The hottest Public Policy Substack posts right now

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Elon Musk Is Livestreaming Himself Playing A Videogame, Except It’s The Federal Budget

Singal-Minded • 951 implied HN points • 04 Feb 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Public Policy
  1. Elon Musk's influence over government is unusual, as he now runs an advisory group that has access to sensitive federal information, raising concerns about accountability.
  2. Musk's interest in video games reflects a larger trend of how gaming and streaming create addictive experiences, blending personal achievement with social interaction.
  3. DOGE, the group Musk leads, is actively cutting government contracts, particularly focused on diversity and inclusion initiatives, which sparks both support and criticism from his followers.

🏫 A DARPA for education

Faster, Please! • 1370 implied HN points • 13 Nov 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Public Policy
  1. The U.S. Department of Education may need significant changes, focusing more on innovation and effective solutions rather than just maintaining the status quo. A proposed model inspired by DARPA could help create practical educational tools and practices.
  2. Shifting key functions of the Department of Education, like student aid and education research, to other agencies could improve efficiency. This would allow states to have more control over their education systems and tailor solutions to their specific needs.
  3. Using advancements in technology, especially artificial intelligence, could revolutionize education. A dedicated research organization for education could lead to important developments that enhance learning and address gaps created by recent challenges, like the pandemic.

Hear Me Out: the Anti-Smartphone Thing Is a Grift

Default Wisdom • 296 implied HN points • 21 Aug 25
🕹 Technology Public Policy
  1. Banning smartphones in schools is a good idea to help kids focus on learning. However, there's a risk that this leads to broader censorship and control over what people can access online.
  2. The negative effects attributed to smartphones are often exaggerated, and blaming them oversimplifies bigger issues in society. Phones are a part of the problem, but not the only reason for struggles like anxiety and low birth rates.
  3. There's an industry benefiting from the panic over smartphones, as many writers capitalize on the fears of older generations about younger people's behaviors online. This can create a dangerous narrative that supports more authoritarian measures in society.

After the shocking exposé about puberty blocker usage in New Zealand, the mainstream media is silent.

A B’Old Woman • 539 implied HN points • 15 Dec 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Public Policy
  1. The mainstream media in New Zealand is less fearless and robust compared to the past, often avoiding challenging stories.
  2. An exposé revealed high usage of puberty blockers in New Zealand, but it hasn't been widely reported by major news outlets.
  3. Some experienced journalists are still pursuing important stories, despite a culture that often prioritizes safety over challenging reporting.

Why America’s Two-Party System Will Never Threaten the True Political Elites

QTR’s Fringe Finance • 19 implied HN points • 06 Feb 26
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Public Policy
  1. Elections mainly swap the visible politicians while the real governing elite and its power networks stay in place.
  2. Political parties function as gatekeepers that allow only elite‑approved candidates into meaningful office and keep uncompromising counter‑elites out.
  3. Key policy areas like foreign policy, central banking, and major welfare programs are insulated from change because they sustain patronage networks that benefit the ruling elite.
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Top Links 778 America's sectoral balances. Bro Billionaires v. the Base. Russian casualties & Xi's dad.

Chartbook • 429 implied HN points • 25 Jun 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Public Policy
  1. America's economy has a mix of public and private accounts that shows how much it relies on foreign funding. It's important to understand these connections.
  2. There's a focus on the wealth gap in society, particularly in how billionaires and everyday people are doing compared to each other.
  3. Current events, like Russian casualties and political dynamics in China, are influencing global discussions and perspectives. These topics are crucial to keep an eye on.

Universities That Target Their Students’ Free Speech Should Have To Pay A Public Price For It

Singal-Minded • 935 implied HN points • 31 Jan 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Public Policy
  1. Universities sometimes punish students for their social media posts, claiming they are unprofessional. This can happen even if such posts might be protected by free speech laws.
  2. Kimberly Diei fought back after her university threatened to expel her over her social media posts and won a $250,000 settlement, showing that students can prevail against unfair treatment.
  3. Many universities act out of fear of offending others and worry more about public perception than protecting their students' rights. They often only do the right thing when it becomes too costly to do otherwise.

