The hottest Science Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
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Top Culture Topics

A Confession and an Announcement

rebelwisdom • 1277 implied HN points • 13 Apr 23
🏥 Health & Wellness Psychedelics Spirituality Science Psychology Research
  1. The book discusses a personal experience with a powerful psychedelic drug and its impact on the individual and collective wisdom.
  2. The book reflects on the integration of psychedelic science and spirituality in understanding and navigating the challenges of the present time.
  3. The author aims to prompt inquiry and critical thinking around the potential of psychedelics in transforming society and addressing current crises.

The plan for meta-rationality

Meaningness • 359 implied HN points • 04 Mar 24
🚌 Education Philosophy Science Fiction Literature Health & Wellness
  1. The book being written focuses on meta-rationality, with previous parts discussing rationalism and reasonableness.
  2. The author plans to release the book in separate paperbacks/Kindle editions before putting it online for free.
  3. The concept of meta-rationality emphasizes caring for the situation more than abstractions, questioning what the situation needs, and understanding when rationality is relevant.

What I'm reading (April 2024 edition)

Alberto Cairo's The Art of Insight • 199 implied HN points • 27 Apr 24
📚 Literature Books Reading Non-fiction Science Statistics
  1. Statistics and probability have a complex history that affects many sciences today. It's important to understand that probability is more about uncertainty than just measuring how often something happens.
  2. Books like 'Normality' explore how the idea of normal has been used to marginalize certain groups of people. The meanings of normal have changed over time and can be harmful.
  3. The connection between different thinkers and ideas can help us understand reality better. Books like 'The Rigor of Angels' look at these links and ask important questions about what we truly know.
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Seven Glass Beads

Outlandish Claims • 199 implied HN points • 26 Apr 24
📚 Literature Fiction Philosophy Science History International
  1. Herman Hesse's novel 'The Glass Bead Game' explores a world where different fields merge through a game played with glass beads, but ends in a tragic twist when the protagonist tries to share his wisdom and fails.
  2. The stories of trinitite, MENACE (Matchbox Educable Naughts And Crosses Engine), and the Valdice Monastery show how abstract ideas like nuclear weapons, early AI models, and forced labor intertwined with concrete consequences, shaping the 20th-century mindset on science and philosophy.
  3. The shift in mindset between Hermann Hesse's and Neal Stephenson's work reflects the evolution of the perception of abstract and concrete ideas over the 20th century, influenced by events like the Cold War, science advancements, and societal changes.

The two reasons I left Christianity

Figs in Winter: New Stoicism and beyond • 805 implied HN points • 27 Mar 23
⛪ Faith & Spirituality Christianity Atheism Logic Science Philosophy
  1. Logic and science played a big part in leading the author to leave Christianity
  2. Encountering philosophical teachings and critical thinking in school reinforced the doubts about religion
  3. The concepts of transubstantiation and the Trinity were key factors that ultimately caused the author to walk away from Catholicism

Links to Consider, 11/24/2024

In My Tribe • 273 implied HN points • 24 Nov 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Philanthropy Sustainability Science Social Class Bureaucracy
  1. Banks face significant costs when forced to divert funds away from profitable fossil fuel loans to support unprofitable green energy ventures. This often results in financial burdens on depositors and can lead to bank failures.
  2. Scientific research is becoming risk-averse due to heavy reliance on citation metrics, which encourages safe, incremental work and often ignores innovative, high-risk projects. This can slow down advancements in science.
  3. Higher education significantly influences social class in America, creating a unified culture among graduates. In contrast, those without a college education often lack a sense of community and solidarity.

Which intelligence?

Paola Writes • 471 implied HN points • 07 Jan 24
🎨 Art & Illustration Literature Science Fiction Intelligence Music
  1. Intelligence comes in various forms beyond traditional measures like logical-mathematical or linguistic-verbal.
  2. The definition of human intelligence can be complex, with factors like motivation and self-awareness playing a role.
  3. Efficiency in gaining skills may be a significant factor in measuring intelligence, but human intelligence is complex and cannot be solely defined by efficiency.

Relevance Realization, Cerebral Hemispheres, and the Reconciliation of Science and Mythology

Intimations of a New Worldview • 766 implied HN points • 05 Apr 23
📖 Philosophy Culture Science Mythology Religion Worldview
  1. The left and right hemispheres of the brain are involved in different cognitive styles, such as precision and generalization.
  2. There is evidence for the significant and systematic differences between the cerebral hemispheres, influencing how attention is allocated and relevance is realized.
  3. The conflict between science and mythology can be seen as analogous to the differences in cognitive styles between the left and right hemispheres, emphasizing the importance of integrating different approaches.

