cdb's recent activity
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Comment on What's something that makes you feel like we're living in the future? in ~talk
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Comment on Ultra-processed diets cause weight gain compared to unprocessed diets of similar energy density and macronutrients, possibly due to overeating in ~health
cdb Link ParentThey were presented with the same amount of calories between types of meals, so it's more that when presented with more calorie dense foods, people will consume more calories. I looked through the...They were presented with the same amount of calories between types of meals, so it's more that when presented with more calorie dense foods, people will consume more calories.
I looked through the supplemental info, which shows images of each meal, and the unprocessed diet is just way more stuff to eat. Some of the processed meals I estimate I could eat most of, whereas some of the unprocessed meals I'm sure I would eat less than half.
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Comment on What's something that makes you feel like we're living in the future? in ~talk
cdb (edited )LinkGene editing. Sure, we're still in early stages, but there are already gene editing therapies on the market today. We take some cells from a patient with a genetic disease, replace the genes we...Gene editing. Sure, we're still in early stages, but there are already gene editing therapies on the market today. We take some cells from a patient with a genetic disease, replace the genes we don't like, stick the cells back into the patient, then they're cured. It's currently not the most pleasant process, but it works, which is just crazy to me.
Not sure if this one is just my filter bubble, and I'm not confident I've put it into words correctly, but the problems that people have in TV shows and movies feels like we've progressed technologically and morally. More apocalyptic scenarios seem to involve some reason like zombies rather than the loss of morals and proliferation of crime, like it was in the 90's. Since it seems less realistic for the general populace to turn aggressive/violent and stop collaborating as a whole, degeneration of society types seem to be more focused on us being too hands off and our systems turning bad, such as corporatism running out of control. It also seems like there is more media about excessive production of resources with the problem being poor distribution, rather than lack of resources these days. This is more a vibe about ratios, not saying we didn't have these kinds of themes in the past.
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Comment on I'm tired of dismissive anti-AI bias in ~tech
cdb Link ParentWhen I was studying for the SAT II, I learned a highly structured template for writing the essay portion. At the time, I felt like it was stupid and robotic, but after a few years of reading...When I was studying for the SAT II, I learned a highly structured template for writing the essay portion. At the time, I felt like it was stupid and robotic, but after a few years of reading emails in the corporate world I started wishing that more people had learned to do something like this. I can't tell you how many emails I've read where the ask is not clear, the supporting info is not there, or the structure is so bad that it's impossible to decipher the meaning. Lots of people suck at communicating, especially the ones who think they're great at it. It shouldn't be the only thing you learn, but learning how to write using a strict template is a valuable life skill.
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Comment on I'm tired of dismissive anti-AI bias in ~tech
cdb Link ParentIt bothers me how often people use the word "lie" when it comes to LLMs. I know there is a definition where a lie can be said to be any falsehood, but in common parlance lying usually implies...It bothers me how often people use the word "lie" when it comes to LLMs. I know there is a definition where a lie can be said to be any falsehood, but in common parlance lying usually implies intent. This article also uses other language that implies intent like "hiding" rather than something more neutral like "unknown."
If I give someone the wrong answer because I was taught the wrong answer, or because my brain misfired in that moment, that's wrong but not a lie. If the chain of thought mechanisms are not a good representation of the actual reasoning of the model, that means the LLM is not good at generating an accurate output regarding its reasoning steps, but it's not a lie.
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Comment on Bluesky’s quest to build nontoxic social media in ~tech
cdb Link ParentNo, I meant to reply to you. What I mean is that I think microblogging has utility, but as you say, there are parts that end up going bad. Things would be better if the functionality that enables...No, I meant to reply to you. What I mean is that I think microblogging has utility, but as you say, there are parts that end up going bad. Things would be better if the functionality that enables those negatives (such as comment sections) were removed from the microblogging sites and discussion should happen on sites like the kind you are suggesting.
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Comment on What are some examples of media that really captured lightning in a bottle? in ~tv
cdb Link ParentThe worst part for me was that it just didn't make sense. How can a large fleet of ships armed with anti air weapons hide from view of someone riding a dragon, then just sail up and get into range...The worst part for me was that it just didn't make sense. How can a large fleet of ships armed with anti air weapons hide from view of someone riding a dragon, then just sail up and get into range to shoot one down. You'd think after spotting the fleet they could just fly out of range, mobility being half the benefit of having dragons that can fly.
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Comment on Bluesky’s quest to build nontoxic social media in ~tech
cdb (edited )Link ParentSeems like what you're describing is just a fundamentally different type of website. Longer form content and community formation are exactly what I don't want from a microblogging site. In my...Seems like what you're describing is just a fundamentally different type of website. Longer form content and community formation are exactly what I don't want from a microblogging site. In my opinion the best function of these types of sites is to share small bits of news, such as a food truck broadcasting its location or a sports writer breaking news about a player trade. A comments section detracts from the utility of microblogging. Forming communities and having discussions should be on other types of sites. I guess that was the original idea with Twitter, but wanting to drive engagement and user base ends up with a ton of feature creep.
