The hottest Work Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
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Top Education Topics

This is How We Fall Out of Love with the World

Culture Study • 12118 implied HN points • 23 Feb 25
🎭️ Culture Art Society Politics Education Work
  1. Art and essential services matter, but they often lack sufficient public funding in America. Many believe value only comes from profit, which overlooks the importance of community support.
  2. Cuts to public services mean that everyday Americans are forced to shoulder more costs. This creates a fragile system that risks collapse during tough times, like the pandemic.
  3. Passion jobs, where people work for love rather than money, are at risk as public funding declines. This leads to burnout and instability for those who dedicate themselves to these important roles in society.

What New AI Operating Systems Mean for Work

Workforce Futurist by Andy Spence • 439 implied HN points • 05 Feb 25
🕹 Technology AI Work Automation Business Future
  1. AI could change how we use computers by making them more conversational and task-oriented. Instead of using separate apps, we might just tell the computer what we need and it could do it for us.
  2. In the future, businesses might run on AI Operating Systems that can automate many processes, making everything more efficient. These systems could help manage resources, predict customer needs, and adapt quickly to changes.
  3. The role of human workers will likely evolve into 'SuperOperators' who work closely with AI. Instead of completely replacing jobs, AI might help us become more skilled at decision-making and creative problem-solving.

What Next? Fifty Year Careers.

The Future Does Not Fit In The Containers Of The Past • 34 implied HN points • 09 Feb 25
💼 Business Careers Work Technology Health Education Personal Development
  1. People are living longer, which means careers need to adapt and may last 50 to 60 years. This change requires a rethink on how we approach retirement and the 'next act' in our lives.
  2. Many people struggle with retirement because they find it hard to find purpose without their work. It's important to plan for meaning in life after the 9-to-5.
  3. To stay relevant in today's fast-changing world, we need to keep learning and upgrading our skills. Relying solely on past knowledge can lead to being left behind.

The Unremitting Monedey

The Lifeboat • 160 implied HN points • 13 Jan 25
🎭️ Culture Entertainment Society Work Digital Games
  1. Selling virtual items, like gems in games, raises questions about morality and customer responsibility. People should manage their finances wisely, even in digital spaces.
  2. Entertainment in the form of virtual games can distract people from their real-life struggles, but there's concern about the exploitative aspects of selling virtual goods.
  3. The workplace can feel mundane and draining, leading to a desire for escape or change. Many people face the struggle of balancing personal happiness with their jobs.

15 things I consumed this week

Maybe Baby • 685 implied HN points • 29 Nov 24
🎭️ Culture Media Lifestyle Consumption Work Trends
  1. The modern work culture is often seen as flawed and inhumane. Many people feel this way intuitively, even if they don't want to admit it.
  2. There's a growing argument for a 32-hour work week. This could lead to better work-life balance and happier employees.
  3. Understanding the problems with work can help us push for changes in how we approach our jobs and daily lives. It's important to challenge the norms that make us unhappy.
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The future of AI, work, and the world

Granted • 4751 implied HN points • 15 Dec 23
🕹 Technology AI Work Geopolitics Psychology Podcasts
  1. Encourage a love for learning in kids rather than pushing for practical majors. Liberal arts education is about expanding minds, not just building careers.
  2. Gain diverse perspectives to broaden your mind. Explore topics like AI, global geopolitics, and work happiness.
  3. Question the status quo in education and work. Focus on asking the right questions, embracing ambiguity, and challenging common myths.

The 11 New Idea Books to Spring into Summer

Granted • 5690 implied HN points • 30 Apr 23
📚 Literature Motivation Work Social Change Thinking
  1. Motivation is key: Explore books on perfectionism, finding motivation, and unleashing creativity to overcome obstacles and move forward.
  2. Work-life balance matters: Discover titles advocating for good quality jobs, designing work around life, and finding significance in work for a fulfilling career.
  3. Social change and innovation are crucial: Learn from books on sparking revolutions, promoting inclusivity, and reimagining government for a more inclusive and digital future.

What I refuse to accept about work

Sex and the State • 16 implied HN points • 07 Feb 25
🎭️ Culture Work Mental health Personal Growth Self-reflection Relationships
  1. One big fear about work is worrying about how colleagues will react or judge. It can be tough to navigate relationships in a work setting.
  2. There's a focus on understanding what is being refused or pushed aside at work that might block personal happiness. Recognizing these barriers is important for personal growth.
  3. Engaging with feedback and comments from others can be challenging but is necessary for improvement and connection in the workplace. It's a sign of growth to respond and interact with others.

✨ The impact of AI and jobs: A Quick Q&A with … Daniel Rock of the Wharton School

Faster, Please! • 274 implied HN points • 16 Oct 24
🕹 Technology AI Work Innovation Economics Automation
  1. AI could become a general-purpose technology if it applies widely across many industries and leads to real changes in how we work. We need to see if it really changes innovation in significant ways.
  2. Many jobs could be affected by AI tools, with some reports suggesting that up to 46% of jobs could see more than half their tasks impacted. This shows how powerful AI might be in the workplace.
  3. It's likely that using AI will change not just individual tasks but also how organizations operate and make decisions. This means workplaces will need to adjust to new ways of working.

