The hottest Politics Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
Category
Top News Topics

No One is Coming to Save Us

Anxiety Addiction & Ascension • 79 implied HN points • 13 Jun 23
📖 Philosophy Politics
  1. No one is coming to save us; we must take personal responsibility and not rely on political saviors.
  2. The current political system is designed to stymie well-intentioned individuals; true rulers are banks, corporations, billionaires, and global financiers.
  3. To combat tyranny and maintain independence, individuals must prioritize self-sufficiency, physical health, mental well-being, and financial literacy.

John Farnham Has Stolen My Childhood

Anxiety Addiction & Ascension • 79 implied HN points • 05 Sep 23
🎭️ Culture Politics
  1. The author reflects on how Greta Thunberg's message about her stolen childhood is misguided, believing it's actually the common people who have had their childhood taken by societal norms.
  2. The narrative describes the nostalgic appeal of 80s music and how 'You're the Voice' symbolizes a shared childhood for many, creating a sense of unity during a turbulent time of the Cold War.
  3. The author expresses disappointment in John Farnham allowing his song to be used in a political campaign, feeling that it has tainted the song's legacy and stolen a piece of their childhood.

Some notes about cybersecurity ethics

Cybersect • 78 implied HN points • 24 Apr 23
🕹 Technology Politics
  1. Ethics discussions often derail into politics and self-serving arguments.
  2. Professional ethics are about setting good examples, not academic philosophy.
  3. When violating ethics, it should be for a significant cause worth the consequences.
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Save The World My Ass

Stove Top • 78 implied HN points • 09 Jun 23
🕹 Technology Politics
  1. AI isn't going to save the world as some claim, with arguments against its impact on jobs and inequality.
  2. Progressivism is more of the default in society, with conservatism being viewed as an obstacle to change.
  3. Being open to being cringy can be a powerful tool for building an online audience by not caring about others' opinions.

The song remains the same, part 1

WORLD GONE WRONG • 78 implied HN points • 20 May 23
🎭️ Culture Politics
  1. Dystopian fiction has played a role in framing racial fears and anxieties, particularly directed towards different immigrant groups.
  2. Chinese immigrants faced discrimination and anti-Asian sentiments in countries like the United States, fueled by racist narratives in literature and media.
  3. Racist dystopian novels that vilified Chinese immigrants contributed to growing anti-immigration movements and legislative actions restricting Chinese immigration.

To Tell the Truth

The Newsguy -- Steve Herman • 78 implied HN points • 04 Apr 23
📰 News Politics
  1. Lewis M. Simons, an award-winning journalist, played a role in ousting a dictator with his reporting.
  2. Foreign correspondents like Simons work long hours in challenging conditions to bring important stories.
  3. Maintaining work-life balance and mental health is a significant challenge for journalists, and skepticism towards journalism is a growing concern.

Food, Politics and Social Media

Black Lodges • 78 implied HN points • 09 Mar 23
🍲 Food & Drink Politics
  1. Access to food can be affected by political decisions like resource distribution and infrastructure availability.
  2. Government agricultural policies can impact food production and distribution.
  3. Political decisions on labor laws and working conditions in the food industry can impact food quality and availability.

The Work of Getting Yours Before You Get Got

Oliver Bateman Does the Work • 78 implied HN points • 04 Oct 23
📰 News Politics
  1. Lessons from conflicts in small businesses can reveal the risks of mixing business with trust.
  2. The story of Max Blumenthal and Ben Norton highlights common challenges in the world of online news and politics startups.
  3. Consider supporting reader-backed publications to stay informed and fund the work of independent creators.

Links for 2024-02-02

Axis of Ordinary • 39 implied HN points • 02 Feb 24
🕹 Technology Politics
  1. AI tools do not significantly increase the risk of biological weapon attacks
  2. Russia's Black Sea Fleet under pressure from successful Ukrainian campaigns
  3. FBI disrupts major Chinese government-backed hacking effort targeting US infrastructure

Governor Rambo

Diane Francis • 519 implied HN points • 23 Sep 21
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Politics
  1. Florida's Governor DeSantis has made the situation in Florida dangerous, especially for older people, by opposing mask and vaccination mandates amid rising COVID-19 cases.
  2. Many Floridians support health measures like masks, but DeSantis has ignored public opinion to gain media attention and promote himself nationally.
  3. Traveling to Florida might be risky right now, especially for Canadians looking to escape winter, due to the dangerous environment created by the Governor's decisions.

