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no_input

25 karma · joined September 12, 2025

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no_input··on Why do we need human mathematicians anymore?
This was my existential horror for most of my life as I almost never remembered dreaming or going to sleep - until I got a CPAP. Once I started using it, there was continuity to my life, I vividly dream and remember those dreams now. I never scored too badly on the apnea tests but just enough to qualify for one so I said what the hell and got it. Even though I don't use it regularly, something about my sleep has changed for the better.
no_input··on About half of Americans say they spend too much time on their smartphone
And the other half are probably in denial
no_input··on I don't have a smartphone or at least I wish I didn't
I think the problem is that things that once did not require and realistically shouldn't require apps (like the toilet example - which I can't tell if hyperbole or not) are now "app enabled" by default.

Sure, you have taken the time to curate your mobile experience and silence things but a majority of the people in the world don't do that as it takes more time and effort than they are willing or able to give (why silence things or uninstall apps when you can browse instagram or tiktok for 2 hours). These people are the most affected but don't often know how inundated they are.

no_input··on Early 2000s were peak of humanity
I used to do this a long time ago just because that's how my brain would process how I'm talking on AIM/ICQ. Though I wouldn't add the period at the end of each new line, that is weird.
no_input··on Kagi added a setting for removing paywalled links from search results
I think it is because they are tied to Yandex (or used to be) which is Russian. I don't know how much it directly supports State funded terrorism but it is likely none.
no_input··on Google has acquired the data of failed US airline Spirit
Sure, but there is enough tertiary information that google owns that explicit customer information isn't necessary. They can and will use this to "enhance" customer profiles. It'll cost them time and money, but those are things they have already.
no_input··on AI is removing the middle class of software engineering?
Exactly this. Went into physics but the academic landscape is hell so shipped off to SWE.
no_input··on My burner email blocklist blocked me
I love this feature from Fastmail but I have used a few websites (smaller of course) that will not accept anything outside of the big few email domains.
no_input··on The real cost of owning a home
Some of us get lucky and it is financially beneficial. I bought my house right before the housing market spiked so the value of my house almost tripled. It has since gone down a bit but it will be a boon if I ever sell. The rent at the apartment I was at was equal to my mortgage payment but now if I wanted to rent that apartment, it is 4x my mortgage. I also have an EXTREMELY low rate (2.5%) because of my credit.

I save almost 6 figures of money per year of owning versus renting just because of timing. I guess the moral is: get lucky or optimize your living situation for how you want to live instead of worrying about cost (unless it's huge)

no_input··on Ask HN: How to be alone?
One shouldn't hate too much on self-improvement books. There are tons of good ones out there. Inversely, there is a lot of garbage psychology and philosophy material out there as well.

The key here should be to do research. Thoughtfully pick out what you should read to expand your mind in a positive direction.

no_input··on The Problem of Teaching Physics in Latin America (1963)
Naturally it feels outdated as it was a speech from 62 years ago. Multiple generations of science education and teaching paradigms have come and gone since then.
no_input··on CBP is monitoring US drivers and detaining those with suspicious travel patterns
The law is not on the citizens' side and never has been. Driving over the limit (even the smallest increment) is technically illegal. Driving under can be considered suspicious and warrant further surveillance (or more likely incite road rage from other drivers) in which you will likely make a mistake. Nobody follows every traffic law perfectly and in all likelyhood cannot. Every cop I have ever known has admitted to this fact and there are even more examples of former(or current) law enforcement officers going on record saying the same thing.
no_input··on How to become a pure mathematician or statistician (2008)
The interest in pure mathematics probably sets inquiring individuals in a higher intelligence bracket already. If somebody got through high school enjoying and succeeding at geometry and calculus, then they probably could stomach most undergraduate work in the same manner.

It seems a bit like gatekeeping to make people question whether they are smart enough when they will figure out pretty quickly if they have the aptitude or will to do it just by being exposed.