The hottest Technology Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
Category
Top Art & Illustration Topics
Simon Owens's Media Newsletter 299 implied HN points 05 Dec 25
  1. Media companies are starting to use vertical video on their websites to compete with popular platforms like TikTok. This strategy might not work because they lack the powerful algorithms that keep users engaged.
  2. Many publishers are launching cooking apps to retain audience control as traffic shifts to big tech platforms. Dedicated apps can help convert casual users into loyal content consumers.
  3. Print books are still very popular despite the rise of ebooks and audiobooks. Many readers enjoy the physical experience of reading a print book, which keeps print formats thriving.
Faster, Please! 365 implied HN points 04 Dec 25
  1. A strong commitment to progress can kickstart significant economic changes even before major events, like the Industrial Revolution. It's about believing in improvement over time.
  2. The advancement of artificial intelligence could lead to big increases in productivity and economic growth in the future. People are curious about when this might happen.
  3. We should focus on being optimistic about growth and abundance, as embracing new technologies can lead to better lives for everyone. Positive change is possible and exciting!
Tippets by Taps 14 implied HN points 28 Feb 26
  1. AI is being used as a convenient narrative to justify restructurings, acting like a brush that can make painful corrections look strategic.
  2. Both real AI-driven productivity gains and prior mistakes (like over-hiring) are usually at play, so layoffs often reflect a mix of future-facing change and catching up on past errors.
  3. Markets respond to the framing — labeling cuts as “AI transformation” can boost stock prices — so it’s important to look past headlines and read the footnotes to see what actually changed.
cryptoeconomy 1493 implied HN points 02 Feb 24
  1. There will not be durable deflation in the future unless major changes happen to the dollar or the Federal Reserve.
  2. Technology like AI can lead to deflation by lowering prices, but central banks like the Federal Reserve counteract this by absorbing the deflation.
  3. A special type of bad deflation occurs when dollars are taken out of circulation, often due to events like financial panics, leading to economic challenges.
Get a weekly roundup of the best Substack posts, by hacker news affinity:
How They Make Money 1631 implied HN points 19 Jan 24
  1. Microsoft has overtaken Apple as the world's most valuable public company.
  2. Microsoft's success is attributed to a cultural shift, investments in AI, and strategic acquisitions.
  3. Microsoft's revenue sources are diversified across productivity, cloud, gaming, and other sectors.
Alexander News Network -Dr. Paul Elias Alexander's substack 1395 implied HN points 10 Feb 24
  1. Moderna & Pfizer vaccines were planned before trials with knowledge of potential dangers of mRNA technology with lipid-nano particles
  2. Multiple Moderna vaccine doses were known to be risky and dangerous by Bancel, the CEO of Moderna
  3. The creators of mRNA technology and vaccines like Malone, Bancel, Weissman, and Kariko should be held accountable in court for potential harm and deception
Chris’s Substack 19 implied HN points 11 Oct 24
  1. The International Space Station (ISS) is important for research in space, especially for understanding how different conditions affect materials.
  2. There is a high demand for time on the ISS, which is leading to the development of commercial space stations to help meet that need and lower costs.
  3. Space manufacturing has been proven possible, but we need to make the processes cheaper and easier to implement in space to fully take advantage of it.
After Babel 1699 implied HN points 25 Jun 25
  1. Technology in schools is taking away from real interaction and learning. Kids are spending too much time on devices instead of engaging with teachers and classmates.
  2. Digital devices can be distracting and lead to negative behaviors like cheating and addiction. Schools need to focus on true education instead of just using tech for profit.
  3. There’s a growing movement to limit technology in schools. Parents and educators want to create a better environment for kids, focusing on healthy learning without devices.
Kyle Poyar’s Growth Unhinged 489 implied HN points 12 Nov 25
  1. Companies are seeing stability in key metrics like growth rates and revenue retention. New startups are achieving higher growth rates compared to previous years.
  2. It's important for companies to focus on the combination of customer acquisition costs and revenue retention to predict long-term success. This new matrix can help clarify business performance.
  3. AI is a major trend, but it's changing the industry landscape. Companies born after the rise of AI are experiencing much faster growth than traditional B2B software firms.
Astral Codex Ten 3854 implied HN points 20 Jan 25
  1. The 2025 ACX/Metaculus Forecasting Contest is now open for predictions. It's a great opportunity for anyone interested to share their forecasts on various topics.
  2. This year, there are new forecasting bots participating, and it'll be exciting to see how they compare to top human forecasters. The contest wants to explore how well these bots can predict outcomes.
  3. The questions this year are designed to be interesting and relevant, so many people can take part. The contest aims to engage everyone's thoughts on important issues.
The Free Mind 1375 implied HN points 10 Feb 24
  1. Sadiq Khan's plans reflect a clear long-term vision, gradually changing private car ownership and lifestyle expectations.
  2. Cities like London are aiming for radical changes by 2030 to combat global warming, pushing for zero meat, dairy, and limited clothing consumption.
