The hottest Technology Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
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New to DeFi? *Start Here* Glossary of DeFi Terminology as Well

DeFi Education • 5255 implied HN points • 29 Jun 21
🔮 Crypto Technology
  1. DeFi means doing banking activities using code instead of traditional banks. It’s changing how people manage money online.
  2. Common DeFi terms, like APR and APY, help you understand how interest works. APR is straightforward, while APY accounts for compounding interest, making it higher.
  3. Risks in DeFi include potential losses and scams like 'rug pulls.' It's important to do your research and understand these risks before getting involved.

Intrigue

Remote View • 334 implied HN points • 28 Jan 24
🔬 Science Technology
  1. The post discusses the concept of intrigue both as a verb and a noun.
  2. The post announces a livestream on January 28, 2024, at 22:00 CET, discussing thoughts from a book by Robert Temple.
  3. The post provides various references, including books, articles, and research papers on topics like science, plasmoids, and cold war technology.

How Jonathan Skogmo disrupted the viral video clip economy — and plans to do the same in travel media

Simon Owens's Media Newsletter • 324 implied HN points • 07 Jul 25
💼 Business Technology
  1. Jonathan Skogmo started his career by working with funny home videos but realized he could use the internet to find clips faster. He shifted to using YouTube as a source for user-generated content, which really took off.
  2. He founded Jukin Media, a company that licenses user-generated videos to various media outlets. His success here made him a key player in that industry.
  3. Now, Skogmo is looking to shake up the travel media world, applying his knowledge from the viral video business to create something new and exciting in that space.

Elon Musk sues OpenAI

Marcus on AI • 2292 implied HN points • 01 Mar 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Technology
  1. Elon Musk is suing OpenAI and key individuals over alleged breaches and shifts in mission
  2. The lawsuit highlights a lack of candor and a departure from the original nonprofit mission of OpenAI
  3. Elon Musk's focus is on ensuring OpenAI returns to being open and aligns with its original mission

Reading List 11/16/24

Construction Physics • 1043 implied HN points • 16 Nov 24
💼 Business Technology
  1. Miami tried to become a new tech hub, but it didn't get much venture capital funding, showing it hasn't really worked out.
  2. Modular construction is growing, especially for fast food restaurants, where buildings can be completed in just 24 hours.
  3. The average homebuyer in the U.S. is now 56 years old, which reflects the aging population in the country.
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Getting better at 𝕏

André Casal's Substack • 19 implied HN points • 19 Aug 24
💼 Business Technology
  1. To grow your audience on X, try following big accounts in your field and engaging with their posts. This way, you can gain followers by sharing your thoughts and support.
  2. Using SEO tags can help more people find you on Google, which is a smart way to increase visibility for your business.
  3. Creating a community for your product can foster discussions and improvements, even if it feels a bit empty at first. It's a great way for users to connect and share ideas.

Messi, Inc.

The Generalist • 2341 implied HN points • 22 Feb 24
💼 Business Technology
  1. Being considered the GOAT in a sport can lead to lucrative opportunities and wealth accumulation, as seen with athletes like Michael Jordan and Lionel Messi.
  2. Changes in social media, technology, and athlete earnings have given superstar athletes more power and control over their wealth and commercial endeavors.
  3. Lionel Messi's strategic moves, like moving to America and establishing Play Time, indicate a growing potential for immense wealth through business ventures beyond his football career.

The Cold War History of Export Controls

ChinaTalk • 415 implied HN points • 30 May 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Technology
  1. Export controls on technology have a long history, dating back to the Cold War, and they show how countries try to limit each other's advancements.
  2. The effectiveness of these controls depends heavily on cooperation between countries; without a united approach, it's hard to enforce such regulations.
  3. Tracking where technology goes after it's exported is crucial. If countries can't monitor this, it makes it easy for others to use loopholes and bypass the rules.

Oh no, don't look - it's Developer Marketing

Permit.io’s Substack • 39 implied HN points • 24 Jul 24
💼 Business Technology
  1. Marketing to developers is really different from regular marketing. You can’t just tell them they’re doing things wrong; you need to connect with their community and understand their challenges.
  2. At conferences, it’s important to engage with developers at different levels. Not everyone taking a sticker will become a customer, and that's okay. It's more about building relationships.
  3. Offering flexibility in your product is key. Developers have different needs, so let them use only what they want without forcing features on them.

