The hottest Technology Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
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Rabbit Holes 🕳️ #64

Creative Destruction • 13 implied HN points • 24 Jan 24
🎭️ Culture Technology
  1. Realize the impact of wearing clothes made from fossil fuels
  2. Understand how online behavior and algorithms homogenize coffee shop aesthetics
  3. Consider the lack of organic connection in technology and how it affects human interaction

Thinking Machines, Thinking Laws [HTC #70]

Hold the code • 2 implied HN points • 09 Jun 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Technology
  1. Elon Musk's role in the Department of Governmental Efficiency raises concerns about how AI is being used in government. Some think it might not be the best for federal workers' job security.
  2. A new bill aims to prohibit states from regulating AI for the next 10 years, which could weaken overall oversight. This means there might be less protection against potential risks from AI technologies.
  3. Some states are stepping up by creating their own AI laws to address issues like privacy and fairness. It's important to keep balancing the growth of AI with the need for regulations to protect people.

Everything Wrong With: "Illumina: The Measurement Monopoly" Part 4/8

ASeq Newsletter • 14 implied HN points • 10 Dec 23
🔬 Science Technology
  1. The term 'TechBio' may seem superficial, but technology development in biology is complex and involves a mix of disciplines.
  2. The first qPCR machine from 1992 involved intricate instrumentation like photomultiplier tubes and a variety of electronic components.
  3. The development of technology in biology requires navigating complexity and balancing biochemistry and detection techniques to meet market demands.

20250126

Curious futures (KGhosh) • 4 implied HN points • 26 Jan 25
🎭️ Culture Technology
  1. Neoliberal policies like privatization and deregulation make it harder to effectively tackle climate change. We need to rethink these ideas to make real progress.
  2. The blending of advanced technology with our daily lives can lead to manipulation and deceit, impacting personal connections and trust in workplaces.
  3. In a tech-driven world, genuine human connection remains vital and cannot be replaced by algorithms, no matter how sophisticated they become.

Notes on Progress: Artificial flavoring

The Works in Progress Newsletter • 22 implied HN points • 06 Apr 23
🎭️ Culture Technology
  1. In the 19th century, Americans were not scared of 'artificial' products like they are today.
  2. The term 'artificial ice' was initially used negatively to discredit new technology, but eventually, it became a desirable and superior product because it was cheaper and more reliable.
  3. Artificial ice gained popularity due to its promise of purity, technological advancements, and lower cost compared to natural ice.
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Clouded Judgement 12.6.24 - Is Software Cheap or Expensive?

Clouded Judgement • 5 implied HN points • 06 Dec 24
💼 Business Technology
  1. Software company valuations can look cheap based on traditional revenue metrics but may seem very expensive when adjusted for growth. It's important to look at both perspectives.
  2. Profitability and free cash flow (FCF) in software companies have improved, offering more support for current valuation multiples. This suggests a more nuanced view of their worth.
  3. Overall market trends show significant variability in valuation based on growth rates. Higher growth companies generally maintain a premium in their valuations compared to low growth ones.

Dev-Led Landscape: Transforming a Middle-Aged Startup

Tyler’s Musings • 5 implied HN points • 29 Nov 24
💼 Business Technology
  1. Establish regular meetings and routines in your company. This creates predictability and keeps everyone aligned on goals.
  2. Transparency is key. Share important information openly with everyone in your organization to build trust and keep everyone informed.
  3. Always analyze your customer's needs and market trends. Understand who your customers are and how to best serve them to stay competitive.

Monday briefing #2: marketing optimism, Klopp letter, Indian app ban, new tools...

Wadds Inc. newsletter • 39 implied HN points • 06 Jul 20
💼 Business Technology
  1. Many marketing leaders are feeling hopeful about their business performance in the next couple of years despite the challenges of COVID-19.
  2. The Indian government has banned several Chinese apps to protect its sovereignty, which shows how tech politics can impact users.
  3. New tools are emerging to help with things like writing better headlines and monitoring websites, making it easier for businesses and journalists.

The Sorcerer's Apprentice

Reactionary Feminist • 18 implied HN points • 30 Jun 23
📖 Philosophy Technology
  1. Modern tech brings power but also great responsibility or temptation.
  2. Art has long warned about the dangers of wielding power without understanding its consequences.
  3. Exploring tech that aligns with human nature may offer a more balanced approach than seeking to escape it.

