The hottest Policy Substack posts right now

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

Wealthy, Elite Universities Like Harvard Taxed You $45 Billion In Last Five Years

OpenTheBooks Substack • 241 implied HN points • 15 Nov 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Education Funding Taxation Policy Scandals
  1. Wealthy universities like Harvard received $45 billion in federal payments, tax breaks, and subsidies over the last five years.
  2. Top universities prioritized securing federal contracts and grants over student tuition, with $33 billion flowing to them annually.
  3. Elite universities also benefited from special tax treatment benefits on endowment gains and additional government subsidies.

Subprime, bank runs, and the Global Financial Crisis

Erdmann Housing Tracker • 210 implied HN points • 26 Dec 23
💰 Finance Economics Financial Markets Policy Housing Crisis Regulation
  1. The private securitization market dominated housing finance from 2004 to 2007 before collapsing.
  2. The Great Recession didn't follow the expected pattern in Atlanta, with unique housing price changes.
  3. The Global Financial Crisis was self-imposed due to a retraction in money and credit, not the predicted factors.

Riskophilia

Not Boring by Packy McCormick • 262 implied HN points • 17 Oct 23
🎭️ Culture Society Innovation Policy Philosophy
  1. The shift from risk loving to risk averse behavior over the past decades has impacted individuals, companies, and nations.
  2. The precautionary principle, aimed at minimizing risks, can lead to unintended consequences and hinder progress.
  3. Embracing risk is essential for building resilience, adaptability, and progress in various aspects of life.

Missing Fixed Effects Don't Justify Segregation

Cremieux Recueil • 199 implied HN points • 06 Jan 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Judiciary Policy Research Medical Discrimination
  1. Justice Jackson's statements about segregation and survival rates of Black newborns were not strongly supported by a 2020 study.
  2. The exclusion of important fixed effects in studies can lead to incorrect or misleading conclusions.
  3. The issue of missing fixed effects is common in research and can impact policy decisions and research priorities.

Payroll Preview & Return of the Policy Put

Ironsides Macroeconomics 'It's Never Different This Time' • 137 implied HN points • 01 Nov 23
💰 Finance Economics Markets Policy Investing Bonds
  1. The Federal Reserve may not raise rates if certain conditions are met, such as softening labor market data or 10-year Treasury rates staying near 5%.
  2. A sustainable rally in the Treasury and equity markets requires a rally in 2-year Treasuries to stabilize the banking system.
  3. To reduce damage to bank balance sheets and profitability, yield curve normalization with a starting point at 4.75% could be beneficial.
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Why I’m not taking Trump's deal

The Cosmopolitan Globalist • 18 implied HN points • 01 Nov 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Elections Political parties Policy Governance International relations
  1. Trump's promises about space exploration are questionable, and relying on him could be risky for a serious Mars program.
  2. If Trump is elected, it could harm global freedom and security by encouraging aggression from countries like Russia.
  3. Going to Mars should be about building a new, free society, but that can't happen if we allow our world to become oppressive or unstable.

Crisis is Opportunity

Who is Robert Malone • 15 implied HN points • 19 Nov 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Elections Policy Government Media Public Opinion
  1. Crisis can create chances for change. Even in tough times, there are opportunities for improvement and innovation.
  2. The U.S. political landscape is facing major challenges, including misinformation and attempts to block presidential appointments. This shows how information warfare is now a large part of political battles.
  3. The FDA and other government organizations need reform to be more effective. There are many frustrated workers inside these systems who want to collaborate for positive changes.

Links to Consider, 1/19

In My Tribe • 273 implied HN points • 19 Jan 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Social Issues Policy Economy Gender Taxation
  1. Wokeness and victimhood culture are not just influenced by laws, but also by disparities in outcomes.
  2. Core gender beliefs have historically influenced societies and changes in those beliefs affected women's opportunities.
  3. Government benefit policies can inadvertently discourage work and incentivize receiving benefits, creating a cycle of dependency.

