The hottest Technology Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
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We must stop the IPO-hungry CEO

Alex's Personal Blog • 98 implied HN points • 16 Dec 25
💼 Business Technology
  1. Boards will replace CEOs who push to IPO sooner than directors think is wise, because investors want leadership stability through a public debut.
  2. Trade and tech policy are now tangled, with the US pressuring allies over digital rules and taxes, which could stall international cooperation on AI and other tech issues.
  3. Public markets are sorting winners and losers: some hardware startups are failing despite demand, while companies like Waymo and Notion are showing revenue traction that could reset the IPO narrative if they list carefully.

Seek the desert and hear its voice

Jeff Giesea • 319 implied HN points • 24 Apr 24
🚌 Education Technology
  1. The desert symbolizes a place for deep reflection and self-discovery, helping individuals to gain wisdom. Spending time away from distractions can foster personal growth and understanding.
  2. Wisdom is important for navigating modern challenges, especially with advances in technology like AI. We need to combine technological progress with a focus on wisdom to ensure it serves humanity well.
  3. Institutions that promote wisdom, like Deep Springs College, show how education can blend hard work and learning. Investing in wisdom is crucial for developing future leaders who can guide society.

Capitalist strategy when capital doesn't need capitalists anymore

Philosophy bear • 171 implied HN points • 08 Nov 25
💼 Business Technology
  1. As technology advances, it might become possible to automate capital management just like labor, possibly making the role of capitalists unnecessary.
  2. If automation leads to widespread job loss, people may push for the state to take control of capital to ensure fair access to resources and prevent democratic instability.
  3. Capitalists might try various strategies to protect their assets and power, but this could lead to increased tensions and challenges in society.

Review: Kyle Chayka's Filterworld

Freddie deBoer • 3620 implied HN points • 04 Mar 24
🎭️ Culture Technology
  1. The book delves into how algorithms have fundamentally reshaped human aesthetic production online and offline.
  2. Algorithms heavily influence culture and trends, even extending to architecture and interior design.
  3. The author addresses the challenge of standing out in today's saturated creative landscape shaped by algorithms, emphasizing the importance of navigating and adapting to the digital environment.
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The end of the content farms

Simon Owens's Media Newsletter • 499 implied HN points • 10 Jul 25
💼 Business Technology
  1. Content farms, which used to thrive on SEO-driven articles, are becoming obsolete due to advancements in AI and changes in how people consume media. This shift can lead to better quality content focused on what readers really want.
  2. Tech companies are buying media outlets to improve their customer engagement and lower marketing costs. It's easier for these companies to acquire established brands than to build their own from scratch.
  3. The landscape of journalism and media is changing, with more emphasis on subscription-based models and unique content creation strategies. Creatives are finding new ways to monetize their work, like selling products directly to their audiences.

☁️ Amazon: Ads Take the Cake

How They Make Money • 491 implied HN points • 06 Feb 24
💼 Business Technology
  1. Amazon saw a significant increase in free cash flow due to its booming advertising business.
  2. Amazon stands out by reinvesting in growth and innovation instead of returning cash to shareholders.
  3. The company is focusing on Generative AI and its potential revenue impact.

Britain's Berlin firewall

Wrong Side of History • 394 implied HN points • 09 Aug 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Technology
  1. Technology has changed how we learn from older generations. Now, younger people often teach their parents about tech instead of the other way around.
  2. Many lawmakers don’t fully understand technology, which can lead to bad laws like the Online Safety Act. This law started with good intentions but might limit freedom and hurt the tech industry.
  3. There are concerns that new internet regulations could have unexpected negative effects. Experts warned about this, but their advice wasn't taken seriously because there weren't enough past examples to learn from.

Links for July

DYNOMIGHT INTERNET NEWSLETTER • 531 implied HN points • 08 Jul 25
🔬 Science Technology
  1. Goats have unique eyeballs that rotate to keep their vision horizontal, allowing them to see better while munching or looking around. This is pretty cool and shows how animals adapt physically to their environment.
  2. There's a way to stimulate specific cone cells in our eyes to potentially see new colors beyond what we can normally perceive. It suggests our brains can interpret unusual signals in fascinating ways.
  3. Recent findings indicate that only a small percentage of light-sensitive cells in our eyes control melatonin production, which affects our sleep. It's important to focus on dim lighting at night, rather than just blocking blue light.

