The hottest Tech Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
Category
Top Business Topics

Silicon Valley Stoicism

Caleb’s Newsletter • 39 implied HN points • 09 Mar 23
🎭️ Culture Tech
  1. Stoicism is popular in tech, but it's important not to exaggerate its prevalence
  2. Stoicism is embraced in Silicon Valley because it helps people in building companies
  3. Silicon Valley Stoicism can be seen as superficial, but overall has positive effects

Monthly Letter #08 - Bento

Bento Updates • 39 implied HN points • 22 May 23
💼 Business Tech
  1. Focused on improving website speed for better user experience and SEO rankings
  2. Exploring freelance work opportunities, specifically as a 'Product Coach'
  3. Searching for new entrepreneurial project ideas or considering joining an existing venture as a co-founder

Why Applovin is the best-performing tech stock of the year

Alex's Personal Blog • 65 implied HN points • 08 Nov 24
💰 Finance Tech
  1. Applovin's stock has skyrocketed this year, with more than a 500% increase thanks to strong earnings and revenue growth.
  2. The company's transition to a focus on advertising is paying off, driven by a machine-learning model called AXON that improves ad targeting.
  3. Applovin has made significant investments in technology and infrastructure, which is helping them stay ahead in the competitive market.

1/30/2024: Google Q4 Earnings Beat Expectations

depression2022 • 19 implied HN points • 30 Jan 24
💼 Business Tech
  1. Google's Q4 earnings beat expectations.
  2. There is concern about Google's search business in the future due to changing user behavior and competition from AI applications like ChatGPT.
  3. Google Cloud revenue growth accelerated in Q4, making it profitable, but there are concerns about the changing landscape of AI and its impact on Google's services.
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Building Codiga: What Tools and Tech Stack for your Startup?

Tech Ramblings • 39 implied HN points • 07 Sep 23
💼 Business Tech
  1. Choose user-friendly tools like Google Workspace and Metabase for your startup. They save time and are easy for your team to use.
  2. Avoid trendy or expensive tools that complicate things and come with a steep learning curve. Stick to popular, reliable options that your team can easily adapt to.
  3. Use programming languages and frameworks that many developers know. This helps you find talent faster and keeps your focus on building your product instead of learning new tech.

Is $7.2B a lot of money for Squarespace?

Alex's Personal Blog • 65 implied HN points • 17 Oct 24
💼 Business Tech
  1. Squarespace was recently sold for $7.2 billion, which some believe is a lot of money. They managed to increase their sale price by over 5% from a previous offer.
  2. The company showed strong growth, with its revenue growing by 20% year over year, and it has a solid cash position. This performance raises questions about whether they sold themselves too cheaply.
  3. Even though the sale price seems high, Squarespace might have been worth more based on its growth and financial metrics. Some think they could have waited for better market conditions before selling.

How to Create Good Documentation in Software Engineering and Tech[Technique Tuesdays]

Technology Made Simple • 59 implied HN points • 19 Oct 22
🕹 Technology Tech
  1. Good documentation in software engineering is crucial as it provides clarity to the team about goals and work done, enhancing productivity.
  2. Key pillars of good documentation include having a vision for the company and products, outlining resource/situational constraints, detailing data sources and processing, tracking projects in progress, sharing actual code, and establishing ownership.
  3. Benefits of good documentation in tech include aligning teams, clarifying vision and plans, reducing onboarding time, and promoting asynchronicity in an increasingly remote working environment.

#61 How to sabotage a Zoom call

Design Lobster • 239 implied HN points • 29 Mar 21
🪑 Design Tech
  1. A browser tool called Zoom Escaper allows users to self-sabotage Zoom calls with bizarre sound effects, addressing the need for disconnection in our highly connected age.
  2. Anni Albers, a celebrated artist and weaver, innovated by weaving a fabric using chenille and cellophane threads to solve practical design problems with sound absorption and reflective qualities.
  3. The quality of design often depends on the client, highlighting the importance of collaboration and communication between designers and clients for successful outcomes.

A Spotlight on...Urban Company

Tigerfeathers! • 16 implied HN points • 04 Jul 25
💼 Business Tech
  1. Urban Company provides a unique service by taking full responsibility for service delivery. They train freelancers, set standard prices, and ensure quality, which makes their approach different from other platforms.
  2. The company has shown impressive financial growth, reaching over ₹1,100 crore in revenue and recording their first profitable year. However, user growth and engagement have plateaued, indicating potential challenges ahead.
  3. Urban Company is navigating a challenging market and exploring new strategies like quick service options to attract more customers. Their focus on improving workers' lives helps create a stronger, more successful business.

