The hottest Politics Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
Category
Top News Topics

Loose Ends

Doomberg • 10309 implied HN points • 28 Feb 24
💼 Business Politics
  1. It's important for analysts to reflect on their past work to improve and learn from mistakes.
  2. Understanding the political landscape is crucial for predicting market trends, especially in energy markets.
  3. The strategy of imposing sanctions against Russia may be ineffective and could have negative consequences on the global financial system.

Save Gad Saad!

Daily Dreher • 1513 implied HN points • 26 Jan 24
📰 News Politics
  1. Gad Saad needs support for being unwoke at his university in Montreal.
  2. Concordia University in Montreal is facing criticism for its ultra-woke direction.
  3. The university's approach may impact scholarship and cause professors to leave.

54 Observations about Mexico

Kvetch • 168 implied HN points • 04 Jan 26
🎭️ Culture Politics
  1. Mexico is deeply hierarchical and classed, so family ties, ethnic networks, and social rank strongly shape who gets opportunity and wealth.
  2. State capacity is uneven and many public goods are privatized or outsourced, which creates gated wealth, corruption, cartel influence, and wildly variable service quality.
  3. Despite dysfunction there is vibrant culture and real entrepreneurial space — great music, food, and tourism opportunities coexist with low social trust and everyday chaos.
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What happened to J.K. Rowling?

The Path Not Taken • 286 implied HN points • 08 Dec 25
🎭️ Culture Politics
  1. A once-measured, liberal-style dissent about sex and gender has become much more single-minded and absolutist, treating the issue as a strict either/or choice.
  2. The tone and rhetoric have hardened, with less respect shown for transgender people's dignity and more public shaming and dismissive language.
  3. As the gender-critical movement won legal and political gains, it grew more militant and single-issue, risking overreach and a move away from liberal pluralism and compromise.

⚡ Tracking a 200-year energy wager

Faster, Please! • 274 implied HN points • 15 Dec 25
🌞 Climate & Environment Politics
  1. Herman Kahn’s long bet is that cheap, effectively limitless energy would unlock widespread human abundance and economic growth.
  2. The technological tools to pursue cheap, inexhaustible energy have largely arrived or are within reach.
  3. Politics and institutions haven’t caught up, and political obstacles remain the main barrier to realizing that energy-driven abundance.

Links for January

By Reason Alone • 84 implied HN points • 01 Feb 26
🎭️ Culture Politics
  1. A wide-ranging roundup recommends books, music, films, podcasts, and events, and points readers toward youth programs and speaking opportunities. It’s a mix of cultural picks and practical links for careers and learning.
  2. Public debate and policy often rest on sloppy language or bad reasoning — for example, ‘speculation’ in housing debates conflates opposite practices, and counting regulation-driven hiring as a net benefit confuses costs with benefits. Clearer terms and economic thinking are needed when discussing land, rents, and public investment.
  3. On AI and machine learning the emphasis is on technical clarity and history: be careful about what people mean by ‘reinforcement learning’, learn by implementing ideas, and pay attention to recent research on issues like capability forgetting and early AI milestones.

News Blackout in Effect

TK News by Matt Taibbi • 18611 implied HN points • 22 Apr 23
📰 News Politics
  1. There is an ongoing media blackout in effect, creating a situation similar to Sovietization.
  2. Allegations suggest a coordinated effort to discredit a New York Post expose about Hunter Biden's laptop before the 2020 election.
  3. The involvement of powerful intelligence figures raises concerns about potential subversion of electoral processes.

More Misleading News

David Friedman’s Substack • 251 implied HN points • 17 Dec 25
📰 News Politics
  1. Headlines often exaggerate or simplify stories, turning speculative or partial findings into sensational claims that overstate the evidence.
  2. Speculative wording and single-data examples aren't proof; readers should look for context, source data, and alternative explanations before treating a claim as fact.
  3. Early reports and headlines can change as evidence is confirmed or disproven, so initial impressions — like naming a 'person of interest' — aren't always accurate.

