The hottest Science Substack posts right now

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Hidden Open Thread 426.5

Astral Codex Ten • 412 implied HN points • 26 Mar 26
🎭️ Culture Science
  1. The material is restricted to paid subscribers behind a paywall, so you must subscribe or sign in to read it.
  2. It's titled "Hidden Open Thread 426.5" and dated March 26, 2026, suggesting it's part of an ongoing, numbered series.
  3. There are explicit subscribe and sign-in links and navigation prompts, encouraging readers to become paid subscribers to access the post.

The Gremlin Theory of Everything

Maximum Effort, Minimum Reward • 767 implied HN points • 18 Mar 26
😂 Humor Science
  1. Gremlins are claimed to live inside lab equipment and intentionally sabotage measurements, causing large systematic errors that normal statistical methods can’t explain.
  2. They supposedly infiltrate electronics via power lines, are temporarily killed by power cycling, and are blamed for failures like the escape of "magic smoke."
  3. Important observers like bosses attract gremlins and create a real-world observer effect, with common gremlin hotspots being Windows Update, antivirus, and Python virtual environments.

Open Thread 425

Astral Codex Ten • 3510 implied HN points • 16 Mar 26
🎭️ Culture Science
  1. A forecasting-contest winner revealed themself as a Bayesian-focused statistics PhD who is looking for an academic job and is asking people to participate in prediction markets about an upcoming Italian referendum.
  2. Readers uncovered that a proposed constitutional amendment contained a typo that reversed its meaning, and someone found evidence an extra state may have ratified another amendment in 1790, creating a legal puzzle about whether and how such an amendment could be considered in force.
  3. A company called Nectome is offering nanoscale, room-temperature-stable whole-body preservation and is running a $100,000-per-body pre-sale promising future revival possibilities.

Associated Press Cannot Explain Bewildering Reporting on FDA’s Tracy Hoeg and Antidepressant Risks

The DisInformation Chronicle • 600 implied HN points • 09 Mar 26
📰 News Science
  1. A major news story alleged an FDA regulator had a conflict of interest for backing a colleague’s petition, but the reporting did not provide legal or policy evidence and editors did not answer requests for clarification.
  2. A clinician has petitioned the FDA to add pregnancy warnings for antidepressants, citing multiple peer‑reviewed studies — including a Nature Communications paper — that link prenatal SSRI exposure to later child anxiety and brain differences.
  3. Conflict‑of‑interest experts and HHS/FDA officials say friendship alone isn’t a legal COI and agencies have no formal definition of “friend,” which raises questions about the accuracy of the coverage.

Paul Ehrlich Was Wrong—but He Still Changed the World

Common Sense with Bari Weiss • 746 implied HN points • 17 Mar 26
🎭️ Culture Science
  1. Paul Ehrlich predicted mass starvation and collapsing life expectancy that never happened; instead global population and life expectancy rose.
  2. He promoted extreme measures like forced sterilization to curb population growth and remained convinced of his views until his death.
  3. Despite being wrong about the outcomes, his alarmist arguments helped spark and shape the modern environmental movement and public policy, leaving a lasting impact.
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TGIF: Smoking Jars of Metal

Common Sense with Bari Weiss • 1947 implied HN points • 13 Mar 26
📰 News Science
  1. Two young men allegedly tried to use homemade bombs near Gracie Mansion during a small anti-Islam rally, and one is accused of throwing a lit device into the crowd.
  2. Authorities say one suspect pledged allegiance to ISIS and later gave an ISIS salute after being arrested.
  3. Much of the mainstream coverage reportedly shifted blame onto the right-wing group at the rally, which critics argue misrepresents who carried out the attack and downplays the violence.

The Man Who Was Wrong About Everything—and Changed the World. Plus. . .

Common Sense with Bari Weiss • 533 implied HN points • 18 Mar 26
📰 News Science
  1. An influential eco-pessimist made dramatic, wrong predictions but still reshaped policy and public thinking, sometimes backing harmful ideas like coercive population control.
  2. High-profile resignations and reporting on funding reveal deep splits over the Iran war and raise questions about who is shaping anti-war activism and political alliances.
  3. Claims that the manosphere is radically corrupting young men are overstated, while cultural trends like adults embracing Disney show people often seek tradition and shared meaning rather than extremism.