By The Book

Points And Figures • 1012 implied HN points • 19 Jan 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Public Policy
  1. Outsiders often disrupt the status quo and create change, even if they lack traditional qualifications. People like Elon Musk and Henry Kaiser show that success can come from unconventional paths.
  2. Experience in the real world can lead to better decision-making, which is why some believe Trump has gained valuable insights since his first term. His focus on practical solutions may lead to positive outcomes.
  3. Reforming government agencies and taxes could transform how Americans interact with the government. People are looking for changes that align with their needs rather than outdated systems.

Perspective

Points And Figures • 932 implied HN points • 06 Feb 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Public Policy
  1. Different people can have varying perspectives on the same situation. For example, traders in different markets may see things differently based on their positions.
  2. Recent political events have exposed a lot of government corruption and misinformation. Many people are starting to see the truth behind past political narratives.
  3. Social media is becoming a more reliable source for finding the truth in the current landscape. It's interesting how platforms can shift the narrative and reveal important information.

PROJECT SYNDICATE: Trump's Smoke & Mirrors

Brad DeLong's Grasping Reality • 884 implied HN points • 09 Feb 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Public Policy
  1. Trump's actions often focus on getting attention rather than creating real change. Many of his plans are more about performance than effective policy.
  2. The media needs to separate Trump's true policies from his showmanship, but many outlets are caught up in the drama instead.
  3. Trump's potential policies could harm the economy, and it's crucial for clear information to be shared so the public can understand the impact.

Levelling up my MMT (Part 1)

Altered States of Monetary Consciousness • 99 implied HN points • 18 Nov 25
💰 Finance Public Policy
  1. The piece emphasizes deepening practical and conceptual understanding of Modern Monetary Theory (MMT) to 'level up' how the idea is used.
  2. It reflects on the tension between technocratic, expert-driven knowledge and democratic, public-facing uses of knowledge, and why that difference matters for policy.
  3. The write-up is presented as the first part of a paid, subscriber-focused series, signalling an ongoing, deliberate exploration rather than a one-off note.

Defining Interpersonal Trust

Heterodox STEM • 71 implied HN points • 11 Dec 25
🔬 Science Public Policy
  1. Leading researchers treat the World Values Survey question “most people can be trusted” as a measure of interpersonal trust, not just trust in people you personally know.
  2. Factor analyses show that this question loads with trust in strangers rather than with trust in friends and family, so it captures a generalized form of interpersonal trust toward unfamiliar people.
  3. As a result, mainstream social-science studies use that survey item to measure interpersonal trust in research on social capital and economic growth, contradicting narrower definitions that limit interpersonal trust to known individuals.

No, Heritage, religion doesn’t prevent divorce

Sex and the State • 26 implied HN points • 19 Jan 26
⛪ Faith & Spirituality Public Policy
  1. Divorce rates have fallen in recent decades even as religious attendance declined, so less religiosity hasn’t driven more divorces.
  2. Lower divorce among religious people is mostly a selection effect: regular churchgoers tend to be more conscientious, wealthier, and better educated—traits that predict marital stability—while people who identify as religious but rarely attend often have higher divorce rates.
  3. Religious belief or getting people back into pews alone won’t reduce divorces; addressing underlying behaviors and socioeconomic factors like cohabitation, income, education, and personality is what actually predicts marital outcomes.

Wokeness Dismantled, Part 2

Life Since the Baby Boom • 1152 implied HN points • 02 Dec 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Public Policy
  1. The family functions very differently than larger societies. In a family, people support each other unconditionally, while in broader society, abstract policies cannot replace personal relationships.
  2. Kant's ideas about moral rules might work in theory, but they often fail in real life. What feels fair for small groups doesn't always make sense on a larger scale.
  3. Elinor Ostrom showed that cooperation can work in communities without government intervention, highlighting the importance of the community size when solving problems. What's right for a family or village doesn't always work on a national level.

Kellie-Jay Keen is not coming to New Zealand due to fears for her life – yes, here in New Zealand!

A B’Old Woman • 719 implied HN points • 16 Sep 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Public Policy
  1. Kellie-Jay Keen canceled her trip to New Zealand because she felt unsafe and feared for her life. She wasn't confident that the police would protect her due to influence from trans activists.
  2. Many people are upset about how a few loud activists seem to be controlling police and political responses in the country. There's a feeling that women's voices are being ignored in the conversation.
  3. There's concern that creating a 'martyr' from this situation could actually empower people on the other side of the debate. While the 'Let Women Speak' rally is still planned, it's unclear how it will affect the protests.

