@number6@fosstodon.org avatar

number6

@[email protected]

For those of you born before the beginning of real time (1 January 1970), the avatar is a reference to a TV series about a man trapped on a beautiful Mediterranean island with nothing to eat or drink except gourmet food and fine wine. All while being surrounded by beautiful women. Oh the humanity!

Interests include #Tiddlywiki, #dutch , #duolingo (3000 day streak), gardening, and random things.

This profile is from a federated server and may be incomplete. View on remote instance

arstechnica , to Random
@arstechnica@mastodon.social avatar

Ancient Egyptian scribes had repetitive stress injuries just like us

There were degenerative joint changes in the spines, shoulders, knees, hips, and ankles.

https://arstechnica.com/science/2024/06/ancient-egyptian-scribes-had-repetitive-stress-injuries-just-like-us/?utm_brand=arstechnica&utm_social-type=owned&utm_source=mastodon&utm_medium=social

number6 ,
@number6@fosstodon.org avatar

@arstechnica

Well, yeah. Back then "Take a note" was like get out a stele, grab a hammer and chisel, and start banging.

arstechnica , to Random
@arstechnica@mastodon.social avatar

Synthetic psychedelic found in candies linked to seizures, intubation

Cases grow to 39, including 23 hospitalizations, across 20 states.

https://arstechnica.com/science/2024/06/synthetic-psychedelic-found-in-candies-linked-to-seizures-intubation/?utm_brand=arstechnica&utm_social-type=owned&utm_source=mastodon&utm_medium=social

number6 ,
@number6@fosstodon.org avatar

@arstechnica

What's bizarre to me is that the FDA banned tryptophan for 20 years based on a single bad batch out of Japan.

So with this product they can't even do a simple recall?

georgetakei , to Random
@georgetakei@universeodon.com avatar

What do you think of these recommendations, friends? https://www.comicsands.com/us-government-recommended-house-thermostat-2668587150.html?utm_source=mastodon&utm_medium=infeed&utm_campaign=linkprogram

number6 ,
@number6@fosstodon.org avatar

@georgetakei

This is the "inconvenient" part of an "Inconvenient Truth".

We've had 20 years to move away from an energy-wasting, auto-centric lifestyle, and we've done ... NOTHING.

Turning up your thermostat will be the least of consequences.

I often wonder how bad it will have to get before people are actually willing to make the lifestyle changes necessary to prevent total global chaos.

Will it take drought, famine, mass migration, war? How bad will it have to get?

arstechnica , to Random
@arstechnica@mastodon.social avatar

Pornhub is blocking more states this summer to protest age-verification laws

The number of states blocked by Pornhub will soon nearly double.

https://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2024/06/adult-sites-blocking-more-states-this-summer-to-protest-age-verification-laws/?utm_brand=arstechnica&utm_social-type=owned&utm_source=mastodon&utm_medium=social

number6 ,
@number6@fosstodon.org avatar

@arstechnica

I thought states couldn't regulate interstate commerce -- that that could only happen at the federal level.

If the servers are in some other state, how can the State legally track and control the activity?

With https, the state can't know what content is being viewed. So if PH hosted some innocent documents, (e.g. Declaration of Independence) there would be plausible deniability for any net traffic.

arstechnica , to Random
@arstechnica@mastodon.social avatar

Cleaning up cow burps to combat global warming

New tools for lowering methane emissions from livestock are on their way.

https://arstechnica.com/science/2024/06/cleaning-up-cow-burps-to-combat-global-warming/?utm_brand=arstechnica&utm_social-type=owned&utm_source=mastodon&utm_medium=social

number6 ,
@number6@fosstodon.org avatar

@arstechnica

Actually, the article seems to be about research with very little actionable happening. People are looking into it, and have speculative ways of decreasing the bacteria that may or may not make a difference.

Meanwhile, we could simply stop subsidizing beef now.

