Recently, I mentioned in my newsletter that I’m back to using RSS. That triggered an avalanche (three comments on Substack, including my mom’s 😉) of questions: “Wiktor, what do you actually read?” “What are your sources?”
I promised I’d answer. So here we are.
Before we get into specifics, we need to talk about “lenses.”
I often hear: “I don’t read them, they’re biased.” I think that’s a mistake. The problem isn’t that authors have opinions – everyone does. The problem is consuming information uncritically, without noticing the filter someone has placed on reality.
Knowing a publication’s lens is a superpower. It lets you enjoy great journalism while still leaving room for your own conclusions. When you combine their perspective with yours, you get a fuller picture of what might actually be true.
No more intro. Here are 15 sources that help me stay informed in 2026.
World, politics & big narratives
Financial Times
My number one source. If I had to pick just one place on the internet, it would be FT, specifically the World section. This is where finance meets politics in the most rigorous way.
The Guardian
They clearly lean center-left, but their fact-checking and reporting craft are world-class. If you want a full picture, you can’t ignore them.
The New Yorker
A classic. Deep reporting, essays, and obsessive fact-checking. For me, it’s synonymous with journalistic quality.
Notes from Poland
The best window into Poland for the outside world (and for us). They publish less often, but with precision. A way to look at our backyard without the partisan venom dominating local media.
Polityka Insight Podcast
I love their “Nasłuch.” Thanks to them, I know what’s happening in Polish politics without drowning in daily shouting matches and informational noise.
Economics, investing & trends
Marginal Revolution
Tyler Cowen’s blog is daily mental gymnastics for me. Short, sharp, always with an unexpected cultural angle.
Abnormal Returns
Tadas Viskanta is a master curator. If you’re looking for intelligent commentary on financial markets – filtered from hype and click-chasing – this is the place.
Puls Biznesu (PB Brief)
Fifteen minutes that help me keep a finger on the pulse of Polish and global business. Perfect with a morning coffee.
Rest of World
A truly unique outlet. They write about technology where others don’t—outside the Western bubble. A reminder that the “rest of the world” isn’t a blur, but billions of distinct opportunities and challenges.
Science, tech & work hygiene
Nautilus
A magazine that makes science feel human. They connect biology with philosophy, physics with culture. Sometimes dense, often deep, but always worth it.
Weekly Dose of Optimism
My Friday ritual. A solid shot of tech optimism and a reminder that progress is still happening, even when it feels like the world is on fire.
Study Hacks
Cal Newport is a voice of reason in an overstimulated world. His blog is a goldmine on deep work and building a healthier relationship with technology.
Techmeme Ride Home
My daily 15 minutes with the most important Silicon Valley news. Brian McCullough does it the way it should be done – fast, focused, and not afraid to add his own perspective.
Culture
Pitchfork
I’d call it the “midwit” source for music fans—perfect if you want to know what’s cool before it becomes too mainstream, without diving into ultra-niche subgenres.
Polifonia
Bartek Chaciński is my number one authority when it comes to the Polish music scene. Class, taste, and decades of experience.
My final advice?
Audit your feed.
Don’t be afraid of sources you disagree with. Be afraid of the ones that don’t force you to think. Truth doesn’t always sit in the middle. More often, it’s scattered across multiple perspectives.
What’s missing here?
Let me know what you’d add to the list.
Discover more from Wiktor Tkaczyk
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