The hottest Technology Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
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Top Art & Illustration Topics
Japan Economy Watch 299 implied HN points 13 May 24
  1. Japan's technological prowess could potentially lead to 2.3% per capita growth, doubling the current rate.
  2. The challenge Japan faces is converting technological strength into economic value due to rigid financial and labor systems.
  3. While Japan excels in complexity of technology use, it lags in adapting new technologies and faces challenges in sustaining growth as demand shifts.
Brad DeLong's Grasping Reality 146 implied HN points 08 Dec 25
  1. Written texts and recordings can give the appearance of knowledge while encouraging people to rely on external reminders instead of building and defending understanding from within.
  2. Live dialogue and dialectic force active engagement and produce a living, self-defending understanding that can grow and be passed on, unlike static written words.
  3. Modern AI/code-generation tools risk turning skilled people into passive passengers if used as replacements; they work best as training partners and aids that augment—rather than substitute for—real practice and judgment.
Space Ambition 219 implied HN points 05 Jun 24
  1. There is an online masterclass focusing on how to invest in Space Tech startups. It's a great opportunity to learn from experts in the field.
  2. The masterclass will feature an analysis of Bessemer Venture Partners' investment in Rocket Lab, which is a key example in SpaceTech investing.
  3. The sessions are free and available at two different times on June 15, making it easy for people to join.
Breaking Smart 161 implied HN points 29 Nov 25
  1. Embracing a slightly monstrous mindset can help people adapt to the strange nature of the world today. This means accepting new ideas and ways of thinking that might seem weird to others.
  2. Feeling time deeply is important, and being slightly monstrous can help achieve that. It allows people to see beyond the worries of the present and feel connected to the past and future.
  3. Understanding the difference between 'Type I' monsters, who represent positive change and adaptation, and 'Type II' monsters, who are tied to human darkness, helps in navigating societal and personal challenges.
Austin Kleon 2677 implied HN points 11 Apr 23
  1. Using typewriters can make writing more fun and slower, helping you pay better attention to your words. They allow you to enjoy the writing process rather than rush through it.
  2. Typing out poems or favorite excerpts can be a great way to connect with the text. It feels like you're playing the words, which can deepen your understanding and appreciation.
  3. You can share your typed poems with friends in a fun way, similar to how restaurants use check pads. It’s a creative method of sharing and enjoying writing together.
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Don't Worry About the Vase 2060 implied HN points 06 Jan 25
  1. Smartphones in schools are a big distraction, and many people think they should be banned. Too many notifications from social apps during class just makes it hard for kids to focus.
  2. Social media can harm kids, especially girls, by exposing them to things like cyberbullying and unwanted advances. Many parents want more safety and protection for their children online.
  3. There's a scary trend called sextortion where scammers take advantage of kids online. It's important for parents to talk to their kids about it so they know how to handle such situations.
An Insult to Intuition 1454 implied HN points 26 Jun 23
  1. Kennedy discussed the potential effects of Atrazine on organisms like frogs and mammals, sparking a debate on environmental toxins.
  2. The story shared analogies between a hypothetical alien civilization and current human societal challenges, emphasizing the importance of humility and balance.
  3. There was a discussion on the perceived health risks of WiFi radiation, highlighting the need for thoughtful consideration and humility in scientific discourse.
The VC Corner 459 implied HN points 31 Mar 24
  1. Amazon spent $2.75 billion to buy an AI startup called Anthropic. This shows how serious they are about investing in artificial intelligence.
  2. There is a guide available for founders on how to optimize their fundraising efforts. It can help entrepreneurs improve their chances of getting financial support.
  3. The newsletter covers trends and insights in the Software as a Service (SaaS) industry. It keeps readers updated on important developments in tech businesses.
Alex's Personal Blog 65 implied HN points 19 Jan 26
  1. OpenAI is betting that scaling compute drives revenue and is now pushing practical adoption, including monetizing free tiers with ads.