Paramount's math doesn't add up

Simon Owens's Media Newsletter • 449 implied HN points • 23 Jul 25
💼 Business Technology
  1. Bari Weiss is seeking over $200 million for her media startup, but it might not be worth that much due to culture clashes with traditional newsrooms.
  2. Independent podcasters can earn significant money, suggesting that larger companies like Paramount need to better monetize their content, especially on social media.
  3. Generative AI may affect production more than screenwriting in Hollywood, as it struggles with creating good long-form stories.

Bitcoin Hits $120K. The Real Story Isn’t the Price—It’s Who Controls Your Wallet.

Common Sense with Bari Weiss • 500 implied HN points • 14 Jul 25
🔮 Crypto Technology
  1. Congress is about to vote on important crypto laws that could change financial freedom in America. This is a big step for the future of digital currencies.
  2. Bitcoin has transformed how we think about money since its launch in 2009, despite the ups and downs in the crypto world. It offers a sense of financial freedom amidst increasing government control.
  3. The government is now looking to support crypto technology instead of banning it. This is a significant shift from past attitudes towards cryptocurrencies.

What I read this week...

chamathreads • 982 implied HN points • 28 Jul 23
📰 News Technology
  1. TikTok plans to sell made-in-China goods in the US
  2. Elite college admissions data suggests wealth as a qualification
  3. Survey highlights enduring gender differences in American dating

Former Facebook Research Scientists Raise $20 Million Seed Round for Enterprise Foundation Model Startup

Newcomer • 982 implied HN points • 07 Jun 23
💼 Business Technology
  1. Former Facebook research scientists raise $20 million for a foundation model startup called Contextual AI
  2. Contextual AI's foundation model for enterprises aims to address existing model challenges like hallucination and data privacy
  3. Competition in the foundation model space is intense, with companies like Cohere and Vectara already in the game

Psycho bosses will ruin us all!

Writing from London • 530 implied HN points • 24 Jan 24
💼 Business Technology
  1. The prosecution of innocent postmasters by the Post Office was a grave miscarriage of justice.
  2. Facial recognition technologies and AI can perpetuate unjust beliefs, impacting society far beyond the UK.
  3. Successful managers are modest and consult with their staff, unlike dictatorial managers who insist on subservience.

Meet the Man Conspiracy Theorists Have Blamed for Texas’s Biblical Flood

Common Sense with Bari Weiss • 519 implied HN points • 09 Jul 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Technology
  1. Augustus Doricko is a 25-year-old CEO of a cloud-seeding company called Rainmaker. He became a target of conspiracy theories after flooding hit Central Texas.
  2. The devastating floods were caused by weather patterns, not by Doricko's company's cloud seeding. Many people didn't want to believe this and looked for someone to blame.
  3. The area is vulnerable to flooding due to its hard clay soil and extreme weather. A recent storm added to the already risky conditions in Texas Hill Country.

AI gift-giving, gossip surveillance and the tyranny of Spotify Wrapped towns

Links I Would Gchat You If We Were Friends • 738 implied HN points • 02 Dec 23
🎭️ Culture Technology
  1. AI tools like shopping bots are changing how we give gifts, aiming to lessen the emotional labor required for relationship maintenance.
  2. Contrary to popular belief, thoughtful gifts may not always be better received than thoughtless ones, as studies suggest recipients may not always appreciate the effort put into a gift.
  3. While using AI tools for gift-giving can streamline the process and offer good suggestions, it may also risk diluting the emotional and personal connections that come with traditional gift-giving.

Bari’s Picks of the Week: New Frontiers

Common Sense with Bari Weiss • 459 implied HN points • 25 Jul 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Technology
  1. A new app for The Free Press is now available, making it easier to access all their content. It's designed to be fast and user-friendly.
  2. The article discusses various important topics, including advances in genetics and social issues in Europe.
  3. Supporting independent journalism is encouraged, as it helps maintain the quality and breadth of investigative stories from The Free Press.

