Webtagr - Technology News Summarizer

My 2024 Reading List: A Journey Through Philosophy, Science, and Literature

2025-01-01

Waqas Younas shares his 2024 reading list, a diverse collection spanning philosophy, logic, literature, history, and biography. From Cicero's letters to Nietzsche's Human, All Too Human, and from quantum mechanics to Tagore's poetry, the books reflect a journey of intellectual exploration. The engaging review interweaves insightful excerpts and personal reflections, making it a captivating read for anyone interested in a broad spectrum of subjects.

(thoughts.wyounas.com)

Misc reading list book review 2024 reads

16th Century Germany's Celestial Anomalies: Portents of the Apocalypse

2025-01-01

16th-century Germany witnessed a flurry of bizarre celestial events: bloody rays bisecting the sun, extraterrestrial battles in the sky, and meteor showers. These 'wonder-signs' (Wunderzeichen) were meticulously documented in woodcuts, pamphlets, astronomical texts, and personal diaries. Widely interpreted as omens of the apocalypse, these phenomena were fueled by the anxieties of the Reformation. The article explores the methods of recording these events, their societal impact, and their connection to religious reform, highlighting the crucial role of printing technology in disseminating these 'prophecies'.

(publicdomainreview.org)

Misc religion astronomy printing

The Magic of Unreasonable Time Investment

2025-01-01

Teller's magic trick, involving a card buried in a park, reveals a secret to success: unreasonable time investment. He pre-buried boxes corresponding to all possible card choices, waiting months for the grass to grow before performing. This mirrors success in other fields; what seems like overnight success often results from an extraordinary amount of time and effort. Starting small, iterating, and accumulating seemingly impossible amounts of practice culminates in a seemingly magical outcome.

(allenpike.com)

Misc time management deliberate practice success secrets

Shallow Feedback Hollows You Out: The Nassim Taleb Problem

2025-01-01

This article explores the detrimental effects of social media on the creativity of thinkers. Using Nassim Taleb as an example, the author argues that fame leads thinkers to repeat existing ideas to please the masses, rather than exploring new ones. The author suggests that engaging with a small audience fosters deep thinking, while a large audience leads to simplified and homogenized thought. The article concludes by suggesting that to maintain originality, one should focus on engaging with a few people who genuinely care about your ideas and build independent intellectual circles to resist the negative effects of shallow feedback.

(nothinghuman.substack.com)

Misc creativity thought

Non-Euclidean Mazes: Generating Mazes on Penrose Tilings

2024-12-31

Blogger Justin Pombrio shares his maze generation algorithm based on Penrose tilings. Unlike traditional mazes built on regular grids, the aperiodic nature of Penrose tilings results in unique, non-repeating mazes filled with circles and stars, featuring ten different wall angles. While the generation algorithm is inefficient, the resulting mazes offer a visually striking and challenging experience.

(justinpombrio.net)

Misc Penrose tilings maze generation non-Euclidean geometry

Obsess Jobs: Find Your Dream Job While You Sleep

2024-12-31

Obsess Jobs is a job board that lets you search and apply for jobs even while you sleep. The site offers a variety of positions including Software Engineers, Product Managers, and Data Scientists, with salaries ranging from $0 to $300k+. Jobs are available in remote, onsite, and hybrid formats. Users can filter by experience level, position, and date posted for easy job searching.

(obsessjobs.com)

Misc job board

Pee.ie: Ireland's Public Toilet Map Launched

2024-12-31

Pee.ie is a website helping people in Ireland find public restrooms. It uses a shared Google map, allowing users to easily locate nearby toilets. The map relies on updates from users nationwide, who can submit or update existing toilet information. Some toilets are located in shops and service stations; users are encouraged to support these businesses. The website is ad-free and relies on donations to operate.

(www.pee.ie)

Misc public toilets map Ireland

Mysterious Pizza Review: Zero Stars

2024-12-31

A concise review simply stating 'Pizzzza lol Pizzas: 0 | Best: 0'. This indicates an extremely low rating for the pizza, with both regular and 'best' pizzas scoring zero. This suggests either extremely poor quality or intense dissatisfaction from the reviewer.

(pizzzza.lol)

Misc pizza review bad review food

Jimmy Carter: America's Greatest Environmental President

2024-12-30

This article examines the significant environmental achievements of former US President Jimmy Carter. Despite low approval ratings, Carter, as early as 1979, foresaw the severity of the climate crisis and aggressively promoted renewable energy. The article highlights numerous environmental legislations signed during his presidency and his efforts to protect American wilderness areas. While some of Carter's energy policies remain controversial, his understanding and response to climate change solidify his place as one of America's greatest environmental presidents.

