Venkatesh Rao

This is great. Very helpful ELI5.

It’s a classic software essay about how seemingly “worse” software (= “worse”/slouchy economic system) according to idealists keeps beating “better” “thoughtfully” designed software (=non-slouchy utopian economic systems). Highly recommend,

This is an excellent article. Didn’t have an opinion before but now I think HSR is bullshit. Because physics. By similar analysis, I think hyperloops are bs as well though perhaps slightly less so because the load wear aspect is missing.

Good read by @ByrneHobart on the newsletter business. Very different corner of it than mine, but interesting to see how the “serious business” end of it operates.

Good thread on an interesting article. Theoretical-ideological conflict in the commie corner of the green conversation. If they’re ever in serious power these things will be useful to know. Note to self, never get into the rope-selling business.

Good interview

Michael had a very good post on “feeling rushed”

Article goes deep, but the headline takeaway is: you want to design plastics for recyclability by minimizing mix-ins, labels, dyes, adhesives, etc, keep them consistent and pure for easier separability into high-grade feedstock. Beyond that, chemical recycling techniques.

Good read by @TPolymerist on the plastic waste discourse. Something about this topic brings out the most disingenuous kinds of commentary by activists. Possibly because it’s aesthetics clickbait. Kinda like Retvrn trads going on about ugly architecture.

Good series on parallels between semiconductor and airliner industries from @magicsilicon

Interesting read on how immersion in abstract language has rewired the brain. ht @homiliai

Great read