VerDeTerre

4 ปีที่แล้วdiscuss

This was an example of the dubious kind of parapsychology experiment conducted during the period. I'm sure there were true believers, but I think healthy skepticism probably prevented people from pursuing it too seriously, even when positive results were reported.

VerDeTerre

4 ปีที่แล้วdiscuss

> People back at shore would dip the bandages from a wound inflicted on a dog, which would supposedly cause the dog on board to yelp.

That kind of morbid experimentation was apparently still in fashion during the Cold War:

> Dr. Pavel Naumov … conducted animal biocommunication studies between a submerged Soviet Navy submarine and a shore research station; these tests involved a mother rabbit and her newborn litter and occurred around 1956 … . When the submarine was submerged, assistants killed the rabbits one by one. At each precise moment of death, the mother rabbit's brain produced detectable and recordable reactions.

https://www.cia.gov/readingroom/docs/CIA-RDP96-00792R0006003... (page 12)

VerDeTerre

4 ปีที่แล้วdiscuss

This is the way to go if you have the option. If you need to keep the bike outside but have a reliable designated area, you may want to consider leaving a heavy chain and padlock on site. If you don't have to carry it with you, you can invest in extra robustness.

If you're talking about trips in addition to the commute to the office, the considerations really depend on the location. The sturdier the lock the better, but in many cases, a superior lock out of view could be considered worse security than a lesser lock with more eyes on.

You'd be well-advised to secure, in addition to the frame, components like wheels and seat, especially if they're quick release. For that, a lighter cable (maybe even one with a built-in combo lock) might suffice as deterrent, but again, it depends. Some of our opportunistic friends seem to be more interested in wheels than frames.

VerDeTerre

6 ปีที่แล้วdiscuss

I would not have guessed the scale. The article says the instrument platform weighs 900 tons, which is amazing to imagine. At first, I wondered if they could use a helicopter to bring it down safely, but it's like two or three 747s on a tight rope.

VerDeTerre

6 ปีที่แล้วdiscuss

Your first-hand experience isn't universally applicable. Many people live in food deserts or don't have access to reliable cooking facilities. And physical exercise costs time, which for many is lost to long commutes.

As you indicate, though, healthy food isn't intrinsically expensive. That means it shouldn't be an intractable problem.

VerDeTerre

6 ปีที่แล้วdiscuss

I had heard of the similar Purple Earth Hypothesis[1] wherein organisms with photosynthesis based on retinal arose in the oceans early on. Chlorophyll-based life developed deeper and took advantage of the red and blue light that filtered through.

The hypothesis seems pretty speculative, but maybe it's compatible with this new research, which could explain why green plants came to dominate despite retinal being simpler.

[1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Purple_Earth_hypothesis

VerDeTerre

6 ปีที่แล้วdiscuss

I've donated in the past, but with the recent copyright debacle, I'm less inclined to—not so much because I think they're clearly on the wrong side of the law (though I do believe so), but more because it seems like such an obvious and potentially catastrophic misjudgment. I'm fine with information activism, even if I'm not totally on board with the full program, but not at the expense of endangering the core mission. I don't think their actions will yield a valuable test case, so I'd prefer to see them instead work towards copyright reform in a more measured manner. I'll probably continue to support them because it's such an amazing resource and so many people are doing great work, but the leadership does not, at this time, have my confidence.

VerDeTerre

6 ปีที่แล้วdiscuss

Fluoridation is by no means universal in the US—around 69.2% of public water in 2006, according to Wikipedia[1]. In some areas, resistance is strong and cuts across diverse political orientations. Portland's 2012 attempt to fluoridate, for example, drew opposition on the basis of libertarianism, environmentalism and science skepticism.

[1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Water_fluoridation_in_the_Unit...

VerDeTerre

6 ปีที่แล้วdiscuss

Or, to belabor the disease analogy, an opportunistic infection. Distrust makes it easier for otherwise fringe sources to spread beyond what would be expected in a healthy media environment.

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