Elizabeth Kolbert: Why Are We So Busy?
Since the 1930s, U.S. G.D.P. has grown, in real terms, by a factor of sixteen. Why hasn’t that wealth translated into more leisure time?
Hasnain says:
"It is, to say the least, disappointing that things haven’t turned out that way—that inequality has grown, that leisure is scarce, that even the rich complain of being overwhelmed. And yet so much of what we do, collectively and individually, suggests that we still believe more wealth is the answer. Reëxamining this belief would probably be a good idea—that is, if anyone had the time for it."
Posted on 2014-05-19T22:40:35+0000
A device to stabilize tremor.
Active cancellation technology for people with hand tremor.
Hasnain says:
I think this is a great example of tech that can actually help people. Kudos.
Posted on 2014-05-19T18:27:24+0000
How extreme isolation warps the mind
When people are isolated from human contact, their mind can do some truly bizarre things, says Michael Bond. Why does this happen?
Hasnain says:
"What message can we take from these stories of endurance and despair? The obvious one is that we are, as a rule, considerably diminished when disengaged from others. Isolation may very often be the “sum total of wretchedness”, as the writer Thomas Carlyle put it. However, a more upbeat assessment seems equally valid: it is possible to connect, to find solace beyond ourselves, even when we are alone. It helps to be prepared, and to be mentally resilient. But we shouldn’t underestimate the power of our imagination to knock over prison walls, penetrate icy caves or provide make-believe companions to walk with us."
Posted on 2014-05-19T17:46:45+0000
YouTube to Acquire Videogame-Streaming Service Twitch for $1 Billion: Sources
Google's YouTube has reached a deal to buy Twitch, a popular videogame-streaming company, for more than $1 billion, according to sources familiar with the pact. The deal, in an all-cash offer, is e...
Hasnain says:
Not sure how I feel about this. One of the main draws for Twitch was that it wasn't YouTube.
Posted on 2014-05-19T00:02:56+0000
boostcon/cppnow_presentations_2014
cppnow_presentations_2014 - Presentation materials presented at C++Now 2014
Don't Become a Scientist!
Don't Become a Scientist!
Secrets of the Stacks
How libraries decide which books to keep—and which don’t stand the test of time
Hasnain says:
"We like to think that merit is eventually recognized, that a great book will make its way, but we know only the success stories."
Posted on 2014-05-17T01:54:22+0000
The Trade of the Century: When George Soros Broke the British Pound
How George Soros made his fortune on a daring bet against the British pound and Bank of England.
Functional Programming | Clojure for the Brave and True
So far, you've focused on familiarizing yourself with the tools that Clojure provides: immutable data structures, functions, abstractions, and so on. In this chapter, you'll begin learning how to think about your programming tasks in a way that makes the best use of those tools. You'll begin integra…
Hasnain says:
This is a really good read for people looking to learn clojure.
Posted on 2014-05-15T21:12:35+0000
The end of a monopoly
Kenya’s handy alternative to cash THE SELF-SERVICE tills at Home Depot, an American home-improvement store, offer customers an unexpected payment option alongside...