carsonc's recent activity
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Comment on Poem from my 13-year-old son in ~creative
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Comment on Sweden's wind power industry risks becoming a victim of its own success – rock-bottom energy prices are cooling renewable investment in ~enviro
carsonc Link ParentMaybe they could host AWS "cold" storage? Jokes aside, I think Jevons Paradox will be happy to ensure that the bothersome production of excess power and negative prices leads to applications that...Maybe they could host AWS "cold" storage? Jokes aside, I think Jevons Paradox will be happy to ensure that the bothersome production of excess power and negative prices leads to applications that will happily provide a floor for electricity prices.
Somehow, despite these setbacks, I still believe Sweden will endure.
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Comment on Sweden's wind power industry risks becoming a victim of its own success – rock-bottom energy prices are cooling renewable investment in ~enviro
carsonc LinkOh no! The horror! The payback periods are getting longer and the ROI is going down! Is this the future environmentalists want, where energy will be so abundant that the consumers will sometimes...Oh no! The horror! The payback periods are getting longer and the ROI is going down!
Is this the future environmentalists want, where energy will be so abundant that the consumers will sometimes have to get paid for using it? Instead of paying to use it?
If we want to decarbonize the atmosphere, it's going to take a massive amount of electricity. Low energy prices will pretty dramatically reduce the price of air capture, and thereby accelerate the rate at which we can decarbonize.
Maybe governments should incentivize capture projects as "solutions" for low or negative energy prices.
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Comment on Population growth in Latin America and the Caribbean falls below expectations in ~life
carsonc LinkApparently, the population models keep predicting the peak happening earlier and earlier. Science news.Apparently, the population models keep predicting the peak happening earlier and earlier. Science news.
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Comment on What are your routines, tactics and strategies while job hunting? Going through a career transition. in ~talk
carsonc LinkI am grateful (tis the season) to have been employed in a job the past few years that was good enough to not need to look for an escape or backup plan. But I was looking continuously for several...I am grateful (tis the season) to have been employed in a job the past few years that was good enough to not need to look for an escape or backup plan. But I was looking continuously for several years before that. I can share some things that I learned that I have not seen elsewhere.
One is that many people are subconsciously applying to the job the had or want to leave, rather than the actual job they are applying to. The hiring manager will be inclined to say, "Wow! This is a great resume, but I don't think they are a good fit for the position." Often, the metrics by which the applicant tries to distinguish themselves are highly specific to their last job, how could they not be? After all, they want to show their good side. This requires a certain level of imagination on the part of the hiring manager that they neither possess nor seek.
Imagine that a star basketball center was applying to a track and field position. They would talk about their average points per game and so on. Now, they might be great at track and field, likely head-and-shoulders above the rest, but if they only talk about their percentage from behind the three-point line, they probably won't be selected.
Accordingly, you need to put the past behind you. The success metrics that mattered to you before are not necessarily those that matter now. So, for each application, you need to tailor the description of your qualifications and bona fides to match the success metrics of your future employer; describe them with the language that they would use to describe their own successes.
I have other points, but it's late and I need to get to bed. Good luck!
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What are your forgivable sins?
The user @trim posted an interesting question in ~Tech and it made me wonder: what are my forgivable sins? What kinds of misdeeds on the part of companies that are suppliers of goods or services...
The user @trim posted an interesting question in ~Tech and it made me wonder: what are my forgivable sins? What kinds of misdeeds on the part of companies that are suppliers of goods or services do I tacitly concience or to which I will turn a blind eye?
Whenever there is a scandal, the easy answer is, "I don't know, but definitely not that." This, however, is just an ad hoc definition that can be applied to any unsavory revelation on the part of a service or product provider. What would I be left with? I couldn't retreat from society if I wanted to and the cost of commercial puritanism would be prohibitively high.
What I realized in that topic was that (1) I will not sanction providers merely for doing business with others to whom I am opposed and (2) I will not sanction providers merely for issuing words or statements that I disagree with.
That said, I'm curious about others. What are your criteria for bad behavior in a service or product provider that you would judge to be nonetheless admissible?
