The hottest Policy Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
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Top U.S. Politics Topics

💥💥 Two takes on America’s emerging (maybe) productivity boom

Faster, Please! • 822 implied HN points • 08 Feb 24
💰 Finance Economics AI Policy Clean Energy
  1. There are signs of a significant economic transformation with productivity growth outpacing historical averages.
  2. The American economy may be experiencing a new productivity boom, setting it apart from other advanced economies.
  3. The recent productivity upshift is likely a response to a tight hiring environment, prompting firms to boost efficiency and automation.

What if We Just Stop Oil?

The Honest Broker Newsletter • 1737 implied HN points • 06 Jul 23
🔬 Science Energy Environment Activism Policy Climate
  1. The world still needs new sources of oil supply to meet demand, even with efforts to phase out oil consumption by 2050.
  2. Natural gas is expected to play a central role in future global energy consumption, with significant investment needed to meet demand.
  3. There are no scenarios suggesting it is possible to eliminate fossil fuel use within the next 8 years, leading to a global energy crisis if oil and gas were abruptly stopped.

Different Kinds of Winning

The Crucial Years • 966 implied HN points • 22 Dec 23
🌞 Climate & Environment Energy Fossil fuels Adaptation Finance Policy
  1. There is a potential victory on pausing LNG exports, which could impact Biden's campaign and the planet positively.
  2. Campaigners and new data have highlighted the detrimental impact of LNG exports on the climate and American consumers.
  3. The administration's decision on LNG exports can be a crucial win for climate action and Biden's re-election efforts.

🤖⚡ Does AI use too much energy? A Quick Q&A with … policy analyst James Broughel

Faster, Please! • 822 implied HN points • 03 Feb 24
🕹 Technology AI Energy Policy Renewables Tech industry
  1. Critics think AI consumes a significant amount of energy, comparable to whole countries.
  2. There's a risk of AI's energy consumption becoming a political issue, akin to past debates around cryptocurrency.
  3. Leading tech companies are working to use renewable energy sources to power AI, reducing potential worries about its energy usage.
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January 10, 2025

Letters from an American • 17 implied HN points • 11 Jan 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Elections Legislation Policy Economy Justice
  1. Under Biden, the U.S. economy created 16.6 million jobs and had the lowest unemployment rate in 50 years. It shows the economy bounced back better than expected after the pandemic.
  2. Trump continues to spread false claims about Democrats and various issues, and his supporters rally around these narratives. This makes it hard for them to accept reality.
  3. Biden's administration is actively looking out for immigrants and combating climate change, while Trump proposes controversial actions that many Americans may not support.

Bulls and bears: a nuclear update

Everything is Light • 373 implied HN points • 26 Jan 24
🌍 World Politics Energy Nuclear Renewables Trade Policy
  1. Energy security is a global concern and nuclear energy is crucial for societal progress.
  2. Many countries are investing in expanding nuclear energy generation, with significant projects underway in Asia, Europe, and North America.
  3. Despite past reservations, some nations like Japan and Italy are reconsidering nuclear power, while others like Denmark and Singapore are exploring options.

🚨 The House of Lords could liberate the Postcode Address File if they back this amendment 🚨

Odds and Ends of History • 1139 implied HN points • 14 Feb 24
🕹 Technology Data Government Innovation Policy Legislation
  1. The Postcode Address File (PAF) is a critical database of postal addresses in the UK, owned by Royal Mail and requires expensive licensing fees for access.
  2. An amendment proposed in the House of Lords aims to make UK address data freely available for public use, potentially liberating the PAF.
  3. Individuals are encouraged to reach out to House of Lords members to support the amendment, as it moves through the legislative process towards potential implementation.

How to get more male teachers

Of Boys and Men • 95 implied HN points • 04 Nov 24
🚌 Education Teaching Policy Workforce Gender Employment
  1. There is a significant drop in the number of male teachers, especially in secondary schools, where their share has fallen from 48% to 36%. This means fewer male role models in middle and high schools.
  2. Many men enter teaching later in life, often switching from other careers. About 25% of male teachers come from different professions, indicating a need for easier pathways into education.
  3. Men are more likely to leave teaching for other careers or further education compared to women. This suggests that improving job satisfaction and financial benefits could help retain more male teachers in the field.

