The hottest Public Trust Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
Category
Top U.S. Politics Topics

The Royal Society at a Crossroads: Scientific Merit versus Political Conformity

Heterodox STEM • 106 implied HN points • 25 Feb 25
🔬 Science STEM Political issues Public Trust
  1. There is a debate about whether someone like Elon Musk should be kept as a Fellow of the Royal Society due to his political statements and actions. Some people believe his scientific achievements should matter more than his opinions.
  2. The discussion raises concerns about mixing politics with science. It highlights the importance of judging scientific work fairly, based on its merit, rather than personal beliefs.
  3. The Royal Society faces pressure to prioritize political views over scientific excellence. How they respond could set an important example for scientific communities everywhere.

Chris Christie: Eric Adams and Equality Under the Law

Common Sense with Bari Weiss • 1683 implied HN points • 18 Feb 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Corruption Law enforcement Political Accountability Justice System Public Trust
  1. Corruption in politics happens on both sides, affecting all parties. It's essential to show that breaking public trust will not be ignored.
  2. The recent decision to dismiss a case against a public official raises serious concerns about fairness in the legal system. It's important to question why such dismissals happen.
  3. Resignation by a U.S. Attorney over an order to dismiss a case highlights the strain within the justice system. It shows that some people are willing to stand up for what they believe is right.

Trump Or No, Science Badly Needs To Look Inward And Heal Itself

Singal-Minded • 1406 implied HN points • 10 Feb 25
🔬 Science Research Ethics Scientific Integrity Public Trust
  1. There are serious problems in Alzheimer’s research, including fraud and negligence, which make it hard to trust the current science. Many studies are flawed, yet the same theories keep getting pushed.
  2. Public trust in science is declining, partly because people see failures in mainstream research. People need to question and hold science accountable instead of just believing it blindly.
  3. Scientific institutions must work harder to self-correct and ensure quality in research. If they don't, they risk losing more trust and could make it easier for anti-science forces to gain influence.

Head of Infamous "Information Disorder" Commission Promoted at NPR

TK News by Matt Taibbi • 7954 implied HN points • 14 Jan 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Media influence Disinformation Content Moderation Public Trust
  1. Ryan Merkley, known for his work on misinformation, has been named COO of NPR. His past roles include leading an Aspen Institute group focused on information control.
  2. The Aspen Institute's 'Information Disorder' Commission proposed strict measures against misinformation, aiming for accountability on tech platforms. Some recommendations were seen as extreme and provoked resignations.
  3. NPR has a history of aligning with the ideas promoted by the Aspen Institute, raising concerns about how it approaches controversial topics like misinformation and censorship.

Don't Squander Public Trust on Bullshit

Win-Win • 222 HN points • 04 Oct 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Public Trust Crisis Management Public Safety
  1. Emergency alerts should only be sent for serious situations, like natural disasters or threats. Using them for less important news can make people ignore future alerts.
  2. Trust in government systems is very fragile. If people stop paying attention to alerts, it could lead to dangerous situations when real emergencies happen.
  3. Misusing alerts can have real-life consequences, like health issues from sleep disruption and increased accidents on the road. It’s important for officials to think carefully before sending out alerts.
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The Government Will Not Save You

Erick Erickson's Confessions of a Political Junkie • 3736 implied HN points • 04 Oct 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Government Community Disaster Response Public Trust
  1. The government isn't always quick to respond in crises, so relying solely on them may not be the best choice. Local communities often step in to offer help before any federal aid arrives.
  2. FEMA and other federal agencies aren't usually first responders during disasters. Regular people and local organizations often provide the most effective assistance when things get tough.
  3. It's important to trust your community and neighbors during hard times. They are the ones who will offer real support, rather than waiting for government help.

