The hottest Policy Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
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Top U.S. Politics Topics

Notes on Erdmann Metro Area Housing Estimates: Part 2

Erdmann Housing Tracker • 63 implied HN points • 01 Dec 25
💼 Business Policy
  1. The housing market has seen a rise in scarcity premiums, meaning the land under homes has become more expensive due to a lack of housing. This affects how valuable land is in different cities.
  2. Real estate development can be risky due to various market conditions, but areas with higher scarcity premiums may offer better investment opportunities in the long run.
  3. Understanding the trends in housing prices, rents, and scarcity can help local policymakers and developers make better decisions for their communities.

My Takes on the Election

In My Tribe • 865 implied HN points • 06 Nov 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Policy
  1. People can argue about why the Democrats lost, but there are many reasons to consider. Each side will focus on factors that support their views and can raise their status.
  2. J.D. Vance could keep Trump voters happy, but many voters are unsure about Trump. If things go wrong, there might be a quick change in popularity for him.
  3. The government can't keep increasing debt forever. The challenge will be finding ways to cut spending that don't upset voters. Intelligence agencies also need to be managed well to make sure they work effectively.

A Massive Win, and What It Means

The Crucial Years • 2002 implied HN points • 26 Jan 24
🌞 Climate & Environment Policy
  1. A huge victory against the fossil fuel industry has been achieved by halting new licenses for LNG export terminals.
  2. Biden's decision sets a climate test for American fossil fuel expansion plans, signaling a transition from natural gas as a 'bridge fuel'.
  3. The fight for climate justice needs to include considerations for impacts on communities and involve effective monitoring and engagement with frontline leaders.

Top Links 636 Government by executive order. Deepseek & uranium. Avian flu and the supply chain. A natural history of the studio (Kentridge).

Chartbook • 615 implied HN points • 01 Feb 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Policy
  1. The government is increasingly using executive orders to make decisions quickly. This shows how urgent some issues are right now.
  2. There's a connection between Deepseek, uranium, and current events. This is an important topic as it relates to energy and security.
  3. Avian flu is impacting the supply chain. This situation highlights how health issues can affect product availability.

Keir Starmer's Reality Avoidance Field

The Ruffian • 264 implied HN points • 12 Jul 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Policy
  1. Keir Starmer seems unprepared for the challenges of being Prime Minister, focusing more on image than on actual governance. He needs to seriously confront the issues facing the country and not just rely on his past record.
  2. Starmer appears to avoid difficult topics and has not clearly articulated a comprehensive plan for his government. Good leaders need to have strong ideas and be willing to take risks.
  3. Even though Starmer still has support, he risks losing it if he doesn't quickly adapt and face the realities of Britain's problems. Change is crucial, and only decisive actions will help him regain public trust.
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Import AI 340: Drone VS human (Drone wins); Adept's small but good AI model; "AI Succession"

Import AI • 499 implied HN points • 18 Sep 23
🕹 Technology Policy
  1. Adept has released an impressive small AI model that performs exceptionally well and is optimized for accessibility on various devices.
  2. AI pioneer Richard Sutton suggests the idea of 'AI Succession', where machines could surpass humans in driving progress forward, emphasizing the need for careful navigation of AI development.
  3. A drone controlled by an autonomous AI system defeated human pilots in a challenging race, showcasing advancements in real-world reinforcement learning capabilities.

Odds and Ends #48: The most important week of Labour government so far?

Odds and Ends of History • 737 implied HN points • 23 Dec 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Policy
  1. New Zealand's Parliament is unique and different from what you might expect. The atmosphere there is more relaxed and open to discussions.
  2. There's a discussion about a very significant week for the Labour government, suggesting it may have impacted its future direction strongly.
  3. A British tech company has reached unicorn status, showing that innovation and success are happening in the UK tech scene.

Kyrsten Sinema and the Problem of Toxic Capitalism

Changing The Channel • 737 implied HN points • 12 Dec 22
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Policy
  1. The American economic system favors the wealthy and neglects those in greatest need, creating challenges for many people.
  2. Toxic late-stage capitalism is described as a system lacking decency, ethics, and morality.
  3. Kyrsten Sinema, an Arizona Senator, is criticized for prioritizing the interests of the wealthiest Americans over supporting essential initiatives for the broader population.