Unsportsmanlike China

Diane Francis • 399 implied HN points • 10 Feb 22
🎾 Sports Politics
  1. In Russia and China, sports often mix with politics and national pride. This makes fair play difficult in these countries.
  2. Russia has a history of doping in sports, and recent events show they haven't changed. A famous athlete tested positive for a banned substance, raising concerns about their return to international competition.
  3. The Kremlin is trying to influence the situation, pushing for leniency for the athlete involved. This kind of interference highlights the ongoing issue with sportsmanship in these nations.

Thank you, thank you, thank you for your support this weekend

Unreported Truths • 33 implied HN points • 04 Aug 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Politics
  1. Building a community around sharing opinions and truths is really important. It creates support and understanding, especially during tough times.
  2. Legal battles about free speech can be frustrating. It's disheartening to feel that the government or others are not fully supporting your rights.
  3. Open discussions and respecting different viewpoints are crucial. It's okay to disagree, but we should listen to each other and not silence differing opinions.

I'm Glad Some Crazy Journalist Scolded Baseball Over Atlanta Getting its All-Star Game Back

House of Strauss • 37 implied HN points • 16 Jul 25
🎾 Sports Politics
  1. During the height of the Twitter Era, many people seemed to switch their beliefs quickly, often for social media approval. It felt like they were more focused on trends than on genuine convictions.
  2. A journalist recently questioned Major League Baseball's return to Atlanta for the All-Star Game, highlighting how positions on issues can change over time. It's important to hold people accountable for their past statements.
  3. The way voting laws in Georgia were discussed in 2021 was very dramatic, using phrases like 'Jim Crow on steroids.' In hindsight, this labeling seems extreme compared to the actual impact of the laws on voter turnout.

Alone With Our Thoughts.

Trying to Understand the World • 8 implied HN points • 03 Dec 25
🎭️ Culture Politics
  1. Our political and professional classes are ill-equipped to grasp or solve very large, complex problems, so societies retreat into small, symbolic actions and managerial posturing instead of serious solutions.
  2. The decline of shared, holistic worldviews and reliable authorities leaves people isolated, prompting emotional, tribal decision-making or the adoption of totalising ideologies to provide meaning.
  3. Education and public life no longer teach real thinking skills like logic, rhetoric, and clear reasoning, so most people rely on authority, identity, or feeling rather than careful evaluation of evidence.

My Identity Crisis

Daniel Pinchbeck’s Newsletter • 36 implied HN points • 11 Jul 25
📖 Philosophy Politics
  1. Many people feel lost about how to create real change in society. It can be tough to find hope when seeing things get worse and worse.
  2. There's a struggle between taking care of ourselves and looking out for our planet and communities. Some folks seem to care more about their own comfort than helping others.
  3. Technology that was hoped to bring positive changes can sometimes just make things worse. It's important to keep an eye on how it affects society, especially when it comes to our environment.

Merry Chrismas

Pekingnology • 105 implied HN points • 24 Dec 24
🌐 International Politics
  1. The newsletter started in 2020 and has grown from 600 to over 17,500 subscribers. It's great to see it reach so many readers.
  2. The goal of the newsletter is to provide a deeper, more nuanced understanding of China. It aims to present a true and multi-faceted view of the country.
  3. Thanks were given to readers and contributors, highlighting the importance of teamwork in creating diverse content about China.

