The hottest Technology Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
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Never express your ‘Use of Funds’ slide as percentages, why? | VC Remote Jobs & More

Venture Curator • 219 implied HN points • 30 Jan 24
💼 Business Technology
  1. When raising funds, focus on milestones rather than expressing your 'Use of Funds' slide as percentages to show understanding of the funding journey.
  2. Understand where the value increase in your startup will come from, ensuring the proper allocation of funds for operations, technology development, and growth metrics.
  3. Design your fundraising strategy around specific goals and targets, painting a clear picture of how the next round of funding will be achieved through key hires, customer growth, and revenue increase.

Intercom's decisive bet on AI

Kyle Poyar’s Growth Unhinged • 315 implied HN points • 21 May 25
💼 Business Technology
  1. Intercom was quick to invest in AI, becoming a leader by being the first major SaaS company to do so. Their 'war time' CEO, Eoghan McCabe, made bold decisions to redefine customer support with AI.
  2. The quality of AI tools matters more than just having features. Intercom's Fin AI agent succeeded through a lot of testing, improving its ability to resolve customer inquiries from 25% to 56%.
  3. Competitors now have to focus on delivering results, not just flashy marketing. Businesses need to educate their customers on how to choose AI products based on effectiveness, not just promises.

Odds and Ends #50: The weird thing about London's New Year's Fireworks

Odds and Ends of History • 603 implied HN points • 04 Jan 25
🎭️ Culture Technology
  1. London's New Year's fireworks have some unexpected political twists that make them more than just a fun spectacle.
  2. The British government needs a solid plan for dealing with Elon Musk's comments and actions that could affect public discourse.
  3. Generative AI is changing the way we think about video production, and its latest developments are surprisingly impressive.

How (and Why) to Avoid Death by Notification

Litverse • 239 implied HN points • 16 Jan 24
🎭️ Culture Technology
  1. Notifications are distractions that can lead to memory issues and reduced focus. It's essential to limit them to save time and mental energy.
  2. Our social media presence can drown out our real selves. It's vital to express thoughts without seeking validation to understand our true identity.
  3. Creating art and finding stillness are crucial for self-discovery. By disconnecting from devices, we can focus on meaningful activities and tap into our inspirations.
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From CIA station chief to AI chatbots to Trump-adjacent lobbying

All-Source Intelligence Fusion • 529 implied HN points • 20 Jan 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Technology
  1. Enrique de la Torre, a former CIA station chief, has now joined a lobbying firm with ties to the Trump administration. This shows a trend of government officials moving to private sector roles.
  2. De la Torre criticized the CIA's new AI system for profiling world leaders, calling it inadequate compared to his ideas. This highlights ongoing discussions about the effectiveness of technology in government work.
  3. His views on U.S. foreign policy, especially in Latin America, suggest he will push for strong stances against countries like Cuba and Venezuela in his new role. This aligns with certain hawkish perspectives in U.S. politics.

The Stars in Our Phones

Justin E. H. Smith's Hinternet • 466 implied HN points • 13 Feb 25
🎭️ Culture Technology
  1. Astrology is becoming popular again, especially among younger people who use apps for horoscopes. They find it interesting and fun, and it gives them a sense of connection in today's tech-driven world.
  2. Historically, many famous leaders, like Ronald Reagan, have turned to astrology for guidance. This shows that astrology has always held a place in society, despite its ups and downs in popularity.
  3. The market for astrology-related products is growing rapidly. It's expected to double by 2031, indicating a significant rise in interest and belief in astrology as a tool for understanding life.

OSD 358: Our favorite OSD essays from 2025

Open Source Defense • 24 implied HN points • 02 Jan 26
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Technology
  1. Building tech for government can improve legitimate public services, but it often ends up empowering surveillance and coercive powers instead of the right functions.
  2. There’s clear room for civilian-defense innovation, from better home‑defense solutions to alternatives that could replace or improve on guns, and startups should pursue those gaps.
  3. With the NFA tax stamp effectively eliminated, suppressors, short‑barreled rifles, and AOWs will likely become much more common, quickly reshaping markets and how people equip themselves.

