The hottest Environment Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
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Top World Politics Topics

Fight to Repair Weekly: Week of October 31, 2022

Fight to Repair β€’ 0 implied HN points β€’ 03 Nov 22
πŸ•Ή Technology Environment
  1. All eyes are on New York Governor Kathy Hochul as the Digital Fair Repair Act awaits her signature, passing overwhelmingly in the Legislature.
  2. Albany's Times Union urges Governor Hochul to sign the right to repair bill despite lobbying efforts from special interests.
  3. Farmers face barriers to repair equipment due to restrictions on accessing repair tools, as highlighted in an opinion piece supporting the right to repair.

Fight to Repair Daily: August 5, 2022

Fight to Repair β€’ 0 implied HN points β€’ 06 Aug 22
πŸ•Ή Technology Environment
  1. Massachusetts is close to a decision on automotive right to repair laws which could impact how vehicles with telematics are standardized and opened up for repair.
  2. Nintendo fans are facing issues with DMCA takedowns, affecting areas like modding and use of soundtracks, bringing attention to copyright restrictions in the gaming industry.
  3. Local initiatives like the Repair Economy Washington's furniture refurbishment project highlight community efforts to support refugees and reduce waste through repair events.

The Week in Repair: June 26 - July 2

Fight to Repair β€’ 0 implied HN points β€’ 05 Jul 22
πŸ’Ό Business Environment
  1. Massachusetts auto right to repair law decision delayed, influenced by EPA SCOTUS ruling.
  2. South Africa celebrates progress in auto right to repair after one year of guidelines implementation.
  3. Tire Industry Association supports REPAIR Act to protect consumers, provide repair information, and develop cybersecurity standards.

Smartbulbs and Tractors and NFTvs...Oh My! The Worst of CES

Fight to Repair β€’ 0 implied HN points β€’ 11 Jan 22
πŸ•Ή Technology Environment
  1. The CES event showcased concerning security issues with products like John Deere's autonomous tractor, raising questions about cybersecurity and potential risks posed by vulnerabilities.
  2. Deere's response to security vulnerabilities, including launching a bug bounty program, fell short in transparency and substance, indicating a lack of significant organizational change to address the issues.
  3. Other categories for the Worst In Show at CES included privacy concerns with products like the Sengled Smart Health Monitoring Lightbulb and environmental impact with items like the Samsung NFT Aggregation Platform.

The Week in Repair: Dec 20-27

Fight to Repair β€’ 0 implied HN points β€’ 28 Dec 21
πŸ•Ή Technology Environment
  1. Hospitals are fighting against a surgical robot monopoly, claiming it forces hospitals to buy maintenance services and parts at inflated prices.
  2. Apple's iOS update fixed the Face ID repair trap on the iPhone 13, improving its repair score and response to repairability concerns.
  3. There is a growing movement for the Right to Repair, aiming to make electronics easier to repair and reduce e-waste by increasing access to repair tools and information.
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The Week in Repair Dec 13-20

Fight to Repair β€’ 0 implied HN points β€’ 21 Dec 21
πŸ•Ή Technology Environment
  1. Canada's push for a right to repair highlights a government effort to promote repairability of electronics and inform consumers about environmental impacts.
  2. Dell's Luna concept laptop focuses on easy disassembly for repair and recycling, aiming to extend the life of components through reuse.
  3. The FTC's letter on regulatory priorities emphasizes the importance of right to repair, signaling potential new rules to address anti-competitive behavior in various industries.

7 episodes out! The BeyondHarm Podcast, Subscribe & now, Listen

Beyond Harm β€’ 0 implied HN points β€’ 21 Feb 24
πŸŽ™ Podcasts Environment
  1. The BeyondHarm Podcast offers a convenient way to engage with discussions on risk, community, and politics in a succinct format.
  2. The Podcast covers diverse topics like environmental justice, climate change, and infrastructure safety, providing valuable insights from HazTechRisk.org and Jim Bratton.
  3. The BeyondHarm Newsletter is aimed at addressing safety concerns by creating information symmetry among citizens, government, industry, and regulatory agencies.

AI is good for the planet

Not Fun at Parties β€’ 0 implied HN points β€’ 22 Feb 24
πŸ•Ή Technology Environment
  1. AI uses less energy to generate text than a laptop does while typing a similar paragraph.
  2. Energy efficiency of AI models is impacted by factors like model training costs and power usage of laptops.
  3. Comparing energy usage of AI models to laptops may not directly reflect carbon emissions, but advancements in AI hardware can further improve efficiency.

