The hottest Policy Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
Category
Top U.S. Politics Topics

The ‘Everything Is Broken’ Administration

Common Sense with Bari Weiss • 1242 implied HN points • 17 Feb 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Policy
  1. The idea of 'brokenism' helps explain different perspectives on current political figures and events. It suggests that how people view leadership and change can depend on whether they see the system as broken or not.
  2. People's views on controversial figures, like Elon Musk or Tulsi Gabbard, often reflect their feelings toward the government and its effectiveness. Those who feel strongly that the system is failing may support more radical changes.
  3. The language we use to describe political beliefs plays a big role in shaping our opinions. Understanding terms like 'brokenism' can help clarify why people have such different viewpoints.

AI #89: Trump Card

Don't Worry About the Vase • 1881 implied HN points • 07 Nov 24
🕹 Technology Policy
  1. Trump's potential return to office could change AI policy significantly. He plans to revoke existing regulations but may not have a clear replacement, which could impact the tech landscape.
  2. Language models are becoming more important in everyday tasks, but they also face challenges. While they improve productivity, they can also lead to decreased job satisfaction for users.
  3. There is growing concern about AI's influence on politics and decision-making. Studies show that AI models can affect voters' opinions, highlighting the need for caution in how they are used.

The Backlash Against Biden on Gaza Is Growing

Eunomia • 609 implied HN points • 15 Jan 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Policy
  1. Growing dissent and opposition within Biden's administration and party due to unchanged U.S. policy on Gaza
  2. Criticism towards Biden for neglecting Palestinian victims in statements, showing a one-sided view in the conflict
  3. Calls for a ceasefire in Gaza to ensure the release of hostages, highlighting the impact of U.S. support for the war

What I read this week...

chamathreads • 1061 implied HN points • 09 Jul 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Policy
  1. The newsletter included articles on U.S. resilience, life after affirmative action, and pickleball issues.
  2. Topics covered in the newsletter included wind and solar power, legacy college admissions, and the impact of affirmative action on different racial groups.
  3. There were articles on global events such as China restricting mineral exports, Singapore's falling home prices, and the personality profiles of high-net-worth individuals.

AI Trends for 2026

Artificial Ignorance • 100 implied HN points • 17 Dec 25
🕹 Technology Policy
  1. Agents and harnesses are now the bottleneck, not just bigger models — layering planning, tools, state, and workflows on strong models is what’s unlocking reliable multi-step behavior in real products.
  2. The core LLM primitives (tool use, search, code sandboxes, file editing, memory, personas) have mostly settled, and the next big win is standardizing interfaces and conventions so developers can wire them together consistently.
  3. Interactions are moving beyond turn-based chat toward always-on, real-time collaboration where humans and AI co-edit and co-operate, and better UX plus streaming/agent orchestration will make that feel natural.
Get a weekly roundup of the best Substack posts, by hacker news affinity:

"America First" Means Stomping Out Free Speech In The US In Order To Help Israel

Caitlin’s Newsletter • 1783 implied HN points • 17 Nov 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Policy
  1. There are concerns that promoting free speech can be restricted when it conflicts with supporting certain political agendas, especially regarding Israel. People feel that this limits open discussion and criticism.
  2. Some people believe that supporters of political leaders often ignore negative actions or policies, instead justifying them. This can lead to a lack of accountability, as they defend these leaders regardless of their actions.
  3. Critics point out the hypocrisy in political rhetoric, especially when leaders claim to stand for values like peace while engaging in aggressive policies. This makes people question the authenticity of these claims.

Top Links 818 Sun Block: Red State advantage eroding? Why does Israel protect the Druze and Sanssouci in Beijing.

Chartbook • 443 implied HN points • 03 Aug 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Policy
  1. Red states in America may be losing their advantage in cheap housing. This could affect many people's living situations and decisions.
  2. The study by Harvard and Penn researchers highlights important changes in housing markets. It suggests that what was once a benefit for red states might not last.
  3. Israel's protection of the Druze and policies in places like Beijing can prompt questions about political strategies. It's interesting to see how different countries deal with minority groups.

They're always guilty ... or are they?

Adam's Legal Newsletter • 439 implied HN points • 27 Feb 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Policy
  1. The case of Diaz v. United States appears simple on the surface but is actually filled with complex disagreements about legal and philosophical issues.
  2. Interpreting legal rules like Rule 704(b) involves considering historical context, policy concerns, and the balance between being too persuasive or not persuasive enough.
  3. Judges have a lot of discretion in interpreting laws, which can lead to differing outcomes based on methodological approaches, making consistency and the role of AI in judging potential areas for improvement.

