2023-02-25
Readings
Profile on the Euclid science system, a soon-to-be-launched dark matter/dark energy probe: https://phys.org/news/2023-02-euclid-spacecraft-probe-universe-dark.html
On parking minimums and how/why to get rid of them:
An IQ2US debate on the end of the Roe v Wade precedent, which was surprisingly thoughtful on a topic where care and nuance are rarely found (although the “the founders were all men therefore any laws that mostly impact women were ill-founded” is a fairly thoughtless argument that kept coming up, annoyingly):
Octopus-inspired limb control for robots: https://techxplore.com/news/2023-02-octopus-biology-inspired-door-soft-robot.html
Better models of the blood-brain barrier, to speed testing of new drugs: https://medicalxpress.com/news/2023-02-artificial-validates-antibodies-ability-brain.html
I can’t get through all this in one sitting (it’s an hour of music theory), but frequent returning to watch mid-sized overlapping sections is helping me get a lot of value from it:
Interesting to see the tools that architects use to plan buildings, plus the specific target here of building on a slope. Although it also seems a shame to destroy wilderness. Inherent in the accepted task, but still sad.
Documentary on shopping in the Soviet Union (if you’re really into this, check out the DDR Museum in Berlin):
Thoughts
I finally got around to watching the IQ2US debate on whether to end qualified immunity for cops; before and after the debate I retain my position that it should be heavily reformed rather than abolished (but I’m more open to its abolition than I was, having considered the point during the debate that it would likely be covered by insurance and that price pressures would lead to better training). In general I think having specific legal training (not to lawyer levels, but at least covering basics) for police is important.
I’ve been wondering about the stability of human intellect. In particular, if someone’s perceptions were artificially limited to something less than general human sensory inputs, and they were tasked to optimally solve something machine-learning-ish but also simpler than normal human experience (maybe transcribing language), would it erode their intelligence if done for long periods of time? How long could the middle layers of a complex network persist in forms suitable for generality, when that generality is never present in their experienced environment? Would the abstract form of our intelligence turn effectively into machinery in such cases?
Current Events
The Russian invasion of Ukraine is now at the 1 year marker, with tank deliveries to Ukraine’s military apparently starting today. I hope this will start to defang Russia’s recent advances. Russia’s president Medvedev floated the idea of invading Poland to adjust its borders, while lessening participation in arms-control treaties, while China has been considering bankrolling Russia’s war in exchange for more influence over its sometime rival, and also offering peace plans on Russia’s terms
Elections in Nigeria are underway, with several irregularities and results not yet available
Tunisia has been cracking down on protest against recent power grabs by President Saied, with a constant stream of arrests and Saied labelling his political opponents as traitors.
Nepal’s ruling government coalition is likely to collapse after a political misstep by its PM has led to mass resignations
Reviewlets
Shadows over Loathing (game) - This is a silly, light game in the style of West of Loathing (a distant cousin of Kingdom of Loathing, made by the same studio but it’s a proper local game with music and animation and so on). I like it, but it’s a fairly specific taste and aesthetic
Icedown Ankle Pack (ice pack) - This is surprisingly good at wrapping precisely around the ankle (they have other variants for other body parts), and so if you need to regularly ice it’s a good choice. My PT suggested I get it, and it’s working out well.
Old Potrero 18th Century Style Whiskey (whiskey) - It’s different than most whiskeys I’ve had; more complex flavours. Most importantly for me though, it avoids whatever components tend to quickly give me headaches, meaning I can enjoy an occasional bit without weighing the likelihood of pain later. Makes it a nice nightcap.
Amusements
Feels like an ancient predecessor to the Adventures of Baron Munchausen:
Classic internet humour: How to pick up a duck:
It’s a bit disgusting, but a bit on use of soda to break down things stuck in people’s stomach (reminds me of the ultrasound I got to break up a kidney stone a few years ago):
Recent Music
A particularly nice recording of BWV1068:
Falling Apart - Torul - Mostly amusing because the main singer sounds bored of his own song and reluctant to sing it. Not exactly recommending this one, except for possible amusement
Don’t Go Dark - Dreamers/Irontom - Fun jazzy rhythm