We keep fiddling, playing round the edges while Rome burns. And Paris burns. And New Delhi burns. And Los Angeles burns. And Beijing burns, and ...

arstechnica , to Random
@arstechnica@mastodon.social avatar

TDK claims insane energy density in solid state battery breakthrough

Apple supplier says new tech has 100 times the capacity of its current batteries.

https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2024/06/tdk-claims-insane-energy-density-in-solid-state-battery-breakthrough/?utm_brand=arstechnica&utm_social-type=owned&utm_source=mastodon&utm_medium=social

number6 ,
@number6@fosstodon.org avatar

@arstechnica

Seems to be more of a press release than actual news.

We're told that they can make a battery with 100x their current battery -- but we're not told what that is. Instead we're told what the competitor's density is? Huh? How does that help us understand if this is a meaningful development?

Then, when you read further, we learn that it's really only for the smallest of devices -- watches -- and is too fragile for cars.

So, a nothing burger, basically.

georgetakei , to Random
@georgetakei@universeodon.com avatar

Maybe the customer isn't always right...

number6 ,
@number6@fosstodon.org avatar

@georgetakei

Just be aware that many candles are not vegan -- even if they say "asparagus scented"

arstechnica , to Random
@arstechnica@mastodon.social avatar

May contain nuts: Precautionary allergen labels lead to consumer confusion

Some labels suggest allergen cross-contamination that might not exist.

https://arstechnica.com/science/2024/06/may-contain-nuts-precautionary-allergen-labels-lead-to-consumer-confusion/?utm_brand=arstechnica&utm_social-type=owned&utm_source=mastodon&utm_medium=social

number6 ,
@number6@fosstodon.org avatar

@arstechnica

I don't believe the claim that doing this wouldn't effect prices. Companies would have to perform hundreds of tests on every batch of product.

Maybe instead researchers could make home test kits, so that consumers could do their own testing. This would allow people to not only eat factory-packed food, but food from around the world that is not as conveniently labeled. Or food at potluck events or vendor stalls.

arstechnica , to Random
@arstechnica@mastodon.social avatar

Planned nuclear fuel has higher proliferation risks than thought

The US is still regulating some enriched uranium based on an analysis from the 1950s.

https://arstechnica.com/science/2024/06/planned-nuclear-fuel-has-higher-proliferation-risks-than-thought/?utm_brand=arstechnica&utm_social-type=owned&utm_source=mastodon&utm_medium=social

number6 ,
@number6@fosstodon.org avatar

@arstechnica

Just to be clear, no one has ever made a bomb with HALEU, so the threat is entirely hypothetical?

They seem to be saying that the bomb would have to be made with a ton or more of material, which suggests that it might be much trickier to achieve a chain-reaction state.

That is, the original bomb only had to move 140lbs of material to achieve a reaction, but a bomb made of HALEU would have to shift more than a ton ... very precisely. all at once.

georgetakei , to Random
@georgetakei@universeodon.com avatar

A troubling mistake!

number6 ,
@number6@fosstodon.org avatar

@georgetakei

On the other hand, your muscles have never felt so clean!

arstechnica , to Random
@arstechnica@mastodon.social avatar

Tesla chair says Elon Musk needs $46 billion pay plan to stay motivated

Musk could devote less time to Tesla if pay isn't re-approved, shareholders hear.

https://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2024/06/tesla-chair-says-elon-musk-needs-46-billion-pay-plan-to-stay-motivated/?utm_brand=arstechnica&utm_social-type=owned&utm_source=mastodon&utm_medium=social

number6 ,
@number6@fosstodon.org avatar

@arstechnica

For 46 Billion dollars, Tesla could give cars away and still make money.

georgetakei , to Random
@georgetakei@universeodon.com avatar

They're not wrong...

number6 ,
@number6@fosstodon.org avatar

@georgetakei

Just be sure to take your phone and wallet out before the next wash cycle.

arstechnica , to Random
@arstechnica@mastodon.social avatar

After a drama-filled day, Boeing’s Starliner finally finds its way

"I think we’re missing something fundamental that’s going on inside the thrusters."

https://arstechnica.com/space/2024/06/after-a-drama-filled-day-boeings-starliner-finally-finds-its-way/?utm_brand=arstechnica&utm_social-type=owned&utm_source=mastodon&utm_medium=social

number6 ,
@number6@fosstodon.org avatar

@arstechnica

If I understand right, the cost of Starliner is 4.2 billion.

