmful substances could help reduce the disease's prevalence.
  3. The healthcare system in the Netherlands is more efficient for Parkinson's treatment, with less waiting time for patients. They focus on teamwork among specialists to provide comprehensive care.

The Uncertain Future

Erick Erickson's Confessions of a Political Junkie • 3577 implied HN points • 27 Jul 23
⛪ Faith & Spirituality Spiritual beliefs Community Engagement Hope Optimism
  1. Many people feel uneasy about the uncertain future and believe something bad is coming.
  2. Attending a Bible-believing church can bring optimism and a sense of charity, encouraging community engagement.
  3. Excessive focus on politics and news can lead to feelings of dread and hopelessness, while disconnecting from technology and connecting with nature can help improve mental well-being.

💡 My Quick Q&A with … data scientist Hannah Ritchie on building a sustainable planet

Faster, Please! • 1919 implied HN points • 05 Jan 24
🌞 Climate & Environment Sustainability Technology Plastics Climate change Optimism
  1. The technologies needed for a sustainable planet are already available, they just need to be deployed at scale.
  2. Most of the crucial technologies like solar, wind, and batteries are already there, but some sectors still require more work.
  3. We are just at the beginning of deploying sustainable technologies, and there is room for significant progress in bending the curve down further.

Staring At The Tsunami

¡Do Not Panic! • 1788 implied HN points • 21 Aug 23
🔬 Science Psychology Optimism Risk Assessment
  1. Unrealistic optimism can lead to underestimating personal risk and overestimating favorable outcomes.
  2. Our brains may fail to update perceptions when faced with immediate, observable realities, leading to a freeze response.
  3. Depression and neurodiversity may result in a more accurate assessment of risk, providing survival advantages.

😃⤴ Is a future-optimist Vibe Shift happening?

Faster, Please! • 731 implied HN points • 21 Feb 24
🎭️ Culture Optimism Technology Society Progress Innovation
  1. The concept of vibe shift from pessimism to optimism can be seen in societal attitudes towards progress, innovation, and disruptive technologies.
  2. Up Wing thinking focuses on embracing risk, emphasizing technology's role in progress, and supporting entrepreneurial capitalism to drive positive change.
  3. There is growing evidence of an emerging future-optimist vibe shift, especially in social media content, attitudes towards technologies like nuclear energy, and the performance of the stock market.
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My Candle Logo Image Has Always Been About You

Think Future • 99 implied HN points • 04 Apr 24
⛪ Faith & Spirituality Optimism Hope Preparation
  1. Cassidy Steele Dale writes to equip readers with tools for creating a better world by explaining and providing foresight skills.
  2. Despite current cynicism and existential dread, Dale emphasizes hope for the future and the possibility of positive change.
  3. The candle logo symbolizes the nearing end of a dark age and the potential for a brighter future, with the idea that individuals play a key role in shaping this transformation.

Selection bias and pessimism

Sunday Letters • 139 implied HN points • 10 Sep 23
🎭️ Culture Internet Influence Optimism Entrepreneurship
  1. Younger people are often more pessimistic about the future than older generations. This may be because they see many negative events on the internet and think they are more common than they really are.
  2. The older generation has experienced a wider range of normal life events, which helps them have a balanced view of success and failure. Young people today mainly see success stories, skewing their expectations.
  3. There are many exciting new technologies and opportunities available right now. Younger generations should focus on creating, solving problems, and not be discouraged by the idea that everything needs to be perfect from the start.

The prize for saying no is small

Sunday Letters • 199 implied HN points • 04 Jun 23
📖 Philosophy Optimism Cynicism Mindset Life lessons Personal Growth
  1. Being negative and cautious often leads to missed opportunities. It's better to focus on finding solutions rather than just criticizing.
  2. Feeling optimistic and excited about new ideas can be uncomfortable but is a key part of learning and growing.
  3. Choosing to think 'what if' has a lot more potential for rewards than simply saying 'why not' and being constantly cautious.

Reality and imagination

10x your mind • 119 implied HN points • 24 Aug 23
🏥 Health & Wellness Perception Self-Discipline Optimism Imagination
  1. Balancing reality and imagination is crucial in our daily lives, especially when juggling responsibilities like homeschooling and work.
  2. Our perception of reality is influenced by past experiences and internal brain deciphering, showcasing the power of imagination in shaping our outlook.
  3. Sprinkling imagination into routine tasks and embracing optimism can transform everyday moments into opportunities for creativity and productivity.