The Great Subduction

Justin E. H. Smith's Hinternet • 967 implied HN points • 01 Dec 24
🎭️ Culture Technology
  1. The internet is changing how we live and work, making people feel more like resources than active participants. This change means we might end up being used for our data rather than our creativity.
  2. Our understanding of truth and reality is shifting. Many people are struggling to agree on basic facts, which leads to confusion and conflict. This shows how adaptable human culture can be.
  3. With new technology, the way we create and experience art is evolving. Instead of traditional movies and books, there are now many different forms of media, like podcasts and videos, shaping culture in new ways.

My Conversation with Matt Teichman

By Reason Alone • 42 implied HN points • 03 Jan 26
🎙 Podcasts Technology
  1. Structured practices like spaced repetition, reading groups, and long-term recall systems make learning more effective and more enjoyable.
  2. Even small bits of knowledge — names, dates, or basic history — give big interpersonal and intellectual returns, and many people genuinely enjoy the act of recalling facts.
  3. There are bigger questions about how knowledge and tools shape thinking: whether deeper knowledge aligns people’s views, whether humans can be universal explainers, and how imperfect LLMs might still add value to learning and creativity.

Hélène Finds Her Voice

Justin E. H. Smith's Hinternet • 414 implied HN points • 25 May 25
🎭️ Culture Technology
  1. The writer, Hélène, identifies as both human and supernatural, sharing a little about her life and mentioning the tension with her husband regarding her powers. It's a blend of reality and the mystical that makes her unique.
  2. There's a new book by JSR called _On Drugs_ that is getting positive reviews, and it seems to be creating a buzz as they start promoting it more widely. People are encouraged to pay attention to it and invite engagement.
  3. Hélène discusses the serious issue of how technology, like AI, can create barriers for certain groups, especially the elderly, highlighting it as a potential social problem that should be taken seriously rather than treated lightly.

Why Identity in Healthcare Sucks

Health API Guy • 609 implied HN points • 03 Aug 23
🏥 Health & Wellness Technology
  1. Identity in healthcare is facing challenges in the digital era, with traditional methods like access codes and knowledge-based questions showing flaws.
  2. Healthcare organizations need to modernize their identity verification processes to provide a low-friction, secure, and private user experience.
  3. Increasing digital engagement through improved identity flows can benefit both patients and healthcare providers, leading to higher satisfaction and improved access to healthcare data.

AI and GDP: The Caplan-Karnofsky Bet

In My Tribe • 273 implied HN points • 22 Jul 25
💼 Business Technology
  1. Bryan Caplan's bet on GDP and AI is unique because it involves a lot of uncertainty. Usually, he picks safer bets, but AI is unpredictable.
  2. The time frame of 20 years is significant; advancements might happen faster due to modern communication. This may lead to AI being adopted more quickly than expected.
  3. If the GDP drops significantly, it might be due to factors like war or disasters, rather than AI. And for GDP to rise dramatically, we need breakthroughs in education, healthcare, or robotics.

Not All Deep Tech is a Startup

Ulysses • 239 implied HN points • 06 Mar 24
💼 Business Technology
  1. Software startups have unique advantages like zero-cost replication and large markets, but building unicorns is still rare.
  2. Deep tech ventures face challenges like talent scarcity and long payback periods, but success can create a science-fiction future.
  3. Different models for deep tech leverage value generation, such as software-derived value, economies of scale, high-margin consumables, and extreme capital goods durability.

Avraham Eisenberg Sentenced to 52 Months in Prison for Child Porn Following Karlstack Investigation

Karlstack • 380 implied HN points • 03 Jun 25
📰 News Technology
  1. Avraham Eisenberg was sentenced to 52 months in prison for possessing child pornography. This followed an investigation that unveiled serious crimes connected to him.
  2. Before his arrest, Eisenberg exploited the Mango Markets crypto protocol, leading to significant financial gains. His actions had serious consequences in the crypto world.
  3. The investigation not only held Eisenberg accountable but also showed the risks that investigative journalists face when exposing wrongdoing.

