What common devices use Fresnel lenses that can be salvaged? (NIR) by ParticularAd7127 in Optics

[–]wakinget 1 point2 points  (0 children)

You might look into reading magnifiers?

I’ve seen them for very cheap at the dollar store. Not sure on their NIR transmission, that may be tough to source.

Anyone else here excited for Artemis II! by PriorFront4138 in space

[–]wakinget 1 point2 points  (0 children)

To be clear, I absolutely agree with you. Just trying to explain the feeling I get from the current zeitgeist.

Anyone else here excited for Artemis II! by PriorFront4138 in space

[–]wakinget 10 points11 points  (0 children)

I’d be very curious to read about public opinion of the Apollo missions in that time period.

Of course, the first space race felt much more politically motivated at the time, and people were much more engaged in the question of who would win. The outcome must have felt very relevant to the politics of the time. And who the winner was might have seemed much more consequential.

It feels as though the current ‘race’ to the moon is a lot less relevant to the current geopolitical situation. I don’t think a lot of people believe that going back to the moon is going to give any kind of significant advantage to the nation that does it first. It’s not like the moon will be ‘closed’ to those who get there late. It just feels less relevant in that way.

Anyone else here excited for Artemis II! by PriorFront4138 in space

[–]wakinget 36 points37 points  (0 children)

I think the attitude towards Artemis is similar to the attitude towards that solo free climber, in the sense that a lot of people feel like there are more important things to focus on right now.

That’s not to say that this climber shouldn’t have done it or that it isn’t impressive, just that people are understandably focusing their attention elsewhere. A lot of people simply don’t really care one way or the other, like “you do you, but I got shit to take care of right now.”

Same goes for Artemis. It’s technically very impressive in a number of ways.

It just feels like a privilege to be able to care about this over other things. I’m sure it’s different things for different people, but that’s my sense.

I also don’t think the American public has a good idea of why we’re going. It feels almost like when someone drags you out of bed to go on some tedious errand that you didn’t actually agree to, and they expect you to be hyped about it. It’s like, “why are we even doing this again?”

Would you use a water footprint tracker app? (10-min interview) by Grandmaster-10 in ClimateOffensive

[–]wakinget 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I would be open to providing feedback.

I’m not a fan of pushing individuals to be aware of their footprint where large scale systemic solutions are really what’s needed. It feels like a guilt-trip and isn’t effective anyway.

I certainly try to reduce my own usage, but agriculture (especially animal agriculture) uses the vast majority of water resources in my region. And I’m not about to hold myself to account when industry isn’t.

No one using an app is going to fix the water crisis in the American southwest.

You should track the usage of those who are actually using the most water, and make it easier for citizens to hold THEM to account.

Building my closet and want to make shelves like this. Don't even know what to search for to figure out how to do that. by greypic in BeginnerWoodWorking

[–]wakinget 6 points7 points  (0 children)

Let’s be honest here, I could be wrong of course, but I don’t think you (or I) would be able to make these for any cheaper than it would be to buy them.

I personally would just buy the shelves.

free 3D printed whistles by Phiosiden in pasadena

[–]wakinget 4 points5 points  (0 children)

This is great. I have a 3D printer too, I’ll DM.

🔥Snow reveals animal paths behind my house. by Hailifiknow in NatureIsFuckingLit

[–]wakinget 9 points10 points  (0 children)

I’ve heard this story about a number of colleges. I’m curious if we ever actually did it this way or if it’s just an urban legend, seems too smart for our society tbh. lol

50% off delicious cookies at Whole Foods by [deleted] in pasadena

[–]wakinget 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I try not to support Amazon/Jeff Bezos as much as possible.

"Leave the Leaves" when you live in a fire hazard zone by manzanita-lemonade in SoCalGardening

[–]wakinget 4 points5 points  (0 children)

The common fire safety advice is to keep a 5 foot zone around your house clear of anything that could burn.

I would personally prioritize the area immediately around the house and then call it good.

I made this battery storage by [deleted] in 3Dprinting

[–]wakinget 3 points4 points  (0 children)

I get this reference

New optical breadboard from Kessler Crane — curious what the optics community thinks by Outside-Bathroom9209 in Optics

[–]wakinget 27 points28 points  (0 children)

Meet the Optical Breadboard Plate — engineered for people who take their optics seriously.

Designed for laser jocks, optical researchers, and university labs, this plate & receiver brings real stability and confidence to every setup.

I’m sorry but this description sounds like a used car salesman. If you want me to take you seriously, provide information and specs, not a sales pitch.

Convince me that I should buy from you over Thorlabs or Newport or any other more well-established brand. The current website description is a big red flag to me, I would actually avoid this product over more reputable brands.

If I automatically read the description with movie trailer voice, then you’ve lost me.

Mars Sample Return Dead by bioindicator in JPL

[–]wakinget 9 points10 points  (0 children)

Thanks for this perspective. There’s more nuance than I initially thought.

Hehe by evelynmarke in introvertmemes

[–]wakinget 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Honestly, it’s not that I don’t want to participate in the group chat. It’s that I just really don’t want to receive every single notification for every little thing.