The hottest Social Impact Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
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Top Technology Topics

The Other COVID Reckoning

Astral Codex Ten • 30214 implied HN points • 21 May 25
🏥 Health Politics Public Health COVID-19 Mortality Policy Analysis Social Impact
  1. COVID-19 has caused an incredible number of deaths, but many people have stopped talking about them, even though the toll is higher than many major historical events.
  2. The reasons for this neglect may include that the deceased were often older people, and there aren't public stories shared by those who lost loved ones, making the impact feel less personal.
  3. While there were many debates about COVID responses, the focus should be on remembering those who lost their lives, as it can help us appreciate the seriousness of the situation.

The Most Devastating Report So Far

COVID Reason • 1031 implied HN points • 27 Oct 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Public Health Government Policy Vaccination Misinformation Social Impact
  1. The government spent nearly $1 billion to promote misleading information about COVID vaccines and masks. This kind of spending could seriously hurt a private company if they did the same.
  2. The PR campaign exaggerated the dangers of COVID and claimed vaccines were very effective, even saying they stopped transmission. This created a loss of trust when real-life results showed otherwise.
  3. The ads scared parents into thinking there were strict health rules for schools unless their kids got vaccinated and masked up. Many of the risks of the vaccines were not properly discussed, leading to confusion.

The day the world didn't end

Experimental History • 1934 implied HN points • 10 Dec 24
💾 History American history Cultural Studies Social Impact
  1. On October 22, 1844, many people believed the world would end and gathered to witness it, demonstrating the power of apocalyptic beliefs.
  2. This event led some individuals to make drastic life changes, like quitting their jobs and selling their belongings, reflecting deep faith and hope for a promised event.
  3. Despite the predictions, nothing happened that day, which caused many to feel lost or confused, highlighting the impact of failed prophecies on people's lives.

It's Time for the 2024 HOLIDAY GIFT CONCIERGE!!!

Culture Study • 2500 implied HN points • 03 Dec 24
🎭️ Culture Community Holidays Gift Giving Social Impact Small businesses
  1. The community has raised over $5,000 to help refugee families settle into their new homes, aiming for at least $10,000 to cover more essential items.
  2. There’s a fun gift concierge thread where community members can get personalized gift suggestions for their loved ones based on their unique tastes.
  3. The joy of giving and supporting small businesses through thoughtful gift giving can really make a positive impact, especially during the holiday season.

Thoughts on the Survival and Flourishing Fund 2024 Round

Don't Worry About the Vase • 1075 implied HN points • 20 Nov 24
💼 Business Philanthropy Social Impact
  1. There are many good charities to support right now, and the quality of applications has improved a lot since the last round. This makes it a great time for charitable giving.
  2. The process for evaluating charities has changed, including a new requirement for them to first receive speculation grants to be considered for funding. This has helped raise the overall quality of the applications.
  3. Time is tight when deciding which charities to fund, making it crucial to quickly assess the most promising options. It's important to focus on those organizations that show strong potential and trustworthy signals.
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All the arguments against EVs are wrong

Noahpinion • 26118 implied HN points • 14 May 23
🕹 Technology Transportation Energy Environment Social Impact Innovation
  1. Electric vehicles are rapidly becoming more popular worldwide, supported by improved technology and falling battery prices.
  2. There are concerns about the availability of minerals for EV production, but advancements in mining technology and growing lithium reserves offer hope.
  3. EVs have environmental benefits compared to gas cars, including reducing carbon emissions and offering more efficient energy use.

🤑 Billionare Logic

UnfairNation by Ehsan Zaffar • 6 implied HN points • 11 Feb 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Public funding Media Government Contracts Social Impact Job Opportunities
  1. Elon Musk is cutting funding for public news outlets like NPR and PBS, but keeps getting lots of money for his companies from the government.
  2. In the past, people have strongly defended public broadcasting when it was threatened, showing the importance of having diverse news sources.
  3. There are many job opportunities in the impact sector, with various organizations looking for talented individuals to fill important roles.

Beta 1.0 Is The Loneliest Number

Some Unpleasant Arithmetic • 9 implied HN points • 29 May 25
🕹 Technology AI Ethics Social Impact Human Interaction Loneliness Digital Communication
  1. AI friends are becoming popular, but they might not help loneliness. Many people are feeling isolated, and relying on robots for companionship could be harmful.
  2. Loneliness is a serious health issue and affects many people, leading to problems like depression and lower well-being. It's becoming clear that social connections play a big role in our health.
  3. Strong social ties are important for economic success. Having friends can help in finding jobs and building career networks, showing that friendships have real value beyond just companionship.

Goodreads, bleak spam and bad dating apps

Links I Would Gchat You If We Were Friends • 758 implied HN points • 17 Feb 24
🕹 Technology AI Dating Apps Social Impact Robotics Ethics
  1. Some people experience real grief when a virtual relationship ends or changes, even with AI companions.
  2. AI companion apps like Replika, Kindroid, and Candy.ai allow users to form personalized relationships with customized bots, blurring the line between human and AI relationships.
  3. The concept of disenfranchised grief applies to loss experienced in virtual relationships, with individuals forming deep emotional connections to AI companions.

