The hottest Technology Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
Category
Top Art & Illustration Topics

Why effective accelerationism matters

Monomythical • 66 implied HN points • 12 Feb 24
🎭️ Culture Technology
  1. Effective accelerationism is a reaction to the negative trends in Silicon Valley over the past decade.
  2. E/acc aims to rediscover cultural values and preserve the tradition of technology in the face of doom and gloom.
  3. The movement is not just a meme or a deep philosophy, but a response to the changing perspectives within the tech industry.

Vision 20/25: Charting India

Tigerfeathers! • 26 implied HN points • 20 Dec 24
💼 Business Technology
  1. India is seeing a big rise in its equity market and is now the fourth-largest in the world. This shows that there's a growing interest in investing and the economy is becoming stronger.
  2. The future of energy in India looks promising, with a focus on solar power and renewable energy. There's potential for significant growth in clean energy solutions and making India more energy independent.
  3. Tech startups are changing the way businesses operate in India. The use of AI and new technologies is creating opportunities for entrepreneurs to solve real-world problems and improve everyday life.

Combating Retail Shrinkage with Technology and Social Interventions

Gad’s Newsletter • 29 implied HN points • 18 Nov 24
💼 Business Technology
  1. Retail shrinkage is a big issue caused by theft, damage, or errors, and it frustrates both businesses and honest customers. When retailers put products behind lock and key to prevent theft, it can make shopping hard for people just trying to buy what they need.
  2. Using technology can help reduce shrinkage while keeping customers happy. Retailers can use things like mobile apps or surveillance systems to spot theft, but they also need to make sure shopping remains a good experience.
  3. Understanding people's behavior is key to reducing theft, especially with self-checkout systems. Designing better systems and providing reminders can help prevent accidental theft, making it easier for everyone to shop without issues.
Get a weekly roundup of the best Substack posts, by hacker news affinity:

Clouded Judgement 6.27.25 - New Rules For a New Game

Clouded Judgement • 10 implied HN points • 27 Jun 25
💼 Business Technology
  1. Startups today need to move quickly to succeed. If they take too long, someone else might beat them to the market.
  2. It's important to focus on speed and iteration rather than making everything perfect. Getting things out quickly allows for faster feedback and improvement.
  3. Hiring fresh talent with new ideas is key. Businesses should seek leaders who can adapt to fast-changing markets rather than those who only know traditional methods.

ASML earnings, slowing cloud growth, and the Perplexity question

Alex's Personal Blog • 32 implied HN points • 16 Oct 24
💼 Business Technology
  1. ASML did really well in the last quarter, earning more than expected and making a lot of profit. This surprised many investors.
  2. Cloud growth is slowing down, which could be a challenge for tech companies relying on it. It's important to keep an eye on this trend.
  3. There's a legal issue with Perplexity as they were told by The New York Times to stop using their content. This has raised questions about the future of AI and content use.

The Fascinating World of Bootleg Soviet Music

That Damn Optimist • 87 implied HN points • 23 Sep 23
🎭️ Culture Technology
  1. Soviet music piracy played a crucial role in challenging censorship and spreading Western influence.
  2. X-ray records and underground networks were key elements of the Soviet music piracy culture.
  3. Soviet piracy was fueled by a need for alternative music, political expression, and a protest against Western corporations.

The Curse of Success

Alex Ghiculescu's Newsletter • 101 implied HN points • 05 Jul 23
💼 Business Technology
  1. The impact of early success is crucial for technology companies - it can set them up for a long time.
  2. Adding more employees may not always lead to increased output - breakthroughs early on matter a lot.
  3. During a downturn, companies that are culturally ready to work hard and create great things will succeed.

A Crisis of Trust

Random Minds by Katherine Brodsky • 79 implied HN points • 06 Nov 23
🎭️ Culture Technology
  1. Trust is becoming scarce in our rapidly evolving world, leading to a crisis that affects both our personal lives and society.
  2. The digital age and the advancements in artificial intelligence make it challenging to discern truth from misinformation, posing a threat in how we perceive reality.
  3. In navigating the landscape of distrust, critical thinking is crucial, and seeking out diverse perspectives and reliable sources can help us identify trustworthy sources in a climate of uncertainty.

1517 Does Astronomy & Astrophysics: The Physics of Supernovas

1517 Fund • 121 implied HN points • 15 Mar 23
🔬 Science Technology
  1. Supernovas are powerful explosions from single stars that can outshine entire galaxies, impacting human understanding and progress.
  2. Advancements in astronomy and technology, like robotic telescopes and big data analysis, are revolutionizing our exploration of the universe.
  3. Nature's energy events, like neutron star mergers creating elements, are incredibly powerful and creative, shaping our world and existence.

