Webtagr - Technology News Summarizer

25 Years of Blogging: A Retrospective on Interconnected

2025-02-26

This post celebrates the 25th anniversary of the blog Interconnected. The author reflects on the evolution of blogging from a nascent social platform to a professional publishing tool and finally to a personal public notebook. He details how blogging shaped his career, relationships, and thinking, emphasizing the importance of independent blogs in an algorithm-driven internet. The author encourages readers to start their own blogs and shares his hopes for the future of this medium.

(interconnected.org)

Misc personal experience

16th Century European Dinner Party Games: The Story of Painted Trenchers

2025-02-26

Wooden roundels, or 'trenchers', were common at middling and well-to-do dinner parties in 16th-century Europe. Often painted red on one side, the other displayed images and inscriptions covering a wide range of topics: biblical verses, erotic tales, marriage advice, proverbs, depictions of the months' labors, memento mori, clashes of religious ideologies, peasant life, anti-papal sentiments, and current events. After dessert, guests would flip the trenchers, interpreting the images and text, revealing their knowledge, opinions, manners, and beliefs in a unique interactive performance.

(publicdomainreview.org)

Misc

Rediscover the Joy: Building Personal Websites in the Age of AI

2025-02-26

The author calls for a return to building personal websites as a counterpoint to today's commercialized and centralized web. The article contrasts the individuality of early websites with the homogeneity of modern corporate sites and the data privacy concerns of relying on large platforms. Readers are encouraged to create unique online spaces driven by personal interests, reclaiming control over their content. Convenient website-building tools and platforms like Neocities are recommended. The piece reflects a longing for a more decentralized web and a celebration of independent creation.

(localghost.dev)

Misc personal website web culture

San Francisco Nob Hill Historic Building Investment Opportunity: A 3-Unit Package Deal

2025-02-26

This prime Nob Hill, San Francisco property boasts a fantastic location near Grace Cathedral, Huntington Park, and Chinatown, offering cultural richness and convenience. The building retains its original Edwardian details, representing a quintessential piece of San Francisco history and appealing to those who value architectural character. Its proximity to public transportation simplifies commuting. A motivated seller is offering Units 4 & 6, plus storage, as a package deal for $1,275,000—a potentially cost-saving opportunity. The HOA covers common areas, heat, structural maintenance, management, trash, and water, streamlining budgeting and reducing individual responsibilities.

(www.trymasterkey.com)

Misc real estate investment San Francisco real estate historic building

The Ephemeral Web: Preserving Your Digital Legacy

2025-02-25

Online content is fleeting. This article highlights the importance of preserving digital information and advocates for using plain text Markdown files as a robust solution. Markdown's readability, cross-platform compatibility, and long-term accessibility are key advantages. The author shares personal strategies, including using Obsidian for note-taking, static site generators for blogging, and automated Python scripts for content conversion. Regular backups and data downloads are emphasized, alongside a call for better social media data export tools.

(p.migdal.pl)

Misc

Midlife Career Change: Don't Wait to Knit Your Parachute

2025-02-25

The author shares their personal journey of a successful midlife career change from a 30-year legal career to full-time work with MacSparky. They didn't plan the transition, but by pursuing interests like writing and podcasting, they unknowingly built a foundation for a new career. The author stresses that even without a clear plan, cultivating interests, exploring new skills, and networking early are crucial for future possibilities. Having options, even if unused, is beneficial.

(www.macsparky.com)

Misc career change career planning

HEXUS Forums to Close Due to UK Online Safety Act

2025-02-25

The HEXUS forums are shutting down or transitioning to read-only mode due to the impending full implementation of the UK's 2023 Online Safety Act. The act requires significant work that the forums currently lack the resources to undertake. This marks the end of a once-vibrant community, a decision lamented by the announcement. Thanks are extended to the site's admins and members for their contributions.

(forums.hexus.net)

Misc Forum Closure

Women Live Longer Than Men: A Global Phenomenon

2025-02-25

Data from the UN's World Population Prospects reveals a global trend: women consistently outlive men. A chart visualizing 2023 life expectancy data for all countries shows women's life expectancy exceeding men's across the board. While slightly more boys are born, higher male mortality rates throughout childhood, adolescence, and adulthood contribute to this disparity. This article explores the reasons behind this intriguing phenomenon.