EAs should probably focus on recruiting the ultra-wealthy

Something to Consider • 99 implied HN points • 11 Jul 24
📖 Philosophy Ethics Altruism Economics Social Impact Fundraising
  1. Effective Altruism should prioritize recruiting wealthy individuals because a big donation can have a much larger impact than many small ones. It's more beneficial to convince one billionaire to give a large amount than to have thousands give small amounts.
  2. The reputation issues from past events, like the collapse of Sam Bankman-Fried's companies, shouldn't discourage efforts to recruit wealthy donors. The potential benefits of their donations greatly outweigh these concerns.
  3. Investing resources in programs that can attract wealthy individuals is seen as a very cost-effective strategy for Effective Altruism, as the benefits can be significantly greater.

The Effects of Immigration in Denmark

Patterns in Humanity • 1159 implied HN points • 17 Feb 23
🌍 World Politics Immigration Crime Statistics Analysis Social Impact
  1. First, there is a detailed analysis of the financial impact of immigration in Denmark based on a government report.
  2. Second, the analysis explores the rates of violent crime convictions by nation of origin, showing disparities between groups.
  3. Lastly, the importance of adjusting for age and sex in understanding the differences in financial contributions and crime rates among immigrants is highlighted.

'Gone With the Wind': The Explosive Lost Scenes

The Ankler • 884 implied HN points • 01 Mar 23
🎭️ Culture Film History Race relations Social Impact
  1. At the Atlanta premiere of Gone With the Wind, there was a hidden civil war over how slavery should be depicted in the movie, leading to the exclusion of some intense scenes.
  2. Gone With the Wind, a highly successful film, faced criticism for its romanticized portrayal of slavery, which influenced perceptions of race relations worldwide.
  3. The legacy of Gone With the Wind is complex, with debates surrounding its portrayal of slavery, the impact on culture, and the role of key figures like Hattie McDaniel in the movie's history.

Xi Jinping, Emmanuel Macron & demographic “warfare”

Laetitia@Work • 491 implied HN points • 20 Jan 24
🌍 World Politics Demographics Nationalism Gender Equality Economic Policies Social Impact
  1. Xi Jinping and Emmanuel Macron both urge their citizens to have more babies, but their approaches may fail.
  2. Discussions about birth rates should focus on essential issues like childcare, healthcare, and workplace equality.
  3. Boosting fertility involves supporting working mothers, fighting discrimination, and improving care infrastructures.

Good Intentions, Perverse Outcomes: The Impact of Impact Investing

Musings on Markets • 859 implied HN points • 12 Oct 23
💰 Finance ESG Social Impact Market Analysis
  1. Impact investing aims to make money while helping society, but it can sometimes backfire. Sometimes the good intentions of investors lead to negative outcomes because their investments fail to create real change.
  2. There are three main methods of impact investing: inclusionary, exclusionary, and evangelist. Each has its strengths and weaknesses, but they all rely on understanding which companies truly contribute positively to society.
  3. Despite the money invested in green energy, our reliance on fossil fuels hasn't significantly decreased. It shows that while impact investing tries to solve societal problems, it might not be working as effectively as intended.

Politburo meeting, no announcement of Third Plenum; Li Shangfu missing from study session; Evergrande chairman under "control"; TikTok

Sinocism • 766 implied HN points • 28 Sep 23
🌍 World Politics International relations Economic Policy Government Foreign Policy Social Impact
  1. The Politburo meeting did not announce the dates for the Third Plenum, raising speculation about possible delays or disagreements.
  2. During the Politburo Study Session on WTO reform, key officials were absent, indicating potential areas of concern.
  3. Evergrande's chairman being placed under police surveillance raises doubts about the company's ability to avoid liquidation, impacting other struggling real estate firms.

Kat Kitay: The Origin of Cyborgs

Do Not Research • 499 implied HN points • 11 Dec 23
🔬 Science Technology Biology Evolution Genetics Social Impact
  1. Donna Haraway introduced the concept of 'cyborg' in 1985 as a response to the rising technological world order
  2. Human evolution has been driven by technological advancements since ancient times, shaping our species' survival and success
  3. The modern digital revolution is pushing us towards a new kind of evolution where gene-editing technologies and digital pressures play crucial roles

✨ How an AI technopanic begins

Faster, Please! • 91 implied HN points • 25 Oct 24
🕹 Technology AI Ethics Chatbots Mental health Legal issues Social Impact
  1. People worry that AI will take all the jobs and cause harm, similar to past fears about trade. These worries might lead to backlash against technology.
  2. A tragic case involving a teen's death highlights the potential dangers of AI chatbots, especially for vulnerable users. It's important for companies to take responsibility and ensure safety.
  3. Concerns about AI often come from emotional reactions rather than solid facts. It's crucial to address these fears with thoughtful discussion and better regulations.