The World You See Is The Myth You Are In

Daniel Pinchbeck’s Newsletter • 11 implied HN points • 19 Feb 24
🎭️ Culture Technology
  1. The book delves into themes of consciousness, technology, and the occult, emphasizing humanity's interconnectedness and the importance of our choices as a species.
  2. The author challenges the reader to consider freedom beyond mere physical liberty, encouraging a deeper exploration of individual and societal beliefs.
  3. Critiques in the book include the need for a systemic analysis of issues like post-industrial capitalism and the importance of addressing hidden aspects of reality, such as the esoteric and occult.

The MiSeq's Cameras And The Economics of DNA Sequencers

ASeq Newsletter • 14 implied HN points • 06 Nov 23
🔬 Science Technology
  1. DNA sequencers are expensive due to economies of scale, unlike digital cameras that benefit from mass production.
  2. Cheap DNA sequencers could greatly benefit society, but creating them poses technical and sociological challenges.
  3. The cost of components for DNA sequencers, like cameras in the MiSeq, can be broken down to see how much they contribute to the overall expensive price.

China's Energy Transition Part 3

TP’s Substack • 11 implied HN points • 21 Feb 24
🔬 Science Technology
  1. In China, green hydrogen projects, particularly in methanol and ammonia production, are on the rise due to abundant renewable resources and a growing petrochemical industry.
  2. Cost of green hydrogen production in Inner Mongolia, Liaoning, and Heilongjiang provinces has decreased to below 25RMB/kg by 2023, with the expectation of further cost reduction with more efficient electrolysers.
  3. Green methanol and ammonia play a key role in energy storage for dealing with seasonal variations in supply and demand of renewable energy, offering sustainable alternatives for industries like shipping, aviation, and petrochemicals.

Best writers and thinkers on the Machine?

Reactionary Feminist • 11 implied HN points • 14 Feb 24
🚌 Education Technology
  1. Ruth Gaskovski at School of the Unconformed compiled a reading list on the Machine and asked for suggestions.
  2. There is a summer seminar in Cambridge, MA on the philosophy of technology called 'The Machine Has No Tradition'.
  3. Selected readings from the seminar's syllabus include works by Karl Marx, Carl Schmitt, Ivan Illich, and others.

Choose what you want to feel rewarding | #62

Thinking Out Loud • 20 implied HN points • 15 Apr 23
🏥 Health & Wellness Technology
  1. Be mindful of how much time you spend on technology early in the day and its impact on your focus and productivity.
  2. Taking a break from technology in the morning can lead to a more calm, present, and productive day.
  3. Choosing what truly feels rewarding, aligned with your long-term goals and values, can lead to a greater sense of fulfillment at the end of each day.

What is going on with the DOJ's case against Apple?

Joshua Gans' Newsletter • 1 HN point • 22 Mar 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Technology
  1. Antitrust law plays a critical role in differentiating between good and bad business practices, but should be applied carefully to avoid hindering competition.
  2. The Department of Justice's case against Apple revolves around concerns about practices that may raise switching costs for consumers, such as restrictions on certain app features and iMessage functionalities.
  3. Apple's market share dominance in the US doesn't seem to correlate with antitrust concerns seen elsewhere globally, leading to questions about the effectiveness and necessity of the DOJ's approach.

Google Cloud is hiring for Vietnamese speaking Customer Engineers

Thái | Hacker | Kỹ sư tin tặc • 19 implied HN points • 05 Aug 21
💼 Business Technology
  1. Google Cloud in Singapore is actively hiring Vietnamese speaking Customer Engineers, which is a rare opportunity.
  2. The presales team at Google Cloud is making a significant impact on Vietnamese customers and is rapidly growing.
  3. The Cloud team is able to support Singapore employment pass (EP) visa applications for successful Vietnamese candidates.

The Indian Smartphone Revolution: Paytm's Coming of Age IPO!

Musings on Markets • 19 implied HN points • 04 Oct 21
💼 Business Technology
  1. Smartphone usage in India has skyrocketed, making it the second largest market after China. This surge has opened up big opportunities for mobile payments.
  2. Paytm has grown alongside this smartphone boom, expanding its services significantly. Yet, it struggles with making profits while focusing mainly on gaining users.
  3. The company's future success hinges on balancing user growth with revenue generation. Investors should be cautious due to uncertainties around management's ability to pivot towards profit.

