The hottest Technology Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
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Strange and Dazzling Things Are Happening Right Now

The Honest Broker • 19781 implied HN points • 19 Nov 24
💼 Business Startups Media Finance Technology Entrepreneurship
  1. Elon Musk tried to buy Substack, but the CEO chose to reject the offer, showing loyalty to independent writers.
  2. Substack's subscription numbers are growing, with many creators earning significant income, but the platform still isn't profitable yet.
  3. There are concerns about some tech companies, like Nvidia, using risky accounting practices that can create a false sense of success.

The Short Arm of Trump’s Diplomacy. Plus. . .

Common Sense with Bari Weiss • 2049 implied HN points • 29 Jan 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Foreign Policy Elections Immigration Public Health Technology
  1. Trump's approach to foreign policy focuses mainly on the Americas, which could leave the U.S. vulnerable in other parts of the world. It's important for the U.S. to stay influential globally as it affects everyone back home.
  2. The release of DeepSeek, an AI model from China, could push the U.S. to enhance its technology efforts. This represents a big moment for innovation, similar to the space race.
  3. San Francisco is reconsidering its harm reduction strategies for drug addiction as overdose rates rise. Some leaders are looking for stricter laws, including mass arrests to get users into treatment.

Cultural endosymbionts

Wyclif's Dust • 804 implied HN points • 03 Feb 25
🎭️ Culture Media History Communication Society Technology
  1. People have always been worried about new technology, from books to smartphones. Looking back, many of these fears seems overblown, but that doesn’t mean we shouldn’t consider the possible problems today.
  2. Different forms of media can create real changes in society and how people think. For example, novels and TV shows changed how we view culture and morality over time.
  3. New technologies can be both good and bad for society, creating winners and losers. It's important that we evaluate their effects and think about how to adapt them to fit our needs.

Weekly Dose of Optimism #131

Not Boring by Packy McCormick • 113 implied HN points • 14 Feb 25
🔬 Science Physics Health Technology Cancer Astronomy
  1. A deep-sea telescope called KM3NeT has detected the highest-energy neutrino ever recorded, which could help scientists learn more about extreme cosmic events like black holes.
  2. A new blood test named PAC-MANN can detect pancreatic cancer early and accurately, potentially improving survival rates for patients.
  3. Anduril is taking over a big military project to develop augmented reality headsets for the U.S. Army, which could enhance soldiers' performance on the battlefield.

You should be vibecoding for GTM

Kyle Poyar’s Growth Unhinged • 820 implied HN points • 28 May 25
💼 Business Startups Marketing Growth Technology Innovation
  1. Using AI coding tools can really speed up the process of building marketing tools. Even if you aren't a coder, you can create useful apps in just a couple of hours.
  2. Vibecoding allows you to bypass relying on developers for basic tools, giving you the power to manage your go-to-market strategies independently. This can save both time and money.
  3. You can create engaging and interactive tools, like an ROI calculator, that can enhance your sales efforts and make a better impression on potential clients.
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Stop speedrunning to a dystopia

The Intrinsic Perspective • 40345 implied HN points • 10 Jan 25
🎭️ Culture Media Critique Satire Technology Society Entertainment
  1. Big tech companies are doing shady things that can harm users, like creating fake music and using bots to engage with people. This shows a troubling trend toward prioritizing profit over real human connection.
  2. Kids' shows and adult films are being dumbed down to keep viewers engaged without paying full attention. This shift is making entertainment less meaningful and more mindless.
  3. There's a lack of strong critiques about how our media consumption is changing us, and we need more artists to call out these issues. Understanding the risks of being overly entertained is important to avoid a dystopian future.

As AI Hits E-Discovery, Lawyers Move From Biglaw To A Boutique

Original Jurisdiction • 219 implied HN points • 24 Oct 24
💼 Business Technology AI Applications
  1. E-discovery is becoming more complex due to the vast amount of data from various digital sources, leading lawyers to specialize more in this area.
  2. Boutique law firms like Redgrave focus only on e-discovery, allowing them to handle cases more efficiently than larger firms.
  3. Generative AI is changing e-discovery by making it faster and more effective, but it also brings challenges like ensuring document authenticity and managing privacy laws.