(ourworldindata.org)

Misc life expectancy gap gender disparity demographics

Stop Meta from Using Your Data for Ads: A Step-by-Step Guide

2025-02-25

This article provides a step-by-step guide on how to prevent Meta from using your data collected from other apps and websites to target you with ads. The instructions cover disabling activity information from ad partners, preventing ads from ad partners, and disconnecting your account from data shared with Meta by other companies. Follow these simple steps to regain more control over your privacy and reduce targeted advertising.

(johnoliverwantsyourraterotica.com)

Misc Meta privacy data protection

The Ultimate Office Snack Review: Grapes Reign Supreme!

2025-02-24

An employee conducted a comprehensive review of office snacks, rating them across four dimensions: taste, productivity impact, logistics, and social impact. Bananas, beef jerky, someone else's lunch, a protein bar, a fruit bar, grapes, a granola bar, and a lemon were all put to the test. Grapes emerged as the champion, scoring perfectly across the board due to their taste, productivity boost, convenience, and positive social impact. The humorous review offers a fresh perspective on office snack selection.

(www.getlago.com)

Misc office snacks food review

Viral Poetry: Algorithms, Community, and the Death of Aesthetics

2025-02-24

This essay explores why certain poems go viral on social media, yet attract fierce criticism. The author analyzes three viral poems, identifying common traits: juxtaposing the mundane and profound, using contemporary poetic forms, signaling a political ingroup, urging a moral or therapeutic takeaway, and exhibiting 'cringe' qualities. These elements fuel generational divides. The author argues that social media algorithms dictate the poems' trajectory, not their artistic merit. In the fast-paced online environment, poetry becomes social currency, losing its aesthetic value and space for deep reflection.

(donotresearch.substack.com)

Misc

Parisian Kebab Quality vs. Train Station Proximity: A Hilarious Data Analysis

2025-02-24

A self-proclaimed unemployed, autistic Swede on Reddit undertook an "informal study" to test a French Redditors' hypothesis: "The closer to the train station, the worse the kebab." Using OSMnx for map data, the Google Places API for kebab shop information and ratings, and NetworkX for distance calculations, he meticulously cleaned and analyzed the data. The result? Almost no correlation (Pearson correlation coefficient of 0.091), debunking the initial hypothesis. Despite the disappointing outcome, this post is a hilarious account of the process, filled with programmer humor and frustration. It's a fun tech share and a compelling data analysis case study.

(www.jmspae.se)

Misc

Website Cookie Policy Explained

2025-02-24

This website uses cookies to enhance your experience. Essential cookies are stored on your browser as they are crucial for basic website functionality. We also use third-party cookies to analyze and understand how you use the site; these are only stored with your consent. You can opt out, but this might affect your browsing experience.

(modernistcuisine.com)

Misc Privacy Policy

The Curious Spelling of 'Restaurateur'

2025-02-24

The word 'restaurateur' often trips up spellers. Its origin lies in the French verb 'restaurer,' meaning 'to restore.' In the Middle Ages, a 'restaurateur' was a medical assistant who prepared restorative soups, also called 'restaurant,' to help patients recover. Over time, 'restaurant' came to refer to the place serving these soups, eventually evolving into the modern meaning. The spelling of 'restaurateur' directly reflects its French etymology, dispelling the common misconception of a missing 'n'.

(www.ciachef.edu)

Misc Etymology French Food Service

Publish Your Thoughts: Beat Procrastination, Start Small

2025-02-24

This post advocates for overcoming procrastination by starting to write and publish regularly. The author encourages short posts on existing platforms, even suggesting writing anonymously under a pseudonym if it helps. The author confesses this short piece is a culmination of 10 years of procrastination, advising readers to avoid over-engineering their site or grammar-checking; just write 100 words and publish.

(blog.chasingbrains.co)

Misc procrastination publishing

Saint and Tyrant: A Shocking Discovery in Thomas More's Dialogue

2025-02-24

This post begins with an exploration of the word "wrong" in the Oxford English Dictionary, leading the author to a 1529 work by Thomas More, "A Dyaloge." The author delves into More's debate with a fictional correspondent about religious reformation and heresy, revealing More's unwavering Catholic faith and his brutal suppression of dissent. The article exposes More's shocking cruelty alongside his unwavering devotion, creating a stark contrast to his image as a saint and revolutionary hero. It prompts a deep reflection on authority, faith, and the complexities of human nature.