  2. Software valuations have bifurcated: AI-first startups with extreme growth get huge private valuations, while many post-IPO SaaS firms face single-digit public multiples, so new companies must show outlier growth to attract funding.
  3. Recent U.S.–Europe tensions could boost demand for European cloud, AI, defense, and energy tech, helping Europe retain talent and spur a regional tech resurgence.
DeFi Education 859 implied HN points 07 Jan 24
  1. DeFi yield farming is making a comeback, and it's an exciting opportunity for investors. People are using different strategies to maximize their returns.
  2. The team is running a fun bet to see if their farming profits can cover the cost of a NYC apartment. This adds an interesting twist to their investment.
  3. The focus is on DeFi exchanges, highlighting their potential benefits in the financial landscape. It’s a field worth exploring for those interested in decentralized finance.
Technohumanism 79 implied HN points 28 Jul 24
  1. Even with new technology, old writing lessons are still important. It's key to understand the basics of humor for effective writing.
  2. Humor can be challenging, but learning from failed attempts can help improve skills. Just like understanding a joke, getting good at writing takes practice.
  3. Making connections between topics can inspire creativity. For example, thinking about whales and AI sparked a unique comedic idea.
The Future Does Not Fit In The Containers Of The Past 49 implied HN points 18 Jan 26
  1. Seven interconnected forces — AI, American aspiration, bio‑pharma, China, energy, demographics and immigration — are reshaping every industry and require a strategic reset. Look at how they interact because their combined effects determine politics, markets and the future of work.
  2. AI is accelerating faster than most expect and will affect every job and business, with especially big impacts in medicine, drug discovery and physical AI like robotics. Recent platform integrations and new models mean organizations need to act now, not later.
  3. The U.S. and China dominate global GDP and modern innovation, and China’s strength in manufacturing, research and cheap electricity gives it important advantages. Aging populations and low birthrates make immigration and automation key levers for future labor, markets and political choices.
The Rectangle 84 implied HN points 09 Jan 26
  1. Simple, physical remotes feel satisfying because they make actions obvious and immediate — point, press, and the thing responds.
  2. Modern smartphones and apps often hide complexity and demand attention, turning simple tasks into fiddly, opaque experiences.
  3. Dedicated, single-purpose controls would be calmer and more usable, and we’d benefit from more tangible, easy-to-understand interfaces.
Philosophy bear 57 implied HN points 22 Jan 26
  1. We live at a hinge point where many powerful, dangerous, and transformative forces intersect, so time and opportunity are unusually precious and easily wasted.
  2. Personal, specific reminders of mortality—imagining yourself or loved ones dying—create sharp urgency. That urgency helps you act now instead of procrastinating.
  3. Technology can augment traditional death contemplation, for example by creating images of yourself as dead to keep on your phone, making the reminder more immediate. This can motivate quicker, more creative, and braver expressions of love and generosity.
The Works in Progress Newsletter 18 implied HN points 19 Feb 26
  1. Rigid employment rules in many European countries make firing very costly and discourage firms from taking big, risky bets. That reduces the chance of breakthrough companies emerging, though some countries manage to balance worker protections with flexibility.
  2. Vaccine science has advanced enormously — we can now see microbes at atomic detail and build vaccines in new ways — so we’re in a golden age of vaccine development. Future breakthroughs will depend on continued investment and support.
  3. Market-style reforms in communist countries usually failed because they didn’t create quick, broad winners and threatened inflation and instability. Without reforms that build fast coalitions of beneficiaries, changes were often watered down or reversed.
The Rubesletter by Matt Ruby (of Vooza) | Sent every Tuesday 570 implied HN points 06 Aug 25
  1. Controversies often aren't as serious as they seem. Many people aren't actually upset and it's more about grabbing attention online.
  2. Brands can create buzz through earned media, sometimes even by starting their own controversies to get free publicity.
