The hottest Policy Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
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Top U.S. Politics Topics

Regime Change Or Another Shit-Show?

The Weekly Dish • 140 implied HN points • 17 Jan 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Policy
  1. The possibility of a regime change can lead to uncertainty about the future. Many people worry that changes in leadership might not really result in improvement.
  2. Past experiences suggest that political changes can sometimes lead to chaos rather than stability. It's important to be cautious about expecting positive outcomes.
  3. Looking ahead, it's reasonable to expect that challenges will continue, regardless of who is in charge. People may feel anxious about what could happen next.

Diversity is the Inverse of University

Unsafe Science • 54 implied HN points • 10 Jul 25
🚌 Education Policy
  1. Many believe that top universities are losing their academic rigor and standards because of diversity and inclusion policies. This shift makes it hard to compare these schools to their former prestigious selves.
  2. Academic freedom is declining in British universities, with hiring practices focusing more on ideological beliefs than on qualification. This approach can limit the types of research conducted and ideas allowed.
  3. There is a call for reform to restore the integrity of higher education by emphasizing academic merit and freedom. Some political movements in the UK are pushing back against current trends to bring about change.

The Hero as Flexible Bureaucrat

Nothing Human • 60 implied HN points • 28 Jun 25
📖 Philosophy Policy
  1. The hero figure has changed over time, and now it seems that a flexible bureaucrat who bends the rules can be seen as a modern hero, especially when their actions serve a human purpose.
  2. While strict bureaucracies can feel cold and unyielding, a more flexible approach allows for emotional connections and adaptability, which can lead to better outcomes for individuals.
  3. As technology advances, there's a concern that bureaucracies will become more efficient and powerful, but it's important to maintain flexibility in these systems to keep the human element alive.

The Curve 2025: The Premier Big Picture AI Conference

Am I Stronger Yet? • 62 implied HN points • 24 Jun 25
🕹 Technology Policy
  1. The Curve 2025 is a big conference about the future of AI happening in October in Berkeley, CA. It's a chance for people from different fields to come together and share their ideas.
  2. Attendees can apply to join or propose sessions and demos for discussions and presentations. It's open to anyone interested in AI and its impact on the world.
  3. The event aims to encourage conversation and build connections between diverse participants, including researchers, policy makers, and entrepreneurs, to tackle big questions about AI.

*Open Borders* Back in Print!

Bet On It • 140 implied HN points • 16 Jan 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Policy
  1. The book 'Open Borders' is back in print and is considered the author's best work. It's aimed at showing the benefits of immigration.
  2. Despite fears about immigration policies worsening during crises, the author notes that immigration has generally returned to normal levels post-Covid.
  3. The author believes that immigration restrictions are harmful and that there's still hope for better immigration policies in the future, even amidst political challenges.
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Dick Cheney's Wet Dream

The Weekly Dish • 126 implied HN points • 07 Feb 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Policy
  1. The idea of a strong executive power is becoming more pronounced, especially with the MAGA movement. This means they support a president with more control than usual.
  2. There's a concern that this strong executive approach could lead to less accountability and more unchecked power in leadership. People are worried about how this might affect democracy.
  3. The discussion reflects ongoing debates in American politics about balancing power between branches of government and protecting citizen rights. It's important to think about how power is used and who it benefits.

LessDoom: Response to AI 2027

How the Hell • 98 implied HN points • 04 Apr 25
🕹 Technology Policy
  1. Human-level AI could arrive in the next few years, and superhuman AI might follow soon after. It's important to consider how trade wars could affect AI development timelines.
  2. The scenario presented in AI 2027, where a slowdown in U.S. AI research could favor Chinese labs, needs more exploration. The potential consequences of that situation were not adequately addressed in the original document.
  3. Having diverse AI systems is crucial for safety. If different AIs with varying goals exist, they can monitor each other and help prevent any one AI from becoming too powerful or dangerous.

The USA vs China AI race may define Trump's second term

The Dossier • 131 implied HN points • 27 Jan 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Policy
  1. DeepSeek, a Chinese AI company, claims to have created a powerful new machine learning model that's cheaper than popular models like Chat GPT. This has sparked a lot of excitement in the tech community.
  2. Not everyone believes DeepSeek's claims, as some tech leaders are skeptical. They worry that the company might be using advanced tech smuggled in from other countries despite tight export laws.
  3. The competition between the U.S. and China in AI is heating up. With big investments from both sides, the outcome of this race could significantly impact political and economic landscapes in the near future.

