zipf_slaw's recent activity

  1. Comment on NYT Quiz: Who’s a better writer: AI or humans? in ~tech

    zipf_slaw
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    I identified Demon Haunted World and Wizard of Earthsea from the passages, and would have at least got Cormac McCarthy right if I'd fully noticed the lack of quotation marks earlier. That said,...

    I identified Demon Haunted World and Wizard of Earthsea from the passages, and would have at least got Cormac McCarthy right if I'd fully noticed the lack of quotation marks earlier.

    That said, and as others said here already, the passages are too short to get a good idea of the quality, IMO

  2. Comment on What radicalized you? in ~talk

    zipf_slaw
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    If I had to choose, it might be the execution of Cameron Todd Willingham. Abolish the death penalty.

    If I had to choose, it might be the execution of Cameron Todd Willingham. Abolish the death penalty.

    3 votes

  3. Comment on AI was eroding trust in my classroom — so I got rid of typed papers and bought my students notebooks instead in ~life

    zipf_slaw
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    Perhaps typing it first, at least in outline form, and then transcribing it to handwriting would allow for better retention.

    handwriting in early college often led to me only encoding 2/3rds of the information at all,

    Perhaps typing it first, at least in outline form, and then transcribing it to handwriting would allow for better retention.

    3 votes

  4. Comment on Once we were ALL spacemen in ~tv

    zipf_slaw
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    Well if that's the case, then I'm happy to stand corrected (somewhat conditional on the final result).

    Well if that's the case, then I'm happy to stand corrected (somewhat conditional on the final result).

    1 vote

  5. Comment on What did you do this week (and weekend)? in ~talk

    zipf_slaw
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    Johnson-Su bioreactors are a type of static aerated compost 'piles' developed by Prof Johnson (and wife) at a New Mexico university. They are an alternative to the turned/tumbled compost that...

    Johnson-Su bioreactors are a type of static aerated compost 'piles' developed by Prof Johnson (and wife) at a New Mexico university. They are an alternative to the turned/tumbled compost that doesn't allow anarobic stagnation and pathogen growth. It doesn't "need" to get to the cook-off temperature, theoretically supporting fungal hyphae growth (lack of agitation) and inhibiting pathogens (access to oxygen and competitive ecosystem).

    I could go on and on, but long story short, I have decent success with them. They take about a 12-14mo to mature, using yard and garden waste, food scraps, various paper products, mulch and wood chips, goat and duck waste products, etc. Inoculated with red wigglers. Not weed free, but I use it to make compost tea mostly.

    https://www.nmhealthysoil.org/2021/04/18/johnson-su-bioreactor-2/

    Here are mine They are smaller than the OG design, about the minimum that might work (dries out too easily, hard to rehydrate), with the right-most torn open for sifting yesterday. The two on the left are only a week old. I got well over 200lbs of finished compost from that one reactor, plus some mulchy stuff I sifted out.

    It's kind of based on Elaine Ingham's study (RIP, last month) and her philosophy and research on building healthy soil.

    1 vote

  6. Comment on What did you do this week (and weekend)? in ~talk

    zipf_slaw
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    Harvested compost from one of my bioreactors and made two more, made seed blocks and started some basil, chives, peppers, and cannabis. Cleaned up the greenhouse and garden a bit. Mostly outdoor...

    Harvested compost from one of my bioreactors and made two more, made seed blocks and started some basil, chives, peppers, and cannabis. Cleaned up the greenhouse and garden a bit. Mostly outdoor garden prep stuff.

    1 vote

  7. Comment on Norwegian influencer buys failed property development in Spain to build ‘self-sufficient’ eco-community – Modern Eco Village plans to erect 500 homes, schools and shops in ~design

    zipf_slaw
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    [Buzz Lightyear] Tubes. Tubes everywhere.... [/Buzz Lightyear]

    [Buzz Lightyear] Tubes. Tubes everywhere.... [/Buzz Lightyear]

    1 vote

  8. Comment on Once we were ALL spacemen in ~tv

    zipf_slaw
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    Pretty sure the show's not coming back, but rather it's a teaser for getting the cast back in one place as a reunion (on OWWSM). Would love to be wrong, though.

    Pretty sure the show's not coming back, but rather it's a teaser for getting the cast back in one place as a reunion (on OWWSM). Would love to be wrong, though.

    8 votes

  9. Comment on Living human brain cells play DOOM on a CL1 in ~tech

    zipf_slaw
    Link Parent
    Mmm, compelling point. Is suffering universal?

    Mmm, compelling point. Is suffering universal?

  10. Comment on Living human brain cells play DOOM on a CL1 in ~tech

    zipf_slaw
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    I think the Paradox of Heap (Sorites) may be a better analogy: adding more and more sand grains (brain cells), at what point does it become a heap (consciousness)? One grain at on its own can't...