I thought we liked free markets

Alex's Personal Blog • 32 implied HN points • 21 Feb 25
💼 Business Tech
  1. Advertisers are feeling pressure from X to spend more, as there are concerns about political consequences if they don't. This shows a shift in how government and business interact.
  2. Block's recent earnings report missed expectations, raising concerns for the fintech sector. Although not devastating, this might delay new company launches in the industry.
  3. Coinbase has had a legal win against the SEC, which could open doors for more crypto companies. Without strong regulations, this market may see both opportunities and risks for investors.

"The Economist" Cover Curse, Explained

SatPost by Trung Phan • 95 implied HN points • 08 Mar 24
💼 Business Tech
  1. The Economist's cover is seen as a contrarian investing signal, with examples showing it may indicate market trends, but careful analysis is necessary.
  2. The Economist acts as a curator-in-chief for relevant news, publishing content anonymously in one voice, and holding influence among decision-makers.
  3. Jalapeños are less spicy due to Big Ag influence, TikTok faces potential ban due to bipartisan concerns, and Dune 2 review includes insights on visuals, cast, and production.

2020 was just a test...

Venture Prose • 159 implied HN points • 26 Jul 21
💼 Business Tech
  1. 2020 was a test for the tech industry with extreme valuations and abundant investments
  2. Always focus on building a strong product that fulfills a real need in the market
  3. Manage your cash wisely to ensure optimal team performance and work towards achieving strategic goals

Beautiful AI-Art: Prompting Dall-E 2 To Create Feature Tech Story Images

Data at Depth • 19 implied HN points • 16 Nov 23
🎨 Art & Illustration Tech
  1. Dall-E 2 can be used to create stunning images for tech articles by providing simple prompts and a good 'feel' for the stories.
  2. The author has been using Dall-E 2 since it became available and highlights the beauty of the images created with this AI tool.
  3. Readers can access a 7-day free trial to continue reading posts and explore the full post archives for more insights on AI-generated art.

another newsletter? in this economy?

an email from eugene • 59 implied HN points • 10 Aug 22
🎭️ Culture Tech
  1. People are craving more control over what they see on social media; they want a way to subscribe to content they care about and interact meaningfully.
  2. Maintaining a personal website is seen as a work in progress rather than a polished final product; it's like tending to an 'online garden' to shape identity and share thoughts.
  3. Encouraging dialogue and conversation through newsletters is important; it's about sparking interactions and meaningful exchanges rather than passive engagement.

Introducing Starday

Equal Ventures • 119 implied HN points • 17 Aug 21
💼 Business Tech
  1. The food value chain is undergoing significant changes due to shifts in consumer preferences towards sustainable, healthy, and local products, creating opportunities for new platforms and brands.
  2. Digital-first grocery platforms are empowering consumers to own the value chain and access a wide range of niche, specialty products, leading to a revolution in how food is purchased and consumed.
  3. Launching a strong platform in the food industry that focuses on data-driven optimization and efficient product launches can lead to the creation of multiple successful brands with long-term profitability.

Life After the ¥ 8 Billion Hit: How is Didi Faring?

Tech Buzz China Insider • 19 implied HN points • 29 Oct 23
💼 Business Tech
  1. Didi faced a significant regulatory fine in China, impacting its IPO and leading to delisting from the New York Stock Exchange.
  2. Competitors like Amap took advantage of Didi's ban on new user registrations to capture over 20% of the market share.
  3. To counter the challenges, Didi launched a budget-friendly independent ride-hailing brand, Huaxiaozhu, until the ban was lifted in January.

✂️200k Tech Layoffs,🔧 Top10 Skills in 2025,🤹 GenZ Career Gaps,🧑‍🏫 Learning Quotient

Work3 - The Future of Work • 19 implied HN points • 13 Feb 23
💼 Business Tech
  1. Connecting risk-free capital with hiring sprees can lead to layoffs and damage a company's brand, culture, and long-term growth.
  2. Artificial Intelligence will assist workers in their tasks rather than completely replacing them in the future.
  3. Employers are seeking individuals with a high Learning Quotient (LQ) who can think quickly, problem-solve, and adapt to changing technologies.

I'm launching a syndicate!

Climate Money • 19 implied HN points • 03 Aug 23
💰 Finance Tech
  1. Susan Su is launching a syndicate to share climate-positive deals.
  2. The syndicate will focus on seed stage or earlier opportunities.
  3. Investors in the syndicate can expect curated deals and may invest $1K to $10K or more.

Making sense of Mineral.ai

Agribusiness Matters • 19 implied HN points • 23 Mar 23
💼 Business Tech
  1. Conway's Law states that an organization's system design mirrors its communication structure.
  2. Market conditions in agriculture shape organizations and products specific to that domain.
  3. Mineral.ai evolved from an agriculture-tech project at Google X to a company addressing computational agriculture at scale.

