turmacar's recent activity
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Comment on What long standalone book is worth its page count? in ~books
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Comment on Google says AI weather model masters 15-day forecast in ~enviro
turmacar LinkWhat does that mean then? Being reliant on government provided data makes sense, that's generally who operates weather satellites, being reliant on the models seems odd. It's neat they were able...But he said these forecasting systems are reliant on the weather prediction models that are already running, such as that operated by ECMWF.
What does that mean then? Being reliant on government provided data makes sense, that's generally who operates weather satellites, being reliant on the models seems odd.
It's neat they were able to outperform models using old data. It seems a no brainer to be running it using current data to see if it actually can predict out 15 days and generate a track record of being right.
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Comment on What short book series is worth more than its page count? in ~books
turmacar Link ParentAbsolutely understand the sentiment, but Sandman is held up as an example of "Comics as art" for a reason. Libraries, second-hand, and other ways exist to read it without giving him money.Gaiman
Absolutely understand the sentiment, but Sandman is held up as an example of "Comics as art" for a reason. Libraries, second-hand, and other ways exist to read it without giving him money.
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Comment on Inside the war against excessive headlight brightness in ~transport
turmacar LinkI get that it's hard to point to specific instances. But the over all trends seem maddeningly in line with each other....The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety’s data shows that headlight brightness has roughly doubled since 2015.
Despite the increase in headlight brightness, data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration shows that fatal crashes in dark conditions remain relatively stable. In fact, crashes on lighted roads have risen slightly over the past two decades. It raises the question: Is all this extra brightness actually doing anything?
I get that it's hard to point to specific instances. But the over all trends seem maddeningly in line with each other....
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Comment on What’s your “I didn’t know I needed that” item? in ~life
turmacar Link ParentFrom the Artemis page, for them at least it's a flash drive. Apparently they had over 3 million names so that'd need to be some real tiny engraving! So instead the names are stored by trapping...From the Artemis page, for them at least it's a flash drive. Apparently they had over 3 million names so that'd need to be some real tiny engraving! So instead the names are stored by trapping electrons in bit buckets.
Very cool. Will need to pay more attention for future launches.
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Comment on Pine64 November update: Something borrowed something new in ~tech
turmacar Link ParentFor PineTime, I don't suppose you've ever had a Pebble to compare it too? I've kind of been going the opposite way with Gamin watches since they imploded, but I do miss the simplicity of the...For PineTime, I don't suppose you've ever had a Pebble to compare it too?
I've kind of been going the opposite way with Gamin watches since they imploded, but I do miss the simplicity of the Pebble watches.
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Comment on Great shows with interesting premises? in ~tv
turmacar LinkFor All Mankind is pretty fantastic. "Russia landed on the moon first, so the Space Race accelerates" is the premise. Nicely has a small time skip between seasons which gives them the space to not...For All Mankind is pretty fantastic.
"Russia landed on the moon first, so the Space Race accelerates" is the premise.
Nicely has a small time skip between seasons which gives them the space to not stagnate story wise.
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Comment on Automatic braking systems save lives. Now they’ll need to work at 62 MPH. in ~transport
turmacar Link ParentPersonally the worry isn't the systems as much as it is the overconfidence in the capability of the systems, like a lot of new car/tech stuff. A lot of people, for whatever reason, trust the tech...Personally the worry isn't the systems as much as it is the overconfidence in the capability of the systems, like a lot of new car/tech stuff. A lot of people, for whatever reason, trust the tech implicitly until they experience a downside firsthand. And those downsides are so downplayed by marketing you usually have to hunt for what they even might be.
Have a friend who was convinced the autobraking was foolproof because the salesman had them drive the car at a wall at the dealership. Never questioned if it had any limitations at all. Hoping the "Above 55mph 100% of collisions occurred" might make them tailgate less on the highway at least.
As with a lot of this, a better overarching solution is not to make driving a task with less human interaction. Spending possibly hundreds of hours being lulled into a sense of security by the automation that nothing bad can happen, only to have to take action in a split second to avoid death, is not a recipe for safety. Having less people operating vehicles is. Preferably trained professionals on mandated in grade separated travel corridors depending on speed/distance. Like a modern tiered transportation system involving cars, but also having trains/trams/bikes/walking spaces all separated instead of requiring everyone to drive everywhere.
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Comment on Book recommendation request: Fantasy book about university similar to The Name of the Wind? in ~books
turmacar Link ParentFWIW I'd say the wizard books lean more towards faculty hijinks than "magic school" stories. Equal Rites might be a tighter fit toward that aspect in particular, and/or the Tiffany Aching books in...FWIW I'd say the wizard books lean more towards faculty hijinks than "magic school" stories. Equal Rites might be a tighter fit toward that aspect in particular, and/or the Tiffany Aching books in terms of magic tutelage/growing up learning magic.
I do think everyone should read Discworld. It's funny, and punny, and occasionally causes an existential wossname as you see a concept you agree with but would have trouble enunciating in a thesis paper elegantly laid out in 3 lines. "Standard disclaimer" if the earlier books don't grab you the parts people love most are mostly after the first few, when Discworld is more it's own place and less a setting for direct satire of 70s fantasy; and while there's overarching world growth, there's no reason not to jump in at whatever book(s) seems interesting. (Except probably the last one. The last one is a goodbye letter to the readers.)
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Comment on Book recommendation request: Fantasy book about university similar to The Name of the Wind? in ~books
turmacar Link ParentI do think the show redeems the core concept of the books. "College Harry Potter and Narnia is real." IDK if it was having more writers, more time, or what but personally I think it was...I do think the show redeems the core concept of the books. "College Harry Potter and Narnia is real."
