The hottest Science Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
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Top Culture Topics

The Illusion of Shared Power and the Elite-eat-Elite World

Holodoxa • 59 implied HN points • 21 Aug 23
🚌 Education Science
  1. The book 'The Machiavellians' explores a unique political tradition that dissects politics pragmatically, focusing on power and manipulation.
  2. Democratic elitism, discussed by figures like Gaetano Mosca, argues all societies are ruled by a minority elite, manipulating the masses through various means.
  3. The idea of the 'iron law of oligarchy' by Robert Michels emphasizes how organizations tend to become oligarchic over time, exploring the dynamics of leadership and power.

Review: Oppenheimer

Obvious Bicycle • 328 implied HN points • 11 Aug 23
🎭️ Culture Science
  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.

Goddesses, Chrysalises and the Destiny of the West

What's Important? • 36 implied HN points • 21 Jun 25
📖 Philosophy Science
  1. Sound and vibration are more important than we often think. They play a big role in understanding life and our place in the universe.
  2. The idea of the 'divine feminine' is about reconnecting with wisdom and nurturing aspects of ourselves. This can lead to a more hopeful future for everyone.
  3. New technologies may help heal and bring us together. But we need to be careful with how we use them to ensure they promote safety and connection, not division.

Beyond the Machine: Technology and Posthuman Freedom

Extropic Thoughts • 58 implied HN points • 07 May 23
🕹 Technology Science
  1. Humans are composed of mechanical parts, but that doesn't mean we are only machines.
  2. Technology can help us increase human freedom through advanced tools like genetic engineering and brain implants.
  3. Understanding our mechanistic origins can lead to self-improvement and increased self-definition, moving us towards a posthuman condition of self-creation.
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Low Effort podcast #1: Stephanie Jarmak

Holly Elmore • 58 implied HN points • 18 Aug 23
🎙 Podcasts Science
  1. Stephanie Jarmak is a planetary scientist who imaged the asteroid Psyche with the James Webb Space Telescope.
  2. She will be joining the NASA Science Explorer team and supporting open science initiatives as their Project Scientist for Planetary Science.
  3. The podcast features a conversation about incentive structures in science and discusses getting your own asteroid.

The myth of technological inevitability

The Future, Now and Then • 229 implied HN points • 24 Jan 24
🕹 Technology Science
  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.

NextSeq 2000 Reagent Reuse

ASeq Newsletter • 21 implied HN points • 25 Aug 25
🕹 Technology Science
  1. Illumina's DNA sequencers, especially the NextSeq 2000, are highly advanced compared to competitors. They have made significant improvements over time, focusing on speed and imaging technology.
  2. The NextSeq 2000 features a unique fluidic system that keeps reagents separate from the instrument, making it more efficient. This system might allow for the reuse of reagents, which is an interesting development.
  3. There's speculation that Illumina is working on reagent reuse technology as mentioned in their patents. This could change how we approach sequencing in the future.

The Slow Cancellation of Innovation: A critical look at modern funding

The Good Science Project • 74 implied HN points • 23 Jan 25
🕹 Technology Science
  1. Innovation funding is struggling because it often favors older, established ideas over new and creative ones. This means that new and exciting projects may not get the support they need.
  2. Many young scientists and entrepreneurs are finding it harder to get funding. They face longer waits and tougher competition, which can hold back breakthrough ideas that could change the world.
  3. New funding models are trying to support fresh ideas, but they often end up using the same old criteria for judging who gets funded. This makes it tough for unconventional thinkers to get recognized and backed.

Science Says Social Media is Killing Your Sex Life

Ladyparts • 159 implied HN points • 12 Sep 22
🏥 Health & Wellness Science
  1. A study from Portugal found a strong link between social media addiction and sexual dysfunction.
  2. Many individuals struggle with partners being on their phones before bed, impacting intimacy.
  3. Science indicates negative effects of social media and smartphone use on relationships, beyond mental health and sleep issues.

Five books that impressed me this year

Klement on Investing • 6 implied HN points • 02 Dec 25
📚 Literature Science
  1. Geopolitical and security risks are real and urgent — Russia’s aggression, cyber attacks, and the danger of nuclear escalation mean countries need strong civil defence, resilient digital systems, and capable intelligence. Digital tools like Estonia’s e‑ID show how preparedness and technology can make a big difference.
  2. Understanding political history and terms matters because fascism is not the same as Nazism, and democratic rights can be eroded slowly through intimidation and legal changes. Vigilance and clear definition help people spot and resist authoritarian shifts.
  3. Clear, entertaining science writing can both teach and debunk myths — manned deep‑space travel and wormholes are far less practical than popular imagination suggests. We can learn far more safely and cheaply with probes and good physics.

ferocious joy

let them eat cake • 179 implied HN points • 15 Jun 22
🍲 Food & Drink Science
  1. Abstract concepts like joy can be interpreted in concrete ways that may differ from person to person.
  2. People may show directionality in their expressions of emotions or concepts through activities like playing the piano or practicing aikido.
  3. Biomechanical changes in the body may occur when individuals are asked to infuse activities or creations with certain emotions, even if they are not consciously aware of it.

