The hottest Tech industry Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
Category
Top Technology Topics
The Lunduke Journal of Technology 5170 implied HN points 26 Apr 23
  1. Red Hat, the largest Linux company, is laying off 760 employees to focus on doing fewer things better
  2. Q1 of 2023 had a record number of tech layoffs, over three times more than during the Dot Com Bubble Burst in 1999
  3. There are concerns about how these layoffs will affect Red Hat's success, potential future layoffs, and impact on smaller Linux firms
Department of Product 943 implied HN points 11 Jan 24
  1. Slack's new Catch Up feature works like Tinder for messages, making it easier to catch up on missed messages.
  2. OpenAI launched a GPT store with tools like DesignerGPT and AI PDF, offering add-ons for ChatGPT.
  3. Perplexity is a new 'answer engine' competing with Google, providing direct answers and generative AI capabilities.
Liberty’s Highlights 884 implied HN points 10 Jan 24
  1. The market often surprises people and goes through cycles of confusion and growth.
  2. US recessions have been less frequent, signifying stability, but opportunities for growth still exist.
  3. Merger talks and developments in companies like Synopsys, Ansys, Nvidia, and Intel show shifts in technology landscapes.
I Might Be Wrong 34 implied HN points 14 Jan 25
  1. Mark Zuckerberg's recent changes at Meta show a shift away from liberal values. He seems to be aligning more with conservative views, which surprises many who expected him to stick with progressive causes.
  2. There’s a lot of speculation about why Zuckerberg has turned against the left. Some think it could be from years of harsh criticism, while others wonder if it's a strategic move to gain favor with the right.
  3. The ongoing tension between tech leaders like Zuckerberg and public opinion highlights a complex relationship. Despite past support for progressive ideas, the reactions from the left might have pushed him in a different direction.
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Alex's Personal Blog 32 implied HN points 17 Jan 25
  1. The launch of Blue Origin’s New Glenn rocket was a success, marking a significant milestone in space exploration. Despite some setbacks, it showed progress in competing with other space companies like SpaceX.
  2. Duolingo is seeing a boost in interest and stock value as more people want to learn Mandarin due to changes in social media access. This trend suggests that more individuals may pursue learning different languages in the future.
  3. Public-market SaaS revenue multiples are currently stable, indicating a good environment for top cloud companies. This shows that, historically, it's a favorable time for generating market value in the SaaS sector.
Richard Hanania's Newsletter 4023 implied HN points 05 Jun 23
  1. Tech industry is becoming more involved in politics, particularly shaping right-wing movements
  2. Tech Right combines acceptance of inequality with openness to change, influencing views on capitalism, biology, and progress
  3. Tech Right's influence on American politics might be seen through funding politicians, exerting intellectual leadership, and pushing conservative ideals
Read Max 2186 implied HN points 18 Aug 23
  1. The state of Twitter following Elon Musk's acquisition is still uncertain, with questions about website functionality, business sustainability, and user engagement remaining unanswered.
  2. Although Musk announced plans to eliminate the block function on Twitter, it seems like a questionable idea that may not actually materialize.
  3. Changes in Twitter's culture have been observed, with a shift towards tech industry influencers, impacting the dynamics of stories and discussions on the platform.
Buck on Software 884 implied HN points 20 Mar 23
  1. The software industry may be facing a period of slow growth and low returns, akin to a tiring and boring slog.
  2. Consensus estimates predict a rebound in SaaS growth, resembling past historical market cycles.
  3. Zombie SaaS companies, sustained by oversized funding, create challenges for non-zombie competitors in terms of price competition and talent acquisition.
God's Spies by Thomas Neuburger 196 implied HN points 31 Dec 24
  1. H-1B visas are often seen as a way for companies to pay lower wages and keep salaries down for American workers. This creates a situation where employers have more power over employees who depend on these visas.
  2. Many tech companies use H-1B workers to fill jobs, especially during layoffs of American workers, which leads to a feeling of competition and insecurity among those workers.
  3. The system appears to benefit companies financially while putting pressure on both H-1B workers and American employees, leading to questions about fairness and ethics in the job market.
The Carousel 32 implied HN points 26 Dec 24
  1. There's a clash between nationalism and meritocracy in America. While meritocracy rewards talent, nationalism focuses on putting the cultural identity of Americans first.
  2. O-1 visas for exceptional individuals could help address talent shortages better than H1B visas. They emphasize hiring based on individual capability rather than just filling positions with cheaper labor.