The Fed is going to botch this

The Bitcoin Layer • 530 implied HN points • 01 Feb 24
💰 Finance Policy
  1. The Fed may mishandle their approach to QT, which could cause issues.
  2. There is concern that the Fed is not properly addressing the balance sheet in their policies.
  3. The Fed's decision-making process on balance sheet matters appears arbitrary and lacking forethought.

Covid Situation Report: May 16, 2024

Independent SAGE continues • 199 implied HN points • 17 May 24
🏥 Health Politics Policy
  1. Covid positivity rates are rising again, but hospital admissions have mostly stabilized. Older adults, especially those over 65, still face higher hospitalization rates.
  2. The Spring 2024 booster campaign is going well, with over 2.8 million doses given. However, many immunocompromised individuals have not been vaccinated yet.
  3. Covid deaths are much lower compared to last year, proving that while we have challenges, the situation is improving overall.

Prominent New Zealand trans activist’s “disturbing” social media account is uncovered.

A B’Old Woman • 559 implied HN points • 24 Jan 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Policy
  1. A notable trans activist in New Zealand has been found to share concerning content on social media, including fetish material.
  2. Mainstream media and sports organizations in New Zealand have supported this activist without proper investigation into his background.
  3. There are worries about the implications of allowing people with certain views unrestricted access to women's spaces and sports.

Jim Torma on Twitter asks a serious question, as to the 6 days that changed the world...was POTUS Trump threatened? what is Torma insinuating? was Trump's life threatened to lockdown? did they threat-

Alexander News Network -Dr. Paul Elias Alexander's substack • 491 implied HN points • 11 Feb 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Policy
  1. Jim Torma questions if Trump's life was threatened to impose a lockdown within 6 days.
  2. Dr. Paul Alexander explores the sudden change in Trump's stance on lockdowns from being against them to implementing one.
  3. The post raises speculation about external threats that may have influenced political decisions during a critical time.

Artificial Demand for College

In My Tribe • 561 implied HN points • 25 Jun 25
🚌 Education Policy
  1. Many students don't really care about their subjects in college. Professors often feel like they are just going through the motions of teaching because most students are not naturally excited about learning.
  2. There's a lot of artificial demand for college from people who have different reasons to attend, like meeting job requirements or following social expectations, rather than a genuine interest in academics.
  3. Colleges are propped up by outside funding, which allows them to focus on non-academic perks instead of adjusting to real demand. If this artificial demand disappeared, colleges would likely have to downsize and offer more relevant experiences.

What I read this week...

Chamath Palihapitiya • 1022 implied HN points • 19 Aug 23
💼 Business Policy
  1. The IRA in Texas has led to more investment in solar and storage technologies
  2. Climate tech startups are beginning to see benefits from the IRA
  3. There are concerns about the impact of AI in healthcare despite hospital executives being in favor

The Confederacy Is Great Again at This Texas School

Common Sense with Bari Weiss • 389 implied HN points • 18 Aug 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Policy
  1. A Texas school has changed its name back to a Confederate general after renaming it in 2020. Many people in the community are confused and embarrassed by this decision.
  2. The move to revert the name was celebrated by some conservative locals who view the previous change as erasing history. However, this support may not reflect the wider community's feelings.
  3. There are concerns that a small group of school board members is making decisions without listening to the rest of the community. This could lead to more division and dissatisfaction among residents.

TLP Week in Review, 1/21-1/27

The Liberal Patriot • 530 implied HN points • 27 Jan 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Policy
  1. The TLP Week in Review provides a weekly summary of The Liberal Patriot's activities.
  2. Interesting articles cover topics like geopolitics, American cynicism about politics, and Wall Street's ties with Trump.
  3. The TLP website features posts on a resilient navy, working class elections, political trench warfare, and more.

Real Rooney Rule Has Never Been Tried!

House of Strauss • 28 implied HN points • 03 Feb 26
🎾 Sports Policy
  1. NFL media and insiders are again focused on racial representation after this hiring cycle produced no Black head coaches.
  2. Critics say the Rooney Rule and the league’s racial-bureaucracy approach are flawed and haven’t been truly tested, so the NFL should rethink how it handles race in hiring.
  3. Race labels are messy—cases like Mike McDaniel show that official definitions don’t match public perception, which makes the whole system feel arbitrary.