Roundup #76: Great Powers acting stupid

Noahpinion • 24882 implied HN points • 26 Jan 26
🌍 World Politics Science
  1. Political movements that flout the law and reject scientific expertise are causing deadly enforcement actions and undermining public health. This anti‑science stance is also driving vaccine hesitancy and weakening biomedical research and innovation.
  2. A sweeping purge of senior military leaders concentrates power but removes experienced commanders, risking instability and reducing military effectiveness. That personalistic control could hurt long‑term strategic strength and decision‑making.
  3. India is rapidly building scientific capacity and electrification industries, positioning itself to become a major global electrotech manufacturer. Its large domestic market and supportive policies give it a good chance to leapfrog other powers.

The government is fixing something I complained about (Odds and Ends #91)

Odds and Ends of History • 469 implied HN points • 20 Mar 26
📰 News Science
  1. The government is moving to fix a problem that had been publicly complained about.
  2. Good government often means making hard choices that create winners and losers, and accepting those trade-offs is part of effective policymaking.
  3. Key tech and policy debates are front and centre: huge AI investment may not be a bubble, copyright for AI training is up for discussion, and Britain’s geospatial data is described as a mess.

The Relativity of Life

The Algorithmic Bridge • 913 implied HN points • 09 Mar 26
🎭️ Culture Science
  1. Where you stand determines what you see: your physical or algorithmic vantage point decides which events feel like they are happening "now." Modern feeds can make wildly different lives appear simultaneous even when they cannot be reconciled.
  2. Cutting‑edge tech can recreate or simulate life—from fruit flies to human neurons playing games—while similar tools and power structures are used to inflict real, large‑scale harm. That contrast raises urgent ethical questions about creating life and enabling destruction.
  3. The decay of a shared present is a moral problem: without common agreement on what is happening, societies can pursue projects that expand some lives while erasing others. We have to choose where to stand and take responsibility for which realities we acknowledge.

John von Neumann Shot Lightning From His Arse

The Intrinsic Perspective • 29647 implied HN points • 12 Nov 25
🚌 Education Science
  1. John von Neumann is often celebrated as a genius, but many of the stories about his early capabilities are exaggerated or false. For example, he couldn't actually do 8-digit calculations in his head at age six or remember every book he'd ever read.
  2. His incredible intellect was shaped significantly by his unique upbringing and education in a rich cultural environment in Hungary. This background gave him access to exceptional tutors and a supportive family that emphasized learning and academic inquiry.
  3. While von Neumann made major contributions to fields like mathematics and computer science, he wasn't the sole inventor of concepts attributed to him. His work often built upon the ideas of others, showing that collaboration and environment played key roles in his success.

Hidden Open Thread 425.5

Astral Codex Ten • 275 implied HN points • 18 Mar 26
🎭️ Culture Science
  1. The post is behind a paywall and only available to paid subscribers, so you must subscribe or sign in to read it.
  2. It’s labeled as a numbered “Hidden Open Thread 425.5” and dated March 18, 2026, implying it’s part of a recurring thread series.
  3. The page shows engagement and navigation elements like share buttons and count indicators, alongside prominent subscribe and sign-in links for access control.

Hidden Open Thread 424.5

Astral Codex Ten • 481 implied HN points • 12 Mar 26
🎭️ Culture Science
  1. A paywalled, subscriber-only thread titled "Hidden Open Thread 424.5" is dated March 12, 2026.
  2. The page prompts readers to subscribe and also offers a sign-in option for existing paid subscribers.
  3. Visible engagement indicators (the numbers 5 and 109) and a share option suggest some level of interaction on the thread.

The Saturday Selection, Vol. 94

Why is this interesting? • 361 implied HN points • 28 Feb 26
🎭️ Culture Science
  1. A new Rilke-inspired collection called Letters to a Young Creator gathers short pieces of advice from leading designers, executives, and artists to help guide creative work.
  2. Rolex has opened an intensive watchmaking school in Texas to address a shortage of professional watchmakers, and entry to the program is extremely competitive, on par with elite universities.
  3. The roundup highlights striking science and culture stories — from a potential stem-cell therapy that eases frailty to archaeological evidence about Hannibal’s war elephants — showing broad, unexpected developments across fields.

Open Thread: What Would You Teach Everyone?

Everything Is Amazing • 705 implied HN points • 03 Mar 26
🚌 Education Science
  1. People from many different careers and life paths bring a huge range of expertise and perspective.
  2. That collective knowledge can surprise, delight, and teach others in ways a single person can't imagine.
  3. Asking everyone what they'd teach opens a simple, powerful way to share practical lessons and spread useful wisdom. It turns a community into a place where readers become teachers.