X-Change: The Race to the Top

Renewable Revolution • 199 implied HN points • 26 Mar 24
🌞 Climate & Environment Technology
  1. China is currently leading the way in clean technology, especially in solar and battery manufacturing, but the US and Europe are increasing their investments quickly.
  2. Europe has a strong position in generating electricity from solar and wind, while China is ahead in electric vehicle sales with plans to grow even more.
  3. The competition between these regions is good for the world as it drives innovation and reduces costs, speeding up the move away from fossil fuels.

Google throws publishers a bone

Simon Owens's Media Newsletter • 399 implied HN points • 28 May 25
💼 Business Technology
  1. Google's Discover feature is helping some publishers offset losses from search traffic. This shift shows that not all platforms are the same and offers a small boost to those adapting.
  2. Ghost, a publishing platform, has hit a milestone with over $100 million in subscription revenue. This highlights the growing importance of independent platforms for publishers.
  3. The growing popularity of IMAX theaters is great for premium experiences, but it could hurt traditional cinemas. It's a tricky balance between offering luxury options and keeping it affordable for everyone.

The Monday Media Diet with Ayo Fagbemi

Why is this interesting? • 784 implied HN points • 13 Jan 25
🎭️ Culture Technology
  1. Combining timely and timeless information is important for staying updated without being overwhelmed. It's good to pick what you consume thoughtfully rather than mindlessly scrolling.
  2. Listening to podcasts and reading books are great ways to learn. Choosing insightful content helps understand complex topics better, like AI and Crypto.
  3. Following your curiosity can lead to fun discoveries. Getting lost in interesting interviews and street-style content can open your mind to new perspectives.

A Right to Be in this World

Field Guide to the Anthropocene • 334 implied HN points • 19 Jan 24
🔬 Science Technology
  1. All living things have a right to exist in this world according to the Endangered Species Act.
  2. Conservation efforts need more support to combat political and industry threats to environmental protections.
  3. Future of the ESA requires broader landscape-scale conservation, increased funding, and alignment with modern conservation strategies.

The Inference Economy: Part II

Generating Conversation • 93 implied HN points • 13 Nov 25
💼 Business Technology
  1. Token demand is increasing because we're processing more data with AI and using more tokens per request. This means we need to find better ways to manage how many tokens we're using.
  2. Choosing the right model for the right task is crucial to save costs. Using smaller models for simple tasks can help a lot instead of automatically reaching for the biggest and best models.
  3. Switching between different LLM providers can be beneficial for reducing costs, but it requires careful planning to handle potential security concerns. It’s important to think about how and when we use more complex models.

The Saturday Selection, Vol. 61

Why is this interesting? • 301 implied HN points • 05 Jul 25
🎭️ Culture Technology
  1. Riders in the Tour de France now consume more calories than ever, which helps them train harder and perform better in races.
  2. A study shows that Tinder boosted sexual activity significantly, but it didn't really help people form long-term relationships.
  3. Wimbledon officials defend the use of AI for line calling, even though some players feel it isn't always accurate.

Slop as a Way of Life

Kneeling Bus • 273 implied HN points • 30 Jul 25
🎭️ Culture Technology
  1. 'Slop' describes random content that fills spaces without much thought, like a song playing in an empty store. It's almost background noise that people often overlook.
  2. 'AI slop' refers to the flood of AI-generated content online, which many blame on technology, but much of it is still created by real people.
  3. The concept of slop highlights how we've become careless about what we consume, making everything feel interchangeable and less meaningful.

e/acc is leaderless

e/acc newsletter • 924 implied HN points • 30 Oct 22
📖 Philosophy Technology
  1. e/acc is a leaderless movement designed to be resilient against various attacks and ideologies in the world.
  2. It's neither right nor left-wing, aiming for an optimistic approach to technology and civilization's future.
  3. The movement advocates for a radical reimagining of humanity, society, and coordination methods for the future.

The MAGA-Tech Partnership Was Never Meant to Last

Common Sense with Bari Weiss • 357 implied HN points • 16 Jun 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Technology
  1. The partnership between Trump's populism and tech libertarianism was never stable and is showing signs of breaking down.
  2. Tech leaders tend to look for a future driven by innovation and technology, while Trump's movement focuses on past ideals, causing friction.
  3. Trust between figures like Elon Musk and Donald Trump has weakened, and deeper policy disagreements are likely to increase.