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Comment on Should I stop using Kagi because they do business with Yandex? in ~tech
carsonc LinkDo what makes you happy, I suppose. I think everyone has a schema in mind for what kind of behavior they would concience and what they wouldn't. For me, "Does business with a bad search engine"...Do what makes you happy, I suppose. I think everyone has a schema in mind for what kind of behavior they would concience and what they wouldn't. For me, "Does business with a bad search engine" isn't a sufficient criteria for sanction, but that's just me, and I make no claims of being a paragon of virtue whose example should be followed. If that's beyond the pale for you, if it bothers you, then you might consider ending your support of Kagi. Do what makes you happy.
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Comment on Tips for increasing online privacy (without going insane)? in ~tech
carsonc Link ParentMy standards have fallen far. I no longer consider the moral failings of the people who make the things that I buy. I just like having a thing that isn't actively, obviously, constantly,...My standards have fallen far. I no longer consider the moral failings of the people who make the things that I buy. I just like having a thing that isn't actively, obviously, constantly, maliciously spying on me.
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Comment on OpenAI, Google and Anthropic are struggling to build more advanced AI in ~tech
carsonc Link ParentI didn't really think about it that way. Good point!I didn't really think about it that way. Good point!
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Comment on OpenAI, Google and Anthropic are struggling to build more advanced AI in ~tech
carsonc Link ParentI don't think it's quite so clear. How would you discuss Moore's Law in relation to automotive design? Though easily grasped, automotive analogies might be inapt. If the public believes that AI...I don't think it's quite so clear. How would you discuss Moore's Law in relation to automotive design? Though easily grasped, automotive analogies might be inapt. If the public believes that AI progress will resemble exponential growth, then the expectation of eye-popping advances every year is warranted. The hype might be wrong, but such a belief would not be unreasonable, given the track record of computing advancement over the past 60 years.
To me, the "growth" of AI is both unambiguous and highly subjective. Perhaps it's more like the adoption of the automobile than it is the mechanics of an automobile. When cars started to take over roads, we made the roads better for cars, then cars got better, and more people drove them, and the roads got better, and so on. At any point, you could say, "We couldn't possibly become more car-friendly!" But here we are, expanding lanes and spending more money on cars.
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Comment on Tips for increasing online privacy (without going insane)? in ~tech
carsonc LinkI'll happily recommend the FUTO keyboard for Android, if you are uncomfortable with your search engine reading every keystroke. The speech-to-text feature is the best one that I've found. Good luck!I'll happily recommend the FUTO keyboard for Android, if you are uncomfortable with your search engine reading every keystroke. The speech-to-text feature is the best one that I've found. Good luck!
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Comment on How do I trick my brain into accepting eating less? in ~health
carsonc Link ParentAgain, I am not a therapist, but I have found the work of David Burns very useful. His book, Feeling Good, is well regarded, and his podcast, The Feeling Good Podcast, is also very informative. If...Again, I am not a therapist, but I have found the work of David Burns very useful. His book, Feeling Good, is well regarded, and his podcast, The Feeling Good Podcast, is also very informative. If you think it would be useful, there is also an app that he collaborated on called... can you guess the name? That's right, the Feeling Good App!
TEAM-CBT is best for anxiety and depression, but it is also good for behaviors, addictions, and relationships. Personally, I have found the tools helpful in my own life and will attest that I believe that I am happier for having learned them. But, of course, to each their own.
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Comment on How do I trick my brain into accepting eating less? in ~health
carsonc Link ParentAs different individuals, we should expect different responses to the same treatment. For me, it is difficult to take 13 g of psyllium husk fiber as capsules, although I do it out of convenience...As different individuals, we should expect different responses to the same treatment. For me, it is difficult to take 13 g of psyllium husk fiber as capsules, although I do it out of convenience when travelling. The capsules hold about 0.5 g each, so the 13 g in the diabetes paper would take 26 capsules. One bottle of psyllium fiber capsules will hold 100 capsules, making it last a whopping 4 days.
