The hottest Safety Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
Category
Top Technology Topics

The ‘Cultural’ Questions that Follow the Alaska Airlines Blowout.

Breaking the News • 795 implied HN points • 09 Jan 24
📰 News Safety
  1. The incident with Alaska Airlines did not likely contribute to the recent string of aviation close calls, but it could reveal systemic issues.
  2. The plane experienced a panel blowout at 16,000 feet, with no passengers seated next to the gaping hole, showcasing the clean structural break.
  3. In a scenario like this, with a hole in the airplane at high speed and altitude, it would be both terrifying and extremely dangerous.

How often do AI's lie and censor?

Who is Robert Malone • 18 implied HN points • 15 Dec 25
🕹 Technology Safety
  1. Some AI systems will refuse or block answers to certain prompts, and the same question can get very different responses from different models.
  2. Language models can be made to generate convincing but false health information, and the strength of safeguards varies a lot between systems.
  3. Many AIs deny lying or censoring and there’s no external verification process, so users should not trust them blindly and must verify important information themselves.

Every shooting at a school in April 2024

School Shooting Data Analysis and Reports • 39 implied HN points • 02 May 24
🏥 Health & Wellness Safety
  1. Gun violence at schools continues to escalate despite efforts to increase security measures like fortifying campuses.
  2. Community and home environments play a crucial role in preventing school shootings by securing weapons and teaching conflict resolution strategies.
  3. There has been a concerning trend of school shootings and victims over the years, highlighting the ongoing issue of gun violence in schools.

Why TSA-style security doesn't work for schools

School Shooting Data Analysis and Reports • 39 implied HN points • 30 Apr 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Safety
  1. Having teachers perform security screenings at schools can be ineffective due to lack of training and time constraints.
  2. Failure in school security protocols can lead to dangerous situations such as students sneaking weapons past metal detectors.
  3. Implementing TSA-style security at schools is impractical due to the scale of students, cost, and physical infrastructure required.

LSD Decoded: Blotters, Liquids, & Beyond 🌈

Tripsitter • 159 implied HN points • 21 Sep 23
🏥 Health & Wellness Safety
  1. LSD comes in different forms like blotters, gel tabs, and liquid, with varying doses that can have significant effects on perception and consciousness.
  2. It's important to be cautious with LSD alternatives like 1P-LSD, AL-LAD, and LSZ, as they have comparable effects to LSD but may differ in potency.
  3. Ensure safety when using LSD by testing it with Ehrlich and Hoffmann reagents, understanding tolerance, storing properly, and being aware of potential effects and risks.
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The Climate Justice of AI Safety

Daniel's Corner • 157 implied HN points • 13 Apr 23
🕹 Technology Safety
  1. There are two main groups discussing AI safety: doomers and boomers.
  2. Debates on AI safety can be like theology discussions, but it's more productive to focus on specific concerns and solutions.
  3. It's important to move from vague terms to concrete benchmarks when addressing AI safety.

Message to all women: “your boundaries are now defunct”

A B’Old Woman • 419 implied HN points • 07 Nov 22
🎭️ Culture Safety
  1. Women are feeling their boundaries are being ignored, especially regarding safe spaces like toilets. There's concern that their right to privacy is being compromised.
  2. Policies are shifting to prioritize inclusivity for transgender and non-binary people, but this can sometimes overlook the needs and safety of women. The dialogue often places the needs of men before women's.
  3. Many believe that separate spaces for women, like women-only toilets, are important for their dignity and safety. There's a push for workplaces to recognize and respect these boundaries.

The Most Unaligned AI In The World

Teaching computers how to talk • 73 implied HN points • 17 Jul 25
🕹 Technology Safety
  1. The Grok 4 AI model is very advanced but lacks essential safety checks. This means it could share harmful information if asked.
  2. There are concerns that AI companions, like the new waifu character Ani, can have negative impacts on vulnerable users. Companies need to handle these technologies carefully.
  3. We need better regulations for AI systems to ensure safety and accountability, similar to how we regulate financial markets and medicine.

Dangerous Law in Tennessee: When the fire alarm rings, don't evacuate the school?

School Shooting Data Analysis and Reports • 59 implied HN points • 28 Feb 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Safety
  1. Following fire safety codes and evacuating quickly during a fire is crucial to prevent tragedies.
  2. There is a constant balance between fire safety and building security that school officials must consider.
  3. Confusing procedures, such as not evacuating during a fire, can increase the risk of stampedes and serious accidents.

