Android Epistemology

Android Epistemology explores diverse themes through the lens of a recovering philosopher, including technology's impact on society, the nuances of political action over time, the pitfalls within the publishing and technological innovation sectors, and reflections on social markers and constructs. It critiques modern dilemmas and historical patterns, offering insights into philosophical, social, and technical issues.

Technology and Society Political Philosophy Publishing Industry Social Constructs and Identity Historical Reflections Philosophical Musings Film and Media Critique Policing and Social Justice Healthcare and Pain Management Intellectual Property

The hottest Substack posts of Android Epistemology

And their main takeaways

A Garden Path Essay

19 implied HN points • 14 Nov 22
  1. The surgeon in roboticsurgery may control instruments from a computer console.
  2. Personal video popularity on platforms like YouTube and TikTok has increased.
  3. Early video recording equipment in the 1970s was not as easily portable as today's cameras.

The "Progressive" Youth

19 implied HN points • 20 Aug 22
  1. Many young people throughout history have believed their experiences are unique, but this trend of thinking differently isn't new.
  2. Understanding history and social processes is crucial for meaningful political action instead of just virtue signaling.
  3. Learning from past mistakes and societal issues is essential for progress, rather than solely focusing on current issues.

How Electricity Works

19 implied HN points • 04 Jun 22
  1. Author recalls learning Ohm's law in sixth grade
  2. Author describes building a circuit and seeking help from a teacher
  3. Author reflects on a mysterious behavior of a circuit created in the past

Software Book Publishers are Truly Terrible

19 implied HN points • 13 May 22
  1. Software book publishers may not effectively promote books, leaving much of the work to authors while keeping the majority of revenue.
  2. Choosing a publisher for a software book requires consideration of factors like content availability, academic market pursuit, book quality, and timely publication.
  3. Self-publishing can offer more control over book production quality and promotional efforts, but may require authors to take on tasks like creating a landing page, finding reviewers, and arranging media publicity.

The Death and Life of Great Technical Publishers

1 HN point • 05 Jul 23
🕹 Technology Publishing
  1. The author faced challenges with different technical publishers not publishing their works as originally contracted.
  2. Building good relationships with editors can lead to successful publishing opportunities.
  3. Sometimes, even well-known authors face setbacks and challenges in the process of getting their works published.
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The alt-right and the cops

0 implied HN points • 01 May 21
  1. Police may be infiltrating both leftist and far-right groups.
  2. Leftist channels likely have police infiltrators instigating violent actions.
  3. Far-right channels may have police members, some genuine and others undercover.

Post-surgical pain management in Maine

0 implied HN points • 26 Nov 22
  1. The approach to post-surgical pain management in Maine is criticized for being restrictive and inadequate.
  2. Concerns are raised about the excessive anti-opioid policies in Maine, impacting pain management.
  3. The potential dangers of poor pain management practices and the limitations of relying solely on acetaminophen are highlighted.

Thoughts on Cinematic Naturalism

0 implied HN points • 20 Aug 22
  1. A good film should avoid relying on cliches and false naturalism.
  2. Characters in films could benefit from being more structural and less artificially nuanced.
  3. Non-naturalistic elements can be used to enhance storytelling and create more impact.

The Evil of Our Times

0 implied HN points • 02 Jun 21
  1. Intellectual property is considered one of the worst evils for its harm to humanity.
  2. Bill Gates and the Gates Foundation are critiqued for their contribution to perpetuating this harm.
  3. Patents are shown to concentrate wealth and social control rather than fuel innovation.

The relief of a missing marker

0 implied HN points • 15 May 21
  1. In Havana, people weren't identified as 'black' or 'white' based on skin color.
  2. The absence of racial markers in a place can be refreshing and thought-provoking.
  3. The author reflects on the privilege and impact of societal markers like race and gender in different contexts.

What is Time?

0 implied HN points • 20 Aug 22
  1. A 'second' in UTC is not a measure of time but of Earth's angular rotation.
  2. Different systems handle time differently, causing issues like missing dates in databases.
  3. The UTC second is fixed, but the UTC minute can vary unpredictably.

What is gerrymandering?

0 implied HN points • 01 May 21
  1. Gerrymandering can disenfranchise specific racial groups through district manipulation
  2. District shapes and sizes impact election outcomes and fairness
  3. Increasing the number of districts can affect the balance of power in favor of ruling parties

Does blockchain DO anything?

0 implied HN points • 01 May 21
  1. Many people are enthusiastic about blockchain but don't understand its technical details or practical applications.
  2. Blockchain is often added to ideas that are already valuable, without providing additional benefit.
  3. Digital signatures can provide non-deniability and value in contracts, regardless of blockchain or NFT involvement.

Random musings of a recovering philosopher

0 implied HN points • 01 May 21
  1. The author plans to write about political philosophy and its intersection with technology or data science.
  2. The term 'android epistemology' was used by the author prior to its common use on the internet.
  3. The author reflects on a philosophy paper written as an undergraduate, finding it a mix of good work and naive simplicity.

Méconnaissance and guilt-without-association

0 implied HN points • 14 May 21
  1. Facebook's truth filter incorrectly flags photos
  2. Misinformation can have serious consequences
  3. Robots' misrecognition can hint at troubling societal trends

When to Choose the Lesser Evil

0 implied HN points • 29 Aug 22
  1. Consider practicality and leisure when choosing the lesser evil
  2. Voting choices can have significant real-world consequences, like impacting COVID-19 deaths
  3. Choosing the lesser evil in elections can prevent worsening social issues like police brutality and mass incarceration

Brains really aren't so great

0 implied HN points • 12 Dec 21
  1. Memories can be unreliable and change over time
  2. False memories can feel real and become more solidified in our minds
  3. Our brains can create distinct memories that are actually fabricated

The Anti-Aesthetic

0 implied HN points • 09 Jul 21
  1. The concept of the anti-aesthetic is explored, focusing on deliberate lack of composition and beauty.
  2. Examples are given of spaces like docks and hotel rooms that lack harmony or functionality.
  3. The absence of true ugliness can be more unsettling than actual ugliness.

Freedom is not an Essence

0 implied HN points • 09 Jul 21
  1. The concept of 'sexual preference' versus 'sexual orientation' has political implications.
  2. The idea that genetic traits are inherently good or acceptable is flawed.
  3. Civil rights movements should not rely on the 'born this way' argument for human dignity and freedom.