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

Karlstack • 380 implied HN points • 03 Jun 25
📰 News Crime Legal Media 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.

Reading List for 11/30/24

Construction Physics • 9186 implied HN points • 30 Nov 24
🌞 Climate & Environment Energy Construction Automotive Technology Environment
  1. High-rise construction is booming in Canada, with many Canadian cities leading in the number of skyscrapers being built compared to US cities.
  2. Mild hybrids, which are cars that use a small electric motor to support a gasoline engine, are becoming popular in Europe due to stricter emissions regulations.
  3. Offshore oil drilling is seeing a revival, as companies invest heavily in new technologies and seek new sources of oil in response to rising energy prices.

Top Links 637 America's trade deficits. The robots are coming. Israeli defense exports & Khian Sea - the toxic ship.

Chartbook • 615 implied HN points • 02 Feb 25
💰 Finance Technology Environmental Issues Global Economy
  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.

People prefer A.I. art because people prefer bad art

Read Max • 12303 implied HN points • 22 Nov 24
🎭️ Culture Art Technology Philosophy Literature Society
  1. People often have a hard time telling the difference between AI art and human art. This shows how good AI has become at creating images that people find appealing.
  2. Many people seem to prefer AI-generated art because it's straightforward and easy to understand. In contrast, more complex human art can be confusing or challenging.
  3. This trend suggests that people's tastes lean towards art that feels familiar and comfortable, which is why they might choose AI art over more challenging pieces.

Your Invited To Our Crypto Event This Week

The Pomp Letter • 339 implied HN points • 20 Oct 24
🔮 Crypto Investing Technology Regulations Market Trends Finance
  1. There's a big crypto event happening called Crypto Investor Day 2024. It will have many important people in the crypto space sharing their insights.
  2. You can expect discussions on cool topics like the future of bitcoin, stablecoins, and crypto regulations. It’s all about getting valuable information without any fluff.
  3. If you want to attend, make sure to sign up soon because spots are limited. It's a great chance to learn from top leaders in the industry.

The Extreme Everest Shortcuts Edition

Why is this interesting? • 1085 implied HN points • 23 Jan 25
🎾 Sports Climbing Adventure Technology Health Innovation
  1. Many inexperienced climbers are now trying to summit Everest because of commercial expeditions that let anyone pay their way up. This has led to unsafe conditions and even deaths on the mountain.
  2. A new method to climb Everest includes using xenon gas to help increase red blood cells and improve oxygen flow, letting climbers ascend quicker. This is a big change from the traditional, slower acclimatization process.
  3. The climbing community is split on this new approach, with some seeing it as progress while others worry it's too risky. History shows that shortcuts in tough environments can lead to serious consequences.

I've Been Watching These 17 YouTube Videos

The Honest Broker • 6416 implied HN points • 14 Dec 24
🎭️ Culture Media Music Entertainment Art Technology
  1. YouTube has become a major platform, making more money than Netflix and attracting billions of user hours daily. It's like the new TV for many people.
  2. There is a lot of low-quality content on YouTube, but you can still find great videos if you know where to look.
  3. Artist exploitation in the music industry is still a big issue, with many musicians not earning money from their own work, and changes in technology are bringing past musicians back into the spotlight.

Interview: On Facebook and Mark Zuckerberg

TK News by Matt Taibbi • 2367 implied HN points • 16 Jan 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Media Technology Social media Censorship Interview
  1. Mark Zuckerberg has recently made a big shift in how he is presenting himself and Facebook. This change could have important effects moving forward.
  2. There are ongoing discussions about the impact of Facebook on free speech, especially in comparison to other social media platforms.
  3. There will be more updates and stories coming soon, including a new law in the U.K. and some controversies involving the TSA.

The State of the Culture, 2024

The Honest Broker • 121016 implied HN points • 18 Feb 24
🎭️ Culture Entertainment Arts Technology Social Issues Addiction
  1. The entertainment industry is facing challenges like Disney in crisis, Paramount laying off employees, and a decline in TV shows, showing a shift towards a post-entertainment culture.
  2. The culture is transitioning towards a focus on distraction and addiction, with tech platforms using stimuli to create addictive cycles, impacting people's brains and happiness levels.
  3. As our culture evolves into a dopamine-driven society, it becomes essential to be mindful of our consumption habits, unplug from technology at times, and appreciate the real world around us.