(www.rollingstone.com)

Misc Jimmy Carter environmental protection

Bench Accounting Welcomes Back Clients

2024-12-30

Bench Accounting has announced that more information on how to resume services will be available soon.

(www.bench.co)

Misc Bench Accounting service resumption announcement

Introducing 'Solsthelion': A New Word for the Holiday Season

2024-12-30

The author coined the word 'Solsthelion', a portmanteau of 'Solstice' and 'Perihelion'. The December Solstice occurs around December 21st, and the Perihelion (Earth's closest point to the Sun) is around January 4th. 'Solsthelion' thus neatly encompasses the holiday period. It's purely astronomical, devoid of cultural or historical ties. The author suggests using 'Happy Solsthelion' as a festive greeting after mid-December.

(www.solipsys.co.uk)

Misc new word solstice perihelion

Public Outpouring Funds Bionic Arm for Child After Insurance Denial

2024-12-30

Nine-year-old Remi, born without a left hand, was denied a $24,000 bionic arm by her health insurance company, Select Health, who deemed it 'cosmetic.' Devastated, her parents launched a GoFundMe campaign, exceeding their goal within days thanks to public outrage over the denial. Remi, touched by the support, decided to donate the excess funds to another child, Tyraun, facing the same situation. The incident highlights criticism of the American healthcare system.

(www.yahoo.com)

Misc bionic arm GoFundMe

2024: Finding Hope Amidst Adversity

2024-12-30

2024 presented the world with numerous challenges: ongoing wars, extreme weather events, and political polarization. Yet, glimmers of hope emerged. Chad eradicated sleeping sickness, the US approved groundbreaking new drugs, research showed even small changes can positively impact health, athletes achieved new records, and progress was made in climate change, such as a decrease in ozone-depleting substances and new carbon capture technologies. Even amidst devastation, humanity demonstrated resilience and mutual support.

(www.yahoo.com)

Misc 2024 review global challenges hope and progress

Rod Serling: A Century of Dystopian Visions

2024-12-30

This article commemorates the centenary of Rod Serling, creator of "The Twilight Zone." It traces Serling's career from radio to television, exploring the recurring dystopian themes and sharp social commentary in his work. From early radio dramas to "The Twilight Zone" and "Seven Days in May," Serling's works consistently used concise language and dramatic flair to expose the dark side of human nature and flaws in social systems, revealing violence and chaos lurking beneath the surface of seemingly peaceful suburban life. He masterfully blended science fiction with real-world social issues, using cautionary tales to critique war, racism, and political conspiracies. Serling's unique style and prescient storytelling remain relevant and thought-provoking today.

(mubi.com)

Misc Rod Serling The Twilight Zone Dystopian Fiction

What Ails America and How to Fix It

2024-12-30

Jeffrey Sachs' article on Common Dreams dissects America's current political and economic woes. He argues that the political system is controlled by big money, with the super-rich and special interest groups dominating Congress and the White House, resulting in policies favoring vested interests over the common good. This manifests in continued tax cuts, appeasement of lobbyists, and excessive military spending and wars. Sachs proposes solutions: 1. Counter the military-industrial complex and the Israel lobby; 2. Address the budget deficit; 3. Implement innovation policies serving the common good. Only by addressing these issues can America truly solve its problems and improve the living standards of its citizens.

(www.jeffsachs.org)

Misc American politics economic crisis special interests

Pediatric Urgent Care Clinic Brave Care Permanently Closes

2024-12-30

Brave Care, a pediatric urgent care clinic, has permanently closed its doors. Operating in Oregon and Texas, Brave Care provided treatment for non-life-threatening illnesses and injuries in children, ranging from colds and flu to allergies, rashes, and broken bones. They accepted most major insurance and offered convenient on-site labs, prescription dispensing, and easy appointments. Despite the closure, patients can still access their health records through Cariend. Brave Care was known for its family-centered care and positive patient reviews.

(bravecare.com)

Misc pediatric urgent care clinic closure healthcare

Australia's Outdoor Cinemas: A Century-Old Charm Netflix Can't Beat

2024-12-29

Australia boasts a remarkable history of outdoor cinemas, starting with Broome's Sun Pictures in 1916. This history reflects changing Australian culture and social shifts, including past racial segregation. Outdoor cinemas, from traditional picture gardens to drive-ins, remain vital community hubs and unique cultural experiences. Despite the rise of streaming services like Netflix, they continue to thrive, offering a distinct cinematic experience that draws Australians to share stories on the big screen.

