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Warp Speed Comparison

entr0py says...

I'm just barely geeky enough to find this interesting, but here goes. The first reason is that logarithmic scales show up in science all the time, and are frequently misunderstood by layman and media, they just aren't at all intuitive.

The second is that those shows were written over decades by smart science-literate people who put in all of these careful details that totally flew over my head, it's fun to look back and see it was deeper than I knew at the time.

When Sci-fi is written with a good understanding of science and physics, it makes the fantastic parts seem more plausible because the rest checks out. The alternative way to do Sci-fi is to just say "Screw it, it's all magic!". Which works for Star Wars but isn't compelling in the same way.

cloudballoon said:

What's so intriguing about made up numbers though?

The Infinadeck Omnidirectional Treadmill - Smarter Every Day

entr0py says...

There are a handful of companies working on omnidirectional treadmills, it's interesting that they have totally different approaches.

More common than the treadmill made of treadmills approach is to have a super low friction platform, combined with a rigid harness around the waist to keep you from actually making progress in any direction. Sort of like trying to run on ice and failing hilariously.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WBEfOcNTaVA

1954 How to dial your phone by Bell System

MacAdam Sniper Shield-Shovel (Weird Tech)

entr0py says...

WW I Had a surprising amount in common with kickstarter. "Seems like a cool idea. Testing? Naw, let's just order 25,000 of them."

Homeopathy Explained – Gentle Healing or Reckless Fraud?

entr0py says...

Is there some example of where "treat like with like" is useful and insightful? I mean, all I can think of is immunotherapy for allergies.

notarobot said:

There are some core philosophies withing homeopathy that have some merit for some cases (e.g. treat like from like, stop unhealthy activities to heal...) but it is mostly practiced and promoted by charlatans.

Most of the good ideas that homeopathy came up with were adopted by mainstream medicine anyway.

Faceswapping, Unethical Videos, and Future Shock

entr0py says...

My personal prediction is that it will in the next 10 years get good enough to fool casual viewers. But society will adapt by recognizing that video needs to be verified, and any trustworthy media outlet will need to employ forensic video experts to verify clips.

We already do this with photos. No one thinks that even good photoshops of celebrity heads on porn stars are real. Or that photographic evidence that Hillary Clinton is a lizard person is likely to check out. I mean other than Alex Jones.

Engineer Mark Rober exposes cheating arcade machine

entr0py says...

I've got to think this particular game is just plainly illegal, since even superhuman skill can never win (except for the 1 in 30 games that isn't in scam mode). But I guess prosecutors don't generally give a damn and no individual is harmed enough to make a civil case.

Maybe some clever lawyer could use this video as the basis of a class action case.

Megaweapon said:

The only reason pinball machines weren't banned (or were legalized) in most U.S. jurisdictions way back in the day was because they were a game of skill. How do redemption machines like this (that are computer controlled to only pay out some percentage of the time) skate by the anti-gambling laws?

Why Women Fainted So Much in the 19th Century

Your Amazing Molecular Machines

entr0py says...

I wish I had had these animations when I was taking biology. All of those terms were slightly familiar, but I only studied isolated still images without really knowing how they go together.

The Real Reason Taxes Suck

entr0py says...

This one was all about a ready made and proven solution, it's return-free filing.

We just need to spread the word about what people are missing out on, and try to convince congress that the good will this could generate among constituents is more valuable than the bribes the tax prep industry can offer.

My_design said:

How about instead of ruining everything, Adam gets off his ass and starts offering some solutions. All his show is doing is leaving me depressed and angry, with no direction to aim my frustration...

What are 'single-action' and 'double-action' triggers?

The Way We Get Power Is About to Change Forever

Atheist Angers Christians With Bible Verse

entr0py says...

Exactly, it's natural to assume he's endorsing that bible passage and not criticizing it.

If he made it clear he's just pointing out crazy biblical shit most people aren't aware of, he'd get a lot less hate.

ChaosEngine said:

Leaving aside the accuracy of the verse or whether it applies to people or not....

Is this guy surprised that people are pissed off at him? If I saw that on a truck (particularly in the southern US), I'd assume he was another redneck bible thumper; the same way I'd assume that someone quoting Hitler was a Nazi.

This is Poe's Law in full effect. Would anyone be surprised if an actual Christian (again, especially in the southern US) actually believed that?

Terry Crews explains why he decided to build his own PC

Veritasium - Worlds Heaviest Weight

entr0py says...

Yeah, I kind of get why the average american doesn't want to learn a new measurement system for shopping at the supermarket or driving.

But why do scientists or engineers still use it? To them it's just more conversions to do.



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