Well, there goes the neighborhood

Alex's Personal Blog • 131 implied HN points • 03 Feb 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Policy
  1. The U.S. government is becoming more isolated due to recent political decisions and actions, which could have serious economic consequences.
  2. There is a clash between how startups operate and how the government is supposed to function, with concerns about too much control in the hands of a few leaders.
  3. Tariffs and other actions by the government are causing uncertainty in the stock market and making it harder for businesses, especially startups, to succeed.

The China Shock 2.0 that isn’t

Beijing Channel • 9 implied HN points • 22 Dec 25
🌐 International Policy
  1. Rising Chinese export value often reflects moving up the value chain and more domestic value added, so higher export numbers don’t just mean cheap goods flooding markets.
  2. Many developing countries import parts and equipment from China that let them export more; gross import figures alone don’t show whether those flows harm or help local economies.
  3. Rather than being passive victims, many developing countries actively manage ties with China—deepening trade, negotiating deals, and protecting specific sectors—so claims of a broad, systematic shock need careful, sector-level, value-added evidence.

Why the political clock is ticking for TikTok

Silver Bulletin • 373 implied HN points • 08 Mar 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Policy
  1. Politics is not always a zero-sum game, with some shared interests among legislators. Bipartisanship can arise when faced with common goals.
  2. TikTok is facing legislative challenges in the US due to concerns about its ties to China. There is strong bipartisan support for a bill that could force TikTok to divest from its Chinese parent company.
  3. The TikTok ban issue highlights the complex intersection of politics, misinformation concerns, and generational differences. The bill seems to be gaining momentum due to the lack of a clear political winner and the psychological effect of a common enemy.

What the executive order means for openness in AI

AI Snake Oil • 489 implied HN points • 31 Oct 23
🕹 Technology Policy
  1. The executive order on AI strives to address various benefits and risks, impacting openness in the AI landscape.
  2. The EO does not include licensing or liability provisions, which could limit openness in AI development.
  3. The EO emphasizes defense against malicious AI uses, registration and reporting requirements, and transparency audits to ensure security and accountability.

Things To Do Before Trump Takes Office

OK Doomer • 171 implied HN points • 21 Nov 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Policy
  1. Be prepared for real changes when Trump takes office. These changes will affect everyone personally, so it's better to act now.
  2. Many people believe 2030 is a key year to have plans in place. It's important to focus on surviving these next few years under a challenging regime.
  3. Contributing ideas and discussions can help build a helpful list of actions to take. Sharing strategies now can make a difference later.

An overview of my thesis in response to an incisive comment

America in Crisis • 99 implied HN points • 21 Jul 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Policy
  1. Leftists were not happy with President Obama's performance, believing he should have done more to oppose Republican-influenced policies.
  2. The shift in economic culture from stakeholder capitalism to shareholder primacy after 1981 has led to prioritizing shareholder interests over other stakeholders, resulting in growing income inequality.
  3. The discussion around economic policy typically focuses on job creation over wages and income, reflecting a shareholder primacy culture, which has implications for economic outcomes and equality.

Build Nuclear. Frak. Drill.

Erik Torenberg's Thoughts • 455 implied HN points • 14 Nov 23
🌞 Climate & Environment Policy
  1. Nuclear energy is a cost-effective and clean solution for reducing dependence on fossil fuels.
  2. Modern nuclear energy plants are safe, produce minimal waste, and are more efficient than other renewable energy sources.
  3. Choosing nuclear energy is crucial for addressing climate change and has been successfully implemented in countries like France.

In 2021, Larry Summers Won the Inflation Debate. Now His Victory Is Looking a Little Transitory.

Informer • 98 implied HN points • 16 Feb 23
💼 Business Policy
  1. Larry Summers' victory in the inflation debate of 2021-22 is now appearing transitory as inflation rates have steadily decreased without a spike in unemployment.
  2. Wages play a crucial role in determining inflation levels, with high wage inflation being a reliable predictor of high price inflation.
  3. Keynes and his collaborators emphasized the importance of rising money wages as the essence of inflation, diverging from the Quantity Theory of Money.