  3. It's important for tech workers and nationalists to find a balance. Nationalism can actually enhance their drive for success if they integrate cultural values into their work and goals.
Faster, Please! 822 implied HN points 03 Feb 24
  1. Critics think AI consumes a significant amount of energy, comparable to whole countries.
  2. There's a risk of AI's energy consumption becoming a political issue, akin to past debates around cryptocurrency.
  3. Leading tech companies are working to use renewable energy sources to power AI, reducing potential worries about its energy usage.
Alex's Personal Blog 32 implied HN points 27 Dec 24
  1. OpenAI is changing its company structure to better fit its needs for raising and making money. They are moving to a type of corporation that requires them to think about more than just profits.
  2. The new structure will allow OpenAI to balance its mission with the interests of shareholders. This means they must consider how their decisions affect everyone, not just those who own stock.
  3. Although the changes could face challenges, like legal issues with competitors, OpenAI seems focused on preparing itself for future success.
The Security Industry 13 implied HN points 10 Jan 25
  1. In 2024, there were 362 cyber acquisitions, which is a significant increase from the previous years. This shows how fast the cybersecurity industry is changing.
  2. The total value of disclosed acquisitions reached nearly $49.9 billion. Many deals were notable, including big companies like HPE and IBM making major purchases.
  3. Out of all the acquisitions, a majority were strategic, while a smaller portion involved private equity firms. This highlights different approaches companies are using to grow in the cybersecurity space.
Liberty’s Highlights 491 implied HN points 25 Sep 23
  1. The author is incorporating strength training into their routine by researching equipment like dumbbells and a bench for a home gym setup.
  2. Obsessing over equipment can distract from the main goal of strength training, but having a convenient home setup may lead to more consistent workouts.
  3. Soap is a relatively recent invention in human history, dating back around five thousand years, significantly changing personal hygiene practices.
Technology Made Simple 179 implied HN points 11 Mar 24
  1. Goodhart's Law warns that when a measure becomes a target, it can lose its effectiveness as a measure.
  2. The law often unfolds due to complications in real-world systems, human adaptability, and evolutionary pressures.
  3. To address Goodhart's Law, consider using multiple metrics, tying metrics to ultimate goals, and being prepared to adapt metrics as needed.
First 1000 452 implied HN points 19 Oct 23
  1. TechCrunch's journey started with a personal blog and grew into a media giant through credibility and breaking big tech news stories.
  2. TechCrunch rode the wave of the Web 2.0 era, evolving from a research tool into a significant news outlet.
  3. The pivotal moment for TechCrunch was breaking the accurate story of Google acquiring YouTube, leading to a surge in subscribers and solidifying its position in the tech media industry.
SeattleDataGuy’s Newsletter 930 implied HN points 12 Aug 23
  1. Focusing on impact in your work can accelerate your career growth and lead to more satisfying outcomes.
  2. To have more impact in tech, run towards unsolved problems, be scrappy in finding solutions, and prioritize ruthlessly.
  3. Impact can be achieved by reducing costs or increasing revenue, and understanding how your work contributes to these areas is essential for career advancement in engineering.
Venture Curator 179 implied HN points 15 Feb 24
  1. Focusing on capturing a small share of a well-defined market is more strategic than aiming for a tiny portion of a giant market.
  2. Encouraging scientists to enter venture capital can drive innovation and align with objective data over marketing dominance.
  3. The shift to using SAFE valuation caps in fundraising reflects a dominant trend, especially in specific sectors like SaaS, Fintech, Gaming, and Edtech.
ChinaTalk 340 implied HN points 14 Mar 24
  1. The US House of Representatives voted in favor of a bill to force ByteDance to sell TikTok or cease its operation in the US within 180 days.
  2. TikTok's potential for political manipulation raised concerns, leading to bipartisan support for the bill in Congress.
  3. The TikTok ban marks the end of an era in US-China tech relations, highlighting the complexities of balancing national security with commercial interests.
The Hard Fork by Marvin Liao 216 implied HN points 13 Jan 24
  1. Silicon Valley is seeing a shift towards a more masculine, ruthless culture led by powerful men in tech.
  2. Tech companies are moving towards a leaner, more focused approach after facing financial challenges.
  3. Surviving in the current Silicon Valley landscape requires a severe mindset change, frugality, and hard work.
Reboot 25 implied HN points 01 Dec 24
  1. Building a union starts with courage; it's about workers coming together to discuss their working conditions. It's important to voice the need for change and solidarity among coworkers.
  2. A union is not just about having one clear goal; it's a collection of shared concerns and values. The process of creating and maintaining a union is continuous and involves the collective effort of its members.
