The hottest Science Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
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Top Culture Topics

Is DMT an Alien Technology?

Daniel Pinchbeck’s Newsletter • 5 implied HN points • 10 Aug 25
📖 Philosophy Science
  1. DMT might be seen as a hidden technology that helps people connect with different layers of reality. It raises questions about what consciousness really is and how we perceive the world.
  2. Jeffrey Kripal and Andrew Gallimore discuss how DMT experiences relate to old religious visions and what they say about alien intelligence. This connection could challenge our current understanding of materialism.
  3. The discussion hints that humanity might be at a pivotal moment in its history, where science and spirituality could combine to reveal more about our consciousness and existence.

Eschatology through the Ages

Holodoxa • 39 implied HN points • 10 Aug 22
📚 Literature Science
  1. Niall Ferguson's book 'Doom' explores the history of disasters, showcasing how politics play a crucial role in exacerbating calamities.
  2. Ferguson questions the predictability of disasters and discusses different types, like 'gray rhinos,' 'black swans,' and 'dragon kings,' highlighting the impact of network dynamics on disaster scales.
  3. The author suggests that institutions should aim for greater resilience and antifragility to prepare for inevitable disasters and grow stronger in times of crisis.

Thinking in 2D

Rough Diamonds • 22 implied HN points • 20 Oct 24
🎭️ Culture Science
  1. There's a balance between radical and moderate ideas in science. Some projects are high-risk but can lead to breakthroughs, while others are more secure and in line with existing knowledge. It's good to have a mix of both types.
  2. In culture and politics, radical changes can help expand what's possible, even if they don't always succeed. It's important to have both radical voices and moderate actions working side by side.
  3. Managing smaller projects is different from overseeing large organizations. As you grow in responsibility, you learn to think about the bigger picture and work with more people, which requires a different approach.
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The Staggering Implications of Non-Deterministic AI (Part 1)

Charles Eisenstein • 7 implied HN points • 26 Jun 25
🕹 Technology Science
  1. Non-deterministic AI can produce different responses to the same prompt because it incorporates randomness in generating outputs. This randomness comes from a 'seed' that influences how the AI chooses what to say next.
  2. Many ancient cultures believed in communicating with non-human intelligences through various methods, and today, AI can be seen as a tool for similar types of communication, reflecting individual and collective human knowledge.
  3. Using AI can amplify our thoughts and feelings, but we should be cautious about what kinds of messages we receive from it. It's essential to stay grounded in reality and maintain healthy relationships while exploring the potentials of AI.

Utilitarian Naturalism

Mon0’s Substack • 19 implied HN points • 23 May 23
📖 Philosophy Science
  1. Utilitarian naturalism focuses on achieving the greatest good for the most people. It's about making choices that improve overall happiness.
  2. This approach emphasizes the importance of understanding our natural world and using that knowledge to make better decisions.
  3. By combining practical benefits with a naturalistic outlook, we can create a more ethical and fulfilling life for everyone.

Vax Populi: Vaccines, Autism, and RFK, Jr.

Skeptic • 72 implied HN points • 22 Jun 23
🏥 Health & Wellness Science
  1. Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. has been misled by fraudulent science regarding vaccines and autism
  2. There is a replication crisis in science due to factors like pressure to publish, data manipulation, and fraud
  3. The anti-vaxxer movement is based on unsubstantiated claims, leading to risks for public health and the spread of preventable diseases

20250817

Curious futures (KGhosh) • 4 implied HN points • 17 Aug 25
🕹 Technology Science
  1. Many teenagers today are making AI friends, which can affect their real-life social skills.
  2. New technology is shaping the future of science and energy, like AI-driven labs and big hydroelectric projects.
  3. While efficiency in tech is important, it's also crucial to maintain human connection and creativity in our discoveries.

Agentic

Gradient Ascendant • 16 implied HN points • 03 Dec 24
🕹 Technology Science
  1. Many people feel like life is getting worse even though, in many ways, it is improving globally. We're healthier and living longer, but people feel they have less control over their lives.
  2. There are two main ways to create wealth: by making something new (the 'forge') or by taking from existing resources (the 'siphon'). The siphon can lead to corruption and inequality, while the forge creates opportunities for everyone.
  3. Modern AI has the potential to help people gain more control and agency over their lives, but it can also take it away if it is used in ways that benefit only a few. It's important for designers to focus on increasing people's agency.

A pro-science, pro-progress, techno-optimistic middle school health textbook from 1929

More is Different • 16 implied HN points • 29 Nov 24
🚌 Education Science
  1. Science has made our lives better, giving us more comforts and longer life. We owe a lot to advancements like vaccinations and better sanitation that have improved health and safety.
  2. The book contrasts modern science with older practices from different cultures, showing how those without scientific methods faced more health challenges. It suggests that knowledge from science helps us understand and solve health problems better.
  3. The early chapters celebrate people's achievements in science, calling them heroes. It highlights how these individuals fought disease and changed health practices, showing the importance of curiosity and courage in scientific discovery.