Looking for a better story

imperfect offerings • 239 implied HN points • 18 Mar 24
🕹 Technology AI Ethics Environment Policy
  1. The future of AI may not necessarily be as promising as it has been hyped, with concerns about inflated expectations and potential limited use cases.
  2. The use of generative AI can have unintended negative consequences, such as detrimental effects on academia, exploitation of data workers, and potential harm to minority languages.
  3. AI's impact on the environment, from excessive water usage to electricity consumption, raises concerns about accelerating climate change and misinformation.

A Rebuttal to a School Choice Legislator

The View from Rural Missouri by Jess Piper • 517 implied HN points • 28 Nov 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Education Policy Funding Legislation School choice
  1. School choice arguments often promote a free-market approach to education, but they may not be suitable for all communities.
  2. Rural towns might not have the necessary market conditions for school competition or choice to be effective.
  3. Public school funding issues, particularly in rural areas, are a significant concern and can be exacerbated by privatization schemes.

What about the cost?

Everything is Light • 668 implied HN points • 01 Apr 23
🌞 Climate & Environment Clean Energy Policy Costs Renewables Nuclear power
  1. Comparing the costs of different energy sources is more complex than just looking at the upfront costs of individual components.
  2. The Levelised Cost of Energy (LCOE) metric is not sufficient for assessing cost-effectiveness because it overlooks various factors like system costs and reliability.
  3. It's essential to consider the true costs of energy sources, including factors like backup power needs, disposal costs, and environmental impacts, to make informed and effective energy policy decisions.

A win win opening for a president who badly needs one?

The Crucial Years • 1066 implied HN points • 07 Nov 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Climate Environment Energy Policy Activism
  1. Environmental campaign is rapidly emerging in the Gulf of Mexico to halt LNG exports, influencing political and environmental grounds.
  2. Biden has the opportunity to show leadership by denying new LNG export licenses, which could cut costs for American consumers and address inflation concerns.
  3. Taking action against LNG exports can help Biden address his polling challenges, appeal to young voters concerned about climate change, and demonstrate commitment to clean energy initiatives.

Do politicians need Legos to explain housing on social media?

The New Urban Order • 219 implied HN points • 25 Mar 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Housing Social media Housing Crisis Policy
  1. Using creative and simple methods, like Legos, can effectively convey complex topics like housing supply and demand to a wider audience on social media.
  2. Politicians can make their housing messages more engaging by focusing on simple but impactful messages, avoiding getting lost in technical details.
  3. Creating approachable and visually appealing social media content can help elevate the dialogue around housing issues and engage a broader audience in the conversation.

Open letter to the Christchurch City Council NZ – available for anyone to sign who is a current, or potential, resident or visitor to Christchurch.

A B’Old Woman • 359 implied HN points • 22 Jan 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Policy Rights Activism Local government Gender Issues
  1. The Christchurch City Council is being criticized for not including the word 'sex' in their new policy, which only mentions 'gender'.
  2. There are concerns about allowing men who identify as women to access women-only spaces like the pool's women's sessions.
  3. An open letter is available for current or prospective residents and visitors to Christchurch to support keeping female-only services and facilities.

When Did Trump Change His Mind about Lockdowns?

COVID Reason • 1447 implied HN points • 24 Mar 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Leadership Policy Elections Pandemic response Public Health
  1. Trump initially agreed to nationwide lockdowns in March 2020 due to influence from key advisors like Deborah Birx and Anthony Fauci.
  2. Trump's stance on lockdowns shifted over time, with him expressing desire to reopen by Easter 2020 but eventually extending lockdowns beyond that.
  3. Despite expressing some willingness to reopen, Trump ultimately stood by lockdown measures and criticized governors who attempted to ease restrictions.

Proof of Consequences, Vol. 1: Where America Goes Now

Proof • 66 implied HN points • 08 Nov 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Elections Policy Governance Political parties Political Analysis
  1. Slow action from officials can lead to significant consequences. It's important to address issues quickly to avoid bigger problems later.
  2. Media often downplays serious misconduct, which affects public perception. When the media doesn't hold power accountable, it can harm democracy.
  3. Understanding the obstacles we face is crucial for moving forward. Identifying and tackling challenges can help us find solutions for the future.