Even at 13 g, though, it's nowhere near the recommended daily allowance for adult women at 25 g per day and 38 g per day for adult men. So not even 13 g of fiber constitutes a heroic dose, albeit it kind of feels like it when knocking it back.
If lack of fiber isn't a problem, then additional fiber probably won't help, however the literature indicates that, if it is, then you might not see much benefit at <10 g/day supplementation.
It surprising to me that no one talks about this. Metabolic syndrome is a serious public health challenge. How much of it comes from a severe, widespread lack of fiber in our diet? Why isn't it the first intervention when cholesterol or A1c are elevated? Why am I learning about this from obsessive late-night Google Scholar searches and not from my doctor, who ordered the tests and reviewed the results?
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Comment on How do I trick my brain into accepting eating less? in ~health
carsonc LinkI am not a dietician and I have no "it worked for me" story, but I do have something concrete that you can try at very low expense with virtually no adverse consequences. Fiber. There is a nice...I am not a dietician and I have no "it worked for me" story, but I do have something concrete that you can try at very low expense with virtually no adverse consequences.
Fiber. There is a nice paper on one of the effects of fiber here. That looks at the effect of viscous fiber on diabetes treatment, but if you are interested in cholesterol, that paper is here.
But you are interested in satiation. That paper is here.
Viscous soluble fibres may be useful because they prolong the intestinal phase of nutrient digestion and absorption. This means that there is a longer time over which the macronutrients can interact with the pre-absorptive mechanisms of satiation and satiety, as well as prolong the time course of post-absorptive signals.
How much fiber is enough? Well, I don't know what's right for you, but the first paper talks about 13 g/day of viscous fiber. There's a lot that's covered under the term "viscous fiber", but psyllium husk powder is a good place to start. You can buy it in bulk at very affordable prices. At 13 g/day, you can get 1 kg every 3 months.
Drinking 2 large glasses of water a day with ~7 g of dissolved psyllium husk fiber each takes a little getting used to, but if you notice a desireable change in your appetite patterns, then it is a relatively simple, low cost, low effort, low risk way to improve your metabolic health and reduce appetites that you seem to feel are problematic.
If not, then the problem might be related to something else and you should keep looking for a solution.
Good luck!
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Comment on Solar + power bank for household appliances in apartment - can I reduce my electricity bill? in ~life.home_improvement
carsonc Link ParentFor context, we live in a single-family house in the same region as you. We installed rooftop solar last year and, while I do enjoy having solar power, we are not saving money at this point. I...For context, we live in a single-family house in the same region as you. We installed rooftop solar last year and, while I do enjoy having solar power, we are not saving money at this point. I don't think we will be saving money for another 9 years. I don't think the system will pay for itself for another 7 years after that. I don't think anyone will save much money, if any, for any solar right now, low solar panel prices be damned.
If energy prices go up, it will shorten the payoff period, but if solar takes off, the price of power will fall (good for you) and lengthen the payoff period (bad for us). Ultimately, I'm glad that we have something to provide power in the event of another heat dome/heat wave, like we did last summer. The grid held and no one in the area got a brownout, but they were issuing warnings about the possibility. Next year might not be so lucky.
If we can stay cool next summer, it will be money well spent.
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Comment on Solar + power bank for household appliances in apartment - can I reduce my electricity bill? in ~life.home_improvement
carsonc LinkFirst, buy a Kill-a-watt meter or similar and get an idea of how much power any of your appliances actually consume during a 24 hour period. Then pick one that would make for a good test....First, buy a Kill-a-watt meter or similar and get an idea of how much power any of your appliances actually consume during a 24 hour period.
Then pick one that would make for a good test. Reasonably important, near a window, not too high a power requirement. The sun only provides so much energy, and you can look up what that might mean with a standard 1.6 m² solar panel here.
