The hottest Science Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
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Top Culture Topics

Bupropion

The Frontier Psychiatrists • 117 implied HN points • 08 Feb 24
🏥 Health & Wellness Mental health Medication Science Research Analysis
  1. Bupropion is a versatile antidepressant with different brand names for various uses like depression, smoking cessation, and weight loss.
  2. Bupropion works differently than most antidepressants by affecting dopamine and norepinephrine, leading to no sexual side effects.
  3. Through meta-analysis, studies have shown that Bupropion is more effective than a placebo in treating depression.

Making Math

SCIENCE GODDESS • 98 implied HN points • 09 Feb 24
🎨 Art & Illustration Math Science STEM Craft Education
  1. Crochet Coral Reef project combines art, craft, and STEM to engage people in science communication
  2. Bias against material play and embodied cognition can hinder funding for alternative STEM engagement methods
  3. Using hands-on activities like crocheting can help make math and science more accessible and engaging for a wider audience
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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

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

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.

It’s The Cover Up, Stupid: Emails Impeach Kristian Andersen’s Congressional Testimony on the Pandemic’s Origin

The DisInformation Chronicle • 580 implied HN points • 11 Jul 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Government Health Science Corruption Transparency
  1. Follow the documents and money to get to the truth, not just the science.
  2. Constant evidence suggests a cover-up regarding the pandemic's origin.
  3. Scientists and officials involved in the investigation have been misleading in their testimonies and actions.

Links for 2024-01-20

Axis of Ordinary • 98 implied HN points • 20 Jan 24
🕹 Technology AI Science Politics Ukraine
  1. Self-rewarding language models could lead to superhuman feedback in AI.
  2. New advancements in science and technology include brain implants for high-resolution brain activity monitoring.
  3. Recent events in Ukraine show increasing tensions and technological developments in warfare.

Everything is Racist

The Rabbit Hole • 707 implied HN points • 24 Mar 23
🎭️ Culture 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.

2E - 1517's Teen Fall Camp

1517 Fund • 484 implied HN points • 25 Jul 23
🚌 Education Event Technology Science Camping
  1. 2E - 1517's Teen Fall Camp is a unique opportunity for exceptional teenagers to gather in the Bay Area for a weekend of camping, tech, and mischief.
  2. The camp aims to bring together socially geeky teens who are passionate about science, technology, and collaborating with like-minded peers and mentors.
  3. Teens can attend for free but need to cover their own travel costs, and applications should be submitted by August 1st.

Free speech under attack: the weaponization of defamation law vs. climate change skeptics

Unreported Truths • 37 implied HN points • 08 Mar 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Free speech Climate change Courts Science
  1. Climate change debates can lead to defamation lawsuits and threats to free speech
  2. Going to trial over defamation can have unexpected outcomes like symbolic damages or punitive damages
  3. Legal actions against defamation may deter criticism and dissent, affecting various controversial topics

Links for 2024-01-10

Axis of Ordinary • 98 implied HN points • 10 Jan 24
🕹 Technology AI Science Genetics Politics
  1. Researchers are working on a global project for a general robotic brain.
  2. Genetics play a significant role in educational attainment according to recent studies.
  3. American isolationism could lead to disruptions in international trade and more serious global issues.

Lookout to 2024

New World Same Humans • 85 implied HN points • 17 Jan 24
🕹 Technology AI Blockchain Robotics Geopolitics Science
  1. Generative AI is set to impact the real economy in 2024, with a focus on automating knowledge worker tasks.
  2. 2024 will see a historic year for global democracy, with tensions rising around deepfake technologies in elections.
  3. Mainstream adoption of blockchain technology is expected to reshape societies with decentralization and innovation.

Guns, Germs, Steel, Coal, Slavery, Seaborne Empires, Peninsulas, Mountain Ranges, Rainfall, & Chance: Jared Diamond's "Guns, Germs, & Steel" After Twenty-Five Years

Brad DeLong's Grasping Reality • 522 implied HN points • 11 Jun 23
🚌 Education History Literature Science Culture Philosophy
  1. Critics of Jared Diamond often lack basic discourse ethics, skip reading, or misinterpret his work.
  2. Diamond's book 'Guns, Germs, & Steel' excels in explaining historical advantages of Eurasian powers over others.
  3. The roots of Western-Eurasian exceptionalism might lie in cultural unity and political fragmentation, but there are gaps in Diamond's explanations.

Review: Oppenheimer

Obvious Bicycle • 328 implied HN points • 11 Aug 23
🎭️ Culture Film History Science Nuclear Weapons
  1. The film 'Oppenheimer' is more of a conventional biopic than an intricate Christopher Nolan flick.
  2. The movie covers multiple aspects of J. Robert Oppenheimer's life but focuses too much on less important elements.
  3. While technically excellent and entertaining, the film lacks depth in exploring Oppenheimer's personality and the profound impact of nuclear weapons.

Links for 2024-01-13

Axis of Ordinary • 78 implied HN points • 13 Jan 24
🕹 Technology AI Science Psychology Politics Ukraine
  1. AI chatbots exhibit distinct behaviors from humans, often leaning towards altruism and cooperation.
  2. Advancements in AI technology like Amazon's self-talk dialogue agents and generative AI-powered experiences are being developed.
  3. In the science and technology realm, studies on the early universe, geothermal power in Iceland, and lab-grown hybrid life forms raise intriguing questions.

Links for 2024-01-30

Axis of Ordinary • 58 implied HN points • 30 Jan 24
🕹 Technology AI Science
  1. Large language models can understand the words they process
  2. New models like Eagle 7B and Meta are advancing AI capabilities
  3. Research in science and technology is achieving breakthroughs in fields like 3D printing and energy harvesting

Why real environmental action is so hard

Technology, Environment, and Art • 39 implied HN points • 19 Feb 24
🌞 Climate & Environment Capitalism Science Consumerism Sustainability
  1. The global capitalistic-consumerist system is fundamentally destructive and promotes unsustainable practices, causing cognitive dissonance in individuals.
  2. Efforts to address environmental issues are often evaluated based on their ability to further global consumerism rather than their actual impact.
  3. To truly make a difference, we need to challenge the current industrial and capitalistic systems, reassess our reliance on technology, and make significant lifestyle changes to prioritize sustainability over convenience.

The Limits of Science: Why Einstein Believed Science Needs the Humanities

Humanities in Revolt • 319 implied HN points • 01 Aug 23
🚌 Education Philosophy Science Literature Art & Illustration History
  1. Einstein believed that a holistic education balancing science and humanities is essential for cultivating fundamental human values and morality.
  2. He emphasized that over-specialization and narrowly technical competencies can lead to lopsided thought and hinder human development.
  3. Einstein highlighted the importance of ethical values guiding scientific knowledge to maintain a healthy and humane society.

Links for Friday, March 1

God's Spies by Thomas Neuburger • 25 implied HN points • 01 Mar 24
🌍 World Politics Espionage Government Science Music Censorship
  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.