  3. Social media thrives on drama and sensationalism, which can distort reality and lead to societal issues.
How They Make Money 687 implied HN points 02 Feb 24
  1. Alphabet reported strong financial performance with growth in Cloud, YouTube, and subscriptions
  2. Google Cloud showed significant growth and is ahead in the market competition
  3. Key insights from Alphabet's earnings call: AI advancements, Cloud growth, YouTube's revenue contribution
Doomberg 7718 implied HN points 25 Jul 23
  1. Fatal energy-related incidents occur due to the risks in harnessing, storing, and transporting energy.
  2. Despite tragedies, society often continues to utilize energy sources by weighing risks and benefits.
  3. The nuclear energy industry faces disproportionate fear and opposition compared to other energy sources.
Common Sense with Bari Weiss 876 implied HN points 07 Jun 25
  1. Technology is becoming more involved in everyday life, especially in cities like New York. It's changing how people interact and live.
  2. There are ongoing conflicts and competitions within the tech world. These rivalries can impact innovation and the development of new technologies.
  3. Cultural figures like Jesse Armstrong and Taylor Swift also influence discussions in the tech space. Their actions and statements add to the broader conversation about technology and society.
Construction Physics 10021 implied HN points 18 Feb 23
  1. Construction industry productivity issues may be due to organized special interests influencing the process with complex regulations and stakeholder approvals.
  2. Regulations have increased costs in construction through additional input requirements and negotiation delays.
  3. Increased regulation in the construction industry might not be causing productivity stagnation more than in other sectors, but it is a significant factor to consider.
SP-AND-EX 33 implied HN points 27 Jan 26
  1. Portable chronometers solved the longitude problem and turned ocean navigation from guesswork into precise, repeatable global mapping, massively accelerating trade and exploration.
  2. Large-scale civilization depends on shared measurement and coordination systems—like common timekeeping, language, and record-keeping—and improvements in those systems can dramatically boost social and economic coordination.
  3. Crypto and distributed ledgers are presented as a planet-scale method for inscribing state and value tied to time, but the big question is whether they represent a true paradigm shift or merely an incremental improvement.
Philosophy bear 128 implied HN points 15 Dec 25
  1. AI is the urgent, game-changing issue: whether models can reliably control GUIs will decide how fast office work is automated, and AI is already crushing markets for human visual art so public policy and funding are needed to preserve human creative practice.
  2. The job-application system is broken and demeaning, wasting huge amounts of time and locking out talent; collective pressure, legal reforms (like interview limits and wage transparency), and even tactical use of AI can force employers to fix it.
  3. Online communities should not act as courts and need simple, fair norms: punish only clear, current malice with a high evidential bar, avoid perpetual shaming for past mistakes, and focus on preserving decency rather than total moral cleansing.
Deep Pulusani - Risk 333 implied HN points 30 Sep 25
  1. Banks, media, and big corporations are becoming fewer and more powerful, concentrating wealth and political influence and leaving local communities, small businesses, and ordinary people underserved.
  2. As power concentrates, regulators weaken or rely on self-reporting, which lets environmental harm, unfair bailouts, and pervasive surveillance and opaque algorithms go unchecked.
  3. Counterforces include decentralizing technologies (like cryptography, open algorithms, and decentralized money) and renewed local, relational community organizing, both of which restore privacy, accountability, and distributed power.
Links I Would Gchat You If We Were Friends 638 implied HN points 03 Feb 24
  1. Modern living rooms heavily feature large TV screens, but there's a rising trend towards hidden technology, like TVs that blend into backgrounds.
  2. There's a significant shift towards concealing technology in everyday objects, like smart speakers disguised as lamps or laptops made to look like books.
  3. Personal screens have become an integral part of daily life, but there's a growing desire to minimize their visibility, especially accentuated during the pandemic.
The Bear Cave 606 implied HN points 13 Jul 25
  1. Grizzly Research claims that Pony AI's technology is behind its competitors and has issues with its service quality. They believe it is not ready for busy city driving.
  2. Viceroy Research suggests that Vedanta Resources is financially unstable and mismanages its assets, calling it a 'financial zombie'. They warn that various risks could lead to its collapse.
