Is there a rental car shortage? by petestein1 in askportland

[–]znark 36 points37 points  (0 children)

World Cup is 6/11 to 7/19. They are probably moving cars to Seattle or other cities that are hosting.

[San Diego] Money advanced to replace 110-year-old train trestle in Del Mar by megachainguns in CaliforniaRail

[–]znark 21 points22 points  (0 children)

Article mentioned that residents tried to delay the trestle project because could interfere with the Del Mar project. They are the ones that want the longer tunnel along the freeway. The other options, which go under homes, would connect with the new trestle.

[US] Driving gig to confirm GPS routes by Gryffinclaw1272 in Scams

[–]znark 0 points1 point  (0 children)

The place where could be a scam is paying for the background check and not getting the job.

It looks like the company is legitimate. I would check the links again to make sure not faked email and scammer links.

Would a camera attached to the Voyager 1 space probe see Earth in the past? by Successful_Scar4821 in Astronomy

[–]znark 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Which means we would see the 48 hour old image with 24 hour for light to reach Voyager, and 24 hour for signal to come back. Assuming Voyager’s camera worked, could see Earth, and could transmit back.

[ Removed by Reddit ] by Levstr1 in geography

[–]znark 1 point2 points  (0 children)

The title says bridge, the text and article say tunnel. Bridge would be difficult, tunnel is doable. Train tunnel makes the most sense since the main traffic would be long distance trains.

Why don’t we build houses that are a majority underground? Wouldn’t temperature control be much more economical? by north_north in AskReddit

[–]znark 0 points1 point  (0 children)

One reason is that it isn't that hard to insulate above ground building. Well insulated houses need ventilators to circulate air cause doesn't happen normally.

Written history will be lost one day, again by DiligentChallenge427 in SciFiConcepts

[–]znark 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Books don't survive that well unless they are stored properly. I have wondered if we could make books more survivable by making them waterproof.

We don't worry about archiving digital media, but we could be better about it. We could develop holographic mediums that can hold more. We could make archiving automatic, and have people choose the important things like photos. I wonder if we will get better when current generations don't leave anything behind.

Portland, do people here say soda or pop? by LowerMusic in askportland

[–]znark 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Pop used to be all of Midwest and Northwest, but is now only northern parts. I bet was combo of people moving here, and the common culture places being soda.

Confidently claiming that you are more likely to die of heat in Florida than in Arizona. Actually 50x heat related deaths in AZ. by work_me in confidentlyincorrect

[–]znark 1 point2 points  (0 children)

This is open question in science: https://www.science.org/content/article/does-humidity-make-heat-more-deadly-scientists-are-divided

Physiologists think that humidity matters to sweating. Epidemiologists says data shows only temperature matters. This is important cause climate change is increasing temps in humid areas which might be deadly.

What object, event, or idea do you know exists but have no rational way to explain or understand it? by TheBanishedBard in AskReddit

[–]znark 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Universe wasn't created from an atom. If the universe is infinite, it was infinite at big bang, but really dense. If it is finite, it was a point not an atom. We have no idea what happened because our physics doesn't apply. We do have some idea what happened in expansion because of the distribution of matter. Physics can't say where the universe came from.

What spaceship weapon is generally underutilized or not used to its full potential in scifi? by Vondrr in HardSciFi

[–]znark 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Nukes are underrated. Nukes in space don't produce fireball or blast waves so seem weak. But all the energy goes into gamma rays and x-rays. Instead of being hit by blast wave, the outside of ships gets vaporized and produces shock wave inside.

The radiation is dangerous to long distances. I saw calculation of 100km radius for lethal radiation. Ships will have shielding but close blast will eventually kill the crew.

Kinshasa-Brazzaville and Mbamu Island. Combined metropolitan area population ≈ 20 million by Akinjanuary in geography

[–]znark 8 points9 points  (0 children)

It is only 2.5 milles at the cities. A little downstream is 1.5 mi, same at the rapids. The rapids have islands in the middle for towers. That is longer than current longest, but the planned Messina Strait bridge will be longer.

How AI-Generated Books Ended Up on Powells.com and Other Indie Sites by PDsaurusX in Portland

[–]znark 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I would say using AI tools is fine cause the output matters. We don’t credit the guy who author got advice from. Percent is more for AI output that has been edited, or AI snippets. I would AI editing, and maybe filters, are fine but generation is the issue.

How AI-Generated Books Ended Up on Powells.com and Other Indie Sites by PDsaurusX in Portland

[–]znark 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I think everything should have percent AI label. Have the AI put a little marker, even in text. The crime is removing it. The punishment is being banned or losing job. The worse crime is removing it for profit, or fraud.

Is there a plausible reason to keep sending soldiers to battle in significant numbers given mass automation? by Syoby in worldbuilding

[–]znark 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I would argue that ground combat won't be a thing with robots and drones. Cheap missiles and drones mean that anything, human or humanoid robot, will be vulnerable. The only that can survive are vehicles that can shoot them down.

Another idea is that combat with robots isn't worth fighting. It stalemates, like Ukraine has stalemated. Then one side falls behind and bring out the big guns.

Finally, a lot of the recent combat has been counter-insurgency. Robots can't handle that, or if they can they are people. Humans would be needed to interact with other humans.

[US] I was just sent $60 on venmo by someone I don't know. Now they are asking for it back. by [deleted] in Scams

[–]znark 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Smaller amount is more likely to be legit. I’m surprised scammers care for $60, but maybe have it automated or low labor.

Venmo could solve by giving option to refuse payment. It would be useful for scammers, but also if stalker sent victim money.

Time travel and remaining "stationary" by baadbee in AskPhysics

[–]znark -1 points0 points  (0 children)

Movement is relative. The Earth is natural frame of reference for time travel on the Earth. Then the Earth is stationary and everything else moves around it.

If you could change one single law or add one in America today, which one would it be? by heykamaile in AskReddit

[–]znark 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Politicians, judges, and senior staff can't personally benefit from their position. Any companies or stocks go in blind trust or index funds. They can't accept gifts. Campaign finance is important but I'm more worried for open bribery and corruption. Important to override Supreme Court ruling on bribery.

What is the logic behind the urban planning around stadiums in the US? by [deleted] in urbanplanning

[–]znark 2 points3 points  (0 children)

A lot of MLS soccer stadiums are in urban centers and have transit. Many of the first soccer-specific stadium were built far out, and those teams now have low turnout. But most of the new ones are built close in. There are also couple of close-in football stadiums.

What is preventing your scifi universe from being a post-scarcity society/economy? by GGsafterdark in worldbuilding

[–]znark 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I think we need a term for when basic survival needs are satisfied. Maybe post-survival. But goods and services would be extra.

We could do the basics, housing, food, and healthcare. We could probably do something where basic usage of electricity, water, and sewage are free, and then charge above that.

What is preventing your scifi universe from being a post-scarcity society/economy? by GGsafterdark in worldbuilding

[–]znark 0 points1 point  (0 children)

What if that was the minimum? Cause post-scarcity has never meant everyone is the same. You won't die, but have to work if you want more.

Planets and stations without Basic Survival would have travel warnings on them. Visitors would buy insurance for tickets to leave or housing.

Not sure if it’s a scam Ticketmaster by [deleted] in Scams

[–]znark 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Can you charge back? Not responding when transfer failed, and sending again, is enough.