updawg's recent activity
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Comment on Boycotting palm oil in general is actually bad for the environment in ~enviro
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Boycotting palm oil in general is actually bad for the environment
This was something I was surprised to learn on a recent trip to the zoo. While the palm oil industry is absolutely wrecking a lot of our rainforests, and, most notedly, orangutans, boycotting all...
This was something I was surprised to learn on a recent trip to the zoo. While the palm oil industry is absolutely wrecking a lot of our rainforests, and, most notedly, orangutans, boycotting all palm oil is actually worse for the environment because palm oil is the most land-efficient vegetable oil crop. It supplies 40% of global vegetable oil but only uses 6% of the land dedicated to oil production.
It's also extremely versatile because "it is semi-solid at room temperature so can keep spreads spreadable; it is resistant to oxidation so can give products a longer shelf-life; it’s stable at high temperatures so helps to give fried products a crispy and crunchy texture; and it’s also odourless and colourless so doesn’t alter the look or smell of food products."
The issue is who produces it and how, so it's only certain products that should be boycotted.
I'm sure the solution isn't as simple as "download this app," but the zoo I went to recommended using the PalmOil Scan app (produced under the World Association of Zoos and Aquariums (WAZA) and led by Cheyenne Mountain Zoo, Chester Zoo, Auckland Zoo, Zoos SA and Mandai Wildlife Group). It's essentially only available in the Anglosphere (Australia, Canada, New Zealand, Singapore, United Kingdom, United States), but it tells you if the entire company meets their standards (but not individual products so users don't just boycott all palm oil).
We acknowledge that all companies that receive a rating are in different places on their journey to use 100% certified sustainable palm oil. We want to recognise those companies that are doing well and encourage those companies that need improvement. We hope that by creating this rating system we will accomplish this task and assist consumers with making the most educated shopping choices in regards to sustainable palm oil.
Companies are scored on a point structure and can earn a rating of Excellent, Good, Fair, Poor, or No Commitment.
I'm sure a lot of Tilderianeses are conscious of this, so I wanted to share the information (and presumably get more info from someone who knows more).
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Comment on Germany set to restrict its Freedom of Information Act in ~society
updawg Link ParentI bet you have to use De-mail and the German NGOs only know how to fax things.I bet you have to use De-mail and the German NGOs only know how to fax things.
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Comment on Eat ice cream for a long and healthy life in ~health
updawg LinkAnd though the title is a bit tongue-in-cheek, he points to evidence that people who are in the habit of eating ice cream have a lower risk of metabolic disease, despite the fact that it has lots of sugar and fat. Researchers have dubbed this the "ice cream paradox." There's data from 2015 that suggests "that ice cream is actually pretty good at preventing development of Type 2 diabetes, and dairy in general is good at preventing Type 2 diabetes," Emanuel says.
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Comment on Share your fav environmentally-friendly building tech! in ~enviro
updawg LinkThese are all awesome, but my favorite tech is still just putting a tree where it shades your house in the summer and lets all the light in once the leaves fall off.These are all awesome, but my favorite tech is still just putting a tree where it shades your house in the summer and lets all the light in once the leaves fall off.
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Comment on Need advice about work in ~life
updawg Link ParentIt's pretty much a language-by-language thing with the euro sign. I'm not sure if some symbols are currency-specific, but the Euro sign switches depending on the country/language.It's pretty much a language-by-language thing with the euro sign. I'm not sure if some symbols are currency-specific, but the Euro sign switches depending on the country/language.
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Comment on US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's surveillance of cyclosporiasis in ~health
updawg Link ParentThe issue is usually irrigation systems using contaminated water and not a lack of bathrooms.The issue is usually irrigation systems using contaminated water and not a lack of bathrooms.
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Comment on China is dealing with its own manosphere in ~life.men
updawg Link ParentShip 'em offworld and send 'em to fight the bugs.Ship 'em offworld and send 'em to fight the bugs.
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Comment on Need advice about work in ~life
updawg Link ParentOff-topic, but this is finally something that makes putting the currency sign before the number look undeniably better.250k€+
Off-topic, but this is finally something that makes putting the currency sign before the number look undeniably better.
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Comment on ‘Moana’ flounders with $43 million debut, among weakest of Disney’s live-action remakes in ~movies
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Comment on Sen. Lindsey Graham dies at 71 after ‘brief and sudden illness’ in ~society
updawg Link ParentSharing because you called more attention to the originator by making the attribution vague: it seems no famous person actually said that, but Clarence Darrow did popularize the idea that it's...Sharing because you called more attention to the originator by making the attribution vague: it seems no famous person actually said that, but Clarence Darrow did popularize the idea that it's expressing, though his version kinda implies that he actually would have liked to have killed some people if he could bring himself to do it.