FEMA Is A Scandal, But Also Not A Solution

Erick Erickson's Confessions of a Political Junkie • 1598 implied HN points • 05 Oct 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Government Policy Accountability Disaster relief Public Trust
  1. FEMA has lost the trust of the American people due to its poor management and possible corruption. Many believe the organization is not doing its job properly.
  2. Cities in need might wait a long time, up to three or four years, to receive FEMA funds, which doesn’t seem fair. Sometimes, help may prioritize certain communities over others.
  3. In times of crisis, individuals should step up and help each other, as the government may not respond quickly enough. People should be ready to take action before official help arrives.

Here’s to the First Million Free Pressers—And the Next

Common Sense with Bari Weiss • 4405 implied HN points • 28 Dec 24
📰 News Journalism Media Public Trust Subscriptions Content creation
  1. The Free Press has grown to one million subscribers by focusing on delivering honest journalism. People are looking for trustworthy news that reflects reality.
  2. Instead of just rejecting old media, The Free Press aims to provide valuable content that people need. They emphasize the importance of pursuing truth in their reporting.
  3. The growth of The Free Press shows that many people still care about real journalism and want to support it. This gives hope for the future of journalism as a whole.

Think Stabilized Spike is Bad? Meet Replicon mRNA Vaccines. They are So Bad, We Predict FDA Will Posture for Public Trust on These.

Popular Rationalism • 1069 implied HN points • 03 Oct 24
🏥 Health Politics Vaccines Public Trust Regulatory issues Public Health Biotechnology
  1. Replicon mRNA vaccines have the ability to replicate inside the body, which could lead to unknown risks and side effects. This uncontrolled replication raises concerns about overstimulating the immune system or causing mutations.
  2. Protests in Japan highlight public fear and skepticism surrounding self-replicating vaccines. Many people are worried about the lack of long-term safety data and want more transparency from health officials.
  3. How Japan handles this new vaccine could influence other countries' decisions. Regulatory bodies worldwide need to balance innovation with public safety and trust to avoid backlash and promote acceptance.

The executive order Trump should sign: AI watermarks

The Intrinsic Perspective • 15413 implied HN points • 23 Jan 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Regulation Executive orders AI Policy Elections Public Trust
  1. AI watermarks are important to ensure that AI outputs can be traced. This helps distinguish real content from that generated by bots, supporting the integrity of human communication.
  2. Watermarking can help prevent abuse of AI in areas like education and politics. It allows for accountability, so that if AI is used maliciously, it can be tracked back to its source.
  3. Implementing watermarking doesn't limit how AI companies work or their freedom. Instead, it promotes transparency and protects public trust in systems influenced by AI.

Are we the walking wounded?

Disaffected Newsletter • 2997 implied HN points • 24 Jul 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Trauma Mental health Societal norms Political Climate Public Trust
  1. Many people in America are dealing with trauma from recent events, affecting everyone regardless of political beliefs. This trauma can change how we see the world and interact with others.
  2. The past few years have revealed many illusions about stability in our lives, leading to chaos, increased anger, and the breakdown of social norms.
  3. Personal losses from recent experiences have made it hard for many to trust others again, leaving them feeling scared and exhausted. This is true for a lot of people right now.

Fixing Universities

The Honest Broker Newsletter • 1413 implied HN points • 23 Dec 24
🚌 Education Higher education Policy Analysis Public Trust Academic Freedom
  1. Universities need to focus more on their main jobs: teaching and research. It's important for them to prioritize these roles over sports and other activities.
  2. They should take institutional neutrality seriously, meaning universities shouldn't push political views. Instead, they should let students and faculty discuss and debate these issues freely.
  3. Expanding access to education for all kinds of students is crucial. Universities should aim to serve everyone in society and help improve American democracy.

How Universities Went Off Track

The Honest Broker Newsletter • 2051 implied HN points • 08 Dec 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Political Advocacy Public Trust Higher education Partisanship
  1. Many people are losing trust in universities, especially conservatives and working-class folks. The political views of university staff are mostly leaning left, making this trust fall even more.
  2. Changes in society are pushing universities to be more politically involved. They need to show how their research benefits society, which can lead to more advocacy instead of just education.
  3. There is pressure within universities to support certain political ideas, which can stifle open discussions. A lot of people feel they can’t speak up if they don’t share the same views as the majority.