(theconversation.com)

Misc Outdoor Cinemas Australian Culture Cinema History

China Notes: A Podcast Host's Two-Week Journey

2024-12-29

A podcast host's two-week trip across China, visiting Beijing, Chengdu, Emeishan, Chongqing, Shanghai, and Hangzhou, reveals a country of immense scale and rapid development. He was struck by the sheer size of the cities and the ubiquitous skyscrapers, contrasting the grand temples with the seemingly endless urban sprawl. Observations on urban planning highlighted efficiency and social control, while conversations with young people revealed anxieties about employment and intense competition. Despite limitations on free speech, he found widespread criticism of the government and concerns about the future. He also touches upon funding constraints in China's AI sector and the current state of its tech ecosystem. The trip provided a visceral understanding of China, prompting reflections on US-China relations, China's development model, and the importance of focus.

(www.dwarkeshpatel.com)

Misc Travelogue Social Commentary

Iceland Revives EU Accession Bid: Referendum Planned Before 2027

2024-12-29

Iceland's new government has reignited the country's bid to join the European Union. A shift in public opinion, fueled by Russia's 2022 invasion of Ukraine, now sees more Icelanders favoring EU membership. The new Foreign Minister has announced a referendum on continuing EU accession talks, to be held before 2027. This follows a complex history: Iceland applied to join the EU after the 2008 financial crisis, but a later conservative government paused and attempted to cancel the negotiations. With recent polls showing strong support for EU membership, Iceland may finally join the EU, potentially impacting EFTA, Norway, and the UK's EU policies.

(mikegalsworthy.substack.com)

Misc Iceland Referendum

China's Diaspora: A Network of Unconventional Spies

2024-12-29

The US is hunting for unconventional spies, many of whom are members of the Chinese diaspora. The case of Tang Yuanjun, a Chinese dissident who fled to Taiwan after the Tiananmen Square protests and later sought asylum in America, highlights this issue. Despite his pro-democracy activism in New York, Tang was arrested for providing information to the Chinese government, hoping to secure permission to return home to see his ailing parents. This story illustrates the complex and risky nature of China's use of its diaspora for intelligence gathering.

(www.economist.com)

Misc Chinese spies diaspora US counterintelligence

Cautious Embrace of BlueSky: A Social Media Strategy to Avoid Getting Burned

2024-12-29

As many users migrate to BlueSky, the author shares a cautious approach to joining the platform. The core argument is to avoid building all your value on platforms controlled by others. Using the metaphor "Don't build castles in other people's kingdoms," the author advocates for creating maximum value in self-controlled spaces, leveraging other platforms to drive attention and value to those spaces. Viewing BlueSky as a platform potentially disappearing within three years, the author focuses on personal websites and self-built communities to ensure long-term value accumulation. This approach prioritizes controlling one's own data and online presence over relying on third-party platforms.

(chrisholdgraf.com)

Misc platform strategy

A Once-Forbidden Fruit: The Secret Ingredient to Delicious Christmas Punch

2024-12-29

Making the traditional Mexican Christmas punch, Ponche Navideño, was once hampered by import restrictions on a key ingredient: tejocotes. These small, golden fruits, with their unique aroma and high pectin content, give the punch its distinctive flavor and thickness and are considered a symbol of Christmas in Mexico. For a long time, US customs prohibited their import due to concerns about fruit flies, leading to a black market for the rare fruit. However, in 2015, the USDA finally lifted the ban, making this festive drink much easier to make in the US. Now, tejocotes are readily available across the US, allowing people to enjoy this unique Christmas beverage that blends flavors from Africa, Asia, and the Americas.

(www.atlasobscura.com)

Misc Christmas Punch Tejocotes Mexican Culture

Bioterrorism: Reclaiming Your Health in a Controlled System

2024-12-29

This talk challenges the modern healthcare system's criminalization of self-managed health. Historically, personal health autonomy was the norm; however, today, it requires mediation by state-authorized institutions. The speaker delves into the possibilities of self-compounding medicine and navigating legal risks. The presentation encourages self-medication, offering information on numerous uncommercialized yet self-manufacturable medications, thus challenging the monopoly of the traditional healthcare system.