Why MAGA Broke With Trump On Epstein

Public • 252 implied HN points • 14 Jul 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Policy
  1. Some supporters of Trump are upset because they believe he is involved in a serious issue related to sexual abuse and blackmail. They feel that this is part of a larger moral problem with some elites and the intelligence community.
  2. The MAGA movement is now questioning Trump more than before, showing that it's not just a blind loyalty. People are starting to think critically about his actions and choices.
  3. This change in attitude from his supporters reflects a growing anger towards the corruption they see in politics. They want leaders who are genuinely committed to values and ethics.

Cascade of Errors

Pitchfork Papers • 235 implied HN points • 09 Feb 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Policy
  1. Problems often arise when people fail to think things through to their logical conclusion.
  2. The idea of understanding everything from first principles has been challenged by the complexity of nature and modern technology.
  3. Errors in decision-making can lead to a chain reaction of negative consequences in various aspects of society.

Biden's AUMF Lie

Eunomia • 235 implied HN points • 05 Feb 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Policy
  1. President Biden is claiming that the 2001 and 2002 AUMFs justify ordering attacks in Iraq and Syria, but this is not accurate.
  2. Biden's official policy includes repealing the Iraq AUMF, and skepticism is raised regarding justifying recent strikes under the 2001 AUMF.
  3. Past attempts to use outdated AUMFs for military actions have been widely criticized as unjustified and not applicable.

Differ We Must

steveinskeep • 471 implied HN points • 09 Jul 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Policy
  1. Washington, D.C. is still Lincoln's capital with historical significance
  2. Lincoln worked with differing opinions to achieve unity and progress
  3. Leaders must find value in diverse viewpoints to address modern challenges

Against Far-Right Political Violence

sebjenseb • 255 implied HN points • 22 Jan 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Policy
  1. Far-right political violence in the United States has resulted in numerous terror attacks and deaths.
  2. Terrorism, including far-right violence, has historically been ineffective in achieving its objectives and often leads to negative consequences.
  3. Engaging in violent political actions is risky and usually counterproductive, with little impact on policy or societal change.

Dispatches from the Group Chats vol. 1

Erik Torenberg's Thoughts • 715 implied HN points • 06 Dec 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Policy
  1. Some CEOs are debating if San Francisco is truly recovering, with mixed views on safety and enthusiasm for the city's comeback. While some see improvements, others are skeptical about the long-term outlook.
  2. There's a lot of internal talk about the Biden administration's approach to debanking, particularly among those aligned with Elizabeth Warren. They believe tech and finance are damaging the economy, and there's a push to reduce their influence.
  3. Many executives are worried about safety, hiring private security, and making changes to their social media presence. There's a noticeable shift in the urgency of these concerns in the recent months.

DELETE, DELETE, DELETE, DELETE

OpenTheBooks Substack • 580 implied HN points • 28 Jan 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Policy
  1. There are 75 federal agencies listed as defunct in the Federal Register. Many of these agencies haven't been active for years but are still listed.
  2. The Federal government lacks good record-keeping, leading to confusion about which agencies are still operating. This makes it hard for taxpayers to know where their money is going.
  3. To improve government efficiency, a new department aims to identify and eliminate these ghost agencies. This could help save money and streamline government functions.

Asian Financial Crisis Redux

The Dollar Endgame • 199 implied HN points • 21 Feb 24
💰 Finance Policy
  1. The Chinese yuan is weakening, reaching its lowest level against the dollar in a while. China taking measures like reducing the five-year loan prime rate to stimulate credit demand and revive the property market.
  2. Economists were surprised by the significant decrease in the reference rate by China, indicating the most substantial cut since its introduction in 2019. China is facing challenges from a property crisis, falling consumer confidence, and increasing deflationary pressures.
  3. China's central bank has been injecting liquidity into the financial system consistently through measures like reducing the reserve-requirement ratio for lenders and implementing regulations to support the yuan. The recent net injection of 1 billion yuan aims to maintain balanced liquidity post the Lunar New Year holiday.

