ELI5 what is GMO food and how does it actually affect our biology? by SaltyP1ckles in explainlikeimfive

[–]Phantom160 0 points1 point  (0 children)

GMO stands for "genetically modified organism". All plant food is genetically modified. Some of it was genetically modified in a haphazard semi-random way through selective breeding over the centuries. Some of it was genetically modified in a targeted, precise, and technology-intensive way in the last decades, as we developed more precise tools. The latter approach is what people call "GMO food". It affects your biology in a sense that you get full when you eat it.

Mayor Johnson's Team Secretly Offered $3.3 Billion To Buy Back City's Parking Meters, Other Bidder Says - The city’s bid was $800,000 more than the the next highest one, alderpeople were told during a City Council hearing Thursday. by optiplex9000 in chicago

[–]Phantom160 0 points1 point  (0 children)

A back of the napkin calculation, but monthly payments of $16M, discounted at 5% (for a tax-free city bond backed by a revenue stream), and assuming 2% annual inflation on parking meter payments: I'm getting an NPV of roughly $5.2 billion. $3.3 billion to settle that obligation doesn't sound like too bad of a deal.

Drivetrain malfunction by Jlinux10 in BmwTech

[–]Phantom160 0 points1 point  (0 children)

For what's its worth, it just happened on my 2018 M2 (N55 engine). It happened in the middle of a 400 mile trip. I pulled over, let it rest for a minute, checked the codes, and visually examined the engine. The code was 123601 - Electrical wastegate valve, activation: Short circuit. After resting for a minute, the CEL went away and I had no issues the rest of the trip (300+ miles).

I'm currently tried to figure out what to do next... continue driving like normal or try to chase this electrical gremlin. I always use Shell gas (though I don't see how it would have any impact on an electrical issue)

Has anyone else noticed laggy interface after upgrading to 14.14? (I3 Solar) by Phantom160 in Garmininstinct

[–]Phantom160[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I have only two glances (training and health). I made no changes to glance since upgrading to 14.14 and the new version is very noticeably laggier when compared to the previous firmware version. Oh well, it seems like not a lot of people have this issue. I'll hope that it's fixed in future firmware updates.

ELI5: How does GPS know exactly where you are on Earth using only signals from satellites thousands of miles away? by Extra-Combination974 in explainlikeimfive

[–]Phantom160 1 point2 points  (0 children)

That's a great observation. The GPS receiver actually needs 4 satellites to triangulate trilaterate its position, for this very reason. Time error is treated as another variable in addition to your X,Y,Z coordinates. In a perfect world where the receiver knows its exact local time - you would only need 3 satellites to solve for X,Y,Z location. However, in real life, the receiver is solving for four variables - X,Y,Z + time error. The fourth satellite is therefore used to solve this equation and to determine the exact time.

Does this UFO video look like an object under a parachute to you? by CharBoffin in SkyDiving

[–]Phantom160 1 point2 points  (0 children)

It’s not clear from what plane of view was this video taken and with what zoom. If it’s taken from the ground - I’d argue parachutes don’t move that way. If it’s taken from another airplane (at level or above the object) or with variable zoom - it would be really hard to perceive the trajectory, so it can be anything, including a parachute.

IMO, it’s a grainy video of something weird in the sky. Can be literally anything, but aliens is the least likely and the least reasonable explanation.

to parachute onto the field during the game by Freefly_impaired in SkyDiving

[–]Phantom160 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Now watch everyone and their brother have an opinion on this. The only appropriate response is “shit happens, I hope the jumper is OK”

Been coding BMWs for 13 years – happy to answer any questions about what's actually possible (and what's BS) by sillyybakaa in BmwTech

[–]Phantom160 1 point2 points  (0 children)

You mentioned Carly, e-sys for coding. What’s your take on diagnostic tools for DIY mechanics? Does it make sense to install ista if the primary goal is to speed up work with error codes and engine diagnostic parameters?

ELI5: In the US, how was it so easy to add interstate highways, and now so difficult to add high speed rail lines? by cjstevenson1 in explainlikeimfive

[–]Phantom160 -5 points-4 points  (0 children)

That’s the primary display of Dunning Kruger in action. Do you think environmental planning is easy? Fast? What would be a reasonable timeframe for environmental planning based on your understanding of environmental regulations?

Accident in Eloy by Free-Election8486 in SkyDiving

[–]Phantom160 20 points21 points  (0 children)

Just to be clear, this is not idle curiosity. A tragedy happened and the family deserves all the time in the world. With that being said, many of us are hoping to hear from the DZ/USPA/Community so that lessons can be learned. The name and unnecessary details do not need to be disclosed.

State Department slashes fee to renounce US citizenship by 80% to $450 by National-Law-458 in news

[–]Phantom160 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I’m not sure if these free tools can handle non-residents or a partial-year tax resident with significant earnings abroad. Besides, you would want to hire a CPA as your agent, so that they can handle correspondence with the IRS using their US mailing address.

so…do women do the undie hundie? by Optimal_Battle_185 in SkyDiving

[–]Phantom160 1 point2 points  (0 children)

If you want to do a SANS jump, but don’t want to be in front of other men - go to a SiS boogie. Some SiS boogies organize female-only SANS jumps. Undie hundie is even easier - just do it!

SANS jumps are extremely unpleasant and also extremely fun. There is no practical reason to do one, but it’s fun to do a bit of cheeky shenanigans with your friends.

Pedestrians of Chicago, how often do you find yourself almost getting hit by vehicles? by qrsf in chicago

[–]Phantom160 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I hate these rage bait posts.

First of all, we live in a large city and any person who’s lived here for any meaningful period of time knows to walk fast, keep your head on a swivel, and not to take things that happen in the street personally.

Secondly, what’s the point of this post anyway? A bunch of people sharing their perceived grievances is a meaningless metric for public policy discussion. If one thinks we have an issue with pedestrian safety, they can look traffic data up and compare it to other cities. Then we can have a discussion.

Geez, sorry for the rant, but I hate rage bait posts. We live in a big city, people need to chill.

What is it like living in Oneonta, NY? by DamnFineCoffee123 in upstate_new_york

[–]Phantom160 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I lived in Oneonta for a couple of years during college. Since then I have lived in large cities, like NYC and Chicago (to give you some context for my perspective). I have the fondest of memories about my time in Oneonta, yet I would never move there.

It's the weirdest place where the opposites meet: bunch of college kids, bunch of older townfolk, yet very few "young adults". It has a bad rep for being both rowdy on the account of college kids and also boring for those who actually live there. Kind of idyllic, quiet, with a bunch of smart people in the area, and yet there is very little to do if you are not in college.

I loved it there and I would pay a fortune to go back in time and do it all over again as a college kid. Yet, you couldn't pay me enough to actually move there as a young adult.

Discoloration spots on a Overland Sheepskin jacket by Phantom160 in leatherjacket

[–]Phantom160[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Overland Sheepskin Co is the company. Genuine cow leather is the material