  3. Convenience often gets in the way of organization; the work of building a union can be inconvenient but is necessary for creating meaningful change in the workplace.
Kristina God's Online Writing Club 539 implied HN points 08 Apr 23
  1. Elon Musk has blocked Substack links on Twitter, making it hard for creators to share their work. This is a big deal because many writers rely on Twitter to grow their audience.
  2. Substack is seen as a competitor to Twitter, so Musk's decision seems to be aimed at limiting its influence. He has done similar things before with other platforms like Mastodon and Instagram.
  3. Creators express disappointment over the block, arguing it restricts free sharing of their work. Many believe that writers deserve to share links freely without being censored.
benn.substack 715 implied HN points 21 Jul 23
  1. Tech acquisitions can be risky due to various challenges like incompatible technology stacks and cultural differences.
  2. Strategic fit doesn't guarantee success in acquisitions, as seen in the example of Sisense buying Periscope.
  3. Future success in the modern data suite industry may depend on adapting to AI advancements and evolving customer needs.
Hardcore Software 575 implied HN points 06 Jun 23
  1. Most new products in the market tend to fail, so predicting failure can be a way to gain social status.
  2. Predicting failure of new products has always been popular and attention-grabbing throughout different eras.
  3. Success in launching a new product heavily depends on navigating risks and uncertainties, making predicting success challenging.
Tech Ramblings 19 implied HN points 21 Jul 24
  1. Many young software engineers make common mistakes that can hold back their careers. It’s important to recognize these traps early on.
  2. Good communication skills are essential for solving problems and sharing ideas effectively. Learning to articulate your thoughts can make a big difference.
  3. Experience in different domains, like academia and tech companies, can provide valuable insights. Be open to learning from various industries to grow your career.
Updater, Shannon Liao's gaming newsletter 137 implied HN points 09 Feb 24
  1. IGN employees are forming a union with the majority of them signing union authorization cards due to current industry instability and a desire for protection.
  2. Xbox reassured employees in a town hall that they have no plans to stop making consoles amidst rumors of Xbox exclusives moving to the PS5.
  3. Disney is investing in Epic Games, hinting at a possible metaverse collaboration without using the term explicitly. The potential partnership is seen as a strategic move by Disney after past gaming industry setbacks.
SuperJoost Playlist 218 implied HN points 21 Dec 23
  1. The business of hacking video game publishers is growing, with recent incidents showing flaws in hackers' business fundamentals.
  2. Hacking video game companies does not always result in financial gain for the hackers, as evidenced by unsuccessful attempts to sell stolen data.
  3. Leaking information about upcoming video games may actually generate more excitement and interest in the games rather than spoil the experience for players.
Confessions of a Code Addict 481 implied HN points 07 Oct 23
  1. The growth of subscribers for 'Confessions of a Code Addict' has been significant, with spikes after posting articles.
  2. The author's journey started after a job loss, and the community support keeps them dedicated to creating content.
  3. Future plans for the community include introducing paid subscriptions with various perks and additional initiatives.
Musings on Markets 779 implied HN points 07 Nov 22
  1. Corporate governance focuses on how companies are run and who gets to make decisions. It's important because when management and shareholder interests do not align, it can result in poor decisions that harm the company.
  2. Facebook's stock has dropped significantly because of issues like the slowdown in online advertising and reputational damage. These challenges highlight the need for better governance to adapt to changing market conditions.
  3. Investors often give up their voting power when companies use dual-class shares, which can limit their ability to influence management. This trend can make it harder to make necessary changes when a company's leadership is not effective.
Notes in the Margins 39 implied HN points 03 Jun 24
  1. The tech industry faces challenges like layoffs, declining funding, and AI impact, influencing mental health of professionals
  2. Tech workers experiencing burnout exhibit symptoms like questioning work value, detachment, and physical health issues
  3. Coaching provides personalized support, career clarity, and skill development to help tech professionals navigate challenges and make informed decisions
Wisdom over Waves 219 implied HN points 31 Oct 23
  1. Companies can get stuck in bad coding loops due to shortcuts taken to meet deadlines and lack of focus on code fitness, leading to slow progress and accumulation of bad-quality code
  2. Two loops of bad coding involve creating technical debt with more code and lowering hiring bar due to pressure, resulting in slower progress and accumulation of bad code practices
  3. To break out of these loops, companies can freeze code hotspots, raise hiring bar, upskill developers, and reduce technical debt through mission-critical task forces