Britain's Chernobyl?

Wrong Side of History • 569 implied HN points • 13 Jan 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Government Public Trust Political crisis Economy Cultural Issues
  1. The current Labour Government is losing popularity quickly after taking office, which raises concerns about their planning and leadership vision. People are feeling uncertain about the economy and the political situation, leading to a crisis-like atmosphere.
  2. There's growing public distrust in institutions like the police and government, especially after the controversies over how grooming gangs were handled. This has deepened people's suspicions about the system and those in charge.
  3. Some commentators compare the situation in Britain to the Chernobyl disaster, suggesting that like the Soviet Union, the country is facing serious systemic issues that go unaddressed. This comparison highlights the failures in accountability and safety within political and bureaucratic structures.

Partisan Professors

The Honest Broker Newsletter • 2129 implied HN points • 02 Dec 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Higher education Political Ideology Public Trust Political Advocacy
  1. Most university professors in the U.S. lean politically to the left, showing a big shift from past diversity in beliefs. This can limit students' exposure to different viewpoints.
  2. The lack of political diversity among faculty may lead to a bias in research and teaching, which is bad for education. It can also prevent new ideas from being discussed and evaluated.
  3. Many people believe universities have become too political, which affects public trust in these institutions. This growing gap between academia and the general public is concerning.

What's the Point of The New York Times?

JoeWrote • 196 implied HN points • 11 Feb 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Media Criticism Press freedom Political Reporting Public Trust Journalism Ethics
  1. Many people don't trust traditional media like The New York Times anymore. They are turning to other sources like podcasts and blogs for news.
  2. Legacy media companies have lost readers because they often prioritize profits and sensational stories over accurate reporting.
  3. Even big newspapers can make mistakes, and if they don't admit them or improve their practices, they risk losing even more readers.

It's Time To Stop Blaming Misinformation for Cynicism and Mistrust

Rob Henderson's Newsletter • 4072 implied HN points • 02 Feb 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Misinformation Public Trust Social media Partisanship
  1. Misinformation doesn't change people's minds as much as we think. Most people don't consume or believe it that much.
  2. The ones who share misinformation are often driven by strong political beliefs, not ignorance. They want to support their views against the opposing party.
  3. Fighting misinformation online might not help restore trust in institutions. Instead, we should focus on the deeper reasons why people lose faith in them.

Scientific American’s Purging of Laura Helmuth Is Only A Start

The DisInformation Chronicle • 1410 implied HN points • 02 Dec 24
🔬 Science Public Trust Health Communication Media Ethics
  1. Leaving behind hate-filled comments can lead to serious consequences, like getting fired or resigning from a job.
  2. Many science writers may share extreme political views that can affect the credibility of their journalism.
  3. To regain trust, media outlets need to clean up their practices and focus on reporting accurately, without political bias.

The NIH must make these 8 reforms right now

Vinay Prasad's Observations and Thoughts • 123 implied HN points • 11 Feb 25
🏥 Health Politics Scientific Integrity Research Ethics Public Trust
  1. The NIH should reduce indirect costs because a lot of the money is not spent effectively. Instead of letting universities keep so much, more money could go directly to help research.
  2. We need to be careful with which studies get funding. Some research doesn't tell us anything useful, and it's a waste of taxpayer money.
  3. It's important to make sure that scientific research can be repeated and verified. If a lab can't replicate results, they should lose funding.

How Science Must Change

The Honest Broker Newsletter • 1845 implied HN points • 08 Nov 24
🔬 Science Scientific research Public Trust Policy Implications Partisanship
  1. Science should focus on serving everyone, regardless of their political beliefs. This means making science accessible and relatable to all citizens.
  2. Many scientists in leadership are becoming too partisan, which creates a divide between science and the public. This partisanship can lead to mistrust and alienation among people with differing views.
  3. To regain trust, the scientific community needs to foster inclusivity and understand the diverse perspectives of the public. This includes recognizing that scientists should work to serve the interests of all Americans.

