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ndiscussionon It looks like Signal isn't as open source as you thought it was anymore

That's probably a good point, I'm using GrapheneOS which is not identifiable to Google/Apple and can't be singled out for updates.

ndiscussionon It looks like Signal isn't as open source as you thought it was anymore

Is that really true? Couldn't Google forcibly turn off the code-signing requirement on an individual's phone?

They've been known to reset passwords remotely in the past: https://www.theverge.com/2016/3/30/11330892/fbi-google-andro...

ndiscussionon It looks like Signal isn't as open source as you thought it was anymore

It looks like they are, but there might be a minor issue in verifying the content: https://github.com/signalapp/Signal-Android/issues/10476

But despite best efforts by the community to verify builds, Google and Apple can be forced to upload a malicious app to a particular user, meaning they aren't using the same app at all.

ndiscussionon It looks like Signal isn't as open source as you thought it was anymore

I disagree that these are on the same level - compiling something yourself, or having something compiled by ie the Arch Linux maintainers requires a number of people to comply.

The app store is a single point of failure with huge reach.

ndiscussionon It looks like Signal isn't as open source as you thought it was anymore

If you use the Signal app from the app stores, and communicate with the server, you are using 100% closed source software.

They could easily add a backdoor in the client despite the fact that it's "open source", because no one builds it from source.

ndiscussionon It looks like Signal isn't as open source as you thought it was anymore

Lavabit was never compromised, I'm saying that Signal may have been compromised by the feds, instead of choosing to shut down. Feds may have learned their lesson and not provided an option this time.

ndiscussionon It looks like Signal isn't as open source as you thought it was anymore

It's been like this for a while, and the project owner's attitude is pretty negative overall. I do use signal daily, but I believe it's likely compromised ala lavabit.

ndiscussionon Sublime Text 4 – Build 4100 has native Apple Silicon support

Looks great! I'm very happy with ST3 on Linux, it's my favorite editor by far.

I didn't know v4 was coming out soon, but I'll probably upgrade just to stay on the bleeding edge and to support independent development.

ndiscussionon Ask HN: I've realized I'm a bad software engineer and I'm over 30, what's next?

Thirding Code Complete (another top-level recommended it). I read that book very early on, and I credit it with my current ability to write clean code.

Another good one is The Pragmatic Programmer.

Lastly, this wiki is a gold mine of wisdom from hardened devs: http://wiki.c2.com/?StartingPoints

I really recommend you read lots and lots of those pages.

ndiscussionon High IQs are associated with mental and physical disorders

This is a survey of people who joined MENSA. I would posit that most normal, healthy, high-IQ folks never bother, and there's a selection bias at play.

ndiscussionon Facebook and Twitter algorithms incentivize 'people to get enraged'

Reddit is owned by Advanced Publications, a media company.

Facebook and Google are sucking all the profits from old media - Reddit is their hedge against that. Of course they don't complain.

ndiscussionon Data show rich cities are failing the Bay Area on housing

My point is that these things can be morally ambiguous depending on the society you talk to. There are many places on earth that don't allow gay marriage to this day (or anything gay at all).

One of the main problems with democracy is that it incentives politicians to buy voters, rather than use principled judgment. Everything becomes "politicking" to the lowest common denominator, because they have the most votes, and are most influenced by emotion.

Every system has it's flaws, and ultimately, I believe the problem is the people, not the government. If people were more principled, they wouldn't be susceptible to this emotional rhetoric. Monarchies are not inherently unjust, although many of them have been.

One additional problem with democracy, at least in the US, is that it sells out to the highest bidder. The masses are easily manipulated with TV and other propaganda, and they are the ones who elect the winner. It's like an oligarchy - the politicans are beholden to big money.

But people blame the politicans, not the oligarchs. They vote out "bad" politicians, only for new puppets to take their place, protecting the true masters (business interests, wall street, etc).

In a true oligarchy, people eventually go for blood. It's a joke to think that the riots on Jan 6th would do anything - kill the puppets, and the puppeteer brings in a new prop.

If you find this topic interesting I highly recommend Plato's Republic available free: https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/1497

ndiscussionon Data show rich cities are failing the Bay Area on housing

You generally have to be 18 to move to another city.

ndiscussionon Data show rich cities are failing the Bay Area on housing

Glad to hear you live in a country like that, I wish I could say the same. But these are core difficulties with the United States that aren't going away any time soon.

The nation is very divided and there's no hope of overthrowing first-past-the-post here.