I said no to $20,000 because writers must take a moral stand on AI

The Intrinsic Perspective • 40255 implied HN points • 26 Nov 24
🎭️ Culture Literature Ethics Creativity Technology Media
  1. Writers should think carefully about the use of AI in their work. Making money is tempting, but authenticity and moral choices matter more.
  2. AI-generated content can create false connections. It's not the same as having a real conversation with a human being.
  3. Supporting human writers and creators is important to maintain authenticity in culture. Subscriptions to real human content can help keep that alive.

The Cat in the Tree: Why AI Content Leaves Us Cold

The Convivial Society • 2628 implied HN points • 03 Jan 25
🎭️ Culture Art Technology Philosophy Human experience Society
  1. AI-generated content can be technically impressive but often feels dull and forgettable to many people. It lacks the emotional warmth that comes from human creativity.
  2. Unexpected discoveries, like finding a charming painting in nature, can bring genuine delight and a sense of connection. This feeling of surprise adds value to human-made art.
  3. The essence of art lies in human intention and presence. Simple acts of creativity can create a sense of companionship and joy, forming connections in a lonely world.

It's Still Easier To Imagine The End Of The World Than The End Of Capitalism

Astral Codex Ten • 23813 implied HN points • 02 Jan 25
💼 Business Economics Inequality Capitalism Technology Wealth
  1. After the Singularity, wealth inequality might stay the same because AI will handle all labor. Everyone will earn similar returns on their investments, leading to a static distribution of wealth.
  2. Future wealth distribution could get more complicated with the birth of many descendants from rich individuals. This means those born into wealth might always have the advantage, creating a new kind of inequality over generations.
  3. To prevent extreme inequality, we might need government intervention or new ideas like wealth taxes to ensure that wealth is shared more fairly in a post-Singularity society.

Against the Factory Farming of Creativity

Altered States of Monetary Consciousness • 1544 implied HN points • 14 Jan 25
🎭️ Culture Art Creativity Technology Society Economics
  1. The rise of AI in creativity can make it hard to trust what's real. Many people now question if an artwork or a piece of writing is made by a human or a machine.
  2. Generative AI systems often simply copy styles instead of creating unique works. This can dilute the personal stories and emotions behind the art, making it feel less authentic.
  3. There’s a growing push for an 'AI-Free' label, similar to fair trade, to signify work that comes from genuine human creativity instead of machine-generated content.

Life Cannot Be Delegated

The Convivial Society • 2609 implied HN points • 29 Dec 24
🎭️ Culture Technology Humanity Philosophy Society Tradition
  1. Life is about personal involvement and cannot be handed off to technology. When we let technology take over important parts of our lives, we miss out on what makes life meaningful.
  2. We should think carefully about how much we delegate to technology. There are limits to how much we can rely on it before it stops helping us and starts taking away from our experience of life.
  3. Everyday tasks and responsibilities are not distractions; they are part of what shapes our lives. Embracing the mundane can help us find purpose and meaning in our actions.

Power, Speed and Centralisation

The Commonplace • 824 implied HN points • 23 Jan 25
📖 Philosophy Modernity Consumerism Power Technology Society
  1. We live in a fast-paced world where everything moves quickly, but it often leaves us feeling stressed and unfulfilled. Speed can make us feel busy without achieving true progress.
  2. The relentless push for speed and efficiency leads to a centralization of power and control. As technology advances, those who control the speed of communication gain more influence over our lives.
  3. Sometimes, it’s important to just stop and reflect. Taking a moment to slow down allows us to think critically about what we really want and question who benefits from our constant rush.

New column: Headlines of Interest

Random Minds by Katherine Brodsky • 121 implied HN points • 22 Feb 25
🎭️ Culture Media Politics Science Technology Entertainment
  1. Scientists are tracking a fast radio burst from a dead galaxy. This challenges what we thought we knew about how these signals can happen.
  2. A new blood test called PAC-MANN could help find pancreatic cancer earlier. Early detection can really improve treatment outcomes for patients.
  3. Chocolate prices are going up because of bad weather and disease affecting cocoa production in West Africa. This means chocolate bars may get smaller or more expensive.

Is focus a luxury African startups can't afford?