Scientists Say

Doomberg • 6757 implied HN points • 16 Oct 24
🔬 Science Climate change Meteorology Environmental Science Public Trust Scientific Integrity
  1. Predictions for the hurricane season this year were very alarming, with many experts expecting a lot of severe storms. But as the season progressed, there were fewer storms than anticipated.
  2. When hurricanes did occur, some were extremely powerful, but overall, the lack of activity puzzled scientists and led to discussions about climate change's role in future storm patterns.
  3. Trust in scientists and experts has declined, as many people feel unsure about their predictions and analyses, highlighting a disconnect between scientific findings and public perception.

Crazy people do crazy things

The Dossier • 237 implied HN points • 03 Jan 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Conspiracy Theories Terrorism Government Public Trust Radicalization
  1. People easily believe in big government conspiracies, but often these ideas come from bad reasoning and distrust. It's important to stay grounded and think clearly.
  2. Recent violent events show how crazy individuals can act for their own reasons, often connected to extremist views. Not every action is part of a broad conspiracy.
  3. It's smart to examine our assumptions and understand that not every crazy act is linked to a larger plot. Sometimes, troubled people just act out in unexpected ways.

The Los Angeles Times’ Chief COVID Propagandist Is Back In Action

Unmasked • 73 implied HN points • 30 Jan 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Media Critique COVID Policy Public Trust Health Communication Political Commentary
  1. The left-wing media has struggled to accept the reality of COVID after five years. Many people feel that the media should show some humility after being wrong about key issues.
  2. Experts like Anthony Fauci, who had significant influence during the pandemic, are seen as having caused harm without taking responsibility. There's a belief that these figures should be held accountable for their misleading advice.
  3. Research suggests that COVID restrictions did not effectively control the spread of the virus and resulted in significant financial and social damage. Many people are questioning the value of these measures.

Secrecy and Government Weaponization Behind Distrust Of FBI’s Investigation Into New Year’s Day Killings

Michael Shellenberger • 1108 implied HN points • 06 Jan 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Government Investigations Criminal Justice Military Public Trust
  1. Transparency from the government is needed to rebuild trust with the public. When people feel kept in the dark, they start to doubt the investigations that are supposed to protect them.
  2. There is a serious issue with military veterans committing extremist acts. The number of former service members involved in such crimes has noticeably increased in recent years.
  3. The circumstances surrounding a recent tragic incident involving a veteran raise many questions. Discrepancies in the manifesto he allegedly wrote and his emails suggest that there may be more to the story than what officials have presented.

Narcissistic Wounding Behind Media Disinformation On Liz Cheney, Trump Rally, And Vaccines

Michael Shellenberger • 1536 implied HN points • 01 Nov 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Media Disinformation Public Trust Political Rhetoric Social media
  1. The media is increasingly deceptive, making false claims about events, like Trump's rally and vaccine issues. This creates distrust among the public.
  2. Legacy journalists seem angry about new voices on social media that challenge traditional narratives. They react negatively to this shift in authority.
  3. Accurate reporting is essential, but misinformation can spread quickly and impact public perception. It's important to verify facts before believing them.

The Counter-Disinformation Industry Promotes Left-wing Groupthink, Not Truth

Journal of Free Black Thought • 56 implied HN points • 17 Dec 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Disinformation Media Criticism Political Bias Censorship Public Trust
  1. The counter-disinformation industry mainly promotes left-wing ideas instead of truth. This means they often dismiss or ignore viewpoints that don't align with their beliefs.
  2. Many people in this industry don't believe in objective truth, which makes it hard for them to identify misinformation properly. Their focus on agreement among like-minded people leads to groupthink.
  3. To avoid misinformation, it's important for people to seek diverse perspectives and think critically about the information they encounter. Engaging with a variety of views helps to better understand complex issues.