Pippa Passes: Earth Day, The Galapagos, the Military Build-up in the Pacific, Premios Verdes and White Space

Dr. Pippa's Pen & Podcast • 19 implied HN points • 23 Apr 23
🌍 World Politics Technology
  1. Galapagos facing environmental challenges due to lack of clean water and sewage treatment
  2. China and Russia viewed Starlink as a military threat, impacting internet connectivity
  3. Contrast between eco-warriors and military leaders highlighting conflict over sustainability vs. preparedness for destructive war

Empowering Innovation: Real-Life Examples

European Straits • 14 implied HN points • 13 Sep 23
💼 Business Technology
  1. Innovation involves doing things differently with an impact, and it only counts when it can be scaled up and make a difference at scale.
  2. There are three types of innovation: efficiency, sustaining, and empowering (or disruptive) innovation, each with different impacts on capital, jobs, and industries.
  3. Empowering innovations like small nuclear reactors, AI, and satellite technology have the potential to reshape industries, but face challenges like capital availability and market readiness.

Are we in the early innings of an AI M&A spree?

Entry Level Investing • 16 implied HN points • 13 Jul 23
💼 Business Technology
  1. Recent high-profile AI acquisitions suggest a growing trend in M&A activity in the AI space.
  2. Large horizontal technology platforms are likely to be key players in acquiring AI startups due to their access to cash and existing distribution advantages.
  3. Companies like Apple, Amazon, Salesforce, Oracle, Adobe, and Snowflake are potential contenders for making significant AI acquisitions in the coming months.

Sal Khan, Serial Education Revolutionary

Freddie deBoer • 11 HN points • 11 Jan 24
🚌 Education Technology
  1. Sal Khan's past promises about revolutionizing education with Khan Academy videos have not come true.
  2. Educational outcomes are heavily influenced by inequalities in society and students' inherent academic potential.
  3. Acknowledging the limitations of formal schooling is important for understanding the reality of closing academic gaps and erasing social inequality.

18/36 :Product Discovery - Risks & Mitigations

Product Mindset's Newsletter • 17 implied HN points • 21 May 23
💼 Business Technology
  1. Understanding product risks involves assessing the impact of uncertainty on developing a product.
  2. Risk management in IT projects is crucial for maximizing results, effective communication, and allocating funds for high risks.
  3. Managing risks involves identifying, analyzing, and mitigating them through strategies like avoiding, reducing likelihood, and reducing impact.

The Series A Bust

Who is Nnamdi • 11 implied HN points • 03 Jan 24
💼 Business Technology
  1. Investors now expect more but believe less in Series A as a sign of product-market fit.
  2. Valuations for Seed and Series A stage companies have risen dramatically over the past decade.
  3. The graduation or survival rate from Seed to Series A has significantly dropped recently, indicating a tough Series A environment for startups.

How can R&D impact CAC, LTV & profitability

Brick by Brick • 9 implied HN points • 18 Mar 24
💼 Business Technology
  1. Understanding unit economics is crucial for businesses to determine profitability and optimize operations.
  2. Customer Acquisition Cost (CAC) is a key metric in evaluating marketing and sales efficiency, while Lifetime Value (LTV) predicts the profit from a customer's entire relationship with the company.
  3. R&D can significantly impact profitability by lowering CAC and increasing LTV through delivering superior products, enhancing user experiences, and attracting customers organically.

Kill The Mother part 2: Babies to Order

Reactionary Feminist • 18 implied HN points • 31 Mar 23
🎭️ Culture Technology
  1. The Law Commission is proposing changes to surrogacy laws that shift focus from natural motherhood to legal parenthood.
  2. There is concern that legal changes may prioritize commercial interests over the natural bond between a mother and her newborn baby.
  3. There is a call to re-examine the influence of NGOs and ensure that technological advancements align with human nature and flourishing.

Here’s What Happened; Meta’s eCommerce Plan, Cookie-free Ads & Holiday Marketing.