And when the nation doesn't agree on things, allowing the majority to rule can be terrifying.

ndiscussionon Data show rich cities are failing the Bay Area on housing

https://www.pewforum.org/fact-sheet/changing-attitudes-on-ga...

Look at this chart. The majority should not always control the few.

edit: never thought I'd see anti-gay-marriage on HN but here we are.

ndiscussionon Data show rich cities are failing the Bay Area on housing

If you want your children to live there, perhaps allowing newcomers isn't the best idea? Our housing prices go up up up as does our population, and the only approved solution seems to be to lower our quality of life.

Unless you think living in an apartment with no garage, no yard, no storage, and no way to stockpile food (save costs) is a quality of life increase?

Our children will probably not have children if forced to live this way at this price.

Personally I don't really get it, but I don't live in San Francisco.

ndiscussionon Data show rich cities are failing the Bay Area on housing

So no counterexamples before my post turns to dust?

ndiscussionon Data show rich cities are failing the Bay Area on housing

It's a hot take but you seem truly interested and educated in this matter, have you ever read this?

http://editions-hache.com/essais/pdf/kaczynski2.pdf

Very depressing take on things, but ultimately I believe it proves that #1 is the only possibility. When it was written perhaps #2 was possible.

ndiscussionon Data show rich cities are failing the Bay Area on housing

Perhaps the new residents could consider moving literally anywhere else?

ndiscussionon How will 'chipageddon' affect you?

Yes, they use the same type of new AMD GPUs

ndiscussionon Data show rich cities are failing the Bay Area on housing

I am surprised that they don't do just that.

But, they do something similar - they open offices in other cities until the cost of living rises to match San Francisco (see Portland and Seattle). It's just not in California.

ndiscussionon Data show rich cities are failing the Bay Area on housing

Because the residents are Bad(tm) and need to be punished.

These standards only seem to apply to America and Europe.

Does anyone have a counterexample outside of America or Europe where the underclass is allowed to live side-by-side with the rich? I've never heard of one but perhaps I'm ignorant. Most countries seem dead-set on rejecting any and all immigrants that don't bring $500k+ along with them.

ndiscussionon Data show rich cities are failing the Bay Area on housing

So "torch the will of local citizens" instead? Why should the rest of the state get to decide what they do in their neighborhoods?

As long as you agree with the majority of the state, it works out for you, but it's a bold power grab that may not end well in other situations.

ndiscussionon Data show rich cities are failing the Bay Area on housing

Most likely they chronically overspend, just like any other organization with chronic budget issues. The people there seem to think that everything comes for free, and as long as the city can secure additional debt, they're right.

But it's not sustainable, and imo, downright evil.

ndiscussionon Data show rich cities are failing the Bay Area on housing

I think your analysis is spot-on. Those existing NIMBY's bought their house with an expectation, and they vote accordingly.

I don't think there's really a way forward without torching rule of law. They don't want the place to be amenable to new/young people, and they make the rules.

It's unfortunate that big tech decided to make this place their home, perhaps with covid and remote work it will go back to a dreamy boomer-land.

ndiscussionon Program teaches prisoners coding so they can land tech jobs once released

It's unfortunately a self-feeding circle... in the US, if you see a felon, it's likely they will go on to commit more felonies, so you won't want to hire them.

But if you don't hire them, they may be forced to commit other felonies... tragedy of the commons I suppose, just like shopping at Walmart is bad for the community but good for the individual.

It's hard to overcome these effects without legislation, but noone (sane) wants to be in the community that starts it.

ndiscussionon Association of Daily Wear of Eyeglasses with Susceptibility to Covid Infection

That's a good point, I forgot about the outdoor link. People who spend more time indoors are probably more likely to a. have an interest in computers/knowledge work and b. more likely to have ample space to spend time indoors comfortably.

In many places with multi-generational (cramped) housing, it's common for young people to spend much more time outdoors to get away from their parents.

ndiscussionon iPhone's Adult Content Filter Blocks Anything 'Asian'

I'm implying that Apple likely looked for that term specifically and unblocked it, while they didn't care to check for the term Asian. But I wonder why?

ndiscussionon Association of Daily Wear of Eyeglasses with Susceptibility to Covid Infection

Does anyone have statistics on how many people are underserved medically in China? One reason this could happen is that people with glasses are more privileged, tend to work office jobs, etc.

In the USA, our underclass (DoorDash, et al) is able to afford eyeglasses, but that's not necessarily the case elsewhere.

ndiscussionon Tell HN: All your Google Music deleted on February 24th

Daily reminder: Piracy is not about price.

https://archive.is/tFp19