The passion economy is a ploy

Links I Would Gchat You If We Were Friends • 139 implied HN points • 03 Mar 21
🕹 Technology Tech
  1. The gig economy and the 'passion' economy are seen as one phenomenon that depletes the labor ecosystem, extracting value from workers.
  2. Examples of unalienated labor can be found among artisans and in spaces like Black hair salons, where people genuinely love their work.
  3. Empowering workers in the digital age involves creating platforms that they have control over, ensuring they benefit from the value they produce.

Google and Adobe go on a shopping Spree [Finance Fridays]

Technology Made Simple • 39 implied HN points • 17 Sep 22
💼 Business Tech
  1. Companies like Google and Adobe are still investing in valuable acquisitions even during a tech crash, emphasizing the importance of staying focused on building valuable products.
  2. Big money acquisitions like Google's Mandiant and Adobe's Figma prove that focusing on quality over short-term gains can lead to significant success in the long run.
  3. Being able to identify valuable companies early can be financially rewarding, emphasizing the importance of developing expertise in specific domains and staying informed through diverse sources.

Tesla is a Vocal Opponent of the Right to Repair. Now we know why.

Fight to Repair • 98 implied HN points • 19 Jul 21
💼 Business Tech
  1. Tesla's repair costs can be significantly higher due to limited service options, as seen in a $16,000 vs. $700 repair scenario.
  2. Tesla's reluctance to offer part replacements and focus on assembly replacements can lead to inflated repair costs for consumers.
  3. Tesla's opposition to right to repair laws highlights the importance of independent repair shops for affordable maintenance and repair options.

Antitrust Intervention in Big Tech

Platform Papers • 19 implied HN points • 11 Apr 23
💼 Business Tech
  1. Antitrust regulators worldwide are trying new legislation to prevent large platforms from abusing their market power.
  2. Past antitrust interventions, like the case of Microsoft, show that curbing dominant platforms can lead to increased innovation but decreased profits for complementor firms.
  3. It's crucial for both complementors and platforms to be aware of the risks of over-dependence and to find a balance that encourages innovation while ensuring profitability in the long term.

Bill C-18: Canada and Google make peace

philsiarri • 67 implied HN points • 01 Dec 23
🌍 World Politics Tech
  1. Google agrees to make yearly payments to Canadian news companies under Bill C-18.
  2. Meta (formerly Facebook) chose to block news content from Canadian users despite the agreement with Google.
  3. There may be potential future implications of the Online News Act on smaller tech platforms beyond Google and Meta.

Remembering GitHub's office

Monomythical • 93 implied HN points • 28 May 23
🎭️ Culture Tech
  1. GitHub's office closure reflects changes in hybrid and remote work environments.
  2. Startup offices in San Francisco were once cultural gathering places.
  3. GitHub aimed for its office to be better than working from home.

The Downward Spiral of Technology

Creative Destruction • 58 implied HN points • 19 Jan 24
🕹 Technology Tech
  1. Technology might be getting worse, not better, with upgrades becoming downgrades
  2. Tech industry focus has shifted from serving humanity to prioritizing profits
  3. Need for smarter non-technological solutions and system changes to address societal issues

How to get into tech as a behavioral scientist

The Kahneman Bot • 19 implied HN points • 13 Feb 23
💼 Business Tech
  1. To get into tech as a behavioral scientist, consider starting in a junior PM role, transferring internally, working at a startup, or starting your own company.
  2. Before transitioning into tech, make sure you enjoy building software and understand how tech teams work.
  3. Experienced behavioral scientists can enter tech by joining a big tech company as a researcher, rebranding as a data scientist, or joining a tech company that values behavioral science as part of its IP.

What is Sarah's Newsletter?

Sarah's Newsletter • 59 implied HN points • 25 Jan 22
🕹 Technology Tech
  1. Sarah's Newsletter focuses on starting conversations about trends in data and tech, led by Sarah Krasnik Bedell, a data engineer and thought leader.
  2. The newsletter covers topics like data engineering, analytics, and diversity in the tech industry beyond Silicon Valley.
  3. Sarah started the newsletter to connect with smart individuals and discuss interesting ideas in the tech community.

Zynga Acquired

Technology Made Simple • 39 implied HN points • 19 Mar 22
💼 Business Tech
  1. Zynga's acquisition by Take-Two for 12.7 Billion USD shows the big-money moves in the tech industry, especially gaming.
  2. A trend of consolidation in the gaming market is evident with acquisitions like Microsoft buying Activision, indicating companies trying to secure larger market shares.
  3. As leisure activities become increasingly popular, there's a growing opportunity for content creators to profit by mastering relevant skills like AI/ML, system design, and Math.

Neo-structuralism

Internal exile • 41 implied HN points • 20 Jan 24
🎭️ Culture Tech
  1. Netflix uses tagging to help users choose content efficiently.
  2. Language models are automated versions of structuralism detached from history.
  3. Structuralism examines the systematic order of language and its arbitrary nature.