(nealstephenson.substack.com)

Misc Thomas More Religious Reformation

Ketamine's Neurotoxicity: The Dark Side of Recreational Use

2025-02-24

This article explores the neurotoxic effects of ketamine, particularly from recreational use. High-dose ketamine use leads to significant brain damage, resembling multiple sclerosis (white matter lesions) and Alzheimer's disease (grey matter atrophy) after prolonged use. Even therapeutic doses show tolerance and potential neurotoxicity. The author shares personal experiences highlighting the risks of ketamine abuse, emphasizing the need to weigh risks and benefits when considering it for treating treatment-resistant depression, acknowledging the damaging effects of untreated depression itself.

(desmolysium.com)

Misc neurotoxicity drug abuse

Blogger's Retrospective: The Value of Deep Dive Learning Posts

2025-02-24

A blogger, while recovering from a minor illness, reviewed their past blog posts and discovered that the most popular ones followed a pattern: learning a new skill and summarizing it into a tutorial. They believe this writing style not only solidifies their own knowledge but also helps others. These tutorial-style blog posts serve as the very resources the author wished existed when they were learning, offering readers clear and in-depth learning guides. Going forward, the author plans to create more of these "TIL deep dives", sharing their learning journey.

(www.gilesthomas.com)

Misc

72-Year-Old Historian Seeks Reader Support for Independent Blog

2025-02-24

Robert Zimmerman, a 72-year-old historian, is launching a fundraising drive for his blog, Behind the Black. Known for his independent analysis, he accurately predicted the course of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. Rejecting advertising and sponsorships, he relies solely on reader donations. Readers can contribute via Zelle, Patreon, PayPal, or check; larger donations receive signed copies of his books.

(behindtheblack.com)

Misc independent blog

UK's Online Safety Act Forces Lobsters Forum to Consider Geoblocking UK Users

2025-02-23

The UK's Online Safety Act (OSA), set to take effect March 16, 2025, poses a significant threat to the non-commercial hobbyist forum, Lobsters. The sweeping law's jurisdiction extends to all sites where users interact, regardless of hosting location, and carries hefty penalties. Unable to comply with OSA's complex regulations, Lobsters faces the difficult decision of geoblocking UK users. The author urges UK users to help by seeking regulatory waivers, legal counsel, or other solutions to avoid the forum's closure.

(web.archive.org)

Misc Online Safety Act Internet Regulation

Turbulent February: A Global Roundup of Conflicts and Events

2025-02-23

February 2025 saw a turbulent global landscape. The Gaza war continued, marked by hostage crises and fluctuating ceasefires; conflicts in Ukraine, Yemen, and elsewhere persisted. Multiple significant violent incidents occurred, including several shootings in the US, a Brazilian court's suspension of Rumble, and the apprehension of suspected criminals. News this month covered international conflicts, crime, politics, and technology, reflecting the complex challenges facing the world.

(en.wikipedia.org)

Misc international conflicts violent incidents political instability

Making Miracles with Four 2s: An Elegant Solution to a Math Puzzle

2025-02-23

A seemingly simple math puzzle: using only four 2s and any mathematical operation, generate any natural number. From elementary school arithmetic to advanced university mathematics, everyone can participate. Initially a seemingly simple challenge, the difficulty increases with the introduction of exponents, factorials, etc. Ultimately, physicist Dirac, using nested square roots and logarithms, found a general solution, elegantly solving this century-old problem, even with just four 2s.

(eli.thegreenplace.net)

Misc Dirac nested square roots

30 Years Imprisoned, Freed by DNA Evidence: A Man's Readjustment to a Hyper-Connected World

2025-02-23

Gordon Cordeiro, imprisoned for 30 years for a murder he claimed he didn't commit on Maui, was released after new DNA evidence overturned his conviction. His first impressions of the outside world revolved around its hyper-connectivity – “Everybody is looking at their phones,” he noted during a Zoom interview. He expressed gratitude for the advancements in DNA technology, visited his mother's grave (she died shortly after his arrest), and celebrated with family. While he finds readjusting to life challenging, particularly given the changes to Maui since his incarceration, the case highlights the power of technological advancements in achieving justice.