The Russians charge 70 million per flight.

So for the price of a questionable and possibly short-lived Starliner, the U.S. could have had 60 flights on Soyuz.

Butt national pride: Priceless.

arstechnica , to Random
@arstechnica@mastodon.social avatar

How to build a DOA product: Humane AI Pin founders banned internal criticism

Questioning the design and dev progress was apparently "against company policy."

https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2024/06/report-humane-ai-pin-did-7-million-in-sales-wants-to-sell-for-1-billion/?utm_brand=arstechnica&utm_social-type=owned&utm_source=mastodon&utm_medium=social

number6 ,
@number6@fosstodon.org avatar

@arstechnica

If they could just tweak the design a little so that they always caught on fire, then it would be the perfect gift for that special person in your life you've been meaning to off.

georgetakei , to Random
@georgetakei@universeodon.com avatar

Supporting journalism is important in every form.

number6 ,
@number6@fosstodon.org avatar

@georgetakei

The North American Loggers Association thanks you!

arstechnica , to Random
@arstechnica@mastodon.social avatar

New recycling method makes solar cells even more environmentally friendly

All the major elements in a solar panel can be reclaimed using less energy.

https://arstechnica.com/science/2024/06/new-recycling-method-makes-solar-cells-even-more-environmentally-friendly/?utm_brand=arstechnica&utm_social-type=owned&utm_source=mastodon&utm_medium=social

number6 ,
@number6@fosstodon.org avatar

@arstechnica

With no moving parts, how do they age anyways?

They don't mention cadmium, gallium, indium, tellurium, or selenium, which are in some panels.

And why do they have to send the aluminium frames and glass off for melting? Isn't "re-use" better than recycle? Couldn't they just slip in new panels?

Reduce
Re-use
Recycle

arstechnica , to Random
@arstechnica@mastodon.social avatar

Google’s AI Overviews misunderstand why people use Google

Answers that are factually "wrong" are only part of the problem.

https://arstechnica.com/ai/2024/06/googles-ai-overviews-misunderstand-why-people-use-google/?utm_brand=arstechnica&utm_social-type=owned&utm_source=mastodon&utm_medium=social

number6 ,
@number6@fosstodon.org avatar

@arstechnica

On the other hand, we finally have a pizza where the pepperoni doesn't slide off.

arstechnica , to Random
@arstechnica@mastodon.social avatar

Google accidentally published internal Search documentation to GitHub

Commit snafu slapped an irrevocable Apache 2.0 license on confidential API Docs.

https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2024/06/google-accidentally-published-internal-search-documentation-to-github/?utm_brand=arstechnica&utm_social-type=owned&utm_source=mastodon&utm_medium=social

number6 ,
@number6@fosstodon.org avatar

@arstechnica

It might be schadenfreude, but I sort of feel justified that the best brains in the business also find GitHub confusing.

georgetakei , to Random
@georgetakei@universeodon.com avatar

Never hurts to be prepared!

number6 ,
@number6@fosstodon.org avatar

@georgetakei

Shame you didn't start earlier.

arstechnica , to Random
@arstechnica@mastodon.social avatar

TikTok vaguely disputes report that it’s making a US-only app

TikTok has spent months separating code for US-only algorithm, insiders claim.

https://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2024/05/tiktok-vaguely-disputes-report-that-its-making-a-us-only-app/?utm_brand=arstechnica&utm_social-type=owned&utm_source=mastodon&utm_medium=social

number6 ,
@number6@fosstodon.org avatar

@arstechnica

Why are dancing videos on a private platform "dangerous", but stations on broadcast networks that promote the "election was stolen" lie are not?