Top Links 777 Standout productivity. China bottoms out. AIDS deaths & the "Californian Ideology"

Chartbook • 257 implied HN points • 22 Jun 25
💰 Finance Policy
  1. Standout productivity has been noted recently, showing impressive performance in various sectors.
  2. China's economy seems to have hit a low point, sparking discussions about its future trajectory.
  3. There are rising concerns over AIDS deaths, connected to the broader cultural ideas around the topic, often referred to as the 'Californian Ideology'.

Life after Twitter

lawrence’s Substack • 499 implied HN points • 21 Apr 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Policy
  1. The author is moving away from Twitter to focus on writing about various subjects like Tesla, energy policy, music, and more.
  2. The author expresses discontent with current political situations and ideologies, rooting for individual freedom and less government interference.
  3. There is a strong support for aiding Ukraine in its fight for freedom against Russia and the author advocates for US intervention to weaken Russia and send a message to China.

Cash crops, marketing boards, and agricultural policy failures in Africa

An Africanist Perspective • 455 implied HN points • 18 Feb 23
🌍 World Politics Policy
  1. Improving agricultural productivity in Africa is crucial for economic development. Policymakers need to shift towards policies that support small-scale farmers and focus on local value addition before exports.
  2. The role of the state in African agriculture needs to be reconsidered. Historical policies like marketing boards have had both positive and negative impacts, and there is a need for open-mindedness towards government involvement in the sector.
  3. African cash crop producers face challenges in benefiting from their produce due to the structure of international commodity markets. African governments must invest in value addition and convince buyers to support local processing to boost sectoral margins.

When the Climate Was Perfect

The Honest Broker Newsletter • 1854 implied HN points • 26 Dec 23
🌞 Climate & Environment Policy
  1. Global climate policies are now focused on global average surface temperature as an indicator of overall well-being
  2. The period of 1850-1900 is considered a baseline, but historical extremes highlight the fallacy of it being 'perfect'
  3. Climate history shows that the past had extreme climate events, emphasizing the importance of adaptive capacity

ONE IMAGE: 40 Million Canadians

Brad DeLong's Grasping Reality • 607 implied HN points • 04 Jan 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Policy
  1. About 90% of Canadians live close to the US border, which influences their economy and lifestyle. Most of Canada's population is concentrated in big cities like Toronto and Montreal.
  2. Canada's population density is quite low, with only 4 people per square kilometer outside urban areas. This means there are many large, empty spaces in the country.
  3. Canadians have a relatively high life expectancy and are mostly bilingual in English and French. About a quarter of the population are visible minorities, showcasing diversity.

Anti-Defamation League raises cost of speaking out

Tilting At Windmills • 235 implied HN points • 25 Jan 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Policy
  1. The Anti-Defamation League faces criticism for pressuring law enforcement to investigate those with ideological disagreements.
  2. Law enforcement has denied investigating individuals targeted by the ADL, which is seen as a positive development.
  3. Disagreement should not equate to criminality, and the ADL's actions raise concerns about stifling freedom of speech.

Transcript: Tony Keller

Lean Out with Tara Henley • 235 implied HN points • 25 Jan 24
🌍 World Politics Policy
  1. In Canada, there has been a shift in the bipartisan, pro-immigration consensus, largely influenced by recent policy changes.
  2. The rapid population growth due to high immigration levels is putting pressure on infrastructure, housing, and business productivity in Canada.
  3. Addressing the skilled labor imbalance in immigration by recruiting high-skilled workers can help mitigate negative impacts on low-wage workers and the economy.

5 questions about the "AI opportunities action plan"

Odds and Ends of History • 603 implied HN points • 14 Jan 25
🕹 Technology Policy
  1. The AI Opportunities Action Plan is an important government report that aims to guide Britain's approach to artificial intelligence. It has many recommendations that could shape the future of AI in the country.
  2. Keir Starmer, the Prime Minister, is focusing on making Britain a leader in AI technology, highlighting its significance in politics and industry.
  3. There's a need for meaningful questions about AI policy, as many journalists often ask irrelevant questions that miss the key issues. Being informed helps drive better discussions around AI advancements.