(media.ccc.de)

Misc bioterrorism self-medication health autonomy

Is It Possible To Improve Our Memories As We Age?

2024-12-29

A New Zealand Herald article explores the possibility of improving memory as we age. Experts and individuals share insights, revealing that memory isn't fixed. Strategies discussed include maintaining social connections, regular exercise, managing cardiovascular risks, and engaging in cognitive stimulation. Memory training techniques, like the memory palace method, are also highlighted. The article emphasizes proactive brain engagement through learning new skills, reading, and more to combat age-related memory decline.

(www.nzherald.co.nz)

Misc cognitive training

America in 2024: A Year of Rage and Confusion

2024-12-29

The year 2024 in America was marked by a stark contrast between widespread anger and elite confusion. Soaring homelessness, particularly among families, fueled public resentment. This anger manifested in various ways, from schadenfreude towards the Titan submersible victims to support for Trump and outrage over the murder of a healthcare CEO. The elite, however, struggled to understand this anger, resorting to ineffective security measures like a CEO crisis hotline, further alienating the public. Senator Warren's attempt to articulate the root of the anger was stifled, highlighting a critical communication breakdown.

(www.kenklippenstein.com)

Misc American society inequality political unrest

What Happens If You Make a Planet Out of Fish?

2024-12-29

This scientific article explores a whimsical thought experiment: what would happen if you created a planet entirely out of fish? Using principles of physics, the author meticulously traces the process. From the expansion of fish in a vacuum, their collision and aggregation into asteroids, to the eventual formation of an Earth-like planet named "Rockfish" with a diamond core, a metallic mantle, and vast oceans, and even a star "Starfish" and a black hole "Blackfish", the article is full of fun and explores the possibility of life's emergence, showcasing the charm of physics in exploring absurd scenarios.

(james-simon.github.io)

Misc planet formation scientific thought experiment

U.S. Homelessness Hits Record High Amidst Affordable Housing Crisis

2024-12-28

A new federal report reveals that over 770,000 people experienced homelessness in the U.S. this January, an 18% increase from last year and the highest number since 2007. Soaring rents and a recent surge in migrants are cited as key factors. While some cities saw decreases after implementing measures, the overall situation remains dire. The Biden administration has increased housing subsidies, but President-elect Trump's proposed shift towards mandatory drug and mental health treatment has raised concerns among housing advocates.

(www.npr.org)

Misc homelessness migration

Missile Strike Confirmed as Cause of Azerbaijan E190 Crash

2024-12-28

An Azerbaijan Airlines Embraer E190 passenger plane crashed on Christmas Day, killing 38 people. The Azerbaijani government confirmed that a Russian Pantir-S1 surface-to-air missile caused the crash. The aircraft was attempting an emergency landing when it went down. Russian air defense forces were engaged in shooting down Ukrainian drones in the area, but civilian airspace wasn't closed. Despite pilot requests for an emergency landing, the plane was denied access to Russian airports and crashed near Aktau, Kazakhstan.

(aeroxplorer.com)

Misc missile strike international incident

A Hidden Teapot and Design Flaw in Windows' 3D Pipes Screensaver

2024-12-28

The beloved Windows 3D Pipes screensaver, known for its mesmerizing pipe animations, hides a little-known secret: a rarely appearing teapot. This teapot is a tribute to the Utah teapot, a standard reference object in computer graphics, but its incredibly low appearance rate led to user complaints about low productivity. The article also reveals that in older Windows versions, the screensaver caused high CPU usage on servers due to software rendering, recommending a black screen saver for servers instead.

(devblogs.microsoft.com)

Misc Screensaver Design Flaw

Eastern Caribbean Central Bank's $2 Note Named 2023 Bank Note of the Year

2024-12-28

The International Bank Note Society (IBNS) has announced that its members have selected the Eastern Caribbean Central Bank's $2 note as the 2023 Bank Note of the Year. Chosen from nearly 100 new banknotes released globally in 2023, the winning note features a vibrant design combining sports and environmental themes, symbolizing hope for a bright future. The front depicts cricket legend Sir Viv Richards, the 40th-anniversary logo, turtles, and fish. The reverse showcases fish, coral, turtles, and a map of the islands in contrasting bright blue. The ECCB selected this design to inspire the people of the Eastern Caribbean Currency Union and youth worldwide.

(www.theibns.org)

Misc banknote design International Bank Note Society Eastern Caribbean Central Bank

Category: Misc