The hottest Physics Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
Category
Top Science Topics

What Eeez a Homeostat?

The Heart Attack Diet β€’ 19 implied HN points β€’ 27 Aug 23
πŸ₯ Health & Wellness Physics
  1. A homeostat keeps something constant by defending a specific state, like a thermostat regulating temperature in a house.
  2. In trying to adjust homeostasis, common solutions like restricting fuel or insulation removal might not work as expected due to the complexity of the system.
  3. Sometimes, a simple adjustment like resetting the thermostat can have a more effective impact on maintaining the desired state.

Tips for new community members

Quantum Formalism β€’ 39 implied HN points β€’ 09 Mar 22
🚌 Education Mathematics Physics Geometry Topology Group Theory
  1. Start with the 'Foundation Module' YouTube playlist for basics on finite-dimensional Hilbert spaces and quantum mechanics postulates
  2. Consider auditing crash courses on topics like Topology & Differential Geometry for Lie Groups and Group Theory for advanced knowledge
  3. Exploring topics like smooth manifolds and Group Theory can be valuable not just in quantum computation but also in applied fields like ML and Cryptography
Get a weekly roundup of the best Substack posts, by hacker news affinity:

Superb Halos

GOOD INTERNET β€’ 13 implied HN points β€’ 17 Jan 24
πŸ”¬ Science Optics Meteorology Physics Geography History
  1. Atmospheric ice crystal optics can create superb halos that are visually stunning and fascinating.
  2. Halos are optical phenomena caused by ice crystals in the atmosphere, with different types like the 22Β° Halo.
  3. Kenneth Libbrecht, known as the "pope of snow crystals," released a monograph explaining the formation of ice crystals and snowflakes.

Everything Wrong With: "Illumina: The Measurement Monopoly" Part 4/8

ASeq Newsletter β€’ 14 implied HN points β€’ 10 Dec 23
πŸ”¬ Science Biology Chemistry Physics Engineering Technology
  1. The term 'TechBio' may seem superficial, but technology development in biology is complex and involves a mix of disciplines.
  2. The first qPCR machine from 1992 involved intricate instrumentation like photomultiplier tubes and a variety of electronic components.
  3. The development of technology in biology requires navigating complexity and balancing biochemistry and detection techniques to meet market demands.

The Game of Diophantus

ThΓ‘i | Hacker | Kα»Ή sΖ° tin tαΊ·c β€’ 1 HN point β€’ 26 Jun 24
πŸ”¬ Science Mathematics Cryptography History Astrology Physics
  1. Diophantus, an ancient Greek mathematician, is known for solving equations with two unknowns and his work formed the basis for modern cryptographic algorithms like ECC.
  2. The lost works of Diophantus, preserved during historical upheavals, resurfaced over centuries, impacting later mathematicians like Fermat, who posed the famous Last Theorem.
  3. The journey from Tycho, who pioneered data science with precise astronomical observations, to Kepler discovering that planetary orbits are ellipses, connects to the development of elliptic curves in mathematics.

(Ad-free Video). A Conversation with Irwin Shapiro: Scientist Extraordinaire from the Earth to the Stars, and at 94, still going strong.

Critical Mass β€’ 8 implied HN points β€’ 16 Mar 24
πŸ”¬ Science Physics Planetary Science Biology Research
  1. Irwin Shapiro made a significant discovery related to General Relativity known as the Shapiro Effect, which became the 4th test of the theory.
  2. Despite his age of 94, Irwin Shapiro continues to teach, conduct research, and play tennis, showing remarkable dedication and passion for his work.
  3. Irwin Shapiro is praised for not only his scientific contributions but also his kind and encouraging nature, making him a respected and admired figure in the scientific community.

I still think it's very unlikely we're observing alien aircraft

DYNOMIGHT INTERNET NEWSLETTER β€’ 22 HN points β€’ 14 Jun 23
πŸ”¬ Science Astronomy Skepticism Physics Evidence Aliens
  1. Some think there might be alien aircraft on Earth due to the vastness of the universe and numerous reports.
  2. Eyewitness reports of strange aircraft are taken seriously and are difficult to explain.
  3. Old observations suggesting alien aircraft have been debunked, lack of conclusive evidence is a key factor against their existence.

QE, UAPs, Aliens and The Invisible War

Dr. Pippa's Pen & Podcast β€’ 29 implied HN points β€’ 15 Feb 23
πŸ”¬ Science Physics Technology Military Astronomy Innovation
  1. After the Great Financial Crisis, defense spending has become a new form of quantitative easing, fueling an arms race and geopolitical tensions.
  2. Increased defense budgets across countries signal a shift towards investment in innovation and military capabilities.
  3. The emergence of unidentified aerial phenomena (UAPs) raises questions about advanced technology, possible alien involvement, and the evolving nature of modern warfare.