A love letter to living, noticing, and feeling

Erifili • 99 implied HN points • 06 Sep 23
⛪ Faith & Spirituality Meaning Optimism Philosophy
  1. Finding happiness in the present moment is vital, as shown through the love for daily routines like enjoying a morning coffee.
  2. Meaningful life experiences come from noticing and feeling the small moments, like observing the rain or being inspired by a poem.
  3. Nostalgia and yearning are beautiful emotions that contribute to a meaningful life, showcasing the consistency of human emotions like yearning.

Unknown Tomorrow: Doing Our Best without Expecting Perfection

Humanities in Revolt • 119 implied HN points • 17 Feb 23
⛪ Faith & Spirituality Human Values Social Change Imperfection Optimism
  1. Do our best with what we have, be strategic, and recognize that even small contributions are valuable for social change.
  2. Reject the idea that perfection is necessary for worthwhile efforts, and avoid letting the pursuit of perfection lead to inaction.
  3. Social change can often defy expectations, and historic examples remind us that perseverance and action can lead to progress, even in the face of setbacks.

Here comes 2022

Diane Francis • 199 implied HN points • 03 Jan 22
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Predictions Optimism Trends Analysis News
  1. It's a good idea to stay optimistic, especially at the start of a new year. Positive thinking can help set a good tone for the months ahead.
  2. Many predictions are made at this time, but it's important to focus on what we can control. Preparing for the future while staying adaptable is key.
  3. Regular updates and newsletters can help keep people informed and engaged. It's great to have consistent communication, especially during changing times.

Making the best of the past ⏳ — Fading Affect bias (FAB)

10x your mind • 79 implied HN points • 25 Aug 22
🏥 Health & Wellness Memory Emotions Psychology Mindset Optimism
  1. Our tendency to remember pleasant emotions better than unpleasant ones is called the Fading Affect Bias (FAB), helping our brain maintain a positive self-image by fading negative emotions faster.
  2. Psychologists focusing on positive emotions with the broaden-and-build theory by Barbara Fredrickson found that ample positive emotions lead to resilience, creativity, and better health.
  3. People usually fall into two categories: past positive or past negative, affecting how they recall memories; sharing events with others, especially positive ones, can help lighten emotional intensity.

Cruel Optimism

Brain Lenses • 19 implied HN points • 14 Mar 23
📖 Philosophy Optimism Tragedy Economic System
  1. Cruel optimism is a concept of being held back by our desires and fantasies.
  2. Affect theory focuses on our subjective experiences and how they impact our optimism.
  3. There's a potential to swap cruel optimism for authentic optimism by addressing underlying issues.

Techno-Optimism for Townies

Seeking Tribe • 16 implied HN points • 25 Oct 23
🕹 Technology Optimism Future Innovation Progress Community
  1. Techno-optimists should consider how their ideas can improve the lives of people in small towns and communities.
  2. Progress should not just be about grand technological advancements, but also about improving daily life for everyone.
  3. The best future is one that enables various positive outcomes simultaneously, including greater prosperity and opportunities for all.

what the f* is e/acc

e/acc newsletter • 3 HN points • 26 Dec 22
📖 Philosophy Existentialism Ethics Optimism Thermodynamics
  1. E/acc (effective accelerationism) believes in continuous growth and technological advancement as solutions to human problems.
  2. E/acc is founded on the physics of life, emphasizing that creating structures that efficiently use energy to offload entropy is crucial for survival.
  3. E/acc promotes increasing energy usage, human flourishing, developing AI, and spreading life beyond Earth as key goals for civilization.

Hope is Healthy

Are You Okay? • 0 implied HN points • 24 Jun 21
🏥 Health & Wellness Mental health Physical health Optimism Well-being
  1. Late-pandemic fatigue is normal after over 15 months of the pandemic, affecting mental health.
  2. Young people have been particularly vulnerable to stress during the pandemic, facing issues like depression and disordered eating.
  3. A dose of hope can have a positive impact on mental and physical health, providing optimism for the future despite pandemic challenges.