The hottest Science Substack posts right now

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Aporia gets a hit piece in the Guardian

ideassleepfuriously • 2122 implied HN points • 01 Feb 24
📰 News Media Journalism Politics Activism Science
  1. The article criticizes a hit piece on Aporia Magazine by The Guardian for associating the magazine with scientific racism and attacking anti-woke activist Chris Rufo.
  2. The piece points out the tactic of using experts to lend authority to playground insults, such as labeling Aporia as 'seriously nasty' and 'scientific racist'.
  3. The article highlights the tactic of quoting out of context, like criticizing statements about racial differences in intelligence, without actually refuting the claims.

AI makes scientists more productive and less happy

Philosophy bear • 264 implied HN points • 30 Nov 24
🕹 Technology AI Research Productivity Innovation Science
  1. AI helps scientists work faster and discover more new materials, increasing their productivity significantly.
  2. However, many scientists feel less happy because they spend less time on creative idea generation, which they found enjoyable.
  3. The gap between top and bottom performers in science has widened, with skilled researchers benefiting more from AI, leading to concerns about inequality in the field.
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Rats!

Wrong Side of History • 527 implied HN points • 27 Jan 25
💾 History Epidemics Medieval Society Health Science
  1. The Black Death, caused by the bacterium Yersinia pestis, spread through fleas that lived on black rats. These rats were common in medieval cities and facilitated the disease's transmission to humans.
  2. Symptoms of the plague could vary, with bubonic plague being the most common form, marked by painful swellings or buboes in the body. Other forms like pneumonic and septicaemic plague had even higher fatality rates.
  3. The historical records show that the plague has struck multiple times through history, leading to massive fatalities and changes in society due to the horrors it inflicted.

The Black Spatula Project: Day Five

Am I Stronger Yet? • 125 implied HN points • 24 Dec 24
🕹 Technology AI Science Research Community Data
  1. A new community project is using AI to find errors in scientific papers. It's already made great progress in just a few days.
  2. Identifying and fixing errors in scientific research could help improve the quality of published papers. There are discussions on how best to implement this technology.
  3. The project faces challenges, like figuring out who will use the error-checking tool and how to manage costs associated with scanning many papers.

The Counterpart Files

Justin E. H. Smith's Hinternet • 552 implied HN points • 19 Jan 25
⚔ Fiction Literature Science Technology Philosophy Culture
  1. Every possible outcome of our lives exists in different worlds. This means that every decision we make has created branches that lead to different versions of ourselves.
  2. With new technology, people can explore their 'Counterpart Files' to see these different lives and choices, leading to both excitement and sometimes shock about what they find.
  3. The idea that we are all interconnected and share a more profound identity across these worlds suggests that at a fundamental level, we might be more similar than we think.

Brilliant Simplicity

David Friedman’s Substack • 242 implied HN points • 22 Nov 24
🚌 Education Economics Science Philosophy Mathematics History
  1. Brilliant individuals can contribute to knowledge in two main ways: through challenging, complex work and by highlighting simple ideas that others may overlook. Simple ideas often seem obvious once recognized.
  2. Examples like the median voter theorem and Coase's theories show how simple concepts can explain complex phenomena, such as election outcomes or the functioning of firms, making them essential in economics.
  3. Even in biology, like Darwin's theory of evolution, simple ideas can lead to significant insights, changing how we understand life and its development over time.

The blast furnace - 800 years of technology improvement

Construction Physics • 10856 implied HN points • 23 Feb 23
🕹 Technology Innovation History Manufacturing Science Environment
  1. Steel production has evolved over 800 years, with blast furnaces being a crucial part of the process.
  2. The blast furnace technology has seen gradual improvements by engineers and craftsmen over centuries.
  3. As advancements like hot blast and mechanization have been made, the blast furnace's role is changing in modern steelmaking.

Empedocles

Classical Wisdom • 2279 implied HN points • 12 May 23
📖 Philosophy Ancient Philosophy Metaphysics Science
  1. Empedocles was a philosopher known for his belief in the four elements and the concept of a conscious universe.
  2. Empedocles believed in the forces of Love and Strife as the key elements in the interaction of the four worldly elements.
  3. Empedocles made significant contributions to early scientific testing, such as proving the existence of air using a water clock.

Nelson in the Arctic. Polar bears, geese, and filled breeches.