🌋 Hot rocks, new politics

Faster, Please! • 365 implied HN points • 25 Nov 25
🌞 Climate & Environment Politics
  1. New drilling technology is making it easier to access geothermal energy, which could help it become more popular. This means we might see more geothermal power plants in the future.
  2. The rising costs of gas plants are pushing energy companies to look for cheaper alternatives. Geothermal energy could be a good option since it uses heat from the Earth.
  3. Big Tech companies are starting to demand more clean energy. This is helping geothermal energy gain attention and support from policymakers in Washington.

Should Israel Pardon Bibi? The AI Cure for Deafness. Plus. . . 

Common Sense with Bari Weiss • 306 implied HN points • 02 Dec 25
📰 News Politics
  1. Netanyahu's formal pardon request has split Israel: some see a pardon as a way to heal the nation, while others view it as a dangerous blow to the rule of law.
  2. Recent Trump-linked lawfare efforts are backfiring because inexperienced prosecutors were disqualified, delaying hearings and weakening the cases they were meant to press.
  3. Rapid advances in AI and gene editing are reshaping medicine and ethics — they could make deafness rare and force society to decide whether editing embryos to prevent disease is a moral duty or a slide toward eugenics.

The Bondi Massacre was a Choice

Kvetch • 238 implied HN points • 15 Dec 25
📰 News Politics
  1. The Bondi massacre was a deadly, targeted antisemitic attack that has devastated Sydney’s Jewish community and killed and injured many families.
  2. This form of hatred is portrayed as imported rather than homegrown, and Australia must choose whether to let such extremism fester or to act decisively to prevent it.
  3. Increased security helps but is not enough; practical, pragmatic measures—like stronger prevention, vetting, and border controls—are needed to stop extremists, while communities refuse to be intimidated.

The weird world of ‘Diaper Diplomacy’

Taylor Lorenz's Newsletter • 1492 implied HN points • 02 Jul 25
🎭️ Culture Politics
  1. There's a new trend called 'Diaper Diplomacy' where political figures are portrayed as babies in funny videos. This has caught a lot of attention on YouTube Shorts.
  2. A channel called Diaper Diplomacy has quickly gained over 45,000 subscribers. They're using AI to recreate political debates in a humorous way.
  3. These videos are popular because they mix humor with current events, making serious topics seem more lighthearted and entertaining.

What Justice Scalia Taught Me

Common Sense with Bari Weiss • 996 implied HN points • 19 Aug 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Politics
  1. It's important for law students to support different opinions. This helps them learn how to find justice in the courts.
  2. Working as a prosecutor can be meaningful, but sometimes you might face tough decisions that challenge your values.
  3. Standing up for what you believe in, even if it means leaving a job you love, is important for personal and professional integrity.

X Fact Check: Does Gender Integration Moderate Politics?

Astral Codex Ten • 9498 implied HN points • 15 Feb 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Politics
  1. A study found no significant impact on political attitudes based on siblings' gender composition, challenging the idea of a gender gap in politics.
  2. The results of the study did not align with initial claims, proposing a different perspective on the influence of sibling gender dynamics on political beliefs.
  3. Using survey data, it was suggested that sibling gender composition may not play a significant role in shaping political ideologies of individuals.

Writing Controversy

New Means • 1218 implied HN points • 06 Feb 24
🎭️ Culture Politics
  1. Writing controversial pieces can lead to deeper discussions and meaningful insights.
  2. Avoid feeding into echo chambers by challenging the status quo and presenting diverse perspectives.
  3. Engage in difficult conversations to address complex issues and work towards a better future.

2,800 jobs to go...

Off to Lunch • 1356 implied HN points • 19 Jan 24
💼 Business Politics
  1. Tata Steel is cutting 2,800 jobs in the UK by closing two blast furnaces to shift to electric arc furnaces.
  2. The job cuts are part of a plan to reduce carbon emissions and transform the Port Talbot facility into a center for green steelmaking.
  3. The UK faces a significant drop in retail sales, potentially signaling a risk of falling into a recession.

What did Casey Wasserman Actually Do?

House of Strauss • 35 implied HN points • 19 Feb 26
🎭️ Culture Politics
  1. Politicians and others are pushing Casey Wasserman to resign from LA28 after revelations he exchanged flirtatious emails with Ghislaine Maxwell, but those revelations aren’t presented as a specific criminal charge.
  2. His earlier workplace/philanderer scandals plus the Maxwell-related emails led to client departures and his decision to sell his agency stake, showing how reputation damage can quickly upend careers even without proven illegal conduct.
  3. There’s a broader concern about punishing people for vague associations or social-media-driven hysteria; critics should state clear, provable wrongdoing before demanding firings or resignations.