Lots to Be Thankful For

Freddie deBoer • 8972 implied HN points • 26 Nov 25
🎭️ Culture Science
  1. A creative work reaching readers and earning recognition can be a powerful consolation when professional opportunities are limited. That success matters even amid negative reviews and lingering reputation problems.
  2. Small pleasures — apps, podcasts, books, online classes, cozy content, and an easygoing session beer — bring steady joy, mental stimulation, and comfort in everyday life. They help offset stress and keep curiosity alive.
  3. Family and supportive readers or subscribers are central sources of gratitude and meaning, providing perspective and practical support that outlasts career ups and downs.

Some actual good news for once!

Odds and Ends of History • 469 implied HN points • 02 Mar 26
🎙 Podcasts Science
  1. Cornwall could become Britain’s lithium and geothermal powerhouse as new projects develop there.
  2. London is finally set to get a pedestrianised Oxford Street after years of institutional gridlock.
  3. UK astronomy funding is under threat, and cuts to curiosity-driven fundamental research could seriously damage the country’s leadership in astronomy.

Open Thread 422.5

Astral Codex Ten • 481 implied HN points • 26 Feb 26
🎭️ Culture Science
  1. Open Thread 422.5 is an open-thread entry published on Feb 26, 2026.
  2. The content is paywalled and requires a paid subscription or signing in to read.
  3. The entry shows modest engagement (3 comments and 74 interactions) and provides links to subscribe or sign in.

The Saturday Selection, Vol. 93

Why is this interesting? • 241 implied HN points • 21 Feb 26
🎭️ Culture Science
  1. Science and AI are turning curiosities into clear answers — explaining why skies look different across planets and even decoding the rules of ancient games.
  2. Hidden, tangled infrastructure under city streets can derail projects, so cities are making detailed maps to locate and fix buried utilities.
  3. Design and culture shape everyday life and identity — from chaotic women’s sizing to diplomats using clothing as a signal and the lasting cultural presence of long-running shows.

How Common is Multiple Invention?

Construction Physics • 24636 implied HN points • 05 Jun 25
🕹 Technology Science
  1. Multiple invention happens often, with many famous inventions being created by different people at the same time. This shows that many ideas can seem obvious or inspired by similar problems.
  2. Over half of the inventions studied had some form of multiple efforts toward creation, and nearly 40% were successful near-successes. This suggests that important inventions attract a lot of creative minds.
  3. The rate of multiple invention didn't change much over time, implying that when certain conditions are right, many people are likely to think of similar solutions to the same challenges.

The Looming War with Iran. Brendan Carr’s Free Speech Hypocrisy. Plus. . .

Common Sense with Bari Weiss • 477 implied HN points • 19 Feb 26
📰 News Science
  1. The U.S. is positioned to strike Iran even as last-minute diplomacy continues, while widespread mourning for protest victims inside Iran could fuel more unrest and make a military conflict more dangerous and drawn-out.
  2. Foreign governments are flooding Washington with lobbyists under the current administration, creating a boom in overseas influence and raising questions about oversight and transparency.
  3. The FCC chair who once defended free speech is now backing efforts to silence critics of the president, revealing a partisan shift and hypocrisy around speech enforcement.

🚀 FP! Week In Review, Briefly #21

Faster, Please! • 639 implied HN points • 14 Feb 26
📰 News Science
  1. Fertility is falling in many rich countries and probably won’t bounce back on its own, but the economic hit looks manageable and immigration plus automation can largely offset it.
  2. AI is rapidly transforming education, business, and the economy, offering big gains while also creating bubbles, supply shortages, and political and industry tensions.
  3. Breakthroughs in space, biotech, and quantum computing are accelerating — from lunar factory plans to inhalable gene therapies and ambitious quantum projects — creating major opportunities and strategic competition.

Jon Stewart is bad again (Odds and Ends #86)

Odds and Ends of History • 670 implied HN points • 13 Feb 26
📰 News Science
  1. Jon Stewart has done something controversial again and is attracting criticism.
  2. Driverless cars may have a bigger and more surprising impact than people expect, with effects beyond just safety numbers.
  3. AI looks set to transform many parts of life and government, with wide-ranging disruptive consequences.