🗽 The America we have, the America we could have

Faster, Please! • 1279 implied HN points • 05 Nov 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Public Policy
  1. Many Americans are supporting new technologies, especially in clean energy and biotechnology. This shows a growing hope for a better future.
  2. Better policies in the past could have made America more successful and advanced by now. Focusing on technology could lead to a wealthier and healthier society.
  3. People are imagining a future where life is longer and filled with more possibilities, like space travel and advanced learning methods. There's excitement about where technology can take us.

Disaffected: Episode 147

Disaffected Newsletter • 559 implied HN points • 20 Nov 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Public Policy
  1. There's a look into how local government processes can get tangled up in personal issues, costing taxpayers money and time. It's surprising how one person's demands can affect so many.
  2. The episode compares the local situation to a Maoist takeover, suggesting that extreme cultural changes can happen in American cities without people noticing. It warns that similar issues could arise in other communities too.
  3. It raises concerns about the balance between personal identity and government resources, questioning how far local government should go to accommodate individual requests. It's an important topic for every community to think about.

E(X)>0: An Open Letter to Elon

Bet On It • 925 implied HN points • 31 Dec 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Public Policy
  1. It's important to welcome people who can contribute positively, not just those who are obviously exceptional. This means considering everyone who has something to offer, even if they're not the top experts.
  2. Investment and hiring should be seen as opportunities with positive expected value, not just focused on certainty of success. This idea helps to foster growth and innovation in both companies and society.
  3. A good immigration policy should allow more people in, as long as they can contribute positively, like how the UAE has seen success by welcoming a range of skill levels instead of just the elite.

My Letter to Judge Berman re: United States of America v. Jeffrey Epstein

Michael Tracey • 76 implied HN points • 06 Dec 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Public Policy
  1. The Epstein Files Transparency Act pushes for full public access to records about Jeffrey Epstein and his associates. This is important because many believe transparency can help prevent similar abuses in the future.
  2. Some lawyers representing alleged victims are trying to limit what can be disclosed, arguing it protects the identity of victims. However, there's a concern that this could prevent important information from being shared with the public.
  3. There’s a debate on whether self-identified victims should be given the power to block disclosures about records. Many feel that the needs of the public to know should come first, especially in high-profile cases like this.

The Permanent Stain

The Weekly Dish • 263 implied HN points • 08 Aug 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Public Policy
  1. The first year of Trump's presidency has been a win for autocratic governance in the U.S. It suggests a shift towards less democratic norms.
  2. The impact of these changes may last for a long time. Once certain political standards are broken, they can be hard to restore.
  3. People are concerned about the future of democracy in America. Many feel that the current political landscape is deteriorating.

I almost died 15 minutes ago

Disaffected Newsletter • 1238 implied HN points • 21 Apr 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Public Policy
  1. Incivility on the roads is becoming a serious issue, with more people behaving aggressively while driving. This kind of attitude can lead to dangerous situations for everyone on the road.
  2. The author has noticed a major change in driving behavior over the past few years, with a lot of drivers failing to follow basic traffic rules and often blaming others for their mistakes.
  3. To improve road safety, there should be more focus on enforcing traffic rules, promoting safe driving through public campaigns, and changing the overall attitude towards courteous driving.

Top Links 759 The privatization of ICE detention. The monsoon comes early. Mogadishu under pressure & an African road.

Chartbook • 414 implied HN points • 04 Jun 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Public Policy
  1. The privatization of ICE detention is a significant issue in the U.S. prison system, especially for immigration enforcement. Private facilities play an important role in detaining immigrants.
  2. The early arrival of the monsoon season is impacting various regions. This can affect agriculture and local economies, so it's important to pay attention to climate changes.
  3. Mogadishu is facing considerable pressures which are influencing its stability and development. Understanding these challenges is key to addressing the needs of the area.

I don't want to play capture the flag

Disaffected Newsletter • 1179 implied HN points • 02 May 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Public Policy
  1. Many conversations today focus too much on political labels like liberal or conservative. This can make it hard to discuss real issues honestly.
  2. People often try to confirm what side someone is on rather than talking about specific topics. This can create a divide instead of a productive conversation.
  3. It would be better to discuss policies and situations directly without jumping to conclusions based on labels. This could help us understand each other better.