The Common Reader • 744 implied HN points • 29 Nov 24
💾 History Exploration Biography Maritime Science Natural History
  1. Young Nelson went to the Arctic at just 15 years old, which was unusual for boys his age. His strong desire and connections helped him join the expedition.
  2. The journey was filled with challenges, like navigating thick fog and ice that could crush their ships. Weather changed constantly, making it tough to travel.
  3. Despite the harsh conditions and dangers, the crew encountered wildlife and gathered supplies. They had to work hard and cooperate to survive in the icy environment.

RFK Jr. gives a Pro-vaccine MD a lesson at a Town Hall

An Insult to Intuition • 2063 implied HN points • 29 Jun 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Vaccines Science Epidemiology Philosophy Corruption
  1. RFK Jr. highlighted the difference between believing and knowing in the discussion about vaccines.
  2. The lack of long-term, placebo-controlled safety studies on childhood vaccines was brought to light by Kennedy.
  3. The conversation revealed a reliance on trust over critical thinking when it comes to vaccine safety and testing.

Robotic insect, navigation, and scientific discovery strategies

The Strategy Toolkit • 17 implied HN points • 19 May 25
🕹 Technology Robotics Engineering Innovation Science Research
  1. Roboticists are learning from insects to improve robot designs, especially in how they land. By studying how crane flies land, they can create safer landing techniques for flying robots.
  2. Insects have different methods for landing safely, like using controlled flights or soft body impacts. Scientists are using these methods to design robotic limbs that help drones land softly on various surfaces.
  3. The work on robotic insects shows how nature can inspire technology. By looking at how real insects behave, engineers can create smarter and more efficient machines.

The Naked Potential of 2024: Democracy, Chaos and Creativity

rebelwisdom • 1002 implied HN points • 12 Jan 24
🎭️ Culture Politics Philosophy Art Spirituality Science
  1. 2024 is a year with significant democratic elections worldwide, highlighting a growing apathy and distrust in the democratic process.
  2. The tension between centralized control and decentralized, regenerative movements is intensifying, leading to a clash of ideologies and perspectives in society.
  3. There is a growing movement towards seeking new ways of being and thinking, challenging existing structures and norms in society.

But it's GMP!

Nepetalactone Newsletter • 1670 implied HN points • 30 Apr 23
🏥 Health & Wellness Science Vaccines Controversy Safety Data Analysis
  1. There are two types of scientists: those who worship hierarchy and those who understand hierarchy is a cancer to the scientific method.
  2. The EMA found several objections to Pfizer's data, showing that it did not meet GMP standards.
  3. Concerns were raised by the EMA about Pfizer's data integrity, lack of biological characterization, and inconsistencies in the data provided.

RKUL: Time Well Spent 2/2/2025

Razib Khan's Unsupervised Learning • 280 implied HN points • 03 Feb 25
📚 Literature Books History Philosophy Science Cultural Studies
  1. Surprises teach us new things that change our understanding. They help us adapt our views of the world when what we expect turns out to be wrong.
  2. History shows that even unlikely places can produce great innovations and thinkers, like Athens and Ramanujan. Talent can arise from the most unexpected backgrounds.
  3. Twists and turns in history, like wars and societal changes, can shape powerful civilizations. Sometimes, survival and adaptability lead to greatness, even against the odds.

Best of the Best: Year End Awards

Range Widely • 1002 implied HN points • 19 Dec 23
🎭️ Culture Literature Philosophy Science History Art & Illustration
  1. The awards featured various categories like Best Quote for One's Own Obituary and Best Nobel/Olympic Family.
  2. Interesting fact shared about the empty space in atoms: if atom nucleus was the size of a tennis ball, the electron would be orbiting in New Jersey.
  3. Fascinating insights on different topics, from Saxon riddles to Nobel Prize connections, were shared in the post.

The Beginning of Infinity

CB • 1278 implied HN points • 25 Jun 23
📚 Literature Philosophy Science History
  1. Science advances through conjecture and criticism, with good explanations being hard to vary while accounting for what they explain.
  2. The philosophy of technology embraces problems as solvable and progress as both possible and desirable.
  3. Knowledge can be defined by its ability to transform the physical world, prompting better theories and further development.

The Case Against (Most) Books

Richard Hanania's Newsletter • 4657 implied HN points • 10 May 23
📚 Literature Philosophy History Fiction Science Politics
  1. Consider opportunity costs when deciding to read a book cover-to-cover versus shorter pieces like articles.
  2. Categories for books worth reading fully: history books, books of historical interest, and works by brilliant storytellers on important topics.
  3. Be cautious of valuing ancient writings for wisdom over modern insights; focus on gaining wisdom from a diverse range of sources, including contemporary writers.