Afridigest • 23 implied HN points • 22 Feb 25
💼 Business Startups Finance Investing Entrepreneurship Technology
  1. African startups often diversify their services early, which may be driven by limited market options or investor demands. This means they can't always concentrate on one area.
  2. The reasons for expanding services can be both opportunity-based and necessity-based. Sometimes, businesses need to adapt due to market constraints rather than just chasing new opportunities.
  3. Determining how closely related new services are to existing ones can be tricky. The distance from a startup's core business affects its growth strategy.

The Making of a Gene Circuit

Asimov Press • 290 implied HN points • 16 Feb 25
🔬 Science Biology Genetics Mathematics Technology Engineering
  1. The repressilator is a simple gene circuit that helps scientists understand how to control living cells. It's made of three genes that work together in a loop to create a rhythmic 'on-off' signal.
  2. Michael Elowitz and his team proved that you could design circuits in living cells, which opened the door to synthetic biology. This means we can now program cells to perform specific tasks.
  3. Modern advancements have built on the repressilator, allowing us to create complex gene circuits that can mimic computing processes inside cells. This shows how biology can become a tool for engineering and technology.

✨⏩ JD Vance offers an accelerationist AI vision in Paris

Faster, Please! • 548 implied HN points • 11 Feb 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Populism Technology AI Policy Economic Policy International relations
  1. JD Vance spoke about how technology can empower workers instead of taking their jobs away. It's important to focus on how AI can help people do their jobs better.
  2. He emphasized the need for more support in areas that are less technologically advanced. Investing in the heartland can help create a balanced economy.
  3. Vance's speech addressed the idea of balancing innovation with careful development. It's crucial to ensure that the rapid growth of AI doesn’t lead to negative social impacts.

Where the Magic Doesn’t Happen

After Babel • 3133 implied HN points • 02 Jan 25
🎭️ Culture Technology Education Faith Parenting Philosophy
  1. Technology can make personal development harder. Instead of helping kids grow and learn, instant access to things distracts them from meaningful experiences.
  2. Magic, or instant and effortless results, should not be in places where kids learn and grow. Schools, homes, and churches need to avoid tech that takes away from real relationships and hard work.
  3. Even a short break from screens can help families reconnect. When tech is removed, people quickly find joy in being together and engaging in real life.

Microsoft's whitepaper for the U.S. Army's 'fighting google' and integration with Maven through Project Convergence

All-Source Intelligence Fusion • 691 implied HN points • 28 Jan 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Military Technology Contracts Artificial Intelligence Government
  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.

✨⏩ What DeepSeek means for faster AI-driven economic growth

Faster, Please! • 1005 implied HN points • 30 Jan 25
💼 Business Economics Technology Investments Productivity Global Trade
  1. DeepSeek's AI models show that effective technology doesn't always need expensive equipment, which could change how companies develop AI.
  2. Goldman Sachs believes AI could significantly boost productivity and global GDP, similar to tech booms seen in the past.
  3. The rise of cheaper AI models could lead to faster adoption of technology in businesses, which may help improve overall efficiency and economic growth.

Every Three Hours Is A Chance To Make A New World: Notes from the Oklo Reactor

Welcome to Garbagetown • 575 implied HN points • 07 Oct 24
🔬 Science Nuclear Technology Education Environment History Research
  1. Learning something new can spark excitement and a desire to share that knowledge with others. It's fun to dive into unexpected topics that capture our interest.
  2. Exploring the intersection of science and storytelling can reveal the beauty and power of both. Stories can make complex scientific ideas more relatable and engaging.
  3. Taking a break from politics and focusing on other subjects can be refreshing. There's a vast world of knowledge and wonder beyond political discussions.

Ultima Genomics...$80 Genome...$0 Genome...

ASeq Newsletter • 21 implied HN points • 26 Feb 25
🔬 Science Genetics Biotechnology Medicine Research Technology
  1. Ultima Genomics has improved its sequencer, allowing more output per run and lowering costs significantly. This means sequencing the genome will cost around $80 now.
  2. The new technology uses larger features which help boost throughput without needing complex techniques. This makes the process simpler and more efficient.
  3. While these changes are great for users, their long-term impact on the company’s survival is uncertain. It’s important that they remain financially viable to continue providing these benefits.

