The hottest Public Engagement Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
Category
Top Climate & Environment Topics

How Paul Krugman changed the public face of economics

Noahpinion • 25647 implied HN points • 11 Dec 24
💼 Business Public Engagement
  1. Paul Krugman changed economics by making it more accessible and engaging. He believed that good ideas come from everyone, not just top experts.
  2. He played a key role in popularizing Keynesian economics, especially during the Great Recession. His work helped explain the importance of government spending to boost the economy.
  3. Krugman critiqued the academic hierarchy and encouraged open discussions. He showed that even big names in economics could be questioned, which opened the door for new ideas.

American biomedical science in 2026

Can We Still Govern? • 190 implied HN points • 27 Jan 26
🔬 Science Public Engagement
  1. NIH is being run more from the White House than by Congress and independent scientists, which undermines stable, long-term peer review and research planning.
  2. Chronic underfunding and falling grant success rates have overloaded researchers and damaged the biomedical workforce; the fix is steady public funding or fewer applicants, not relying on billionaire philanthropy.
  3. Scientists must stop staying silent and organize publicly and politically to defend scientific independence, free speech, and trustworthy journalism.

On leadership, planning, careers with Shin-pei Tsay

Exasperated Infrastructures • 14 implied HN points • 05 Mar 26
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Public Engagement
  1. City innovation works best when data, design, and civic experimentation are joined so pilots can be tested, evaluated, and scaled across departments.
  2. Parking is an everyday, retail-like urban problem that affects car owners and non-car users alike, so it needs a clear inventory, better communication, and creative mixes of policy and technology to balance people’s needs.
  3. Genuine public engagement and storytelling should define problems before prescribing solutions, and should be paired with flexible zoning and incremental, well-communicated action to meet climate and mobility goals.

Desperately Seeking Solar Storms

Street Smart Naturalist: Explorations of the Urban Kind • 379 implied HN points • 16 May 24
🔬 Science Public Engagement
  1. The excitement of viewing natural events like the Aurora Borealis brings people together, showing a shared interest in nature. It's nice to see so many others wanting to connect with the beauty around them.
  2. Sometimes you might not see what you expect, like missing the Northern Lights, but there's still beauty in simply being outside and enjoying the night sky.
  3. Experiences in nature, like camping or watching the stars, can create lasting memories and inspire a continued appreciation for the universe.
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How I Engage the AI

In My Tribe • 303 implied HN points • 29 Jun 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Public Engagement
  1. Long conversations with AI lead to better results. The more you discuss, the more useful the AI's responses become.
  2. Using real-world examples helps illustrate complex ideas. It makes discussions more relatable and easier to understand.
  3. Balancing tension in discussions is important. Starting with a calm tone and saving disagreements for later keeps people engaged and open to learning.

One Year of Humanities in Revolt

Humanities in Revolt • 139 implied HN points • 16 Sep 22
🚌 Education Public Engagement
  1. Humanities are not just for colleges and universities; they have value in everyday life and should be shared with a wider audience.
  2. Engaging with humanities involves critical evaluation and thoughtful contemplation, not just passive consumption.
  3. The humanities encourage independent thinking, dialogue, and self-examination, tackling existential questions and challenging ideas with respect and humility.

Yes, Xxit

Never Met a Science • 88 implied HN points • 09 Dec 24
🚌 Education Public Engagement
  1. Many universities are considering leaving social media platforms like X because they can hurt their reputation and make communication less effective.
  2. Instead of trying to compete for attention on crowded platforms, universities should focus on creating their own quality spaces for sharing academic knowledge, like high-quality videos and public talks.
  3. Communication needs to be taken seriously; a careless online presence can be more damaging than having no presence at all, so investing wisely is important.

