2026/01/25
Article: 16 min
The Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF) has uncovered evidence that the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) is using a Palantir tool to analyze Medicaid data for identifying potential deportation targets. This raises concerns about privacy, surveillance technology abuse, and the consolidation of government records.
Discussion (841): 2 hr 23 min
The comment thread discusses concerns about privacy and government surveillance, particularly in relation to ICE's actions and access to personal data. There is agreement that there are significant issues with accountability and misuse of power by ICE, as well as a growing concern over the authoritarian tendencies in politics. The conversation also touches on the role of technology in surveillance and the impact of social media on privacy.
Discussion (216): 1 hr 41 min
The discussion revolves around writing advice, particularly the importance of engaging readers and making them care about the topic. Opinions vary on Gwern's style, with some finding it unengaging while others appreciate its depth. The conversation touches on content marketing strategies, understanding one's audience, and the role of AI in content creation.
Article: 27 min
Andy King discusses his experience with attempting to replicate a highly-cited paper on corporate sustainability in Management Science journal, highlighting issues such as flawed methodology, lack of response from authors and the scholarly community, and the challenges faced in correcting the record.
Discussion (354): 1 hr 39 min
The comment thread discusses various issues related to scientific research, including flawed methodologies, lack of accountability among researchers, and concerns about the peer review process. There are calls for more transparency, rigorous standards in publishing, and the role of AI in improving scientific integrity. The conversation also touches on political influences on academic research and the complexity of addressing systemic versus individual issues within academia.
Article: 6 min
Posturr is a macOS app that uses your Mac's camera and Apple's Vision framework to monitor your posture in real-time. When it detects poor posture, it progressively blurs your screen as a gentle visual reminder to sit up straight.
Discussion (213): 33 min
The comment thread discusses an app that monitors posture by blurring the screen when the user slouches. Opinions are mixed, with some praising its potential for health benefits while others raise concerns about privacy and security. The conversation also touches on alternatives to proprietary technology and the role of AI in app development.
Article: 36 min
Deutsche Telekom is under scrutiny for throttling internet speeds, particularly affecting services that cannot afford to pay for faster access, violating net neutrality principles. A coalition including Epicenter.Works, the Society for Civil Rights, and Stanford Professor Barbara van Schewick has filed a complaint with the Federal Network Agency against Deutsche Telekom's unfair business practices.
Discussion (301): 1 hr 13 min
The discussion revolves around criticisms of Deutsche Telekom's service quality due to its monopoly status, with users praising alternative providers like Starlink and Fastmail. Topics include DNS limitations, ISP policies, network neutrality, peering agreements, and the state of German internet infrastructure.
Article: 8 min
A study published in The Lancet Planetary Health found that as California neighborhoods increased their number of zero-emissions vehicles (ZEVs) between 2019 and 2023, they experienced a reduction in nitrogen dioxide (NO₂) levels. For every 200 ZEVs added, NO₂ levels dropped by 1.1%. This is the first study to confirm real-world environmental health benefits of ZEVs, including fully electric and plug-in hybrid cars.
Discussion (613): 2 hr 16 min
The comment thread discusses the environmental impact and potential transition to electric vehicles (EVs) compared to internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles, focusing on aspects such as emissions, energy efficiency, vehicle weight, and alternative fuel sources. There is a general consensus that EVs are cleaner in terms of tailpipe emissions but debates arise regarding centralized pollution from power plants versus distributed pollution from individual vehicles, the environmental impact of lithium mining for batteries, and concerns about tire wear and brake dust emissions in EVs.
Article: 16 min
The article discusses the OnePlus ColorOS 16.0.3.501 update that introduced an anti-rollback mechanism to prevent downgrading of devices or installing custom ROMs by blowing electronic fuses in Qualcomm processors.
Discussion (261): 52 min
The comment thread discusses various aspects of OnePlus' decision to implement an anti-rollback mechanism in their devices, which prevents downgrading firmware and custom ROMs. Opinions range from concern over loss of control and security features being seen as evil, to support for the feature's purpose in deterring theft and protecting user data. The conversation also touches on broader themes related to hardware ownership, trust in manufacturers, and the diminishing options available for users seeking high levels of device customization.
Article: 7 min
An earbud version of the classic game DOOM has been developed and is accessible through an internet-connected queue system. The game runs on Pinebuds Pro with open-source firmware, utilizing a DOOMBuds repository for the ported game and DOOMBUDS-JS for browser interaction.
Discussion (131): 28 min
The discussion revolves around the innovative porting of DOOM to Pinebuds Pro earbuds, showcasing advancements in technology and computing power. There is a debate about the environmental impact of using powerful microprocessors in small devices, with some users highlighting economic benefits over specialized hardware.
Article: 11 min
The Trump White House manipulated an arrest photo of Nekima Levy Armstrong, a civil rights attorney, to make it appear she was crying. The altered image was posted on social media, leading to criticism and calls for the release of Levy Armstrong, Allen, and another arrestee by the NAACP.
Discussion (109): 18 min
The comment thread discusses concerns over the misuse of generative AI for propaganda and disinformation purposes by authoritarian governments, with a focus on recent actions taken by the current administration. Participants express worry about the potential impact on democracy, media integrity, and public trust. There is also debate around the role of tech companies in addressing misinformation and the effectiveness of democratic institutions in countering AI-generated propaganda.
Article: 44 min
This article provides an introduction to PostgreSQL indexes for developers who have a basic understanding of database indexing but want to delve deeper into their internal workings, trade-offs, types, and optimization techniques.
Discussion (16): 2 min
The comment thread discusses the value of a reference material on PostgreSQL indexing, highlights useful resources like the official documentation and 'Use The Index Luke' website, and delves into recent improvements in PostgreSQL such as index skip scan for better performance. It also touches upon the concept of incremental view maintenance and acknowledges the need for similar features in PostgreSQL.