The Trust Trap

Can We Still Govern? • 324 implied HN points • 20 Feb 26
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Science
  1. Claiming that institutions have lost public trust is often used as a pretext to take control, but those who take charge frequently weaken the institutions instead of rebuilding them.
  2. Politicizing technical agencies and media erodes expert credibility and alienates core supporters, while failing to persuade the conspiracy-minded skeptics who drove the distrust in the first place.
  3. Be skeptical of loud calls to ‘restore trust’—they often come without realistic plans and can mask agendas that further degrade institutional legitimacy.

Write for ChinaTalk!

ChinaTalk • 844 implied HN points • 26 Jan 26
🌐 International Science
  1. They’re seeking deeply reported, analytically sharp pitches that go beyond headlines and are willing to pay and edit work from first-time or non-native-English writers.
  2. Priority topics include China’s escalation and economic-coercion options, energy and data-center build-out (and its ties to AI), China’s global tech and infrastructure influence, scientific and biotech progress, and Taiwan’s democratization.
  3. Reporters with local language skills, on-the-ground access, archival finds, or ideas for novel formats (interactive pieces or economic modeling) are especially encouraged and can earn higher pay.

Substack Reads: The business of air miles, Bowie’s favorite books, and cold compost

read • 16116 implied HN points • 20 Jan 24
💼 Business Science
  1. Frequent-flier point programs were initially designed for occasional free flights, but evolved into turbo-charged schemes for travelers to earn points quickly.
  2. Weighing ingredients in cooking can make a big difference in recipes, especially in baked goods, where even small variations can impact the final texture and taste.
  3. During winter, composting slows down as decomposition rates decrease, signalling a time for compost piles to rest and wait for the warmer season for active decomposition.

Open Thread 421.5

Astral Codex Ten • 412 implied HN points • 20 Feb 26
🎭️ Culture Science
  1. It's a paywalled "Hidden Open Thread 421.5" posted Feb 20, 2026 and designated for paid subscribers.
  2. Readers are prompted to subscribe or sign in to access the content.
  3. The page shows navigation and small engagement metrics, suggesting limited visible interaction.

GPT-5 hot take

Marcus on AI • 11106 implied HN points • 07 Aug 25
🕹 Technology Science
  1. GPT-5 has been released, but it hasn't made as big an impact as many expected. It's good but not revolutionary.
  2. While some improvements have been made, GPT-5 is still seen as part of the group rather than a major leader in AI.
  3. There are concerns about the accuracy of the data shared during its launch, which raises questions about its real-world performance.

Only About 40% Of The Cruz "Woke Science" Database Is Woke Science

Astral Codex Ten • 31935 implied HN points • 14 Feb 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Science
  1. Only about 40% of the grants flagged as 'woke' were truly related to wokeness. Many grants just added a sentence about helping minorities to meet certain criteria.
  2. A significant portion of the flagged grants included irrelevant claims about promoting equity, which likely resulted in them being incorrectly classified as woke.
  3. The process to identify non-woke versus woke grants could be done quickly and easily, suggesting the government's oversight missed many non-woke projects simply due to a lack of thorough review.

Days of Awe

davidabell • 257 implied HN points • 05 Oct 24
⛪ Faith & Spirituality Science
  1. Many people today struggle to feel awe due to busy lives and technology that makes us feel in control. It’s important to take moments to reflect and appreciate the greater universe around us.
  2. Science has revealed how vast and complex the universe is, but this should inspire awe rather than diminish it. We still have much to learn about the world, and the mysteries of nature can be humbling.
  3. There is a balance between questioning everything and accepting that some things are beyond our understanding. Accepting our limits and feeling awe can lead to a deeper appreciation of life.

Revenge of the Blockheads

Experimental History • 12493 implied HN points • 08 Jul 25
🎭️ Culture Science
  1. People can make surprising discoveries that have been overlooked for a long time, like a new way to play Tetris that was found years after it was created.
  2. There are games that simulate boring tasks, and some people find them relaxing instead of bad for the brain.
  3. Scientific publishing is changing, with new free resources becoming available online, making it easier for anyone to learn and participate.

The Influence of Bell Labs

Construction Physics • 40086 implied HN points • 15 Nov 24
🕹 Technology Science
  1. Bell Labs was a great mix of academic and industrial research. Scientists could explore their ideas without worrying about making money right away.
  2. Many companies were inspired by Bell Labs to start their own research labs. They saw that basic research could lead to big breakthroughs, like the invention of the transistor.
  3. Over time, the research environment changed, and companies became less willing to fund long-term, unrestricted research like Bell Labs did. Now, research is often more closely tied to immediate business needs.