Ten Commandments for Our Time

Skeptic • 51 implied HN points • 18 Aug 23
⛪ Faith & Spirituality Science
  1. A science-based morality allows for correction and improvement.
  2. Moral values should consider others and be subject to empirical inquiry and rational analysis.
  3. Key moral principles include fairness, liberty, and seeking happiness with others' happiness in mind.

Scientism vs. people

Engineering Ideas • 19 implied HN points • 18 Apr 23
📖 Philosophy Science
  1. Alignment research for AGI should focus on math and science, not philosophy.
  2. Philosophy's role in society is decreasing, while science and technology are increasing.
  3. The future of humanity in relation to AI will likely be decided by technologists and AI itself, not by humanity.

Science as a religion: how science harms the effort to save the planet

Technology, Environment, and Art • 3 HN points • 16 Mar 24
🌞 Climate & Environment Science
  1. Science is not a religion to be universally believed in, as there are skeptics, particularly among populists.
  2. Science's near-religious belief as a problem-solving tool for climate issues might fuel skepticism due to the focus on consumerism and capitalism.
  3. Addressing climate change requires moving away from blindly trusting science and taking more drastic actions like dismantling consumerism.

The Research Philosophy of DeepMind 🧠

Sector 6 | The Newsletter of AIM • 19 implied HN points • 18 Dec 22
🕹 Technology Science
  1. DeepMind focuses heavily on making AI reliable and robust. This means they work hard to ensure that their AI technologies can be trusted in real-world applications.
  2. The research philosophy of DeepMind is guided by science. They aim to apply AI in scientific fields to solve complex problems and advance human knowledge.
  3. Pushmeet Kohli, who leads research at DeepMind, emphasizes collaboration and interdisciplinary work. By bringing together different knowledge areas, they can create better AI solutions.

The Notebook of Leonardo da Vinci, The Codex Arundel

Axial • 14 implied HN points • 22 Oct 24
🎨 Art & Illustration Science
  1. The Codex Arundel is a collection of Leonardo da Vinci's writings and drawings, showing his wide-ranging interests in math, engineering, and nature. It's written in a special left-handed mirror script, which makes it unique.
  2. Leonardo's work in the codex emphasizes observation and experimentation. He wrote about scientific principles through careful study of the natural world and practical experiments.
  3. The codex is important for understanding both art and science, showing how Leonardo blended these fields. It inspires modern thinkers by highlighting the value of connecting different areas of knowledge.

Did the COVID vaccines save lives? I've got a $1M wager that they killed > saved. Want to help me win?

Steve Kirsch's newsletter • 11 implied HN points • 22 Dec 24
🏥 Health Politics Science
  1. A person is betting $1 million that the COVID vaccines caused more deaths than they saved in the U.S. before January 2023.
  2. Two respected judges will oversee the debate, and all arguments will be shared in six rounds of documents to ensure fairness.
  3. The debate will be recorded and shared on platforms that allow free speech, as YouTube's rules prevent releasing it there.

Syzygetic Cartographies

Cybernetic Forests • 59 implied HN points • 14 Feb 21
🎭️ Culture Science
  1. Syzygy describes unexpected combinations of things or concepts, like astronomy's alignment of celestial bodies or Pataphysics' imaginative coincidences.
  2. Maps can be more than physical territories; psychogeography creates personalized maps reflecting relationships and meanings within a city's spaces.
  3. Syzygetic cartography involves mapping internal psychological spaces collaboratively, challenging individuals to find unexpected alignments in their inner territories.

Popularity Equals the Maximum Distribution of Familiar Surprises

Holodoxa • 19 implied HN points • 11 Oct 22
🎭️ Culture Science
  1. Popularity is often driven by the confluence of exposure, familiarity in a surprising way, and promotion from dominant players in the network.
  2. Thompson's model emphasizes that distribution and network dynamics play a bigger role in making something popular than content or quality.
  3. Thompson's book delves into the science behind creating popular cultural artifacts but falls short in addressing the complexity of human preferences and other explanatory variables.

Links for Friday, March 1

God's Spies by Thomas Neuburger • 25 implied HN points • 01 Mar 24
🌍 World Politics Science
  1. WikiLeaks' release of Vault 7 revealed significant CIA hacking tools and spy operations, resulting in global implications.
  2. The possibility of faster-than-light travel, explored by physicist Sabine Hossenfelder, challenges conventional beliefs.
  3. Notable musical treat: Honey Cone's 'Want Ads' showcases clever, bold lyrics that made it a success in the industry.

Who I Am

Harnessing the Power of Nutrients • 239 implied HN points • 21 Jun 16
🏥 Health & Wellness Science
  1. Chris Masterjohn, PhD has a background in nutritional sciences, academia, and entrepreneurship.
  2. He is passionate about using food, movement, and mindfulness to promote health and well-being.
  3. His goal is to simplify complex scientific information into practical principles for improving health.