Banning TT won't do anything except to convince young people that Biden is just as out of touch as the other guy.

georgetakei , to Random
@georgetakei@universeodon.com avatar

Facts.

number6 ,
@number6@fosstodon.org avatar

@georgetakei

I don't think a Costco hotdog can fix the stomachache a Costco hotdog gives you.

georgetakei , to Random
@georgetakei@universeodon.com avatar

Ah, delicious photosynthesis.

number6 ,
@number6@fosstodon.org avatar

@georgetakei

In the 1970s it was reported that oysters near the nuclear power plant in Chesapeake bay were glowing.

The head of the AEC commented ...
"They should be dandy for a light lunch"

georgetakei , to Random
@georgetakei@universeodon.com avatar

I've already seen this one.

number6 ,
@number6@fosstodon.org avatar

@georgetakei

Well, it is summer.

georgetakei , to Random
@georgetakei@universeodon.com avatar

Same!

number6 ,
@number6@fosstodon.org avatar

@georgetakei

Could be weirder. The Dutch wave at their ears.

arstechnica , to Random
@arstechnica@mastodon.social avatar

Google is killing off the messaging service inside Google Maps

Google Maps has had its own chat platform since 2018, but it's shutting down in July.

https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2024/05/google-is-killing-off-the-messaging-service-inside-google-maps/?utm_brand=arstechnica&utm_social-type=owned&utm_source=mastodon&utm_medium=social

number6 ,
@number6@fosstodon.org avatar

@arstechnica

"And another one gone, and another one gone
Another one bites the dust,

https://killedbygoogle.com/

georgetakei , to Random
@georgetakei@universeodon.com avatar

😵‍💫

number6 ,
@number6@fosstodon.org avatar

@georgetakei

"It's not even wrong" -- Wolfgang Pauli

georgetakei , to Random
@georgetakei@universeodon.com avatar

We'd all like a word!

number6 ,
@number6@fosstodon.org avatar

@georgetakei

And let me tell you about comfort stations ...

arstechnica , to Random
@arstechnica@mastodon.social avatar

When warm-blooded dinosaurs first roamed the Earth

Two groups of dinosaurs moved to cooler climes during a period of climate change.

https://arstechnica.com/science/2024/05/when-warm-blooded-dinosaurs-first-roamed-the-earth/?utm_brand=arstechnica&utm_social-type=owned&utm_source=mastodon&utm_medium=social

number6 ,
@number6@fosstodon.org avatar

@arstechnica

It would have been a more interesting article if they had mentioned the latitudes the early birds had moved to. Like, how close to the Arctic circle?

And did ptersosaurs move to colder climates also? All flying tetrapods today are warm-blooded.

georgetakei , to Random
@georgetakei@universeodon.com avatar

She's just not in her element.

number6 ,
@number6@fosstodon.org avatar

@georgetakei

Can't be much of a test if they left off dilithium.

georgetakei , to Random
@georgetakei@universeodon.com avatar

👌🤣

number6 ,
@number6@fosstodon.org avatar

@georgetakei

How did you type this?

arstechnica , to Random
@arstechnica@mastodon.social avatar

Physicists find a possible way to get warped space, but no drive

While it won't make a useful spaceship engine, it may tell us more about relativity.

https://arstechnica.com/science/2024/05/physicists-find-a-possible-way-to-get-warped-space-but-no-drive/?utm_brand=arstechnica&utm_social-type=owned&utm_source=mastodon&utm_medium=social

number6 ,
@number6@fosstodon.org avatar

@arstechnica

I don't understand the disappointed tone of this article. FTL is fantasy.

The reality is that the fastest man-made object moved at 0.05% of the speed of light.