Quadrilemma

Ironsides Macroeconomics 'It's Never Different This Time' • 373 implied HN points • 06 Jan 24
💰 Finance Economics Markets Investments Federal Reserve Policy
  1. The market outlook suggests it's time to increase exposure to cyclical sectors.
  2. Understanding the market implied policy path, earnings expectations, and the Fed's reaction function is crucial for making strategic investment decisions.
  3. A healthy broadening out in the market may require certain economic conditions to be met, like unemployment rates and average hourly earnings.

CPI 3.1%

Points And Figures • 666 implied HN points • 13 Feb 24
💰 Finance Markets Inflation Investing Policy Economics
  1. Inflation might be higher than reported due to isolated evidence like price increases in certain sectors.
  2. The government's policies are putting strong inflationary pressure on the economy, impacting various sectors and housing market.
  3. Business news sources may have biases and push narratives, so it's important to seek objective insights for informed decisions.

January 1, 2025

Letters from an American • 20 implied HN points • 02 Jan 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Government Policy History Economy Technology
  1. Twenty-five years ago, programmers worked hard to fix the Y2K bug, preventing potential chaos as the year changed to 2000. Their successful efforts showed the importance of preparation and problem-solving.
  2. Despite fears of disaster, social panic, and even scams around the new millennium, everything went smoothly because people prepared in advance. The success made many forget there was ever a real threat.
  3. As we move into a new year, one of the big questions is whether people appreciate the government's hard work in managing challenges, especially when it benefits them, like lowering drug costs for seniors.

Missouri Representative Ben Baker

The View from Rural Missouri by Jess Piper • 537 implied HN points • 31 Oct 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Policy Gun Violence Extremism
  1. Missouri Representative Ben Baker has undergone a remarkable transformation from a mild-mannered missionary to embodying toxic partisan politics and extreme masculinity.
  2. Baker has actively pushed for extreme legislation, such as opposing abortion care, attacking trans kids, and advocating for Bible studies in public schools.
  3. The concerning aspect of Ben Baker's character is his obsession with guns, despite the devastating gun violence statistics in Missouri, including issues like open carry for children and intimate partner violence.

Manmohan Singh: India's Finest Talent Scout

Get Down and Shruti • 13 implied HN points • 05 Jan 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Leadership Economics Policy Mentorship Reforms Government
  1. Manmohan Singh had a unique ability to spot talented individuals and place them in roles where they could make a big impact. He believed in the importance of using people's skills in the best way possible.
  2. He was a great mentor to many young economists and helped them navigate their careers. Singh's guidance allowed them to contribute significantly to India's economic reforms.
  3. Singh focused on building strong networks and relationships, recognizing that teamwork was essential for lasting change. His approach emphasized collaboration over individual brilliance.

Last Week in AI #253: Rabbit releases R1, AI outperforms doctors in diagnostic dialogue, OpenAI's GPT Store opens for business, SAG-AFTRA signs AI voiceover deal for video games

Last Week in AI • 397 implied HN points • 15 Jan 24
🕹 Technology AI Robotics Government Legal Policy
  1. Rabbit released R1, an AI gadget controlling apps through voice and images.
  2. AI system surpasses doctors in diagnostic conversations using large language models.
  3. OpenAI launched GPT Store, where users can share custom chatbots.

The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly (No. 65)

The Redneck Intellectual by C. Bradley Thompson • 353 implied HN points • 09 Jan 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Policy Economy Social Issues Legislation Government
  1. The Good includes interesting news about Argentina's libertarian president and heartwarming stories like a heroic dog and a Florida couple adopting a baby.
  2. The Bad showcases negative aspects of current affairs like economic struggles, bureaucratic proposals, and societal challenges.
  3. The Ugly delves into disturbing societal trends such as children on puberty blockers, court battles over trans surgeries, and unsettling political scandals.