But it's really just around 1 kWh per day with a 1.6 m² panel. I have a suspicion that a 1.6 m² panel may be out of the question (or maybe not, apparently, but anyway), so let's do half of that and get 0.5 kWh out if it. Now, if we can get about 1 kWh of battery storage, we can run that device off the sunlight, off the grid, reasonably reliably, for a long time. I kept looking for anything that looked remotely like affordable battery storage at this point for so long that I lost my first post. You are on your own here, friend.
Assuming about a 20¢/kWh in residential supply and delivery charges, I believe that system will save about 10¢ a day, $3 a month with that system in reduced electricity, when the weather cooperates. At this point, you can just scale this up to the amount of solar panels that you want to buy.
Does that seem right?
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Comment on Tildes Book Club Discussion - Kindred by Octavia Butler in ~books
carsonc Link ParentDiscovering that Kevin was White was a revelation that hit very close to home. I had read Parable of the Sower and Parable of the Talents and have admired the multifaceted way that Butler handles...Discovering that Kevin was White was a revelation that hit very close to home. I had read Parable of the Sower and Parable of the Talents and have admired the multifaceted way that Butler handles race, but that caught me off gaurd. That, coupled with the very intimate portrayals of violence, stopped me in my tracks.
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Comment on Following its Singaporean pilot project, carbon sequestration start-up Equatic aims to build a massive plant in Quebec in ~enviro
carsonc LinkThis seems great! I had not heard about electrolysis CO₂ capture, but the economics are the best I have seen: Other estimates have even lower costs. I worked on a CO₂ sequestration project and...This seems great! I had not heard about electrolysis CO₂ capture, but the economics are the best I have seen:
In this study, over 99 % of the Ca²⁺ and Mg²⁺ ions were converted into pure calcium carbonate and magnesium carbonate hydroxide. According to the study, 1000 m³ simulated concentrated seawater can mineralize 4.65 tons CO₂ and produce 9.97 tons of magnesium carbonate hydroxide and 2.02 tons of calcium carbonate. Only 5676 kWh of electric power (about USD 567.6) was used in the whole electrolysis process, while the products were valued at as much as USD 6649. Xie, 2015
Other estimates have even lower costs.
I worked on a CO₂ sequestration project and have felt that many of the complaints against CCS overlook the obvious benefit - indeed, likely necessity - of CCS for preventing future catastrophes. This approach seems to circumvent many of possible complaints.
- It's not attached to a coal- or natural gas-fired power plant (God forbid we try to capture emissions at the source, where the concentration highest, lowering the difficulty involved in reducing emissions).
- The CO₂ captured can't be used for enhanced oil and gas sequestration (God forbid we try to create profitable business models to fund the development of the technology using reliable customers with deep pockets).
- The carbon isn't sequestered underground, at a depth of 10 km, where it might contaminate the deepest, briniest underground aquifers that we could ever imagine drinking (the horror).
- The technology doesn't involve regenerating the CaOH as the sorbent, which always seemed like "Let's road trip in first-gear" approach. (Better than nothing, though).
- It might work at the tera-tonne scale. $122T USD amortized over 20 years would be $6T per year to remove ~50 GTonnes of CO₂ per year. What would we do with the >100 Gtonnes per annum of calcium and magnesium carbonates?
This is good news, though.
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Comment on Tildes Book Club - Voting thread winter spring 2024-2025 in ~books
carsonc Link ParentLook, every Adrian Tchaikovsky book I've read has a touch of horror to it, and so does this one. I think it's one of his calling cards. However, to me, this book is more Beauty and the Beast than...Look, every Adrian Tchaikovsky book I've read has a touch of horror to it, and so does this one. I think it's one of his calling cards.
However, to me, this book is more Beauty and the Beast than Call of Cthulu.
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Comment on Tildes Book Club - Nominations thread in ~books
carsonc LinkI think Absolution by Jeff Vandermeer just came out. The last book in a Trilogy (Tetralogy, now) wouldn't be a good choice, but what about Annihilation?I think Absolution by Jeff Vandermeer just came out. The last book in a Trilogy (Tetralogy, now) wouldn't be a good choice, but what about Annihilation?
Seconded! I was thinking, @thereticent, Can you do the Jabberwocky poem next?