The Life and Death of the Hawker Centre

Vittles • 156 implied HN points • 12 Feb 24
🍲 Food & Drink Cuisine History Policy Culture Tradition
  1. Hawker culture in Singapore was built on individual craft and diversity but is facing challenges due to modernization and standardization.
  2. Government initiatives are in place to preserve the hawker trade in Singapore, seen as a key part of the social safety net.
  3. While new hawker-inspired businesses have emerged, true hawker culture is deeply rooted in the authentic, independent stalls found in traditional hawker centers.

Toronto Budget 2024 (Olivia's Version) drops next week

City Hall Watcher • 78 implied HN points • 26 Jan 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Government Policy Economy Infrastructure Housing
  1. Toronto City is seeing a trend where a few large corporations dominate the employment landscape, which could lead to political challenges.
  2. Toronto is working on improving housing development timelines and affordable housing projects to address the growing housing crisis.
  3. City Hall in Toronto is considering implementing new measures like a foreign buyer tax, revamping subsidy programs, and investing in dedicated bus lanes to improve transit infrastructure.

We still know what the problem is

Science Forever • 159 implied HN points • 15 Feb 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Gun Control Education National Security Policy
  1. Gun violence in the United States is not primarily a mental health issue, but a result of easy access to firearms supported by politicians misinterpreting the Second Amendment.
  2. Ensuring physical safety on university campuses is crucial for fostering a conducive environment for learning and innovation.
  3. The presence of firearms on campuses and in communities poses a competitiveness disadvantage for the U.S. in the global arena and undermines progress in academic and scientific fields.

The New York Times Confronts Anthony Fauci with Anthony Fauci

The DisInformation Chronicle • 585 implied HN points • 04 Apr 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Government Policy News
  1. The New York Times confronted Anthony Fauci with his own contradictory statements on the origin of the pandemic.
  2. Fauci dismissed the lab leak theory as a conspiracy theory in the past but later was found to have been involved in downplaying it.
  3. This is not the first time Fauci has been caught misremembering details, but it is the first time the New York Times publicly confronted him on it.

Last Week in AI #236: Pentagon's AI fleet against China, Imbue's $200M boost for reasoning AI, AI sex worker ads invade social media, Anthropic's paid plan for Claude, and more!

Last Week in AI • 178 implied HN points • 11 Sep 23
🕹 Technology AI Research Policy Analysis Fun
  1. The Pentagon is investing heavily in AI technology to counter threats from China and other adversaries.
  2. Imbue raised $200 million to develop AI systems that can reason and code, aiming to create practical and safe AI agents.
  3. Ads for AI sex workers are appearing on social media platforms, despite policies against sexualized content, raising questions about platform monitoring and regulation.

Xi Reduces Role of Private Firms, Hurts Innovation

Japan Economy Watch • 139 implied HN points • 26 Sep 23
🌍 World Politics Policy Leadership Economy Innovation Foreign Relations
  1. Xi Jinping's policies of reducing the role of private firms and emphasizing State-Owned Enterprises (SOEs) are hurting innovation and economic growth in China.
  2. Under Xi's leadership, China has seen a decrease in high-quality patents, lower productivity in companies, and a dampening of dynamism in the private sector.
  3. By prioritizing SOEs over private companies, Xi is exacerbating the tradeoff between growth and living standards, hindering the potential for increased personal consumption and economic prosperity.

Immigration in an Nth-Best World

Bet On It • 130 implied HN points • 07 Mar 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Immigration Libertarianism Policy
  1. In a society like ours, that is neither fully libertarian nor totalitarian, libertarians face challenges in deciding which proposals to support in order to promote the freedom philosophy effectively.
  2. Libertarians must address the problems caused by the mixed economy, such as issues related to public property, like parks and buildings, while advocating for privatization.
  3. Supporting open borders aligns with libertarian principles of nonaggression, promotes individual liberty, and is economically sound according to experts like Bryan Caplan.

A tangible thing you can do today to fight Trump's takeover of the federal government

Can We Still Govern? • 215 implied HN points • 15 Nov 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Policy Government Civil Service Accountability Partisanship
  1. You can take action against Trump's attempt to politicize the federal government by commenting on a proposed rule to neuter Schedule F.
  2. Public comments on rules can influence policy decisions and help protect the independence of the bureaucracy.
  3. Increasing politicization of government agencies can lead to lower performance, reduced accountability, and less responsiveness to Congress and the public.