Milei vs. A School Board Epidemiologist

Variations on a Theme • 79 implied HN points • 21 Nov 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Policy
  1. Javier Milei, a Libertarian, faced challenges in pushing for government limitations and administrative state cuts after being elected President of Argentina.
  2. The story highlights how bureaucrats often resist change, prioritize personal status, and maintain power against external pressure, even to the detriment of societal outcomes.
  3. The narrative underscores the importance of scrutinizing reformers and holding them accountable, as outsider status doesn't always guarantee sustainable reforms in complex systems.

✍️ New Jobs and Crisis At The BBC ✍️ — March 13

Inside The Newsroom • 98 implied HN points • 13 Mar 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Policy
  1. The BBC faced a crisis after suspending football presenter Gary Linekar for his comments on the UK government's new immigration policy.
  2. The controversy highlighted the BBC's struggle for impartiality and the challenges of balancing political influences with public service broadcasting.
  3. The situation also brought attention to the impact of social media guidelines, government influence, and perceptions of bias on the BBC's operations.

The Forgotten Case Against Milton Friedman

Informer • 98 implied HN points • 14 May 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Policy
  1. Milton Friedman's ideas changed economics by challenging the Phillips curve trade-off between inflation and unemployment.
  2. James Tobin provided an alternative theory of inflation focusing on demand shifts between sectors.
  3. Progressives didn't fully embrace Tobin's theory, leading to disagreements on tackling inflation and interest rates.

Storm Front

Everything's Broken • 98 implied HN points • 20 Mar 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Policy
  1. Donald Trump is a career criminal with a history of manipulating and disregarding rules.
  2. Trump's main priority is staying in the public eye and feeling important.
  3. Despite potential legal issues, Trump's team views any publicity as a way to boost his chances for re-election.

"It’s about policing people and policing people’s culture"

Worcester Sucks and I Love It • 98 implied HN points • 25 Mar 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Policy
  1. The city administration faced criticism for making it hard to hold events like the Worcester Caribbean American Carnival.
  2. The Worcester Police Department came under scrutiny for a past officer-involved shooting and handling of a dog attack.
  3. The Quality of Life Team in Worcester appears to prioritize addressing 'blight' over helping the unhoused population.

Deploying Securely with ChatGPT

Deploy Securely • 98 implied HN points • 16 Mar 23
🕹 Technology Policy
  1. Generative AI tools can be risky but offer significant benefits.
  2. Having a security policy template can help organizations use AI tools securely.
  3. The provided policy template may need customization based on individual circumstances.

Things Can Always Get Worse

OK Doomer • 168 implied HN points • 13 Nov 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Policy
  1. Things can always get worse, even when it feels like they can't. There is often a deeper problem beneath the surface.
  2. Political actions and public opinions can often lead to more confusion and issues, especially when important health topics are mishandled.
  3. There is a concerning trend where misinformation and extreme ideas are gaining traction, which can create panic and conflict on important health matters.

Letters to the Editor: ‘I’ve Watched Someone I Love Die’

Common Sense with Bari Weiss • 148 implied HN points • 08 Dec 24
🎭️ Culture Policy
  1. Assisted suicide laws are controversial, with concerns about vulnerable people feeling pressured to end their lives. Some argue that these laws exist to provide relief for those suffering from severe, painful illnesses.
  2. People often request help to end their suffering, and without legal options, doctors and families face tough choices. The law aims to provide a more humane way to help those at the end of life find peace.
  3. Legalizing psychedelics like MDMA is not just about recreation; it's about addressing serious mental health issues and potentially saving lives, particularly for veterans suffering from PTSD.

Are Medicare and Medicaid Patients Required to Weigh-In?

Weight and Healthcare • 199 implied HN points • 09 Nov 22
🏥 Health Politics Policy
  1. Medicare and Medicaid do not require patients to weigh-in at their appointments, despite common misconceptions.
  2. Physicians are incentivized to discuss weight and create treatment plans for patients with a BMI over 24.9 due to quality score impact on reimbursement.
  3. Patients on Medicare/Medicaid can opt-out of weigh-ins, and providers must exclude them from performance calculations, even though technical challenges may arise.

Abusers Give Vice a Bad Name

Bet On It • 548 implied HN points • 17 Jul 23
🏥 Health Politics Policy
  1. Abusers give vice a bad name by inspiring prohibition and unjust 'wars' on innocent users.
  2. Legalize production and use, harshly punish abuse to address the issue of vile choices made by abusers.
  3. Orthodox prohibitionist remedies end up punishing a larger number of innocent people, rather than addressing the core problem of abuse.