Foreword: Lost in Math

Critical Mass β€’ 20 implied HN points β€’ 20 Apr 23
πŸ”¬ Science Physics Mathematics
  1. Science is driven by careful observations and making predictions.
  2. In physics, the tension between truth and beauty can lead to debates and different perspectives.
  3. Evaluating theories in physics should prioritize empirical data over mathematical elegance.

The Cognitive-Theoretic Model of the Universe: A Partial Summary and Review

Unstabler Ontology β€’ 2 HN points β€’ 27 Mar 24
πŸ”¬ Science Physics Computer Science Philosophy
  1. CTMU presents the universe as a self-processing language, enabling a unique perspective on reality.
  2. The theory explores concepts like telic recursion, generalized utility maximization, and syndiffeonesis to understand the universe's organization.
  3. Key principles such as the Telic Principle suggest a link between the universe's structure and the optimization of self-selection parameters.

More than Just a Pretty Space: How Symmetry Hides in Science

Quantum Formalism β€’ 19 implied HN points β€’ 18 Mar 22
πŸ”¬ Science Physics Mathematics Webinar
  1. Upcoming webinar on the applications of Group theory in science by Owen Tanner from Glasgow University.
  2. Registration open for Lecture 03 at [https://www.crowdcast.io/e/group-theory-lecture-03](https://www.crowdcast.io/e/group-theory-lecture-03).
  3. Encouragement to join the Discord community and follow Zaiku Group on LinkedIn and Twitter for updates.

The paradox of giants

Infinitely More β€’ 15 implied HN points β€’ 31 Mar 23
πŸ”¬ Science Physics Observations Scaling
  1. Giants in folklore, acting in a humanlike manner but at a larger scale, are physically impossible according to Galileo.
  2. Galileo's paradox of the giant involves the concept of scaling and how larger objects may not behave as expected when scaled up.
  3. Observations on scaling in different dimensions can lead to various paradoxes of dimension.

The Economics of Oppenheimer

Some Unpleasant Arithmetic β€’ 7 implied HN points β€’ 18 Mar 24
πŸ”¬ Science Physics Economics Innovation Public funding
  1. The Oppenheimer movie explores the economics of science and how political beliefs can impact a career trajectory.
  2. Scientific progress is becoming harder and slower, influenced by factors like declining population growth and changing incentives for scientists.
  3. Cluster areas, like El Alamo for nuclear physics, play a significant role in scientific breakthroughs, showing the importance of collaboration and location in innovation.

Influential Mathematicians: Henri Lebesgue

Quantum Formalism β€’ 39 implied HN points β€’ 03 Aug 20
πŸ”¬ Science Mathematics Physics History
  1. Henri Lebesgue is known as the father of modern integration theory for formulating the theory of measure and giving the definition of the Lebesgue integral, which expanded mathematical analysis.
  2. Lebesgue's work on integration theory was crucial to the development of the Hilbert space formalism in quantum mechanics, demonstrating its influence on mathematical foundations of quantum physics.
  3. Lebesgue made major contributions in various mathematical areas beyond integration theory, including topology, potential theory, calculus of variations, set theory, and dimension theory.

Neil deGrasse Tyson is a terrible spokesperson for scientists

Machine Learning Everything β€’ 7 HN points β€’ 19 Jul 23
πŸ”¬ Science Physics Philosophy Empiricism Interview UFOs
  1. Neil deGrasse Tyson's arrogance and lack of curiosity make him a poor spokesperson for scientists.
  2. Tyson dismisses the role of philosophy in physics over the last century, leading to a contentious interview.
  3. Tyson's defensiveness, arrogance, and focus on trivial facts overshadow meaningful discussions on important scientific topics.

Module II Crash Course Prerequisite: Basic Real Analysis

Quantum Formalism β€’ 19 implied HN points β€’ 10 May 21
🚌 Education Mathematics Physics Quantum Research
  1. Understanding basic real analysis, like open intervals and closed intervals, is important for the upcoming crash course on Point-Set Topology and standard topology.
  2. Being challenged to work with abstract concepts can help in feeling comfortable before starting Module II.
  3. Learning sophisticated mathematics can better prepare individuals for making theoretical contributions in physics or quantum information.

Understanding The Monte Carlo Method

Photon-Lines Substack β€’ 6 HN points β€’ 20 Jul 23
πŸ”¬ Science Simulation Mathematics Physics Engineering Risk Analysis
  1. The Monte Carlo method uses random sampling to estimate complex mathematical results or simulate probabilistic events.
  2. It is applicable in various fields like finance, physics, engineering, risk analysis, environmental modeling, manufacturing, and artificial intelligence.
  3. The method involves generating a large number of random samples to approximate outcomes when exact solutions are difficult to obtain analytically.

Session 16 Reminder

Quantum Formalism β€’ 19 implied HN points β€’ 21 Jan 21
πŸ”¬ Science Physics Mathematics
  1. The next Quantum Axioms & Operators session is coming up soon - mark your calendars!
  2. Newcomers are welcome, but it's advised to have some background in physics/math to fully follow along.
  3. A special surprise gift was received from the community, showing appreciation and support for the course.