  3. Recent executive resignations in companies like NWTN Inc and Funko indicate serious governance and financial problems. These companies are facing leadership instability, which can affect their performance.
Fields & Energy 199 implied HN points 31 May 24
  1. To understand electricity and magnetism, start with accessible introductory books. These give a good overview but aren't deeply technical.
  2. For more in-depth study, look into undergraduate textbooks. They cover more complex topics and are aimed at those ready to dig deeper into the science.
  3. Supplementary texts and guides can be very useful. They often explain difficult concepts clearly and may include helpful resources like online solutions and podcasts.
The VC Corner 419 implied HN points 24 Mar 24
  1. Saudi Arabia is investing $40 billion to advance its artificial intelligence technology. This shows that the country is serious about becoming a leader in AI.
  2. The concept of a 'good' venture capitalist (VC) is being explored. A good VC is someone who not only invests money but also supports and guides startups.
  3. A report on Software as a Service (SaaS) growth highlights trends in the tech industry. This includes information on how companies are expanding and what makes them successful.
Reactionary Feminist 26 implied HN points 01 Feb 26
  1. Relying on AI and constant internet access risks a "Great Forgetting" by outsourcing memory and the mental habits needed to think deeply, letting key cognitive faculties wither.
  2. Medieval mnemonic practices and the idea of a tactile, inner "wax tablet" show that deliberate, embodied memorization shapes how we form and hold ideas.
  3. The antidote to internet poisoning is intentional cultivation of non-digital memory—through memorization, meditation, prayer, and other ars memoriae techniques—to rebuild inner resources and preserve cultural thought.
Egg Report 1238 implied HN points 25 Sep 23
  1. The concept of 'NPC' explores a reported lack of internal monologue and the impact of social media on cognition and thinking processes.
  2. Engaging in social media performances like recording oneself and seeking validation may lead to weakening internal reflection and dependence on external validation.
  3. The use of smartphones and social media can contribute to a sense of brain damage, hindering genuine self-expression and promoting a cycle of self-performance and externalized thinking.
The Profile 793 implied HN points 21 Jan 24
  1. The Profile newsletter features interviews with notable figures like Taylor Tomlinson, Usher, and Naomi Osaka.
  2. Taylor Tomlinson, a rising comedian, is experiencing great professional success but questions its impact on her personal life.
  3. Usher is preparing for the 2024 Super Bowl halftime show while juggling various aspects of his life such as therapy, meditation, parenting, and career.
Interconnected 570 implied HN points 23 Jul 25
  1. The White House AI Action Plan wants to boost open-source AI development in the U.S. by making GPU resources more accessible for universities and researchers. This could help America catch up with other countries that are ahead in open-source AI.
  2. The plan includes a strategy to export American AI technology to other countries, similar to a boxed product, making it easier for allied nations to adopt U.S. AI solutions. This aims to strengthen U.S. influence in tech on a global scale.
  3. There's a shift in attitude toward AI in regulated industries, encouraging companies to experiment with AI technologies more freely rather than waiting for strict regulations first. This 'try-first' approach echoes the innovative spirit of Silicon Valley.
Common Sense with Bari Weiss 537 implied HN points 03 Aug 25
  1. A new iPhone feature will let users filter messages from unknown senders, making it harder for political campaigns to reach voters by text.
  2. This change could cost political campaigns a lot of money, as they rely heavily on text messages for fundraising.
  3. Political operatives are worried that this feature could drastically reduce their ability to communicate with potential donors.
The Century of Biology 644 implied HN points 29 Jun 25
  1. AI is changing biology by making it easier to model things like proteins and cells. Instead of trying to write down every detail, researchers can use data to train models that can predict how cells behave.
  2. The concept of 'Virtual Cells' is about building computer models that can simulate how real cells function. This can help scientists understand complex biological processes and test experiments without needing a lab.
  3. Using AI to learn from large amounts of biological data could lead to breakthroughs in medicine and biology, allowing researchers to predict outcomes and design better experiments more efficiently.