Jiang Xiaojuan on further deepening economic reforms

Pekingnology • 60 implied HN points • 26 Oct 24
💼 Business Economics Policy Market Reform Trade
  1. Economic reforms in China focus on creating a level playing field. This means all types of businesses should have equal chances to compete and get resources without favoritism.
  2. There is an emphasis on letting the market decide which businesses succeed or fail. This encourages efficiency and helps the best companies thrive while weaker ones are phased out.
  3. Aligning China's economic rules with international standards is important. This helps local companies compete better globally and supports further opening up the economy.

Argentina's Energy Landscape from 2024 onwards

BowTiedMara - Geoarbitrage & Mobility Assets • 137 implied HN points • 28 Mar 23
🌍 World Politics Energy Policy Infrastructure Industry Trade
  1. Argentina is likely to achieve energy independence in the near future.
  2. The current energy mix in Argentina relies heavily on fossil fuels, with plans for nuclear and hydroelectric expansion.
  3. Investments in pipelines and production in Vaca Muerta could lead Argentina to become a net exporter of energy by 2026.

Responses to comments on our democratic control of AGI paper

James W. Phillips' Newsletter • 137 implied HN points • 01 Apr 23
🕹 Technology AI Ethics Policy Safety Development
  1. The proposal on democratic control of AGI highlights the need for aligning AI development with democratic accountability and safety measures.
  2. There are concerns about a potential global race in developing AGI and whether private labs or multilateral efforts are better suited to manage the risks.
  3. Despite uncertainties, there is a growing acknowledgment in frontier labs that AGI poses significant risks to humanity and discussions about control and safety measures are crucial.

Dialing Back Restraint

The Transcript • 79 implied HN points • 05 Feb 24
💰 Finance Economy Policy Inflation Labor markets Interest Rates
  1. The Federal Reserve suggested that interest rates may have reached their highest point in this tightening cycle and could start decreasing later this year.
  2. The Fed is cautious about lowering rates too soon and wants to see sustained progress in managing inflation before making any major moves.
  3. Despite some challenges with inflation, the overall economy, especially the job market, remains strong.

Doctors and patients raise alarm about prior authorization

HEALTH CARE un-covered • 319 implied HN points • 01 Feb 23
🏥 Health Politics Healthcare Insurance Patient Care Policy Medical Ethics
  1. Prior authorization can cause major problems for patients, leading to delays or denials of necessary treatments. This can sometimes result in serious health issues or even death.
  2. A lot of doctors believe that the prior authorization process actually worsens care for patients. Most doctors say these requirements can make patients abandon their treatment plans.
  3. Insurance companies aren't really cooperating with doctors to fix these issues. This makes it hard for patients to access the care they really need.

Why school shooting prevention efforts fail

School Shooting Data Analysis and Reports • 59 implied HN points • 14 Feb 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Policy Law enforcement School Safety
  1. In school shooting cases, people often fail to take the situation seriously, leading to tragic consequences.
  2. Authorities should pay attention to clues provided by individuals involved in potential school shooting incidents, such as changes in behavior or conflicting stories.
  3. Efforts to prevent school shootings should involve thorough investigations, use of best practices in interviewing, and always treating the threat seriously.

The Unabridged Ridley-Caplan Exchange

Bet On It • 120 implied HN points • 05 Mar 24
🚌 Education Debate Innovation Exchange Policy
  1. Innovation often results from small, incremental improvements rather than sudden bursts of inspiration.
  2. Historically, small countries have led the world in innovation, suggesting that population size doesn't guarantee economic success.
  3. Increasing interconnectedness within large populations can enhance innovation more effectively than just striving for population growth.