New Report Reveals How Biden Staffers Helped Anthony Fauci Get Away With Misconduct During COVID

Unmasked • 48 implied HN points • 15 Jul 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Policy
  1. Biden's administration has been accused of being run by unelected staffers. This suggests that staff members were making important decisions behind the scenes.
  2. There are allegations that autopen signatures were used for official documents like pardons. This raises concerns about the legitimacy of those decisions.
  3. A recent report indicates that these staffers helped Anthony Fauci avoid accountability during the COVID pandemic. This points to a lack of transparency and oversight in the administration's actions.

sunday government pool

bad cattitude • 109 implied HN points • 09 Feb 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Policy
  1. Trying to make an impact in the world doesn't guarantee that others will notice or agree with you. It's important to understand that different perspectives exist.
  2. The concept of changing times suggests adaptability is key for success. Being flexible and open to new ideas can help you navigate challenges better.
  3. It can be hard to find your place in a world that has its own opinions. However, staying true to yourself is important, even when faced with disagreement from others.

Britain is secretly pro-building stuff

Odds and Ends of History • 67 implied HN points • 26 May 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Policy
  1. Many people in Britain actually support building new homes, showing a hidden desire for development. It's important to understand public opinion on housing to better address issues in this area.
  2. The planning system in Britain is more complicated and less effective than many think. This dysfunction can make it harder to create new housing and infrastructure.
  3. There's a push for improving the British military's innovation and security. This focus on modernizing defense is linked to overall national prosperity and safety.

Op-Ed: Is TikTok too big to fail in the US?

The PhilaVerse • 123 implied HN points • 20 Jan 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Policy
  1. TikTok has a huge impact on the creator economy and many people rely on it for income. If it were banned, creators and small businesses would struggle to find new ways to make money.
  2. Banning TikTok would also hurt advertising for brands that target younger users. They would have to spend more on other platforms, which could increase costs for businesses.
  3. TikTok influences trends in music, fashion, and more. If it disappeared, there might be a gap in how trends are shared, and it would take time for other platforms to fill that role.

Percent Zohran

Exasperated Infrastructures • 16 implied HN points • 05 Nov 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Policy
  1. Don't expect politicians to be selfless; hold them accountable to high standards. It's okay to support them but recognize their flaws.
  2. There's hope with leaders like Zohran Mamdani who reflect the desires of more New Yorkers for change. His success could inspire future movements.
  3. Real change takes time and effort, especially in a complex political environment. Even achieving a fraction of Mamdani's plans could greatly improve life in New York.

Donald Trump's mask-off assault on immigration

The Watch • 395 implied HN points • 22 Dec 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Policy
  1. America's identity as a refuge for the marginalized is under threat by Trump's anti-immigration stance.
  2. Trump's immigration strategy includes rounding up asylum seekers and undocumented immigrants.
  3. Deportation plans by Trump would have severe economic and humanitarian consequences, impacting millions of lives.

What should the control arm be in a vaccine trial? Is it a placebo if it contains aluminum?

Vinay Prasad's Observations and Thoughts • 106 implied HN points • 19 Feb 25
🏥 Health Politics Policy
  1. In vaccine trials, using a control arm that contains something like aluminum may not be truly a placebo, which can make it hard to determine side effects.
  2. If the control group feels side effects from a placebo, like aluminum, they may think they received the vaccine and change their behavior, affecting the trial results.
  3. Sometimes, trials need more than one control group to get a clearer picture of both safety and effectiveness, like comparing a true placebo to a placebo that causes some discomfort.

Grievance Training

Heterodox STEM • 370 implied HN points • 07 Jan 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Policy
  1. Grievance training in American schools is presenting a one-sided and divisive narrative about land appropriation and cultural genocide.
  2. Teachers are asserting that U.S. lands were stolen from Native Americans, pushing for reparations or land return without room for questioning.
  3. The article argues against collective guilt narratives, emphasizing the importance of individual accountability and due process.

Don't Worry, He's "Mild."

OK Doomer • 153 implied HN points • 15 Nov 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Policy
  1. Public health is being neglected while focusing on economic growth, which can worsen the state of democracy.
  2. The new leadership appointments in health are seen as a move to undermine public health efforts, rather than improve them.
  3. There's misinformation about health topics like fluoride, leading to confusion and misunderstanding among the public.