  3. The concept of 'radical incrementalism' involves small changes leading to significant impacts in shifting public behavior, like the introduction of pay-per-mile road charging.
Working Theorys 48 implied HN points 14 Feb 26
  1. When a test or detector becomes the thing people try to hit, it stops being a reliable measure and creators start shaping work to pass the test instead of to be good.
  2. Readers care about effort because attention is a relationship, not a transaction, so suspicion grows when content feels unearned and conversation shifts from quality to proof.
  3. Most proofs and performed transparency are gameable, so the hardest-to-fake sign of authenticity is visible, sustained desire or obsession, and ultimately authenticity lives in the experience, not a score.
Renewable Revolution 279 implied HN points 02 Jul 24
  1. China is currently the leader in clean technology innovation and manufacturing, having significantly increased its battery and solar production capacity. It also holds a majority share in global clean energy patents.
  2. All three main regions—China, Europe, and the U.S.—are rapidly deploying clean technologies like solar, wind, and electric vehicles, but China is ahead in terms of growth and scale.
  3. The U.S. and Europe are recognizing the need to catch up in this energy race, with investments in clean technologies expected to grow significantly in the coming years, indicating a shift towards competition.
Path Nine 25 implied HN points 19 Feb 26
  1. Personalization and on-demand media have splintered our shared attention, wiping out synchronized rituals that let large groups pause and be unreachable together.
  2. Without those cultural third places, work has become the default source of belonging and structure, and that fragile replacement fuels loneliness, burnout, and identity risk.
  3. We should rebuild third places with low-friction, recurring rituals at the scale of neighborhoods, teams, or friend groups, protecting attention and cultivating 'less but better' activities so life isn't just work.
The Common Reader 3402 implied HN points 29 Jan 25
  1. AI is changing how we think about literature and culture. It's important to embrace this change rather than ignore it.
  2. Modern literature needs to engage with new technologies to stay relevant. Just like past innovations, AI can be a tool for creativity instead of a replacement.
  3. Writers should adapt to the evolving cultural landscape. Accepting AI as part of the literary world can help create a richer and more diverse artistic expression.
Faster, Please! 274 implied HN points 15 Dec 25
  1. Herman Kahn’s long bet is that cheap, effectively limitless energy would unlock widespread human abundance and economic growth.
  2. The technological tools to pursue cheap, inexhaustible energy have largely arrived or are within reach.
  3. Politics and institutions haven’t caught up, and political obstacles remain the main barrier to realizing that energy-driven abundance.
Culture Study 14799 implied HN points 30 Aug 23
  1. In the past, limited options led to more spontaneous and less curated experiences
  2. Technology has led to a constant need to curate and control our surroundings and entertainment
  3. Having an abundance of choices can lead to a sense of overwhelm and dissatisfaction
Fields & Energy 259 implied HN points 03 Jul 24
  1. Electricity was thought to behave like a fluid that could flow through conductors, which helped scientists understand how it could be transmitted over distances.
  2. Benjamin Franklin proposed a one-fluid theory of electricity, categorizing electricity into 'positive' and 'negative' charges, which laid the groundwork for future electrical theories.
  3. Alessandro Volta created the first battery, making it possible to study electricity as a continuous flow, leading to advancements in electrical science and technology.
CDR Salamander 1336 implied HN points 05 Feb 24
  1. History teaches us important lessons about the need for VLS reloads at sea
  2. Developing a reliable way to reload VLS at sea is crucial for naval readiness
  3. Efforts should be accelerated to meet the requirements for VLS reloading to prepare for potential conflicts
Taylor Lorenz's Newsletter 1761 implied HN points 11 Jun 25
  1. Right wing creators are playing a big role in covering protests in Los Angeles. They're shaping how these events are viewed and discussed online.
  2. Elon Musk recently had a falling out with Trump after supporting him for a long time. Musk's relationship with the MAGA movement is now uncertain.
  3. The break between Musk and Trump shows how tech and politics can conflict, highlighting the changing dynamics in these worlds.
Faster, Please! 365 implied HN points 25 Nov 25
  1. New drilling technology is making it easier to access geothermal energy, which could help it become more popular. This means we might see more geothermal power plants in the future.
  2. The rising costs of gas plants are pushing energy companies to look for cheaper alternatives. Geothermal energy could be a good option since it uses heat from the Earth.
  3. Big Tech companies are starting to demand more clean energy. This is helping geothermal energy gain attention and support from policymakers in Washington.
Public 319 implied HN points 02 Dec 25
  1. Marco Rubio believes that the U.S. government has recovered technology from aliens and handed it over to private military companies. This could be a big risk for national security.
  2. Rubio's dual role as both Secretary of State and National Security Advisor shows that Trump has confidence in him. It also means he has a lot of influence over key government functions.
  3. Experts suggest that Rubio's comments hint at a possible upcoming official announcement about alien technology. It seems like he's preparing the public for something significant.
Amaca 47 implied HN points 11 Feb 26
  1. The job market for programmers has tightened a lot since 2021; interviews are harder and landing roles feels much more difficult.