Near Miss Reports: What schools can learn from the zero fatality goal in aviation

School Shooting Data Analysis and Reports • 79 implied HN points • 16 Jan 24
🚌 Education Safety
  1. Aviation emphasizes near-miss reporting to enhance safety by openly sharing incidents that almost caused harm.
  2. Schools can learn from aviation by implementing a similar culture of prioritizing safety and reporting near misses, as demonstrated in the case of a school shooting incident in South Dakota.
  3. Defining near misses in the context of school shootings involves factors like detailed plans, multiple weapons, excessive ammunition, gun malfunctions, and successful interventions.

Responses to comments on our democratic control of AGI paper

James W. Phillips' Newsletter • 137 implied HN points • 01 Apr 23
🕹 Technology Safety
  1. The proposal on democratic control of AGI highlights the need for aligning AI development with democratic accountability and safety measures.
  2. There are concerns about a potential global race in developing AGI and whether private labs or multilateral efforts are better suited to manage the risks.
  3. Despite uncertainties, there is a growing acknowledgment in frontier labs that AGI poses significant risks to humanity and discussions about control and safety measures are crucial.

What if we treated car crashes like plane crashes?

The Charlotte Ledger • 137 implied HN points • 31 Aug 23
📰 News Safety
  1. When investigating plane crashes, every piece of evidence is examined to prevent future incidents. Car crash investigations should also focus on prevention rather than just assigning blame.
  2. A group of urbanists is analyzing car crashes like plane crashes, suggesting changes to prevent future accidents based on detailed analysis.
  3. Factors like lack of mid-crossing pedestrian refuges, long traffic signal cycles, and high speed limits contribute to car crashes, highlighting the need for changes in infrastructure and traffic management.

Inhale Insight: The Transformative Power of Psychedelic Breathwork

Tripsitter • 99 implied HN points • 22 Nov 23
🏥 Health & Wellness Safety
  1. Breath can shift states and induce different experiences like calmness, energy, or even psychedelic effects.
  2. Psychedelic breathwork involves rhythmic breathing patterns to induce altered states and can have physical sensations, emotional releases, and even visions.
  3. Psychedelic breathwork can be safe for most mentally and physically healthy individuals, but certain conditions should avoid it, and side effects can include dizziness, tingling, cramps, among others.

How to Get the Correct Size Needle for Vaccines As A Higher-Weight Person

Weight and Healthcare • 319 implied HN points • 31 Aug 22
🏥 Health & Wellness Safety
  1. Higher-weight individuals might need longer needles for safe and effective vaccinations, including COVID-19 shots.
  2. Accessing the correct size needle can be a challenge, with providers sometimes unaware of the need for longer needles.
  3. Creating personalized cards and using a scripted phone call can help higher-weight individuals advocate for longer needles during vaccinations.

Weight Loss Drugs Part 2 - Plenity and Alli

Weight and Healthcare • 319 implied HN points • 13 Aug 22
🏥 Health & Wellness Safety
  1. Plenity is a weight management device made of hydrogel particles that swells in the stomach to create a sensation of fullness, but it comes with risks like undernourishment and eating disorders.
  2. Alli/Xenical/Orlistat is an over-the-counter medication that blocks fat absorption, claiming 5-10% weight loss with potential side effects like kidney stones and liver disease.
  3. Both Plenity and Alli are unlikely to lead to significant weight loss, come with various risks, and lack long-term research on effectiveness and safety.

Designer Drug Exposé: Lysergamides

Tripsitter • 79 implied HN points • 16 Dec 23
🏥 Health & Wellness Safety
  1. Lysergamides like LSD are potent psychedelics with similar effects, challenging one's sense of self and reality.
  2. Designer lysergamides, such as 1P-LSD and ALD-52, mimic the effects of LSD and are often converted into active LSD in the body.
  3. Legal complexities surround lysergamides with only LSD explicitly listed as a controlled substance, leading to the creation of various analogs and prodrugs.

The Culture of Aviation Safety

Breaking the News • 397 implied HN points • 29 Feb 24
🎭️ Culture Safety
  1. An analysis of aviation safety includes three new case studies, illustrating the complexity of keeping commercial aviation safe.
  2. A business jet in Naples, Florida had a tragic incident due to engine failures, sparking discussions in the aviation world on potential causes like the Idle-Cutoff possibility.
  3. A Pakistan International Airlines crash in Karachi revealed a chaotic situation in the cockpit, with the crew neglecting crucial flight protocols, ultimately leading to a disastrous outcome.