How Steve Jobs Got It Wrong

Litverse • 399 implied HN points • 25 May 23
🎭️ Culture Technology
  1. Writing by hand triggers more brain activity and memory recall than digital writing. Paper is more efficient for note-taking, being 25% faster than tablets or smartphones.
  2. Physical writing on paper makes it easier to remember and learn things, as it gives a spatial awareness that aids memory recall.
  3. Writing by hand fosters creativity, empathy, and deeper thinking compared to typing, as it engages distinct neural pathways linked to learning and memory.

Figma S-1 Breakdown

Tanay’s Newsletter • 195 implied HN points • 15 Jul 25
💼 Business Technology
  1. Figma took its time, focusing on building a great product before pushing for profits. This approach paid off as it grew into a major player in design tools.
  2. Figma has successfully expanded beyond just design, offering multiple tools for the entire product development process. Many of its users are now benefiting from various products within the platform.
  3. While Figma is doing well financially, there are concerns about how AI will change the design landscape. The company sees both risks and opportunities with AI, aiming to integrate it effectively into their tools.

The Who and Why of Spacetech Investments

Space Ambition • 119 implied HN points • 05 Apr 24
💼 Business Technology
  1. Interest in spacetech is growing fast, with many venture capital firms looking to invest. This area is part of a larger category called deeptech, which is seen as complex and risky.
  2. Investors are drawn to spacetech for its long-term potential, much like investing in successful tech companies in their early days. They want to be part of something big that could change the future.
  3. Despite a recent drop in overall investment activity, specialist funds are still eager to invest in spacetech. They see value in supporting innovative sectors that could lead to significant advancements.

More data center spending and an IPO!

Alex's Personal Blog • 65 implied HN points • 11 Nov 25
💼 Business Technology
  1. Companies are investing heavily in data centers, indicating strong demand for AI technology. This spending shows that businesses see long-term value in cloud infrastructure.
  2. Two AI companies, OpenAI and Anthropic, are taking different paths in their growth strategies. OpenAI is focusing on consumer and enterprise markets, while Anthropic is targeting mostly business customers.
  3. Klook, a travel and experience booking service, is planning to go public in the US after recovering from the pandemic. Its profitability and growth in gross transaction value make it an interesting investment opportunity.

Chinese netizens outraged over Apple employee photo

Wenhao’s news blog • 393 implied HN points • 18 Sep 23
🌍 World Politics Technology
  1. Chinese netizens accused Apple of discrimination due to a photo of an Asian-looking employee, but it was actually a Native American woman from California.
  2. Online poll results show that a majority found Apple's use of the photo inappropriate, despite the explanation.
  3. There was backlash against Apple in China, amid praise for Huawei, highlighting a contradiction in reactions.

Geoengineering Now!

Maximum Progress • 334 implied HN points • 08 Nov 23
🔬 Science Technology
  1. Solar geoengineering can offset temperature rise relatively inexpensively.
  2. Geoengineering could help delay and mitigate damages of climate change.
  3. Arguments against geoengineering include concerns about unintended effects and moral hazard.

DeFi Education Q&A (August Q&A)

DeFi Education • 459 implied HN points • 16 Aug 23
🔮 Crypto Technology
  1. The Q&A sessions provide expert insights from professionals in finance and software. It's a chance to learn from people who know a lot about these topics.
  2. These sessions are held monthly, giving subscribers the opportunity to ask questions and get answers regularly.
  3. Participation requires a paid subscription, which ensures that the information shared is valuable and exclusive.

Surface Noise

Dada Drummer Almanach • 9 implied HN points • 07 Feb 26
🎶 Music Technology
  1. Analog recordings keep both the music and the marks of their use — surface noise, tape hiss, and studio sounds — and those imperfections make listening feel tactile and time‑bound.
  2. Digital formats remove physical friction and surface noise, giving cleaner sound and huge libraries, but that intangibility often encourages skipping and shallower listening instead of close, time‑rich attention.
  3. New technologies from the player piano to magnetic tape and multitrack recording transformed how music is made and edited, enabling creative splicing and overdubs while also introducing limits like tape hiss and prompting changes in copyright law.