We want 'sex' in our policies, to protect women's and girls' rights - not 'gender', which includes men.

A B’Old Woman • 479 implied HN points • 01 Dec 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Public Policy
  1. Policies should use 'sex' instead of 'gender' to protect women's and girls' rights clearly. Using 'gender' can allow men who identify as women into women's spaces, which is concerning.
  2. The current Equity and Inclusion policy is seen as too broad and may not effectively address women's needs. It's important for policies to clearly define and protect the rights of specific groups.
  3. There are cultural concerns about including gender identity in policies. Some believe it undermines traditional values and the understanding of sex roles in their communities.

Thinking about the people who shouldn’t use LLMs

Sex and the State • 27 implied HN points • 13 Jan 26
🕹 Technology Public Policy
  1. About 14–17% of people trust LLMs completely, and that blind trust is dangerous because these models can hallucinate and cause real harm.
  2. A lot of people lack the capacity to use LLMs responsibly, and society has largely failed to identify and protect those with diminished decision-making ability.
  3. We need practical guardrails, acknowledgement of incapacity, and systems of care or restriction so vulnerable people are kept safe while others can still benefit from AI.

Things I wish the left got about economics

Philosophy bear • 801 implied HN points • 29 Jan 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Public Policy
  1. The left should focus on offering positive solutions to economic problems, rather than just criticizing the existing system. Proposals need to be practical and beneficial in real life.
  2. Understanding key economic concepts, like public goods and externalities, is crucial. This knowledge helps in crafting effective policies and regulations.
  3. It's important to recognize that regulations aren't free solutions and need thoughtful design and expertise. A well-organized government can make these regulations work better for society.

Birth-rate worriers should care about housing deregulation

Faster, Please! • 731 implied HN points • 19 Feb 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Public Policy
  1. Housing regulations make it hard to build new homes, which can affect birth rates. If it's easier to build, families may feel more comfortable having more children.
  2. Economic growth is slowed down by strict housing rules. Reforming these rules in certain cities could boost the economy and increase workers' earnings.
  3. Different groups see housing issues in various ways. It's important to find common ground to make big changes in housing policy.

Odds and Ends #51: Transport for London made a terrible decision and I hope they reverse it

Odds and Ends of History • 871 implied HN points • 08 Jan 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Public Policy
  1. Transport for London (TfL) should reconsider their strict trademark policies. They might be damaging joy and creativity by being too heavy-handed.
  2. Open data can lead to fun tools and apps that improve people's lives, even if they aren't necessary.
  3. TfL should adopt a friendlier approach to trademark enforcement, similar to how Paramount handles fan content. This would encourage goodwill and support from the public.

Epstein Victim Testimony Clears Trump

The Reactionary • 97 implied HN points • 12 Nov 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Public Policy
  1. Virginia Giuffre, a victim of Epstein, testified that Trump did not engage in any sexual activities with her or flirt with her. She only met him a few times at Mar-a-Lago.
  2. Emails released show that Epstein tried to tie Trump into scandals, but Giuffre's testimony contradicts those claims, clearing Trump of any wrongdoing.
  3. Democrats are using Epstein’s emails to link Trump to scandals, despite the fact that Giuffre has denied any inappropriate interactions with him.

Zohran Mamdani WILL freeze the rent (on World Cup tickets!)

Unreported Truths • 40 implied HN points • 06 Jan 26
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Public Policy
  1. The new mayor says he will govern as a Democratic socialist and favor collectivist policies over rugged individualism.
  2. He intends to use price controls—like freezing World Cup ticket prices—rather than letting supply and demand set prices.
  3. Critics warn these approaches could harm New York’s economy and make life harder for taxpayers and workers.

Odds and Ends #54: Voters in 2019 and 2024 were (mostly) the same – it was the parties that changed

Odds and Ends of History • 804 implied HN points • 24 Jan 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Public Policy
  1. The voters from 2019 and 2024 were mostly the same, highlighting that it was the political parties that underwent significant changes. This shows that people's core beliefs can remain constant even if the parties they support shift.
  2. The recent emphasis on patriotism can potentially rekindle the left's appeal in Britain, especially by learning from the millennial experiences of the early 2000s. This might inspire newer ways to connect with voters.
  3. The handling of local government issues suggests a collapse in leadership quality and decision-making capability, which is a concern for community welfare. Improving these areas could yield better services and governance.

