The hottest Trust Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
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Top Health & Wellness Topics

As We Stare Down the Precipice, Final Ruminations

Simplicius's Garden of Knowledge • 10571 implied HN points • 31 Oct 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Trust
  1. A significant change is happening in the political landscape, particularly with the upcoming election, which could have far-reaching consequences. Many people are anxious about whether this change will bring chaos or improvement.
  2. Major media outlets have chosen not to endorse any presidential candidate this election, which is unusual and signals a loss of confidence in the current leadership and candidates.
  3. Trust in journalists and media has fallen to alarming low levels, even below Congress. This reflects a growing disconnect between media narratives and the public's beliefs about accuracy and truth.

A Peek Behind the Curtain at CBS Reveals Journalism in a Death Spiral

The Take (by Jon Miltimore) • 515 implied HN points • 19 Oct 24
📰 News Trust
  1. Recent events at CBS have shown a lack of clear leadership and professionalism in journalism. It seems like the environment there is chaotic and not focused on real journalistic practices.
  2. Trust in media is at an all-time low, partly because of how CBS handled a situation with journalist Tony Dokoupil. He was reprimanded for asking tough questions, while another journalist was praised for preparing her interviewee in advance.
  3. The internal reactions at CBS were intense, with reports of shouting and tears. This highlights a deep dysfunction within the newsroom, which makes it hard to maintain trust in media organizations.

Brands kill culture, feed the zeitgeist, and neglect tradition.

The Social Juice • 102 implied HN points • 21 Feb 26
💼 Business Trust
  1. Brand building is steady work that hasn't gone away. Chasing every trend or declaring old formats dead wastes energy and erodes long-term value.
  2. Culture belongs to no one and moves with young people, so brands can't capture it outright. The smart play is to find a clear role, support creators, and earn a place in that culture over time.
  3. Moments and momentum both matter: use smart distribution, honest slice-of-life creative, and long-term advertising to build trust instead of squeezing viral creators for immediate attention. Over-collaborating or treating creators like disposable assets dilutes both the creator's and the brand's meaning.

Everyone is Gambling and No One is Happy

Kyla’s Newsletter • 725 implied HN points • 11 Dec 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Trust
  1. People are feeling lost and unhappy because they lack trust in the economy and the people running it. Many young people worry they won't be better off than their parents.
  2. The combined effect of economic stress and too much information is overwhelming. This makes it hard for people to make clear decisions about their finances and lives.
  3. Gambling has become a way for many to cope with their feelings of uncertainty and economic instability. However, deep down, most people don't actually want this kind of life.

30 Signs You Are Living in an Information Crap-pocalypse

The Honest Broker • 35606 implied HN points • 30 Jun 23
📰 News Trust
  1. In the current age, the flow of information resembles a polluted river with garbage infow overload.
  2. The crisis of trust caused by misinformation is unprecedented and continues to worsen.
  3. Various deliberate actions are destroying the value of information, making it difficult to differentiate between truth and deception.
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What Moltbot tells us about the ideal UX for AI

Generating Conversation • 186 implied HN points • 29 Jan 26
🕹 Technology Trust
  1. AI should be present in the tools and workflows you already use, integrating deeply so it can act where and when you need it.
  2. Trust is earned by making the AI's work visible and giving users control to inspect, accept, or correct steps and decisions.
  3. Design AI like a teammate: it should do real work on your behalf, learn from feedback, and fit into your team's existing practices rather than forcing new ones.

30 Days, 8 Cities, 1 Question: Where Did American Prosperity Go?

Kyla’s Newsletter • 656 implied HN points • 13 Nov 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Trust
  1. Many people feel that the economic system isn't working for them, even though wealth exists in places like stock portfolios and data centers. This creates a disconnect between visible decay in everyday life and invisible prosperity.
  2. Younger generations are struggling with job security, high debt, and an uncertain future due to AI and automation. This affects their ability to buy homes and start families, leading to feelings of helplessness.
  3. There’s a growing desire for change, including unionization and support for reforms that make work more meaningful and equitable. People are looking for ways to rebuild and trust their communities again.