Anthony Fauci Exposes Yale’s Gregg Gonsalves as Academic Activist Who Fakes Data Claims

The DisInformation Chronicle • 710 implied HN points • 17 Jan 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Health Policy Social media Media Public Trust Academic standards
  1. Fauci admitted the 6-feet social distancing guideline lacked scientific evidence.
  2. Gonsalves, an activist turned academic, has a history of diagnosing all medical crises as AIDS-related.
  3. Gonsalves made unsupported medical claims in a legal declaration, citing a news article as evidence.

Introspection Before Any Possible Course Correction

Heterodox STEM • 291 implied HN points • 03 Mar 24
🚌 Education Higher Ed Freedom of Speech Public Trust
  1. Listening to the Congressional testimony on free speech exposed a lack of consistent application of concepts at universities.
  2. Public trust in higher education has significantly declined based on surveys due to real or perceived failures of universities.
  3. Universities facing public backlash have responded defensively rather than engaging in introspection, potentially leading to further erosion of trust.

Nyhetsbrev steigan.no 17.12.2024

steigan.no • 5 implied HN points • 17 Dec 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Media Criticism Health Policy Public Trust International relations Government oversight
  1. The U.S. government has granted Pfizer and Moderna legal protection from vaccine injury claims until 2029. This raises questions about the safety and effectiveness of their vaccines.
  2. Electricity prices in Norway have surged, reaching record highs despite the country's abundant hydroelectric power. This situation has caused public outrage and political consequences for the ruling parties.
  3. There is a growing concern among health professionals about engaging in public debates with alternative health practitioners. They stress the importance of maintaining credibility and structured discussions to avoid misinformation.

An Insider Perspective on the FDA: History and Role

Holodoxa • 39 implied HN points • 14 Oct 22
🏥 Health Politics Clinical Trials Public Trust
  1. Understanding the FDA's approval process for drugs includes stages like drug discovery, preclinical studies, clinical trials, and regulatory approval.
  2. The FDA's accelerated approval program, initiated in the 1990s due to HIV/AIDS, aims to speed up bringing life-saving drugs to market for urgent conditions, but follow-up studies are crucial.
  3. FDA approval decisions hinge on expert clinical judgment, balancing benefits and risks for patient safety and efficacy, a process that involves multiple stakeholders and extensive data evaluation.

Learning from the Current Crisis

DruGroup • 59 implied HN points • 28 Sep 21
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Crisis Management Leadership Public Trust Misinformation Communication
  1. Crises compound rather than just add up. When multiple crises happen at once, it’s much harder to cope than when dealing with them one by one.
  2. Distrust in leaders spreads easily. When people start to distrust one authority figure, they often end up distrusting others too, which can damage organizations.
  3. Misinformation is a constant challenge. Leaders need to communicate clearly and consistently to combat false information, despite some people believing the wrong things.

Book Review: The Crisis of Expertise

Symbolic Capital(ism) • 19 implied HN points • 14 Apr 20
🔬 Science Expertise Public Trust Higher education
  1. Despite concerns about a 'war on science' or a 'death of expertise,' public trust in the scientific community remains relatively high in the US.
  2. Americans have significant faith in science compared to other countries, yet there is polarization around various scientific issues like climate change and vaccines.
  3. The crisis of expertise is not about doubting science, but rather about the struggles over defining who counts as an expert, how their findings are interpreted, and the socio-political implications of scientific discoveries.

Democracy's Crisis of Legitimacy

The Permanent Problem • 3 implied HN points • 07 Mar 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Democracy Public Trust
  1. The crisis of legitimacy in democracy is due to a breakdown in public trust and the shift towards alternative forms of political authority.
  2. The legitimacy crisis stems from elite failures in governance, increased media scrutiny revealing these failures, and a decline in public trust in all forms of authority.
  3. Efforts to address the legitimacy crisis should focus on strengthening democracy's foundations by addressing public trust, elite failures, and media influences.