The Econoboi Poverty Debate

Bet On It • 80 implied HN points • 21 Nov 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Public Policy
  1. A recorded livestream called “The Econoboi Poverty Debate” is available for people who missed the live event.
  2. The post was published on Nov 21, 2025.
  3. The post invites viewers to watch the replay and notes the event was “quite fun,” indicating positive engagement and interest.

The Rico Racket

Disaffected Newsletter • 699 implied HN points • 27 Aug 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Public Policy
  1. There are a lot of people missing after a massive wildfire in Lahaina, Hawaii, and local authorities seem to have made the situation worse by blocking escape routes.
  2. Donald Trump and Rudy Giuliani are facing serious legal trouble for their actions related to the 2020 election, marking a significant moment in American history.
  3. Some young people are choosing to dress and act like mythological creatures, and society is being asked to accept this as normal behavior.

Why are we badly governed?

In My Tribe • 1032 implied HN points • 27 Oct 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Public Policy
  1. Governments often choose leaders based on their ability to navigate politics rather than their skills in managing and delivering results. This leads to poor governance because the focus is not on actually solving problems.
  2. Unlike businesses that need to perform to survive, governments tend to take on too many roles and rarely stop doing something, even if it is not effective. This makes them inefficient and less effective.
  3. Limitations in government activities can lead to better governance. Businesses succeed by focusing on a few things they do well, while governments often try to do everything without a clear focus, leading to clumsiness.

Stop asking women to provide ‘evidence’ for why we don’t want men in our spaces.

A B’Old Woman • 579 implied HN points • 05 Sep 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Public Policy
  1. Women shouldn't have to prove why they want single-sex spaces. Their feelings and experiences matter and should be respected.
  2. There are laws passed based on feelings and stories from one group, but women's concerns are often ignored. Everyone's feelings deserve to be heard.
  3. When it comes to policies about women's spaces, it's unfair that the stories of women are dismissed while others' stories are accepted. Everyone's experiences should be considered equally.

Am I a Democrat or a Republican?

The Novelleist • 836 implied HN points • 20 Dec 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Public Policy
  1. It's okay to mix ideas from both Democrats and Republicans. You can believe in a strong economy while also caring about worker rights and environmental issues.
  2. Labels like 'Democrat' or 'Republican' can limit how we think about solutions to problems. Focusing on what we want to achieve together can help us find common ground.
  3. Instead of being stuck in party lines, we should talk about real solutions that improve people's lives. Working together is better than arguing over which side is right.

Fraudulent Businesses Paid The Equivalent Of The GDP Of Somalia

QTR’s Fringe Finance • 39 implied HN points • 01 Jan 26
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Public Policy
  1. Reports allege massive fraud by sham businesses—especially daycare centers—siphoning large amounts of taxpayer money while services and children were unaccounted for.
  2. Elected officials responded with partisan defensiveness and rhetoric, and some were accused of avoiding direct answers about who enabled the fraud instead of pursuing accountability.
  3. Community members and advocates say people are harmed and are demanding criminal investigations and prosecutions so those responsible are held to account.

Health New Zealand seems allergic to using the word 'woman' - but not the word 'man'.

A B’Old Woman • 439 implied HN points • 29 Nov 23
🏥 Health Politics Public Policy
  1. Health New Zealand often avoids using the term 'woman' in its communications, especially in discussions about maternity. This is surprising since it uses 'man' frequently, leading to feelings of discrimination.
  2. When discussing men's health, the language is very inclusive with terms like 'fathers' and 'brothers'. In contrast, women's health language seems limited, making it hard to identify who is being referred to in maternity contexts.
  3. Many people are concerned that avoiding 'woman' and 'mothers' while promoting language for men is problematic. This raises questions about how women's identities are represented in healthcare communications.

Mamdani vs. Skeffington: Maybe American Politics Is Getting Less Anti-Rational?

Brad DeLong's Grasping Reality • 315 implied HN points • 28 Jun 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Public Policy
  1. American voters are starting to get tired of extreme outrage and are looking for calmer, more rational leaders like Zohran Mamdani.
  2. In today's political landscape, behaving with decorum and self-control can help a candidate stand out among the noise of emotional drama.
  3. While local elections may reward reason and policy, it's uncertain if this trend will be the same in broader elections, where spectacle may still hold sway.