Pivotal Tech Company: 50% Drop in Orders

COVID Reason • 237 implied HN points • 16 Oct 24
💼 Business Finance Economics Markets Technology Innovation
  1. ASML, a major company in the semiconductor industry, saw a huge 50% drop in future bookings. This suggests some big challenges in the market right now.
  2. The decline in orders points to larger economic issues that could be affecting many companies. It shows how quickly things can change in the world of tech.
  3. Overall, this situation reveals that the financial landscape can be unpredictable. Companies need to stay alert to these shifts to manage risks properly.

The Monday Media Diet with Jasmine Sun

Why is this interesting? • 4222 implied HN points • 25 Nov 24
🎭️ Culture Media Literature Technology Travel Lifestyle
  1. A varied media diet is important. It's good to consume information from different sources instead of just what algorithms choose for you.
  2. Books can offer deep insights. Reading across genres, like fiction and nonfiction, can help understand complex societal issues better.
  3. Curiosity about subcultures can spark creativity. Exploring unique groups and ideas can inspire new perspectives and work.

Childhood and Education #8: Dealing with the Internet

Don't Worry About the Vase • 2060 implied HN points • 06 Jan 25
🚌 Education Childhood Internet Technology Social media Bullying
  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.

How we built a business out of recession - chapter 36 - ciao Italia

The ZIPster • 35 implied HN points • 28 Feb 25
💼 Business Entrepreneurship Startups Marketing Sales Technology
  1. CitNOW started as a small company in the UK and grew by creating easy-to-use automotive apps. They found success by being the first to offer this kind of technology in their market.
  2. They learned the importance of focusing on their target market, which was the automotive industry. They decided to stop chasing opportunities outside this sector to stay true to their core business.
  3. When expanding internationally, they took careful steps after learning from past mistakes. They aimed to enter the Italian market by leveraging their successes and established relationships with companies like Volkswagen.

Six Startups to Watch

The Generalist • 400 implied HN points • 10 Feb 25
💼 Business Startups Investing Finance Technology Entrepreneurship
  1. There are six startups that are worth paying attention to right now. They offer fresh ideas in areas like DNA sequencing and AI.
  2. These startups include a competitor to 23&Me and an AI accounting tool, which could change their industries.
  3. Joining a subscription service can give you exclusive insights into these startups and keep you updated on new trends.

Inside Biden’s Billion-Dollar Broadband Boondoggle

Common Sense with Bari Weiss • 1085 implied HN points • 15 Jan 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Policy Infrastructure Government Technology
  1. The Biden administration promised to provide reliable internet access to 25 million people in rural areas. This is important because many people living in these regions struggle with slow or no internet service.
  2. The $42 billion investment meant to improve broadband services has not connected a single customer yet. This raises questions about how effective the program is and why it hasn't delivered on its promises.
  3. Many individuals, like a software engineer in Wisconsin, face challenges working from home due to poor internet connectivity. Without successful implementation of broadband programs, their work continues to suffer.

DeFi Roundup + Q&A (September 2024 pt. 1)

DeFi Education • 459 implied HN points • 14 Sep 24
🔮 Crypto DeFi Blockchain Tokenization Finance Technology
  1. Coinbase is bringing tokenized Bitcoin to the Ethereum network, which could have a big impact on DeFi. This is significant because the Bitcoin network holds a lot of value.
  2. There are updates on Trump’s World Liberty Financial, hinting at its involvement in the DeFi space. This reflects the growing interest from traditional finance figures in decentralized finance.
  3. A bi-weekly Q&A section is included, allowing subscribers to ask questions related to DeFi. This engagement can help the community learn and understand more about developments in the space.

The Real User Interface: Recovering Our Neighborhoods

After Babel • 1397 implied HN points • 14 Jan 25
🎭️ Culture Community Technology Education Religion Urban Youth
  1. Technology is pulling us apart, but we have the tools to bring our communities back together. Building strong, in-person connections helps kids thrive.
  2. Changes like urban planning for cars instead of people, and the decline of local institutions weaken our neighborhoods. We need to create spaces for people to gather and connect.
  3. Individualism and a focus on material success have shifted our dreams away from community ties. Investing time and effort into our neighborhoods can help restore those important social bonds.