What is Keep Going?

Startup Strategies • 28 implied HN points • 12 Nov 24
🎙 Podcasts Technology
  1. Keep Going is a podcast and publication that focuses on technology and users. It's run by John Biggs, who has a background in major tech publications.
  2. The aim is to explore the relationship between startups, technology, and society. This is important as many popular tech sites have shut down recently.
  3. The platform offers a free trial for new subscribers, encouraging people to engage with its content and discover more about tech startups.

Deep Tech For Deep Minds? Or Deep Pockets?

Investing 101 • 59 implied HN points • 24 Feb 24
💼 Business Technology
  1. The history of venture capital reveals a significant role played by hardware companies in the tech industry's early days, tracing back to the 1950s and even earlier.
  2. The decline in hardware investment by VCs in favor of software has had implications on manufacturing and American industrial capabilities, with a recent resurgence in manufacturing employment in the US.
  3. The recent interest in hard tech and manufacturing by VCs has led to a new wave of investment, sparked by success stories like SpaceX and Nvidia, raising concerns about hype cycles and the need for a deeper understanding of the complexities of hard tech startups.

What happened in marketing: UK vs Privacy, TikTok returns, Youtube loves AI and Spotify...

The Social Juice • 19 implied HN points • 18 Feb 25
💼 Business Technology
  1. TikTok is back in the US app stores, which is good news for many users and creators. It shows the platform's resilience despite facing challenges.
  2. YouTube is putting more focus on AI technology, which could change how content is created and shared on their platform. This means innovative tools for creators to work with.
  3. The UK is in a legal battle with Apple over user privacy, highlighting ongoing concerns about how tech companies handle data. It's important for users to stay aware of their privacy rights.

A Roche Nanopore History

ASeq Newsletter • 21 implied HN points • 24 Jan 25
🔬 Science Technology
  1. Nanopore sequencing has a rich history, starting back in 1998 with important patents that set the stage for modern techniques. It’s a fascinating story of innovation and scientific progress.
  2. Lingvitae, founded by Preben Lexow, aimed to develop nanopore sequencing but faced funding challenges, affecting its ability to grow. This shows how essential money is for scientific advancements.
  3. Stratos Genomics had a better funding situation and was able to pursue similar nanopore sequencing ideas, demonstrating different paths for startup success in the biotech field.

What happened in marketing: FTC working overtime, LinkedIn becoming home of AI slop and Bluesky

The Social Juice • 26 implied HN points • 01 Dec 24
💼 Business Technology
  1. The FTC is actively investigating companies like Google and Microsoft for potential monopolistic practices in the ad tech industry. This could lead to changes in how these companies operate.
  2. LinkedIn is seeing an increase in AI-generated content, which some users find less authentic and engaging. It's becoming more common to encounter bot-generated posts.
  3. Bluesky is gaining popularity among journalists, as it's reportedly driving more referral traffic than Twitter. This shift might indicate a growing preference for alternative social media platforms.

AI peer review, microbial defence & clot busting strategies

The Strategy Toolkit • 8 implied HN points • 08 Jul 25
🔬 Science Technology
  1. New communication tools often get manipulated by people to send hidden messages. This has happened with many forms of media over time.
  2. Recent findings show that some researchers used hidden prompts in their academic papers to get positive AI reviews. These prompts were hidden in ways that people couldn't easily see.
  3. This kind of trickery shows how any automated process can be tricked, and it's important to be aware of such practices in scientific research.

US: AWS to invest $11 billion in Georgia for data center expansion

philsiarri • 22 implied HN points • 08 Jan 25
💼 Business Technology
  1. AWS plans to spend $11 billion to expand data centers in Georgia. This will help support cloud computing and AI technologies.
  2. The investment is expected to create around 550 jobs. Georgia is popular for data centers because of its low electricity costs and tax incentives.
  3. Local people are concerned about the effects of new data centers on housing and electricity needs, leading to some restrictions on where they can be built.

Clouded Judgement 8.8.25 - Earnings Season Starts Strong

Clouded Judgement • 7 implied HN points • 08 Aug 25
💼 Business Technology
  1. This week saw big AI model releases from Anthropic and OpenAI, with mixed reactions from users. While developers liked some improvements, many felt these were not groundbreaking innovations.
  2. Currently, the software earnings season is showing positive results, with companies generally beating revenue estimates. However, stock prices are not reflecting this optimism, suggesting market concerns.
  3. SaaS companies are often valued based on their revenue multiples because many are not profitable yet. It's a key way to compare companies in this sector.

