Substacks recommended by Josh Brake | The Absent-Minded Professor

Recommended by Josh Brake

Seeking the good life in a technological age. Caution is advised.

As the co-founder and first CEO of Netflix, I'll write a fair amount about the place, but I'll also share my thoughts on entrepreneurship, work-life balance, kids and whatever stupid things happen to pop into my head.

Some newsletters you just want to dip your toes into every once in a while. Not this one. I read every post as soon as I can. Marc’s writing is full of great examples and always pushes me to think more deeply about my craft. A must-read for folks trying to deepen their own prototyping mindset.

- Josh Brake

𝐀𝐈 𝐋𝐨𝐠

By Rob Nelson

Writing about how AI is changing education, and what we should do about it.

Appreciate Rob’s thoughtful takes on AI and its impact on education. Excellent writing grounded in an understanding of the philosophy underneath the technology.

- Josh Brake

Programmable Mutter

By Henry Farrell

Technology and politics in an interdependent world

Rhetorica

By Marc Watkins

Notes from a nontraditional student turned educator: culture, AI, education

Marc stays on top of the current developments in AI and their potential impacts on education better than almost anyone I know. Want to know about how to wrestle with AI as an educator? Make sure Marc is part of your cadre of advisors.

- Josh Brake

One Useful Thing

By Ethan Mollick

Trying to understand the implications of AI for work, education, and life. By Prof. Ethan Mollick

Ethan Mollick is one of the most interesting voices on the Internet about using AI tools like ChatGPT. Always sparks my curiosity!

- Josh Brake

AI Tidbits

By Sahar Mor

Stay ahead on the latest in AI through weekly summaries and editorial deep dives providing unique perspectives on recent developments

Want to stay up on the breakneck-speed AI space? Look no further than AI Tidbits. The bite-sized summaries are a great place to stay on top of new developments and the deep dives help you to think about what it all means.

- Josh Brake

Range Widely

By David Epstein

The newsletter for generalists.

David consistently churns out thought-provoking pieces pushing back on the popular push towards specialization. He will show you by example how generalists thrive by rejecting narrowness for breadth. A must-read newsletter for prototypers!

- Josh Brake

Intentional Academia

By Robert

Finding productivity and purpose in higher education and elsewhere.

Always learning something about how to better embrace life as an academic from Robert. Practical and grounded advice.

- Josh Brake

*Some Assembly Required

By John Inazu

Reflections on Protests, People, and Pluralism

John consistently shares thoughtful ways to have better conversations across difference. Essential reading as we seek to move forward together in addressing the brokenness in our world.

- Josh Brake

The Healthier Hustle

By Mary Chris Escobar

Reflections on building a business/creative practice without burning out.

Mary-Chris is a fellow Design Your Life educator. Appreciate her takes on building sustainable ways of building a meaningful life and career.

- Josh Brake

Grading for Growth

By Robert and David

Research and ideas about reforming grading practices in higher education and beyond.

Grading for Growth is a must-read for educators looking to hone their craft. I regularly learn something insightful to help me improve as a teacher.

- Josh Brake

Eight by Seven

By Timothy Burke

Organized distractedness: regular doses of history, politics, cooking, academia and geek culture.

Everybody's got a list of favorite professors. You know, the kind that challenge you because they want you to grow and think deeply. One of the best parts of the internet is that some of them, like Prof. Burke, take the time to share their work and thoughtfulness beyond the walls of the academy.

- Josh Brake

Austin Kleon

Weekly art, writing, and creative inspiration from the author of Steal Like an Artist and other bestsellers.

Austin is one of my favorite creative inspirations. Interesting ideas each week—and make sure you check out his books "Steal Like an Artist," "Show Your Work," and "Just Keep Going."

- Josh Brake

Writing Hacks

By Jane Rosenzweig

Writing is hard, but we may miss having written.

One of my go-to sources for solid and actionable writing tips. Jane consistently shares valuable advice about writing effectively in an AI-saturated world.

- Josh Brake

The Biblioracle Recommends

By John Warner

Weekly essays on reading the world and reading in the world, plus personalized book recommendations based on the last five books you've read.

John is one of my favorite writing inspirations. Thoughtful pieces on how to embrace the practice of writing.

- Josh Brake

The Convivial Society

By L. M. Sacasas

Thinking about technology, society, and the good life.

L. M. Sacasas puts together some of the best content on technology, culture, and the moral life. Deeply resonates with my goals as a writer and the types conversations I want to foster.

- Josh Brake