Links for 2024-01-17

Axis of Ordinary • 39 implied HN points • 17 Jan 24
🔬 Science Politics
  1. OpenAI's Sam Altman and Bill Gates discuss plans for GPT-5
  2. New battery material with less lithium for AI-powered search
  3. Advances in mind-decoding technologies and rumors about life on a planet from James Webb Space Telescope

Easy Money

Dana Blankenhorn: Facing the Future • 39 implied HN points • 07 Feb 24
💼 Business Politics
  1. The easy money era since 2008 has allowed individuals to rapidly amass wealth through financial maneuvering.
  2. Billionaires have a responsibility to the system that enabled their wealth, and disrespecting that system is unacceptable.
  3. Democracy is under threat due to the attitude of newly wealthy individuals who view themselves as superior beings.

sunday memepool: more government memes

bad cattitude • 109 implied HN points • 24 Nov 24
😂 Humor Politics
  1. Mockery can be a way to cope with frustrations, especially regarding government issues. Laughing at serious things can help people feel better.
  2. There are many double standards in how different groups are treated. This can be really annoying and unfair for those affected by the differences.
  3. It's important to be aware of how larger powers can interfere with personal rights and belongings. Staying informed can help protect what is rightfully yours.

White Guys on Bikes: A Love-Hate Letter to the Tour de France

House of Strauss • 33 implied HN points • 23 Jul 25
🎾 Sports Politics
  1. The author enjoys the Tour de France but feels conflicted about the predominance of white athletes in cycling. It's surprising to learn that many competitors might openly support conservative views.
  2. The piece shows how some people wrestle with their identity while participating in activities that are often seen as elite or white-dominated. It's interesting that enjoyment can sometimes clash with awareness of these issues.
  3. Unlike the author, others may watch events like the Tour de France without focusing on the competitors' backgrounds. For some, it's just about enjoying the sport without worrying about the politics involved.

Links for 2024-01-14

Axis of Ordinary • 39 implied HN points • 14 Jan 24
🔬 Science Politics
  1. Andrew Ng praises Direct Preference Optimization research paper.
  2. Training deceptive LLMs revealed surprising results in AI risk.
  3. German greenhouse-gas emissions dropped due to a collapse in energy-intensive manufacturing.

Hobbits – Part 3

Living Fossils • 6 implied HN points • 10 Dec 25
🎭️ Culture Politics
  1. Denmark tried to protect a group of small humanoid creatures called småfolk, believing in kindness and coexistence. However, this led to trouble, and the population of småfolk grew rapidly, creating problems for the human residents.
  2. As fear and panic spread among the citizens, Denmark struggled to maintain order, ultimately leading to the collapse of its government. This resulted in a mass evacuation of humans to Norway, where they sought safety.
  3. In contrast, Japan successfully managed its own småfolk population by containing them on an island and using careful control measures. This approach became a model for other countries and changed the conversation about how to deal with such beings.

Is This Really Happening?

New World Same Humans • 91 implied HN points • 12 Jan 25
🕹 Technology Politics
  1. 2025 is expected to be a significant year for change, especially with new political alliances forming around technology.
  2. There's a growing divide between those wanting to speed up technological advancements and those wanting to slow them down due to concerns about their impact on society.
  3. AI is becoming more powerful, possibly leading to major shifts in many aspects of life, and we might soon agree that we are nearing a stage called Artificial General Intelligence.

Links for 2024-01-08

Axis of Ordinary • 39 implied HN points • 08 Jan 24
🕹 Technology Politics
  1. AI can learn to make coffee by watching humans.
  2. Monte Carlo Simulation offers a simple solution to hard problems in math.
  3. Big Five dimensions are not universally identified in different populations for psychology research.

I, for one, am opposed to monarchy

Alex's Personal Blog • 98 implied HN points • 19 Dec 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Politics
  1. Chime, a financial technology company, is planning to go public in 2025. This news has raised hopes for a surge of initial public offerings (IPOs) next year.
  2. There's a growing expectation that a single powerful figure, like Elon Musk, could influence political decisions more than traditional leaders. This shift raises concerns about the concentration of power in politics.
  3. Many tech industry supporters seem to prefer a strong leader who acts quickly without debate, akin to a king. This reflects a desire for streamlined control rather than involving the usual checks and balances in government.

