On the shoulders of
Through ardour, equal them But remember the little people It goes without saying that we are standing on the shoulders of giants. We (and said… Read More »On the shoulders of
History
Wonders of the Internet: Basic Mechanisms of Fire Control (analogue computing)
I came across this on HN – an excellent introduction to non-digital computers. If you’re curious how mechanical systems can perform arithmetic and even calculus… Read More »Wonders of the Internet: Basic Mechanisms of Fire Control (analogue computing)
The most densely populated place in history?
A thorough government survey in 1987 gave a clearer picture: an estimated 33,000 people resided within the walled city. Based on this survey, the walled… Read More »The most densely populated place in history?
Not long ago; or, Little by little (11): Hot feet on hot days
Oh, when the sun beats down and burns the tar up on the roof,And your shoes get so hot you wish your tired feet were… Read More »Not long ago; or, Little by little (11): Hot feet on hot days
Herodotus’ Xerxes on futility, suffering, risk-taking and action
… and hubris. Long, and worth it – like the Histories as a whole. The king [Xerxes] took his seat… and looking down over the… Read More »Herodotus’ Xerxes on futility, suffering, risk-taking and action
Thinking in Bets, 425BC Edition (Herodotus on planning and risk)
“The best benefit of good planning is this: if one is thwarted by some setback, nevertheless one has the sense that the plans were well… Read More »Thinking in Bets, 425BC Edition (Herodotus on planning and risk)
God’s own latency
This is from an amazing explanation of the airfoil by Bartosz Ciechanowski – one of many physics / engineering demonstrations on his (highly recommended) website.… Read More »God’s own latency
Tali Sharot and Cass Sunstein on Habituation
Be careful what you get used to; or, Get used to what you care for By asking the volunteers to increase the voltage one step… Read More »Tali Sharot and Cass Sunstein on Habituation
Bukele; or, The Search for a Saviour
Recommended, via MR. The Nationalist Republican Alliance, or ARENA, founded by the far-right death-squad leader Roberto D’Aubuisson, and the Farabundo Martí National Liberation Front, or… Read More »Bukele; or, The Search for a Saviour
Hannah Arendt on labour and consumption, automation and Utopia
… the developments of the last decade, and especially the possibilities opened up through the further development of automation, give us reason to wonder whether… Read More »Hannah Arendt on labour and consumption, automation and Utopia