Being able to shelter occupants from acceleration would be a major breakthrough. Being able to go 10% of the speed of light would be a breakthrough. Being able to avoid the debris floating in space would be a breakthrough.

At 10% light-speed, we could pass voyager in two weeks!

georgetakei , to Random
@georgetakei@universeodon.com avatar

Just to be clear...

number6 ,
@number6@fosstodon.org avatar

@georgetakei

I see someone skipped a day in palaeontology class.

georgetakei , to Random
@georgetakei@universeodon.com avatar

Brilliant.

number6 ,
@number6@fosstodon.org avatar

@georgetakei

Don't be surprised if you come in Monday and someone's taken your chair.

arstechnica , to Random
@arstechnica@mastodon.social avatar

Blue Origin resumes human flights to suborbital space, but it wasn’t perfect

Blue Origin's space capsule safely landed despite a problem with one of its parachutes.

https://arstechnica.com/space/2024/05/blue-origin-resumes-human-flights-to-suborbital-space-but-it-wasnt-perfect/?utm_brand=arstechnica&utm_social-type=owned&utm_source=mastodon&utm_medium=social

number6 ,
@number6@fosstodon.org avatar

@arstechnica

Parachutes have been around for 250 years. Why can't they get it right?

arstechnica , to Random
@arstechnica@mastodon.social avatar

New research shows gas stove emissions contribute to 19,000 deaths annually

California is considering a law that would require warning labels on gas stoves.

https://arstechnica.com/health/2024/05/new-research-shows-gas-stove-emissions-contribute-to-19000-deaths-annually/?utm_brand=arstechnica&utm_social-type=owned&utm_source=mastodon&utm_medium=social

number6 ,
@number6@fosstodon.org avatar

@arstechnica

Junk science. Note the term "contributes to". So, yeah, if you smoke and cook with gas, maybe there's problems.

Meanwhile, in the U.S. a staggering 40 thousand people die in auto accidents. It's not subtle. It's not "contributes to". It's visible, on the freeways every day.

Another 53000 deaths occur thanks to auto emissions per MIT.

But CA still loves its cars.

We don't need to give the right more reasons to hate the left.

arstechnica , to Random
@arstechnica@mastodon.social avatar

Cats playing with robots proves a winning combo in novel art installation

Cat Royale project explores what it takes to trust a robot to look after beloved pets.

https://arstechnica.com/science/2024/05/cats-playing-with-robots-proves-a-winning-combo-in-novel-art-installation/?utm_brand=arstechnica&utm_social-type=owned&utm_source=mastodon&utm_medium=social

number6 ,
@number6@fosstodon.org avatar

@arstechnica

The cats seem mostly bored.

It appears, when offered a stimulating environment with hundreds of possible activities, cats will mostly prefer to eat and sleep.

A lot like people on cruise ships.

georgetakei , to Random
@georgetakei@universeodon.com avatar

Nice try but no. https://www.comicsands.com/watters-trump-sleeping-meditating-court-2668284881.html?utm_source=mastodon&utm_medium=infeed&utm_campaign=linkprogram

number6 ,
@number6@fosstodon.org avatar

@georgetakei

Premeditating.

georgetakei , to Random
@georgetakei@universeodon.com avatar

Kid's got a point 🦷

number6 ,
@number6@fosstodon.org avatar

@georgetakei

Showering just makes new spaces for bacteria to grow.

georgetakei , to Random
@georgetakei@universeodon.com avatar

Sounds legit.

number6 ,
@number6@fosstodon.org avatar

@georgetakei

Ever notice we never hear from anyone after they win the big one? Coincidence?

georgetakei , to Random
@georgetakei@universeodon.com avatar

This kid's a legend!

number6 ,
@number6@fosstodon.org avatar

@georgetakei

MCCOY: A teddy bear.
SPOCK: Not precisely, Doctor. On Vulcan, the teddy bears are alive, and they have six-inch fangs.

