The hottest Population Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
Category
Top U.S. Politics Topics
The Honest Broker Newsletter β€’ 2159 implied HN points β€’ 13 Jun 25
  1. Fertility rates are dropping globally, and it's happening faster than expected. This decline is seen in both wealthy and poorer countries.
  2. Many countries' fertility rates have fallen below the replacement rate required to sustain their populations. This means that if it continues, the world's population will eventually shrink drastically.
  3. Experts are concerned that the global fertility crisis could lead to significant economic and social issues in the future, making it a serious issue that might need international attention.
Brad DeLong's Grasping Reality β€’ 607 implied HN points β€’ 04 Jan 25
  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.
The Liberal Patriot β€’ 609 implied HN points β€’ 22 Jan 24
  1. Pennsylvania experienced modest population growth over the past decade with significant gains in certain counties due to new jobs brought by e-commerce giants.
  2. Pennsylvania is a mostly white state with diverse racial populations concentrated in certain areas.
  3. Voting patterns in Pennsylvania show trends of white voters leaning Republican, differences in voter demographics by age, education, and union affiliation, and the importance of retaining support across various groups.
Get a weekly roundup of the best Substack posts, by hacker news affinity:
News Items β€’ 569 implied HN points β€’ 22 Jan 24
  1. The U.S. military has ended the search for two Navy SEALs lost at sea during an operation.
  2. China's population has decreased for the second year in a row, with a significant decline projected for the future.
  3. China's working-age population is expected to dramatically decrease by 2100.
Razib Khan's Unsupervised Learning β€’ 274 implied HN points β€’ 02 Dec 24
  1. Cyber Monday is a great opportunity to get a good deal on subscriptions, like locking in an annual rate of $50.
  2. Population trends show that regions like South Asia and Africa will have significant growth, changing global dynamics in the coming decades.
  3. Ancient DNA research is revealing new insights about human evolution and genetics, showing how our ancestors adapted to challenges over time.
Japan Economy Watch β€’ 319 implied HN points β€’ 17 Feb 24
  1. The reversal of rank in GDP between Germany and Japan is largely due to currency fluctuations, rather than significant changes in real GDP, population, or workforce size.
  2. Purchasing Power Parity (PPP) offers a more accurate comparison of economic power by adjusting for currency exchange rate differences.
  3. Japan's slower growth in comparison to Germany is influenced by changes in population size, with significant implications for economic performance and global influence.
Razib Khan's Unsupervised Learning β€’ 446 implied HN points β€’ 28 Feb 24
  1. There is a lack of definitive research on the genetic history of Germany compared to other European countries like Britain or Estonia.
  2. Germany's past with race science, notable figures like Hans GΓΌnther, and the overshadowing of the Nazi era, has impacted the nation's exploration of human population genetics.
  3. Historical migrations, such as those of Corded Ware populations, have contributed significantly to the genetic makeup of Northern Europe, with influences from Neolithic farming populations.
The Dossier β€’ 372 implied HN points β€’ 12 Mar 24
  1. Western societies are facing a threat as their foundations are crumbling due to low birthrates and values mismatch with incoming populations.
  2. France and Western Europe are experiencing significant demographic shifts, potentially becoming Muslim majorities in the future.
  3. The decline in birthrates and import of people with differing values are major challenges that overshadow other political and ideological disputes in the West.
The Digital Anthropologist β€’ 19 implied HN points β€’ 27 May 24
  1. The world's population is declining which poses challenges and pressures, including an ageing population and economic strains on healthcare and pensions.
  2. Robots and AI technology are becoming crucial for filling job gaps and augmenting human capabilities, especially in areas like healthcare and manufacturing.
  3. Technological advancements like Digital Twins and Blockchain are expected to play key roles in various sectors such as manufacturing, environmental analysis, and financial systems, potentially reshaping societal dynamics.
Japan Economy Watch β€’ 139 implied HN points β€’ 14 Feb 23
  1. Japan's GDP growth in the fourth quarter of 2022 was below expectations, growing at only 0.6% annually.
  2. Over the past 15 years, Japan has experienced very slow economic growth, with private demand remaining weak and government spending being the main contributor to GDP growth.
  3. While Japan's population decline has had some impact, the country's GDP per capita has still increased at a slow rate, indicating deeper economic issues.
An Interpersonal Journal β€’ 79 implied HN points β€’ 07 Apr 23
  1. China builds 'ghost cities' as future urban solutions by planning ahead and constructing modern, connected environments before the need arises.
  2. Urban developments in China, like the infamous 'ghost cities', prioritize thoughtful planning, amenities, and interconnectedness with main cities to accommodate growing populations.
  3. Chinese 'ghost city' projects have yielded successes in addressing housing demands, but also face challenges like slow population growth and displacing existing communities.
The Future, Now and Then β€’ 105 implied HN points β€’ 26 Aug 23
  1. Big money can have significant influence over critical infrastructure and government decisions.
  2. Population decline poses challenges for capitalism but may not be a civilization-ending threat.
  3. Climate change is a more pressing concern than low birth rates in terms of long-term impact.
Surfing the Future β€’ 19 implied HN points β€’ 02 Mar 24
  1. Population declines are becoming a concern in developed countries like South Korea and Japan, impacting GDP and international influence.