The Social Juice • 12 implied HN points • 12 Nov 23
💼 Business Technology
  1. Meta's eCommerce plan is highlighted in the post along with other updates from major companies.
  2. The post discusses the concept of cookie-free ads and how they are impacting the digital marketing landscape.
  3. Holiday marketing strategies are a key focus in the newsletter, showcasing new features and AI launches from various companies.

4 Supply Chain Themes for 2021

Equal Ventures • 19 implied HN points • 30 Jan 21
💼 Business Technology
  1. 2021 will be a record year for supply chain investing due to problems to solve and available capital.
  2. The rise of FBA sellers has created demand for multi-channel logistics solutions, especially for D2C brands.
  3. SMBs and mid-market seek working capital, presenting an opportunity for startups to embed trade finance solutions within the supply chain stack.

How we will win.

How Software "Sells Itself" • 14 HN points • 30 Jul 23
💼 Business Technology
  1. DemoTime aims to revolutionize the demo-to-close process by offering highlight-reel videos for every demo meeting.
  2. The unique approach of DemoTime sets them apart from existing Revenue Intelligence solutions.
  3. DemoTime's strategy focuses on targeting big software companies and utilizing exposure from key events for growth.

Announcing the Seed and Series A of ThreeFlow

Equal Ventures • 19 implied HN points • 15 Jan 21
💼 Business Technology
  1. ThreeFlow announced funding and rebranding as a benefits placement system connecting brokers and carriers.
  2. Equal Ventures led ThreeFlow's seed round after building a relationship and seeing potential in the company.
  3. ThreeFlow has become a rapidly growing company in the insurtech landscape by focusing on efficiency and customer satisfaction.

Robot Nirvana

The Jolly Contrarian • 19 implied HN points • 23 Apr 21
🎶 Music Technology
  1. Robot Nirvana explores the use of artificial intelligence to recreate music by deceased artists like Kurt Cobain, showcasing the limitations of technology in replicating human creativity.
  2. Music technology has made remarkable advancements, allowing for incredible sound recreation and studio expertise at a fraction of the cost, revolutionizing music production.
  3. Recreating past artistic works using AI raises questions about the redundancy of human creativity and the importance of artists in pushing artistic boundaries forward.

Automating the Delta Blues

Cybernetic Forests • 19 implied HN points • 21 Feb 21
🎭️ Culture Technology
  1. Black artists have historically faced challenges in being credited and compensated for their work, with examples like Jalaiah Harmon's dance move and Arthur Crudup's music.
  2. There is a history of cultural appropriation and exploitation of black art by white artists and technology, as seen in cases like Elvis Presley appropriating music originally performed by black artists.
  3. Advancements in artificial intelligence and machine learning, like OpenAI's Jukebox, now allow machines to create music imitating various artists, raising questions about authenticity, ownership, and commodification.

Let's talk about Milady, Cute Accelerationism, and Network Spirituality

The 21st Century Proletarian • 2 HN points • 14 Nov 23
🎭️ Culture Technology
  1. The emergence of different philosophies like cute accelerationism highlights the shift towards embracing radical technological progress and addressing existential questions about the future of humanity.
  2. There is a growing divide between techno-optimists advocating for full acceleration and techno-skeptics resisting AI and industrialized civilization, leading to discussions on the role of technology in shaping our future.
  3. Network Spirituality, as seen in the context of Remilia and cute accelerationism, promotes the idea of embracing a shared consciousness and technological domination without resistance, envisioning a future where human existence blends seamlessly with machines.

What's the ROI of R&D?

Brick by Brick • 18 implied HN points • 13 Feb 23
💼 Business Technology
  1. Establish concrete business outcomes for R&D investments before making them
  2. R&D organizations should be able to articulate investments and outcomes in terms of business metrics like net new ARR and sales efficiency
  3. Maximizing R&D pre and post PMF involves investing strategically in product features that align with market needs and drive incremental value

5 Sharp Stories to Engage your Clients

Dr. Pippa's Pen & Podcast • 17 implied HN points • 21 Mar 23
💼 Business Technology
  1. When engaging busy business leaders, bring them new, important, interesting, and actionable information.
  2. Create conversations by discussing unique and thought-provoking topics like space-based solar power or the impact of the metaverse.
  3. Encourage strategic thinking by highlighting unconventional perspectives and the importance of world-building in business.