Five books Sam Altman recommends

A Bit Gamey • 6 implied HN points • 07 Dec 25
📚 Literature Science
  1. Reading deeply changes what a person can become by sharpening judgment, deepening empathy, and helping make sense of big forces like AI.
  2. A small set of books can act as an operating manual: find meaning, spot cognitive biases, build genuinely new things, believe in progress, and learn how to scale fast.
  3. Treat reading as a deliberate practice—give yourself time to read, think, and reflect so you can choose better work and make bolder, clearer decisions.

We're hiring: Daily newsletter writer

The Works in Progress Newsletter • 24 implied HN points • 31 Jul 25
🕹 Technology Science
  1. There's a job opening for a daily newsletter writer. The role includes finding and sharing interesting news about science, technology, and economic progress.
  2. The newsletter will focus on linking to articles, podcasts, and videos that people interested in progress will love. It's like a daily update for curious minds.
  3. To apply, you'll need a resume, a writing sample, and some links to content you think others should see. They want someone who enjoys exploring the internet and sharing cool finds.

Headlines of Interest - Week of March 1st

Random Minds by Katherine Brodsky • 56 implied HN points • 01 Mar 25
📰 News Science
  1. China is telling its AI experts not to travel to the US due to fears of espionage. This shows a growing tension in international relations over technology.
  2. A new mRNA vaccine shows promise in treating pancreatic cancer, with early trials indicating a high percentage of patients cancer-free after a few years.
  3. Biohybrid robotics are emerging, combining living materials like fungi with machines to improve their abilities. This could lead to smart robots that are more aware of their environment.

The light

The Strategy Toolkit • 251 implied HN points • 21 Sep 23
🚌 Education Science
  1. Geography is about the relationships between people and the land they live on.
  2. Maps are powerful tools used to convey power and influence.
  3. Mapmaking is influenced by subjective knowledge and various factors like politics and beliefs.

Are We Entering a Psychic Future?

Daniel Pinchbeck’s Newsletter • 5 implied HN points • 04 Dec 25
🎙 Podcasts Science
  1. Academic and cultural attitudes toward psychic phenomena are shifting, with growing interest in rigorous research and a possible paradigm shift toward models like dual-aspect monism that integrate consciousness with physical reality.
  2. Telepathy, synchronicity, magic, and UFO experiences challenge strict materialism and call for coordinated scientific and humanities study. Belief, methodology, and social context affect outcomes, and suppression of these phenomena can make things worse.
  3. Emerging technologies and cultural changes could blur the psychic–physical boundary and create both ethical risks and transformative possibilities. Thoughtful research, disclosure, and governance are needed to steer these changes toward positive social outcomes.

July 19, 2025

Letters from an American • 23 implied HN points • 20 Jul 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Science
  1. Neil Armstrong was the first person to walk on the Moon on July 20, 1969, and many people in the U.S. watched it live on TV. It was a big moment in history that showed what people could achieve when supported by their government.
  2. The author recalls their childhood experience of watching the Moon landing and how it felt monumental even if they didn't fully understand it at the time. The memories include their siblings' reactions, highlighting the different ways people can experience the same event.
  3. The piece reflects on the past to remind us of what can be accomplished, especially during a time when there seems to be a breakdown in government and institutions. It's an encouragement to share personal memories of the Moon landing as part of history.

A Top Secret Bunker and a Nobel Prize

Street Smart Naturalist: Explorations of the Urban Kind • 179 implied HN points • 30 Jun 22
💾 History Science
  1. A secret underground bunker at Pigeon Point in Seattle was built during World War II for secure radio communications. It was designed to be bomb-proof, which is pretty fascinating.
  2. After the war, the bunker was used for medical research, including cancer studies by Dr. E. Donnall Thomas. His work led to him winning a Nobel Prize for advancements in bone marrow transplants.
  3. Now, the area where the bunker once operated is part of a school and park, but the original underground facility still exists with no visible signs or entrances.

