The hottest Technology Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
Category
Top Art & Illustration Topics
The VC Corner 279 implied HN points 04 Feb 24
  1. Gulf investment is increasing in European startups, which could help boost innovation and growth in the region.
  2. Venture capitalists are looking at the secondary market for discounted investment opportunities, which can provide advantages in a tough economy.
  3. Generative AI is becoming a key focus for CEOs, who need to understand how it can benefit their businesses and improve efficiency.
Default Wisdom 55 implied HN points 11 Dec 25
  1. Pregnancy with multiple babies is causing major fatigue and limited bandwidth, so many commitments are being declined temporarily; availability should improve after the holidays and into the second trimester.
  2. The weekly call-in show is still happening tonight at 8:30 PM Eastern with a nautical theme, streaming on Substack, Twitch, and X, and listeners can participate by phone.
  3. Recent work has appeared in outlets like The Spectator and The New York Times, and people are asked to reach out again in a couple weeks for collaboration or requests.
Fragmentary 550 implied HN points 05 Jun 23
  1. Finding your authentic voice as a writer is essential for expressing human experience.
  2. Genre should not limit creative expression; authenticity in writing can exist in various forms.
  3. A writer's voice can be multifaceted, evolving, and should reflect their truths and stories.
Numlock News 550 implied HN points 26 Sep 23
  1. India is withdrawing 2,000-rupee banknotes by the end of September, affecting billions of rupees worth of currency.
  2. A dataset called Books3 contains copyrighted works used to train AI systems, leading to lawsuits from writers.
  3. Oil and gas operators have used 1.5 trillion gallons of water since 2011 for well drilling, with concerns about water shortages in fracking regions.
In My Tribe 668 implied HN points 30 Jan 25
  1. DOGE aims to completely change how the government uses technology. If it works, it could make federal spending easier to track and reduce the number of government jobs through automation.
  2. Historical examples show that improving information systems doesn't always lead to better results. Without discipline and cooperation in departments, new tech can't help fix deeper issues.
  3. Unlike Estonia's fresh start, the US has a complex and disorganized government structure. For any major tech changes to succeed, the executive branch may need a complete overhaul first.
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Teaching computers how to talk 89 implied HN points 12 Nov 25
  1. AI news assistants often get things wrong, with nearly half of their summaries showing big mistakes. That means people who read them might be misinformed.
  2. Even when AI summaries are inaccurate, many people still trust them because they seem professional. This can harm the reputation of actual news sources.
  3. There's a real worry about deepfakes and AI spreading false information, especially as the technology gets better. It's important to educate everyone on how to spot misinformation before it spreads.
All-Source Intelligence Fusion 691 implied HN points 28 Jan 25
  1. Microsoft is working with the U.S. Army to integrate augmented reality technology into military operations, focusing on a project called IVAS. This technology aims to give soldiers enhanced situational awareness on the battlefield.
  2. There have been complications with the IVAS technology, including issues like discomfort for users, which led to funding cuts from Congress. The Army is exploring better alternatives for combat effectiveness.
  3. Microsoft is involved in a competitive environment with other tech companies like Anduril and Palantir for military contracts. These partnerships and innovations are crucial for enhancing the capabilities needed in modern warfare.
Off to Lunch 294 implied HN points 25 Jan 24
  1. The next UK government will face tough economic choices post-election, with challenges in public finance and investment.
  2. Private sector growth and business breakthroughs are crucial for economic development in the UK.
  3. Birmingham is experiencing challenges due to lack of public transport investment, emphasizing the importance of private sector investment for job creation.
Life Since the Baby Boom 922 implied HN points 18 Nov 24
  1. Getting to Mars is much harder than reaching Fordlandia in the Amazon. Mars has extreme health risks like radiation that Fordlandia didn't face.
  2. Both places have serious health and management issues. Living conditions and isolation could lead to major problems for people on Mars, just like they did in Fordlandia.
  3. Fordlandia failed to become profitable and faced worker rebellion. Similar issues could arise in Elondia, where people's morale and management will be crucial for survival.
Justin E. H. Smith's Hinternet 794 implied HN points 19 Dec 24
  1. The concept of 'the Deal' suggests a future where people can live up to 280 years, but it comes with heavy trade-offs, like losing personal belongings and facing a controlled way of dying. It's a challenging idea about how we value life and death.
  2. In this future scenario, many might feel trapped in a fake version of life, where they experience pleasant distractions instead of actually living. The imagery of a body trying to escape emphasizes the struggle against a hollow existence.