End the Senseless Economic War on Venezuela

Eunomia • 432 implied HN points • 22 Jun 23
🌍 World Politics Policy
  1. House Democrats are urging the Biden administration to ease sanctions on Venezuela to alleviate economic crisis.
  2. Critics argue that continuing economic hardship on an entire population is immoral and unworthy.
  3. There is growing recognition of the undeniable failure and cruelty of the current Venezuela policy.

Cass Sunstein

Sour Milk • 216 implied HN points • 04 Feb 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Policy
  1. The Biden administration's open border policies have led to a significant increase in illegal immigration.
  2. Cass Sunstein, appointed by President Biden, plays a key role in rolling back immigration laws and shaping border control policies.
  3. Sunstein's 'counterspeech' doctrine aims to discredit critics and control public discourse on various issues.

Nikki in NH

Things I Didn't Learn in School • 235 implied HN points • 22 Jan 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Policy
  1. Nikki Haley's potential win in New Hampshire could lead to significant changes and a corrective feature in the US system.
  2. Haley's focus on fiscal responsibility and deflationary policies may impact US Treasuries and the economy positively.
  3. Her background, qualities, and approach suggest a shift in political norms and potential for US power and influence if she wins.

Al Jazeera's Undercover Israel Lobby Reporter Speaks on Gaza

Séamus Malekafzali • 357 implied HN points • 08 Dec 23
🌍 World Politics Policy
  1. Al Jazeera's undercover investigation revealed extensive pro-Israel lobbying efforts targeting pro-Palestine sentiment in the US and UK.
  2. Discussions about pro-Israel lobbying have shifted from being taboo to being openly acknowledged.
  3. Israel lobby tactics in media focus on diverting attention from Israel's crimes and fabricating a crisis of anti-semitism.

Balsa Update and General Thank You

Don't Worry About the Vase • 1881 implied HN points • 12 Dec 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Policy
  1. The focus of the Balsa project is on repealing the Jones Act to make a positive impact.
  2. Another area of interest for Balsa is federal housing reform, aiming to address economic issues and expand policy reform.
  3. Balsa also plans to work on initiatives related to NEPA, aiming to replace current environmental regulations with cost-benefit analysis for development projects.

THB Insider #12

The Honest Broker Newsletter • 628 implied HN points • 19 Dec 24
🔬 Science Policy
  1. The author will soon evaluate their predictions for 2024 and will post about the upcoming 2025 predictions. It's a fun way to look back and see how accurate they were.
  2. A new paper has been posted for feedback and will be revised based on comments received. This is a chance for readers to engage and contribute their thoughts.
  3. The author is planning a Q&A session and is inviting readers to submit their questions. It's an opportunity for direct interaction and to discuss important topics.

Will Kash Patel Fix the FBI—or Break It?

Common Sense with Bari Weiss • 677 implied HN points • 04 Dec 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Policy
  1. Kash Patel is seen as someone who wants to dismantle the FBI's current structure rather than just reform it. He has strong negative views on the 'deep state' and government officials.
  2. Patel has suggested bold actions, like turning the FBI headquarters into a museum to highlight the 'deep state'. He uses harsh language to describe those in power.
  3. He has also mentioned plans to pursue legal action against media figures he believes have lied or conspired against citizens, indicating a confrontational approach to his potential role.

Save Daylight Savings Time

Silver Bulletin • 642 implied HN points • 17 Dec 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Policy
  1. Eliminating Daylight Savings Time would mean losing a lot of daylight in the summer for most Americans. People enjoy having more evening light, especially for outdoor activities.
  2. Year-round standard time might make mornings darker, which can negatively affect people's routines and mood. This could make things tougher for kids going to school early.
  3. While the idea of eliminating Daylight Savings Time seems to aim for efficiency, it could end up being very unpopular as it takes away something beneficial without offering enough advantages in return.