The hottest Tech Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
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The Saturday Selection, Vol. 96

Why is this interesting? • 241 implied HN points • 14 Mar 26
🎭️ Culture Tech
  1. Surprising cultural trends and odd solutions keep cropping up — from Istanbul’s booming hair-transplant industry to a celebrity Oreo being used against New Zealand possums, and festivals like SXSW acting as soft-power showcases.
  2. There’s a growing worry that instrumentalisation and AI are draining intrinsic value from life and art, turning feelings, faith, and creativity into mere means to an end.
  3. Media and sports are shifting toward realism and management: movie dads are portrayed more honestly and with nuance, while the modern NBA is dominated by injury management and strategic rest.

David Ellison gets his pyrrhic victory

Simon Owens's Media Newsletter • 424 implied HN points • 27 Feb 26
💼 Business Tech
  1. Netflix stepping out of the bidding war cleared the way for David Ellison’s Paramount to buy Warner Bros. Discovery, a deal that likely burdens the buyer with heavy debt and weakens a major competitor over time.
  2. Publishers lose time and money to fragmented publishing stacks, so unified platforms that combine editorial workflows, live publishing, and analytics can reduce operational complexity and let teams focus on content and monetization.
  3. FAST streaming faces long‑term risks because many services are filling catalogs with overlapping, lower‑quality content, creating signal‑to‑noise for viewers, while YouTube’s broad reach and attractive revenue split could lure away content suppliers.

Producer theory

benn.substack • 1508 implied HN points • 21 Nov 25
💼 Business Tech
  1. Building strong connections with various data sources is important for creating valuable AI products. This way, the product can understand context and provide better outcomes.
  2. Platforms may not be as essential as we think. Sometimes, focusing on being a good producer and providing unique intelligence can be more beneficial than trying to build a large platform.
  3. As AI tools evolve, they learn from each other. This means that context is not just about gathering data, but also about interpreting and using that data intelligently.

How Duolingo reignited user growth

Lenny's Newsletter • 9571 implied HN points • 28 Feb 23
💼 Business Tech
  1. Duolingo achieved 4.5x user growth over four years through innovative strategies like leaderboards and push notifications.
  2. Their focus on improving retention over new user acquisition led to significant improvements in engagement metrics.
  3. Using data and models, like Zynga and MyFitnessPal did, helped Duolingo identify North Star metrics and drive growth effectively.

A tale of two American cities

Wrong Side of History • 693 implied HN points • 13 Dec 25
💼 Business Tech
  1. Austin has become a magnet for talent and tech firms because of Texas’s low regulation, cheap land and energy, and an influx of Californians and international migrants, turning it into a fast-growing, futuristic city.
  2. That rapid growth brings clear benefits—jobs, higher wages and lots of new housing—but also serious social costs like rising costs of living, displacement of the city’s bohemian culture, and visible homelessness and mental-health problems.
  3. The story reflects a broader American pattern: a bold, experimental meritocracy that drives big inventions and new institutions, yet often produces stark inequality and an uncertain civic legacy because mobile tech elites don’t always create lasting public cultural endowments.
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An outbound playbook for 2025

Kyle Poyar’s Growth Unhinged • 883 implied HN points • 03 Dec 25
💼 Business Tech
  1. In 2025, successful outbound sales will focus on a mix of cold calls, email campaigns, LinkedIn engagement, and personalized outreach for key accounts. This shows that a balanced approach between automation and manual efforts is essential.
  2. Identifying and targeting ideal customer profiles (ICPs) is crucial. Businesses should develop a scoring model to define their targets and filter their outreach accordingly, ensuring focused efforts yield better results.
  3. Using signals, like website visits and LinkedIn engagement, can enhance outreach effectiveness. These signals allow businesses to connect with prospects who are already interested, leading to higher response rates and engagement.

March 26: Fashion and Tech, united in Beauty

Respectful Leadership • 54 implied HN points • 14 Feb 26
🪞 Fashion & Beauty Tech
  1. A curated mixer on March 26 in NoMad will bring fashion and beauty tech leaders together to collaborate and explore what’s next in the industry.
  2. The event is exclusive with limited venue capacity and a hand-selected guest list of founders, creators, strategists, advisors, investors, and builders for high-value networking.
  3. Tickets include a complimentary drink and bites, and hosts point to a Luma signup and newsletter for registration and updates.

❄️💥 Quels risques en 2024 ?

Snowball • 1886 implied HN points • 21 Jan 24
💼 Business Tech
  1. Taiwan Semiconductor (TSMC) is a major tech company that manufactures chips for various devices.
  2. Experts and global leaders predict risks that could cause crises in 2024 like environmental issues and technology advancements.
  3. The internet's evolution to omnipresence due to smartphones raises questions about implications and opportunities.