  3. Reflecting on this situation can make us question our current medical practices and life choices, similar to how historical figures have critiqued society. It invites a deeper discussion about what it truly means to live and die in our time.
After Babel 2390 implied HN points 11 Dec 23
  1. The book discusses the impact of overprotection in the real world and underprotection in the virtual world on children.
  2. The book suggests actions like making schools phone-free and holding social media companies accountable are needed for a healthier childhood.
  3. The book aims to empower teachers, parents, and Gen Z to understand the issues and work together to reclaim a more grounded, less digitally dependent life.
More Than Moore 256 implied HN points 25 Jul 25
  1. Intel is going through a big change to improve its business. They are restructuring and letting go of about 15% of their workforce to focus on becoming profitable again.
  2. Despite holding its revenue steady, Intel reported significant losses in the latest quarter due to high costs and one-time charges. This adds more pressure on the company as they try to recover.
  3. Intel is shifting its strategy to focus on building products based on customer demand, particularly in their chip foundry business. This means they will only expand capacity as needed, instead of just building more fabs.
benn.substack 613 implied HN points 14 Feb 25
  1. Many startups often pivot to new ideas after their initial product fails. This happens so frequently in Silicon Valley that it’s often seen as a normal part of business.
  2. Founders usually start companies not just to solve problems, but also to gain status and success. They might care more about how they look to others than the specific product they offer.
  3. There's a growing trend where success in technology is being intertwined with politics. People are now noticing and valuing the impact of policy making as much as tech achievements.
Remote View 294 implied HN points 21 Jan 24
  1. The post discusses THOR and its workings
  2. The post includes a link to learn more about Bob Greenyer
  3. A livestream is scheduled for January 21, 2024 at 22:30 CET
DeFi Education 419 implied HN points 25 Nov 23
  1. The founders of major crypto exchanges like Binance and FTX are now convicted felons, highlighting the risks in the industry. It's important to be cautious when engaging with crypto platforms.
  2. Putting your crypto in third-party custody can be dangerous. It defeats the purpose of holding your assets securely on your own.
  3. DeFi education is crucial to understand the evolving landscape of cryptocurrency and to navigate it safely. Staying informed helps protect your investments.
Kyla’s Newsletter 320 implied HN points 11 Jun 25
  1. Our lives are filled with contradictions, where technology promises a better future but the reality feels chaotic. We need to recognize the gap between the ideal futures promised by AI and the struggles we face today.
  2. AI and social media are often misaligned, causing disinformation while claiming to help us. This shows how the tools intended to connect us can also create confusion and frustration.
  3. The stories we tell ourselves about progress can ignore the very real human costs. It's important to see and acknowledge the work and lives behind the technology and systems that support our convenience.
Definite Optimism 44 implied HN points 16 Dec 25
  1. China controls the vast majority of rare-earth refining and high-performance magnet production, creating a strategic choke point for advanced tech supply chains.
  2. The US AI boom and recent economic growth depend heavily on these critical minerals, and Chinese export controls exposed how vulnerable the US and its allies are, forcing urgent policy shifts.
  3. Addressing this requires a large, sustained industrial push to rebuild mining, refining, and manufacturing capacity in the West — a one-day summit or small measures won’t be enough.

Q&A

DeFi Education 2318 implied HN points 11 Jun 22
  1. Crypto is always changing, even in tough markets. It's important to stay updated on what's happening.
  2. Engaging in Q&A can help clarify doubts about DeFi and crypto. Don’t hesitate to ask questions if you're confused.
  3. Being part of a community helps share knowledge and gather different viewpoints about the markets. It's good to hear what others think.
DeFi Education 519 implied HN points 29 Sep 23
  1. Crypto markets seem to be feeling a bit too excited right now, which some are calling an 'echo bubble'.
  2. Stronger performance in crypto might not happen until the monetary policy becomes more relaxed.
  3. Big changes and developments in the crypto world occurred in Q3, setting the stage for future predictions.
Sustainability by numbers 294 implied HN points 30 Jun 25
  1. Geothermal energy is mostly untapped, even though there's a lot of heat under the Earth's surface. It only provides about 0.3% of the world's electricity, which is quite low considering its potential.
  2. There are different types of geothermal energy like shallow heat for home heating and deep heat for electricity generation. However, to produce electricity, we need very high temperatures which are only found in certain areas of the world.