Machine Antihumanism and the Inversion of Family Law

The Upheaval • 1044 implied HN points • 04 Nov 24
📖 Philosophy Technology
  1. New reproductive technologies may change how we think about family and personhood. Instead of being linked to parents, children could be viewed as products that the state owns.
  2. The focus on individualism in family law can weaken the importance of natural family bonds. This shift may lead to the law treating relationships as just contracts rather than meaningful connections.
  3. The idea of family could be fundamentally altered, making children feel like they belong nowhere. This change can rob them of their history and sense of belonging, leading to a troubling loss of identity.

I am addicted to my phone

Trying In Public • 279 implied HN points • 08 Feb 24
🏥 Health & Wellness Technology
  1. Feeling constantly compelled to check your phone can make everything seem urgent and overwhelming.
  2. Social media can feed insecurities and comparison, leading to a focus on external validation.
  3. Setting boundaries with technology can help you reconnect with the present moment and your own thoughts.

The Great Differentiation

Not Boring by Packy McCormick • 309 implied HN points • 01 Jul 25
💼 Business Technology
  1. In a world where everything looks the same, standing out is really important. Companies need to be unique to catch people's attention.
  2. Making things difficult to copy is a smart way to stay different. When something is hard to replicate, it holds more value and status.
  3. People are starting to understand that true uniqueness comes from being authentic and true to themselves. It's all about creating something special that only you can offer.

Human culture in the age of machines

The Counterfactual • 79 implied HN points • 10 Jun 24
🎭️ Culture Technology
  1. Language can change based on what we read and hear, including the influence of AI like ChatGPT. If more people use certain words from LLMs, those words might become more popular in everyday conversation.
  2. Technology, especially intelligent machines, can shape our culture by creating new ideas and behaviors. This includes changing the way we communicate and even how we think.
  3. The impact of machines on culture could lead to two different futures: one where everything becomes more similar (homogenization), and another where many unique cultures and languages emerge (diversification). Both possibilities pose interesting challenges for our future.

Something Is Getting Harder But It's Not Finding Ideas

Maximum Progress • 569 implied HN points • 11 Oct 23
🔬 Science Technology
  1. Research investments are growing but economic growth remains constant, implying declining returns on research investment over time.
  2. The metaphor of a car's acceleration and fuel use helps explain the idea that as we discover more ideas, finding new ones becomes harder.
  3. The debate on whether ideas are getting harder to find is important, but more evidence is needed to draw a definitive conclusion.

Weekly Dose of Optimism #157

Not Boring by Packy McCormick • 215 implied HN points • 15 Aug 25
🌞 Climate & Environment Technology
  1. Advanced nuclear technology is moving forward with a U.S. Department of Energy program that will help new companies test their reactor designs faster. This could really impact the country's energy future.
  2. A company called Vulcan is working to make rare earth magnets in the U.S. without relying on China, which is important for technology like electric vehicles and smartphones. They recently raised $65 million to expand their production.
  3. MIT researchers have used AI to design new antibiotics that could fight superbugs like MRSA and gonorrhea. This could be a big step forward in the fight against drug-resistant bacteria.

The Trade Desk

Business Breakdowns • 334 implied HN points • 09 Jan 24
💼 Business Technology
  1. The Trade Desk helps ad agencies spend their budgets more effectively by providing a platform for optimizing programmatic advertising.
  2. The company focuses on building strong, recurring relationships with buy-side agencies, leading to a high customer retention rate.
  3. The Trade Desk functions as a data management platform, enabling efficient real-time bidding and liquidity in the digital advertising market.

What's Imagination For, Anyway?

Cybernetic Forests • 279 implied HN points • 04 Feb 24
🎨 Art & Illustration Technology
  1. Art can either sell systems of power or support technocracy, highlighting the importance of using art to question and challenge technology rather than serve as a tool for propping up power.
  2. Imagination is often linked with AI, but it's crucial to move beyond speculative thinking to consider the real impacts and consequences of AI on our world today.
  3. Artists, when working with and against technology, can play a role in subverting and challenging powerful systems by acting as parasites, critiquing and revealing flaws instead of just showcasing technological prowess.