The Fed Stole The American Dream

The Dollar Endgame • 359 implied HN points • 01 Jan 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Economy Housing Crisis Social Impact Demographics
  1. The Federal Reserve's actions post-2008 financial crisis led to massive asset price inflation in the housing market, benefiting a select wealthy few while worsening economic despair for others.
  2. The Fed's policies, like suppressing interest rates, inadvertently fueled the tech industry boom, resulting in addictive apps and negative impacts on mental health, particularly among young people.
  3. The economic impact of the Fed's actions includes rising depression rates, reduced birth rates, and impending strains on the retirement system, painting a grim picture for the future of the American economy.

The Fire Next Time

KERFUFFLE • 53 implied HN points • 02 Nov 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Foreign Policy Military Action Human Rights Media Reporting Social Impact
  1. Gaza is facing severe destruction and human suffering. Many reports describe civilians being killed and families being torn apart during the conflict.
  2. The scale of military retaliation from Israel is unprecedented, causing not only immediate casualties but also long-term issues like famine and homelessness.
  3. This conflict involves global implications, especially for Americans, as U.S. support influences the situation, and we may have to deal with the consequences of these actions in the future.

D̶o̶n̶'t̶ Do It Fedon!

The Greek Analyst • 259 implied HN points • 18 Jan 24
🎭️ Culture Entrepreneurship Innovation Social Impact Interviews
  1. The meme 'Don't Do It, Fedon!' symbolizes the need for Greece to move past old crises and strive for better things by embracing the F.E.T.A. framework: Failure, Effort, Toughing it Out, and Action.
  2. Greece needs to change its attitude towards failure, embrace meaningful effort, tough out challenges, and take proactive action to achieve success.
  3. Investments are booming in various sectors in Greece, with startups flourishing, tech companies expanding, and public and private investments contributing to economic growth.

The End of the Golden Age of Tech Accountability

The Klonickles • 412 implied HN points • 03 Mar 23
🕹 Technology Big Tech Regulation Social Impact Tech Policy Corporate Accountability
  1. The economic downturn has impacted the soft power of technology civil society and projects aimed at improving technology and social welfare.
  2. In the last five years, tech companies voluntarily engaged in initiatives for transparency and accountability, which were more significant than perceived.
  3. Despite the progress made, this voluntary cooperation is not enough, and there is a need for regulations to enforce continued efforts by tech companies.

What Happened to You?

Remarkable People • 4 HN points • 11 Sep 24
💼 Business Entrepreneurship Innovation Social Impact Economics Wealth Inequality
  1. Innovation was originally about making the world better, not just making money. It’s important to create things that have a positive impact on people's lives.
  2. The focus has shifted from creating meaningful products to purely making profits. This change can lead to losing the original vision behind a project or business.
  3. Entrepreneurs today should aim for a balance between doing well financially and doing good for society. There are examples like Salesforce that show you can be successful while also helping others.

The Road to Hell, part 2 of 3

Thoughts on Writing • 379 implied HN points • 20 Jun 23
💼 Business Marketing Ethics Social Impact Advertising Corporate culture
  1. Purpose in marketing often leads to sameness and lack of distinctiveness, as brands all start sounding the same with abstract, grandiose statements.
  2. Building a brand solely on purpose can create a weak foundation, leading to overexaggerated moral or ethical claims that may not resonate with customers.
  3. Prioritizing brand purpose over customer focus in marketing can lead to a disconnect with the audience and diminish the overall impact of marketing efforts.

It’s High Time We Finally Fund The “In-Betweeners”

America 2.0 (by Gary Sheng) • 275 implied HN points • 16 Mar 23
🎭️ Culture Public Service Social Impact Community Building
  1. In-Betweeners are essential public servants who connect different organizations and fill gaps in service.
  2. In-Betweeners are undervalued and struggle financially due to their unique and often unrecognized contributions.
  3. Funding In-Betweeners can lead to more efficient allocation of resources, drive innovation, and benefit society as a whole.

Inside Latin America's new currency plan, with Ecuador's presidential candidate Andrés Arauz

Geopolitical Economy Report • 279 implied HN points • 15 Feb 23
🌍 World Politics Security Economic Development Social Impact
  1. Latin America is attempting to create a new regional currency to challenge the existing US dollar-based system, aiming for a more balanced international monetary system.
  2. Ecuadorian economist and former presidential candidate Andrés Arauz advocates for a clearing and settlement bank that can facilitate transactions without concern for US sanctions.
  3. There is a push for regional integration mechanisms in Latin America, with the goal of creating large geopolitical blocs to allow for balanced planetary governance and more effective monetary systems.

Two visions of America: Bedford Falls and Pottersville

America in Crisis • 99 implied HN points • 23 Feb 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Economic Policy Social Impact Political Ideology Government intervention Income Inequality
  1. The movie 'It’s a Wonderful Life' showcases two visions of America through Bedford Falls and Pottersville, illustrating the impact of individual actions on the community.
  2. The film emphasizes the importance of economic stimulus and the difference in societal outcomes between stakeholder capitalism (Bedford Falls) and shareholder primacy (Pottersville).
  3. There is a social contrast between SC (Bedford Falls) and SP (Pottersville) economic cultures, impacting birth rates, marriage rates, and family formation trends in America.