The hottest Understanding Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
Category
Top Philosophy Topics
A Mug of Insights 1513 implied HN points 19 May 23
  1. Philosophy often seems obscure and complex to regular people due to its unique language and terminology.
  2. Understanding philosophy is akin to learning a foreign language, with its own set of definitions and interpretations.
  3. Mastering philosophy involves a shift in mindset, where the complexities of the language eventually click and become a new way of thinking and understanding.
Play Permissionless 239 implied HN points 10 Apr 24
  1. Thinking harder doesn't always lead to solutions; learning to balance the analytical left brain with the intuitive right brain is key.
  2. The left brain creates plans and maps, but the right brain helps in spotting the obvious and maintaining flexibility in problem-solving.
  3. A healthy power balance between the left and right brain is crucial for creativity and effective decision-making.
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Journal of Gurdjieff Studies 99 implied HN points 23 Feb 24
  1. The Fourth Way is a difficult path of self-improvement practiced amidst daily life, different from the paths of Fakir, Monk, and Yogi.
  2. Adapting to changing external circumstances while maintaining inner balance and work principles is crucial in following the Fourth Way.
  3. Achieving the state of 'No. 4 man' in the Fourth Way involves developing a well-rounded, flexible, and all-sided approach to life and situations.
Journal of Gurdjieff Studies 39 implied HN points 28 Aug 23
  1. The post discusses the concept of 'SURE-ing', which involves doing with faith to gain understanding.
  2. The articles assume prior knowledge of Gurdjieff's writings and related literature, providing resources for further reading and understanding.
  3. The post is available for paid subscribers, with an option to subscribe for more content.
Integrity Talk 66 implied HN points 27 Aug 23
  1. The distinction between knowledge and understanding is essential: knowledge focuses on facts, while understanding delves deeper into the meaning behind the facts.
  2. Storytelling is a fundamental part of how humans communicate and understand the world around them.
  3. Using AI to synthesize information may lead to an increase in misinformation and a lack of in-depth understanding.
Humanities in Revolt 79 implied HN points 28 May 22
  1. Honoring veterans goes beyond superficial 'thanks' - it involves understanding their service and the complexities of war.
  2. Popular culture often oversimplifies the experiences of veterans, leading to empty gestures of gratitude.
  3. Genuine conversations with veterans about their experiences and taking civic responsibility for sending them to war are crucial gestures of respect.
Journal of Gurdjieff Studies 39 implied HN points 01 Jan 23
  1. Language plays a significant role in understanding and medicine according to Gurdjieff's teachings, suggesting that understanding is dependent on language.
  2. Gurdjieff's exploration of language, human mentation, and understanding is closely linked to his teachings on medicine, hypnotism, and consciousness.
  3. The concept of understanding is viewed as a form of medicine, serving as a harmonizing factor in our lives.
Silicon Reckoner 19 implied HN points 12 Feb 23
  1. The computational theory of mind is based on a metaphor and tends to take symbolic logic too seriously.
  2. Trademarked concepts like intelligence™ may limit the full understanding of intelligence by excluding certain human emotions like wonder and anxiety.
  3. Understanding in mathematics involves knowing what to calculate and having the technical skill to make those calculations.
Sunday Letters 79 implied HN points 31 Jan 22
  1. Explaining something to someone else helps you see how well you really understand it. If you can break it down clearly, then you know it well.
  2. Simplicity is important in design and communication. To simplify, you need to break things down to their basic parts and only keep what is essential.
  3. Before adding more to a design or an idea, try taking things away first. This helps in understanding the core of the problem and making things simpler.
Journal of Gurdjieff Studies 19 implied HN points 22 Dec 22
  1. Understanding ideas requires more than surface-level knowledge – it involves applying them to life and letting them change us.
  2. Growth in understanding can lead to a sense of normality and unity within us, harmonizing our functions and thoughts.
  3. The concept of the 'law of three' by Gurdjieff suggests that every phenomenon results from three forces, with active, passive, and neutralizing elements.
Carefree Sketches 19 implied HN points 22 Jul 22
  1. When we say 'I like you' to someone, it involves a certain conceit and value judgment based on rational parameters.
  2. Liking someone involves weighing various values such as amenity, rank, purpose, and affinity, and assigning them a value.
  3. Contrasting 'I like you' with 'I love you,' love is seen as irrational, residing in the heart, while liking is a more reasoned and intellectual process.
Nonzero Newsletter 5 HN points 22 Feb 24
  1. The classic argument against AI understanding, the Chinese Room thought experiment, is challenged by large language models.
  2. Large language models (LLMs) like ChatGPT demonstrate elements of understanding by processing information similarly to human brains when it comes to understanding.
  3. LLMs show semantic understanding by mapping words to meaning, undermining the belief that AIs have no semantics and only syntax as argued by Searle in the Chinese Room thought experiment.
Marcus on AI 1 HN point 13 Feb 24
  1. Generative AI often relies on statistics as a shortcut for true understanding, leading to shaky foundations and errors.
  2. Challenges arise when generative AI systems fail to grasp complex concepts or contexts beyond statistical relationships.
  3. Examples in various domains show the struggle between statistical frequency and genuine comprehension in generative AI.
Akash Chinnaiah 2 HN points 06 Sep 22
  1. Rereading a book can offer new perspectives and deeper understanding, just like rewatching a movie reveals missed details.
  2. Reading a book again after some time can show how your thinking has evolved and allow you to grasp more insights from the text.
  3. Investing time in reading a book without effectively absorbing its content is a costly mistake; rereading can help avoid this regret.
The Leadership Lab 0 implied HN points 13 Dec 21
  1. Culture is unique to each company, emerging from interactions among employees, partners, and the market.
  2. Good culture isn't a one-size-fits-all solution; it must be continually discovered and developed.
  3. Founder DNA plays a significant role in shaping a company's culture, influencing the organization's strengths and blindspots.
Journal of Gurdjieff Studies 0 implied HN points 01 Jan 23
  1. The post discusses confrontation, contact, and blending of functionings, highlighting the interconnected nature of these elements.
  2. It appears to be a part of a series exploring language, understanding, and medicine, building upon previous articles on abnormality.
  3. The content seems to cater to paid subscribers, suggesting exclusive access to more in-depth discussions and insights.
Rocket Philosophy by Ian 0 implied HN points 17 Apr 23
  1. Initiate conversations with a clear vision to go far in relationships and collaborations.
  2. Establish a safe conversational environment through shared context, open communication, and active listening.
  3. Maintain trust as a foundation in personal relationships, solving misalignments through systematic exploration and continuous communication.
The Grey Matter 0 implied HN points 15 Mar 23
  1. The Chinese Room thought experiment challenges the idea of computers having genuine understanding.
  2. Understanding involves more than just following rules, requiring a deep comprehension and application of knowledge.
  3. The Stateful Chinese Room concept suggests that AI models could potentially achieve genuine understanding through context and repeated exposure.