Too Bad to Be True

The Radar • 59 implied HN points • 12 Feb 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Military Service Leadership Policy Retirement
  1. The Air Force's offer for retirees to return to active duty is met with skepticism and a sense of disbelief due to its unfavorable terms
  2. The program highlights past issues within the Air Force that led to talent drain, indicating a need for more effective retention strategies
  3. The bureaucratic nature of the current recall program suggests a need for more substantial solutions rather than temporary fixes

Why Kishida Retreated From “New Form of Capitalism”

Japan Economy Watch • 439 implied HN points • 11 Jun 22
🌍 World Politics Economy Government Leadership Policy Foreign Relations
  1. Prime Minister Kishida retreated from his 'new form of capitalism' due to pressure from critics and financial markets misunderstanding his policies as socialist.
  2. The policy document lacked substantive measures to bring about a 'virtuous cycle of growth and distribution' despite initial reform efforts.
  3. Kishida's leadership style, as a consensus-builder, hindered the ability to make significant economic changes and prioritize key economic measures.

kitten corner: CDC ya later

bad cattitude • 197 implied HN points • 02 Mar 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Policy Epidemiology Public Health
  1. The post discusses the delay in 'experts' realizing what 'amateurs' had known for a while, raising questions about other areas of expertise.
  2. It emphasizes the importance of questioning and thinking critically about information, even when it comes from supposed experts.
  3. The post prompts readers to consider the evolving nature of knowledge and the value of diverse perspectives.

Hiding from reality

Comment is Freed • 118 implied HN points • 06 Mar 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Election Government Budget Campaigning Policy
  1. The post criticizes politicians for hiding the truth about budget projections and making unrealistic spending promises.
  2. It highlights the disconnect between political parties' actions and the concerns of voters, emphasizing the importance of holding politicians accountable.
  3. Rather than focusing on superficial details, the post encourages in-depth analysis of proposed spending to ensure transparency and truthfulness in political discussions.

The Truth About Integration

Comment is Freed • 114 implied HN points • 13 Mar 24
🌍 World Politics Integration Education Immigration Policy Social Issues
  1. Integration challenges in the UK are being addressed successfully through education, leading to positive outcomes in academic performance and assimilation for immigrant communities.
  2. The UK stands out in Europe for immigrant students' academic success, suggesting the impact of education on integration is significant.
  3. Education plays a key role in reducing segregation over time, as seen in the increasing diversity in neighborhoods and schools, signaling progress towards greater integration.

Last Week in AI #227: NYC adopts anti-bias AI hiring law, EU and Japan to partner in AI chips and de-risk from China, ChatGPT traffic slows, and more!

Last Week in AI • 198 implied HN points • 10 Jul 23
🕹 Technology Artificial Intelligence Policy Analysis Business
  1. NYC has a new law on anti-bias AI in hiring processes that requires audits and public disclosure
  2. EU and Japan are partnering in AI and chips to reduce reliance on China
  3. ChatGPT, a popular AI chatbot, experienced a significant drop in traffic in June

The Wrong Price

Ironsides Macroeconomics 'It's Never Different This Time' • 58 implied HN points • 10 Feb 24
💰 Finance Investing Policy Economics Market Analysis
  1. Thematic investing is dominating the price action, with themes like generative AI boom and strong performance in the industrial sector attracting attention.
  2. Misdiagnosis of issues like prohibitive financing costs instead of asset quality is occurring, impacting treasury markets and regional bank stocks.
  3. Outlook on sustainable disinflation post CPI revisions and the association between regional banks and treasury market are key areas of focus.

Nyhetsbrev steigan.no 28.12.2024

steigan.no • 6 implied HN points • 28 Dec 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Government Elections Policy Political parties International relations
  1. Slovakia's Prime Minister, Robert Fico, threatened to cut off power to Ukraine if they stop transporting Russian gas. This reflects the ongoing tensions between Ukraine and its neighbors over energy supply.
  2. Anonymous U.S. officials suggest that Ukraine may need to retreat from the Kursk region to avoid encirclement. This development highlights Ukraine's precarious situation in the ongoing conflict with Russia.
  3. Criticism of dietary guidelines is growing, especially regarding saturated fats. New studies are questioning the old beliefs about fats and health, suggesting that past dietary recommendations may not be accurate.

Fear of Affordable Housing

Erdmann Housing Tracker • 126 implied HN points • 22 Feb 24
💼 Business Real Estate Investing Economics Policy Market Analysis
  1. Developers and builders fear the loss in the value of their land investments if political obstructions to construction were lifted.
  2. Rents are unlikely to decline significantly in a whole metropolitan area due to new housing supply - housing demand is inelastic.
  3. Invest carefully in real estate market based on real trends but don't let fears about collapsing rents impact your views on housing justice or macroeconomic trends.