The hottest Skepticism Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
Category
Top Culture Topics

Overlearning

Freddie deBoer • 5662 implied HN points • 17 Mar 26
🎭️ Culture Skepticism
  1. Being smart and skeptical can lead to overlearning: you can take a true insight and stretch it into an overly broad, confidently wrong conclusion. This feels clever but ends up as bad as blind ignorance.
  2. The audiophile example shows the point: criticizing overpriced, dubious claims about sound is valid, but some people turned that into a blanket claim that all audio quality differences are myths. In reality, reasonably priced, well-designed gear can make a clearly better listening experience than phone speakers or cheap earbuds.
  3. The remedy is self-criticism and nuance: question your own reasoning and avoid turning useful lessons into rigid rules. Recognize diminishing returns without throwing out genuine improvements.

No, I Mean It - AI Maximalists in the Media Should Really, Actually Take the Shitting-in-the-Yard Challenge

Freddie deBoer • 7642 implied HN points • 16 Jun 25
🕹 Technology Skepticism
  1. AI hype often overlooks past technology that didn't live up to expectations. Just like with the Human Genome Project, people thought AI would massively change our lives, but things are more complicated.
  2. There's a difference between being scared of AI and simply being skeptical of its impact. Many people automatically assume AI will change everything, but it's important to listen to those who think the effects might be smaller.
  3. Media often ignores voices that question the hype around AI. Instead of only showcasing the promises of AI, there's a need to give more attention to skeptics and their views.

The Dadaism of "All Theories Are False"

Bet On It • 271 implied HN points • 02 Feb 26
📖 Philosophy Skepticism
  1. Saying "all theories are false" is misleading because many theories are true within the precision and conditions they intend; they only become "false" if you demand impossible infinite precision.
  2. Whether a theory can be confirmed depends on its form: universal claims ("all X are Y") need exhaustive checking to be fully confirmed, while existential claims ("some X are Y") can be confirmed by a single example.
  3. Blanket slogans that reject all knowledge tend to encourage unnecessary skepticism; it's more useful to expect room for improvement and to state explicit caveats rather than dismiss theories outright.

Cái chuông rè

Thái | Hacker | Kỹ sư tin tặc • 3474 implied HN points • 29 Dec 23
🎭️ Culture Skepticism
  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.

Some Responses to Skepticism

Fake Noûs • 194 implied HN points • 17 Jan 26
📖 Philosophy Skepticism
  1. Perceptual experiences can directly justify beliefs without needing further reasons, so conscious appearances stop the regress rather than forcing an infinite chain or vicious circularity.
  2. You needn't first prove a method's reliability before using it; basic belief-forming methods (like perception, memory, and reasoning) can be rational starting points, and some epistemic circularity is acceptable for knowing they work.
  3. We are directly aware of external objects through perception, so we don't have to infer that impressions are mere signs of things — direct perception provides immediate justification for beliefs about the world.
Get a weekly roundup of the best Substack posts, by hacker news affinity:

Casey (Newton) Strikes Out

Marcus on AI • 3517 implied HN points • 11 Dec 24
🕹 Technology Skepticism
  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.

Objections to Indirect Realism

Fake Noûs • 129 implied HN points • 27 Dec 25
📖 Philosophy Skepticism
  1. Positing sense data creates a serious location problem: they can’t plausibly be in your head, at the external object, wherever they appear, or in a separate “phenomenal space” without contradictions or conflicts with physics.
  2. Percepts often appear indeterminate (e.g. vague colors or unreadable distant text), yet nothing can truly have indeterminate properties, so we can’t be directly aware of mind-dependent objects that exactly match these indeterminate appearances.
  3. The better view is that perception directly presents ordinary physical objects and properties, while our perceptual states sometimes represent those objects imprecisely rather than revealing separate sense-data entities.

Objections to Direct Realism

Fake Noûs • 165 implied HN points • 13 Dec 25
📖 Philosophy Skepticism
  1. Many standard objections confuse appearance with ontology: apparent size changes, a stick looking bent, or double vision can be explained by physical factors like angular size, refraction, or distortion and don’t prove we perceive non-physical intermediaries.
  2. Hallucinations and illusions don’t show that normal perception is of mental images: hallucinations aren’t genuine awareness, and what justifies belief in perception is that things seem to be a certain way, not evidence of mental objects.
  3. Causal delays and debates about qualities like color don’t defeat direct realism: colors can be treated as physical spectral properties, and time lags mean we see objects as they were rather than seeing only mental entities.

From the comments on Friedman vs. Huemer

In My Tribe • 394 implied HN points • 07 Jul 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Skepticism
  1. It's important to trust experts who are open about their work and share their methods. If they don't show their reasoning, it's okay to be cautious.
  2. Science should work like a prestige hierarchy where we respect expertise, not out of fear, but because of skill and knowledge. If experts use intimidation instead, we might need to question their trustworthiness.
  3. Some experts are really good at thinking critically, even outside their field. So, if they use a smart approach to problems, I might trust their opinion on things they normally don’t deal with.

The easiest person to fool

Tolu’s Newsletter • 11 implied HN points • 11 Feb 26
📖 Philosophy Skepticism
  1. Question your default beliefs and the views you pick up from the people and place around you; decide for yourself what to accept.
  2. Don’t let what you want to be true drive your conclusions — check if your beliefs make logical sense, consider who benefits from a claim, and look for reliable sources and supporting implications.
  3. Write down your beliefs and revisit them so you can spot mistakes, admit when you’re wrong, and update your views over time.

Michael Shermer LIVE with Coleman Hughes!

Common Sense with Bari Weiss • 32 implied HN points • 14 Jan 26
📖 Philosophy Skepticism
  1. Experts will explore how skepticism, evidence, and reason help us tell truth from falsehood amid conspiracy theories, deepfakes, and post-truth politics.
  2. There’s an intimate live conversation and a casual post-show meetup in New York where attendees can ask questions and argue in good faith.
  3. Access is limited and behind a paywall — paid subscribers get exclusive presale ticket access, and there are monthly and annual subscription options.

No more vaccines

Disaffected Newsletter • 699 implied HN points • 02 Sep 22
🏥 Health Politics 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.

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 Skepticism
  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.

Nullius In Verba

Polymathic Being • 70 implied HN points • 22 Jun 25
📖 Philosophy Skepticism
  1. Always question the sources of information you receive. Don't just accept what others say; do your own research to find the truth.
  2. Balancing your emotions with rational thinking is important. Sometimes, our feelings can cloud our judgment when evaluating facts.
  3. Stay curious and be willing to learn, unlearn, and relearn. Embrace the idea that understanding can change and improve over time.

How Skeptical Are We Allowed to Be?

Cold Button Issues • 39 implied HN points • 24 Oct 23
⛪ Faith & Spirituality Skepticism
  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.

The Fallacy of the Enneagram Personality

Skeptic • 47 implied HN points • 21 Feb 25
📖 Philosophy 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.

Useful skepticism

Sunday Letters • 79 implied HN points • 14 Feb 22
💼 Business Skepticism
  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.

Ancient Aliens, Easter Island, and Truth

Skeptic • 46 implied HN points • 09 Feb 24
🔬 Science Skepticism
  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.

There's a UFO in My Garage

Skeptic • 61 implied HN points • 27 Jul 23
🔬 Science Skepticism
  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.

Tư duy độc lập

Thái | Hacker | Kỹ sư tin tặc • 99 implied HN points • 31 Dec 20
🚌 Education 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

A Skeptic’s Guide to Tech Hype

Kibao • 1 HN point • 12 Jun 24
🕹 Technology Skepticism
  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.