  3. Despite being cost-effective in the long run, geothermal projects have high initial costs and risks, making investment less appealing. Government support for geothermal energy is also not as strong as for other renewable sources.
Disaffected Newsletter 999 implied HN points 19 Apr 23
  1. Always identify yourself when making a call. Just saying 'Is Josh there?' without your name is rude.
  2. Check if it's okay to use speakerphone before you start talking. It can make your call harder to hear, and the other person might not want private conversations overheard.
  3. Ask if the other person can hear you well after connecting your headphones. It's important to make sure they can understand you clearly.
Default Wisdom 284 implied HN points 02 Jul 25
  1. People are feeling more lonely these days, which makes them look for companionship in unexpected places, even with objects like robots or machines.
  2. The internet can change how we think and relate to things, making it easier for some people to connect with objects rather than other humans.
  3. Technology is designed to feel more alive, which makes it easier for us to see machines as having feelings, leading to a mix of friendship and use in our relationships with them.
ChinaTalk 296 implied HN points 20 Jun 25
  1. China is actively trying to acquire Russian expertise in advanced military technology, especially in the area of hovercraft design, to enhance its military capabilities.
  2. Chinese media and entertainment are growing in popularity, especially among Gen Z, reflecting a cultural shift where domestic content is more favored over foreign influences.
  3. Taiwan's semiconductor industry is facing challenges due to US export controls and competition from China, leading to varied experiences across different sectors within the industry.
Brain Pizza 728 implied HN points 26 Dec 24
  1. Neuroscience is becoming popular, but this can lead to the rise of people trying to take advantage of it for their own gain. It's important to be wary of those exploiting this trend.
  2. Predictions are hard to make, especially about the future of neuro-related claims and theories. Many ideas about neuroscience may not hold up over time.
  3. The term 'neuro-' is becoming a buzzword, which can lead to confusion and misinformation. It's vital to approach neuro-based claims with a critical eye.
Sex and the State 32 implied HN points 29 Dec 25
  1. Lowering the cost of making and sharing media didn’t produce a creative golden age; instead it concentrated attention on a few winners, made mainstream culture more repetitive, and harmed trust in institutions.
  2. Automating discovery with AI isn’t a guaranteed fix—replacing human gatekeepers with profit-driven algorithms can repeat the internet’s problems and worsen content quality and polarization.
  3. Funding models matter: historically profitable intermediaries underwrote risky, less-commercial art and journalism, so if AI generates large profits we should funnel some of that money to human curators and to projects that aren’t immediately profitable.
Chartbook 615 implied HN points 02 Feb 25
  1. America has a significant trade deficit, which means it imports more than it exports. This impacts the economy and job market.
  2. The rise of robots and automation is changing the workforce. Many fear job losses, but there are also opportunities for new types of work.
  3. Israel is a major player in defense exports, showing how countries invest in their military technology.
Fields & Energy 459 implied HN points 25 Oct 23
  1. In physics, our understanding has greatly improved over time, but some concepts can still feel confusing or counterintuitive. We often have to rely on complex math that works well, even if it doesn't make total sense at first.
  2. Michael Faraday challenged the common ideas of his time by introducing the concept of 'fields' instead of just focusing on point particles. This helped explain how forces work in a way that made more sense to him.
  3. Today, we still face similar questions about our understanding of reality in physics. As we develop new mathematical tools, we should ask if we need to rethink our basic ideas about how things work, just like Faraday did.
The Micromobility Newsletter 491 implied HN points 06 Sep 23
  1. Prelaunch.com uses a special reservation system for customers interested in products, offering them a deal on launch.
  2. Prelaunch.com helps ebike inventors gather market feedback, optimize product design, and customize marketing strategies.
  3. Success stories like the FUELL Fllow and other electric mobility products have benefitted from Prelaunch.com's validation platform.
The J. Burden Show 299 implied HN points 05 Jan 24
  1. Cyberpunk 2077 is considered reactionary due to its anti-capitalist themes and illiberal elements.
  2. The game presents a dystopian world with diverse characters, rampant drug use, and themes of human modification and transhumanism.
  3. The protagonist is led by a middle-aged female president in a highly immersive, futuristic setting.
Brad DeLong's Grasping Reality 322 implied HN points 31 May 25
  1. Education needs to focus on what students should remember and be able to do, rather than just what they can get from AI like chatbots.
  2. Instead of banning AI, we should find ways to use it in learning, just like we adapted to calculators in math classes.
  3. Understanding the basics behind complex tools like AI is important, as all tools have limitations and can miss important details.