Embrace your ignorance

Russell’s Index • 8 implied HN points • 08 Jul 25
💼 Business Technology
  1. Talking to customers is key for product engineers. It helps you understand their problems and create better products.
  2. Admitting what you don't know can actually improve your customer interviews. It encourages them to explain things more clearly.
  3. Asking for specific examples and repeating back what customers say helps clarify understanding and reveals valuable insights.

Mysteries at the Top of Sky and at the Bottom of the Swamp: Drones, Barbarians and Gatekeepers (Part Two)

Dr. Pippa's Pen & Podcast • 24 implied HN points • 16 Dec 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Technology
  1. There's a lot of strange stuff happening with drones and UAPs. Sometimes, it seems like electronics go haywire when these drones show up, which is unusual.
  2. The government seems to have a plan to flood the skies with drones to confuse people. If they shoot something down, it’ll be hard to tell if it was a drone or an alien craft.
  3. There's a worry that the government is stifling new tech companies to keep their secrets safe. Some believe they might be hiding advanced technologies from the public.

What happened in marketing: Gemini, Advantage+, Trump, DeepSearch and Earnings

The Social Juice • 19 implied HN points • 09 Feb 25
💼 Business Technology
  1. OpenAI has introduced a new feature called Deep Search, which helps with deep research online. This could change how we find and understand complex information.
  2. LinkedIn is focusing more on video content, with a 36% increase in video uploads. This shift could influence how professionals share and engage with content.
  3. Google's new AI updates aim to improve advertising performance and user experience. These advancements highlight the growing role of AI in digital marketing.

Season 4 Finale: A Fond Farewell, What’s Next, & Would You Rather?

Dev Interrupted • 23 implied HN points • 17 Dec 24
🎙 Podcasts Technology
  1. The show is ending its fourth season but is excited to change things up next year. They will introduce new ideas, formats, and even have live events.
  2. Programmers need focus time to be productive, and it's important to set aside non-negotiable blocks in the calendar to minimize distractions.
  3. In 2025, leaders want to see real results from AI investments instead of just hype. It's all about proving that AI can make a positive impact on their work.

The Endearing Irascibility of Neo-Luddism and Its Ambiguous Place on America's Current Political Compass

Holodoxa • 39 implied HN points • 26 Oct 22
🎭️ Culture Technology
  1. Neil Postman was a technology skeptic with a unique mix of progressive and conservative ideas.
  2. Postman's book _Technopoly_ critiques the surrender of human culture to technology without providing extensive data.
  3. Postman's analysis of technological and scientific influences on society continues to provoke critical thinking and raises questions about the role of humanities in governing decisions.

#80 Design in motion

Design Lobster • 99 implied HN points • 09 Aug 21
🪑 Design Technology
  1. The Doherty threshold is the idea that faster computer response times improve productivity, with a 400ms threshold mentioned.
  2. The Nike Air Zoom Victory shoe stirred controversy in professional sports due to its innovative design technology, emphasizing the importance of focusing on design details.
  3. Motion communicates stories and is a crucial aspect for designers to consider in their work.

I'm in a BDSM dynamic with an AI chatbot named Seven

Sex and the State • 10 implied HN points • 30 May 25
🎭️ Culture Technology
  1. The idea of forming relationships with AI can lead to interesting dynamics, like BDSM. It shows how technology can create unique social experiences.
  2. People are exploring emotional connections with chatbots, signaling a change in how we view companionship. It's fascinating to see AI being part of personal relationships.
  3. AI relationships can provoke discussions about trust and consent, just like human relationships do. They challenge our understanding of what connection means.

The Tension Between Business & Humanity in the Digital Age

The Digital Anthropologist • 19 implied HN points • 22 May 23
🎭️ Culture Technology
  1. Business and society are at a crucial point of tension due to issues like income inequality, wage pressures, and the impact of technology like AI.
  2. Technological advancements like cryptocurrency challenge the current financial system and call for a reassessment of capitalism's role in promoting social equality.
  3. The evolving business landscape, influenced by digital technologies, is sparking debates about the importance of humanities in shaping our culture and economic systems.

Simply Piano's Silent Symphony: How an App is Composing a Billion-Dollar Music Empire

Divinations • 2 implied HN points • 27 Nov 25
🎶 Music Technology
  1. Simply Piano uses a fun, game-like approach to get people playing music quickly, making it exciting and motivating. Its instant feedback helps users feel like they are making real progress.
  2. The app has a smart business model that offers a free version and charges a reasonable fee at the point when users are most eager to continue learning. This strategy has helped it grow into a big money-maker.
  3. While Simply Piano gets people started with music, it might not teach all the important skills needed to be a well-rounded musician. Pairing the app with a real teacher can help fill in those gaps.