I'm Live on YouTube and X Now...Come Ask Me a Question

The Chris Hedges Report • 78 implied HN points • 19 Dec 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Public Engagement
  1. You can join a live session to ask questions in real-time. It's a chance to interact directly.
  2. Chris Hedges is using platforms like YouTube and X for engaging with his audience. This shows he's accessible and open to discussion.
  3. Supporting the Chris Hedges Report can help keep the content going, and there are options for free or paid subscriptions.

WEEKLY BRIEFLY NOTED: For 2024-12-03 Tu

Brad DeLong's Grasping Reality • 76 implied HN points • 03 Dec 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Public Engagement
  1. Bluesky is gaining popularity as a social media alternative to Twitter, recently surpassing 15 million users. It's becoming the top app in the US iOS App Store.
  2. Intel's progress with its 18A chip manufacturing process is under scrutiny, with some companies finding it not yet ready for high-volume production. There are mixed reports about its defect density, which Intel claims is healthy.
  3. Discussion around political engagement highlights a disconnect between parties and ordinary people. There's a call for stronger connections to avoid the decline of party participation and civic life.

In the Midwest, Pre-Election, On Freedom

Thinking about... • 87 implied HN points • 16 Oct 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Public Engagement
  1. The author is doing multiple events in the Midwest, including in Ohio, Michigan, and Illinois, to promote their book 'On Freedom'.
  2. They encourage people to attend these discussions and Q&A sessions, emphasizing a welcoming atmosphere.
  3. There are also options for virtual attendance for some events, making it accessible for more people to participate.

Chris Hedges Live Q&A Tonight, 4:00p.m. PT / 7:00p.m. ET — Come Ask me a Question

The Chris Hedges Report • 49 implied HN points • 08 Jan 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Public Engagement
  1. There will be a live Q&A session at 4:00 PM PT / 7:00 PM ET tonight. It's a chance for people to ask questions directly.
  2. The host encourages participants to keep their questions short and direct for ease of discussion during the live session.
  3. To join in and ask a question, you need to be a paid subscriber to the platform hosting the event.

Don't Let Anyone Tell You Americans Are Too Polarized to Disagree Passionately but Productively

Journal of Free Black Thought • 37 implied HN points • 11 Dec 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Public Engagement
  1. People can have deep and respectful discussions about tough topics, even when they disagree. It's possible to talk about sensitive issues without ending friendships.
  2. The recent meetup showed that when diverse individuals share their views and listen to each other, meaningful conversations can happen. Differences can lead to understanding instead of conflict.
  3. Hope exists for better communication in society. If a small group of strangers can connect positively, it's a sign that larger conversations can also be productive.

The Newest Song?

Painful Signs, Or, Joel's Substack • 19 implied HN points • 11 Aug 23
📚 Literature Public Engagement
  1. Painful Signs is a new Substack created by Joel Christensen to share longer essays and older idea renewals, focusing on ancient Greece and Rome, particularly the _Iliad_.
  2. The site will have both free and paid subscriptions, with free subscribers having access to shorter posts and paid subscribers gaining access to longer posts and the archive.
  3. All funds generated from paid subscriptions will be donated to non-profit organizations that support the study of the ancient world and prioritize public engagement, with annual statements about the fund allocation.

The founding members have spoken

Unreported Truths • 6 implied HN points • 24 Jun 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Public Engagement
  1. Founding members will receive free T-shirts as a thank-you for their support. It's a nice way to show appreciation and recognize their commitment.
  2. Substack is considering creating a swag shop if there's enough interest from members. This could let more people get branded items.
  3. The shirts will be light grey with a specific blue logo, making them special for those who know the brand. It's a fun way to connect members and celebrate their support.

Mechanomy's Fifth Birthday!

Mechanomy’s Substack • 0 implied HN points • 16 Jan 24
🕹 Technology Public Engagement
  1. Mechanomy is celebrating its fifth birthday today, focusing on developing prototype tools and navigating market challenges
  2. Market needs are challenging to pinpoint, making product development decisions risky
  3. An outside-in iterative approach will be taken, involving readers in critiquing proposed solutions for better understanding and possible Mechanomy offerings