Quitting my job to be a different person

Kenny’s Sub • 399 implied HN points • 08 Apr 24
🎭️ Culture Identity Lifestyle Work Family Personal Growth
  1. Quitting a job doesn't automatically change who you are. It can lead to unexpected challenges and chaos instead of a smooth transformation.
  2. Having too much freedom can create a chaotic lifestyle. It's easy to let work take over and ignore other important parts of life like relationships and self-care.
  3. Facing pivotal moments in life requires intentional planning and prioritization. It's crucial to balance work with family and self-care to live a more fulfilling life.

Comfort work

Austin Kleon • 2517 implied HN points • 18 Oct 22
🎭️ Culture Art Work Society Lifestyle Mental health
  1. Comfort work is the type of work you do when you're unsure what else to tackle. It's about finding tasks that feel good and familiar, especially when you're feeling tired or unmotivated.
  2. This kind of work should still be rewarding. It needs to be challenging enough to count as real work, but not so overwhelming that it feels stressful.
  3. Everyone experiences moments when they need comfort in their work. Understanding this can help you be kind to yourself and find productive ways to cope during tough times.

Recruiting Brainfood - Issue 345

Recruiting Brainfood • 589 implied HN points • 21 May 23
💼 Business Recruitment AI Marketing Work Operations
  1. Candidate experience is crucial for winning top talent in 2023, focusing on pillars like transparency, reciprocity, and unity.
  2. The WEF Future of Jobs report highlights regional variances in employment and the decline in real wages, impacting recruitment strategies.
  3. AI is transforming recruitment processes, from Google AI Search changing internet dynamics to AI assisting in automating hiring processes and message composition.

MR WRONG: Personality crisis.

INDIGNITY • 255 implied HN points • 12 Jan 24
🎭️ Culture Personality Work Art Food & Drink Marketing
  1. The article discusses the author's experience with a unique job application process involving a quiz.
  2. The author reflects on the results of the quiz and the personality label assigned to them.
  3. There's a teaser at the end for readers to guess the type of job the quiz was for, adding an interactive element to the article.

GRANTED: Connecting with your future self and learning from the past

Granted • 399 implied HN points • 30 Nov 22
🚌 Education Learning Self-Improvement Work
  1. Learning isn't complete just by acquiring knowledge, but by consistently applying it to evolve and improve.
  2. Closing the gap between awareness and action is the ultimate test of growth.
  3. Reject the illusion of continuity for wiser choices; emotional labor is as important as physical and cognitive labor; consider reimagining work methods from hunter-gatherer societies.

Bonds bail us out

Known Unknowns • 235 implied HN points • 26 Jun 23
💰 Finance Investing Economy Insurance Work Risk management
  1. Bonds can be a good financial tool for managing risk and long-term investment.
  2. Questioning traditional financial theories, like investing in long-term bonds, can lead to insights on managing pension funds.
  3. Work-from-home trends may not be sustainable in the long term due to the importance of workplace relationships and culture.

The Alliance for the Future Manifesto

From the New World • 199 implied HN points • 12 Mar 24
🕹 Technology AI Regulation Open Source Work National Security
  1. The Alliance for the Future opposes blind panic and over-regulation around artificial intelligence, aiming to educate and advocate for the benefits of AI in society and politics.
  2. AI is a process, not an object, and regulating it is complex and infeasible. History shows that negative actions should be condemned, not the technology itself.
  3. Encouraging open source development in AI can lead to a diverse range of models, efficient training, and easier detection and prevention of issues, benefitting all involved.

On Speaking to The Cleaning Ladies

The Pedestrian • 357 implied HN points • 24 May 23
🎭️ Culture Society Work Relationships Hierarchy Ethics
  1. The author works as an administrative assistant at a council and has developed different relationships with colleagues based on their positions.
  2. The author faced ingratitude from the cleaning staff despite going out of their way to be friendly and helpful.
  3. Realizing the cleaning staff might be intentionally negligent, the author reported safety violations which led to positive changes in their behavior.

Cold brews in Brunswick

A Perfectly Cromulent Software Engineer • 59 implied HN points • 17 Mar 24
🍲 Food & Drink Coffee Community Home Work
  1. Third places are vital for social interaction and community, offering a space for meaningful connections.
  2. Working from home can blur boundaries between personal and professional life, highlighting the importance of having a separate 'third place' for relaxation and socializing.
  3. Discovering new places, like a cozy cafe, can provide a refreshing environment for socializing and making connections outside of work and home.

2024 Review

Ben’s Blog 🏉 🧠🧑‍💻 • 32 implied HN points • 01 Jan 25
🏥 Health & Wellness Personal Growth Mental health Physical health Family Work
  1. Being kind to yourself is really important. It helps you feel proud just for being you, not just for what you achieve.
  2. Self-compassion can improve personal growth. Accepting where you are in life brings a sense of peace.
  3. Taking a more relaxed approach to your career can lead to better results. Stop forcing things and let them happen naturally.