IPO Watch: Ethos and Bitgo edition

Alex's Personal Blog • 131 implied HN points • 21 Jan 26
💼 Business Tech
  1. AI is reshaping markets fast: consumer and enterprise AI products are driving big revenue and valuations, while demand for AI coding tools is soaring and companies are promising to limit their energy and water impact.
  2. Geopolitical and demographic risks are growing, with fraying alliances, market jitters over treasuries, and falling birth rates that together threaten long-term economic stability.
  3. The IPO and venture exit picture is tough: Ethos is growing but listing below prior private valuations, BitGo shows huge topline crypto flows but thin core profits, and many software unicorns face low exit multiples that make strong returns harder.

Chia tay Google

Thái | Hacker | Kỹ sư tin tặc • 4233 implied HN points • 01 Apr 23
💼 Business Tech
  1. The author has decided to leave Google after nearly 12 years, feeling sad about this personal decision.
  2. The author jokingly chose April Fools' Day to announce this decision but ultimately feels the weight of the farewell.
  3. Working at Google was a dream come true for the author, and they express deep gratitude towards their colleagues and friends.

Why people are burning Waymos

Taylor Lorenz's Newsletter • 1881 implied HN points • 09 Jun 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Tech
  1. Waymo vehicles were burned during protests in Los Angeles, showing strong feelings about immigration issues. People were angry enough to damage these self-driving cars as a form of expression.
  2. The situation highlights a growing connection between technology and social movements. It reflects how tech can be involved in protests and public sentiments.
  3. Various groups, including tech people and the media, reacted to these events on social media. This shows how quickly information spreads and the importance of online platforms in shaping narratives.

What I Read This Week...

Chamath Palihapitiya • 1513 implied HN points • 18 Nov 23
💼 Business Tech
  1. OpenAI ousted Sam Altman as CEO due to board's loss of confidence.
  2. University of Austin Texas gains donors disenchanted with elite universities.
  3. All new antibiotic startups face challenges in the market.

Billionaire dystopia dreams; Substack's Nazi Problem

georgelakoff • 1041 implied HN points • 11 Jan 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Tech
  1. Tech billionaires are aiming to create new privately-governed enclaves with the 'network state' concept.
  2. Substack has faced criticism for allowing certain Nazi accounts but has recently shown signs of changing its stance.
  3. Reader poll results from FrameLab suggest that most readers prefer receiving one post per week.

News of the Week (February 5 - 9)

Stock Market Nerd • 825 implied HN points • 10 Feb 24
💼 Business Tech
  1. Cloudflare provides web optimization and security, showing strong revenue growth and expanding services beyond traditional security tools like network firewalls
  2. Spotify had a mixed quarter, with growth seen in 2023 but missed revenue estimates for Q4, leading to a focus on evolving its operations
  3. Amazon plans cost cuts in its healthcare unit, while Duolingo faces the risk of potential disruption by emerging GenAI language translation technologies

Greek tech salaries

The Greek Analyst • 279 implied HN points • 24 May 24
💼 Business Tech
  1. Salaries in the Greek tech industry are usually higher than in other domains and pertain to high-productivity jobs, which can drive up salaries in other industries.
  2. Despite some improvements in recent years, Greek tech salaries are still relatively low compared to other European countries, with Greek IT workers having one of the lowest average compensations in Europe.
  3. The current landscape in the Greek tech market presents opportunities for local tech talent as remote global companies are showing interest, leading to a rise in demand and potential for better compensation packages.

What I Read This Week...

Chamath Palihapitiya • 1159 implied HN points • 02 Dec 23
🕹 Technology Tech
  1. Anduril's new autonomous fighter jet has significant advantages over legacy missile systems.
  2. Novo Nordisk paid U.S. doctors to promote its obesity drugs to tackle the global obesity epidemic.
  3. Huawei supports smaller companies in the semiconductor supply chain to build a self-sufficient chip network in China.

The Luddite Kids saying NO to Smartphones

Break Free with Karen Hunt • 1415 implied HN points • 17 May 23
🎭️ Culture Tech
  1. Young people are starting to reject smartphones and social media for improved mental health and real-life connections.
  2. The increasing use of technology has led to a mental health crisis among students, with many struggling to attend school.
  3. Children are influenced by social media influencers and marketing to buy things, alter their appearance, and follow trends, leading to dissatisfaction and body dysphoria.

Brand names are all nonsense now

Embedded • 1316 implied HN points • 31 May 23
🎭️ Culture Tech
  1. Start-ups are using nonsensical words in brand names, creating gibberish.
  2. The tech industry is a major contributor to the trend of abandoning traditional words for syllables.
  3. This trend of nonsensical names extends beyond the online world to real-life aspects like advertising and social media.

What I read this week...

chamathreads • 1297 implied HN points • 01 Jul 23
📰 News Tech
  1. Canada launched its first-ever Tech Talent Strategy
  2. Boeing overcharged Pentagon $52,000 for trash can
  3. Hoka shoes, once considered ugly, now worth billions

Is Substack exaggerating its network effects?

escape the algorithm • 579 implied HN points • 06 Feb 24
💼 Business Tech
  1. Substack's network effects might be exaggerated: Data shows that most new subscribers come from sources other than Substack.
  2. Subscriber growth on Substack may not solely be due to Substack's technology: Many readers find newsletters due to recommendations from other writers or external sources.
  3. The power of a newsletter audience lies more in the people than the platform: Leaving Substack might not drastically impact growth as much as anticipated.