AI Video Should Be Illegal

The Algorithmic Bridge • 711 implied HN points • 11 Nov 25
🕹 Technology Trust
  1. AI video creates deepfakes that can easily mislead people, damaging trust in society. This technology can mimic real people saying harmful things, which is scary and dangerous.
  2. Making AI videos illegal could protect society from misinformation, but it might also shield corrupt people from accountability. It's a tricky balance between safety and justice.
  3. Instead of banning AI videos, society might need to adapt its approach to trusting and verifying information. If everyone expects deepfakes, then finding the truth may become even harder.

Why You Should Trust Trust and Distrust Distrust

Rob Henderson's Newsletter • 3617 implied HN points • 08 Dec 24
📖 Philosophy Trust
  1. Trust is important for cooperation, but it can be tricky. People often trust others even when there's a chance of being betrayed.
  2. Cooperation can happen even when trust is low. Sometimes, you may need to work with someone before figuring out if they are trustworthy.
  3. Distrust can close you off from learning about others. Starting with trust can help you understand the social world better and find out who is reliable.

When does vulnerability become cringe?

Make Work Better • 65 implied HN points • 23 Jan 26
🎭️ Culture Trust
  1. Many people now see public displays of vulnerability by leaders as cringey or staged, assuming they’re performative or manipulative.
  2. A broad collapse of trust and optimism has turned cynicism into a defence, with people distrusting institutions, brands, and even colleagues who hold different views.
  3. Debates over AI and so-called ‘authentic’ communication are polarised — genuine progress sits next to overhype, which makes messages feel manufactured and deepens scepticism.

Must we have these institutions forever?

Something to Consider • 139 implied HN points • 10 Jul 24
📖 Philosophy Trust
  1. Our institutions and rules affect how well a society can produce and grow. Good institutions help foster trust among people, while bad ones can keep societies trapped in poverty.
  2. The legacy of harmful practices, like the slave trade, has long-lasting effects on trust and cooperation in societies. Areas that were heavily affected tend to have less trust even today.
  3. Changing poor institutions can help lift countries out of poverty. This might involve outside help or imposing better rules that foster cooperation and trust among the people.

Offering: February 4, 2024

Tarot Offerings • 766 implied HN points • 04 Feb 24
⛪ Faith & Spirituality Trust
  1. Joseph from the Bible had a technicolor coat and dreams of his family bowing to him.
  2. Joseph's lack of empathy led to his brothers betraying and leaving him for dead.
  3. Trust being broken through betrayal can lead to deep despair and trauma.

Venus in Capricorn

Astro Poets • 825 implied HN points • 13 Feb 23
⛪ Faith & Spirituality Trust
  1. Venus in Capricorn values slow and steady love built on strong foundations.
  2. People with Venus in Capricorn are confident in love, good at setting boundaries, and ask for what they need.
  3. For Venus in Capricorn, actions speak louder than words; they show love through consistency and availability.

To tell the truth

Random Minds by Katherine Brodsky • 46 implied HN points • 02 Jan 26
📖 Philosophy Trust
  1. Telling the truth is the foundation of trust; lies weaken that foundation.
  2. If a friend tells a real lie you might forgive them, but a residue of doubt remains and rebuilding trust takes effort.
  3. If a stranger lies you’ll likely not trust them again because there’s no reason to forgive them, and if someone you already dislike lies it simply confirms your contempt.

Mainstream media also has audience capture

Wyclif's Dust • 1073 implied HN points • 28 Oct 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Trust
  1. Mainstream media has higher standards but still faces declining trust and increased criticism from the public. People seem to prefer media that closely matches their political beliefs.
  2. As media costs go down, more specialized outlets emerge, often catering to narrower political viewpoints. This fragmentation shifts mainstream media to become more partisan over time.
  3. The mainstream media wants to appeal to a broad audience but struggles because their original audience is drifting away to more extreme and specialized sources. This leads to an 'audience capture' effect.

Confucius Says “lol, lmao”

The Upheaval • 2026 implied HN points • 15 Feb 24
📖 Philosophy Trust
  1. According to Confucius, the basics of governance consist of having enough armaments, food, and the trust of the common people.
  2. Confucius emphasizes that the trust of the people is the most crucial element for a state to stand, even above food and armaments.
  3. The modern political leaders seem to have forgotten these fundamental principles, failing to prioritize security, defense, and the trust of the common people.