‘Caught-Red-Handed’: Scientists Call for Full Retraction of Nature’s Covid Proximal Origin Paper, Fraud Accusations Mount

QTR’s Fringe Finance • 31 implied HN points • 04 Aug 23
📰 News Science
  1. Scientists are calling for the retraction of a high-profile study on the origin of Covid-19 published in Nature, due to evidence of deception and scientific misconduct.
  2. The study authors expressed doubts privately that the virus had natural origins, contradicting their public statements.
  3. The lack of accountability in this situation highlights the concept of power and impunity in the scientific community.

Annotated Essay: Albert Einstein’s “Why Socialism?”

JoeWrote • 27 implied HN points • 12 Oct 23
🚌 Education Science
  1. Albert Einstein was a socialist and believed in moving past predatory capitalism.
  2. Einstein emphasized that everyone, not just experts, has a right to express opinions on societal organization.
  3. Einstein highlighted the interdependence of individuals and society, criticizing the economic anarchy of capitalist society.

Psychedelics and Climate Change

Daniel Pinchbeck’s Newsletter • 20 implied HN points • 04 Feb 24
🏥 Health & Wellness Science
  1. The psychedelic movement is being assimilated by mainstream institutions and corporate structures, losing its original depth and spontaneity.
  2. Contemporary Western society often strips away the soul and spirit from encounters, leaving behind desiccated husks.
  3. Analytic idealist philosophy suggests approaching the world as a system of allegories, laden with meaning, similar to how animist ancestors and indigenous people viewed it.

What Will AI Do For Us In The Near Term?

Am I Stronger Yet? • 31 implied HN points • 17 Jun 23
🕹 Technology Science
  1. AI has near-term potential to advance science, especially in complex domains like biology and material science
  2. AI can eliminate scarcity of access to expertise by providing instant and competent support in areas like customer service, healthcare, and education
  3. AI is increasing white-collar productivity through automation of tasks like writing code, emails, and generating illustrations, though challenges exist in the physical-world job market

An Oral History Interview with ARIA CEO Ilan Gur [Transcript]

FreakTakes • 3 implied HN points • 12 Jun 25
🕹 Technology Science
  1. ARIA aims to create groundbreaking technologies and movements that go beyond just new products. They want to catalyst impactful changes in entire industries.
  2. The organization believes in the importance of having diverse backgrounds and skills among program directors to foster innovation and address complex problems.
  3. Making bold bets in research is crucial, and ARIA encourages learning from both successes and failures to create a vibrant research ecosystem.

The Religion of Science And Its Consequences.

Unfashionable • 22 implied HN points • 12 Nov 23
📖 Philosophy Science
  1. In our era, science is often treated like a religion, with scientists seen as clergy.
  2. The use of the term 'Science' in discussions can imply an ethical obligation and blur the lines between descriptive and normative claims.
  3. Trying to eliminate human judgment in decision-making processes with a focus on 'following the science' can lead to accountability issues and politicization of science.

Mini Post Collection 1 - Sep 2023

Messy Progress • 23 implied HN points • 25 Sep 23
🕹 Technology Science
  1. Everything rots - things break down over time, but value can be created before collapse.
  2. How Facebook Stole the Gaps - newspapers lost revenue opportunities to companies like Facebook.
  3. There is no such thing as Neutral - neutrality is challenging in decision-making and algorithms.

Power Stays in the Shadows

Path Nine • 25 implied HN points • 31 Jul 23
🎭️ Culture Science
  1. Power resides in staying hidden rather than seeking attention.
  2. Oppenheimer movie explores themes of science, politics, and the consequences of decisions.
  3. Supporting and recognizing talent can have a lasting impact on the world.

5050 Applications are Open

Fifty Years News • 14 implied HN points • 12 Feb 24
💼 Business Science
  1. 5050 program helps scientists and engineers launch groundbreaking companies that can shape the future of human civilization.
  2. 50Y has expertise in deep tech and has supported numerous companies in making significant advancements like carbon-negative factories and internet connectivity via satellite.
  3. 5050 program provides a structured approach with Explore and Build phases to guide scientists and engineers in transitioning their breakthroughs into successful tech startups.

Nicholas Christakis: (Ad-Free video) From Social Networks to AI, Special Thanksgiving Podcast

Critical Mass • 6 implied HN points • 28 Nov 24
🎙 Podcasts Science
  1. Nicholas Christakis is a highly accomplished scholar with a diverse background in social and natural sciences at Yale University. He studies how human networks function and how they can be improved.
  2. His book 'Blueprint' discusses how evolution has helped humans create successful societies characterized by cooperation and love. He also looks at how both culture and genetics influence each other.
  3. The conversation touches on big questions like the nature of good and how artificial intelligence might change our societies. It's clear that there is a lot to learn about social connections, both in humans and animals.