The Stars, Our Destination?

Everything Is Amazing • 1479 implied HN points • 06 Feb 24
🔬 Science Technology
  1. Space exploration faces challenges like the vastness of space and technological limitations.
  2. JPL has a track record of extending mission goals for spacecraft, showcasing innovation and efficiency.
  3. Theoretical concepts like FTL drives and warp drives may be intriguing, but the feasibility remains uncertain due to scientific principles and practical challenges.

The Wall Street Journal Article on LNT

Gordian Knot News • 197 implied HN points • 14 Jul 25
🔬 Science Technology
  1. The Linear No Threshold (LNT) model does not claim there's no safe dose of radiation. Instead, it looks at how radiation can increase cancer risk based on total exposure.
  2. LNT assumes that our DNA can't repair itself from radiation damage, which isn't true according to modern science. Our bodies have effective systems to fix DNA damage.
  3. Critics of LNT may overestimate cancer risks from radiation by ignoring actual biological repair processes, especially when radiation exposure is low and spread over time.

Maybe women should design our sci-fi future

The Novelleist • 1411 implied HN points • 13 Feb 24
🎭️ Culture Technology
  1. Reimagining the design of our technological future with more feminine perspectives can lead to more visually appealing, sustainable, and community-oriented innovations.
  2. Women-led tech companies often prioritize healthcare, environmental conservation, and community well-being over traditional futuristic themes like cars and spaceships.
  3. By encouraging more women sci-fi writers to envision the future and women technologists to build it, we can create a more diverse, inclusive, and beautiful vision for our technological advancements.

China On Track To Pass Japan in Auto Exports

Japan Economy Watch • 479 implied HN points • 25 Apr 23
💼 Business Technology
  1. China is set to overtake Japan in auto exports, driven largely by the rise of EVs.
  2. Japanese automakers risk repeating the decline of the Detroit Three by resisting the shift to electric vehicles (EVs).
  3. The dominance of Japanese automakers is being challenged by Chinese brands, mirroring a historical pattern of established companies failing to adapt to technological shifts.

Understanding Gravitational-Wave Observatories: A Pillar of Modern Fundamental Science

Space Ambition • 99 implied HN points • 19 Apr 24
🔬 Science Technology
  1. Gravitational-wave observatories like LIGO help us understand the universe better. They can detect tiny ripples in spacetime caused by huge cosmic events like black hole mergers.
  2. Investing in fundamental science is cost-effective and leads to unexpected technological benefits. For example, the innovations developed for LIGO can also help in industries like manufacturing and quantum computing.
  3. Fundamental science projects prepare us for future challenges, much like a university education does. They provide a foundation that helps scientists and engineers create new technologies and solutions down the line.

Bitcoin Tech Talk #381

jimmysong • 196 implied HN points • 29 Jan 24
🔮 Crypto Technology
  1. The Marshmallow Test may measure compliance more than self-restraint.
  2. Declining fertility rates worldwide are prompting statist solutions.
  3. Chemists found artificial sweeteners by accidentally tasting chemicals.

Eric Yuan: The Rise Of Zoom

Category Pirates • 373 implied HN points • 13 Feb 23
💼 Business Technology
  1. Eric Yuan, founder of Zoom, had a vision to make the world a better place through seamless communication.
  2. Yuan's category design philosophy focused on prioritizing customer happiness and building a product that customers truly love.
  3. Zoom's success in dominating the video conferencing market was attributed to Yuan's vision, tenacity, and focus on end-user satisfaction.