  2. France's President Macron is highlighting the concept of 'demographic rearmament' to address the threats of depopulation.
  3. There is alarm about the possible implementation of authoritarian, pro-natalist policies to counter population decrease.
Extropic Thoughts β€’ 39 implied HN points β€’ 07 Apr 23
  1. The AI industry is rapidly evolving and impacting various sectors, with a rise in incidents of misuse and growing demand for AI-related skills.
  2. Different perspectives on regulating AI and the importance of considering equilibrium and feedback mechanisms in AI development.
  3. Climate and energy topics like the declining cost of cultivated meat and the impact of global warming on temperature-related deaths are being discussed.
Random Minds by Katherine Brodsky β€’ 74 implied HN points β€’ 24 Sep 23
  1. There is a debate regarding overpopulation in some parts of the world and population decline in others.
  2. Economic factors play a significant role in family planning decisions and policies encouraging family growth have had some impact.
  3. Global demographics are shifting, and addressing the challenges faced by individuals who want children is crucial for societal health.
Anima Mundi β€’ 41 implied HN points β€’ 03 Feb 24
  1. The idea of societal collapse is often misconstrued in movies and media; it's not sudden and widespread, but rather a gradual decline over years or decades.
  2. Collapse is not just a one-time global event with mass casualties, but a slow process influenced by overshoot, resource depletion, pollution, and climate crisis.
  3. As society faces challenges like resource shortages and economic decline, individuals may need to rely more on local communities, personal skills, and simplified governance for resilience.
Model Thinking β€’ 39 implied HN points β€’ 06 Nov 22
  1. Optimal population subsidies can differ greatly based on the discount rate assumption, with the model showing notable variations between a 5% and a 7% discount rate.
  2. There's evidence of a non-linear relationship between fertility rates and income, with high-income groups having more children in some cases, impacting population growth predictions.
  3. The marginal benefit of a birth is suggested to increase rapidly with population growth and discounts rates, leading to implications concerning government spending priorities and possible optimization opportunities.
The Grey Matter β€’ 19 implied HN points β€’ 17 Jun 23
  1. The Repugnant Conclusion in population ethics presents a scenario where a larger population with slightly lower welfare can be deemed better than a smaller population with very high welfare.
  2. The comparison between different universes demonstrates how the preference shifts from smaller perfect welfare populations to larger populations with slightly lower welfare, leading to a continuously increasing total happiness.
  3. Ultimately, in exploring extreme scenarios, the Repugnant Conclusion challenges our perception with mind-boggling numbers and presents a world where an astronomical number of people would find joy in their existence, highlighting the complexity of ethical dilemmas.
The ZIPster β€’ 35 implied HN points β€’ 30 Jun 23
  1. India has now surpassed China in population, with over 1.4 billion people.
  2. Some countries, like South Korea and Japan, are facing population decline due to low birthrates and aging populations.
  3. Africa is predicted to have a significantly large and youthful population by 2100, which will impact global demographics and economies.
Splitting Infinity β€’ 1 HN point β€’ 21 Feb 24
  1. The idea of having 1 billion Americans and its impact on the economy has not been seriously considered before.
  2. Estimating the wealth of 1 billion Americans shows potential for tremendous wealth growth, sparking discussions around growth-oriented policies.
  3. Maintaining sustainable growth over the long term can significantly transform the world, emphasizing the importance of steady progress.
Embracing Enigmas β€’ 0 implied HN points β€’ 29 Jun 23
  1. Economic growth is reliant on population growth and technology growth.
  2. Population growth is declining worldwide, prompting a need to focus on technology growth for economic advancement.
  3. Artificial Intelligence (AI) is a key driver of technology growth and has the potential to significantly enhance economic productivity.
Innovation Nation β€’ 0 implied HN points β€’ 03 Jan 24
  1. Depopulation, not climate change, is identified as the major problem facing humanity this century.
  2. Reasons for declining birth rates worldwide include expenses of raising children, changing work expectations, increased education levels, deteriorating hope for the future, and poor dating/marriage prospects.
  3. A declining birth rate poses challenges like an aging population and reduced tax base, necessitating solutions beyond governmental systems.
The Iteration Loop β€’ 0 implied HN points β€’ 05 Mar 24
  1. Fertility rates are dropping globally, with India being the only top 20 GDP country above 2.05 and potentially falling below 2 as wealth increases.
  2. Energy consumption is crucial for quality of life and sustainability. Clean, portable energy sources are needed for a better future.
  3. Humans consume around 100 watts of energy daily, with comparisons to common energy uses like electricity, gasoline, and jet fuel. Understanding energy consumption per capita highlights the disparity in energy usage between countries like the United States and Somalia.
Model Thinking β€’ 0 implied HN points β€’ 04 Dec 22
  1. Comparative advantage in economics explains why all countries benefit from trade, not just the most efficient ones. It also applies to trade between individuals.
  2. Visualizing comparative advantage on a production possibility frontier helps illustrate the maximum possible production of goods. It shows the optimal ratio of goods to produce and how diminishing marginal returns can limit the benefits.
  3. In determining optimal populations and trade decisions, the effects of comparative advantage may be near-insignificant with only two goods, but could be more substantial with a larger variety of goods. Free trade brings benefits beyond comparative advantage due to increased returns to scale.