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Comment on Finding the best sleep tracker in ~tech
cdb LinkFun article. I always like seeing quantitative data. My doctor suggested I try tracking my sleep, so I've been looking into sleep trackers. Kind of a curious finding that the Oura and Autosleep...Fun article. I always like seeing quantitative data. My doctor suggested I try tracking my sleep, so I've been looking into sleep trackers.
Whoop vs Oura: 0.65
Oura vs AutoSleep: 0.47
Whoop vs AutoSleep: 0.14
Whoop and Oura seem to enjoy the highest correlation at ~0.65 ... If we think that Whoop is good (which I think it is), AutoSleep looks almost like a noise generator.Kind of a curious finding that the Oura and Autosleep have ok correlation given the conclusions about Autosleep. Seems like Oura correlates at least moderately well with the other three trackers, while Whoop only correlates well with Oura. Seems likely related to how the other trackers hit 100 often while Oura topped out at 92, but we'd have to see more data to know.
Also, there's some qualitative discussion on correlation between sleep quality and quality of life. Not sure if this was scored in a journal, or just going off vibes. Anyone ever tried scoring their day and comparing it to sleep data or know of someone who did that?
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Comment on Beware tech career advice from old heads in ~comp
cdb (edited )Link ParentUnless you meant mid-2010's (as in around 2015-2016), I would think the opposite, although I might be biased since I had to find a job in 2010 (not a software one though). For the "Information"...If someone started their software career in 2010 and is giving you advice, take it with a grain of salt, they came in at and era where the money was flowing.
Unless you meant mid-2010's (as in around 2015-2016), I would think the opposite, although I might be biased since I had to find a job in 2010 (not a software one though). For the "Information" category unemployment was about 9.7% in 2010, compared to 5.4% now. So, almost double. That doesn't mean it's twice as hard to find a job, it's more than twice as hard. I couldn't even get a job in fast food or retail because there were hundreds of applicants for each job. I lucked out getting a factory assembly job making near minimum wage through a small staffing agency. I say "lucked out" because even though it was a shitty job with shitty pay, I was just glad to have any kind of income. To add on to that, home foreclosures hit their peak in 2010, so it's clear to me that the money was not really flowing yet. I would think someone who started their career in 2010 should have a lot of stories about times of difficulty, whether personal or from friends and family.
Based on my reading of the current job market, it's obviously worse than the crazy boom years of 2021-2022, but it's obviously so much better than the fallout years after the 2008 global financial crisis. I'd say it might be comparable to 2013-2014 in terms of finding a job. Kind of hard, but not impossible. The unemployment numbers were higher then, but the trend was in a more positive direction than it is now.
Note: The Information category is a bit too broad to be well representative of the software industry, but it's better than using the overall unemployment numbers. CompTIA is reporting tech unemployment at 2.3% vs. 4% overall, but I'm not sure how representative that is of the software industry either.
Edit: To clarify, I'm not saying "it's been worse, suck it up," or anything like that. I'm not offering any advice, just trying to clear up some history. Just kind of shocked to see the year with the highest unemployment rate in the past 40 years described as a good time to get a job.
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Comment on Beware tech career advice from old heads in ~comp
cdb Link ParentNo single metric can show the whole picture, but aside from that, what do you think is the issue with unemployment rate?No single metric can show the whole picture, but aside from that, what do you think is the issue with unemployment rate?
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Comment on What are your goto cocktails? in ~food
cdb (edited )Link ParentThat looks about halfway between a Gold Rush and a Penicillin, with less juice and minus the honey. A drier and less juicy version sounds good.That looks about halfway between a Gold Rush and a Penicillin, with less juice and minus the honey. A drier and less juicy version sounds good.
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Comment on What are your goto cocktails? in ~food
cdb Link ParentThe Stagger Lee looks similar to Morgenthaler's Jagerita, which I'm a big fan of. I'll try to remember that next time I have a bottle of Jagermeister. The Jagerita: 1.5oz Jagermeister 0.75oz lime...The Stagger Lee looks similar to Morgenthaler's Jagerita, which I'm a big fan of. I'll try to remember that next time I have a bottle of Jagermeister.
The Jagerita:
- 1.5oz Jagermeister
- 0.75oz lime juice
- 0.75oz Cointreau
- 0.25oz simple syrup
Shake with ice and strain.
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Comment on What are your goto cocktails? in ~food
cdb (edited )LinkWe make a lot of negroni variations at home. When we say we're making a negroni, it'll probably be roughly a 2:1:1 ratio of gin or rye, some kind of amaro, and some kind of vermouth, depending on...We make a lot of negroni variations at home. When we say we're making a negroni, it'll probably be roughly a 2:1:1 ratio of gin or rye, some kind of amaro, and some kind of vermouth, depending on what we have on hand and what we feel like having. The ratios may be fudged a bit depending on mood and how sweet each ingredient is.
One variation I really like is a White Negroni:- 2oz gin
- 1oz Suze
- 1oz blanc vermouth
Stir with ice and strain over a large chunk of ice.
This one is less white and more pee-colored, so we usually turn down the lights for this one.