Overwrought

CTOrly β€’ 1 HN point β€’ 21 Feb 24
πŸ”¬ Science Physics Equations Models
  1. In complex situations, sometimes relying on simpler, traditional methods like Newtonian physics can still be effective and get the job done.
  2. Striving for extreme accuracy or perfection, like using Einstein's equations instead of Newton's, may not always be necessary or practical, especially when the outcome is the priority.
  3. It's important to balance between optimizing for the output and focusing on achieving the desired outcome, rather than getting lost in unnecessary details or precision.

Shut up and Calculate!

Quantum Formalism β€’ 19 implied HN points β€’ 12 Dec 20
πŸ”¬ Science Physics Quantum Mechanics Philosophy Mathematics
  1. Focus on learning how to use quantum mechanics as a toolkit without worrying too much about the foundational meaning at first.
  2. Some physicists advocate for the 'Shut Up and Calculate' philosophy, emphasizing the importance of actively engaging with conceptual issues in physics.
  3. The 'Shut Up and Calculate' approach is viewed as a necessary and respectful way to tackle profound questions in fundamental physics.

How to build a warp drive

Rocket Philosophy by Ian β€’ 2 HN points β€’ 05 Apr 23
πŸ”¬ Science Physics Space Technology Community Fiction
  1. Developing interstellar propulsion technologies is essential to reaching Alpha Centauri
  2. Potential solutions include creating a stable wormhole, building a generation ship, or using exotic matter for an Alcubierre Drive
  3. Building a strong and focused propulsion community along with technological advancements can help humanity reach Alpha Centauri by the end of the century

Content structure survey

Quantum Formalism β€’ 19 implied HN points β€’ 04 Jun 20
πŸ”¬ Science Mathematics Physics Experiment Structure
  1. The content structure of the Quantum Formalism newsletter involves foundational content on mathematics concepts like set theory, abstract algebra, topology, and analysis.
  2. Specific Quantum Formalism content focuses on topics like the genesis of quantum formalism, functional analysis, measure theory, and the formalism of quantum mechanics.
  3. The newsletter team is open to subscriber feedback through a survey to adjust and tailor the content structure to meet the needs of their diverse audience.

Why I hate Pi Day

Logging the World β€’ 1 HN point β€’ 14 Mar 23
πŸ”¬ Science Mathematics Physics Analysis Signal Processing Forensics
  1. Pi Day can be annoying for some mathematicians due to the overemphasis on the beauty of the Pi formula and memorizing digits of Pi.
  2. The beauty in mathematics is not just about formulas like Pi, but also in the precise form of logical arguments and the way pieces fit together like a complex mechanism.
  3. Fourier analysis, involving Fourier transform and harmonics, is a powerful tool used in various scientific fields beyond Pi Day celebrations.

A Brief Visual Introduction to Gradients and Gradient Descent

Photon-Lines Substack β€’ 2 HN points β€’ 06 Aug 23
πŸ”¬ Science Machine Learning Optimization Mathematics Physics Engineering
  1. In calculus, gradients measure steepness by calculating change in height divided by base length.
  2. Gradients help find the direction of fastest ascent and can lead to a local maximum.
  3. Gradient descent is an optimization algorithm that helps find local minima by moving in the direction opposite to the gradient.

Uploads are Impossible

PashaNomics β€’ 2 implied HN points β€’ 12 May 23
πŸ”¬ Science Physics Computer Science Philosophy Culture AGI
  1. Creating digital uploads of human minds is likely impossible due to challenges in physics, computer science, and philosophy.
  2. The process of verifying a successful upload is complex, involving difficult tasks such as identifying 'soul' in the digital mind.
  3. Cultural dynamics and human nature present challenges in ensuring the safety and ethical treatment of digital uploads.

Children of the Geissler Tube

Atlas of Wonders and Monsters β€’ 1 HN point β€’ 17 Nov 23
πŸ•Ή Technology Physics Lighting Electronics Computers Discovery
  1. Heinrich Geissler invented the Geissler tube, a crucial technology that led to the development of modern world technologies.
  2. Geissler tubes were originally sold as novelty items before becoming important for lighting, including fluorescent and neon lights.
  3. The Geissler tube's descendants include the cathode-ray tube used in TVs, computers with vacuum tubes, transistors, and even diodes, impacting numerous aspects of our daily lives.

Magnets

Barn Lab β€’ 0 implied HN points β€’ 12 May 23
πŸ”¬ Science Physics Materials Engineering Electricity Magnetism
  1. Magnets have two poles: north and south, which attract or repel each other.
  2. Magnetism in materials comes from aligned electron spins creating a magnetic field.
  3. Electricity flowing through conductive materials generates a magnetic field, essential for building motors and generators.