The hottest Science Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
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Top Culture Topics

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.

The myth of technological inevitability

The Future, Now and Then • 229 implied HN points • 24 Jan 24
🕹 Technology Science Ethics Innovation Policy Artificial Intelligence
  1. Technological change is perceived as inevitable and can happen in regulated or new industries.
  2. The concept of heroic scientists driving innovation is unrealistic and scientific progress is a slow, collaborative process.
  3. The public sector plays a significant role in shaping the direction of scientific progress and technological advancement, impacting the pace and outcomes.
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The Ocean Is Gay

Paging Dr. Lesbian • 176 implied HN points • 04 Jun 23
🎭️ Culture LGBTQ+ Science Nature Personal Stories Metaphors
  1. Sabrina Imbler's book explores the unique lives of ocean creatures and connects them to personal experiences.
  2. The author, a queer, mixed-race individual, offers a different perspective in the realm of science writing.
  3. Imbler makes emotional connections between sea creatures and personal stories, adding depth to scientific facts.

March 2023 Space Stock Review+ ULA M&A

Case Closed • 176 implied HN points • 12 Apr 23
💼 Business Finance Science Technology Investing Space
  1. March and 1Q23 Market Overview: Space SPACs were down, legacy space stocks performed worse, and stock market volatility was influenced by changing expectations for interest rates and the economy.
  2. Space Stock Performance and Valuation: Different sectors performed differently, with manufacturing outperforming. Companies like SATL and LUNR were discussed for their valuation considerations.
  3. Analyzing the Potential Sale of United Launch Alliance: Speculation surrounds the potential sale of ULA, with Lockheed Martin likely to buy out Boeing's stake based on financial and strategic considerations.

Political Science

Life in the 21st Century • 176 implied HN points • 02 May 23
🌍 World Politics Political Science Democracy Science Technology History
  1. Science and politics are intertwined, and there is a need to integrate scientific understanding into political decision-making.
  2. Democracy is about taking action and beginning something new, with every citizen playing a role in decision-making and implementation.
  3. The power to act in modern politics has shifted towards scientists and technologists, highlighting the importance of understanding the influence of science and technology in political systems.

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.

Thinking the Unthinkable

What's Important? • 65 implied HN points • 10 Nov 24
📖 Philosophy Consciousness Integration Science Society
  1. Many people are feeling confused because our traditional ways of thinking, especially in politics and economics, aren't working anymore. This is showing us that we might need to change how we relate to each other and the world.
  2. Our brains tend to focus too much on logic and separation, which keeps us from seeing the bigger picture. Connecting more with our emotions and understanding the interconnectedness of life can help us navigate this complex world.
  3. As we become more in tune with ourselves and others, we might discover new abilities and deeper relationships. Embracing love and connection can lead to a more meaningful and fulfilling life.

A Couple of Links

The Heart Attack Diet • 39 implied HN points • 29 Apr 24
🏥 Health & Wellness Nutrition Science Research
  1. Seed oils can turn into trans-fats when exposed to heat, potentially having negative health effects
  2. Nutrition 'science' can be inconsistent and may lack conclusive evidence on the effects of seed oils
  3. Research in nutrition science is challenging and can lead to differing interpretations of data

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.

When Will Women Be Human?

Meaning || Matter • 19 implied HN points • 22 Jun 24
🎭️ Culture History Science Social Issues Gender Studies
  1. Women in science, like the Morris sisters, often faced struggles for recognition and respect. Their hard work was sometimes overlooked because of the views society had about women's roles.
  2. Margaretta and Elizabeth Morris had to use clever strategies to get their scientific contributions noticed, like publishing anonymously and building relationships with influential men in science. They showed that persistence was key.
  3. Despite some advancements, women still had to fight for equality in scientific societies and other areas of life. This shows that the fight for women's rights is ongoing, and society needs to value women as equals.

Thinking in 2D

Rough Diamonds • 22 implied HN points • 20 Oct 24
🎭️ Culture Activism Politics Science Society Media
  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.

Moving Places

Earthly Fortunes • 157 implied HN points • 15 Apr 23
🎭️ Culture Technology History Music Science Literature
  1. The concept of being at the center of the map is an old idea that dates back to before the 1650s, and it is not a reflection of reality.
  2. Different readers interpret and react to written work in unique ways, similar to how chefs create different dishes using the same recipe.
  3. Maps, both physical and metaphorical, play a significant role in how we perceive importance and authority, shaping our understanding of the world.

Meet William Godwin, the 18th-century philosopher who was right about everything

Outlandish Claims • 39 implied HN points • 21 Apr 24
📚 Literature Philosophy Fiction Education History Science
  1. William Godwin was an 18th-century philosopher known for his influential political and moral philosophy, as well as his pioneering work in creating engaging fiction like the page-turner 'The Adventures of Caleb Williams'.
  2. Godwin's legacy includes his complicated relationships with his daughter Mary Shelley and his controversial views on topics like parenting, which influenced Mary Shelley's writing of 'Frankenstein'.
  3. Godwin's critiques of pseudosciences like phrenology and astronomy highlight his skepticism of simply accepting scientific claims, while emphasizing the enduring value of humanity and the importance of self-complacency.