Hidden Open Thread 420.5

Astral Codex Ten • 481 implied HN points • 12 Feb 26
🎭️ Culture Science
  1. This is a paid, subscriber-only post that requires signing in or subscribing to read.
  2. The entry is titled "Hidden Open Thread 420.5" and was posted on Feb 12, 2026, indicating an open-thread-style update on that date.
  3. The page shows navigation and sharing options and includes links to subscribe or sign in, highlighting access control and ways for readers to engage.

Revenge of the Climate Realists

Common Sense with Bari Weiss • 2133 implied HN points • 11 Dec 25
🌞 Climate & Environment Science
  1. People who questioned the worst climate catastrophe claims were treated as pariahs even while accepting global warming; they argued the alarmism was overblown.
  2. Roger Pielke Jr. lost speaking invitations and faced a congressional investigation after arguing that rising disaster costs weren't linked to greenhouse gases.
  3. Those climate realists now claim a comeback and feel vindicated as the debate and public opinion shift.

Dissecting A Modern Vaccine Propaganda Piece

The Forgotten Side of Medicine • 8824 implied HN points • 12 Jan 24
🏥 Health & Wellness Science
  1. The author dissects a modern vaccine propaganda piece and reveals tactics used to defend unchallenged arguments.
  2. Peter Hotez is highlighted as drawing the ire of the vaccine safety community by defending the vaccine narrative and attacking critics.
  3. Hotez's suggestions to silence opposition and his rhetoric are critiqued for their implications on free speech and public debate.

Underrated reasons to be thankful V

DYNOMIGHT INTERNET NEWSLETTER • 1750 implied HN points • 27 Nov 25
📖 Philosophy Science
  1. Dogs truly love their owners, even if their affection is shaped by evolution. It's nice to know that our pets have genuine feelings for us.
  2. We have tools and innovations that can help prevent infectious diseases, like the common cold, if we choose to use them. It's reassuring to think that we could potentially outsmart these germs.
  3. Life expectancy improvements from curing diseases may seem small, but working on them all together could lead to much bigger gains in the future. It's good to remember that progress takes time and effort.

Did COVID Vaccine Advocates Commit Plagiarism?

Igor’s Newsletter • 7114 implied HN points • 08 Jan 24
📰 News Science
  1. Plagiarism controversy in academic circles is widening due to cultural controversies.
  2. Investigate COVID vaccine advocates for possible acts of plagiarism using plagiarism detection tools.
  3. Avoid making false accusations of plagiarism by verifying findings thoroughly before affecting someone's reputation.

Deep Research, Deep Bullshit, and the potential (model) collapse of science

Marcus on AI • 14386 implied HN points • 03 Feb 25
🕹 Technology Science
  1. Deep Research tools can quickly generate articles that sound scientific but might be full of errors. This can make it hard to trust information online.
  2. Many people may not check the facts from these AI-generated writings, leading to false information entering academic work. This could cause problems in important fields like medicine.
  3. As more of this low-quality content spreads, it could harm the credibility of scientific literature and complicate the peer review process.

The problem with psychology is that it has no theory

Something to Consider • 1019 implied HN points • 07 Jul 24
📖 Philosophy Science
  1. Psychology lacks a solid theoretical framework, making it difficult to draw reliable conclusions from research. Without a guiding theory, findings can feel random and disconnected.
  2. Economics, on the other hand, is built on clear theories that help explain and predict human behavior in markets. These theories allow economists to make strong and testable predictions.
  3. A theory in economics helps researchers know what to expect, and it can influence actual outcomes in the real world, unlike the often unclear results in psychology.

What the Davos Crowd Gets Wrong. Plus. . .

Common Sense with Bari Weiss • 440 implied HN points • 22 Jan 26
📰 News Science
  1. Many at Davos warned the global order is fraying, but others argue globalization is still deepening and changing faster than people expect. Even bold geopolitical threats often end with leaders pulling back instead of starting major confrontations.
  2. A widely shared study that fueled panic about microplastics has been debunked, so the immediate health scare appears overstated. Meanwhile, clashes in Minneapolis show free-speech fights are getting intense, with real confusion over what counts as incitement and how police should respond to protests.
  3. Politics and law are in flux: new ICE guidance on warrantless home entries, high-profile trials and contempt fights, alleged government data leaks, and actions like seizing sanctioned tankers all signal rising domestic and international instability. These legal battles and political moves, plus new candidacies and privacy cases, are reshaping the news agenda.