(news.sky.com)

Misc DNA evidence Wrongful Conviction

The Secret Weapon of Divers: A P-Valve Solution for Women

2025-02-23

This blog post details how women divers can use the She-P system and a P-valve to solve the problem of urination while scuba diving in a drysuit. The author shares personal experiences, covering P-valve selection, She-P system installation and use, diving considerations, and menstruation management. Practical tips and tricks are included, offering a comprehensive solution for female divers to overcome physiological challenges during dives.

(peeifyouwanttogofaster.com)

Misc drysuit

The College Tuition Myth: It's Cheaper Than You Think

2025-02-23

Despite widespread belief that college tuition is skyrocketing, data reveals a different story. Since 2014, public four-year college tuition has actually fallen by 21% in real terms, while private college tuition is down 12% after adjusting for inflation. This is due to a peculiar pricing strategy: universities set a high sticker price, then offer substantial financial aid to low-income students, effectively subsidizing their education. This creates a huge gap between the published cost and the net price, with the public fixating on the inflated sticker price. While sticker prices continue to rise, net prices are falling, thanks to increased federal Pell Grants, rebounding state appropriations, and colleges offering more aid. With the number of 18-year-olds peaking this year before a long decline, competition for students will intensify, likely pushing net tuition further down. However, public perception remains skewed, leading many to miss out on higher education and eroding confidence in the system.

(www.theatlantic.com)

Misc higher education tuition financial aid

K-12 School Shooting Database: A Chilling Account

2025-02-23

The K-12 School Shooting Database tracks all school shootings in the US, regardless of casualties, time, or day. Data includes gang shootings, domestic violence, shootings at sporting events and after-school activities, suicides, fights escalating to shootings, and accidents. This database aims to document the number of school shootings and the full scope of gun violence on school campuses. All uses must cite the source.

(k12ssdb.org)

Misc school shootings gun violence campus safety

We Misjudge What the Opposite Sex Finds Attractive, Leading to Body Image Issues

2025-02-23

A new study reveals that both men and women overestimate the opposite sex's preference for exaggerated gender characteristics. Participants created faces they believed the opposite sex would find attractive, revealing men overestimated women's preference for masculinity, and women overestimated men's preference for femininity. This misperception contributes to body dissatisfaction. The stronger the discrepancy between perceived self and ideal self, the greater the dissatisfaction. This suggests misjudging others' preferences not only skews our view of potential partners but also distorts self-image, potentially leading to negative behaviors like steroid use or eating disorders. Future research should explore these consequences.

(www.bps.org.uk)

Misc body image gender

The Enigma of HMAS Sydney's Disappearance

2025-02-23

The loss of HMAS Sydney (II), a pride of the Australian navy, in late 1941 off Western Australia remains a mystery. After a Mediterranean tour, it encountered a ship claiming to be a Dutch freighter, which was actually the German raider HSK Kormoran. The ensuing battle resulted in the disappearance of HMAS Sydney and all hands, a tragic event that continues to puzzle historians and naval enthusiasts.

(archaeology.org)

Misc naval history wartime mystery HMAS Sydney

Humanity's Broken Superpower: Cultural Evolution's Breakdown

2025-02-23

This article explores a largely unknown crisis: humanity's cultural evolution mechanism may have broken down. The author uses the analogy of a car, with cultural evolution as its engine. Historically, diverse cultures and strong selective pressures ensured stable progress. However, globalization and technological advancement have led to cultural homogenization and weakened selection pressures. Cultural evolution now lags far behind environmental change, potentially leading to civilizational decline. The article suggests restoring cultural diversity and selection pressures, or fundamentally changing the cultural evolution mechanism, as potential solutions, but both face immense challenges.

(www.overcomingbias.com)

Misc cultural evolution civilizational crisis human future

1787 Constitution Signing: A Dawn or Dusk?

2025-02-22

September 17, 1787 marked the end of the US Constitutional Convention. Despite three delegates refusing to sign, Franklin's heartfelt speech and Washington's support secured the Constitution's passage. A proposal to increase the size of the House of Representatives passed unanimously. However, the signing wasn't the final victory; the real challenge lay ahead in convincing the American people to embrace this new government, leaving its future uncertain.

(www.nps.gov)

Misc US History Constitutional Convention US Constitution

Category: Misc