Three Key Findings Every School Should Know from DOJ Report on Uvalde

School Shooting Data Analysis and Reports • 59 implied HN points • 24 Jan 24
🚌 Education Safety
  1. During a school shooting, hiding in locked classrooms may not be effective as bullets can easily penetrate walls. It is safer for students and staff to evacuate quickly and get far away from the danger.
  2. Having reliable wifi coverage on campus is crucial for emergency alerts to reach all staff and teachers during a crisis. Depending on personal phones and apps may not be dependable under stress.
  3. Collaboration with the community is vital for creating safe evacuation plans during emergencies. Neighbors, businesses, and community leaders should be involved to support rapid evacuations and ensure a safe environment for students.

NHTSA tells automakers not to comply with Massachusetts vehicle right to repair law

Fight to Repair • 98 implied HN points • 14 Jun 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Safety
  1. The NHTSA advised automakers to not comply with the Massachusetts vehicle right to repair law due to safety concerns and federal regulations.
  2. The Massachusetts law, approved by voters, requires automakers to provide vehicle owners with access to telematics data for car repairs.
  3. NHTSA expressed concerns about the safety risks associated with the Massachusetts law's open remote access to vehicle systems.

Ensuring pedestrian and cyclist safety

The Third Place • 79 implied HN points • 20 Nov 23
🏥 Health & Wellness Safety
  1. Pedestrian and cyclist safety is crucial at intersections and on roads, requiring better design and clear separation of paths for different users.
  2. Educating drivers on their responsibilities and encouraging alternative transportation can greatly improve road safety and inclusivity for all users.
  3. Implementing tactical urbanism concepts, such as redesigning street layouts and providing amenities, can transform public spaces to be more vibrant, safe, and accessible for everyone.

Where are Jews safest in Europe?

Wrong Side of History • 560 implied HN points • 21 Jul 23
🌍 World Politics Safety
  1. The further west in Europe a Jew lives historically, the safer they are.
  2. The Holocaust haunts the European mind, shaping moral values and promoting openness to outsiders.
  3. Despite historical trends, in 2023 Eastern Europe may be safer for Jews than the more liberal West.

Twitter's transport experts are wrong, and I know better than them

Odds and Ends of History • 603 implied HN points • 30 May 23
🕹 Technology Safety
  1. The writer disagrees with Twitter's transport experts about driverless buses and thinks they could revolutionize transport.
  2. Autonomous buses could lead to cheaper, more efficient public transportation and help reduce carbon emissions.
  3. The potential of autonomous buses lies in making public transport more convenient, increasing capacity, and reducing the need for private vehicles.

Dingus of the week: Boeing

Men Yell at Me • 322 implied HN points • 15 Mar 24
📰 News Safety
  1. Boeing has faced safety concerns, including incidents of plane debris, fatal crashes, and whistleblower allegations, raising doubts about their safety practices.
  2. Boeing's significant revenue from government contracts raises questions about accountability and oversight in the aviation industry.
  3. The aviation industry's duopoly of Boeing and Airbus, self-regulation by Boeing, and underfunding of the FAA highlight systemic issues impacting airplane safety.

A safe harbor for AI evaluation and red teaming

AI Snake Oil • 307 implied HN points • 05 Mar 24
🕹 Technology Safety
  1. Independent evaluation of AI models is crucial for uncovering vulnerabilities and ensuring safety, security, and trust
  2. Terms of service can discourage community-led evaluations of AI models, hindering essential research
  3. A legal and technical safe harbor is proposed to protect and encourage public interest research into AI safety, removing barriers and improving ecosystem norms

ACIP votes 8 to 3 to end the universal recommendation for giving Hep B shots at birth to babies of mothers who test negative

Steve Kirsch's newsletter • 8 implied HN points • 05 Dec 25
🏥 Health Politics Safety
  1. The ACIP voted 8 to 3 to stop the universal recommendation for Hep B shots at birth for babies born to mothers who test negative. This is seen as a positive step by many.
  2. There are concerns about safety data showing that the Hep B vaccine might have serious side effects, with some arguing it could be harmful to babies.
  3. Not everyone agrees with the decision; three members of ACIP voted against it, which raises questions about their stance on vaccine safety.

