The hottest Public intellectuals Substack posts right now

Money can buy the appearance of being a public intellectual — rich people can purchase offices, fellowships, media access, and influence even without the usual qualifications.
Universities, journals, and media can be swayed by donations, PR teams, and personal connections, which lets wealthy benefactors gain undeserved credibility and platforms.
Real public intellectuals earn trust through work and ideas, not pay-for-play, and institutions should support those who speak truth to power rather than selling prestige to the highest bidder.

He avoids taking clear moral or factual stances in public, often deferring to investigations instead of calling out obvious wrongdoing.
He repeatedly misrepresents, exaggerates, or invents research and data, turning weak or false claims into broad social theories.
Major media and academic institutions keep giving him influential platforms, which amplifies misleading ideas and harms public discourse.

Noticing microaggressions, using people’s chosen pronouns, and acknowledging white privilege aren’t just trendy buzzwords—these practices address real harms and deserve empathy and thought.
Even when a cause is right, defending it badly or with clumsy arguments makes it look foolish or threatening, so critics should engage the actual context and stakes instead of caricaturing opponents.
People’s life stories and career frustrations shape how they react to accusations of privilege, so calling someone ‘privileged’ without nuance can provoke resentment and shut down useful conversation.

Peter Thiel believes that the U.S. has been experiencing a kind of economic stagnation for several decades. While things may have improved slightly, we haven't reached the exciting advancements that were once expected.
Thiel argues that we can't simply stop pushing for economic growth, even if there are environmental concerns. He feels that without growth, our society could face serious collapse and become less hopeful.
The idea that we should limit growth is seen as harmful by Thiel. He believes that continued progress is essential to lift people out of poverty and create a brighter future for everyone.

A small group of wealthy financiers and high-profile cultural figures often form informal patronage networks, which recreate old aristocratic dynamics and create temptations and power imbalances.
Historical patronage sometimes funded great art and science and wasn’t automatically corrupt; whether it’s defensible depends on who the patron is and what they demand.
Modern publishing and the internet have gutted traditional writer incomes, forcing many cultural figures to become multi-platform influencers or rely on patrons, which brings real ethical and reputational risks.

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The Database of IQ Estimations provides estimates for both groups and individuals, utilizing mathematical and arbitrary assessments.
The methodology includes variables like wealth, education years, and test scores to estimate intelligence.
Estimations cover categories such as Public Intellectuals, Academics, Politicians, Celebrities, Criminals, Gamers, and Fictional Characters.

Alexander Dugin is a major thinker in Russia and is considered influential in Russian politics, often linked to Putin.
He has strong opinions on many topics, particularly the Ukraine war, and is known for being a controversial figure in the West.
Dugin's ideas are complex and well-developed, and whether people agree with him or not, his work is likely to have a lasting impact.

The book argues for the importance of American power in today's world, even though many find it a hard case to make. It suggests that America still plays a crucial role in global politics despite challenges.
Hamid believes that democracy is essential for a better world order and sees America's universal values as a force for good. He draws connections between democracy and political authority.
The review recommends reading Hamid's earlier work, 'The Problem of Democracy,' to understand the foundations of his arguments. It highlights how he uses a mix of different methods to support his claims.