Disappearing media

SHuSH, by Kenneth Whyte • 255 implied HN points • 09 Feb 24
📰 News Trust
  1. Authors write books to be part of a bigger conversation and gain media coverage for visibility and sales.
  2. Traditional media outlets are struggling, with many layoffs and declining trust from the public.
  3. Emerging digital media has not yet reached the employment levels of traditional journalism, and news trust among the American public is low and declining.

Why did we lose trust during the pandemic?

Your Local Epidemiologist • 1445 implied HN points • 14 Mar 24
🏥 Health & Wellness Trust
  1. Public health messaging sounded like a sales pitch, leading to a loss of trust due to data issues, messaging inaccuracies, and a mix of advocacy with scientific communication.
  2. Helpful information, like practical tips for care and specific risk factors, was missing, causing confusion and fear among the public.
  3. Opinions being treated as facts and a disconnect between personal experiences and the official narrative led to frustration and loss of trust, but some improvements are being made to address these issues.

Optimistic prospects for a democratic resurgence

Brain Pizza • 529 implied HN points • 07 Jan 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Trust
  1. Technology and neuroscience can help make political information easier to understand. This means more people can join in discussions about democracy without feeling overwhelmed.
  2. Better education focused on critical thinking will help people resist misinformation. This way, citizens will make smarter choices and be more engaged in their communities.
  3. Social media platforms are likely to change for the better, promoting respectful discussions and fact-checking. This shift can help reduce anger and division online.

Kindness

Venture Prose • 379 implied HN points • 25 Jun 23
⛪ Faith & Spirituality Trust
  1. Kindness should be a default currency when engaging with people, not something to reserve only for special situations.
  2. Expressing kindness can help to quickly determine if someone is trustworthy or not.
  3. Kindness is a valuable attribute that triggers positive responses, builds trust, and fosters happiness.

Cooperation is really quite strange

Something to Consider • 19 implied HN points • 23 Jul 24
📖 Philosophy Trust
  1. In games where people simply act in their own self-interest, everyone can end up worse off. This shows how strange cooperation can be.
  2. People's beliefs about currency stability can create real economic problems, even if those beliefs are not matched by reality.
  3. Trust and cooperation are essential for a functioning economy and society. Improving these relationships takes time and effort, often needing everyone to change together.

Trust and Accountability

In My Tribe • 394 implied HN points • 15 Dec 24
🎭️ Culture Trust
  1. Cooperation in society happens when people can gain rewards for working together, and when there are consequences for dishonesty. It's not about being inherently good or bad.
  2. High-trust societies don't just happen; they depend on rules and systems that encourage honesty and discourage cheating.
  3. Understanding human cooperation is complicated, especially as social groups grow bigger. It's a key part of how societies function.

Words Matter: How Terminology Affects User Responses to AI System Failures

UX Psychology • 198 implied HN points • 17 Nov 23
🕹 Technology Trust
  1. The specific terminology used to describe AI systems significantly impacts user perceptions and expectations.
  2. Research shows that labeling a system as 'AI' versus 'algorithmic' affects trust, satisfaction, and acceptance after errors.
  3. Transparency, explainability, and careful terminology choices are essential in maintaining user trust and satisfaction with AI systems.

What Does It Mean to Decentralise a Rollup?

Cryptocurrency and Friends • 235 implied HN points • 16 Feb 23
🔮 Crypto Trust
  1. Decentralization in rollups is about prioritizing one honest party over a majority of validators.
  2. Rollups use a trusted third party like a smart contract instead of an honest majority to determine truth.
  3. The goal of decentralization in rollups is to empower one honest party to make decisions for the entire system in critical moments.

AI × Education: Some Thoughts on How I'm Approaching My Courses This Fall

The Absent-Minded Professor • 235 implied HN points • 14 Jun 23
🚌 Education Trust
  1. Spend time building relationships and explaining AI tools instead of blocking or preventing students from using them.
  2. Focus on building trust with students rather than setting traps or relying solely on technology to prevent cheating.
  3. Consider re-evaluating assessments to ensure they align with learning objectives, especially if AI tools expose weaknesses.