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.

Identity In The Age of Artificial Intelligence

The Digital Anthropologist • 19 implied HN points • 14 Jun 24
🕹 Technology AI Ethics Culture Science Identity
  1. Debates and discussions are arising about the impact of AI on human identity, sparking new questions about what it means to be human in the age of technological advances.
  2. Humanity's relationship with AI is being scrutinized by various experts, leading to energetic debates and discussions in fields like philosophy, anthropology, psychology, and sociology.
  3. As AI becomes more integrated into society, questions about identity, the abuse of algorithms, and the collaborative effort needed between humanities and computer sciences to understand AI's impact on humanity are emerging.

The drunkard and the lady

inexactscience • 79 implied HN points • 23 Jan 24
📖 Philosophy Mathematics Vision Decision-making Science
  1. Having a vision can help you make significant progress in life. Instead of just wandering aimlessly, a clear goal can lead you to where you want to go.
  2. Without a direction, your progress will be limited and unpredictable. You might only cover a small distance instead of reaching your true potential.
  3. In life, it's important to develop a sense of direction. The more focused and goal-oriented you are, the further you'll move towards your aspirations.

Fear of Trees

Wild Information • 117 implied HN points • 12 Nov 23
🎨 Art & Illustration Nature Literature Science Horror Time
  1. Some people have a fear of trees, which can be related to plant intelligence and time perception.
  2. Trees hold ancient time, and exploring forests can evoke eerie and beautiful feelings.
  3. Plants are believed to have intelligence, and this idea has been explored in horror, folklore, and science fiction.

TITAA #46: Golems, Tulpas, Egregores and AI

Things I Think Are Awesome • 137 implied HN points • 01 Sep 23
🎨 Art & Illustration Comics Literature Science TV Virtual reality
  1. The post discusses folkloric entities like golems, tulpas, and egregores, which are created by humans and can have varied effects.
  2. Golems are creatures from Jewish folklore created from mud or clay with specific activation and deactivation methods.
  3. There are parallels between these entities and modern phenomena like AI behavior and strange chatbot interactions.

Did Kurt Vonnegut Hate Technology?

Litverse • 299 implied HN points • 02 Sep 22
🎭️ Culture Literature Technology History Philosophy Science
  1. Some researchers fear the consequences of their work yet continue to push forward, showing an ambivalent attitude toward technology.
  2. Kurt Vonnegut had a deep fascination with the inner workings of technology but also harbored a strong luddite sentiment towards its potential impact on humanity.
  3. Vonnegut's work and beliefs highlight the delicate balance between the advancements of technology and the preservation of human values and purpose.

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.

HOISTED FROM THE ARCHIVES: Origins of Fascism in the Modern Pace of Econo-Social Creative Destruction

Brad DeLong's Grasping Reality • 123 implied HN points • 19 Feb 24
🚌 Education Philosophy Literature History Politics Science
  1. In the past, social networks largely determined who you were, but in modern times, you have the power to choose your own social network and reinvent yourself.
  2. With the rise of modern economic growth after 1870, the pace of change accelerated, leading to the disappearance of many traditional social roles and the need for individuals to adapt and choose new paths.
  3. Loneliness and totalitarianism can arise from the disconnection and lack of common experience in modern societies, with anger and desperation fueling negative solidarity, leading to negative consequences.

The Leaves Turn. Recapping Q3 2023

Holodoxa • 119 implied HN points • 30 Sep 23
📚 Literature Books Reviews Podcasts Vacation Science
  1. The author reflects on the books they've consumed, with 67 completed in the year and 21 in the last three months. They share book recommendations like 'Albion's Seed' and detail upcoming reviews and reading plans.
  2. The author started a series on cancer genomics to make the science accessible. The topics covered so far are hereditary cancer syndromes, with more to come.
  3. The author shares podcast recommendations, especially after the news of Google shutting down its podcast app. They highlight new shows to listen to and specific episodes worth checking out.

Interview with AMNH President Sean Decatur

Science Forever • 119 implied HN points • 06 Jul 23
🎨 Art & Illustration Interview Museum Education Science Ethics
  1. Museums like the AMNH play a vital role in preserving collections that help us understand the biodiversity and evolutionary history of life on Earth.
  2. Ethical collecting practices are crucial in the field, with a focus on forming partnerships and collaborations to ensure clarity and responsibility in specimen collection.
  3. Informal science education at museums, such as the AMNH, provides a unique platform for inspiring curiosity, understanding the scientific process, and addressing important issues like climate change to the public.

The Benefits of Walking Your Cynic

Outlandish Claims • 19 implied HN points • 31 May 24
🚌 Education Philosophy History Travel Literature Science
  1. Standardized education can be damaging, labeling individuals based on narrow criteria and stifling unique strengths.
  2. Achieving financial independence can enable one to pursue personal passions and explore the world at one's own pace, like 'Walking Stewart'.
  3. The philosophy of interconnectedness, kindness, and self-love espoused by 'Walking Stewart' emphasizes the importance of empathy and positivity.