The hottest Skepticism Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
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Top Culture Topics

The Fallacy of the Enneagram Personality

Skeptic • 47 implied HN points • 21 Feb 25
📖 Philosophy Psychology Belief systems Personal Development Cognitive Bias Skepticism
  1. The Enneagram of Personality is popular, but many scientists say it's not a real science. It's often based on mysticism and lacks solid proof.
  2. People find personal growth through the Enneagram, but it’s not a reliable personality test. Many just think it works because it feels right.
  3. The theories behind the Enneagram's nine types are often misunderstood. They are not based on childhood experiences, but might be related to inborn traits.

Casey (Newton) Strikes Out

Marcus on AI • 3517 implied HN points • 11 Dec 24
🕹 Technology Artificial Intelligence Skepticism Ethics Industry Trends Innovation
  1. AI skeptics believe that while there were big improvements in AI, those gains seem to be slowing down now. They think the hype isn't matching reality.
  2. Casey Newton's view oversimplifies AI skepticism by dividing it into two groups, but many skeptics have different opinions and concerns about AI's influence.
  3. It's important to recognize the problems with AI and financial issues in the industry, rather than just celebrating advancements without addressing weaknesses.

Cái chuông rè

Thái | Hacker | Kỹ sư tin tặc • 3474 implied HN points • 29 Dec 23
🎭️ Culture Critical Thinking Ethics Education Skepticism Investigation
  1. Having a 'bullshit detector' or independent thinking mindset is crucial for evaluating information and avoiding deception.
  2. Questioning and independent thinking are essential for uncovering truth and preventing misinformation.
  3. Encouraging a culture of questioning and respecting those who ask questions can lead to a more informed and ethical society.

Weighing in on Casey Newton's "AI is fake and sucks" debate

The Future, Now and Then • 237 implied HN points • 10 Dec 24
🕹 Technology AI Skepticism Innovation Criticism Tech Ethics
  1. AI is real, but there's a lot of hype around it. It's important to be skeptical and not just believe everything that's promised.
  2. Critics of AI might have valid concerns even if they sometimes say things that sound extreme. Their worries come from seeing the tech's limitations and potential dangers.
  3. When tech leaders make big promises about AI, we should be cautious. Just because some progress has been made doesn't mean all their predictions will come true.
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David Hume vs. the UFO Whistleblower

Philosophy for the People w/Ben Burgis • 379 implied HN points • 02 Jul 23
📖 Philosophy Skepticism Aliens Cover-up
  1. The writer discusses the possibility of the government concealing information about alien spacecraft, drawing parallels with David Hume's skepticism about miracles.
  2. David Grusch is mentioned as an Air Force officer possibly involved in what some see as a major cover-up.
  3. The post is available only to paid subscribers on Ben Burgis's Substack.

No more vaccines

Disaffected Newsletter • 699 implied HN points • 02 Sep 22
🏥 Health Politics Vaccines Public Health Pharmaceuticals Health Policy Skepticism
  1. The speaker has decided not to take any more vaccines, except for possibly a tetanus booster. They believe this decision is based on a rational understanding of public health and pharmaceutical practices.
  2. They feel that there may have been misinformation about the risk and benefits of earlier vaccines, leading to doubts about the vaccination process.
  3. The speaker acknowledges that their decision may seem unusual to vaccine supporters but sees it as a normal response to their understanding of the situation.

Ancient Aliens, Easter Island, and Truth

Skeptic • 46 implied HN points • 09 Feb 24
🔬 Science Archaeology Skepticism Debate
  1. Reason and science should take precedence over fantasy and entertainment for a safer society.
  2. Skepticism and critical analysis are important in evaluating claims about ancient civilizations and extraterrestrial theories.
  3. Engaging in open conversation, dialogue, and debate can help in seeking the truth and understanding different perspectives.

How Skeptical Are We Allowed to Be?