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Comment on US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's surveillance of cyclosporiasis in ~health
updawg Link ParentI just spent a week in Michigan at a property on well water where the cold water smelled like shit and the hot water smelled like sulfur (but was apparently safe). Never have I wanted to wash my...I just spent a week in Michigan at a property on well water where the cold water smelled like shit and the hot water smelled like sulfur (but was apparently safe). Never have I wanted to wash my hands more while wanting to turn on the water less. I'm so happy to be back where there is clean, cold tap water.
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Comment on Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson finally explains his decision to bid $3.2B for parking meters before walking away in ~transport
updawg Link ParentThe energy spent generating this (accurate) summary is probably less than the energy spent serving the article to everyone interested, the energy users spent researching the background because the...The energy spent generating this (accurate) summary is probably less than the energy spent serving the article to everyone interested, the energy users spent researching the background because the article doesn't give it, and that's before the other people generating AI summaries.
AI in general uses a lot of energy, but the energy spent on this summary is no more than the energy spent on a few minutes of playing video games.
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Comment on An oil boom, a supermarket opportunity and decades of adaptation transformed the taco from a Tex-Mex import into one of Norway's most beloved traditions in ~food
updawg Link ParentNot only that; Taco Bell is tasty even if it's clearly low quality.Not only that; Taco Bell is tasty even if it's clearly low quality.
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Comment on An oil boom, a supermarket opportunity and decades of adaptation transformed the taco from a Tex-Mex import into one of Norway's most beloved traditions in ~food
updawg Link ParentWell, they usually claim to be Mexican regional variants, but then even my Mexican friend(s) think it's BS when I send pictures lol the issue is that they just aren't good!Well, they usually claim to be Mexican regional variants, but then even my Mexican friend(s) think it's BS when I send pictures lol the issue is that they just aren't good!
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Comment on Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson finally explains his decision to bid $3.2B for parking meters before walking away in ~transport
updawg LinkHere's an AI summary of this fiasco because it's too ridiculous: In 2008, former Chicago Mayor Richard M. Daley leased the city's 36,000 parking meters to private investors (led by Morgan Stanley)...Here's an AI summary of this fiasco because it's too ridiculous:
In 2008, former Chicago Mayor Richard M. Daley leased the city's 36,000 parking meters to private investors (led by Morgan Stanley) for 75 years in exchange for a quick upfront payment of $1.15 billion to plug budget holes. The deal is widely regarded as a massive financial disaster.Key details include:
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Massive Profit Loss: The private consortium recouped their initial $1.15 billion investment within a decade. The meters have since generated over $2 billion for the investors, leaving roughly 57 years left on the lease.
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Costly Non-Compete Clauses: If Chicago removes a parking space for a street fair, road construction, or to build protected bike lanes, the city must pay the private company for the lost revenue. For example, the city paid over $25 million to resolve claims over reduced parking usage during the pandemic.
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Failed Buyout Attempts: Mayor Brandon Johnson’s administration considered buying out the remaining 57 years of the lease, but ultimately walked away after determining the $3+ billion price tag would be irresponsibly expensive for taxpayers.
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Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson finally explains his decision to bid $3.2B for parking meters before walking away
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Comment on An oil boom, a supermarket opportunity and decades of adaptation transformed the taco from a Tex-Mex import into one of Norway's most beloved traditions in ~food
updawg Link ParentI don't really care if it's authentic; the problem is just that none of it is even properly cooked, which is embarrassing when all you have to do is provide acceptable tortillas.I don't really care if it's authentic; the problem is just that none of it is even properly cooked, which is embarrassing when all you have to do is provide acceptable tortillas.
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Comment on An oil boom, a supermarket opportunity and decades of adaptation transformed the taco from a Tex-Mex import into one of Norway's most beloved traditions in ~food
updawg LinkI will never understand why so many European countries (well, at least three) have their own versions of tacos but it's impossible to find good Mexican food. I've had plenty of good (even spicy)...I will never understand why so many European countries (well, at least three) have their own versions of tacos but it's impossible to find good Mexican food. I've had plenty of good (even spicy) ethnic foods (Indian, Chinese, Japanese, Korean), but every Mexican restaurant I've been to claims it's authentic because it's owned by someone from Mexico, but clearly the chef isn't actually a good Mexican cook and the food is always...fine...at best. Why are the tortillas always so awful if I am able to find maseca in stores????
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Comment on The end of reading is here in ~books
updawg Link ParentDon't worry; I've been hearing rumors that the devs are going to buff the four-year-old class because it's just so damn frustrating to deal with.Don't worry; I've been hearing rumors that the devs are going to buff the four-year-old class because it's just so damn frustrating to deal with.
I know this is a joke, but it's legitimately true, and that's part of why I wanted to post this. I know it can't be as black and white as some organizations say, and I thought it was interesting and could generate a good discussion.