What You Don't Know

Points And Figures • 1172 implied HN points • 16 Feb 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Policy
  1. It's important to know your strengths and weaknesses. Being honest about what you don't know can help you make better decisions.
  2. A disciplined process is key in investing. By evaluating your approach rather than blaming others, you can learn from both your successes and failures.
  3. Technological advancements are shaping our future. If we embrace progress, it could lead to significant improvements in our quality of life.

Transcript - America This Week, Feb 21, 2025: "Looking Back on Trump's First Month"

TK News by Matt Taibbi • 1124 implied HN points • 22 Feb 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Policy
  1. Privacy is becoming a bigger issue, especially with new laws in the UK asking companies like Apple to give backdoor access to personal data. This raises concerns about keeping our information safe.
  2. There's a shift happening where some politicians are starting to speak up for civil liberties and privacy rights. It's important that both parties work together on this issue to make real change.
  3. The crazy atmosphere of Las Vegas can really mess with your mind. It’s like being in a different world without normal life routines, making even simple tasks feel surreal.

Top Links 823 Abusing Powell. Greenhushing. Global Forest Watch, Vegemite in space.

Chartbook • 400 implied HN points • 08 Aug 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Policy
  1. Trump is publicly criticizing Powell more than ever. This has raised concerns about the impact of such attacks on economic policies.
  2. Greenhushing is a term that describes the trend of companies avoiding strong sustainability claims to prevent backlash. It's an interesting shift in how businesses approach environmental issues.
  3. Global Forest Watch offers important information about forest health worldwide. This tool helps us understand environmental challenges better and encourages action to protect forests.

The Truth Behind Gang Violence

Peter Boghossian • 982 implied HN points • 05 May 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Policy
  1. Young men, specifically black Americans, are disproportionately involved in gun violence in the US.
  2. Out-of-wedlock birth rates are a significant factor in contributing to violence, particularly in the black community.
  3. There is a need to address the root causes of rising out-of-wedlock birth rates, which spiked after 1963, to prevent further violence.

A Fascism Sundae with Racism On Top

Design Mom • 982 implied HN points • 07 Apr 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Policy
  1. Republicans in Tennessee expelled Black legislators for peacefully protesting, while ignoring other serious offenses.
  2. The actions taken by the Republicans were openly racist and undemocratic, revealing a growing trend.
  3. It's crucial to be aware, speak out, and vote against racists and fascists in positions of power.

In Defense of the Deindustrialization Narrative

Glenn Loury • 1329 implied HN points • 27 Aug 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Policy
  1. Deindustrialization has led to the loss of manufacturing jobs with wide-ranging effects on communities.
  2. Globalization, automation, and immigration are factors contributing to the decline in manufacturing employment.
  3. Manufacturing jobs have a higher economic impact compared to healthcare and retail jobs.

Kemi Badenoch: ‘I Don’t Think DOGE Is Radical Enough’

Common Sense with Bari Weiss • 1126 implied HN points • 18 Feb 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Policy
  1. Kemi Badenoch believes that the weakness in values is a bigger threat than external dangers, like Russia or China. She thinks it's important to stand firm on core beliefs rather than being overly tolerant of harmful ideas.
  2. She supports the idea that Europe needs to toughen up against things that could undermine its security, as highlighted by J.D. Vance's speech at a recent conference.
  3. Badenoch emphasizes that it's not liberal values themselves that are the issue but the extreme focus on tolerance that could lead to weakening societal foundations.

China is our real enemy & we have many & now we faced with electing a POTUS that will shape the century! Trump needs to understand as he goes after China & closes the border & deports all illegals who

Alexander News Network -Dr. Paul Elias Alexander's substack • 452 implied HN points • 11 Feb 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Policy
  1. China is perceived as a significant adversary, and the upcoming presidential election is crucial for shaping the future of the country.
  2. The importance of Trump's stance on China, border control, and deporting illegal immigrants is emphasized.
  3. There is a call for Trump to acknowledge the perceived failures of lockdowns, mRNA vaccines, and commit to certain actions like building a wall and dealing with other issues.

Is Justin Trudeau’s Government on the Brink of Collapse?

Common Sense with Bari Weiss • 1432 implied HN points • 17 Dec 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Policy
  1. Justin Trudeau's government might be close to collapsing due to recent political turmoil. The resignation of an important ally has weakened his position significantly.
  2. Donald Trump's recent post about imposing tariffs on Canada could have serious implications for Trudeau. This situation seems to have added more pressure on his government.
  3. Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland's resignation is a major blow to Trudeau, as she was one of his closest collaborators. Her fiery letter highlights increasing tensions within the government.