Cold Button Issues • 39 implied HN points • 24 Oct 23
⛪ Faith & Spirituality Paranormal Skepticism Supernatural Miracles Religion
  1. Setting a probability of zero for the existence of supernatural or paranormal powers is statistical bigotry.
  2. Groups organizing paranormal challenges likely don't overestimate the probability of these powers, providing a reasonable non-zero estimate for their existence.
  3. Extreme skepticism towards supernatural claims is justifiable for many paranormal phenomena, but practical implications should be considered for high-stake situations.

There's a UFO in My Garage

Skeptic • 61 implied HN points • 27 Jul 23
🔬 Science Extraterrestrial Life Skepticism UFOs Evidence
  1. The public frenzy over UFOs and UAPs is increasing due to recent congressional hearings.
  2. It's important to approach extraordinary claims with skepticism and demand evidence for beliefs in aliens or UFOs.
  3. Being open-minded but skeptical is key when evaluating claims about extraterrestrial intelligence and UFO sightings.

Useful skepticism

Sunday Letters • 79 implied HN points • 14 Feb 22
💼 Business Entrepreneurship Investing Innovation Skepticism Problem Solving
  1. Being skeptical is common because it's easier to see what could go wrong than what could go right. However, just being critical isn't enough; you also need to find solutions and create value.
  2. Instead of only questioning ideas, it's helpful to ask how they could succeed. This positive approach can lead to discovering new possibilities and innovations.
  3. While skepticism is a valuable tool, it can also lead to biases. It's important to balance it with open-mindedness and exploration to avoid closing off good opportunities.

Tư duy độc lập

Thái | Hacker | Kỹ sư tin tặc • 99 implied HN points • 31 Dec 20
🚌 Education Critical Thinking Learning methods Personal Development Skepticism
  1. Independent thinking involves evaluating and verifying information before forming an opinion
  2. Learning and emulating others through books and the internet can help foster independent thinking
  3. Being critical of oneself and choosing what to think about can aid in developing independent thinking in a world full of distractions

I still think it's very unlikely we're observing alien aircraft

DYNOMIGHT INTERNET NEWSLETTER • 22 HN points • 14 Jun 23
🔬 Science Astronomy Skepticism Physics Evidence Aliens
  1. Some think there might be alien aircraft on Earth due to the vastness of the universe and numerous reports.
  2. Eyewitness reports of strange aircraft are taken seriously and are difficult to explain.
  3. Old observations suggesting alien aircraft have been debunked, lack of conclusive evidence is a key factor against their existence.

A Skeptic’s Guide to Tech Hype

Kibao • 1 HN point • 12 Jun 24
🕹 Technology Innovation Skepticism Impact Future Investments
  1. Hype is a double-edged sword in tech innovation - it can drive attention but also derail resources.
  2. Judging tech solely on hype can miss its real impact - tech can be influential even if it doesn't meet hyped expectations.
  3. Tech hype acts as both a bug and a feature, pushing innovation forward while also risking distraction - maintaining diverse research and ideas is key.

What is Knowledge?

Ethics Under Construction • 2 HN points • 02 Oct 23
📖 Philosophy Knowledge Truth Skepticism
  1. Knowledge is more than just having a justified true belief; it also requires a correct belief in how the justification connects to the truth.
  2. Gettier problems highlight situations where justified beliefs are true only by coincidence, challenging the traditional definition of knowledge.
  3. To have knowledge, there must be a justified true belief, a connector that explains the relationship between the justification and truth, and a belief in that connector.

Who is Vaccine Hesitant and Why?

Symbolic Capital(ism) • 0 implied HN points • 23 Feb 22
🏥 Health Politics Vaccine Hesitancy Skepticism Misinformation Demographics
  1. Vaccine hesitancy is not solely driven by conspiracy theories but also includes reasonable concerns about safety, transparency, and conflicts of interest.
  2. Vaccine hesitancy is present across various demographics, including marginalized and disadvantaged groups along racial, ethnic, and religious lines.
  3. Political ideology like being a MAGA-aligned white does not exclusively determine vaccine hesitation. Other factors like income, education, and access to healthcare play significant roles.