The Musk-a16z admin continues to grow

Alex's Personal Blog • 32 implied HN points • 23 Dec 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Government Policy Technology Defense Economy
  1. X, previously known as Twitter, is raising the price of its Premium+ subscription by 37.5%, making it more expensive than other similar services. This change is part of X's strategy to offer an ad-free experience and advanced AI features.
  2. Sriram Krishnan and Scott Kupor from venture firm a16z are taking significant roles in the new administration, focusing on AI policy and government workforce reform. Their backgrounds hint at a blend of tech and government aiming for innovation and efficiency.
  3. Defense contracting firms like Palantir and Anduril are teaming up with other tech companies to create competition for U.S. government contracts. This could disrupt the current system, which has faced criticism for inefficiency and high costs.

Qualified immunity

Logging the World • 458 implied HN points • 26 Nov 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Policy Covid response Herd Immunity Government Strategy
  1. The discussion around qualified immunity, Great Barrington Declaration, and herd immunity during the COVID-19 pandemic raised complexities and challenges in their practical implementation.
  2. Patrick Vallance's statement on 'building up some kind of herd immunity' during the early stages of the pandemic was scrutinized, highlighting the complexity and potential consequences of different approaches.
  3. The importance of vaccines in ending the pandemic was emphasized, while also prompting consideration of alternative strategies if vaccines were not available.

Disaffected: Nov 11, 2023

Disaffected Newsletter • 479 implied HN points • 15 Nov 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Policy Crime Social Issues Public Safety Media
  1. A recent podcast discussed a manifesto from a school shooter, highlighting troubling thoughts expressed in it.
  2. In Burlington, Vermont, there's a rise in visible homelessness and crime, but the city is choosing to spend on PR instead of real safety measures.
  3. There was a concerning incident where a mother filmed herself naked with her children, promoting a controversial message about gender identity.

Links to Consider, 11/2/24

In My Tribe • 243 implied HN points • 02 Nov 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Media Economics Health care Digital detox Policy
  1. Journalism can become too self-important, especially around political campaigns. This can make journalists feel like they are part of the story instead of just reporting it.
  2. In healthcare, knowing what you actually pay can help people make better choices. A transparent system can encourage people to think about costs and trade-offs.
  3. Economists notice many problems in policies that the average person may overlook. They also understand how economic rules can impact the working poor significantly.

Democrats Go Full Border Fascist

Krystal Kyle & Friends • 275 implied HN points • 10 Feb 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Policy Border
  1. A bipartisan border bill stopped in the Senate by Republicans has sparked discussions on progressive border policies including the idea of open borders.
  2. John Washington, who has written a book on the topic, discusses the possibilities of open borders as a guest on the show.
  3. The post is reserved for paid subscribers, highlighting the depth of the content being shared.

Forget coalitions. Keir Starmer is heading for a landslide

Inside-Out, political commentary from Philip Stephens • 569 implied HN points • 05 Jun 23
🌍 World Politics Elections Government Policy Parties Leadership
  1. Keir Starmer is predicted to win the British election and may need to form a coalition with the Liberal Democrats.
  2. Britain is facing economic decline, breakdown in public services, and a Tory party more focused on internal conflicts than governance.
  3. Voters are disillusioned with the Conservatives due to failed promises, lack of delivery in public services, and divisive cultural wars.

Answering your questions

Comment is Freed • 64 implied HN points • 13 Nov 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Elections Parties Policy Democracy International relations
  1. The Republican party seems to have shifted away from traditional establishment figures, with MAGA and Trump influencing their direction. Future candidates may be more conventional but still lean to the right.
  2. Democrats are facing challenges with key voter demographics, especially Latino men, and they might need to nominate someone who can connect with these groups in future elections.
  3. Both the US and UK are dealing with the implications of Trump's influence on politics, particularly regarding relationships with Europe and international cooperation.

Links to Consider, 11/8/2024

In My Tribe • 227 implied HN points • 08 Nov 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Elections Policy Racism Foreign Relations Economics
  1. Bond markets are reacting to expected inflation, not a debt crisis. This means mortgage rates could rise even if the Fed lowers interest rates.
  2. People notice race because they are naturally group-oriented. Racism stems from our tribal instincts, but it's not built into our thinking.
  3. Fertility rates are dropping worldwide, possibly linked to how technology affects social connections. Research is needed to understand this trend better.