J.S. Mill vs the Post-Liberals

Persuasion • 2378 implied HN points • 24 May 23
📖 Philosophy Politics
  1. John Stuart Mill was an activist as much as an academic, fighting for women's rights and free speech.
  2. Mill believed in the importance of free speech for pursuing truth and combining conflicting ideas.
  3. Post-liberals criticize Mill, but misrepresent his views on liberalism, tradition, and custom.

Is Feminism Shrinking?

Letters from Suzanne • 2378 implied HN points • 06 Sep 23
🎭️ Culture Politics
  1. Feminism may be shifting to a broader definition of womanhood, including male-bodied individuals.
  2. There are ongoing debates about trans women in sports and transgender inmates in women's prisons.
  3. The author sees a concerning trend of feminism being narrowed and losing its essence.

Aviation Report: An Example of Honesty, and One of Deceit.

Breaking the News • 1346 implied HN points • 19 Jun 25
📰 News Politics
  1. William Langewiesche was a well-respected figure in aviation and writing, known for his unique storytelling style. His work changed how many people view aviation and its complexities.
  2. He wrote a famous book called 'Stick and Rudder,' which is essential reading for pilots. His father's influence helped him become a skilled pilot from a young age.
  3. The FAA keeps public records of pilots, showing transparency about who has trained to fly. This information includes many famous personalities, highlighting the wide interest in aviation.

Editors’ Picks: Jimmy Lai, Norman Podhoretz, and Rob Reiner

Common Sense with Bari Weiss • 199 implied HN points • 19 Dec 25
📰 News Politics
  1. Editors highlight the lives and legacies of three notable men: Jimmy Lai, Norman Podhoretz, and Rob Reiner.
  2. This week included a string of brutal violence — a shooting at Brown University that killed two students and injured nine, an MIT professor was later murdered, and Rob Reiner and his wife were fatally stabbed.
  3. The pieces mix remembrance and ongoing struggle, noting that while some are being mourned, one of the three is still fighting for his freedom.

The Bluestocking, vol 304: Cowardice and AI crime fiction

The Bluestocking • 1120 implied HN points • 09 Feb 24
🎭️ Culture Politics
  1. The cost of theater tickets in different countries can impact the accessibility of culture and art, affecting the sustainability of artistic communities.
  2. AI is being used to generate fiction at a rapid pace, showcasing the pressure some authors feel to produce content quickly.
  3. Concerns about age and capabilities arise in politics, like with President Biden's age being a cause for debate.

Meditations On Bono Receiving The Presidential Medal Of Freedom From Joe Biden

Caitlin’s Newsletter • 3166 implied HN points • 07 Jan 25
🎭️ Culture Politics
  1. Bono has been awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom, raising questions about the authenticity of such awards in a society perceived as fake.
  2. Despite his humanitarian claims, Bono has strong ties to powerful figures and institutions, leading to criticism of his commercialized activism.
  3. The current state of art and creativity is often corrupted, serving the interests of the elite instead of promoting genuine change for the betterment of society.

Suzy Weiss: Jussie Smollett Sticks to His Story

Common Sense with Bari Weiss • 848 implied HN points • 23 Aug 25
🎭️ Culture Politics
  1. Cracker Barrel changed its logo, and many people think the new design feels corporate and out of touch. They miss the old logo that represented a simpler, more nostalgic time.
  2. The reaction to the logo change highlights how some view such changes as part of a bigger cultural fight, associating it with being 'woke' or losing traditional values.
  3. Critics suggest that the redesign erases Southern culture, while supporters claim it keeps the brand relevant and connected to its roots.

The Celibates, the Gooners and the Moralists

Many Such Cases • 1538 implied HN points • 19 Dec 23
🎭️ Culture Politics
  1. Many people are calling themselves celibate, but this often doesn't mean they're actually not having sex. Some just like the idea of being celibate because it makes them feel superior or detached from the current sexual culture.
  2. There is a trend of women choosing celibacy due to feeling disrespected in dating. This choice is significant, but it highlights the ongoing problems in the way people relate to each other sexually.
  3. Words around sexuality, like 'gooning', are becoming normalized in everyday conversation. This shift can contribute to a toxic culture, making it important to talk about these topics without judgment and to seek a healthier sexual culture.