What I read this week...

Chamath Palihapitiya • 1022 implied HN points • 19 Aug 23
💼 Business Tech
  1. The IRA in Texas has led to more investment in solar and storage technologies
  2. Climate tech startups are beginning to see benefits from the IRA
  3. There are concerns about the impact of AI in healthcare despite hospital executives being in favor

The Future of Media

Growth Croissant • 982 implied HN points • 23 Jun 23
💼 Business Tech
  1. Shift from large media companies to niche media led by individuals and small teams.
  2. Move from renting audiences on big tech platforms to owning audiences through platforms like Substack.
  3. Transition from an ads-based internet to subscription-based ecosystems for media companies.

What I read this week...

Chamath Palihapitiya • 982 implied HN points • 15 Sep 23
💼 Business Tech
  1. Byju's allegedly hid $533 million in a Miami IHOP operated hedge fund.
  2. Sam Bankman-Fried's parents reportedly played a part in enabling his crypto empire.
  3. Google's antitrust trial could have significant implications for web browsing.

#147 Makers vs. machines

Design Lobster • 339 implied HN points • 18 Mar 24
🪑 Design Tech
  1. Designers are exploring the blend of machine-made and hand-crafted designs, questioning if designers should also code to bridge the gap between design and engineering.
  2. The concept of 'Design Engineers' is gaining popularity, where individuals contribute to design with wireframes, mockups, and front-end code, streamlining the development process.
  3. The 'Cesca' chair, inspired by a designer's bicycle ride home, embodies the merging of machine aspects with handcrafted elements, prompting a reflection on designs that combine both.

What I read this week...

Chamath Palihapitiya • 943 implied HN points • 23 Sep 23
💼 Business Tech
  1. Chamath Palihapitiya shared articles on TikTok, Starship, and Coach Prime
  2. Germany's economy declined, raising questions about its performance
  3. Various articles covered topics like tech relationships, education, and religious projections

Broadcom’s Google TPU Revenue Explosion, Networking Boom, VMWare Integration

SemiAnalysis • 4849 implied HN points • 30 Aug 23
💼 Business Tech
  1. Broadcom is the second largest AI chip company in the world behind NVIDIA, driven by Google's TPU ramp.
  2. Broadcom's strategy involves acquiring companies with strong products, cutting costs, and focusing on core products.
  3. Broadcom has diversified segments including wireless, networking, and custom silicon, with a focus on efficiency and stable growth.

Why RETVRN Is Not a Solution

Aaron Renn • 530 implied HN points • 09 Jan 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Tech
  1. The American right needs to focus more on looking forward than looking backward.
  2. The American right should have a future vision for the country.
  3. Effective altruism and faithful presence share similarities in justifying self-interested elite behavior.

Calif is hiring!

Thái | Hacker | Kỹ sư tin tặc • 738 implied HN points • 03 Nov 23
💼 Business Tech
  1. Calif is a young firm on the verge of a big boom, working with top firms in AI, infrastructure, and products, and offering great work experiences.
  2. Calif is hiring excellent hackers to tackle important tech challenges and offers a unique opportunity to work in a company with a high standard reminiscent of Silicon Valley's early days.
  3. Calif has open positions for Offensive Security Engineer, Software Engineer, and Technical Project Manager, with a referral reward of USD 2,000 for successful hires.

Hello!

Kibao • 119 implied HN points • 04 Jun 24
🌞 Climate & Environment Tech
  1. Kibao means 'a lot' in Swahili and also refers to a notice board. The author writes about various topics like energy, climate, tech, and Africa.
  2. The author offers a unique perspective as an African, scientist, policy wonk, feminist, and former stand-up comedian, bringing fresh insights to a range of subjects.
  3. The author welcomes feedback and comments from readers, aiming to engage in discussions and learn from others.

Celebrating Greek wins

The Greek Analyst • 339 implied HN points • 23 Feb 24
💼 Business Tech
  1. Success should be highlighted, embraced, understood, and replicated, especially in a society that tends to focus more on negative news.
  2. Greece is seeing achievements across various sectors, from biotech companies and architectural studios to AI innovation and modern office buildings.
  3. There is a growing trend in Greek startups raising significant funding rounds, indicating a positive trajectory in the tech and business ecosystem.

Never Obsolete

HIDDEN.RSRCH • 668 implied HN points • 30 Aug 23
🕹 Technology Tech
  1. Apple's collectible gear remains update-free.
  2. Apple designers created over 4,000 designs for exclusive T-shirts in the 1980s.
  3. Access to this post requires subscription.

❄️ 🍅 Une Française va diriger une boîte du Nasdaq

Snowball • 668 implied HN points • 10 Sep 23
💼 Business Tech
  1. A French woman will lead a company on the Nasdaq, reflecting increasing diversity in leadership roles.
  2. The potential impacts of a $100 per barrel oil price include considerations on the US strategic oil reserve.
  3. The microlearning market aims to revamp traditional education models, offering opportunities for individuals to benefit and innovate.