Wasting Land is Bad, Actually

Cornerstone β€’ 0 implied HN points β€’ 01 Sep 23
🎭️ Culture Environment
  1. Opposition to new housing developments can contribute to housing shortages and urban sprawl
  2. Having a negative attitude towards new neighbors can lead to wasting land that could be used for housing
  3. Issues with land use and development often highlight deeper societal problems, such as class warfare and misanthropy

𝑨𝑰 π‘³π’π’ˆ πŸͺ 𝖣𝖾𝖼 𝟀𝟒𝟀πŸ₯

ailogblog β€’ 0 implied HN points β€’ 08 Dec 23
πŸ•Ή Technology Environment
  1. Illustrating the AI future is as crucial as writing about it, both for understanding and creativity
  2. Problems exist with the way plagiarism detection with AI is used, impacting student-teacher relationships
  3. The environmental impact of using large AI models is significant, and the energy costs are concerning

Screenshots from the apocalypse

Links I Would Gchat You If We Were Friends β€’ 0 implied HN points β€’ 11 Jun 23
🎭️ Culture Environment
  1. People are posting screenshots of air quality apps, finding some sense of control in the color-coded air quality indexes that provide a false sense of order during times of pollution.
  2. Streaming services went from being cheap and convenient to becoming expensive, signaling a change akin to how Uber and Instacart evolved.
  3. Personality tests are often considered nonsense, such as the Myers-Briggs created by individuals with no psychological training.

The Beckoning Holobiont

Cybernetic Forests β€’ 0 implied HN points β€’ 07 Aug 22
πŸ”¬ Science Environment
  1. Colonialism has often exploited indigenous knowledge and communities through science and exploration.
  2. The concept of 'subtractive science' by Masanobu Fukuoka challenges the traditional interventionist approach of science, advocating for a more hands-off, natural growth process.
  3. The relationship between humans, technology, and nature should be one of collaboration and respect, with an emphasis on understanding the balance of power and hierarchy in these interactions.

Feline Rock Bands and Other Wicked Problems

Cybernetic Forests β€’ 0 implied HN points β€’ 14 Nov 21
🎭️ Culture Environment
  1. Wicked problems require a different approach to problem-solving by focusing on understanding the verbs of a system, not just the nouns.
  2. Attempting to tame wicked problems through 'taming' strategies may not always solve the underlying issue, as seen in the example of managing cats in a rock band performance.
  3. Design experts often shape and limit our perspective on wicked problems, highlighting the importance of embracing complexities and tensions to navigate them effectively.

School is a sensory nightmare

Penelope Trunk's Substack β€’ 0 implied HN points β€’ 11 Nov 23
🚌 Education Environment
  1. School environments can be overwhelming due to sensory issues for kids, especially those with autism.
  2. Changing the environment to suit sensory needs is crucial, as seen in an example of creating a personal 'castle' for sensory comfort.
  3. Children are more likely to fulfill their sensory needs at home where they can control the environment, compared to the chaotic sensory experience in classrooms.

Anthony Discenza: Computational Infrastructures

Do Not Research β€’ 0 implied HN points β€’ 15 Oct 22
🎨 Art & Illustration Environment
  1. Experimenting with text-to-image generators like Dream, NeuralBlender, and others helps blend textual and visual forms in art.
  2. Generative image models like Dream and NeuralBlender are increasingly used in multiple industries, urging us to consider their implications.
  3. Computing technologies are not immaterial, but rely on physical infrastructures consuming energy and resources, and have global environmental impacts.

What Can Familial Hypercholesterolemia Mortality In the 19th Century Teach Us About Genetics?

Harnessing the Power of Nutrients β€’ 0 implied HN points β€’ 12 Mar 11
πŸ”¬ Science Environment
  1. Genetic studies may overestimate the impact of genetics and underestimate the role of the environment when the environment is uniform.
  2. Naming genes based on a singular observed trait, like associating a gene with a mortality risk, can be misleading and oversimplifies their functions.
  3. An allele's effects can be context-dependent, influenced by changing environments, making it challenging to accurately assess genetic impact with insufficient environmental variation.

Eudaimonia, Plenitude, and Sustainability

Logos and Liberty β€’ 0 implied HN points β€’ 24 Oct 22
πŸ“– Philosophy Environment
  1. Aristotle's philosophy advocates for a balanced economy that invests in areas like education, research, and the arts to realize human potential and counteract negative impacts on society and the environment.
  2. Juliet Schor proposes the concept of 'Plenitude' as an alternative to mindless consumerism, emphasizing the importance of time allocation, self-provisioning, environmental materialism, and community investments.
  3. Schor's call for sustainable economic growth challenges the traditional view on affluence, suggesting a shift towards a 'human service economy' focused on non-material fields to reduce environmental impact while maintaining income growth.