Creativity is Domain Independent

Insight Axis • 671 implied HN points • 22 Oct 23
🎨 Art & Illustration Science Art Writing Programming Creativity
  1. Creativity is not limited to specific fields like art or music; it is a fundamental aspect of being human, manifested across various domains like science, art, writing, and programming.
  2. The creative process involves daring to create something, followed by refining and improving upon it - a cycle present in science, art, and literature.
  3. In programming and software engineering, creativity is not just about writing code but also about the iterative process of refining, debugging, and deleting code - highlighting the importance of continuous improvement and simplification.

Everything is Racist

The Rabbit Hole • 707 implied HN points • 24 Mar 23
🎭️ Culture Race Issues Society Media Food Science
  1. Some discussions on racism have expanded to include seemingly innocuous items like food, drinks, and activities.
  2. Various items such as coffee, fitness, AI, and potatoes have been linked to racism in different articles and discussions.
  3. The all-encompassing nature of these discussions reflects an increasing awareness and sensitivity around the topic of race.

Grug on diet soda and autism

DYNOMIGHT INTERNET NEWSLETTER • 1234 implied HN points • 05 Oct 23
🏥 Health & Wellness Nutrition Research Science News Journalism
  1. Grug organizes ideas about diet soda and autism from news sources to consolidate important information.
  2. Correlation is easy to see but doesn't prove causation, and it's crucial to consider carefully in scientific studies.
  3. The news often emphasizes alarming claims based on research findings, even when the researchers themselves are more cautious.

The Vanishing Hardy Boys

Variations on a Theme • 159 implied HN points • 25 Apr 24
🎭️ Culture Literature Society Science Expertise Critical Thinking
  1. The concept of the Renaissance Man, with its emphasis on broad knowledge and skills, is fading in our society as specialization becomes more prevalent.
  2. Apathy can lead to a lack of critical thinking and embracing the easy path of leisure, hindering personal and intellectual development.
  3. Specialization can create barriers to entry in professions, leading to credentialism and potential dismissal of alternative expertise, while being a generalist can offer a unique perspective and a wide range of problem-solving abilities.

Science and Spirituality

Skeptic • 33 implied HN points • 16 Dec 24
⛪ Faith & Spirituality Spirituality Science Philosophy Meaning
  1. Science can lead to a deeper sense of spirituality. By understanding the universe, we can find meaning and connection beyond ourselves.
  2. Your personal experiences at places like Esalen can offer unique perspectives on life and spirituality. Sharing thoughts in informal settings can deepen understanding.
  3. Both science and spirituality can evoke awe. Whether through cosmic discoveries or personal beliefs, these feelings remind us how small we are in the grand scheme of things.

Why the Turing Test is Not Enough

Insight Axis • 592 implied HN points • 06 Aug 23
🕹 Technology AI Philosophy Science Intelligence Testing
  1. The Turing Test is a thought experiment, not a formal test, and was proposed by Alan Turing to test machine intelligence
  2. Passing the Turing Test does not necessarily indicate true intelligence in AI, as it requires reasoning capabilities and explanatory capacity
  3. Artificial General Intelligence testing should involve multi-dimensional assessments beyond the Turing Test, covering various aspects like linguistic, spatial, and mathematical intelligence

Courage and Moonshots

Castles in the Sky • 29 implied HN points • 16 Dec 24
📖 Philosophy Existentialism Ethics Science Humanism
  1. Big, crazy ideas can spark real change. Even if they seem impossible, they can lead to groundbreaking outcomes, like space travel.
  2. Dealing with the unknown is key to growth. Embracing humility, curiosity, and courage helps us face challenges and pursue innovative ideas.
  3. It's important to focus on practical steps for achieving goals. Even the most visionary thinkers made their mark by doing the hard, everyday work.

DOCUMENTS: Chinese Researcher Who Mapped COVID Virus Two Weeks Before China Released Sequence Was on Anthony Fauci’s Payroll

The DisInformation Chronicle • 630 implied HN points • 19 Jan 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Government Investigation Health Science Funding
  1. A Chinese researcher who mapped the COVID virus was on Fauci's payroll before China released the sequence.
  2. Questions arise about NIH funding in China and the timeline of understanding COVID.
  3. The Chinese researcher's initial virus sequence wasn't published but was similar to later ones.