How often do AI's lie and censor?

Who is Robert Malone • 18 implied HN points • 15 Dec 25
🕹 Technology Trust
  1. Some AI systems will refuse or block answers to certain prompts, and the same question can get very different responses from different models.
  2. Language models can be made to generate convincing but false health information, and the strength of safeguards varies a lot between systems.
  3. Many AIs deny lying or censoring and there’s no external verification process, so users should not trust them blindly and must verify important information themselves.

Civilization and Its Distrusts

Earthly Fortunes • 176 implied HN points • 01 Apr 23
🌍 World Politics Trust
  1. Generative AI tools can be used as weapons to spread untruths and break the foundations of trust in society.
  2. Untruth campaigns have historically led to the downfall of nations, like the story of Guatemala in 1954.
  3. Trust is the foundation of society, and defending it from the constant barrage of untruths is crucial to prevent societal breakdown.

From Scenic Peaks to Small Business Leaps

The Small Business Corner • 19 implied HN points • 17 Jun 24
💼 Business Trust
  1. In rural areas and small towns, there is often a stronger sense of community and connection compared to big cities, fostering support among residents and businesses.
  2. Small businesses, similar to community dynamics, can develop deeper relationships with clients based on trust and mutual support.
  3. Successful small businesses prioritize building trust with their community, like pioneering banker Dave Fishwick who focused on supporting the local businesses and individuals.

With Revenues Declining, Corporate Media Demand Substack Censorship

Public • 515 implied HN points • 18 Jan 24
📰 News Trust
  1. Corporate media is pressuring Substack for censorship due to declining revenues, but claims of widespread Nazism on the platform are exaggerated.
  2. A journalist revealed inaccuracies in an article that sparked the anti-Substack campaign, highlighting errors in claims about a writer's earnings through the platform.
  3. Mainstream media's coordinated attack on Substack, framing it as a platform for Nazis, aims to undermine its threat to legacy media, resembling past efforts seen with social media giants like Facebook and Twitter.

Discomforts of Great Design Management

Product Composition • 117 implied HN points • 03 Mar 23
🪑 Design Trust
  1. Your work in design management is naturally unquantifiable, leading to anxiety and dissatisfaction in many managers.
  2. As a design manager, prioritize building trust with your team, even in challenging situations.
  3. Design managers need to be responsible for the output, not just facilitate, and balance scalable with unscalable practices.

How Trump Won, What Happens Next, and How Disconnects Drove Democracy

Kyla’s Newsletter • 178 implied HN points • 14 Nov 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Trust
  1. Trump won the election due to a mix of voter unity, economic dissatisfaction, and a desire for change among a diverse group of voters. Many believed he could restore stability and address their economic concerns better than his opponent.
  2. There's a noticeable disconnect between how people feel about the economy and the actual economic data. Even with good indicators, many voters feel burdened by high prices and economic inequality, leading to frustration and distrust.
  3. The way people receive information shapes their understanding of politics and policy. Social media influences voter perception significantly, and there's a need for clearer communication and engagement on multiple platforms to rebuild trust and convey policies effectively.

Trust and collaboration go a long way

Ageling on Agile • 59 implied HN points • 28 Jan 24
💼 Business Trust
  1. Collaboration and trust are crucial for success in organizations.
  2. Ensure everyone has the same objectives to avoid competing goals.
  3. Building trust, fostering healthy conflict, and breaking down silos are essential steps in improving teamwork.

Immigration protests and media distrust: Everything comes back to 2020

Unreported Truths • 62 implied HN points • 10 Jun 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Trust
  1. The recent immigration protests in Los Angeles are serious, but the city's size means not everywhere is affected. Media reports can downplay the situation, but it's clear there's unrest.
  2. Past media coverage during protests, especially in 2020, has led to distrust. Many felt the media downplayed violence and unrest, saying protests were mostly peaceful when that wasn't the full story.
  3. The credibility of traditional media has been damaged since 2020. Some are skeptical of their current portrayal of protests, believing that the truth is not always fully reported.