The hottest Science Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
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Top Culture Topics

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

Understanding™, or the computational theory of mind

Silicon Reckoner • 19 implied HN points • 12 Feb 23
📖 Philosophy Mind Understanding Intelligence Science Theory
  1. The computational theory of mind is based on a metaphor and tends to take symbolic logic too seriously.
  2. Trademarked concepts like intelligence™ may limit the full understanding of intelligence by excluding certain human emotions like wonder and anxiety.
  3. Understanding in mathematics involves knowing what to calculate and having the technical skill to make those calculations.
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"Optimism Is For Cowards"

Apposition • 19 implied HN points • 20 May 23
📖 Philosophy History Science Culture Politics Technology
  1. Oswald Spengler believed that all civilizations have a life cycle and will eventually decline.
  2. Spengler's work focuses on the concept of Technics, outlining the development of tools and processes in human history.
  3. Spengler warns against optimism, arguing that every civilization will ultimately face decline and destruction.

Fragments, Chapter 9, pp.180-.... - Reading Club posting 33

Journal of Gurdjieff Studies • 19 implied HN points • 12 May 23
🚌 Education Philosophy Literature Science
  1. The human organism operates like a factory with three floors: head, chest, and stomach. It needs three types of 'food' - physical food, air, and impressions - for normal existence and growth of higher bodies.
  2. The transformation of substances in the organism follows the law of octaves. Substances from physical food, air, and impressions are converted into finer matters, supporting the growth of higher bodies.
  3. There's a potential to enhance the development of the air and impression octaves by creating an 'artificial shock' at the point where the third octave is usually restricted, often triggered by a specific effort at the moment of receiving an impression.

What book legitimately changed your life?

kalanis • 19 implied HN points • 09 Apr 23
📚 Literature Classic literature Biographies Investing Science Self-Improvement
  1. The post provides a list of books that have changed lives, spanning various genres like classic literature, biographies, investing, self-improvement, science, and religion.
  2. The recommendations are compiled from Patrick OShaughnessy's tweet asking for life-changing book suggestions.
  3. The post includes Amazon affiliate links for the recommended books, making it easy for readers to access and purchase them.

Confabulous Mister Memory

The Elbow • 19 implied HN points • 19 Jul 23
🎭️ Culture Psychology Philosophy Science Literature Memory
  1. Our personal narratives are often based on false or distorted explanations known as confabulations.
  2. Our experiences and history shape us, but we may not always fully understand the true impact.
  3. While we narrate our past to make sense of it, projecting false coherence into the future can lead to misguided beliefs about control.

All-in Summit Highlights

Nathan’s Substack • 19 implied HN points • 27 Sep 23
🎭️ Culture Technology Economy Politics Science Society
  1. All-in Summit featured top speakers and great networking opportunities, with discussions on macroeconomics and policy.
  2. Luxury beliefs have become a status symbol, replacing luxury goods for the elite, showcasing a disconnect from real-world consequences.
  3. Insights from Larry Summers highlighted economic predictions, the challenge of 'soft landings', and the impact of luxury beliefs on social mores.

Psychedelics and Climate Change

Daniel Pinchbeck’s Newsletter • 20 implied HN points • 04 Feb 24
🏥 Health & Wellness Psychedelics Climate change Consciousness Philosophy 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.

Highlights from Natural Selections in 2024

Natural Selections • 4 implied HN points • 31 Dec 24
🏥 Health & Wellness Nutrition Mental health Science Parenting Education Politics
  1. Motherhood is a powerful experience that many view negatively, but it can actually be exhilarating and fulfilling. It's important to embrace the joy and significance it brings.
  2. Big Food and Big Pharma are under scrutiny for promoting unhealthy products and quick-fix solutions. People should be cautious and learn to think critically about their dietary choices and health.
  3. Science and education should be reclaimed from those who misuse them for their agendas. It's important to practice skepticism and independent thinking in a world filled with misinformation.

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.

Talking Science: Recent Podcast Appearances

Holodoxa • 59 implied HN points • 07 Jun 22
🎙 Podcasts Science Education
  1. Two former colleagues launched a new podcast named Science Behind Science, discussing academic science
  2. The author has appeared on the podcast, recorded two episodes, and plans to create more audio content on Substack
  3. The podcast episodes cover topics such as reading scientific literature, exploring science communication beyond manuscripts and conferences

The Endearing Irascibility of Neo-Luddism and Its Ambiguous Place on America's Current Political Compass

Holodoxa • 39 implied HN points • 26 Oct 22
🎭️ Culture Technology Literature Philosophy Politics Science
  1. Neil Postman was a technology skeptic with a unique mix of progressive and conservative ideas.
  2. Postman's book _Technopoly_ critiques the surrender of human culture to technology without providing extensive data.
  3. Postman's analysis of technological and scientific influences on society continues to provoke critical thinking and raises questions about the role of humanities in governing decisions.

The Religion of Science And Its Consequences.

Unfashionable • 22 implied HN points • 12 Nov 23
📖 Philosophy Science Ethics Religion Policy Truth
  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.

‘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 Health Politics U.S. Politics Finance Ethics
  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.

5050 Applications are Open

Fifty Years News • 14 implied HN points • 12 Feb 24
💼 Business Startups Deep Tech Entrepreneurship Science Technology
  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.

Eschatology through the Ages

Holodoxa • 39 implied HN points • 10 Aug 22
📚 Literature History Philosophy Science Fiction Art & Illustration
  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.

What Will AI Do For Us In The Near Term?

Am I Stronger Yet? • 31 implied HN points • 17 Jun 23
🕹 Technology AI Science Regulation Economic Growth Labor Market
  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

Utilitarian Naturalism

Mon0’s Substack • 19 implied HN points • 23 May 23
📖 Philosophy Ethics Metaphysics Epistemology Naturalism Utilitarianism 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.

In Praise of Charles Darwin

Critical Mass • 18 implied HN points • 18 Sep 23
📚 Literature Books Writing Science
  1. The Voyage of the Beagle opened the author's eyes to a different side of Charles Darwin.
  2. Charles Darwin was not only a great scientist, but also a brilliant writer.
  3. Reading Darwin's works can provide valuable insights and appreciation for his storytelling.

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 Climate change Consumerism Global Economy Environmental Activism
  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.

Live Critical Mass Interactive Zoom Q&A: March 3rd @ 11 AM Pacific Time

Critical Mass • 8 implied HN points • 27 Feb 24
🚌 Education Live Q&A Science
  1. Join a live Critical Mass interactive Zoom Q&A on March 3rd at 11 AM Pacific Time hosted by Lawrence M. Krauss.
  2. The event will cover topics like previous Critical Mass posts, upcoming events, podcast episodes, books, and general science questions.
  3. Paid subscribers can access the event and get a 7-day free trial to read the full post archives.

The Research Philosophy of DeepMind 🧠

Sector 6 | The Newsletter of AIM • 19 implied HN points • 18 Dec 22
🕹 Technology Artificial Intelligence Research Philosophy Science Innovation
  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.

Syzygetic Cartographies

Cybernetic Forests • 59 implied HN points • 14 Feb 21
🎭️ Culture Art Technology Literature Design 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 Popularity Art Literature Science Podcast
  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.