Stories about the Pacific Northwest, its people, flora, and fauna

Street Smart Naturalist: Explorations of the Urban Kind β€’ 0 implied HN points β€’ 18 Jan 21
🎭️ Culture Environment
  1. The Pacific Northwest has a rich history involving its people and the landscape. Understanding this connection can deepen our appreciation of the area.
  2. The region is home to diverse flora and fauna. Exploring the natural world there can be a fascinating adventure.
  3. Stories and experiences about the Pacific Northwest can help us learn more about its environment and culture. Sharing these stories can connect us with others who appreciate the area.

John Tyndall: An Insatiable Thirst For Knowledge

The Climate Historian β€’ 0 implied HN points β€’ 24 Mar 22
πŸ”¬ Science Environment
  1. John Tyndall is known for his work on the greenhouse effect, explaining how gases in the atmosphere trap heat and make Earth livable.
  2. His early education came from a Catholic teacher, John Conwill, which greatly influenced Tyndall despite his family's Protestant background.
  3. Tyndall was dedicated to learning, attending lectures and pursuing a Ph.D. in natural sciences, which led him to significant discoveries in physics and chemistry.

Energy gluttony in the AI age

Handy AI β€’ 0 implied HN points β€’ 09 Oct 24
πŸ•Ή Technology Environment
  1. Large language models use a lot of energy, much more than we can currently power sustainably. This can create serious environmental issues as these models grow and become more popular.
  2. Tech companies often turn to fossil fuels to meet the high energy needs of AI, reversing progress made in using renewable energy. This can harm the environment and put a strain on water resources.
  3. We need more transparency from AI companies about their energy use, along with better regulations and a focus on renewable energy. This way, we can manage the energy consumption of AI more responsibly.

Harnessing Voltage from a Height

Satisologie: Systems//Creativity β€’ 0 implied HN points β€’ 25 Jan 25
πŸ”¬ Science Environment
  1. There is a natural voltage difference in the atmosphere that grows with height, meaning higher points can collect more electricity. It's like how a tall radio tower picks up signals from far away.
  2. You could theoretically collect this energy by hanging a wire high up in the air. The challenge is finding a way to lift that wire without using much energy.
  3. One idea is to use a corkscrew shape in moving water; as the water flows, it could help raise the wire. It’s a mix of creative thinking and natural forces working together.

20250706

Curious futures (KGhosh) β€’ 0 implied HN points β€’ 06 Jul 25
🎭️ Culture Environment
  1. Armored MMA is a new, popular sport where fighters wear medieval armor and use real weapons, but it has rules to keep things safe.
  2. The internet can feel lonely, but it's important to find real connections instead of getting lost in social media.
  3. There are exciting advancements in technology, like biodegradable plastics, which can help the environment and show that humanity can live in harmony with nature.

Russian Arctic Oil - the History and the Future

On Energy, Cabbages and Kings β€’ 0 implied HN points β€’ 04 Aug 25
🌞 Climate & Environment Environment
  1. There is a strong competition for energy resources in the Arctic region right now. This race is important as it can impact global energy supply and politics.
  2. The Vostok Oil project is currently the only significant source of growth for Russia's oil production. It's seen as crucial for the country's future oil strategy.
  3. Reading articles on Arctic energy can give you better insights into both the history and future of oil in that area. They can be a good addition to your reading list.

Animal behaviour, water management, and the art of protest strategies

The Strategy Toolkit β€’ 0 implied HN points β€’ 10 Dec 25
🌍 World Politics Environment
  1. Animals often use specific plants and behaviours to heal or regulate themselves, showing practical, learned knowledge about medicine and survival.
  2. Close observation of everyday life and nature can reveal deep insights, and describing those observations in plain language makes them powerful and accessible.
  3. Human arts and sciences have long been informed by watching animals, so we should look to nature as a source of practical solutions and inspiration.

Catching Up on When We Are.

The Snap Forward β€’ 0 implied HN points β€’ 11 Feb 26
πŸŽ™ Podcasts Environment
  1. There’s a climate-foresight podcast called When We Are that’s informal, unedited, ad-free, and has attracted a steady audience.
  2. The post curates ten popular episodes as easy entry points for people who haven’t listened yet and want to catch up.
  3. A Personal Climate Strategy Workshop begins Thursday Feb 12 with enrollment closing soon, and listeners are encouraged to subscribe, support, and follow the podcast on platforms like Apple Podcasts and Spotify.