NIH Dissolving Pricey Infectious Disease Centers as Scripps’ Kristian Andersen Prepares to Flee the US for Norway

The DisInformation Chronicle • 590 implied HN points • 05 Jun 25
🏥 Health Politics Policy
  1. The NIH is shutting down its expensive Infectious Disease Centers, which were started to handle emerging diseases. This move means that some funded researchers might lose their grants.
  2. Kristian Andersen, a researcher involved in the controversial 'Proximal Origin' paper, is leaving the US to take a position at the University of Oslo. His past work has sparked serious scrutiny about its ties to grant funding.
  3. There are ongoing investigations into whether Andersen misled intelligence agencies regarding the origins of COVID-19. This has raised concerns about academic integrity and accountability.

Wyndhamn: Glider Skolverket på sanningen?

Rak höger med Ivar Arpi • 943 implied HN points • 10 Mar 23
🌍 World Politics Policy
  1. Skolverket is spreading radical ideas about norm criticism and intersectionality to teachers and students.
  2. The concept that was used to label the idea of honor culture as racist is now governmental practice.
  3. Poesikollektivet 'Det nya gardet' presented interpretations of curriculum, grading criteria, and values in poetry form at a conference about the educational mission of schools.

Transcript - America This Week, Jan 17, 2025: "The Annotated Final Speech of Joe Biden"

TK News by Matt Taibbi • 1243 implied HN points • 18 Jan 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Policy
  1. Biden's farewell address felt odd and disconnected. It didn't seem urgent or relevant, almost like it was recorded in a strange way.
  2. He talked a lot about threats to democracy but seemed to contradict himself by not taking responsibility for those threats. It felt like he was both warning us and praising the very things he was cautioning against.
  3. Biden claimed credit for a ceasefire deal in the Middle East, but it was unclear how much he truly had to do with it. People believe the deal was more about politics than actual negotiation success.

TLP Week in Review, 1/28-2/3

The Liberal Patriot • 471 implied HN points • 03 Feb 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Policy
  1. The Atlantic discusses the negative mindset affecting trust in people. Let's focus on positivity and belonging.
  2. Foreign Affairs compares current conflicts to pre-WWII signs. Awareness is crucial to prevent a global war.
  3. Freedom House reports on autocratic regimes using tactics on US campuses. This undermines academic freedom.

Our Picks of the Week: War, Peace, and TikTok Jacobins

Common Sense with Bari Weiss • 533 implied HN points • 27 Jun 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Policy
  1. Recent U.S. and Israeli military actions have raised questions about the effectiveness of striking Iran's nuclear program, suggesting that damage might only delay their progress for a short while.
  2. A Democratic socialist candidate, Zohran Mamdani, won the New York City mayoral primary by connecting with voters looking for change, demonstrating the growing appeal of progressive ideas.
  3. Daniel Lurie, a new mayor in San Francisco, aims to undo policies that have led to city problems, focusing on practical solutions rather than ideology to address major issues.

Boys and men online: Don't panic, do care

Of Boys and Men • 103 implied HN points • 10 Dec 25
🎭️ Culture Policy
  1. Digital technology isn’t all doom; it can expand agency and connection if we design, use, and regulate it with intention. We need balanced, evidence-based research instead of moral panic or a libertarian shrug.
  2. Young men aren’t being mass-radicalized online; many are retreating into digital spaces and their political views haven’t shifted dramatically. That retreat matters because it links to harms like loneliness and rising suicide, so policies should meet them where they are.
  3. There are real gendered risks from sports betting, addictive platforms, pornography, gaming, and AI companions, and boys and men can be especially vulnerable. We need better guardrails, stronger evidence, and more real-world opportunities for play, connection, and safety.

O abraço da sucuri

O Observador de Corcyra • 923 implied HN points • 09 Apr 23
🌍 World Politics Policy
  1. Recent decrees in Brazil are potentially reversing progress in public policies, particularly in the sanitation sector.
  2. The current government's actions reflect a historical trend of state appropriation by bureaucratic elites, impacting social and economic outcomes.
  3. Policy changes, like those affecting sanitation, may serve political interests at the expense of societal progress and taxpayer welfare.

Climate superpowers

The Crucial Years • 1036 implied HN points • 21 Feb 25
🌞 Climate & Environment Policy
  1. One way to inspire others for climate action is through music. Antonique Smith's new version of 'Love Song to the Earth' aims to unite people and inspire hope.
  2. Jessie Diggins uses her platform as a champion skier to advocate for climate change awareness. She believes athletes can lead conversations about protecting the planet.
  3. Connecting climate change to everyday lives is crucial. People need to understand how pollution affects their health and environment, especially in communities of color.