Vision 20/26: Charting India

Tigerfeathers! • 35 implied HN points • 19 Dec 25
💼 Business Technology
  1. AI has to prove real results in 2026 — products that deliver measurable customer value, cut routine decisions, and automate common tasks (including voice and edge AI) will win, not just flashy promises.
  2. India’s economy is shifting to a homegrown engine of growth — strong SIP-led domestic capital, an active IPO market, rising founder ambition, deep‑tech gains, and massive SMB digitisation are creating large, local opportunities with global potential.
  3. Infrastructure and resource gaps are becoming critical constraints — data centres need reliable clean power, clean‑tech investment is misaligned with where future energy demand will grow, and water security is an urgent problem that requires tech and policy solutions.

What's Your Theology of AI?

What Is Called Thinking? • 40 implied HN points • 02 Dec 25
⛪ Faith & Spirituality Technology
  1. Many people are optimistic about AI, but academics and religious communities tend to be more cautious or skeptical.
  2. Framing AI theologically can help faith communities address its moral, spiritual, and educational implications.
  3. Jewish educators are being invited to consider and develop a distinct theology of AI to guide teaching and community conversation.

Apple

Business Breakdowns • 373 implied HN points • 11 Apr 23
💼 Business Technology
  1. Apple's revenue is divided into five segments: iPhone, Mac, iPad, Wearables, Home and Accessories, and Services.
  2. Apple's Services segment has high margins and benefits from the large installed base of iPhone, Mac, and iPad users.
  3. Apple has a negative cash conversion cycle, giving the company leverage over its suppliers and improving working capital.

The Go-To-Market silver bullet

Top of the Lyne • 373 implied HN points • 13 Apr 23
💼 Business Technology
  1. Pictory used Behavioral AI and in-app nudges to boost Net Revenue Retention by 14%.
  2. Pictory faced challenges with high churn rates and poor free-to-paid conversions.
  3. The use of Behavioral AI and in-app nudges led to a 38% increase in free-to-paid conversions in just three weeks.

Chip Wars

Voss Capital • 373 implied HN points • 10 Sep 23
💼 Business Technology
  1. The semiconductor industry has been heavily influenced by geopolitical strategy, with countries like Taiwan and China playing crucial roles in chip manufacturing and innovation.
  2. The United States, while a dominant force in technological leadership, is in a precarious position due to dependence on Taiwan and China for chip manufacturing and assembly.
  3. Investors should consider companies like Intel as strategic assets, monitor the monopoly of companies like ASML, and be aware of potential geopolitical tensions impacting the semiconductor industry.

Grading Extropian Predictions

Maximum Progress • 373 implied HN points • 03 Jun 23
🔬 Science Technology
  1. Extropians are a group of influential futurists with high-profile members.
  2. Extropians made predictions with mixed accuracy, often being overly optimistic.
  3. Some Extropian predictions showed potential for accuracy, but overall their optimism sometimes led to incorrect forecasts.

BMT AI Part 2

Black Mountain Analysis • 216 implied HN points • 14 Jan 24
🎙 Podcasts Technology
  1. Diego Exposito is an aerospace engineer with a PhD in hypersonic aerodynamics.
  2. The Black Mountain Talks podcast discusses practical uses of AI and different AI systems.
  3. Theoretical examples of AI applications are explored in the podcast episode.

The Fuss Over Chips

Diane Francis • 559 implied HN points • 18 May 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Technology
  1. Semiconductor chips are extremely important today, like how steel was key during World War II. They're used in everything from smartphones to military systems, making them a vital part of the global economy.
  2. The CHIPS Act in the U.S. aims to boost domestic production of chips and limit China’s access to advanced technology. This has created a significant economic and geopolitical tug-of-war between the two countries.
  3. China is trying to gain leverage by controlling resources needed for technology, like lithium and cobalt, while the U.S. deals with the challenge of ensuring fair trading practices. Both countries need a balance to improve the global economy without conflicts.

The Summary Edition

Why is this interesting? • 1387 implied HN points • 30 Jan 24
🎭️ Culture Technology
  1. AI-driven summaries are becoming more prevalent, affecting how we consume information.
  2. Tech-enabled summarization tools can be helpful due to the abundance of content, but they may strip away depth and context.
  3. Relying too much on AI for distilling information raises questions about the loss of individual interpretation and meaning-making.