‘South Park’ Knows How to Mock Donald Trump

Common Sense with Bari Weiss • 1038 implied HN points • 28 Jul 25
🎭️ Culture Politics
  1. Many late-night comedians have struggled to make people laugh about Donald Trump, and some have even lost their shows because of it.
  2. Comedy became very political during Trump's presidency, making it hard for comedians to joke freely without taking sides.
  3. Shows like SNL focused too much on serious themes instead of funny sketches, which changed the way viewers enjoyed comedy.

The Decline of the Black Liberal Public Intellectual

Glenn Loury • 1587 implied HN points • 04 Jan 24
🎭️ Culture Politics
  1. The post discusses the decline of Black liberal public intellectuals.
  2. The author praises Cornel West's intellectual curiosity and openness to dialogue with different perspectives.
  3. The newer generation of left-liberal Black public intellectuals are compared to earlier figures like Ta-Nehisi Coates.

17 underappreciated political(ish) thrillers

Read Max • 1027 implied HN points • 27 Jul 25
📚 Literature Politics
  1. There is a list of 17 underrated thrillers that focus on politics, covering topics like conspiracy and espionage. They are great for anyone looking for exciting movies that explore hidden plots.
  2. Subscribers can access a master list of all movie and book recommendations that have been made, which is regularly updated to include new picks.
  3. Supporting the newsletter through subscriptions allows for continuous updates and content creation, making it possible to recommend good movies and take breaks occasionally.

Disaffected Homestyle

Disaffected Newsletter • 779 implied HN points • 18 Mar 24
🎙 Podcasts Politics
  1. The hosts discuss new terms for people crossing borders, showing how language evolves in society.
  2. They explore the topic of civil unions for the LGBTQ+ community and whether it was a better choice than marriage.
  3. The conversation also touches on traditional parenting and nostalgic items like old kitchen wall telephones.

#TradWife Life as Self-Annihilation

Culture Study • 11657 implied HN points • 06 Sep 23
🎭️ Culture Politics
  1. The concept of #TradWife encompasses different categories, like evangelical Christians and stay-at-home-girlfriends, each with unique beliefs and practices.
  2. The #TradWife content on social media may seem harmless on the surface, but it often aligns with regressive and anti-choice ideologies.
  3. There's a common theme of self-annihilation among women subscribing to #TradWife ideals, where their identity and desires are overshadowed by serving others.

We Need a Renaissance of Rhetoric

Investing 101 • 73 implied HN points • 18 Jan 26
🎭️ Culture Politics
  1. The art of rhetoric is fading because attention-driven tech and emotional political theater reward quick, persuasive tricks over careful reasoning.
  2. AI and modern information systems are changing language and thought, making it easy for people to hand over their worldview to platforms or partisan narratives instead of forming their own judgments.
  3. We need a renaissance of rhetoric and spirited purpose: teach people to read, debate, and think critically so they can be convinced by good reasons again.

We Live In A Nightmare

Caitlin’s Newsletter • 2989 implied HN points • 05 Jan 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Politics
  1. Many people don’t realize that we are already living in a dystopia where societal problems like capitalism and militarism are ignored. Understanding this is crucial for recognizing the real issues in our world.
  2. When you wake up to the truth, you begin to see the suffering caused by your government and the media. This awareness can be upsetting but is vital for genuine change.
  3. True happiness isn’t found in what society defines as success, like careers or consumerism. Instead, it lies in meaningful connections, nature, and honest experiences.

Watching the dead

Kvetch • 178 implied HN points • 18 Dec 25
📰 News Politics
  1. Ordinary community members — fathers, elders, and local leaders — were killed, and many bystanders showed remarkable bravery and self-sacrifice to stop the attackers.
  2. The violence has left deep grief and trauma, abruptly orphaning children and filling families with fear, guilt, and uncertainty about the future.
  3. Official political responses felt inadequate and evasive, while neighbours, strangers, and non-Jewish teachers offered powerful, spontaneous solidarity and practical support.