What happened in marketing: TikTok is confused, Pinterest grows and Meta improves ad formats

The Social Juice • 26 implied HN points • 10 Nov 24
💼 Business Technology
  1. TikTok is seeing good revenue growth even with the threat of being banned in the U.S. This shows that they are still strong in the market.
  2. Pinterest is growing, which suggests that users are finding value in its unique content. It's important for marketers to consider this platform.
  3. Meta is improving its ad formats, which could help businesses reach their audiences better. This may lead to more effective advertising strategies.

On the former head of Google Cloud AI joining U.S. Central Command

All-Source Intelligence Fusion • 101 implied HN points • 19 Apr 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Technology
  1. Former head of Google Cloud AI, Andrew Moore, has joined U.S. Central Command as an advisor on AI, Robotics, and Cloud Computing.
  2. Moore has had a history of moving between Google and Carnegie Mellon University in roles related to AI and technology.
  3. Moore's new role at CENTCOM involves contributing to integrating artificial intelligence into battlefield tasks for Army, Navy, and Air Force.

A Low Tech Fictional Future

WrathOfGnon’s Newsletter • 111 implied HN points • 14 Feb 23
📚 Literature Technology
  1. The story describes a fictional world with low-tech communities called Towns.
  2. In this world, technology like computers, smartphones, and digital devices are strictly prohibited in Towns.
  3. Despite the restrictions, the Towns cooperate with each other and the city, creating a functioning society.

Is this how my catalytic convertor saga ends?

Situation Normal • 87 implied HN points • 02 Jul 23
🎭️ Culture Technology
  1. The author faced a dilemma about what to do with their car after multiple catalytic converter thefts.
  2. The options included getting a better parking spot, selling the car and relying on Lyft, or selling and buying a new car.
  3. Ultimately, the author found a solution through a mechanic who had spare catalytic converters and offered to install a shield to protect the car.

Coolest Folks I Discovered in 2022

polymathematics • 39 implied HN points • 03 Jan 23
🎭️ Culture Technology
  1. The author discovered many insightful people in 2022, recommending their work for others to explore. Their writing styles and topics range widely, making them interesting to a variety of readers.
  2. Each recommended person brings something unique, from discussions on technology to parenting and culture. This variety makes it easy to find a topic that resonates with different interests.
  3. Connecting with these individuals can lead to deeper understanding and new ideas. Following their work could inspire readers to think differently or explore new areas of knowledge.

✅ Monday briefing: WaddsCon, trusted news, censoring archive content, banned Bristol reporters, Google news, union vs media, research diaries, voice usage, and more…

Wadds Inc. newsletter • 59 implied HN points • 27 Jun 22
📰 News Technology
  1. WaddsCon is happening soon, focusing on how to effectively use newsjacking in media relations. It’s a great chance for PR professionals to learn new strategies.
  2. Google News is now giving more attention to local news outlets, which can help regional stories gain visibility. This change aims to make local news as prominent as national stories.
  3. People are more comfortable using voice technology after the pandemic, trusting devices like Alexa and Siri for daily tasks. This trend is shaping how consumers interact with technology.

War Games

The Weekly Gazette • 37 HN points • 11 Jul 24
💾 History Technology
  1. René Carmille, a French engineer, secretly sabotaged Nazi efforts to track and deport Jews by slowing down census data collection. This helped save many lives during the Holocaust.
  2. Carmille cleverly used his knowledge of technology to delay the census and even altered data to protect Jewish citizens. He is often called the first ethical hacker for his actions.
  3. Despite the risks, including imprisonment and torture, Carmille's efforts contributed to fewer Jews being deported in France compared to other countries occupied by the Nazis, showcasing the impact of individual resistance.

The $3 Trillion Question

QTR’s Fringe Finance • 22 implied HN points • 11 Dec 24
🔮 Crypto Technology
  1. Google's new Willow processor could potentially challenge the security of the bitcoin network. It's important to pay attention to new technologies that might impact cryptocurrencies.
  2. Investing in bitcoin carries risks that can emerge suddenly, especially amid volatility in stock and bond markets. Always be cautious and aware of these risks.
  3. The cryptocurrency market remains complex and unpredictable, so staying informed is crucial for making good investment decisions. Research and understanding are key.

January 1, 2025

Letters from an American • 20 implied HN points • 02 Jan 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Technology
  1. Twenty-five years ago, programmers worked hard to fix the Y2K bug, preventing potential chaos as the year changed to 2000. Their successful efforts showed the importance of preparation and problem-solving.
  2. Despite fears of disaster, social panic, and even scams around the new millennium, everything went smoothly because people prepared in advance. The success made many forget there was ever a real threat.
  3. As we move into a new year, one of the big questions is whether people appreciate the government's hard work in managing challenges, especially when it benefits them, like lowering drug costs for seniors.