    I think the Paradox of Heap (Sorites) may be a better analogy: adding more and more sand grains (brain cells), at what point does it become a heap (consciousness)? One grain at on its own can't make a difference, but get enough together.... how many though?

    3 votes

  11. Comment on Living human brain cells play DOOM on a CL1 in ~tech

    zipf_slaw
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    Maybe? Is constant Groundhog Day'ing your way through a life of DOOM, the only world you know, better?

    Maybe? Is constant Groundhog Day'ing your way through a life of DOOM, the only world you know, better?

    3 votes

  12. Comment on Dan Simmons, author of the Hyperion Cantos, dies aged 77 in ~books

    zipf_slaw
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    I'm jiving with Abbadon's Gate right now, and really enjoying that series. Hyperion is also one of my all-time favorites, so I hope you enjoy it similarly.

    I'm jiving with Abbadon's Gate right now, and really enjoying that series. Hyperion is also one of my all-time favorites, so I hope you enjoy it similarly.

  13. Comment on Dan Simmons, author of the Hyperion Cantos, dies aged 77 in ~books

    zipf_slaw
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    I agree, up to the opinion on the second-half of the Cantos. I agree it's not as strong as the first, but the need to know more about the connections implied in the first half made it very...

    I agree, up to the opinion on the second-half of the Cantos. I agree it's not as strong as the first, but the need to know more about the connections implied in the first half made it very worthwhile reading. It's still very strong writing, imo.

    1 vote

  14. Comment on Gorillaz - The Mountain, The Moon Cave, and The Sad God (2026) in ~music

    zipf_slaw
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    the Gorillaz fandom wiki says she's female.

    the Gorillaz fandom wiki says she's female.

    1 vote

  15. Comment on United Airlines Flight 232 lost all hydraulics mid-air. This is the story of the “impossible landing". in ~transport

    zipf_slaw
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    Wow, I hadn't heard this part before. Harrowing to say the least.

    Rescuers did not identify the debris that was the remains of the cockpit, with the four crew members alive inside, until 35 minutes after the crash.

    Wow, I hadn't heard this part before. Harrowing to say the least.

    1 vote

  16. Comment on What are you reading these days? in ~books

    zipf_slaw
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    Can't wait! I've seen and enjoyed the show greatly, but there are obvious differences from the book I'm still processing (and may not be noticing since it's been awhile since I've seen it). I...

    Can't wait! I've seen and enjoyed the show greatly, but there are obvious differences from the book I'm still processing (and may not be noticing since it's been awhile since I've seen it).

    I kinda wish I'd read it before the show, though, as I'm pigeon-holed on how I picture everybody...

    1 vote

  17. Comment on What are you reading these days? in ~books

    zipf_slaw
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    Caliban's War (Expanse, book 2) is my commute audiobook. Dungeon Crawler Carl #4 is my sit-down paper read. I am looking forward to Gentlemen Bastards #3 after I burn the rest of the DCC entries.

    Caliban's War (Expanse, book 2) is my commute audiobook. Dungeon Crawler Carl #4 is my sit-down paper read. I am looking forward to Gentlemen Bastards #3 after I burn the rest of the DCC entries.

    2 votes

  18. Comment on Recommend me some deep dive YouTube videos / Portland trip recs! in ~travel

    zipf_slaw
    Link Parent
    Yes, also a great selection.

    Yes, also a great selection.

    1 vote

  19. Comment on Recommend me some deep dive YouTube videos / Portland trip recs! in ~travel

    zipf_slaw
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    I've heard it is their original location, but I could be wrong.

    I've heard it is their original location, but I could be wrong.

    2 votes

  20. Comment on Recommend me some deep dive YouTube videos / Portland trip recs! in ~travel

    zipf_slaw
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    Best Indian food - Bollywood Theater, NE Portland on Alberta. The Kathi Roll is to die for. Best Thai food - Eem, NE Portland on Willams. Burgerville is a good local fast food option, as mentioned...

    Best Indian food - Bollywood Theater, NE Portland on Alberta. The Kathi Roll is to die for.

    Best Thai food - Eem, NE Portland on Willams.

    Burgerville is a good local fast food option, as mentioned in another comment, but for good drive-in food I think Mike's Drive-In is a bit tastier.

    Best pizza, my personal favorite has always been American Dream, it's east side on Glisan but I'm more familiar with the Corvallis versions.

    Mississippi has a high density of quality eats, All walkable. Reminds me of a college town strip.

    OMSI is a great science museum with rotating exhibits and a submarine tour (the only sub used in Hunt for Red October filming, the emergency breach scene).

    I'll fill in more as I think of it.

    5 votes