Sqwandery

Why is this a download if it's a web app?

I like to use the fact that you can't actually touch anything as an analogy for my thoughts on free will. Atoms repel each other and so when you place your finger on something, it can never really make contact. Likewise, we can't really decide anything; our decisions are just a product of our brain and environment. But I think it's silly to say we can't touch things or decide things. The repulsion by the atomic forces is what we really mean when we say "touch", and the way our brains respond to the environment is what we mean by "decide". The words still have meaning even though we have a better understanding of the underlying mechanisms behind them.

I also like to point out that although we may not have free will, we still are not fully predictable as the universe is fundamentally non-deterministic.

It goes over my head, but those with a better understanding of quantum mechanics should check out the Free Will Theorem lectures by John Conway for interesting thoughts on the subject.

This was my thought as well. The first graph in the article is of the color of objects, not all images. I wonder how it would compare if it were to include screenshots and whatnot.

Glad I'm not the only one who loved blobmoji

This is nice, but on mobile, I get a huge blank margin to the right.

If it's being burned at the energy plant, electric is worse.

If the energy you use for heat is generated by gas, it's more efficient to burn it directly, and the emissions produced from manufacturing all the new stoves likely out way the emissions produced over the stoves lifetime.

So, I'd say it's only helpful if you are getting a new stove anyway.

Upgrading all the preexisting stoves is certainly worse for the environment. And using electricity to generate heat is less efficient.

It feels like an edutainment video essay on YouTube that was made today.

Interesting, I was introduced to Hacker News by CGP Grey on the Hello Internet podcast, declaring he was taking a long break from Twitter, Reddit, and HN. About a year ago I decided to avoid all media as a sort of test. I later also deleted all of my social media accounts.

Media does seem to have significant psychological effects, comparable to drugs. I think reading books has to be the healthiest way to consume media, because unlike movies, shows, podcasts, surfing, and scrolling, it takes an active effort to do, and thus you get out of it everything you put in. Passive media consumption leads to spending more time with what has no value to you. I believe it should only be done with other people, to establish context and references between each other. I feel the same way about recreational drug use. In general it is good to choose activities that connect you to others, rather than separate.

My time spent away from the internet and media, really has broadened my view of the world. I've thought a lot about motivation, narrative, and relationships. I seem to be bent on figuring these things out, and trying to uncover the inner workings of life. This does me no good though, and the analysis and overthinking is crippling. My focus recently has been on not complicating life. It is not an optimization problem. Instead I'd like to let go of the need to understand, and simply experience and appreciate more.

As for Hacker News, I am quite pleased with the postings I've seen so far, and is inspiring and motivating to me. I will be wary of HN leading to a decrease in productivity and becoming a time sink.

Apologies for the slightly off topic rant, I just had some thoughts I wanted to get out.