IDK if it was having more writers, more time, or what but personally I think it was significantly better than the books and only sort of goes in the same direction. From memory basically nothing from the third book made it into the show, to the show's benefit.
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Comment on Japanese workers in their twenties turn to resignation agencies in ~life
turmacar Link Parent"Cool. You now owe company <$$$> as defined in your employment contract due to the resources the company has spent on your training that the company has not been adequately compensated for by your..."Cool. You now owe company <$$$> as defined in your employment contract due to the resources the company has spent on your training that the company has not been adequately compensated for by your continued employment. Failure to reimburse the company for these costs in X days will result in legal action."
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Comment on How do people get over enshittification? in ~life
turmacar Link ParentXmas is pretty old calendar. It dates back to people being fluent in church Latin.Xmas is pretty old calendar. It dates back to people being fluent in church Latin.
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Comment on Dwayne Johnson became the world’s biggest movie star. Now he’s trying to disappear. in ~movies
turmacar Link ParentIt's out?! With this and Beetlejuice are they trying to count on a months long run only for it to flop a bit because it's out before the season the movie is about? Who the releases a Christmas...It's out?!
With this and Beetlejuice are they trying to count on a months long run only for it to flop a bit because it's out before the season the movie is about?
Who the releases a Christmas movie in the first week of November?
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Comment on Scientists are racing to find out whether the rapid retreat of glaciers could drive a surge in eruptions as magma builds under Iceland in ~enviro
turmacar LinkGood lord do I find the presentation of this article annoying. It's a good article and gorgeous pictures but getting interrupted every few paragraphs with info-graphics saying the same thing and...Good lord do I find the presentation of this article annoying.
It's a good article and gorgeous pictures but getting interrupted every few paragraphs with info-graphics saying the same thing and being forced to scroll through full screen pictures makes it really frustrating to read.
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Comment on The Strava problem: how the fitness app was used to locate the world’s most powerful people in ~tech
turmacar (edited )Link ParentI believe that was also Strava. People started noticing anonymous routes being run in the middle of nowhere and then it turned out there were military bases there. I'd say it's weird how often...I believe that was also Strava. People started noticing anonymous routes being run in the middle of nowhere and then it turned out there were military bases there.
I'd say it's weird how often this seems to happen but I've worked IT.
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Comment on What’s behind the sudden surge in young Americans’ wealth? in ~finance
turmacar Link ParentAbout as much as being a day trader, youtuber, or star actor I'd imagine. Probably less. Like any gold rush there are going to be winners. Their key metric is home equity. Yeah, anyone who bought...About as much as being a day trader, youtuber, or star actor I'd imagine. Probably less. Like any gold rush there are going to be winners.
Their key metric is home equity. Yeah, anyone who bought a house before ~2019/2020 has seen the value skyrocket. They touch on it a bit but that's not easy to see real benefit from, and it's hardly the norm.
It's like pointing out that average wages are up because Bezos is making more money. It's true, but the median is probably more meaningful.
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Comment on I bought a bike. What next? in ~hobbies
turmacar Link ParentSome bikes also have quick release on the rear, but it's less useful / more expensive. The front tire is usually the one to hit things first/hardest so having it be quick release does make...why isn't it also on the rear wheel
Some bikes also have quick release on the rear, but it's less useful / more expensive. The front tire is usually the one to hit things first/hardest so having it be quick release does make repairs/fixes easier. But mostly the rear has the chain and all that attached to it, which is more to deal with and at that point you tend to need more tools anyway.
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Comment on Character.AI faces US lawsuit after teen's suicide in ~tech
turmacar LinkOther than the current zeitgeist, I'm not sure AI was the issue. Unfortunately without treatment people have been convincing themselves suicide is the only way out without assistance for a long...Other than the current zeitgeist, I'm not sure AI was the issue. Unfortunately without treatment people have been convincing themselves suicide is the only way out without assistance for a long time. Will be interesting to see if the case goes somewhere.
Like a lot of tech startup money grabs I can't imagine reading classical dystopian sci-fi/cyberpunk and coming away with the impression it would be a good idea to create this company though. Enabling someone to retreat from society is not a good thing. The CEO says one of their primary demographics is people struggling with depression and loneliness. Those people more than anyone need personal connections and professional help, not an echo chamber.
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Comment on Star Trek: Section 31 | Teaser trailer in ~movies
turmacar Link ParentSection 31 worked well story wise, when it did work, as a foil to Trek protagonists. "This is what we could do if we were less moral and used violence instead of diplomacy." Section 31 as Trek...Section 31 worked well story wise, when it did work, as a foil to Trek protagonists. "This is what we could do if we were less moral and used violence instead of diplomacy."
Section 31 as Trek protagonists is missing the point that they're also bad guys, just bad guys that think they're good because of who they claim to be working in favor of.
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Comment on Donald Trump US tariffs would increase laptop prices by $350+, other electronics by as much as 40% in ~society
turmacar Link ParentLike anything there's never one cause. Manufacturing techniques play into it as well. If something needs to be assembled by human hands it's going to be at least decently repairable. If it's...Like anything there's never one cause. Manufacturing techniques play into it as well. If something needs to be assembled by human hands it's going to be at least decently repairable. If it's snapped together by a one-time assembly process that's been optimized to be as cheap per unit as possible it's not going to be very repairable. At least without added design work that will cost more.
Just gonna pile on with your friend. :)
Worm is probably the best superhero world written, even in the decade+ since it finished with The Boys/Watchmen/Marvel exploding in popularity/talent. It has an explanation for why the "cops and robbers" vigilante/villain dynamic is tolerated by society and (eventually) an explanation for why powers exist. Along with more believable personalities and interpersonal conflicts for everyone involved.
Granted despite the format the word count definitely puts it more in the vein of a long book series than a single book.