The Dream Machine

Rough Diamonds • 70 implied HN points • 04 Dec 24
📖 Philosophy Science
  1. Philanthropy can create new, innovative projects that don't exist yet. Instead of just giving to existing organizations, donors can help start new initiatives, which is much more exciting and impactful.
  2. Science and tech projects often lack funding, even if the research is important. Many great scientists depend on small donations, and they need more support to bring their ideas to life.
  3. Creating ambitious projects takes a lot of work and organization. It's important to have dedicated people to manage and facilitate plans so that innovative ideas can become reality.

Announcing my new podcast: The Studies Show

Science Fictions • 248 implied HN points • 25 Jul 23
🎙 Podcasts Science
  1. The podcast "The Studies Show" discusses controversial scientific topics weekly with an English/Scottish accent combo.
  2. Episodes include topics like Aspartame, Psychedelics, Breastfeeding, and Vaping, among others.
  3. Listeners can subscribe for free on the podcast's Substack page and access episodes on various platforms like Apple Podcasts and Spotify.

Further Reading

Material World • 164 implied HN points • 30 Jan 24
🚌 Education Science
  1. There is a wide range of reading materials available to delve deeper into the topics discussed in the book.
  2. Various books and resources are recommended for exploring different aspects of material science, such as sand, salt, iron, copper, oil, and lithium.
  3. Authors and specific books are highlighted as excellent starting points for those interested in learning more about specific material-related subjects.

The Future Is Plastics, Benjamin

God's Spies by Thomas Neuburger • 65 implied HN points • 06 Dec 24
🌞 Climate & Environment Science
  1. Microplastics are everywhere in our bodies. They are found in blood, organs, and even in breast milk, but we still don't know how much damage they can cause.
  2. Big oil companies are pushing to make even more plastics. They see profit in plastic production despite the environmental harm it causes.
  3. Bottled water may contain a lot of small plastic pieces. Some scientists are now drinking less bottled water because of the high levels of micro and nanoplastics found in it.

The advent of mathematics as spectacle

Silicon Reckoner • 39 implied HN points • 25 Mar 23
🎭️ Culture Science
  1. Mathematics has become a spectacle in social media, moving away from traditional academic spaces.
  2. Social media accelerates the transformation of real world into spectacle, impacting communication and individual alienation.
  3. Mathematics reporting in media may lack critical analysis, focusing on positive narratives rather than material structures and decision-making processes.

Digest 5/23/23

axialdaily • 39 implied HN points • 23 May 23
💼 Business Science
  1. Axial partners with inventors in early-stage life sciences.
  2. Syntex pioneered the birth control pill and shifted focus to oral contraceptives.
  3. ReNAgade Therapeutics raised $300M to develop RNA medicines.

New words #5

Mutual Information • 39 implied HN points • 22 Sep 23
🚌 Education Science
  1. Discover new words by looking them up when encountered in podcasts or readings.
  2. Some new words include pluriennial, isoprene, trammel, polysemy, coruscate, mezuzot, kasher, sheikha, and more.
  3. Words like xenotime, mountebank, salubrious, and antepenultimate highlight the vast diversity in the English language.

The Black Box "Problem"

Prompt Engineering • 39 implied HN points • 10 Jul 23
🕹 Technology Science
  1. Our understanding of how AI works is limited due to the black box problem.
  2. Engineers build based on understanding, while scientists dissect to understand.
  3. It's more important for AI to work as intended and be continuously tested than to fully understand how it works.

Digest 5/20/23

axialdaily • 39 implied HN points • 20 May 23
💼 Business Science
  1. Axial partners with great inventors and invests in early-stage life sciences companies
  2. Be Biopharma focuses on developing engineered B-cells for cancer & rare diseases
  3. Scientist Stories highlight the role of nature in solving environmental challenges through new enzymes

The open argument must be fed: The peculiar case of Fox News and the pleasant smoke

The End(s) of Argument • 39 implied HN points • 21 Jun 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Science
  1. Open arguments drive much of our discourse, with events and information being interpreted as evidence to support or challenge ongoing debates.
  2. Arguments are not just about proving something true, but about enhancing or undermining the reasonableness of a position.
  3. Today's discourse often focuses on open-ended arguments where new events or information are used as evidence, shaping how we view and interpret the world.

Camp Century

Gordian Knot News • 183 implied HN points • 01 Nov 23
💾 History Science
  1. Camp Century was a unique nuclear plant experiment in an extreme environment
  2. The project showed the potential of non-traditional approaches in nuclear power
  3. Camp Century contributed valuable insights into climate history and nuclear reactor technology

Thinking the Unthinkable

What's Important? • 65 implied HN points • 10 Nov 24
📖 Philosophy Science
  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.