The problem with "choice feminism"

Sex and the State • 35 implied HN points • 26 Jun 25
🎭️ Culture Politics
  1. Choice feminism focuses on individual empowerment but often ignores deeper systemic issues like sexism. It helps some women, but it doesn't address the root problems.
  2. Radical feminists criticize choice feminism for its lack of focus on community and systemic change. They believe real solutions come from tackling the underlying inequalities, not just individual strategies.
  3. The current system benefits those in power, and choice feminism can inadvertently support the status quo. Real change requires collaboration and understanding of the broader social context.

Sunday West 48

Wrong Side of History • 227 implied HN points • 25 Feb 24
🎭️ Culture Politics
  1. Video of Canon Club event on Richard Wagner by Paul Lay is now available.
  2. Ed West shares insights on various topics - from culture war politics to historical figures surviving difficult times.
  3. Citizens' assemblies and AI advancements are discussed in relation to societal impact and accountability.

Why People Are Irrational About Politics

Fake Noûs • 230 implied HN points • 24 Feb 24
📖 Philosophy Politics
  1. The post discusses why people are irrational about politics and presents an explanation for this behavior.
  2. The content is available only for paid subscribers, indicating a sense of exclusivity.
  3. The author references a publication in _Philosophy, Politics, and Economics_ as a basis for the post, showing an academic foundation.

The Far-Right Extremist Pronatalism of Elon Musk Could Destroy Humanity in Decades

Proof • 82 implied HN points • 17 Jan 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Politics
  1. Elon Musk's views on having more children, known as pronatalism, might be risky for the future of humanity. It's important to think about the long-term effects of these ideas.
  2. Musk connects with several far-right beliefs that could influence his thoughts and actions. These connections raise concerns about the broader impact of his ideas.
  3. Understanding the potential dangers of Musk's pronatalism and other beliefs can help society prepare for future challenges. Being aware of these issues is crucial for everyone's safety.

The Third Temple, the Ark of the Covenant, and the Apocalypse Archetype

Daniel Pinchbeck’s Newsletter • 8 implied HN points • 21 Nov 25
⛪ Faith & Spirituality Politics
  1. A fusion of religious zealotry and political power is treating leaders as apocalyptic figures, and that mix is being used to erode the rule of law and democratic protections.
  2. Efforts to rebuild the Third Temple—breeding a red heifer and recreating the Ark—aim to literalize prophecy, but reviving blood sacrifice is seen as archaic and spiritually dangerous, potentially inviting lower, harmful forces and normalizing violence.
  3. The rise of networked tech consciousness has pushed people back into mythic, tribal mindsets that make apocalyptic politics more persuasive, and moving forward will require inner spiritual growth along with collective, material efforts to salvage humane parts of civilization.

Articles You'll Want to Read

OK Doomer • 69 implied HN points • 28 Feb 25
📰 News Politics
  1. It's hard to keep up with all the news because there are so many updates happening every day. Important information can easily get overlooked.
  2. There's a need for news that offers context and is presented less frequently so we can process it better. Fast news can be overwhelming.
  3. To help people stay informed without the chaos, a new news roundup will provide important stories and analysis in a more digestible way.

Re-Introduction

Interconnected • 385 implied HN points • 07 Jun 23
🕹 Technology Politics
  1. The author provides a re-introduction of their background in three phases: US Politics, Foreign Policy, Washington DC; Cloud Infrastructure, Open Source, Startup Operator; Global Lens, GitHub, Investing and Writing.
  2. Their experience ranges from working in the Obama administration, studying law and computer science, to engaging in early stage investing and working at GitHub.
  3. They emphasize the importance of achieving bilingual information symmetry between English and Chinese through their writing.

NYT vs. The Musk Foundation: A Masterclass in Slant

The Save Journalism Committee • 216 implied HN points • 15 Mar 24
💼 Business Politics
  1. The NYT article raises concerns about Elon Musk's foundation finances, but overlooks crucial details like the grace period where the foundation caught up on giving deficits in following years.
  2. Private foundations like Musk's have latitude in choosing charities based on legal approvals, not restrictions like public charities. Contextual understanding of foundation structures is essential.
  3. The article highlights Musk's charitable acts but frames them in a negative light, despite him helping schools, disasters, and children in need. The public benefit of these actions is significant.