The Future Is Now #1: Floods, Pings & Regrowing Things

Everything Is Amazing • 570 implied HN points • 26 Jun 25
🔬 Science Technology
  1. There's a big interest in science stories that highlight the amazing things happening in the world. People want to hear about the good and exciting discoveries too.
  2. The news often focuses on negative events, making it hard to notice all the positive changes and breakthroughs in science that are happening quickly.
  3. Scientists are making incredible advancements, like understanding animal communication and exploring ancient natural disasters, which can be truly fascinating.

Nadia Asparouhova on antimemetics, nuclear mysticism, and scrolling

The Generalist • 1320 implied HN points • 16 Jan 25
🎭️ Culture Technology
  1. Some ideas spread slowly or not at all, which is something we don't talk about enough. It's different now with social media, where people often keep their best thoughts private to avoid backlash.
  2. Building relationships through patronage could be more beneficial than just relying on crowdfunding. It creates deeper connections and helps sustain valuable relationships in our lives.
  3. Scrolling through social media makes us lose focus and can lead to a poorer state of mind. It's important to be aware of how this constant distraction affects us.

Reviewing Men? There’s an App for That.

Common Sense with Bari Weiss • 431 implied HN points • 31 Jul 25
🎭️ Culture Technology
  1. A new dating app called Tea Dating Advice lets women anonymously rate men they might date. It's become very popular, showing a new way for women to share their experiences.
  2. Men have responded to this app by publicly embarrassing women, creating a negative cycle that affects both sides. This kind of behavior isn't helping anyone find love.
  3. The app was created to help women avoid bad dating experiences, especially after one man's mother had a scary time with online dating. It's meant to be a supportive tool.

Homework and Slop

Some Unpleasant Arithmetic • 22 implied HN points • 27 Jan 26
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Technology
  1. Liberal democracy is in deep trouble: growing state violence, elite deference to strongmen, and declining civic trust show the system is weakening.
  2. Identity politics and a culture of authenticity have shifted politics from individual rights toward group-based, tribal thinking, and technology plus weakened education standards encourage shallow, surface-level thought that amplifies those problems.
  3. Markets, democracy, and civic society are deeply interconnected, and treating markets as if they stand above democratic control has increased inequality and hollowed out civic life; rebuilding liberalism means re-linking economic policy, social rights, and civic institutions.

Is small always beautiful?

Everything is Light • 550 implied HN points • 13 Jan 24
🎭️ Culture Technology
  1. Big projects are often criticized now, despite historical admiration for large monuments.
  2. The idea that 'small is beautiful' originated from an anti-growth and anti-technology activist named E F Schumacher.
  3. Advocating for large-scale technological projects like nuclear energy is crucial for future progress and sustainability.

Uber’s 2025 Reorg: Platform Strategy Meets Conway’s Law

Gad’s Newsletter • 70 implied HN points • 29 Dec 25
💼 Business Technology
  1. Uber put Mobility, Delivery, and Autonomous units under one COO to build a single platform that shares data and cross-sells services, aiming to get customers to use both apps more often.
  2. The org change follows Conway’s Law: by redesigning reporting lines they’re steering the software toward shared identity, pooled supply, and unified data so cross-platform features like Uber One and contextual offers can work.
  3. Centralizing integration can speed cooperation but risks a slow monolith and lost local excellence, so Uber needs a strong shared platform with clear delegation and should watch cross-platform adoption, Uber One penetration, and contextual attach rates.

On Techno-pragmatism

ailogblog • 579 implied HN points • 02 Jan 24
📖 Philosophy Technology
  1. Techno-pragmatism offers a balanced approach to technology, acknowledging both its potential and risks.
  2. Pragmatism emphasizes action and adequacy, rejecting fixed principles and absolutes.
  3. In the face of uncertainty with emergent technologies like AI, a pragmatic mindset that prioritizes observation and experimentation is crucial.

The Formula for the Future

Faster, Please! • 1096 implied HN points • 17 Feb 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Technology
  1. America's future depends on three key things: strong information processing, abundant energy, and economic freedom. These elements can help society grow and innovate.
  2. Regulatory barriers often slow down progress and innovation. To keep moving forward, it's important to take calculated risks instead of playing it safe.
  3. Embracing technology and overcoming bureaucracy can create a cycle of improvement. More energy and innovation can lead to a better future for everyone.