The chairs that broke me

A Perfectly Cromulent Software Engineer • 59 implied HN points • 06 Dec 23
🎭️ Culture Home Furniture Health Work Shopping
  1. Lockdown experiences can lead to unexpected challenges like uncomfortable seating arrangements for work, causing physical discomfort.
  2. Investing in a good chair for home and at work is crucial for preventing or alleviating back pain. Ergonomic support can make a significant difference.
  3. Carrying a towel for back support can be a simple yet effective solution to improve comfort when sitting for extended periods.

Perhaps You Should Quit Your High-Paying, Stressful Job

antoniomelonio • 77 implied HN points • 12 Mar 24
🎭️ Culture Lifestyle Society Philosophy Work Happiness
  1. Consider reevaluating the pursuit of high-paying, stressful jobs and reflect on what truly brings happiness.
  2. Question the societal emphasis on material wealth and the concept of 'conspicuous consumption' as measures of success.
  3. Examine the value of work that contributes meaningfully to society, prioritize personal well-being over societal expectations, and explore simpler ways of living for greater happiness.

Life Is All About Work, Didn’t You Know?

antoniomelonio • 86 implied HN points • 13 Feb 24
📖 Philosophy Work Freedom Society Labor Capitalism
  1. Life involves a cycle of working to survive - from following specific rules in society to earning a living through predetermined means.
  2. Many find dissatisfaction in modern work due to its lack of purpose, fake elements, and inequality. Imagining a fulfilling work experience that is meaningful and valued.
  3. Existence is tied to being productive in a system driven by abstract concepts of growth, leading to disillusionment and a call for individual struggle for freedom and authentic living.

Life is Not an Investment

Humanities in Revolt • 179 implied HN points • 06 Aug 22
📖 Philosophy Value Consumption Work Fulfillment Humanity
  1. The humanities teach us to value things that are good in themselves, like love and personal development, rather than just things that lead to something else like money or status.
  2. It's important to acknowledge the inherent value of labor and the products of that labor, rather than solely focusing on productivity or profit.
  3. Consumption and work should be aligned with fundamental human values like truth, goodness, and fulfillment, rather than being driven by a never-ending pursuit of material possessions or profit.

New strange fruit

Splattern • 59 implied HN points • 15 Sep 23
🎭️ Culture Lifestyle Personal Growth Wellness Nature Work
  1. Starting a new work project can feel exciting but also bring sadness for what you might miss out on. It's okay to miss those joyful moments while focusing on your goals.
  2. Running to work can be a refreshing way to exercise. It feels good when your workout also helps you reach your destination.
  3. Taking ownership of your work can be empowering. It means you get credit for success and learn from failures all by yourself.

Work, Abuse, and Unwinnable Games

72 Degrees North • 39 implied HN points • 14 Jan 24
🎭️ Culture Work Abuse Games Relationships Capitalism
  1. Life can sometimes present unwinnable situations where moving on is the best option.
  2. People may engage in unwinnable games like pursuing unattainable goals in relationships or falling into abusive patterns.
  3. Corporate work under capitalism shares similarities with abusive relationships, using small rewards and big punishments to keep workers captive.

'Human intelligence'

imperfect offerings • 13 HN points • 10 Apr 24
🚌 Education AI Data Work Learning Assessment
  1. The concept of 'artificial intelligence' has historically been used to define and value 'intelligence', leading to discriminatory practices in education and beyond.
  2. The term 'human intelligence' has been co-opted by the AI industry to alleviate concerns about job displacement, but in reality, it devalues certain types of work and people, especially those involving care and emotional labor.
  3. The comparison between artificial and human intelligence creates a double bind for students and workers, expecting them to conform to data-driven systems while also being 'more human', which can lead to confusion and anxiety.

Gen Z and Financial Nihilism

Kyla’s Newsletter • 65 implied HN points • 13 Jul 23
🎭️ Culture Work Social media Digital Identity
  1. Generational tensions are common as each new generation faces unique challenges and experiences, shaping their perspective and approach to work and life.
  2. Gen Z has been shaped by events like economic downturns, social media, and the pandemic, influencing their views on work, society, and relationships.
  3. The younger generation seeks greater freedoms in a world dominated by corporations, values passion and fulfillment in work, and navigates a culture of hyperindividualism and constant online connectivity.

ChatGPT & the Future of Work

The Future of Life • 19 implied HN points • 02 Apr 23
🕹 Technology AI Work Automation Productivity Industry
  1. AI is unlikely to replace jobs like programming. Instead, it's expected to assist and improve how programmers work.
  2. Everyone might have their own personal AI assistant in the future. This AI will help manage daily tasks like scheduling and information gathering.
  3. Instead of making workers obsolete, AI will enhance people's productivity and efficiency, especially in white-collar jobs.