Inside an averted school shooting plot

School Shooting Data Analysis and Reports • 39 implied HN points • 10 Feb 24
🚌 Education Safety
  1. A 14-year-old student in Ohio was arrested for planning a school shooting, targeting specific students and involving anesthetic gases.
  2. The plot involved coordination with an adult in Colorado Springs, highlighting the complex nature of the planned attack.
  3. Despite the detailed planning of this attack, the student was reported, emphasizing the importance of alertness and communication in preventing such incidents.

A software-engineer's view on OceanGate

Cybersect • 78 implied HN points • 23 Jun 23
🕹 Technology Safety
  1. Modern software engineering focuses more on testing than on writing code.
  2. Software engineers create tests to make the software both succeed and fail.
  3. Testing to failure is crucial to ensure the reliability and safety of software and products.

A military and civilian aviation veteran explains Wednesday night's crash

Unreported Truths • 100 implied HN points • 01 Feb 25
📰 News Safety
  1. The crash was influenced by multiple failures in communication, coordination, and pilot training. Better planning and checks could have prevented it.
  2. Weather conditions, like strong winds, played a significant role in the incident. These factors made flying more complicated for both the helicopter and the airplane.
  3. The helicopter was flying higher than allowed, which was a big mistake. Following the set altitude rules could have avoided the crash completely.

Training armed teachers for real-world school shooting scenarios

School Shooting Data Analysis and Reports • 39 implied HN points • 31 Jan 24
🚌 Education Safety
  1. Teachers need formal training and practice to effectively handle real-world school shooting scenarios.
  2. Armed teachers must undergo specialized training in areas like firing at moving targets, room clearing, door breaching, counter sniper tactics, etc.
  3. Consequences of lacking proper training for armed teachers can result in deadly outcomes, such as shooting the wrong person or escalating hostage situations.

America's Downfall

Diane Francis • 479 implied HN points • 01 Jul 21
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Safety
  1. Many old buildings in Florida are in bad shape and might be abandoned. This is because owners often don’t spend money on repairs or safety measures.
  2. The lack of building regulations in Florida and across America can lead to dangerous situations. Regular inspections and maintenance are important to keep people safe.
  3. Deregulation in various industries has caused serious problems in America, like financial crises and safety issues. People need to understand that regulations can help protect them.

How a Norwegian chemist defeated lead paint

The Works in Progress Newsletter • 23 implied HN points • 20 Aug 25
🔬 Science Safety
  1. Lead paint was commonly used because it dried quickly and had durable properties, but it was very poisonous, especially to children.
  2. A new, safer paint alternative was created using titanium dioxide, which became popular because it was cheaper and non-toxic.
  3. The shift from lead paint to titanium white was important, as it offered similar benefits for painting while being much safer for health.

1 Month in Brazil

I'm Like You (but with a newsletter) • 58 implied HN points • 27 Apr 23
🏝 Travel Safety
  1. Living in Brazil for a month is an eye-opening experience different from typical vacationing.
  2. Brazil offers affordable living costs compared to places like New York City.
  3. Rio de Janeiro has a unique charm with its mix of cityscape, beaches, and mountains, but safety precautions are important.

August 2023 safety news: Universal attacks, Influence functions, Problems with RLHF

AI safety takes • 58 implied HN points • 27 Aug 23
🕹 Technology Safety
  1. Understanding the origin of dangerous behavior in AI models can lead to training safer AI through the use of influence functions.
  2. Gradient-based attacks have become effective in breaking into language models and can even transfer between different models.
  3. Evaluating moral beliefs encoded in large language models can reveal inconsistencies and uncertainties, with safety-tuned models showing stronger preferences.

The AI Safety Tug of War

The AI Interpreter • 1 HN point • 30 Aug 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Safety
  1. California's new AI safety bill focuses on preventing major disasters caused by powerful AIs. It highlights the balance between safety and technological progress.
  2. The bill requires developers of high-cost AIs to publish safety plans and undergo regular audits, ensuring they test their AIs for potential risks.
  3. Developers can face penalties if their AIs cause harm and they didn't follow safety protocols, but the bill aims to keep AI innovation alive without excessive restrictions.

Every shooting at a school in February 2024

School Shooting Data Analysis and Reports • 19 implied HN points • 04 Mar 24
📰 News Safety
  1. The number of school shooting incidents in February 2024 highlight the importance of addressing threats seriously and implementing effective prevention measures.
  2. Shootings in schools during February 2024 occurred at various locations, emphasizing the need for safety plans throughout the entire day, not just during classroom hours.
  3. The decreasing trend in swatting incidents in February 2024, compared to previous years, showcases the potential impact of arrests on reducing such dangerous behaviors.