Reading List for Chapter 1: On Generation and Corruption

Fields & Energy • 359 implied HN points • 07 Dec 23
🚌 Education Literature Science Mathematics Physics Philosophy
  1. Reading is important for understanding complex topics like calculus and physics. Books like 'Calculus Made Easy' can help beginners grasp the basics more easily.
  2. Narratives and storytelling are essential in both fiction and non-fiction writing. They shape how we understand and connect with concepts.
  3. Scientific revolutions often depend on the context of ideas rather than just rational evidence. This means new theories can take time to be accepted.

The Rosicrucian Enlightenment

Fields & Energy • 299 implied HN points • 05 Jan 24
💾 History Occult Philosophy Science Literature Religion Politics
  1. The Rosicrucian movement was influential in shaping modern science, linking spiritual beliefs with the pursuit of knowledge and experimentation.
  2. Prominent figures like John Dee played key roles in merging different ideas of science and magic while promoting natural knowledge for the benefit of humanity.
  3. Despite its initially hopeful visions, the Rosicrucian adventure faced challenges, leading to disappointment and a shift in focus towards reforming society through science and brotherly love.

Reid Hoffman on The Best Possible Future

The Generalist • 500 implied HN points • 27 Feb 24
🕹 Technology AI Future Science
  1. Reid Hoffman discusses AI's potential and risks in the final edition of 'Letters to a Young Investor's' first series.
  2. The conversation delves into the importance of envisioning a positive future enabled by technology, rather than focusing solely on dystopian scenarios.
  3. Reid Hoffman emphasizes the need to proactively steer towards creating a future that is radically better than our current trajectory, despite acknowledging the challenges technology presents.

Recommended Reading Part IV: Metaphysics

Contemplations on the Tree of Woe • 723 implied HN points • 13 Mar 24
⛪ Faith & Spirituality Philosophy Science Metaphysics Atheism Consciousness
  1. Physicalism argues that everything in the universe can be explained by physical processes, while post-physicalism believes there are aspects physicalism cannot explain, like consciousness and free will.
  2. Reading about atheism and counter-atheism can lead to shifts in beliefs, from atheism to agnosticism and questioning physicalism.
  3. Exploring quantum mechanics and consciousness challenges physicalist views and opens up discussions about the mind-body connection and the nature of reality.

2.3 Francis Bacon & The Birth of Scientism

Fields & Energy • 279 implied HN points • 03 Jan 24
💾 History Philosophy Science Literature Politics Culture
  1. Francis Bacon is often called the father of scientism, which is the belief that science is the only way to know things. He wanted science to help humans gain power over nature.
  2. Bacon introduced the idea of cognitive biases, which are ways our thinking can be flawed. He identified different types of biases that can affect decision-making.
  3. His vision for science included a society where scientists could lead and guide people, similar to kings with the knowledge to improve life and solve problems.

AI, The Idiot Ant Queen

Desystemize • 1404 implied HN points • 07 Mar 23
🕹 Technology AI Ethics Science Engineering Data
  1. Artificial intelligence could lead to a loss of understanding and agency in decision-making
  2. AI ethics issues stem from existing power imbalances and biases, not just the capabilities of AI systems
  3. The real concern with AI is the potential control it may have over societal institutions, impacting human autonomy and decision-making

Myth & Math

Seven Senses • 519 implied HN points • 01 Aug 23
🎭️ Culture Astrology History Mythology Art Science
  1. Astrology mixes art and science, with a long history that goes back thousands of years. It's been used for everything from planting crops to influencing our personalities.
  2. Many people today enjoy astrology for self-discovery, but its teachings can get simplified and lose depth. It's important to remember that each person's experience with astrology is unique.
  3. Astrology encourages us to think about free will and destiny. We can choose our paths while also being influenced by the cosmos around us.

How (and Why) to Avoid Death by Notification

Litverse • 239 implied HN points • 16 Jan 24
🎭️ Culture Technology Art Literature Science Books
  1. Notifications are distractions that can lead to memory issues and reduced focus. It's essential to limit them to save time and mental energy.
  2. Our social media presence can drown out our real selves. It's vital to express thoughts without seeking validation to understand our true identity.
  3. Creating art and finding stillness are crucial for self-discovery. By disconnecting from devices, we can focus on meaningful activities and tap into our inspirations.