Japan’s Declining Commercial Innovation, Part I

Japan Economy Watch • 179 implied HN points • 05 Jun 24
💼 Business Innovation Science Funding
  1. Japan has experienced a decline in commercial innovation since the 21st century, with its share of important patents decreasing, putting it at risk of falling in global rankings
  2. There is a debate on the reasons behind Japan's innovation decline, with one side focusing on the lack of new breakthroughs in basic science and the other on corporations' inefficiency in utilizing scientific advances
  3. Japan faces challenges in funding and supporting PhD programs, leading to a decrease in the number of PhDs produced, impacting the country's scientific output and innovation potential

Can the Policy Community Make Fun of Itself?

Kibao • 119 implied HN points • 28 Jun 24
🎭️ Culture Comedy Science Policy Satire Humor
  1. Scientists use humor to critique and cope with the challenges in their fields, creating a shared experience.
  2. The scientific community embraces humor through platforms like the Annals of Improbable Research and the Ig Nobel Prize.
  3. While scientists engage in self-deprecating humor, the policy community lacks a culture of lighthearted critique due to the seriousness of their work.

Why it's silly to debate Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. and Joe Rogan about vaccines

georgelakoff • 1139 implied HN points • 23 Jun 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Debates Vaccines Media Science
  1. Don't engage in debates with individuals lacking credibility or spreading misinformation to avoid giving them legitimacy and amplifying false ideas.
  2. Choosing not to participate in a debate can be a strategic decision to avoid being drawn into a futile discussion that may not change minds.
  3. When confronted with falsehoods, focus on promoting accurate information and engaging in meaningful conversations rather than getting caught up in unproductive debates.

Destroying the World is a Difficult Problem

Maximum Effort, Minimum Reward • 255 implied HN points • 23 Jan 25
🕹 Technology AI Science Engineering Philosophy Ethics
  1. There's a big difference between theorists and experimentalists in science. Theorists think a lot about ideas, while experimentalists deal with the real-world messiness of experiments.
  2. Many fears about AI being super dangerous come from theorists who underestimate the practical challenges. Even super smart AIs will face real-life problems that slow them down.
  3. Destroying the world is actually hard and takes time. Even if an AI is super intelligent, making big changes in reality is complicated and can't happen instantly.

☞ The Humanistic Computation Project

Cabinet of Wonders • 300 implied HN points • 07 Jan 25
🕹 Technology Computation Humanities Science Philosophy Literature
  1. Computation can help us understand many fields, not just programming. It can connect ideas from literature, biology, philosophy, and more.
  2. The study of computation involves looking at how we think and use language. It also explores the limits of mathematics and the nature of reality.
  3. Humanistic computation blends computer science with the humanities and social sciences. This new field encourages us to think deeply about how technology and culture interact.

2 men with same problem, one a POTUS, one a bench pipetting scientist, one a leader, one a fraud: Trump vs Malone, how do they have same problem? 1)Trump, was against lockdowns & vaccine now supports

Alexander News Network -Dr. Paul Elias Alexander's substack • 511 implied HN points • 11 Feb 24
🏥 Health Politics Health Politics Public Health Vaccines COVID-19 Science Leadership
  1. Trump initially against lockdowns and vaccines, now supporting them. Needs to address why he shifted his stance.
  2. Dr. Malone, an advocate of mRNA technology, faced criticism for supporting vaccines based on his technology but then going against them. People question his credibility.
  3. Both Trump and Malone need to address their inconsistencies and the public's distrust towards their actions and statements.

You live in a world that philosophy built

Trevor Klee’s Newsletter • 3283 implied HN points • 18 Mar 23
📖 Philosophy Science Society History Knowledge Ethics
  1. The Catholic Church venerated Aristotle and opposed Galileo because they trusted ancient philosophy over new scientific ideas.
  2. Living in a world where science evolves, we give more weight to current evidence than ancient texts or philosophers.
  3. Lessons from history remind us of the importance of valuing empirical evidence over established theories.

Luxuriating, Heretical Questions, The Age 30 Crisis

Rob Henderson's Newsletter • 1458 implied HN points • 13 Mar 24
🚌 Education Podcasts Literature Science Health & Wellness Reading
  1. Social media use habits can reveal gender differences, like adding 'o' to 'so' which is a strong predictor of being female.
  2. Verbal intelligence among college graduates has decreased over 40 years, implying a college degree doesn't represent the same verbal ability as before.
  3. The ratio of unmarried men to women varies by age, with more men at younger ages, but fewer men as age increases.