As I've gotten older, I find I don't like as much sweetness, so sometimes we go really dry with a 4:1:1 ratio, which starts to look less like a negroni and more like a martini. The Rolls Royce is a cocktail that is slightly more approachable than a martini, with gin, sweet vermouth, and dry vermouth in a 4:1:1 ratio.
My favorite tiki cocktail is the Jungle Bird. I like going to tiki bars because I would never stock all those ingredients at home, but any other cocktail that has pineapple and lime has felt like a less successful version of a Jungle Bird to me.
Recipe:- 1.5oz Black Strap Rum
- 0.75oz Campari
- 1.5oz pineapple juice
- 0.5oz lime juice
- 0.5oz demerara syrup
Shake with ice and strain over a large chunk of ice.
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Comment on What are your goto cocktails? in ~food
cdb Link ParentIt's typically made with 1oz orgeat instead of 1oz amaretto. Both are very sweet and should balance out the bitters nicely. I was pretty skeptical when a bartender recommended this cocktail, but...It's typically made with 1oz orgeat instead of 1oz amaretto. Both are very sweet and should balance out the bitters nicely.
I was pretty skeptical when a bartender recommended this cocktail, but it's become one of my favorite cocktails. I feel like it tastes like Christmas.
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Comment on What are you reading these days? in ~books
cdb LinkReading Platonic by Marisa Franco, which was the top recommended book on friendship by a NYT article posted on here recently. It's very story/narrative driven, while citing research and providing...Reading Platonic by Marisa Franco, which was the top recommended book on friendship by a NYT article posted on here recently. It's very story/narrative driven, while citing research and providing actionable advice. I like it so far, and I plan to read it at least twice to absorb things.
Also re-reading Hyperion for the book club. It's been 15+ years since I read it the first time, and I might have breezed through it too quickly because I was so eager to find out what happens next.
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Comment on Why is it so hard engage people about indirect effects? in ~talk
cdb Link ParentMaybe I should have worded my comment better. It's not everyone that needs a lot of help with software. It tends to be fairly polarized, with scientists either able to self resolve almost any...Maybe I should have worded my comment better. It's not everyone that needs a lot of help with software. It tends to be fairly polarized, with scientists either able to self resolve almost any problem they have the permissions to fix, or the kind of people that don't bother learning the software well and often ask for help. Asking for help means waiting, which a lot of people are not interested in doing.
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Comment on Why is it so hard engage people about indirect effects? in ~talk
cdb Link ParentMy experience is different. I work with a lot of experts. At work I interact with more people with PhDs than people without. They are very good at what they do with great problem solving skills,...My experience is different. I work with a lot of experts. At work I interact with more people with PhDs than people without. They are very good at what they do with great problem solving skills, otherwise they could not do what they do. I still end up teaching them basics about various software programs they use on a daily basis, even though I don't have any particular IT training.
So, I honestly think it's an unwillingness to learn outside the domain they're used to.
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Comment on What do you like about your job? in ~talk
cdb (edited )LinkI work at a pharmaceutical company involved with late-stage research and early-stage development. Things I like: The pay isn't as good as tech, but it's pretty good. I have lab work and in-person...I work at a pharmaceutical company involved with late-stage research and early-stage development.
Things I like:
- The pay isn't as good as tech, but it's pretty good.
- I have lab work and in-person meetings, but otherwise the schedule is somewhat flexible with reasonable work-life balance.
- There's a decent purpose. I've worked on drugs where there are reports from patients that it has literally saved their life or vastly improved their quality of life. My work ends up being kind of abstract, but from a motivation standpoint it's good to hear that I'm working on technology that can truly help people.
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Comment on Danish deposit system: 93% of bottles and cans are returned and of those, 99.7% recycled (translation in comment) in ~enviro
cdb Link ParentYour comment activated a memory for me. I think I had a similar experience as you once. I waited in line behind a grocery store smelling old soda/beer/garbage for 10-15 minutes, distrusted the...Your comment activated a memory for me. I think I had a similar experience as you once. I waited in line behind a grocery store smelling old soda/beer/garbage for 10-15 minutes, distrusted the value determined by weight, and also got a voucher I had to redeem inside the grocery store. I wasn't planning on buying groceries at the time, so I resented being forced to enter a store and wait in line just to get my money.
It takes too much time to be worth the effort, which is probably why it seems like it's very often unhoused people doing it. I've heard people suggest that this is a positive because there is an incentive for people to clean up and and opportunity for people down on their luck to get some income. I think I'd rather have more robust programs for both that doesn't make recycling depend on poor people and poor people depend on recycling.
I was really impressed by my new OLED TV as well. I expected a difference compared to my old TV, but not that big a difference. One thing I often notice is that light sources actually glow relative to the rest of the picture and illuminate my room, which helps a lot with immersion. If there is a TV scene in a dark room with just one desk lamp on, it sometimes actually kind of feels like there is a desk lamp on in my living room too.
After getting the big OLED, I've only been to the movie theater once. The decrease in picture quality was apparent. The sound in the theater was better than my home system, but the volume is usually too loud for me these days anyway (I guess I'm getting old?). So, I just watch all my movies at home these days. Yeah, I'm more used to it by now, but there are still occasionally scenes that wow me.