  2. AI tooling levels the playing field so anyone can build software, which lowers the economic value of individual software products and startups and risks making many programming jobs obsolete.
  3. To protect themselves, programmers should aim for stable, unionized roles at large companies with legacy revenue and/or financially hedge by investing in semiconductors and datacenter/AI infrastructure (e.g., call options or relevant stocks).
After Babel 3023 implied HN points 24 Feb 25
  1. Instant information from TV and social media can be misleading. It distracts us from understanding the real world and makes us think we know things when we actually don't.
  2. Mass amusement has replaced deep thinking and discussions. We're more focused on having fun than on meaningful conversations or learning.
  3. Today's media not only entertains us but also shapes our thoughts and connections. We need to be careful about how we engage with these technologies so we don't lose our ability to think critically.
Why is this interesting? 4222 implied HN points 25 Nov 24
  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.
DeFi Education 699 implied HN points 19 Apr 24
  1. Runes on Bitcoin are a new way to interact with the Bitcoin network. They provide innovative features that enhance its functionality.
  2. Hyperliquid recently airdropped a token called $PURR, which is linked to a farming guide that many users followed earlier.
  3. To access more in-depth content about Runes, a paid subscription is required.
The Bear Cave 326 implied HN points 20 Nov 25
  1. Sportradar is a big player in sports tech, helping sportsbooks with data and software. They work with major sports leagues to provide real-time data for betting.
  2. There's concern that Sportradar might be involved with shady gambling operations, even while claiming to monitor fair play. They have partnerships that may not always align with regulated markets.
  3. With growing competition and complex regulations, investors are warned not to overlook the potential challenges faced by Sportradar as they navigate the gambling world.
Common Sense with Bari Weiss 306 implied HN points 02 Dec 25
  1. Netanyahu's formal pardon request has split Israel: some see a pardon as a way to heal the nation, while others view it as a dangerous blow to the rule of law.
  2. Recent Trump-linked lawfare efforts are backfiring because inexperienced prosecutors were disqualified, delaying hearings and weakening the cases they were meant to press.
  3. Rapid advances in AI and gene editing are reshaping medicine and ethics — they could make deafness rare and force society to decide whether editing embryos to prevent disease is a moral duty or a slide toward eugenics.
Snowball 2614 implied HN points 29 Mar 23
  1. Snowball+ is a new collective of newsletters focused on personal finance in France, featuring various experts and tools.
  2. The launch price for Snowball+ is 9€ per month or 80€ per year, offering additional content and a diverse range of financial topics.
  3. Existing subscribers to Snowball will experience a price increase soon; new content will be added regularly to Snowball+.
DeFi Education 579 implied HN points 04 May 24
  1. DeFi education is important for understanding finance and crypto. It helps people make informed decisions in the market.
  2. Q&A sessions feature experts who share their knowledge. This is a great opportunity to learn from experienced professionals.
  3. Staying updated with the latest trends in DeFi can lead to better investment choices. Engaging in discussions and asking questions enhances your understanding.
Story Club with George Saunders 74 implied HN points 03 Feb 26
  1. A scam is impersonating a public figure by sending fake emails from a Gmail account; if you get one, don’t reply and delete it.
  2. Official messages will only come from the Story Club account, so treat emails from other accounts as illegitimate.
  3. The person is fine and plans to share more updates on Sunday.
Thái | Hacker | Kỹ sư tin tặc 2596 implied HN points 28 Jun 23
  1. Plan and prepare for the future, even if it takes longer than expected.
  2. Consider taking on new challenges and opportunities instead of settling for what's comfortable.
  3. Building a strong team from talented individuals is crucial for business growth and success.
Common Sense with Bari Weiss 338 implied HN points 24 Nov 25
  1. John von Neumann was an extraordinarily brilliant Hungarian-born mathematician who invented game theory and helped shape America’s nuclear strategy.
  2. He warned that the technologies he helped create could threaten humanity and thought we were entering a rapidly maturing crisis.
  3. In the 1950s he predicted that military advances, early signs of global warming, and growing resource demands would make the coming decades dangerously unstable.
DeFi Education 479 implied HN points 18 May 24
  1. The Q&A sessions provide expert knowledge from experienced professionals in finance and cryptocurrency.
  2. These sessions help subscribers understand the current state of the crypto market.
  3. It's a chance for new subscribers to ask questions and gain insights about DeFi topics.
Why is this interesting? 1025 implied HN points 05 Aug 25
  1. Kessler Syndrome describes a dangerous situation in space where more satellites lead to more collisions, creating even more debris. This can make it hard for any spacecraft to safely operate in orbit.
  2. Right now, there are millions of pieces of space junk, but we can only track about 40% of them. A small piece, like a paint chip, can be extremely dangerous to spacecraft traveling at high speeds.
  3. The current methods for avoiding collisions in space are very outdated. Satellite operators often have to rely on email to communicate about potential dangers, which isn't very effective.