#209: The death of sex, 3 years later

Maybe Baby • 1058 implied HN points • 16 Feb 25
🎭️ Culture Technology
  1. Culture has become less about genuine connection and more about digital interactions, which can feel unfulfilling. Many people are missing out on real emotional experiences that come from touch and presence.
  2. There's a growing tension in politics where both the left and right have problems engaging with different viewpoints. Instead of understanding each other, they often stick to their own narratives, which doesn't help anyone.
  3. Technology has taken over many aspects of life, making interactions feel faster but less meaningful. While some tech is helpful, it often alienates people from each other, making real connections harder to find.

Aspiring dystopias, library souls and Gen Alpha's "first mainstream meme"

Links I Would Gchat You If We Were Friends • 638 implied HN points • 16 Dec 23
🎭️ Culture Technology
  1. Google's recipe ratings may not accurately reflect the quality of the recipes; ratings are supplied by the sites themselves and can be manipulated for increased site traffic.
  2. Cooking blogs often receive higher ratings than legacy media in Google search results; moderation practices in comment sections may contribute to these discrepancies.
  3. AI-generated recipe descriptions in search results may change the focus from ratings to more user-friendly information, cautioning bakers against relying solely on Google's star system.

Community Meetup

chamathreads • 452 implied HN points • 06 Feb 24
💼 Business Technology
  1. The meetup is private and focuses on discussing technology, markets, and global trends in the Bay Area.
  2. Chamath Palihapitiya has written deep dives on Energy Transition and AI and plans to cover U.S. healthcare next.
  3. The meetup is for paid subscribers who are part of the community of lifelong learners on Learn With Me.

Spotlight: Adam Niewiński - Co-founder and Managing Partner @ OTB Ventures

Space Ambition • 119 implied HN points • 14 Jun 24
💼 Business Technology
  1. Investments in SpaceTech are expanding, especially in areas like in-orbit economy and debris removal. This is important for making space activities sustainable.
  2. European DeepTech startups are well-positioned to compete globally, but they need better funding and support from institutions. There's a gap in spending compared to the U.S.
  3. Investing in specialized areas like Industrial Automation is promising due to the massive data generated. Innovations in this sector can lead to smarter operations and decision-making.

Long Take: Growing financial engagement with messaging in Coinbase Wallet, Venmo, and the super apps

The Fintech Blueprint • 904 implied HN points • 18 Jul 23
💼 Business Technology
  1. The intersection of finance and technology has led to innovative ways of mixing attention, commerce, and finance.
  2. Financial services are evolving beyond just being transactional machines to increase user engagement and improve customer retention.
  3. Developing a persistent digital identity for users and emphasizing interoperability and privacy are crucial in the evolving world of Web3.

What would a Substack ad product actually look like?

Simon Owens's Media Newsletter • 424 implied HN points • 17 Jul 25
💼 Business Technology
  1. Substack is considering adding an advertising feature to help connect creators with brands. This could mean creators list their prices for ads, and Substack takes a cut.
  2. There's talk of tools that may automatically insert ads into newsletters. This could help creators, but they might lose some control over the ad content.
  3. More publishers are using mobile apps to keep subscribers engaged, showing that apps can help reduce subscription cancellations and drive user interaction.

NASDAQ:ARM is Comically Undervalued

Irrational Analysis • 159 implied HN points • 23 May 24
💰 Finance Technology
  1. Irrational Analysis is heavily invested in the semiconductor industry, giving insights into the comical undervaluation of NASDAQ:ARM.
  2. Nvidia's massive demand for GB200 and Grace CPUs could have significant implications for ARM (LTD)'s value and future performance.
  3. Nvidia Grace CPUs might exceed sell-side expectations, potentially propelling ARM (LTD) value beyond current projections.

Artisinal white noise

escape the algorithm • 199 implied HN points • 03 May 24
🎭️ Culture Technology
  1. Social media can turn personal identity into obligation, like with Spotify Wrapped.
  2. There was a period where white noise podcasts were popular due to an algorithmic trend.
  3. There are creative acts of algorithmic resistance, like music artists and extensions that subvert norms.