(Journey to Babel)

georgetakei , to Random
@georgetakei@universeodon.com avatar

Bradder, this sounds like a great date night!

number6 ,
@number6@fosstodon.org avatar

@georgetakei

Nah, can't stand the pressure.

georgetakei , to Random
@georgetakei@universeodon.com avatar

With polls still showing President Biden in a tight race with Donald Trump, looking merely at the polling can be disheartening. The fact is, there's good reason to be cautiously optimistic looking ahead to November. In today's The Big Picture, writer Jay Kuo breaks down his Top 10 Reasons why we should all feel hopeful about Biden's chances. https://thinkbigpicture.substack.com/p/10-reasons-optimistic-biden-2024

number6 ,
@number6@fosstodon.org avatar

@georgetakei

Biden has almost the same policies as Trump.

He's willing to sell the environment down the river, because he thinks he can buy off the unions with tariffs.

In reality, these tariffs will result in inflation, making the Democrats less popular than ever, even if he manages to get re-elected.

The world is burning. Can't we have even one world leader who gets that?

arstechnica , to Random
@arstechnica@mastodon.social avatar

Biden set to levy 100% tariffs on Chinese EVs this week

Both the US and EU are deeply concerned about heavily subsidized Chinese OEMs.

https://arstechnica.com/cars/2024/05/biden-set-to-levy-100-tariffs-on-chinese-evs-this-week/?utm_brand=arstechnica&utm_social-type=owned&utm_source=mastodon&utm_medium=social

number6 ,
@number6@fosstodon.org avatar

@arstechnica

How to tell us that you don't believe in Global Warming without saying you don't believe in Global Warming.

georgetakei , to Random
@georgetakei@universeodon.com avatar

They're impossible to figure out 🚿

number6 ,
@number6@fosstodon.org avatar

@georgetakei

Here's how you do it.

  1. Take the ice bucket.
  2. Fill it with warm water
  3. Step into the shower.
  4. Pour over your head
  5. Rinse. Repeat.
arstechnica , to Random
@arstechnica@mastodon.social avatar

In the race for space metals, companies hope to cash in

Mining asteroids could reduce the burden on Earth’s resources. Will it live up to its promise?

https://arstechnica.com/science/2024/05/in-the-race-for-space-metals-companies-hope-to-cash-in/?utm_brand=arstechnica&utm_social-type=owned&utm_source=mastodon&utm_medium=social

number6 ,
@number6@fosstodon.org avatar

@arstechnica

It would serve us right if we got there and discovered the asteroids were made of solid plastic.

georgetakei , to Random
@georgetakei@universeodon.com avatar

Sounds like she had beef with it!

number6 ,
@number6@fosstodon.org avatar

@georgetakei

If not today, then maybe tomato.

arstechnica , to Random
@arstechnica@mastodon.social avatar

NASA wants a cheaper Mars Sample Return—Boeing proposes most expensive rocket

"To reduce mission complexity, this new concept is doing one launch."

https://arstechnica.com/space/2024/05/nasa-wants-a-cheaper-mars-sample-return-boeing-proposes-most-expensive-rocket/?utm_brand=arstechnica&utm_social-type=owned&utm_source=mastodon&utm_medium=social

number6 ,
@number6@fosstodon.org avatar

@arstechnica

The whole idea of using a second rover to retrace the path of Perseverance just seems incredibly wasteful. Why didn't they just have Perseverance retain the samples?

And why are they sending back the entire second rover? If they just sent back the samples, the load and MAV could be much lighter. And then maybe they wouldn't need the SLS.

Or was the whole point of the proposal just to use SLS?

georgetakei , to Random
@georgetakei@universeodon.com avatar

Every. Time.

number6 ,
@number6@fosstodon.org avatar

@georgetakei

RIP Sir Terry Pratchett

https://images.app.goo.gl/vcgaiETDvqbWSgMN6

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